On September 11, 2026, the world will commemorate 25 years since the September 11, 2001 attacks. In Italy, a significant location for reflection is not found in Rome, Milan, or Venice, but rather in our hometown of Padova, because it is the sole location in Italy to view an actual artifact from the World Trade Center.

If you're looking for a great stay in hills of Tuscany, look no further than Castelfalfi. It's a Tuscan resort and borgo, village, south of Florence and a 30 minute drive from...

One for your bucket list- Andrea Bocelli is a well-known figure who has been instrumental in popularizing opera for newer generations. Every July, he performs on two exclusive evenings in his hometown of Lajatico, Tuscany at Teatro del Silenzio, an amphitheater he constructed in the middle of an expansive field on the top of a hill with sweeping countryside views.

In Italy, summer signifies one thing: an afternoon gelato, which is the Italian term for ice cream. However, is gelato truly the same as ice cream? No, and I will outline the three main reasons why it's superior.

Alto Adige, situated in the northern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering Italian wine regions. Nonetheless, the wines crafted in this high-altitude, German/Italian-speaking locale are remarkably exceptional.

Alto Adige, located in the northern section of the greater region called Trentino-Alto Adige, is often referred to as its German language name, Südtirol. It's been sweltering all over Europe this summer, so Svein and I headed for a (bit) cooler escape, a coolcation in the mountains and vineyards in Alto Adige.

Civita di Bagnoregio has been on my must-visit list for a long time. It's located 2 hours north of Rome in the province of Lazio, close to the borders of Umbria and Tuscany. When the quaint Corte della Maestà was awarded the coveted 3 Michelin Keys, I decided that it was time to plan a trip!

Many travelers still rely on the same old advice, but if you want to make your trips feel more luxurious, it helps to think beyond the usual tips. This post shares three unconventional travel tips that you may not have thought of but can transform your next trip.

While Giorgio Armani's designs are timeless, the Armani exhibit at the Pinoteca di Brera in Milan is not. It's only on view until January 11, 2026. The exhibit features over 120 of his timeless creations, intermixed with the gallery's permanent collection, spanning from the medieval to the romantic periods.

The Venetian Lagoon offers a unique culinary adventure with its array of both common and unusual sea creatures. Although many of them might not seem appealing initially, they are considered delicacies and many are unique to these waters. You must taste these 11 creatures from in and around the Venetian Lagoon!

Oltrepò Pavese, despite being relatively obscure, is the third largest producer of pinot noir (pinot nero in Italian) in Europe, following the renowned regions of Burgundy and Champagne. Is it possible that this charming Italian wine region, known for its high-quality wines, remains largely undiscovered? Absolutely, and here are our top 3 wineries to visit!

Think of a medvial town of 20,000 inhabitants, a perfectly preserved city wall complete with moat and very few tourists. Too good to be true? Not in Veneto. It's the beautiful town of Cittadella located just 1 hour northeast of Venice, yet a world away.

Bordeaux is arguably one of, if not the, most famous wine regions in the world. It's the birthplace of many noble grapes, notably the heavy-hitters, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The following is by no means a definitive guide to Bordeaux, but it's an overview of what we saw and did on our perfectly curated 5-day tour with Mark of eMpTy bottle.

I often worry that artisanal craftsmanship in Italy is declining, as younger generations are not always keen to inherit the family business. Traditionally, artisans have handed down their intricate crafting skills from one generation to the next, but I fear this tradition is waning. However, a recent visit to the Buccellati atelier in Milan proved me wrong...

The first thing to do in the Valpolicella wine country is drink wine, namely Amarone della Valpolicella. Of course, where you eat and sleep are important too. Here are our top picks that you won't necessarily find in guide books!

Valpolicella, renowned for Amarone della Valpolicella and minutes away from Verona, should be an essential stop for any wine enthusiast traveling in northern Italy. Discover our top 5 winery picks in the Valpolicella hills.

Every summer Verona's remarkably well-preserved Roman coliseum, the Arena, hosts opera performances beneath the stars. We opted for Verdi's opera, Aida...

One would think that there would be one standard with regard to wine sommelier diplomas, at least that is what I thought...

Summer is not quite over and so if you are looking for something different to add to your white wine line-up, look no further than Gavi! Gavi is made from 100% Cortese grape variety which turns into a crisp white with high acidity and low body, a perfect summertime sipper or porch pounder- you chose- no judgement! 😂

Kevin Rathbun's Krog Bar has moved uptown to Buckhead with a new concept- coal fired pizza. The neighborhood was in need of more casual dining options, particularly a pizzeria. Here's a peak into the newly opened Krog Bar endeavor.