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Largely underground and enigmatic, an example of unparalleled archaeological wealth, the Black Colosseum is located in Sicily in the heart of Catania. Although little known compared to the most famous Colosseum in Rome and Arena di Verona, the Black Colosseum is one of the major Roman amphitheaters.  With a circumference of about three hundred mete...

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In the eastern part of Umbria you’ll find the Umbra Valley, which stretches roughly from Spoleto to Assisi. While these two locations are now world-renowned, not everyone knows about the other treasures of this fantastic area,  inhabited since ancient times. The ideal starting point for our itinerary is Campello sul Clitunno, a small fortified vill...

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According to a 2022 Unione Italiana Vini (Italian Wine Union) report, an estimated 255,000 cantinas are found throughout the boot. Quite honestly, anyone—from the big names to humble roadside shops—will deliver that dreamy dolce vita combo of beautiful views, tasty homecooked meals, and tipsy tastings. But for every gaggle of traditional wineries (...

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Last week Italy was, again, struggling with the conundrum of mass tourism. One of the country’s most charming seaside towns, Portofino, has just introduced legislation to dissuade tourists lingering for selfies: there will be fines of up to €275 (£243) if they block traffic or pedestrians in two “red zones” of the beautiful bay. It’s the latest in...

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I don’t know how common it is in US schools, but here in Italy, at least when I was a child in the 1980s, it was quite common to create colorful paper mosaics during art class: you’d buy these colored, shiny paper sheets, which you’d cut into tiny squares and glue onto drawings to color them. Admittedly, it was a messy job, with most children getti...

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As foreigners flock to buy old, inexpensive houses in Italy, one group has gone a step further, helping to revive a depopulated town. Irsina, deep in the southern Basilicata region, is home to over 300 non-Italians from 12 different countries, alongside 4,000 local residents. Until the 1960s, this hilltop village surrounded by fields had a populati...

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When they go to Venice, nearly every tourist wants to do one thing: ride a gondola. It’s romantic, it’s iconic, and, like throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, it seems like something you just have to do! That said, taking a gondola can be expensive. The city rate starts at 80 euros for 40 minutes (100 euros after 7pm)—and that price is mandated...

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There are many reasons to visit Sicily, but the food just might be the most compelling one. The island’s many waves of occupation under Arab, Norman, and Spanish rule, combined with its fertile land, volcanic soils, and surrounding sea make for a diverse and extremely delicious culinary tradition. We could fill a whole issue with dishes to try here...

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It is probably safe to assume that Italian artist Sandro Botticelli never imagined Venus—the love goddess featured in his 15th-century masterpieces “The Birth of Venus” and “Primavera”—eating spaghetti or wearing shorts in front of the Roman Colosseum. But a new marketing campaign by Italy’s tourism ministry has turned the ancient deity into a “vir...

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It’s a place that needs no introduction. Known worldwide for its beauty, history and culture, Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. However, still not satisfied with this success, the region aims to promote itself more on both national and international markets. This is why Region President Eugenio Giani came to New York...

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