Do not be overwhelmed by Antique Rome! Here is the only guide you need to make the most of your time in Rome.
Category: Italy
Uncovering Antique Rome without hordes of tourists [Via Appia]
Explore the ancient Via Appia in Rome, the iconic Roman road (312 BC) by bike!
Digging into world’s oldest catacombs in Rome
Follow us deep underground into world’s first catacombs in Rome to dig into the real history of the early Christians, martyrs, popes, saints, and tomb raiders. A place of hope and resurrection for believers, a place to discover how early Christians defended their faith for others. In all cases, a deep, captivating and beautiful experience.
Rome’s best pizza you’ll ever have!
Are you expecting pizzeria recommendations? It gets even better than this!…
72 hours in Genoa [your guide to experience the city]
Genoa is a rough gem to be discovered. Look no further: here is your exclusive guide for a perfect city trip on the Italian Riviera!
Your 2-day Vespa loop from Siena through Tuscany [Brunello & Montepulciano wine area]
A fantastic 2-to-3-day itinerary in the South of Siena through the wine regions of Brunello, Montepulciano and Orcia!
5 fun facts about Genoa you did not know about
Genoa is an off-the-beaten path gem. It’s past glory is the source of quite a few fun and interesting facts that you probably did not know about, or did you?
A day with an Italian chef in a 17th-century palace [Lucca]
In the authentic Tuscan city of Lucca, enjoy a top-quality cooking class learning about the Italian gastronomy from the chef!
Lucca: your ultimate guide [2 to 5 days]
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Lucca is this kind of city. The more time you spend here, the longer you want to stay. Yes, the picturesque walled Tuscan city at the foot of the Apennine Mountains and along the Serchio River is touristy. Still it remains an authentic city with a…
The secrets of pasta making & everything you need to know to enjoy your pastas [Siena, Italy]
Find out the secrets of pasta making in Siena, Italy (and the locals’ favourite when ordering).
The crafts behind the masterpieces of Florence
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Florence is the artistic capital of the Renaissance. The Italian city is world famous for its museums and masterpieces by some of the most revered artists of all times. However, the unspoken stories of its craftsmen need to be told. Without them, most of these masterpieces…
The Florence Duomo: 10 fascinating facts about this masterpiece of the Renaissance
World’s fourth largest cathedral is a masterpiece of the Renaissance and dominates the skyline of Florence. 10 things you did not know about it!
Your 1-day Vespa loop from Siena itinerary [Chianti, San Gimignano, Certaldo…]
Ride your Vespa through Tuscany on this great loop from Siena (can also do it with a car, but it is not as fun!)!
Sleeping in the cradle of the Kingdom of Italy [Bernini Palace]
More than staying in a 5-star hotel, staying at the Hotel Bernini Palace is sleeping in the cradle of the kingdom of Italy and stepping into history…
Exploring the white waters of the Apuan Alps [Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany]
Close to Lucca, discover an outdoor paradise!
In Puccini’s footsteps in & around Lucca [Italy]
Follow the footsteps of the beloved composer Giacomo Puccini in his birth town of Lucca, Tuscany.
Barga: the Scottish dream
This beautiful Liberty-style villa sums up perfectly the recent & fascinating history of the charming city of Barga…
The Saint Paolino celebrations in Lucca
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Marcella van Alphen Paolino (or Paulinus) is the patron of Lucca and, according to the legend, its first bishop sent by Saint Peter himself to evangelize the Lucchese about 2,000 years ago. Celebrated since the Middle Ages, it is in 1664, the day of his holiday, on July 12, that Paolino became…
The naughty history of tiramisu
The history of tiramisu is much older than thought, and involves nobility and brothels… Find out, and get the original recipe!
How to decode Italy’s best Renaissance museum: the Uffizi [Florence]
This article is a brief selection of some of the masterpieces of the Renaissance that can be admired at the Uffizi – DECODED!
From mountain to statue: the Carrara marble quarries of Italy
The Carrara marble is the best in the world, the one from which Michelangelo sculpted his masterpieces, visiting the quarries himself to find the best piece of marble. Visit this exceptional place in this article!
An active day [or not] along the Italian Riviera
Text & photographs: Marcella van Alphen & Claire Lessiau For the most active ones, this article describes a day packed with activities from biking, to hiking and swimming. All the villages described can also be reached by train and boat from Genoa to enjoy their charms, cultural sites and delicious food without getting sweaty (nor…
Ponte Vecchio from the water: SUP adventure in Florence
Take in the iconic Ponte Vecchio from a different point of view!
Cinque Terre: do not visit, EXPERIENCE it
The very touristy Cinque Terre is worth way more than a quick visit and a few selfies. Know how to truly experience it in this article.
High on wine: Cinque Terre’s dramatic vineyards
Explore one of the best and most dramatic vineyards of CInque Terre where the best sweet wine of Italy is crafted by a local and passionate winemaker.
Let’s pesto in Cinque Terre!
Uncover the secrets of pesto making in the most beautiful decor ever, overlooking the village of Manarola in the heart of Cinque Terre!
Best regards from far, 