Summer street scene in an Italian village street.Photo Credit: Roman Babakin

Italy, Italian Culture and You!

So you'd like to visit parts of Italy rich in culture but you're not sure where to start?

No problem - we can help!

It's not easy trying to plan a holiday to a destination you've never been to before. Even if you've visited Italy previously, there are always new places to find that you're not aware of. But time is precious, and finding those places isn't always easy.

Which is where we can help.

This website was originally written by Cath and Mike, an English couple who lived and worked in Italy for 15 years. They got to know the country and its people extremely well (as only 'locals' can), and they could find tiny, stunning, traditional out of the way villages that are "off the beaten track".

How do they know? Because they lived in one of these villages!

Italian hilltop village under a blue sky.

Maybe you're looking for information about...

  • Which of the well-known sights is worth seeing - and when's best to visit them.  
  • Where to go that won't be crowded with tourists.  
  • How to find places to stay that allow you to meet Italian people in their own local communities.
  • Places to eat that locals in Italy like to keep a well-guarded secret.  
  • Shops where you can find authentic, locally produced goods.  
  • How to get around using local transport.  

Congratulations - You're in the right place!

So - you know you want to see this...

The Colosseum in Rome with bright blue sky in the background.Rome's Colosseum: one of Italy's iconic monuments

- but you're not sure when's the best time to go, or whether a guided tour is really necessary, or whether there are parts that other tourists may not know about.

 Want to know more? Click on this link to read our page about the Colosseum!

Or maybe you'd like to know which part of Rome to look to find a market like this...

Fresh produce in a basket in a Rome market.A market in central Rome - but where can you find it?

And you know that when you're visiting Venice you'll be seeing beautiful 'palazzos' on the edge of canals like this...

The Grand Canal, Venice.Venice's Grand Canal.

 ...but do you know where you would go to find a quiet little village perched on a cliff with water as clear as this?

Old village perched on cliff overlooking blue sea.The stunning Gargano peninsula - one of our favourite places to visit.

...and where can you travel to find pretty mediaeval villages perched on hilltops like this? (No, it's not Tuscany!).

Hilltop town.Pretty mediaeval villages dot the rolling hills of Le Marche - our home region.

Whether it's Rome, Venice, Florence, or the less well known rural areas of Le Marche and Puglia you want to know about - you've come to the right place.

Because what we want the most is to use our knowledge of these stunning places, and their culture, to help you plan your perfect trip.

And if you want to take a part of Italy home with you - or if you can't visit but love the country and want to add bits of its culture into your life - well, we will help you do that, too.

Who are we, to be able to talk to you about Italy and Italian culture?

This was written by Cath and Mike Andrews, pictured on the day they were married - in Rome!  They chose to have their pictures taken by the Trevi Fountain.

A wedding couple in Rome.Cath and Mike, the original authors of this website, at the Trevi Fountain.

They lived their Italian dream. Through this website we (Mogsy and Richard - new owners of the website) would like to share our passion for, and knowledge of, this amazing country with you. 

We will help find your Italian dream.

So, come on in. Pour yourself a nice glass of cold 'vino bianco' - white wine - or a cup of cappuccino, or a hot black 'espresso'. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. 

A cup of cappuccino in a white cup and saucer

"Piacere" - we're pleased to meet you!