Why Every Wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano Has to Pass a Sound Test
Discover why every wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano must pass a centuries-old sound test — and why this Italian cheese can only be made in one place on earth.
Places to visit
Italy is a country full of history, culture and outstanding natural beauty. Some must-visit places include the romantic city of Venice with its famous gondolas and canals, the capital city Rome, home to ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Vatican City. Florence is famous for its Renaissance art and architecture. The Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre are renowned for their stunning coastal scenery. Other notable places include the fashionable city of Milan, the picturesque region of Tuscany, the historic city of Pompeii and the beautiful islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Beyond cities and landscapes, Italy is also known for its delicious cuisine and world-class wines.
– Venice: Known for its romantic ambiance, iconic gondolas, and beautiful canals.
– Rome: The capital city is home to ancient ruins like the Colosseum and the Vatican City.
– Florence: Famous for its Renaissance art and architecture.
– Amalfi Coast: Renowned for its stunning coastal scenery.
– Cinque Terre: Another area known for remarkable coastal views.
– Milan: A fashionable city, known as a global hub for design and fashion.
– Tuscany: A picturesque region with rolling hills, vineyards and historic towns.
– Pompeii: An ancient city with well-preserved ruins from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
– Sicily: The largest island in the Mediterranean sea, known for its rich history and diverse architecture.
– Sardinia: A beautiful island with stunning beaches and clear blue waters.
– Italian Cuisine: Famous for its delicious food like pizza, pasta, gelato, and many regional specialties.
– Italian Wines: Italy is one of the largest wine producers in the world, with famous varieties like Chianti, Prosecco, and Barolo.
Why Florentine Chefs Will Refuse to Cook Your Steak Well Done
Walk into any traditional trattoria in Florence and ask for your steak well done. Watch the waiter’s face. He will
Why Sicilians Have Eaten Iced Dessert for Breakfast for 1,000 Years
Sicily’s most unusual breakfast tradition — granita with a warm brioche bun — stretches back 1,000 years to Arab rule. Here’s the delicious story behind it.
Why the Best Italian Gelato Is Made With Less — and Tastes Like More
Italian gelato contains less fat and less air than ice cream — and that is why it tastes so much better. Here is the artisan tradition explained.
The Italian Secret Worth More Per Gram Than Gold — and Only Dogs Can Find It
Discover Italy’s white truffle hunters in Piedmont — the trained dogs, ancient codes of silence, and Alba’s October fair that draws buyers from across the world.
The Paper Art Florence Invented That No Machine Has Ever Replicated
Walk into Florence’s hidden workshops and you’ll find craftspeople still painting on water — the 400-year-old art of carta marmorizzata that no machine has ever managed to replicate.
The Reason Italy’s Greatest Ham Can Only Come From One Specific Valley
Why Prosciutto di Parma can only be made in one small valley in Italy — the microclimate, the crown stamp, and 700 years of tradition.
Why Palermo’s Street Food Markets Have Fed the World for 1,000 Years
Palermo’s street food markets have fed the city for over 1,000 years. Discover arancine, sfincione, pane ca meusa and the vibrant chaos of Ballarò.
Why Every House in Alberobello Was Originally Built to Be Demolished
The story behind Alberobello’s famous trulli — why these cone-roofed houses were built without mortar, and what visitors discover there today.
The Island That Gave Birth to Venice — and Was Left to Silence
Forty minutes from Venice lies Torcello — the forgotten island where Roman refugees built the first city of the lagoon. Once greater than Venice itself, it is now almost completely abandoned.
Why Italy Has Over 300 Pasta Shapes — And Each One Has a Purpose
Italy has over 300 pasta shapes — and each one exists for a reason. Discover how geography, climate, and tradition shaped the pasta on your plate.
The Dish That Once Marked You as Poor in Northern Italy — and Now Marks You as Proud
From peasant staple to culinary pride, discover how polenta came to define northern Italy’s food culture and why locals still stir it for 40 minutes.
Why Italian Nonnas Start the Sunday Ragù Before the House Wakes Up
Every Sunday, Italian nonnas start the ragù before anyone else wakes up. Discover why this slow-cooked pasta sauce tradition still defines family life in Italy.
The 500-Year-Old Game Where Florence’s Neighbourhoods Go to War
Florence’s calcio storico is a brutal 500-year-old sport played in Renaissance costume every June — part festival, part battle, and pure city pride.
Why Italian Nonnas Start the Sunday Ragu Before Anyone Else Is Awake
Discover the Italian Sunday ragu tradition — why nonnas start cooking before dawn and how one pot of sauce has held families together for generations.
The 600-Year-Old Miracle That Still Stops Naples Twice a Year
Twice a year, Naples holds its breath. The blood of San Gennaro has filled a sealed vial for 600 years — and whether it liquefies decides everything for this ancient city.
The Italian Coffee Pot So Good That a Man Wanted to Be Buried in One
The moka pot has been waking up Italian families every morning since 1933. Discover the ritual, the unwritten rules, and why Italians refuse to give it up for anything newer.
Why the Most Important Day in Siena Lasts Just 90 Seconds
The Palio di Siena is a horse race lasting 90 seconds but it defines an entire city. Discover why every Sienese person lives for this ancient tradition.
The Calabrian Clifftop Town That Made a Single Onion World-Famous
Tropea clings to a clifftop above the clearest water in southern Italy. Visitors arrive for the view — but it is the DOP red onion, grown in Calabria’s volcanic soil, that they talk about for years.
Why Italy Decided to Let Strangers Sleep on Its Farms — and Never Looked Back
Discover agriturismo in Italy — ancient farmhouses where you eat home-grown food, drink local wine, and understand what Italian life is really about.
Why Bologna Created an Official Title for Its Pasta Makers — and Still Awards It Today
Bologna’s sfoglina pasta makers hand-roll pasta with a two-metre mattarello — an ancient craft that still earns an official title in the city.