This article appeared in the September 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. The night before the plane trip home from Italy is often a downer. Almost all flights from Italy to the U.S. leave early in the morning or around noon, which often means a stay in an undistinguished airport hotel and a mediocre dinner in a touristy restaurant. …
Great Places in Italy to Stay With Kids
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Italy is one of the easiest places in the world to travel with kids. Families feel welcome as Italians love children. There are many accommodation options that are wonderful with kids; a favorite is agriturismos, or working farms, with self-catering apartments and villas in a resort setting, usually with swimming …
Three Great Apartment Rentals for Families
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Apartment stays offer nice value to families, with more space and the ability to economize by preparing meals at home. Kids also love “living like a local” and feeling they are a part of the neighborhood—it adds to the adventure! Consider these three options: Florence: Palazzo Belfiore Located in …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Italy’s Five Major Cities
This article originally appeared in the April 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. If Italy is a full-on sensory experience for adults can it be much different for children? Absolutely not. Almost everything you can do in Italy – from a visit to a local market to soaking in some of the world’s greatest art – can be adapted into a fun …
Unique Experiences for Kids in Florence
This article originally appeared in the April 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Bike Ride Into Tuscany (39) 055 2298747 www.ibikeitaly.com Price: 80 to 110 € (adults); 40 to 55 € (kids) Active kids, seven years old and up, will love this guided nine-mile bike ride from Florence’s Porta Romana into the Tuscan countryside. The Florence and Taste of Tuscany ride takes …
Making Marbled Paper in Florence
This article originally appeared in the September 2015 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. I drop spots of rose, yellow, blue and green pigment onto a jelly-like solution. After running assorted combs in different directions to transform lines, dots and arches of paints into a rhythmical swirling pattern, I place a piece of thick paper atop my design. The paints immediately …
Exploring Florence Through the Medici
This article originally appeared in the October 2015 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Even if you’ve never read much Italian history, let alone watched The Borgias, you’ve probably heard of the Medici. A powerful banking dynasty, they ruled medieval and Renaissance Florence with an iron hand in a velvet glove of culture. Award-winning novelist Paul Strathern chose non-fiction as …
Six Tips for a Perfect Italian Honeymoon
There are few more romantic destinations than Italy. That’s why it is the ultimate honeymoon destination. Our recent honeymooners have five tips to help you enjoy the romance and see the sights.
Castles in the Airbnb: Finding Italy Rentals Online
Finding Italy rentals online can give you a very local Italian experience and save you a lot of money on your next Italy trip. Here are the pros and cons (and specific recommendations) for using Airbnb, VRBO and Craigslist.
Mona Lisa’s Florence
Every year millions of tourists trek to the Louvre in Paris to behold Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. But only in Florence can you discover the real woman behind the iconic smile--although it isn't easy. Mona (Madame) Lisa Gherardini, Florence's most recognized daughter, remains almost invisible in her hometown.