Italy remains one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations, but anyone travelling to the boot this summer would do well not only to read up on the most beautiful beaches and sights. In more and more places, Italian authorities are introducing stricter rules to combat overtourism, nuisance, and damage to nature and heritage. […] More
It was recently in the news: a tourist stayed at a five-star hotel in the Dolomites in late 2019. During dinner, she repeatedly asked for tap water. The hotel refused to serve it and offered only bottles of mineral water at €7 per bottle. Even when she indicated she was willing to pay for tap water, it remained […] More
A striking measure in Sardinia is causing a lot of discussion. At the popular Punta Molentis beach near Villasimius, visitors aged 10 to 65 are no longer allowed to bring their own parasols this summer. Only families with children under 10 and seniors over 65 are granted an exception. The municipality of Villasimius has […] the rule More
This Is Italy
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For many Dutch, Belgian, and German travelers, the route through Switzerland remains the fastest and most comfortable way to drive to Italy. Especially for destinations on Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, Tuscany, and the Italian Riviera, the Swiss route is often the logical choice. Anyone traveling through Switzerland in the summer of 2026 must […] More
In Italy, the barbecue is not just for meat lovers. Vegetables also play a leading role and are preferably cooked over charcoal, alla brace. Think of aubergines, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes. You can cut them into pieces and grill them, but you can also roast them whole until they are charred on the outside and […] More
When we bought our first house in Southern Italy 4 years ago, it came with a substantial piece of land. There was a small orchard with fruit trees, some cacti, and some yuccas (a type of palm tree), and there was a lot of ivy. There were no flowering plants or shrubs, but then again, no one had looked for them for 3 years […] More
They are known as the Seven Sisters of the Tyrrhenian Sea: the Aeolian Islands, or Lipari Islands. They lie north of Sicily and all 7 have their own character. The westernmost, Alicudi and Filicudi, are little paradises for those who choose peace and authenticity. Lipari, the largest island, with its 9.000 inhabitants, is a classic seaside resort where it […] More
Will you be stuck for hours on an Italian toll road this summer due to roadworks? In some cases, you may be able to get part of your toll money back. Italy is gradually introducing a new compensation scheme for motorists who experience significant delays due to roadworks on the autostrada. The measure is intended to ensure that road users do not have to pay the full price […] More
These Mediterranean oven-baked salmon parcels contain all the ingredients and flavors of the Mediterranean: fish, lemon, tomatoes, oregano, olive oil, and olives. They are super easy to make and you can have them on the table in no time. By wrapping the salmon together with the other ingredients in aluminum foil and cooking it in the oven, all […] More
Ma dai? That is the title of the textbook I received when I took a week of language lessons in Rome, at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci. I was able to follow the book and the A2-level lessons well. But that title? If you translate it literally, it says: But do you teach? Strange fellows, those Romans, I thought […] More
This Is Italy
updated
There are those moments when all of Italy falls silent collectively. The death of a Pope. A lost World Cup final (or not participating in the World Cup at all). Or the moment when Ferrari decides to build a fully electric car. Ferrari’s first EV. With the new Ferrari Luce, exactly that has happened. The opinions on […] More
Steve Smulders
updated
Peace of mind for the wallet! That is what every Dutch person wants. This was evident once again from the rush on my Facebook post about the Italian 7% tax regime. Italy offers this low tax rate to foreign pensioners, on the condition that they live in one of the designated 2.600 municipalities with fewer than 30.000 inhabitants in the sparsely populated, aging, and economically weaker […] More
And then, suddenly, spring has arrived. What a difference after a rather cold, wet winter with a lot of strong winds. We moved to the South Italian countryside into a house that was basically only suitable for the summer… and we certainly found out. Clattering doors, rain seeping under the doors, damp inside the house […] More
Due to the early May holiday, we are back in Sardinia at the end of April. There, we experience Italian Liberation Day for the first time, which falls on April 25. The official name is Festa della Liberazione dal nazifascismo. It is also known as the anniversario della Resistenza, the holiday of the Italian resistance. On April 25, 1945, […] More
Edward Hendriks
updated
There are several Italian campsites that go by the name 'Continental', but the campsite we are discussing here is the one on Lake Mergozzo in Fondotoce di Verbania. This popular campsite is beloved by the Dutch and Germans and is located close to the popular Lake Maggiore. We spent one week during the May holidays at […] More
Minestrone is a type of vegetable soup based on broth, vegetables, legumes, and usually a small pasta or rice. The name comes from the Latin verb minestrare, which means 'to serve food,' a task performed by the person who prepared the dish, the ministrata. The origins of minestrone go back a long way. The Romans […] More
Anyone who's ever traveled through Tuscany in spring has surely seen them: fields of poppies that paint the landscape like fiery red flecks. Against the backdrop of cypress trees, medieval villages, and gently rolling hills, they seem straight out of an Italian Romantic painting. But where should you go to see them? […] More
Sunday morning, 6 o'clock. For the first time, we are woken by the sun in our faces shining in through the bedroom window. It is the first time, because until now you had to get out of bed to see the sun rise over the land. With that blue sky, it looks like […] More
The rolling hills of Tuscany, covered with vineyards and olive trees, form a landscape that defines the quintessential image of Italy for many travelers. Nestled among these hills lie medieval villages that often appear barely changed since the Renaissance, while cities like Florence and Siena rank among the cultural highlights of Europe. That combination of nature, culture, and […] More
Florence is popular among tourists. Very popular. The Tuscan capital attracted some 7,8 million people to the city in the first nine months of 2024. When you consider how big Florence is – the city has only about 375.000 inhabitants – you understand that it can get quite crowded. Do you want a […] More
Elisabetta Cassino
Caroline Peet
Aart Heering
Lucy Beker
Mariska Kromhout
Bertine Jobse