This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Travelers of all ages have recognized the power of apps to make vacations, business trips and life in general on the road easier, faster and more pleasant. There are plenty of booking apps and general travel apps available. We’ve picked our favorite new Italy-centric apps, all …
New Michelin Stars for Italy’s Restaurants
This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Michelin just released its 2016 restaurant guide to Italy, revealing that 24 Italian restaurants received a one-star rating for the first time. Surprisingly to many foodies and, certainly disappointingly to head chef Davide Scabin, his restaurant Combal.Zero restaurant in a castle in Turin – which has been …
Dine With the Mammas of Puglia
This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. In the tiny village (population 300) of Tricase Porto in Puglia, four friends interested in tourism conceived of a new kind of restaurant, one that has no walls. For Le Mamme del Borgo (Neighborhood Mammas), women prepare their favorite homestyle, traditional recipes and serve them right …
New, Affordable San Domenico Hotel in Puglia
This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. One of the first hotels in Puglia to gain worldwide attention more than a decade ago was the hip and elegant Masseria San Domenico. The Melpignano family – owners of San Domenico Hotels – has since gone on to develop equally stunning Borgo Egnazia and Masseria …
Born to Drive: Italy’s Luxury Car Experiences
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. You can hire a chauffeur to squire you around Lake Como in a Maserati; you can even rent a Ferrari for your week in Tuscany if you’re so inclined. But perhaps, due to itinerary or budget, all you want is a taste of the luxury-car lifestyle …
Born to Ride: Ducati Motorcycle Test Drives
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Motorcycle enthusiasts needn’t feel left out of the test-driving fun during travels in Italy. The Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) allows bike lovers the chance to try out vehicles considered among the best in the world due to their sleek design and technical innovations. The Bologna-based Ducati …
Laps of Luxury: Maserati’s Master Driving Courses
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. If Ferrari is all about racing and Lamborghini is all about style (gross generalizations, both!), then Maserati is all about luxury and drive-ability. A Maserati is, in a word, swellegant: Some of the sedans even come equipped with sets of luggage dyed to match the interiors …
Cool Confidence: Lamborghini Accademia
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Feruccio Lamborghini, born in 1916, was a Taurus, and so identified is he with his deluxe brand that its logo sports a bull. He started out building tractors, turning to the sportscar market in the 1960s and quickly ascending to its pinnacle. Because he was already …
The Need for Speed: Experiencing Ferrari
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Mention “exotic cars” to aficionados and the name Ferrari may be the first one off their lips. Italy’s most immediately recognizable car brand symbolizes speed and customization for legions of fans around the world. Its list of famous racing drivers is long, but includes the biggest …
Expat Life in Italy: Three Mini Memoirs
This article originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Those of us who have had the buona fortuna to travel to Italy multiple times — who among us has not once (or twice) had a dream of Italy involving relocation? We all know the Frances Mayes story in Under the Tuscan Sun, but sometimes the …