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Parma and the Italian Food Valley: A Journey to Heaven for Gourmets

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I can easily imagine the locals’ pride and joy when in December 2015 the Unesco named Parma Creative City of Gastronomy.

Most people know Parma because of its famous ham and Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano Reggiano), probably not even relating the word to a place. French literature buffs might have read Stendhal’s acclaimed novel The Charterhouse of Parma and opera lovers probably know that Verdi was born in a town some 40 km from Parma, but I suspect that the majority of foreigners have barely heard of the city, and have no idea of where to pin it on the map of Italy.

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10 Reasons you Should Travel Emilia Romagna

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How many of you have heard about Emilia-Romagna, or know where it is? I bet not many.

Everyone traveling from Florence to Venice (or the other way round) goes through Emilia-Romagna and its largest city, Bologna. This Italian region is often barely an area of transit, and only a few make a stop on their way to or from Tuscany.

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A Dreamy Sunset Walk in Locorotondo, One of Apulia prettiest Towns

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Less than 10 km from Alberobello, the delightful town of Locorotondo looks very different from the village famous for the trulli, the traditional whitewashed dry stone huts with their typical conic-shaped roofs.
It may not have the UNESCO WHS status of  Alberobello, but Locorotondo is listed as one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy and it’s not hard to see why. A labyrinth of cobblestone alleys flanked by old white houses, some with beautifully decorated small balconies, other simple, square and with the pitched roofs typical of the city.

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Beyond the Cinque Terre… Charming Portovenere

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Pink, yellow, light blue, red, orange. Portovenere, one of the most beautiful towns of the western Ligurian coast, appears from the boat with its colorful houses reflecting in the sea.

I haven’t set foot on the ground yet, and I feel already that many lovely corners are waiting for my eyes to meet and admire them. Only a couple of minutes and my sense of anticipation is fulfilled.

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A Day Trip to Nara, Chasing Breathtaking Temples, Shrines, and Deer

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It’s often overshadowed by Kyoto, but a day trip to Nara is a must if you want to see the best of Japan. My jaw dropped as I walked from temple to temple in Nara Park.

Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and more than thousand deer strolling freely in the park: Nara Park took my breath away.

Founded in 710 A.D., over time Nara’s development was strongly affected by influences from China and Korea, and the city soon became the cradle of future Japanese culture and architecture.

Unlikely many cities of Japan, ravaged across the centuries by earthquakes and fires, many historical buildings in Nara survived time, wars and natural disasters. Today, they are one of the most stunning ancient architectural complexes in Asia, a site whose beauty will stick in my memory forever.

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Postcards from Ravenna, the Marvelous City of Mosaics

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I first visited Ravenna last year on a day trip from Bologna, where I spent two weeks to discover the beauty of the Emilia-Romagna region.
I had been wishing to admire the Byzantine mosaics for a long time but never managed to go, and with a single day, there was not much time to get a more comprehensive idea of the city beyond the mind-blowing ancient sites. 

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Traveling to Italy for the First Time? 10 Insider Tips for a Unique Trip

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I feel blessed for being born in Italy, surrounded by beauty and enjoying magnificent landscapes ranging from the snow-capped Alps in the north to the olive groves in the south. Italy never fails to surprise.

Seasoned travelers will tell you that nothing beats advice and tips from a local. So,  to help you get the best of the country if you’re traveling to Italy, I’m sharing my 10 tips to prepare your Italian trip

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33 Photos that Will Make You Want to Visit Milan

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Well known as one of the world’s fashion capitals and a longstanding business hub in Europe, there still are only a limited number of foreign tourists who plan to visit Milan, particularly if it’s their first trip to Italy.

The land of “La Dolce Vita” is one of the most fantasized destinations in the world, but while Rome, Florence, Venice, the Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi Coast captivate everyone’s imagination, Milan is hardly on the radar.

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Discover the Magic of Venice in November

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“How about a weekend in Venice in November?”

I immediately accepted because I love spending time with Stefano, my travel pal in the few occasions when I’m not traveling solo. The “where” was not relevant. I was happy to enjoy a couple of days with my best friend. I found out that without the crowds and shrouded in fog, Venice in November can be a wonderful romantic gateway.

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