Italy Things to Do : Tours, Top Attractions & Local Recommendations

May 3, 2012

San Marino

I have a strange obsession with the small countries of the world. I’m not sure why, perhaps it’s the David versus Goliath nature of these tiny places with populations of under a million people. Nine tiny nations even get together to hold their own Olympic games!

The Republic of San Marino, tucked into Italy, is Europe’s third smallest state after the Vatican and Monaco. It has a population of around 30,000 and is just 24 square miles (61 sq km) in size. The economy is mainly based on tourism and finance, the country has no national debt, almost no unemployment and is one of the world’s wealthiest countries by GDP; no wonder I admire these small yet strong nations.

April 19, 2012

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Naples’ Best Pizza

If you want to start a fight in Naples, ask to have pineapple on your pizza. Or egg. Or even olives, or anchovies. Neopolitans feel very strongly about pizza – after all they invented it – and a true pizza only has tomato, mozzarella and a few leaves of basil. And it must be cooked in a wood-fired oven. This is the Pizza Margherita which the pizzeria Brandi – the oldest in Naples established in 1780 – claims to have invented in 1889 for Queen Margherita.

April 5, 2012

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Best Towns for Easter Traditions in Italy

Italy loves Easter, or Pasqua in local terms. Aside from the deeply religious observation at the many Papal Masses held in Rome, and the explosive tradition of fireworks in Florence, many small towns and regions have long-held traditions for this time of year. Here’s a list of just some of Italy’s most beautiful and unique Easter traditions.

April 4, 2012

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America’s Cup Race in Naples

Naples port will host races for America's Cup

Take advantage and visit the city of Naples, Italy during the America’s Cup competition!

What is America’s Cup?

The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America’s Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht cup that currently holds the title and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging for the cup. America’s Cup is the oldest active trophy in international sport. The trophy was originally awarded in 1851 by the Royal Yacht Sqaudron.

March 19, 2012

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Free Entrance to Private Monuments in Italy

This year’s Open Monuments Weekend in Italy takes place on the 24th and 25th of March. If you’re in Italy at this time circle the dates in red in your diary. This is the one weekend in the year that many of the privately owned grand houses and gardens throw open their doors and invite in the public. And entrance is usually free.

March 14, 2012

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Things to See in Portofino – The Italian Riviera

Where you can go where the boats are bigger than the apartments? Portofino, Italy that’s where. Once a little fishing village clustering around a small harbor, since the 1950s this small town on the Italian Riviera has been the summer playground for the rich and aristocratic of Europe and Britain…