Florence was founded as a Roman military colony about the 1st century BCE, and during its long history it has been a republic, a seat of the duchy of Tuscany, and a capital (1865–70) of Italy. During the 14th–16th century Florence achieved preeminence in commerce and finance, learning, and especially the …
La Spezia is an important port city on the western coast of Italy not far from Pisa, Genoa and Florence. This city is a major stop for Mediterranean cruise ships and passengers often stop at La Spezia before travelling to other cities in the Liguria region. Aside from its commercial …
Cinque Terre is a world renowned stretch of coast not far from La Spezia and contains some absolutely phenomenal landscapes and gorgeous villages that hug the coastline and cliffs. A trip to this region of Italy would not be complete without experiencing the idyllic scenery you can find here. Notable …
Italy’s largest sea, Genoa, is a gateway to the Riviera for many travellers today, but a weighty architectural heritage speaks of its former glory – the Most Serene Republic of Genoa ruled over the Mediterranean waves during the 12th to the 13th centuries – and history feels alive in Genoa. …
Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire in AD 313. As a powerful medieval city-state, Milan expanded its influence by conquest under a series of colourful (and often bloody) dynasties – the Torrianis, the Viscontis and finally the Sforzas. However, under Spanish rule from 1525 and then …
On the south side of the Alps, Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. Since the climate is mild year-round, the area is filled with Mediterranean vegetation and exotic plants. Its shoreline touches not only the swiss canton of Ticino but two Italian regions., Piedmont and Lombardy. The …
Lugano, the leading city of the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino, gives you Switzerland with an Italian accent. The town sprawls luxuriously along the shores of Lake Lugano. Just a short, scenic train ride over the Alps from the German and French regions of Switzerland, Lugano has a splashy, zesty, …
The historic city of Verona was founded in the 1st century B.C. It particularly flourished under the rule of the Scaliger family in the 13th and 14th centuries and as part of the Republic of Venice from the 15th to 18th centuries. Verona has preserved a remarkable number of monuments …
Venice is more like a marvelous film set than a real-life city, with its criss-crossing canals, gondolas and water buses, arched bridges, palaces, and piazzas. We had a boat ride to St. Mark’s Square and is followed by Venetian Glassblowers fashion their delicate objects as they did centuries ago. Also …
Ravenna in the northern Italian province of Emilia Romagnais an art and history lover’s dream, most famous for its extensive mosaics. The city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire from 402 until it collapsed in 476. Today, Ravenna’s eight world heritage sites, its proximity to the “Adriatic Riviera” . …
