Italy
Recent Articles
-
Sirmione, a Pretty Peninsula Town on Lake Garda
My first visit to Sirmione was on a lovely sunny, December day. This little town is situated on a promontory in the middle of the southern end of Lake Garda. This promontory is four kilometres long and as narrow as 109 metres in places. Visitors have to park outside the town and walk across a…
-
Viterbo - An Italian Medieval Masterpiece
When I arrived in Piazza Martiri d'Ungheria in Viterbo the sun was shining. It illuminated the splendid old buildings marching along the ridge above me. All around me the landscape was spiked with domes and spires. Which way to go? I chose the middle road and headed for Piazza del Plebiscito …
-
Foundations of Verona - Austrian Verona
Austrian Verona could also also be described as the Hidden Verona. The period when Verona was part of the Austro-Hapsburg Empire was not a happy time for the Veronese ...
-
Foundations of Verona - Venetian Verona
Verona, in Italy is a UNESCO World Heritage site and deservedly so. It is the only place I know where you can peel away its history layer by layer. I have already explored Roman and Medieval Verona today I was exploring the Venetian influence ..
-
Limone sul Garda - The Garden of Lake Garda
Approaching Limone from the Lake Garda the visitor is immediately struck by an abundance of lemon groves and olive trees. The buildings along the shore-line are festooned with the brilliant blooms of bougainvillea and its long promenade is lined with oleander trees. Even its name suggests a plant…
-
Malcesine - Captain of Lake Garda
I love to visit Malcesine on Lake Garda because it is home to one of my favourite restaurants – La Pace. As soon as I get off the ferry I push through the crowds lingering on the quay wondering what to do and where to go. I know exactly where I am going ...
-
Riva del Garda - Guardian of Lake Garda
Riva del Garda occupies pole position at the Northern end of Lake Garda in Italy. As you approach through the Valley of the Lakes colourful oleander bushes and silvery olive trees line the route. Beyond these field upon field of vines interspersed with patches of Kiwi fruits stretch as far as the…
-
Pinzolo - A Traditional Town in the Italian Dolomites
You may wonder, as you enter Pinzolo, why the first thing you see is a statue of a knife grinder with his barrow. A bit strange you might think and something more likely to be seen on the streets of London. In fact, the knife grinders who pounded the streets of London originated from this small…
-
Montecatini Alto in Tuscany - Medieval meets Modern
The medieval town of Montecatini Alto (Upper Montecantini) in Tuscany is two hundred and ninety metres above Montecatini Terme. I know because I have walked every one of them both up and down. But it was worth every step to explore this hamlet frozen in the past yet embracing the present ...
-
Montecatini Terme in Tuscany - A Very Special Spa Town
Montecatini Terme is the ideal base from which to explore its more famous neighbours in the Italian region of Tuscany. Early every morning cavalcades of touring buses roll down the wide, tree-lined avenues to collect their passengers. But those who take the time to stroll around its streets will…
