Italy
September 2013
I was last in Italy in 2001 with my friend from London. It became my favourite country of all time. Could a return visit live up to the expectations?
Join us as we take a cruise from Civitavecchia & road trip around Italy top to bottom.
July 2014
I returned to Italy for a short visit to Rome for a few days with my sister as she was on a round the world trip.
September 2014
Josh returned to Italy for a week to visit Milan, Mantua, Cremona and Lake Garda.
-
4 Days In Florence: Renaissance Art, Italian Charm & World’s Best Gelato
Italy
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was the centre of the Italian Renaissance where renowned artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli mastered their trade. But art isn’t the only beautiful thing about Florence. Follow my itinerary for an amazing 4 days in Florence - I promise you'll love every minute... especially the gelato!
-
Italy By Train: Easy 21 Day Rail Itinerary For 6 Destinations
Italy
I recently travelled for 3 weeks around Italy by train and have put all my first-hand experience and research into this epic 3-week rail itinerary just for you. Start in Milan and travel to La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Rome, Florence, and Venice before wrapping up back in Milan. There are more highlights than you can count... this was my best rail journey so far!
-
1 Day In Milan: Da Vinci’s Last Supper, The Duomo & The Golden Triangle
Italy
We spent 1 day in Milan at the end of a whirlwind rail tour around Italy, and crammed as much site-seeing as we could into 24 hours. This 1-day itinerary visits Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, climbs the Duomo, and even squeezes a little time for shopping in The Golden Triangle. Be warned, this plan isn’t for the faint of heart. But then again, neither is Milan.
-
2 Days In Venice: A Survivor’s Guide To Canals, Islands & Crowds
Italy
I visited Venice to see if it lives up to the hype and to explore the epicentre of the Venetian Empire that thrived during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Here’s my handy 2 day itinerary that covers Venetian museums, icons like Rialto Bridge and Doge’s Palace, and then spends a day away from the maddening crowds touring nearby islands Murano and Burano.
-
2 Days In Rome: The Essential Itinerary For First Time Visitors
Italy
Rome is called “the Eternal City” for very good reason. It’s impact on the world has been, well, pretty eternal. Visiting Rome in any short timeframe is destined to be a challenge. I recently had only 2 days in Rome to explore the essential big-ticket attractions like the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trevi Fountain. Here’s how to do Rome like a pro.
-
This Is What A €5 Million Violin Looks Like
Italy
I’ll be honest. I had never contemplated where violins were born. Nope, it never crossed my mind. But this is what I love about travel - it opens up new experiences that I may not have jumped at previously, but sneakily managed to capture my fascination and imagination in unexpected ways.
-
An Evening In The Vatican: The Tour For Art Lovers and Lovers of Skipping Queues
Italy
The Vatican simply needs to be seen to be believed. It’s a whole other country. In fact, it’s a world within a world. I believe they call it an ecclesiastical, one of the last six remaining absolute monarchies that is ruled entirely and completely by the Pope, Bishop of Rome. Here's my insider tips.
-
Can Overome Make The Colosseum & Ancient Rome Kid-Friendly?
Italy
When you see the colossal ruins sitting in the humming centre of Rome you can only be amazed at its rock-steady tenacity to keep its place in a constantly changing world. But tours around the colosseum aren't all that family friendly... Or are they?
-
I Could Walk To The Colosseum In 2 Minutes From This Hotel
Italy
We soon realised we had chosen this hotel wisely. Less than 2 minutes away, staring at us on the horizon, beckoning us with it’s ancient arches and calling to us with it’s ageless history, was the colossal Colosseum.
-
Southern Europe Road Trip: 18 Days Across Italy, France & Spain
Italy
Follow our 18 day journey across 3 countries: Italy, France and Spain (4 including Monaco). If you’ve ever thought about taking a road trip around southern Europe, here’s the ultimate guide to get you started. Includes toll prices, fuel and milage.
-
Italian Roadtrip: Alberobello To Perugia
Italy
Still recovering from the insanely scenic sunrise in Matera, we headed back on the road in pursuit of our next Italian scalp – the famed trulli houses in Alberobello. Afterwards we moved onto Termoli and finally Perugia, home of the famed Renaissance painter Raphael.
-
Classic Italian Icons Covered In 60 Seconds: Rome, Florence & Pisa
Italy
Well, that’s what it felt like by the end of it. In reality we only had about 3 days between all 3 cities so we didn’t fit in everything we wanted to see, but here’s a quick rundown of what we squished into a fun-packed family trip.
-
Spectacular Sunrise Photography Tour of Matera, Italy
Italy
It was after our rather disappointing discoveries in Pompeii that we followed Erin’s parents blindly to the next overnight spot they had chosen, Matera.
-
Romance, Magic and History… With Kids: Villa San Michele Florence
Italy
Villa San Michele began life in the 15th century as a Franciscan monastery, featuring a stunning façade design attributed to Michelangelo. Today it is one of Europe’s most beautiful and iconic hotels. It is easy to see why most guests refer to it as heaven on earth. Only we had a little trouble getting to heaven...
-
Pompeii: World Renown Ancient Town Gets A Thumbs Down
Italy
The ground rumbled, the sky grew dark and a cloud of white-hot ash flowed vertically out of the majestic mountain before collapsing down the slopes scorching everything in sight. Houses were engulfed. Anyone who escaped the heat was gradually suffocated by the fine ash. In just 18 hours almost 3 metres of ash covered the entire city. This is August 24th, 79AD in Pompeii.
-
It’s Been A Long Time Between Hugs & Dining In Civitavecchia
Italy
When you have a flight leaving Turkey and heading to Italy, it could be considered exciting. But I wasn’t flying to Italy. I was flying into my parent’s arms. Take joy in my happy reunion and check out our stay in Civitavecchia, Italy.
-
Use The Back Door On Your Bus To Amalfi
Italy
Amalfi lies at the mouth of a deep ravine, at the foot of Monte Cerreto, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. The Amalfi Coast is very popular, but what about it's namesake? Could it be as breath-taking?
-
Picturesque Positano & The Best Views Of It Are From Praiano
Italy
If a death-defying bus ride from hell sounds interesting, keep reading. Stunning views of Positano & the beauty of Praiano are all witnessed in this piece from the Amalfi Coast.
-
Save Big Dollars With Car Leasing In Europe
Italy
As I gazed over the cliff from the driver seat of my Citroen car I could feel the breeze pulling my hair and smell the salty sea air through the open window. Amalfi Coast may have been a challenge, but it certainly was a challenge I was glad I accepted.
-
On Top of the World at Hotel Margherita, Praiano
Italy
It required a bit of courage, a touch of daredevil and a dash of insanity. But finally we had driven through Positano and traversed the narrow road towards to the top of Praiano and reached our destination – Hotel Margherita.
-
You Haven’t Eaten Real Italian Food Until You Have Eaten This
Italy
It was 2001. I was 20 years old and Italy was cheese pizza and the occasional pasta. The food was an absolute let down after my love of everything Italian had brought me so far. Italy was still by far my most favourite place in the world, but its food was dreadful.