Pompeii may well be the most famous archaeological site in Europe, but similar, lesser-known ruins abound throughout Italy. In Sardinia, the fascinating site of Mont’e Prama has revealed an ancient world about which little is known. Eight-feet-tall giants carved out of stone have been un...

On October 3, 1839, Italy’s first railway was inaugurated: a 7.25-kilometer (4.5-mile) line that ran from Naples to Portici. This year, to celebrate the 180th anniversary of the railway’s opening, you can ride a historic train for the length of the original railway. The Pietrarsa Ex...

The beauty of Rome is that the city’s vast collection of art and architecture means there’s always something different and unexpected to see beyond the usual tourist haunts. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler to Rome looking to discover new sites or a first-time visitor seeking t...

A fisherman from the tiny village of Talamone, Paolo Fanciulli, has installed an underwater museum to protect marine life and entertain divers. Twenty-nine Carrara marble sculptures in two locations off the Tuscan coast sit at the bottom of the sea, making up this unique art installation. ...

On December 1, Venetians will vote on a referendum to split the historic city center from its residential suburbs. If approved by a majority of voters, the floating island center of Venice – where the tourist attractions are – will become a separate city from most of Mestre, the area e...

In the Tuscan town of Borgo a Mozzano, officials have installed a photoluminescent bicycle path to make riding and walking safer for residents. During the day, the path looks like a regular, brown gravel pavement, but at night, photoluminescent pieces of glass glow blue and green. The w...

After his friend’s murder at the hands of Neo-Nazis 11 years ago, street artist Cibo decided to take his art in a new direction: using art and creativity to erase hate. In his native region of Verona, Cibo – a pen name that means “food” in Italian – covers up offensive and hatefu...

Molise, one of Italy’s lesser-known and rural regions, has been experiencing a population decline as residents increasingly move to urban areas. So Antonio Tedeschi, a regional councilor, had an idea: Entice people to move to Molise by paying them $27,000 to settle there and open a s...

In 2020, Palazzo Pitti will highlight the link between Florentine nobility and the Russian Orthodox Church by displaying 78 Russian religious icons. The collection of icons, the largest outside of Russia, will be housed in four ground-floor rooms at Palazzo Pitti. This will be the first...

As a young, female Italian chef, Martina Caruso has racked up accolades – including a Michelin star – that have given her a platform to talk about being a woman in the restaurant industry. Caruso has the passion and experience to back up these accolades, and the tattoos to match: an oc...