Fleas are responsible for the charm that draws admiring visitors to Siena. That’s because the damage they caused back in 1348 left the city crippled, unable to change, and stuck in the Middle Ages. The dreaded Black Death, brought by flea-carrying rats, struck Europe’s crowded cities and decimated entire populations. Half the people of Siena [...]

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“You either love it or you hate it,” said a friend of mine. It was the first thing I ever heard about the Italian city of Naples, and the phrase’s authenticity remains intact after all these years. Naples is unlike any other city in Italy: It is busy, loud, and dirty on one hand (many [...]

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The Vatican dominates the art museums of Rome, with its vast collection of treasures, but for me, the Borghese Gallery and Villa has even more appeal. Some of the sculptures here are so beautiful and perfectly crafted, you can only marvel at the genius who created them.
Set in acres of landscaped gardens, the villa, built [...]

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Apparently this impressive natural formation wasn’t enough, and a man-made island, which is home to the Hotel Gran Paradise, was built and connected by a pedestrian bridge. My girlfriend and I had experienced the fine dining, but reports of Porto Cesáreo’s secluded beaches brought us again to the city.
We arrived on the 104 Bus from [...]

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Sfida dei Borghi (Challenge of the Wards) – Monte Compatri. Monte Compatri being a town whose origins are even older than Rome, it is obvious that its people are quite rightly proud of their ancient past. Once a year, in mid-August, they hold festivities consisting of various tests and games of skill, with an archery contest among the 5 wards of the town as the centrepiece of the celebrations. A historical procession with about 300 participants dressed in 17th century costume takes place before the contest, providing a splendid feast of colours. At the same time street artists conduct their performances in other parts of the town, so that the whole population can fully enjoy the festivities.

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