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The Island of Elba, Where it’s Not Allowed to Rain
The idyllic island of Elba floats just six miles from the coast of Tuscany. Although off the radar of most American tourists, poet Dylan Thomas called Elba “the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean.” Legend has it that when the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the Tyrrhenian Sea, she lost her pearl necklace. Seven of these […]
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Deboning the “Fish”: The Sestieri of Venice
Venice is shaped like a fish, with the tail in the east and the mouth in the west. The head of the fish is north and the belly is south. Don’t believe me? Check out a satellite photo of Venice, or browse this short, entertaining book by a local Venetian. The lagoon city is divided […]
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8 Sights That Will Make You Fall in Love with Verona
The Big 3 + the A.C. is the classic combo for an Italian vacation. Rome, Florence, Venice and the Amalfi Coast are popular destinations that never go out of style, nor should they. However, many of their main features can be found in the historic and less crowded city of Verona. Here are eight of […]
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From “Shame of Italy” to Capital of Culture: Matera’s Glow Up
Few cities in Italy have experienced the sweeping changes that Matera has. For a city that was struggling to keep its citizens alive just 70 years ago, the last few decades have been a bit of a whirlwind. Let’s take a moment to unpack Matera’s rags to riches story and the challenges still ahead. An […]