Advice on how to live "la dolce vita"
On the evening of March 9th, life in Italy as we knew it came to a screeching halt. Italy was hit early and hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the country, the streets were empty due to the government-mandated lockdown which lasted 2 months, 1 week and 2 days. During this period, only essential …
Ragusa, SicilyIn a previous Roman Candle Tours blog post, we came up with a list of “Five Northern Italian Cities You Really Should See”. The list took in the historic towns of Turin, Milan, Genoa, Bologna, and Trieste.Now it’s the turn of the south of Italy, where many true gems are often ignored simply because it takes a …
The Unknown Leonardo Da Vinci Photo credit: Smithsonian Journeys Of the venerated titans of Florence’s cultural Renaissance, none left quite the same mark as Leonardo Da Vinci (1452 – 1519). The polymath, artist, and inventor was, in the words of his biographer Giorgio Vasari, blessed with “a beauty of person never sufficiently admired” and invested with …
Visiting Chianti On A Budget For many, the Tuscan region of Chianti is the quintessence of rural Italy. It stretches from Florence in the north to Siena in the south, encapsulating an idyllic landscape of lush, rolling hills, ripe, fertile vineyards and solitary stone farmhouses. In short Chianti is an image of paradise, which makes …
The Best Of Portofino: Italy’s Paradise By The Sea Defined by many as the world’s most beautiful seaside town, picturesque Portofino intoxicates those who visit the northwestern coast of Liguria. This coastline is part of the Italian Riviera, which extends upwards from the luscious region of Tuscany to the Italian-French border and includes the …
Exploring Puglia On A Budget Stretching along the side of Southern Italy’s heel, the coastal region of Puglia is an unspoilt gem of beautiful beaches, little known cities, and architectural wonders. It doesn’t have the reputation of Tuscany’s Florence or Veneto’s Venice, so is only starting to be discovered by British and European tourists. For …
Italy’s Best Budget Island Trip: The Aegadian Islands Levanzo, Isole Egadi, Sicilia Resting in the Mediterranean sea on the western coast of Sicily, near Trapani and Marsala, are five mountainous islands known as the ‘Isole Egadi’ or Aedagdian Islands. The group is made up of three main islands: Favignana, Levanzo, and Marettimo, and two minor …
From Hot Springs To Spas To Ancient Sites: Italy’s Top Natural ‘Terme’ Saturnia, Tuscany Italy is full of natural ‘terme.’ The mineral rich, Mediterranean terrain is geographically ideal for hot springs to spontaneously pop up from underground. These terme have been utilized by humans for health and happiness ever since the Etruscans in 700 BC. …
Fry Me To The Moon: A Budget Guide To The Best Fried Food In Italy Burrata Cheese Fried Pizza The first time I came to Italy for more than a fleeting visit was back in 2015 when I took on an internship at Florence’s Institute of Prehistory. I loved the work, the weather and the …
Visiting Sorrento And The Amalfi Coast On A Budget Amalfi Beach The ‘Costiera Amalfitana’ is such an idyllic spot that it seems to have sprung out of a fairytale set in an endless summer. The pristine fifty kilometer Amalfi Coast is one of the most desirable sun-soaked destinations in Italy. Despite the Amalfi’s immense allure, …