Category Archives: Travel Tips

The Dolomites: World Natural Heritage

Italy’s magnificent beauty is hard to put into adequate words. Cultural, artistic and architectural achievements aside, it is a stunning country of wide, impressive diversity from north to south. Imposing mountain ranges, wide valleys, magical rivers and glowing beaches are … Continue reading

Vineyard landscape of Piedmont: Langhe-Roero & Monferrato

When Italy was awarded its 50th World Heritage Site in June 2014, it wasn’t one of the many amazing sights, but, for the very first time, a cultural landscape deserving of utmost protection. The vineyard landscapes Langhe-Roero and Monferrato in … Continue reading

Castel del Monte

An octagonal fortress that, to this day, poses many a riddle rises on a hill near Andria in southeast Italy. Castel del Monte, the “Castle of the Mountain” surprises with its unorthodox shape, the mix of various architectural styles and … Continue reading

Renaissance city Ferrara and its Po Delta

What is the “ideal city”? And what does it look like? The concept of the perfect cityscape has been changing several times over the course of the centuries – what was right 300 years ago isn’t compatible with contemporary mobility … Continue reading

Venetian Works of Defence, 16th/17th century

The Republic of Venice was the economic power and sea power in the Mediterranean area for centuries. Being a Great Power, they controlled a major part of all trade between the continents and became a hub for all sorts of … Continue reading

Villa Adriana in Tivoli

There was an abundance of imperial residences in the Roman Empire, as the name suggests, but none of them ever matched the dimensions and the unbelievable splendour of Hadrian’s Villa. Villa Adriana in Tivoli, located approx. 30 km northeast of … Continue reading

Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

A devastating natural disaster in the year 79 AD laid the foundation for one of the world’s most important cultural and historical research facilities. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the towns Pompei, Oplontis, Herculaneum and Stabiae completely, but the … Continue reading

Verona´s city centre

When Verona’s city centre was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2000, many probably thought only one thing: Finally! In all reality, the medieval city centre with Roman roots of this fascinating metropolis founded in pre-Christian times is … Continue reading

Piazza del Duomo in Pisa

When hearing the name Pisa, you’re probably thinking about one particular tower that is everything but straight. Sure, the Leaning Tower is the landmark of the Tuscan city for many tourists, yet only one of many sights on the cathedral … Continue reading

Archaeological Area of Agrigento

Numerous peoples and nations left their traces in Italy over the course of centuries and millennia. Both the mainland and the island evoke the memories of former world powers and great regents. In pre-Christian times Sicily mainly served as a … Continue reading