Festivals

Sardinia

20th July 2018
Posted in

When D H Lawrence visited Sardinia with his wife, Frieda, back in 1921, they weren’t much impressed. Food was scarce, and they found little to eat but cabbage and bread. Some ‘hotels’ were little more than shacks, and yet in Sea and Sardinia he wrote:

Emilia Romagna

26th February 2016
Posted in

When you consider Emilia Romagna, think food. Bologna, Parma, Modena, and Ferrara, are just some of the fabulous foodie destinations to visit. In addition, one of the best food festivals of the year is Emilia Romagna’s lesser-known town of Forlimpopoli. Festa Artusiana is a celebration of the life and works of Pellegrino Artusi, the ‘Father…

Genoa

26th February 2016
Posted in

One of the best reasons for visiting Liguria (capital, Genoa) is the wonderful food. With its long coastline, the region is renowned for its excellent seafood. Then there are regional products like foccaccia, farinata (a delicious chickpea pancake), Albenga artichokes, salt cod, and, of course, pesto. Pesto championships The capital of the region, Genoa, hosts…

Tunisia

8th February 2015
Posted in ,

Tataouine, in southern Tunisia, is famous for the trogolodyte buildings of the native Berber* population. It’s so other-worldly, that director George Lucas used it as a backdrop for one of his Star Wars films. The buildings are actually ancient grain stores, or ksour, and you can read more in my Time Out article here.

Carnival time

17th February 2014
Posted in

Venice, the most flamboyant of all the Italian Carnivals, is famous for its political satire. But the rest of Italy also celebrates carnival. Find out more below: VENICE www.carnevale.venezia.it Palaces throughout the city host grand masked balls. Immerse yourself in the Serenissima’s festive history. During the world’s most famous masked ‘open city’ party, every corner…

Venice – Lights, camera, action…

23rd October 2012
Posted in ,

Venice hosts the oldest film festival in the world, La Biennale. She’s used to seeing stars. But the city itself has played a starring role in some of the world’s most famous films. Magnificent palazzi and churches rise up out of  watery ‘streets’. Narrow alleyways echo with the city’s long history of plague, great art,…

Amalfi Coast

7th March 2012
Posted in

Nightlife on the Amalfi Coast could obviously never compare with that of London or Paris, nor does it try; the towns are small and, come nightfall, evenings out will mostly be confined to eating and drinking excellent food and wine. But if your passion is classical music… Ravello’s Concert Society holds classical concerts from March…