The Island Venice Imprisoned to Guard Its Most Precious Secret
Discover how Venice moved every glassmaker to Murano in 1291 — and what happened to those who tried to leave with its secrets — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
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 Medieval Shipyard That Made Venice the Most Feared Power on Earth
How Venice built the world’s first industrial assembly line and turned it into an empire — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Town Above the Amalfi Coast That Never Quite Lets You Go
Ravello sits 365 metres above the Amalfi Coast — quieter, more beautiful, and utterly unforgettable. Here’s why it belongs on every Italy itinerary — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Italian Island Between Sicily and Africa That Nobody Puts on Their Itinerary
Discover Pantelleria — the volcanic island between Sicily and Tunisia where vines lie flat, capers perfume the air, and tourists are still rare — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
How Italian Immigrants Turned Poverty Food Into America’s Favourite Cuisine
Spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, garlic bread — these feel Italian to millions. The real story of how immigrants invented them is far more moving — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Italian City That Planned Its Streets in 1492 and Still Looks the Same
Discover Ferrara, Italy’s best-preserved Renaissance city, planned in 1492 by Ercole d’Este. UNESCO-listed, crowd-free, and 45 minutes from Bologna — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
What Daily Life in Pompeii Really Looked Like Before Vesuvius
Discover what daily life in Pompeii looked like in 79 AD — graffiti, fast food stalls, and homes frozen in time — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Tiny Italian Valley That Made Prosecco Famous the World Over
Discover the UNESCO-listed hills of Valdobbiadene and how this tiny Italian valley created the world’s most popular sparkling wine — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Italian Surnames of Tuscany: What Your Name Reveals About Your Roots
Discover the origins and meanings of common Italian surnames from Tuscany — from Medici to Rossi, find out if your name traces back to this iconic region — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Italian Surnames of Campania: What Your Name Reveals About Your Roots
Discover the most common Italian surnames from Campania, from Esposito to Caruso, and what they reveal about your family’s heritage — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Catania Is the Sicilian City Most Visitors Miss — and Shouldn’t
Discover Catania, Sicily’s baroque city built from volcanic lava at the foot of Mount Etna — a stunning, underrated destination — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Abruzzo Orders Its Favourite Food One Hundred at a Time
Discover arrosticini, the ancient Abruzzo lamb skewer tradition born from shepherd life — and why locals always order them by the hundred — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Southern Tuscany Is the Secret the Rest of Italy Keeps
Discover the Maremma: Tuscany’s wild south, with ancient hilltop villages carved from rock, free hot springs, and Italy’s last cowboys — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The One Sign That Tells Italians If a Gelateria Is Worth Entering
Learn the Italian insider trick for finding authentic gelato — from the pistachio colour test to why real gelato hides under metal lids — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Rome’s Pantheon Has Never Needed a Single Repair in 1,900 Years
Step inside the Pantheon in Rome — a 1,900-year-old dome that has never needed structural repair and still impresses modern engineers today — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
How the Medici Family Turned Florence Into the Greatest City in the World
Discover how the Medici banking dynasty transformed Florence into the Renaissance capital of Europe, and what their extraordinary legacy still looks like today — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why the World’s Most Copied Cheese Only Tastes Right in Campania
Why the mozzarella di bufala from Campania tastes nothing like any other version in the world — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
The Two Italian Towns That Have Spent 100 Years Fighting Over Limoncello
The century-old rivalry over who invented limoncello — and where to find the best in southern Italy — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Why Siena Has Been Baking the Same Spiced Cake Since the Middle Ages
Siena’s panforte has been made the same way since the 13th century — discover the history, the recipe, and where to find the authentic version — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.
Santa Magdalena: A Guide to the Italian Dolomites
Santa Magdalena in South Tyrol offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the Italian Dolomites. Here’s everything you need to know before you visit — from hiking trails to when to go.
Why Italians Speak With Their Hands — And What Each Gesture Means
Discover the meaning behind Italian hand gestures, where they came from, and what they say about Italian culture — plus get weekly Italy stories free in our newsletter.