#tuscan-villa

#tuscan-villa

The acquisition of Villa Mussolini through an auction was an act of love and vision, bringing it back into public hands as a victory for the entire town.

"We are thrilled to bring this immersive experience to New Jersey. Whether you're an art-lover, history enthusiast, or someone encountering this masterpiece for the first time, this exhibition allows you to experience Michelangelo's genius in an intimate and unforgettable way."

"It was in really bad shape, but I sensed its potential," he says. When his future client, a Swiss teacher who fell in love with the Italian Riviera, walked into his office, even she was skeptical. "Many people were," he continues. "It was an abandoned and damp property, but I convinced her. Now she's happy."

Working with architect Lorenzo Giordano, the team approached the project as a thoughtful rehabilitation. An aluminum rooftop sits lightly on old masonry; new terrazzo floors by Cuor di Roccia meet terracotta tiles; steel stair housings pair with restored plaster and arched openings. The contrasts are deliberate, revealing each layer of the site rather than hiding it.

"Piano piano" is an old Italian saying that sounds nonsensical, but is actually full of wisdom, especially if you, like me, are finding yourself wishing away these frigid winter days and hoping spring and summer gets here fast. These days, I've found myself rushing from one thing to the next, frustrated at the smallest things, from post office lines to just missing my train. And I'm ready to make a change.

During my recent 17-day trip there, I realized Ischia has everything its more popular neighbor offers - great shopping, a castle, beaches, a botanical garden - but with fewer tourists. Here's why it belongs on your Italy itinerary.

On my last trip, in Bologna, I found yet another way to enjoy Italian coffee (beyond ordering a doppio). One memorable café topped its coffees with fruit powder-infused whipped cream. They were listed under a section on the menu appropriately named "caffe della gioia" (yes, "joy coffee"). These joyful mugs are topped with a generous mountain of whipped cream that can be folded with fruit- or nut powders, like pomegranate, pistachio, orange, wild berries, and aniseed.

Among the Pontine Islands, Palmarola emerges as an unspoiled, scenically unique land. You'll find no big luxury resorts, loud clubs, or lines of restaurants. There aren't even any paved roads, or an established electrical grid-and there's certainly limited telephone coverage, so forget working from home. However, the lack of modern amenities means less traffic and crowds.

As I stepped off a train in Florence into heat so brutal it felt like the city was actively trying to kill me, I wondered if I'd made the right decision. This was my first time in Italy, yet I'd already committed to leaving the US and calling it home. I'd dreamed of living in Europe ever since my semester abroad in college, but here I was - overstimulated, sweating, and on my way to move into an apartment I'd only seen through WhatsApp video calls.

Saint-Jorioz in Haute-Savoie will provide a springtime lift for your spirits. On the shore of Lake Annecy, it's a short bus ride from the city of Annecy, but less busy and with superior lake and mountain views. Hike to the surrounding peaks, towards the lesser-known Col de l'Arpettaz, or cycle on the excellent greenways. Relax by the cool blue alpine water. Behind you lies the underrated Les Bauges Unesco Geopark. The department only joined France in 1860, and has its own Italian-influenced regional cuisine.

This coccoli, which can be a street food or restaurant appetizer, is truly an icon in Florentine - a term that simply means "from Florence" - fare. The word "coccoli" translates literally to "cuddles," and these fried dough balls do indeed feel like warm little hugs. They're about the size of dumplings; served hot, they've got a crispy exterior to crack into - with just the right amount of grease - where you'll find both fluffiness and chewy doughy-ness all at once.

The only building known to have been designed by Vitruvius himself was found under Piazza Andrea Costa in a preventative archaeology excavation before redevelopment. Unlike the ancient public building found in 2023 which was speculated to be the long-sought basilica, the newly-discovered structure matches the detailed description in Vitruvius' De Architectura. The accuracy with which the remains found coincided with Vitruvian descriptions left experts astonished.

Last summer, I found myself in Venice during peak tourist season. The crowds were suffocating. Every piazza felt like a theme park, every restaurant seemed designed for Instagram rather than actual dining. Standing on the Rialto Bridge, packed shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other visitors, I couldn't help but wonder: is this really Italy? That question stayed with me long after I returned to London.