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Captivating Highlights of Le Marche
If you’re searching for the Italy of 20 or 30 years ago, we believe you’ll discover it in Le Marche. This central Italian region remains surprisingly under the radar for international travelers (and real estate buyers take note), yet it offers an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences. From Renaissance cities like Urbino to quiet hill towns such as Offida and Fermo and from the dramatic Frasassi Caves to vineyards that have shaped the region’s traditions for generations, Le Marche reveals an authentic side of Italy that feels increasingly rare.
Valle d’Aosta: Mountain High, Valley Small
Italy’s smallest region often feels like a world of its own. In this journey through Valle d’Aosta, contributing writer Kevin Raub explores the unique culture that emerges where Italy meets France and Switzerland. Along the way he visits stone villages like Perloz, historic sites including Castel Savoia and the imposing Forte di Bard and discovers Roman history in the town of Aosta, all set beneath some of the highest peaks in the Alps.
Taking the Water in Bagno Vignoni
One of my favorite traditions in Italy is “taking the water,” and few places capture that ritual like the tiny Tuscan village of Bagno Vignoni. Here, the central piazza is actually a large thermal pool fed by natural hot springs that have drawn visitors for centuries. Just steps away, a revered hotel continues this tradition with outdoor thermal pools overlooking the landscapes of the Val d’Orcia, inviting guests to slow down and experience the restorative rhythm of these mineral-rich waters.
Dream Day (and Night) Above Cortina
If watching the recent Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo sparked your curiosity about the Dolomites, I have an experience that brings you straight into the heart of these mountains. At Rifugio Scoiattoli, reached by the 5 Torri cable car, you can spend the day skiing or hiking among dramatic peaks before settling in for a traditional mountain dinner. On select evenings, guests can even descend the mountain after dark on a guided ski through the snow. Discover how to see the Dolomites from a different perspective.
“Quel Mazzolin di Fiori”: A Song of the Alps
Sometimes a simple melody can carry centuries of history. The folk song Quel Mazzolin di Fiori, which originated in the 19th century, became closely associated with the Alpini during World War I as soldiers sang it while fighting in the harsh conditions of the Alps and the Dolomites. Take a moment to listen to the melody that still echoes through Italy’s mountain heritage today.
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