Northern Italian Travel
Restaurant Reviews
Being a wine/food/travel writer means eating out often. These are places in Italy that I have especially liked.
Being a wine/food/travel writer means eating out often. These are places in Italy that I have especially liked.
Staying in Northern Italy
Cynthia's hotel suggestions for Garda, Venice, and Rome's airport.
Cynthia's hotel suggestions for Garda, Venice, and Rome's airport.
La Sagra Del...
If you're visiting Italy, have a car, and see a poster for a town fair, by all means go eat dinner -- you'll see a side of life most do not, and the food will be well worth it.
If you're visiting Italy, have a car, and see a poster for a town fair, by all means go eat dinner -- you'll see a side of life most do not, and the food will be well worth it.
Le Dolomiti
Thoughts, photos, and links to some excellent trip-planning resources.
Thoughts, photos, and links to some excellent trip-planning resources.
Distillerie
Going to be in Italy in late fall? A grappa distillery under full steam is a sight you'll never forget.
Going to be in Italy in late fall? A grappa distillery under full steam is a sight you'll never forget.
Fontanafredda
Where the King once went to get away from it all (and see his love) is now a superb winery, exciting to visit and with wines worth seeking out.
Where the King once went to get away from it all (and see his love) is now a superb winery, exciting to visit and with wines worth seeking out.
Grinzane Cavour
You'll think you've stumbled into a story, but the castle is real, and belonged to one of the first Barolo producers -- Count Cavour, Father of Italy.
You'll think you've stumbled into a story, but the castle is real, and belonged to one of the first Barolo producers -- Count Cavour, Father of Italy.
Il Museo Dell'Annunziata di La Morra
Renato Ratti began assembling this collection in the 60s, and Massimo Martinelli is still adding to it. It's fascinating, and if you visit the Terre del Barolo you should definitely go. Also, the Ristorante da Pietro, a superb dining experience in Novello.
Renato Ratti began assembling this collection in the 60s, and Massimo Martinelli is still adding to it. It's fascinating, and if you visit the Terre del Barolo you should definitely go. Also, the Ristorante da Pietro, a superb dining experience in Novello.
Growing Pains: San Piero in Lamosa over the Centuries
San Piero in Lamosa is a monastery near Lake Iseo, not far from Brescia (east of Milano, in Lombardia). Very pretty, and well worth a visit.
San Piero in Lamosa is a monastery near Lake Iseo, not far from Brescia (east of Milano, in Lombardia). Very pretty, and well worth a visit.
Verona, The Florence of the North?
Many people say Verona is the Florence of the north... Is it? Also, Pastissada de Ceval, a delicious Veronese stew.
Many people say Verona is the Florence of the north... Is it? Also, Pastissada de Ceval, a delicious Veronese stew.
On the Truffle Trail
Though dedicated to Alba and San Miniato's truffle fairs, which are worth a journey, this article will also give you a good idea of what you can expect to find if you visit Alba, which is at the heart of one of Piedmont's prettiest regions.
Though dedicated to Alba and San Miniato's truffle fairs, which are worth a journey, this article will also give you a good idea of what you can expect to find if you visit Alba, which is at the heart of one of Piedmont's prettiest regions.
Aosta in Italy
A ski site put together by the Active Lifestyle people, with lots of information on the principal ski areas of the valley. Maps, pictures, and hotels too. A good starting point for planning a vacation.
A ski site put together by the Active Lifestyle people, with lots of information on the principal ski areas of the valley. Maps, pictures, and hotels too. A good starting point for planning a vacation.
Aquileia
Aquilea played a vital role in the amber trade under the Romans, and was one of the most important cities in northern Italy. That was then; now the museum is spectacular, as are the mosaics in the Basilica.
Aquilea played a vital role in the amber trade under the Romans, and was one of the most important cities in northern Italy. That was then; now the museum is spectacular, as are the mosaics in the Basilica.
Bardolino & Valpolicella
Maureen & Bernie took a fascinating trip, and are kind enough to share it with us.
Maureen & Bernie took a fascinating trip, and are kind enough to share it with us.
Gothic Val D'Aosta
A quick overview of the region's towns and art treasures -- you should certainly check it before you go.
A quick overview of the region's towns and art treasures -- you should certainly check it before you go.
Le Cinque Terre
Another well-done page dedicated to one of Liguria's marvels. This one has very pretty pictures, and also mentions that the famed Via dell'Amore has reopened. In English.
Another well-done page dedicated to one of Liguria's marvels. This one has very pretty pictures, and also mentions that the famed Via dell'Amore has reopened. In English.
Conventi Liguri
Liguria is a wild land -- here are three monasteries you may want to visit, and even stay in. In English.
Liguria is a wild land -- here are three monasteries you may want to visit, and even stay in. In English.
Dolomiti Superski
The organization handles skiing throughout the area, and has seen to it that almost all the valleys are interconnected and you can ski for hundreds of miles. A tremendous amount of information and quite useful if you're going to the area, though slow to load.
The organization handles skiing throughout the area, and has seen to it that almost all the valleys are interconnected and you can ski for hundreds of miles. A tremendous amount of information and quite useful if you're going to the area, though slow to load.
Il Carnevale di Venezia (in Italian)
Venice's Carnevale is extremely photogenic, and this site has lots of galleries to browse, in addition to the schedule of this year's events and more.
Venice's Carnevale is extremely photogenic, and this site has lots of galleries to browse, in addition to the schedule of this year's events and more.
La Fiera del Tartufo di Murisengo
Another truffle festival, in Piemonte, on the weekends of the 12th and 19th November.
Another truffle festival, in Piemonte, on the weekends of the 12th and 19th November.
Ferrara, Cittą di Terra e Acqua
Terra e Acqua means land and water, and it's apt: Ferrara is surrounded by wetlands that are hauntingly beautiful and complement the extraordinary beauty of the city itself. Definitely a place to visit.
Terra e Acqua means land and water, and it's apt: Ferrara is surrounded by wetlands that are hauntingly beautiful and complement the extraordinary beauty of the city itself. Definitely a place to visit.
Franciacorta's Tourism Pages
Itineraries to see the sights and sample the wines in a beautiful area just west of Brescia. In Italian alas. For the combustible, another section of the site is dedicated to girlie pics.
Itineraries to see the sights and sample the wines in a beautiful area just west of Brescia. In Italian alas. For the combustible, another section of the site is dedicated to girlie pics.
Out door markets in Emilia Romagna
When and where to hunt for bargains in the out of doors. In English.
When and where to hunt for bargains in the out of doors. In English.
Treviso: La Provincia Intorno
Treviso is a small, dynamic city with a lot going for it: Walls, rivers (that go under the walls), canals, superb art shows, beautiful countryside, radicchio, asparagus, and Prosecco. Who could ask for more, just a half hour by train from Venice? Do go.
Treviso is a small, dynamic city with a lot going for it: Walls, rivers (that go under the walls), canals, superb art shows, beautiful countryside, radicchio, asparagus, and Prosecco. Who could ask for more, just a half hour by train from Venice? Do go.
Venice
A collection of 70-odd travel features dedicated to the watery city, by Durant Imboden: Everything from cats to getting around the canals.
A collection of 70-odd travel features dedicated to the watery city, by Durant Imboden: Everything from cats to getting around the canals.