Biscuit-loving bear walks 100 miles back to the town from which it was banished
“Since March 25, the day when the bear was released back into the wild, until today, the bear has spent 18 days travelling through the valleys of…
The 10 commandments you must obey when ordering coffee in Italy
I once met an Italian who didn’t drink coffee. He made light of the fact, but you could see that he was tired of having to explain…
The 15 ultimate Italian holidays, and how to do them in style
Few of us can resist a holiday in Europe’s most elegant country. Especially not those of us who dream of a nice glass of chianti on a…
Spying, satire and revenge: The bitter rivalry that created Rome’s greatest sights
Michelangelo struggled to shake off the competition. Once the Sistine ceiling was finished, it was Raphael who got the commission to design the spectacular tapestries which were…
Rome villa with Caravaggio’s only ceiling fresco fails to sell for second time despite 20 per cent discount
Journalists covering the two auctions found it hard to find information about the sale or to access a web link. “The auctioneers are more accustomed to selling…
Love is blind in Venice, as ‘sexist’ restaurant gives women menus with no prices
Club del Doge apologised, saying it was “sorry to have created an inconvenience for a guest,” and would “take advantage of our mistake to improve ourselves.” “Now…
Protesters set fire to Lake Como villa of Kremlin propagandist and pour red paint in pool
“I was told that Europe is a citadel of rights, that everything is permitted, that’s what they said. I know from personal experience about the so-called ‘sacred…
When will Spain, Italy and Greece finally ditch their ‘unnecessary’ Covid rules?
At a press event last week, over coffee and breakfast tapas, the Spanish Tourist Office spoke confidently about the year ahead, with visitor numbers – after two…
This idiotic travel form represents everything that is wrong with the EU
Slowly but surely, tedious Covid travel restrictions are being peeled back. Just this week, Sweden opened its doors to all, Costa Rica ended all restrictions, and France…
Your Easter ski holiday checklist – to ensure everything goes to plan
With the Easter break starting this coming weekend, now is the time for skiers, in particular families, who have a holiday booked abroad to ensure they are…
15 of the world’s best holidays for foodies
BBQ bound United States Racking up the awards for best brisket in Texas, Franklin Barbecue restaurant has made Austin a global pilgrimage destination for barbecue lovers. Join…
The cheaper alternative to Tuscany – with more mountains, better beaches and fewer tourists
Along the coast, two areas are worth special trips, both rocky, cliff-edged uplands that are strange, but beautiful anomalies on an otherwise flat coast of resorts, dunes…
10 signs you’re too old for après ski
With spring in the air and restrictions on après ski eased in Europe’s top ski resorts, there’s never been a better time to let your hair down…
The truth about Italian tourists, from their impeccable style to their secret stash of parmesan
In the third part of our series on how other nationalities travel, our Italian expert reveals all. Why do they flock to northern Norway? Why do they…
In search of Italy’s dolce vita – and its very generous tax breaks
Some people move to Italy in search of “la dolce vita”, like Phil and Anne Adams. The couple, from Milton Keynes, moved to the Abruzzo region in…
Soave is the wine to drink this spring – here’s the best to buy
The poet, dandy, fighter pilot, lothario, propagandist and Italian First World War hero Gabriele d’Annunzio had extravagant, and often bizarre, living standards. He used to check in…
Silvio Berlusconi to ‘marry’ 32-year-old girlfriend at lavish ‘festival of love’
Ms Fascina, who is an MP in Mr Berlusconi’s centre-Right Forza Italia party, is “offended and very angry about not having a proper wedding,” according to the…
The 40 best mountain restaurants in Europe
Piz Boè Alpine Lounge, Alta Badia This stunning glass, wood and Dolomite stone structure sits alongside the upper station of the Boè cable car above Corvara on…
The unsung Italian city with amazing food and dramatic castles – but hardly any tourists
Dining out There’s a good choice of local wines at charming Agriturismo Cavazzone (cavazzone.it), which offers traditional dishes, including meat-filled cappelletti pasta, and farmhouse accommodation, while La…
The glamourous myth of The Godfather is far from reality – as I found on holiday in Sicily
Born in Corleone, Bagarella rose to become head of the Corleonesi, the most violent of all the Mafia clans, which in the 1980s waged war against the…
The Italian region with beautiful landscapes and ancient villages – but no tourists
Italy has welcomed visitors since time immemorial. But not all of Italy: some regions have remained impervious to the Grand Tourists of the past and the Instagrammers…
Why it’s the perfect time to try an exciting new wine
There’s another aspect, apart from the obvious one of saving pennies or pounds, that I like about buying wines on special offer. It’s that they might tempt…
A ski holiday with my amputee daughter showed me the real pleasure of being on the slopes
Immediately, she loved it – not least because her “leading leg” was her complete leg, with her prosthesis at the back of the board. She found this…
Five white wines to make you look on the bright side
Taste the Difference Coteaux du Giennois 2020, Loire, France (13%, Sainsbury’s, £11, down to £10 until March 22) From an appellation north of the more famous Sancerre…
The best new chalets and hotels for your ski holiday in 2022
The Paradiski area is huge, and dramatic. Linked to La Plagne in 2003 by the Vanoise Express, it would be impossible for even good skiers staying in…