What to see in and around Siena, Tuscany
June 08, 2009When I start working with a new trip planning client, I always ask why they want to go to Italy. A recent response inspired today’s post. We want to see amazing museums, historic churches and squares, small atmospheric medieval streets,…
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Italian Ceramics: Sardinia
June 04, 2009Do a google search for Italian Ceramics, and you’ll read about those from Faenza and Deruta and maybe Caltagirone in Sicily. You’ll see images of beautiful painted ceramic bowls and platters covered with lemons, typical of Tuscany and Umbria. The…
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How to Avoid Crowds in Venice: 10 tips
June 01, 2009On an average day in Venice, there are 60,000 people, and half of those are tourists. So yes, there can be crowds. And yes, you should go visit the main sights, because they are famous for a reason. So go…
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SCUBA Diving in Italy: Isola del Giglio
May 28, 2009Italy’s Legambiente announced today that the Tuscan Archipelago’s Isola del Giglio is ranked as the Number 1 coastal destination in the country this year, due not only to its pristine waters, gorgeous scenery, and picture-perfect beaches, but also because of…
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Murano vs. Burano vs. Torcello: I Vote Burano
May 25, 2009Here are my top three reasons to visit the lovely Venetian island of Burano: 1. If you like to amble, or enjoy a wander off the beaten track, you'll appreciate Burano's atmosphere (less touristy, authentic, but still lots…
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Make Time for the Locals
May 21, 2009One of the best ways to get to know Italy is to get to know Italians, so if your waiter or barista or hotelier strikes up a conversation, I highly recommend making time for them. They are most likely not…
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The Amalfi Coast: a fantastic 4 day itinerary
May 18, 2009How much time do I need to see the Amalfi Coast? …. is a question I get all the time. It depends on your interests and travel pace, of course, but here are five things I would definitely include in an…
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SCUBA Diving in Italy: Giannutri
May 14, 2009The Island of Elba is the busiest and most popular of the Tuscan archipelago, but on the other end of the spectrum, visit the tiny island of Giannutri for a more off-the-beaten-track experience. Just 5 km long, it has a year-round population…
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Italy’s Best Bridges, Part II
May 11, 2009Here are my picks for best bridges south of Florence. For Italy’s best bridges of Florence and the North, see Part I. Civita di Bagnoregio An hour and a half north of Rome, this spectacular 2500 year old town…
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