There is a particular kind of disappointment that comes from arriving somewhere beautiful and realising you’ve done it all wrong. I’ve felt it. You’ve probably felt it too. That sinking sensation when you’re standing in a place you’ve dreamed about for years, and instead of magic, you’re feeling rushed, confused, or just plain uncomfortable. Lake … Read more
The first time I saw a photograph of Cinque Terre, I assumed it couldn’t possibly be real. Those candy-coloured houses stacked impossibly against cliffs that plunge straight into impossibly blue water? Surely someone had cranked up the saturation dial to eleven. But then I went there, and I discovered that the photographs don’t actually do … Read more
Rome is the kind of city that breaks you in the most beautiful way possible. You arrive with your carefully curated list of must-see attractions, your meticulously planned itinerary, and your reasonable expectations about what a city should be. Within hours, Rome has laughed at your plans, seduced you with its chaos, and left you … Read more
So you want to go to Florence, Italy. You imagine yourself standing before Michelangelo’s David, gazing up at the magnificent dome of the Duomo, or savoring a glass of Chianti as the sun sets over the Arno River. It is a city that has inspired artists, poets, and dreamers for centuries, and it holds a … Read more
The Vatican City. The smallest country in the world, barely an eighth the size of Central Park, contains within its walls a concentration of art, history, and spiritual significance that is simply unparalleled. It is a place where the divine and the human meet, where the greatest artists of the Renaissance poured their genius into … Read more
There is perhaps no figure in the history of art more painted, more studied, or more deeply loved than the Virgin Mary. In Italy, she is everywhere—gazing down from the altars of grand cathedrals, appearing in the quiet corners of museums, and gracing the walls of palaces with her serene presence. What makes the Italian … Read more
Before Caravaggio arrived on the scene in the late sixteenth century, art was defined by Mannerism, a style that prized elegance, artificiality, and idealized beauty. Figures were elongated, poses were graceful, and saints drifted through heavenly realms with a kind of detached serenity. It was beautiful, certainly, but it was also safe. Caravaggio threw safety … Read more
Italy’s cities—Rome, Florence, Venice—are justly famous. They’re the heavyweights, the places you feel you must see at least once. But here’s a secret I’ve learned from years of exploring this magnificent country: the soul of Italy doesn’t reside in its bustling piazzas. It lives in the borghi, the small villages that cling to hillsides, nestle in valleys, and … Read more
Italy has a way of making everything feel more beautiful. The light is softer, the food tastes better, and even the simplest moments seem to carry a little extra magic. It’s no wonder couples have been flocking here for centuries. But with so many incredible places to choose from, it can be hard to know … Read more
Let me start with a confession. Ranking the most beautiful places in Italy is a fool’s errand. I’ve been traveling to this magnificent country for many years, and every time I think I’ve seen the best it has to offer, a new corner reveals itself and leaves me speechless. Italy is a country that doesn’t … Read more