Italians consider Umbria Italy’s undiscovered cuore verde (green heart). Bordering the world-famous Tuscan wine country, Umbria embodies Italy's quiet side — dotted with family farms, hilltop towns and rustic wineries. Equal in beauty to its tourist-filled neighbor, Umbria has emerged from Tuscany's shadow – attracting travelers to Italy who want to go beyond the postcard sites and connect with a slower way of life ..read more

When in Rome, eat fried food ..read more

A lot of Italian food is regional -- what you mangi in Milano isn't what you'll find in Florence. But, some dishes are beloved by all Italians. No matter where you travel in Italy, you'll find it. Carbonara is one such classic Italian recipe.   Roman cooks, in particular, have made this comfort food into a marvel that rivals the Colosseum -- transforming guanciale (pork), eggs, cheese and black pepper into one yummy plate of pasta.  Below you'll find my 100% Italian recipe for easy at-home carbonara. We promise: you don't need to travel to Rome to relish authentic pasta alla ca ..read more

Each country in the world has its own way to celebrate the New Year. Italy is no exception, with Italian New Year’s traditions varying from region to region and town to town. Capodanno, as New Year’s Eve is called in Italian, is celebrated in unique ways in Italy’s different areas – auguring a “buon anno” (good year) and the banishing of last year’s sfortuna (bad luck). And, since we’re taking about Italy here, many Italian New Year’s traditions are —unsurprisingly— rooted in food.   ..read more

Italy is touched on most sides by the sea. Unlike other countries, no one place lays claim to seaside preeminence in Italy. So, it's not so much the presence (or absence) of seafood that sets Italian regional recipes apart. It's how each area handles the bounty of the sea that makes the difference.  Translation: no matter where you travel to Italy, you need to try a taste of the sea.    ..read more

Are you looking to for the perfect place to host your destination wedding in Italy? Getting married in Tuscany will leave you swooning. Brimming with medieval towns and rolling wine country, Tuscany boasts scenic Italian wedding venues ideal for a variety of ceremonies -- whether you long for fairy tale festivities in a castle or to exchange vows at a vineyard ..read more

On Puglia’s 87 kilometers of coastline, Italian fisherman still toss rope nets from their wooden boats. Unlike popular beach destinations in Italy, like the Amalfi Coast or Capri, Puglia gifts you a slower way of life when you travel to Italy. Just as pretty as Positano, Puglia is Southern Italy’s best-kept secret — vaunting Italy’s most beautiful beaches. Even better, hardly any foreigners know about Puglia; travelers here will savor the best beaches in Italy all while skipping the cruise-ship crowds that clog other Mediterranean Sea ports of call. Click here to download your sample PUGLIA ..read more

Why travel to Italy in the fall? The answer's simple: Italy minus the crowds will make you swoon.  While millions of tourists travel to Europe in the busy summer season, fall in Italy is actually the best time to plan a crowd-free Italy trip.  Not only will your flights be more reasonably priced when you travel to Italy in the autumn, you'll be able to stroll the cities and countryside without ever cracking a sweat ..read more

When you travel to Rome, Italy, you’ll stroll past millennia of history – with ancient ruins, medieval churches and Renaissance palaces all sharing the same stone streets. But, with nearly 15 million tourists visiting Rome each year, how can you relish the real city all while skipping the crowds?  You'll need to head to the areas Rome's residents adore -- whether it's one of Rome's neighborhood pizzerias or one of the city's lesser-trafficked historic sites. Below you'll find our insider advice on 5 Non-Touristy Places to Visit in Rome, Italy ..read more

Florence is a maze of medieval streets and grand Renaissance boulevards—ideal for a slow tour through Italian history.  The artistic marvels housed in Florence – like, Brunelleschi’s dome and Michelangelo’s David – lure tens of millions of travelers each year. So many visitors flock to Florence that it can be downright difficult to find places to eat in Florence, Italy, that won’t gobble up your wallet or serve you a gross “tourist menu.”  But, worry not—when you travel to Italy, there are loads of restaurants in Florence where you can lunch alongside the locals. So, where can you e ..read more