British Airways flights and group bookings (short version)
(See the long version) Booking my BA flights as part of a holiday through a tour company has taught me: - Group bookings are treated differently from normal bookings, even if you have a booking...
View ArticleSunshine in Sardinia
Last month I returned from a trip around Sardinia. At the end of September and beginning of October the weather was still hot and sunny. The island's resorts were open for business, but the famous...
View ArticleStrikes in Italy
Many Italians aren't at all happy with the package of cuts proposed on their behalf by their new unelected leader Mario Monti. So December in Italy is likely to be disrupted by a number of strikes and...
View ArticleChristmas shopping and antiques market in Venice
Here's a link to an article I wrote a couple of years ago about Christmas shopping in Venice. The only real change is that this year's antiques market in Campo San Maurizio runs from the 16th December...
View ArticleBest of Italy 2011
Here are my personal Italy highlights of 2011Most luxurious hotelCa' Maria Adele, VeniceBest off-the-beaten-track accommodationHotel Novecento, Scicli Most frightening experience Walking right around...
View ArticleItaly in 2012 - where and when to go
Latest news The coastline of the Cinque Terre was hit by floods in October 2011, which severely damaged both the resort of Monterosso and the picturesque village of Vernazza (featured on the home page...
View ArticleThinking about summer
This is a good time of year to think about the summer, and temporarily forget the cold while indulging in a spot of escapism. I've added a couple of new articles to the Italy Heaven website as well as...
View ArticleMontalbano on the BBC
Ragusa Ibla , a view frequently used in Montalbano The BBC's decision to show an entire series of the detective drama Inspector Montalbano is great news for lovers of the programme, as well as for...
View ArticleInspector Montalbano locations
The BBC series Inspector Montalbano (made by the Italian TV company Rai as Il Commissario Montalbano) is full of stunning Sicilian locations, from sweeping views to picturesque corners and lanes. The...
View ArticleVenice against cruise ships
There was a party atmosphere on the Zattere waterfront in Venice yesterday afternoon. Stilt-walkers and people in Carnival costumes gathered around, along with Venetians of all ages clad in their dark...
View ArticleVenice Carnival 2012
Today is the last day of the 2012 Venice Carnival. After freezing weather in Venice a couple of weeks ago, the temperatures improved for Carnival and there have been some lovely sunny days. Crowds...
View ArticleEffigy-burning in Venice
On Saturday I was walking through the district of Castello in Venice when I saw this poster: In Venetian dialect 'brusa la vecia' means 'burn the old woman'. Then, alongside the handsome gateway to the...
View ArticleRome in 2012 (at 2,765 years of age)
The 21st April is Rome's official birthday. Founded, according to long-standing legend, in 753BC, the city is now 2,765 years old. I have just returned from a week in Rome and noticed some big changes...
View ArticleMuseums night in Italy (Notte dei Musei)
On Saturday night (19th May) Italian state museums and archaeological sites will be open free from 8pm to 2am, with special events taking place. Highlights include night-time visits to the Villa d'Este...
View ArticleVenetian walls
In the last few weeks I've been exploring (and re-exploring) lots of Venice's hidden corners, while writing an e-guide to the city. There is always something new to see. Today, after visiting the...
View ArticleTitian's house in Venice
'Titian' garden gate The artist Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) lived near the Fondamenta Nuove, on the northern shore of Venice. He entertained friends such as the writer Pietro Aretino in his renowned...
View ArticleSant'Erasmo - a secret summer refuge for Venetians
Venice in August can be stiflingly hot, and the central areas are overrun by daytrippers. If you are staying in Venice and want to get away from the city, you can do as the Venetians do and head out...
View ArticlePosting packages from Italy
If you want to send a package from Italy - perhaps you have bought too much stuff on holiday - you'll find it can be surprisingly straightforward and fast. This week I sent a big box of books from...
View ArticleMozia Charioteer
The statue at the British Museum Last week I popped into the British Museum to see an old acquaintance visiting from Sicily: the Mozia Charioteer. Normally this statue resides in a small and quaint...
View ArticleDancing Satyr - a poetic tribute
In 2003 the recently-restored bronze statue of a dancing satyr was displayed in Rome. It had been discovered a few years earlier in the sea off the coast of Sicily. There were stories that the local...
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