High in the hills of Emilia-Romagna stands the ancient Castle of Montebello.Its stone walls have watched over the valley for centuries.During the day, the castle seems peaceful and majestic.But when night falls, its atmosphere changes completely.Dark corridors stretch behind heavy…
62 Kilometres of Beauty, History and Everyday Life Walk through Bologna on a rainy morning and you may realise, after several streets, that you have forgotten to open your umbrella. In summer, the same route can be crossed while avoiding…
In the historic centre of Rome, a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, there is a shop window capable of stopping even the most distracted passer-by. Behind its old glass, dozens of faces stare out at the street. Some have…
CHI DORME NON PIGLIA PESCILiteral meaning: “Those who sleep don’t catch fish.”Real meaning: If you want to achieve something, you have to be active and take opportunities when they come. TRA IL DIRE E IL FARE C’è DI MEZZO IL…
The Italian Train That Made the Future Look Beautiful When the ETR 300 Settebello entered regular service between Milan and Rome in 1953, it did much more than shorten the distance between Italy’s two most important cities. It announced that…
Piove sul bagnato“When it rains, it pours.”Used when more problems are added to an already difficult situation, or when someone who already has plenty receives even more. Mettere il carro davanti ai buoi“To put the cart before the horse.”To do…
On the night of July 25, 1956, the North Atlantic was wrapped in a wall of fog. Somewhere south of Nantucket, less than a day from New York, the Italian ocean liner Andrea Doria was approaching the triumphant end of…
In the green hills of Tuscany, ancient stone bridges cross rivers that have flowed for centuries.Some of them are beautiful examples of medieval engineering.Others are surrounded by stories that are much darker.Among the most famous is the legend of the…
WHERE CLAY BECOMES ITALIAN ART In the green heart of Umbria, a few miles south of Perugia, there is a small hill town whose name has travelled much farther than its streets. Deruta may appear quiet and modest from a…
A JOURNEY INTO THE HEART OF THE ROCK Perched dramatically on a volcanic cliff in the green heart of Umbria, Orvieto is a city that seems to belong to two different worlds. Above ground, its medieval streets lead towards one…