Burano shines like an archipelago of sorts – four interconnecting islands where the people of Altino fled to escape a barbarian invasion during the 6th century. Here, the colours of the Venetian Lagoon are surpassed by rainbow-hued houses.
Check out Soham’s guide to spending 6 hours in Burano, and what restaurant really IS worth crossing half the world for…
Umbria is one of these unique places that has maintained its heritage while keeping culture thriving in these petrified places of history. It’s a place of magic. You can sense it in the cobblestone, labyrinthical streets. You can feel it when you look out upon the landscape.
C.S. Lewis got it quite right when he named the enchanted Kingdom of Narnia after a place right here, in the green heart of Italy. Discover with us the 10 Most Enchanting Hilltop Towns of Umbria.
Benedictine and Jesuit fathers were the founders of the libraries we appreciate today in Sicily. Carefully, they amassed historic manuscripts, numismatic collections and texts pertaining the history of Sicily through centuries, and when they were kicked to the curb, their bibliographical heritage remained.
The most beautiful libraries are located in their Renaissance or Baroque cradles: in ornate abbeys, monastic schools and Baroque churches.
And one right in the street!
The Italian lakes stretch like Azurite gemstones, guarded by noble mountains in the southern frontier of the Alps. Everyone has their favourite. Some prefer the family-friendly Lake Garda, others the exclusivity of Lake Como, but British-based traveller Pete McDonnell fell in love with Lake Maggiore. Using its pleasant town of Stresa – The Pearl of Lake Maggiore – as a springboard, he discovers the majestic landscape of Italy and Switzerland by boat and train.
Sicily is Italy in its extreme. Its mountains are more marvellous, the food more intense, its history more alive and the weather better than mainland Italy. You can have any kind of vacation you dream of: You can immerse yourself in culture and history, hike on a volcano in the morning and dive among archaeological artefacts in the evening. And if you want to treat your senses to a feast, Sicily is a festival of culinary endeavours as well.
Rome is probably the city in Europe where ancient history is the most visible. You can’t stroll through the Forum without tripping over ancient ruins or walk around the historic centre without encountering one imposing antique structure after another.
History is alive here like no other place and defines the Eternal City. And nothing shouts “Roman history” more than these iconic buildings.
