How One Italian Family Bankrolled the Renaissance and Shaped the World
The Medici family of Florence didn’t just fund the Renaissance — they invented modern banking and changed how the world thought about art and power.
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.
The Italian Town So Good at Pottery That the World Stole Its Name
Discover the remarkable story of Faenza, the small Italian city whose pottery tradition was so influential that it named an entire art form — and why the French, English, and Germans all borrowed its name.
The Reason Real Spaghetti Carbonara Never Touches a Drop of Cream
Real spaghetti carbonara contains no cream. Discover the Roman origins of this iconic dish and why adding cream is considered almost criminal in Italy.
The Italian Market Tradition That Has Barely Changed in 500 Years
Discover the unspoken rules and rituals of Italian market culture — a tradition that has shaped how Italians eat, shop, and connect for centuries.
The Puglia Grape That America Fell in Love With Under a Completely Different Name
Millions of Americans drink it every year without knowing its Italian roots. Primitivo di Manduria, the ancient Puglia grape behind Zinfandel, has one of wine’s great untold stories.
Why Real Mortadella Has Almost Nothing in Common With the Bologna in Your Fridge
Real mortadella from Bologna is nothing like the processed meat Americans call bologna. Here is the story of Italy’s most misunderstood food tradition.
Why Every Bottle of Chianti Classico Has a Black Rooster on the Label
Discover the legend of the Gallo Nero — the black rooster that ended a war between Florence and Siena and now appears on every bottle of Chianti Classico wine.
The Italian Olive Oil Tradition That Turns November Into a Celebration
Discover the Italian olive oil tradition that turns November into a village celebration, from the frantoio to DOP designations and the flavour no bottle can replicate.
The Italian Craftsmen Who Were Both Noblemen and Prisoners at the Same Time
Discover why Venice gave its glassblowers noble status — then forbade them from leaving. The extraordinary story of Murano and its guarded secrets.
What Lies Beneath the Colosseum Floor Has Stunned Visitors for Centuries
Beneath the Colosseum floor lies a hidden labyrinth that stunned engineers for centuries. Discover the Roman engineering secrets no spectator ever saw.
The Piedmont Wine That Italians Only Open When Something Truly Matters
Discover why Barolo is called the King of Italian Wines and what makes this Piedmont red wine so extraordinary to taste and impossible to forget.
The Venice Celebration Where Nobody Knows Who You Are — and That’s the Point
Discover the history and magic of Venice Carnival — its ancient mask traditions, hidden meanings, and why this spectacular celebration captivates millions every February.
Why Real Mozzarella di Bufala Tastes Nothing Like What You Buy at Home
In a small creamery in Campania, the work begins before dawn. By 8am, the first mozzarella balls are ready. By
The Sunday Morning Ritual That Still Defines Every Italian Family
Every Sunday in Italy, kitchens fill with the smell of slow-cooked ragù. Discover why this centuries-old ritual still defines Italian family life.
The Italian Street Theatre That Invented the Clown and the Villain
Discover Commedia dell’arte — the Italian street theatre born in Renaissance market squares that gave the world Harlequin, the clown, and the pantomime villain.
Why Every Italian Wipes Their Plate Clean — and Why Chefs Secretly Love It
Fare la scarpetta is the Italian art of wiping your plate clean with bread — and learning why reveals everything about how Italians truly feel about food.
The Breakfast Ritual That Confuses Every Non-Italian — Until They Try It
Discover focaccia genovese — the Ligurian bread tradition that gave Italy its most surprising breakfast ritual, and why Genoese bakers have made it the same way for five centuries.
The Italian Island That Inspired Il Postino and Still Looks Exactly the Same
Procida is the smallest island in the Bay of Naples — painted in clashing colours that somehow work, famous from a beloved film, and still almost entirely undiscovered by tourists.
Why Roman Gladiators Were Better Fed Than Most Romans Around Them
Gladiators in ancient Rome ate better than most citizens, had doctors on call, and many chose the life voluntarily. Here is the surprising truth behind the Hollywood myth.
Why Italian Truffle Hunters Guard Their Secrets More Closely Than Gold
Every October, hunters disappear into the fog-draped hills of Piedmont before sunrise. The art of Italian truffle hunting is ancient, secretive, and fiercely guarded — here is why.
Why Italians Never Feel Guilty About Sitting Still and Doing Nothing
Discover dolce far niente — the Italian art of doing absolutely nothing. Why Italians never feel guilty about sitting still, and what it teaches us all.