Category: Italy
The southernmost stretch of Puglia is Salento, the elegant stiletto of the Puglian boot. Santa Maria di Leuca is the furthest point and the last town of Italy. It is the meeting point of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. In the sizzling south, the sandy beaches and the stretches of coastline are dramatic. Exploring “the…
Lecce is the grand dame of Puglia. “The Florence of South” is located in the heel of the Italian boot. The cultural city is extravagant. The rich Baroque architectural monuments are impossibly intricate and unique. There is evidence everywhere of the city’s strong tradition for papier-mâché making. The atmosphere is youthful, exciting, and lively.…
Ostuni is Puglia’s “White City” (La Città Bianca). This sun-bleached medieval town rises on a hilltop high above the olive groves and looks out at the Adriatic Sea. The blazing white houses and churches in the old town spill over the top. The labyrinth alleys are appealing. The cafes are casual. The wine bars…
The ancient whitewashed town of Polignano a Mare in Puglia is dramatically perched on limestone cliffs. It overlooks the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic. The seaside town is, undeniably, romantic. The shoreline is full of natural sea caves. In addition, Polignano a Mare is famous throughout the world for its spectacular cliff-diving championships.…
Savelletri di Fasano is a laidback fishing hamlet in the region of Puglia on the heel of Italy. The tiny village is tranquil and is ideal for getting away from it all. Most of the coastline is rocky and the landscape is beautiful. The handful of sandy beaches have beach clubs with parasols and…
Alberobello is a small town in Puglia and is famous for its unique and fascinating trullo buildings. The whitewashed stone huts have conical roofs which resemble a magician’s hat. The legend is that inhabitants designed them in this way to avoid taxes. The roof of a trullo is made by assembling stones on top…
Lucca is a city in Italy’s Tuscany region. It is known for its fantastic and well-preserved medieval city walls which encircle the historic old town and its cobblestone streets. Large pathways along the tops of the walls are popular, of course, for strolling, running and cycling. Since 1857, Lucca has been a destination for…
The Cinque Terre is a string of five centuries-old fishing villages perched high on the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria. Colorful homes and vineyards cling to steep terraces. The coastline is beautiful and the harbors are filled with fishing boats. In addition, the trattorias turn out seafood specialties along with the region’s famous…
Known as the “Balcony of the Amalfi Coast”, the Italian village of Ravello is a cliff-top town located above Amalfi. The resort town is one of the quietest along the Amalfi Coast and has been attracting celebrities for centuries. It is the home of iconic cliffside gardens where the atmosphere is cool, serene, and refined.…
Napoli is a city to behold with its unique landmarks. The Bay of Naples and the looming figure of Mount Vesuvius make Napoli a city rich with beautiful views. From seeing the ancient ruins of Pompeii to experiencing the birthplace of Neapolitan pizza, there is plenty to do in this old region. The Small List…
Bologna is the historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. This lively city in northern Italy lies in between Venice and Florence. It’s rich with cultural jewels and leaning medieval towers. Mortadella and ragù alla bolognese both have their origins in Bologna, Italy! The Small List Best Hotel Grand Hotel Majestic – già Baglioni –…
Located in Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, Correggio is the land of Lambrusco, aged balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese. The porticoed streets and the evocative views reveal the historical role of the town. Worth seeing is the well-preserved town center. The Small List Best Restaurant Osteria del Filosso – The kitchen at Osteria del Filosso has…
Modena is the home of fast cars and slow food. The historic city is located in the heart of northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. This storybook destination is famous for its rich cuisine, especially barrel-aged balsamic vinegar and parmesan cheese. Liquid and edible gold! This lovely city is also the hometown of Luciano Pavarotti, Enzo Ferrari,…
Surrounded by magnificent, sugar coated mountains, discover the unique and priceless natural spectacle of the mighty Dolomites in Italy. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is enchanting with extraordinary rock formations, breathtaking scenery and very unique views. Ski from Val Gardena to Alta Badia, via The Sellaronda, along side mountain lovers, pleasure seekers and avid skiing…
Surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites, this charming pearl of the Ampezzo Valley is smart, eclectic and fashionable with a cosmopolitan soul. Cortina is Italy’s most chic mountain town where snowflakes twinkle like stars against the exceptional backdrop of the mountains. The Small List Best Hotels Hotel Ambra Cortina – The Queen of Cortina…
Venice is a miracle built on 118 small islands in Northern Italy. It is connected only by canals and lined by glorious Venetian architecture. The bubonic plague struck Venice in the mid-14th century. It was, of course, one of the most famous pandemics in history. Venetians had to quarantine before entering the heart of…
Lake Iseo is located between the two largest and best known lakes: Lake Garda to the east and Lake Como to the west. The area is called Franciacorta, the land of bubbles. At the Riva Shipyard in Sarnico, Italy on Lake Iseo, dreams really do come true. As VIP guests of Alberto Galassi, the CEO…
. The heart of Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region is a gastronomic paradise. It is well known for its white truffles and, of course, for producing the most venerated of Italian wines. Most importantly, the robust, age-worthy Barolo. This noble wine region encompasses the town of Barolo and ten nearby municipalities including La Morra, Alba,…
Sometimes written as San Remo, this Italian Riviera seaside city is one of the closest to the French border. It is best known for its century old casino, Casino di Sanremo. With a comfortable climate that varies little throughout the year, there is plenty to do all year round. Hiking and biking, water sports,…
Founded in 1929, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, both in area and population – only 1/8 the size of Central Park in New York City. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City is also home to the Pope and a treasure trove of the world’s most most famous…
Soak up the atmosphere on the Island of Ortigia in Siracusa, Sicily. Delightfully packed with over 2,500 years of history, Greek and Roman architectural styles, pizzerias, trattorias and bars. The real center of Ortigia is the Piazza del Duomo. It is a delightful pedestrian square home to a Cathedral built on the site of…