This article originally appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. One recent spring day, famed British actor Patrick Stewart sat enjoying an al fresco lunch in Rome with a companion. A woman rushed up to their table, clearly excited. “Are you Elizabeth Minchilli?” she said to Stewart’s companion. Minchilli, who reported that encounter on her Twitter …
Five Lessons from Puglia’s Pasta Mamas
This article appeared in the June/July 2015 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018. Can you think of a better way to spend a month in Italy than traveling around the Salento area of Puglia learning traditional pasta making techniques from the locals? That’s what Katie Leaird – pastry cook, caterer, personal chef, food blogger and now a cook at America’s Test …
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.
Around Lake Garda on Two Wheels: A Biking Adventure
The Veneto is a fantastic cycling destination for bikers of all levels. Our writer visits beautiful Lake Garda and stays at a hotel "geared" for cyclists.
Caravaggio’s Mean Streets of Rome
The artist Caravaggio (1571-1610) combined a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting, forever influencing the world of art and the city of Rome. Here’s a walking tour of his most important works.
Crazy for Caravaggio?
From Santa Maria del Popolo to the Vatican Museums, here are more places to see the great works of Caravaggio in Rome.
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.
The Italians: A Fresh Perspective
We interview John Hooper, the author of the new book "The Italians," about what makes the Italian people so compelling, especially as they face some of the most trying times in their history.
Enjoying the Writing Life in Italy: Five Writing Retreats
Are you a writer, amateur or professional? Fiction or non-fiction? Visit Italy and improve your technique and make valuable connections. We detail six writing workshops, retreats and festivals that will help you improve your craft.
Bernini’s Love Life
Gian Lorenzo Bernini had a raucous love life. Judging by his self-portraits in the Galleria Borghese, he was a dark eyed, intensely handsome guy, with a wide forehead and a full shock of dark hair.