Visarno Hippodrome (Visarno Arena): Florence’s Premier Open-Air Venue for Music and Culture
Located within the historic Visarno Hippodrome — Florence’s main horse-racing circuit since the early 20th century — the arena blends sport, music and culture in a unique open-air setting. If you’re planning a trip to Florence and want to experience the city through a cultural lens, begin with the Visarno Arena. Positioned on the western […]
Discovering Prato in Tuscany: Art, Textiles and Authentic Cuisine
Just a short train ride northwest of Florence lies a city that offers a different, more authentic key to unlocking Tuscany. This is Prato, a dynamic urban centre where a world-class artistic heritage seamlessly blends with a proud, working-class identity. As the second-largest city in Tuscany, Prato in Italy has long been the region’s industrial […]
A Visitor’s Guide to the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice
While St. Mark’s Basilica commands the immediate attention of every visitor to Venice, those in search of a deeper, more relaxed artistic pilgrimage find their way to the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. More commonly known as the Basilica dei Frari, or the Frari Basilica, this colossal Franciscan church in the San Polo […]
Visit the Fortezza da Basso: Florence’s Medici Fortress
Florence is a city that needs no introduction, yet it still holds secrets beyond the well-trodden paths to the Uffizi and the Duomo. Tucked away just a short walk from the main railway station, Santa Maria Novella, lies a monument of imposing power and quiet history: the Fortezza da Basso. This colossal fortress, often overlooked […]
Giudecca: A Distinctive Venetian Island Worth Discovering
When most people picture Venice, they think of gondolas gliding past San Marco or crowds gathering at the Rialto. Yet just across the water lies Giudecca, an island that offers a calmer, more refined perspective on the city. Historically a working-class area, it has evolved into a destination appreciated by those who prefer a quieter […]
Visiting The Basilica di San Marco, Venice: A Complete Guide
No visit to Venice is truly complete without stepping into the awe-inspiring Basilica di San Marco. More than just a cathedral, it is the very soul of La Serenissima, a breathtaking monument to faith, power, and artistic genius that has dominated Piazza San Marco for nearly a millennium. Its opulent façade and celestial domes are […]
Running the Florence Marathon? Here’s How to Experience the Best of the City
Florence Marathon: What You Need to Know The Florence Marathon is a prestigious annual event first held in 1984. With its beautifully scenic course and excellent organisation, it has grown into one of Italy’s most admired races. Every late November, more than 10,000 runners traverse a looped route through Florence’s historic core—marrying athletic challenge with […]
A Guide to the Best Michelin Restaurants Florence
Michelin-Starred Dining in Florence Florence has long attracted visitors for its art and architecture, but in recent years, its culinary reputation has reached similar heights. A number of Michelin restaurants Florence now hold places of distinction on the international dining stage, offering carefully considered menus in equally elegant settings. Recognised by the Michelin Guide Florence, these […]
Michelin Star Restaurants Venice: Fine Dining in the Floating City
In a city as beautiful and storied as Venice, it should come as no surprise that its food scene is equally impressive. Beyond the cicchetti bars and cosy bacari lies a world of exquisite fine dining, where award-winning chefs reinterpret Venetian cuisine with flair. If you’re the sort of traveller who plans holidays around what […]
Your Guide to Running the Venice Marathon
The Venice Marathon is a certified 42.195 km race held every October (2025’s date is set for the 26th), attracting runners from around the world to experience one of Italy’s most scenic and well-organised events. Starting from the mainland town of Stra and finishing on the lagoon edge of Venice’s historic centre, the course offers […]
