Month September 2025

It’s hard to believe our time in Bologna has come to an end. Over the past six weeks we’ve reconnected with familiar places and faces, and made a few new discoveries, too. As we move on to the next stage… Continue Reading →

The extraordinary walled city of Urbino rises up from the rolling hills and vineyards of Italy’s Marche region. In the 15th century, powerful ruler Duke Federico da Montefeltro transformed Urbino from a simple village into a cultural powerhouse, attracting Europe’s… Continue Reading →

The city of Cremona is renowned as the birthplace of the violin. In the 16th to 18th centuries, it was home to master violin makers including the Amati family, Giuseppe Guarneri and Antonio Stradivari. Around 200 luthiers still work in… Continue Reading →

We slipped away for a short trip to Rome to catch up with friends there, and also because…well, Rome. What a city the Italian capital is! Over time, we’ve been fortunate enough to have lived in Rome for several months… Continue Reading →

It’s hard to overstate the beauty of the magnificent palaces that line the streets of Bologna, and impossible not to be impressed by the impact they have on the fabric of the city. The palazzi, with their monumental facades, ornate… Continue Reading →

We had only just returned from a visit to Brisighella, southeast of Bologna, when we read a report describing it as one of the most beautiful villages in all of Italy. Not only on the official list of ‘I Borghi… Continue Reading →

One of the great joys of travel is being able to spend time — weeks, or sometimes even months — in a single location. On this trip, we’re here in Bologna for six weeks. For us, it’s the dream, but… Continue Reading →

On a recent excursion to a small village outside Bologna, we came across this notice posted on the wall of someone’s home. It’s a piece from the Quotidiano Nazionale newspaper, written and published in 2020 by then Editor-in-Chief, Michele Brambilla…. Continue Reading →