The Medieval Villages Italy Walked Away From Are Its Best-Kept Secret
Discover Italy’s borghi — ancient medieval villages that were abandoned after the war and are now captivating travellers from across the world.
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 Part of Italy That Feels Nothing Like Italy — And Loves It That Way
South Tyrol is the Italian region where German is the first language, strudel outranks pasta, and the Dolomites rise above it all. Discover Italy’s most surprising corner.
The Tuscan Town They Called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages
San Gimignano’s medieval towers were built for power, not beauty. Discover the remarkable family rivalries behind Tuscany’s most striking skyline.
Why Palermo Looks Unlike Any Other City in Italy — And That’s Exactly the Point
Discover why Palermo looks unlike any other Italian city. The Arab-Norman heritage of Sicily created buildings no single culture could have made alone.
Why Italians Put on Red Underwear and Eat Lentils on New Year’s Eve
From lentils at midnight to red underwear gifted by loved ones, discover the Italian New Year’s Eve traditions that every family still keeps.
The Florentine Leatherworkers Who Refused to Let a 700-Year Craft Die
For seven centuries, Florence has been Europe’s leather capital. Discover the artisans keeping this ancient vegetable-tanned craft alive in the hidden workshops of Oltrarno.
The Italian Town That Has Been Crumbling Since the Etruscans — and Still Won’t Fall
Civita di Bagnoregio, the medieval Italian hilltop town known as ‘the city that is dying’, has been crumbling for 2,500 years — and still refuses to fall.
Why Murano’s Glassblowers Lived Like Princes — and Couldn’t Leave Their Island
Discover how Venice moved its master glassblowers to Murano island in 1291 — and what happened to craftsmen who tried to leave with their secrets.
Why Murano’s Glassblowers Lived Like Princes — and Couldn’t Leave Their Island
Discover how Venice moved its master glassblowers to Murano island in 1291 — and what happened to craftsmen who tried to leave with their secrets.
The Ancient Italian Sausage That America Turned Into a Joke
Most people who grew up in America have eaten it. Folded into a sandwich on white bread, tucked into a
The Italian Lake That Secretly Supplies Half the Fashion World
Discover how Lake Como has quietly supplied the world’s top fashion houses with luxury silk for over 500 years — Italy’s best-kept fashion secret.
Why Two Italians From Different Regions Can Barely Understand Each Other
Italy’s regional dialects are so different they were once separate languages. Discover why Neapolitan, Venetian and Sicilian divided a nation for centuries.
The Italian Drink Made From What Every Winery Throws Away
Grappa is made from what every winery throws away — grape skins, seeds, and stems. Discover how this peasant spirit became Italy’s most quietly celebrated drink.
The Room in Pompeii Where No One Can Agree What Was Happening 2,000 Years Ago
Inside Pompeii’s Villa of the Mysteries, life-size frescoes depict a ritual that scholars have argued over for a century. What were they really hiding?
Why One of Italy’s Most Popular Pastas Is Named After Strangling a Priest
Strozzapreti means priest strangler. Discover the dark medieval story behind Italy’s most curiously named pasta and what makes it so special.
The Sicilian Staircase That Puts on a New Outfit Every Summer
Caltagirone in Sicily has been hand-painting ceramics for 2,500 years. Its 142-step staircase is tiled in history — and every July, the whole thing is transformed.
The Italian Draught Fear That Every Nonna Takes More Seriously Than the Doctor
Italians have feared draughts for centuries. Discover the tradition of corrente d’aria and why every Italian nonna takes this invisible danger more seriously than the doctor.
Why No One Has Solved the 300-Year Mystery of Italy’s Perfect Violins
In Cremona, craftsmen still build violins worth millions. No one has solved why Stradivarius instruments made 300 years ago remain unmatched by anything made today.
The Italian Wedding Sweet That Has Been Made the Same Way Since 1441
In Cremona, northern Italy, torrone has been made by hand since a Renaissance wedding feast in 1441. Discover the story behind Italy’s most beloved Christmas sweet.
Why Italians Have Been Soaking in the Same Hot Springs for 2,000 Years
Italy’s thermal hot springs have been flowing since Roman times. Discover the free ancient waters you can soak in today, from Saturnia’s falls to Ischia’s volcanic pools.
Why Real Pesto From Genoa Tastes Nothing Like What You’ve Been Eating
The real pesto from Genoa is nothing like the paste in your supermarket. Discover the basil, the marble mortar, and the rules that protect it.