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Guide to the Frasassi Caves in Italy
Deep under the hills of Italy’s Marche region, you’ll find a subterranean world of delicate calcareous sculptures and fairytale spires. This ethereal wonderland—known as the Frasassi Caves (or Grotte di Frasassi in Italian)—is one of Europe’s largest cave systems and a highlight of travel to Central Italy. The Frasassi Caves are rich in whimsical formations. Gouged out by the Sentino River over the course of 150 million years, their sculpted chambers rival the most intricate on Earth. THE GROTTE DI FRASASSI The Grotte di Frasassi are located in the…
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Day Trip to the Cinque Terre
Set against the backdrop of the Italian Riviera’s dramatic coastline and overlooking the sapphire waters of the Ligurian Sea, the Cinque Terre have soared toward the top of Italy’s list of must-see attractions. The Cinque Terre are five idyllic fishing villages that fall within the boundaries of the Cinque Terre National Park. Thanks in large part to the proliferation of social media and travel blogs, the five heralded villages have become near-permanent fixtures on the Italian tourist trail. And for good reason. The area is stunningly beautiful. I remember visiting the Cinque…
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Day Trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello
“This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty – this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap, in whose insalubrious air the arts once rankly and voluptuously blossomed”~Thomas Mann Venice has always had a way of capturing the imagination. For centuries, the maze-like city of gondolas and canals has captivated artists, poets, writers and tourists with its uniqueness, its romance and its unparalleled charm. It’s no wonder that nearly every country in the world claims to have a Venice of its own. I first visited Venice in elementary school,…
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Discovering Milan in One Day
Despite being Italy’s second most populous city, Milan gets very little love from tourists. As the undeniable economic hub of Italy, it is more often associated with business and industry than it is with its history-laden attractions. Yet, like everywhere else in Italy, Milan has a wealth of places to see. The city has stunning attractions that would deem it a must-see destination if it were located somewhere else. Anywhere else. As it stands, Milan doesn’t frequently make it onto the itineraries of first-time travelers to Italy. The vibrant city deserves…
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Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
Lake Como is a Y-shaped body of water that snakes through the craggy mountains of Northern Italy. A well-known retreat for the rich and famous, Como blends movie-star excess with the simplicity of rural Italian life. In Como, it is not uncommon to cross paths with the rich and famous. It is the type of place where boutique shops sell high-end jewelry and opulent villas showcase the best of Italian lakeside living. And yet, its miles of hiking paths, its quaint streets and gardens and its easy accessibility from Milan…
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Night Hike in Monti Sibillini National Park
In local legend, Italy’s Monti Sibillini National Park is a place of both mythical and historical importance. It is where the body of Pontius Pilate, the man who authorized Jesus’ execution, was allegedly disposed of after he was sentenced to death by the Roman Emperor, Tiberius. Some disregard the theory and argue that the body was actually dumped in a Swiss lake but, those who refute this alternative speculation, believe its resting place is in the Lago di Pilato–a small glacial lake nestled in Italy’s stunning national park. Due perhaps…
