The Serio Falls are a sight you don't always see: they're seen at full flow only five times a year, for just half an hour, when the upstream dam opens its gates. Located in Valbondione, in the Upper Seriana Valley, they can only be reached on foot. Their triple drop of 315 meters makes them among the highest waterfalls in Italy.

Living in luxury doesn't cost the same everywhere, and in 2026, the geography of high net worth individuals experienced an unprecedented shakeup. The cost of maintaining a premium lifestyle increased by an average of 10.2% in dollar terms compared to the previous year. Singapore still dominates the top spot, but Europe is gaining momentum, American cities are disappearing from the top 10, and metropolises like Bangkok are entering the ranks of the world's most exclusive. Finally, Milan, representing Italy, also makes the list. So, here are the most expensive cities in the world.

Chestnut festivals take place throughout Italy from early October to mid-November, from the Trentino Alps to Sicily. The most anticipated events are in Castel del Rio, Marradi, and Soriano nel Cimino (all in October), Centa San Nicolò and Aritzo (late October), and Montella (between late October and November). Here's where to find the most popular Chestnut Festivals in Italy in 2026.

From restless ghosts to tragic love stories and dank dungeons, the most beautiful castles to visit for Halloween in Italy undoubtedly include the Castles of the Duchy between Parma and Piacenza, Montebello Castle with the legend of Azzurrina, the Gradara Fortress of Paolo and Francesca, the Lonato del Garda Fortress, and the San Giorgio Canavese Castle. Some are perfect for children, others are designed for those seeking a spooky experience.

Typical Italian autumn desserts come from a centuries-old tradition built around simple ingredients such as chestnuts, grapes, grape must, walnuts and figs. These ingredients become small regional masterpieces, with recipes handed down through generations and often tied to local festivals, grape harvests and the wider harvest season. Here are 10 typical autumn desserts to try in Italy.

Few experiences offer the same thrill as finding a porcini mushroom hidden among the leaves of a forest. Boletus edulis and its "cousins" represent a coveted trophy for millions of enthusiasts who set out every year at dawn. But where can you pick porcini mushrooms in Italy? From north to south of the peninsula, here's the best time to find them and the rules to follow before entering the woods.

Falling asleep thousands of metres above sea level, with the stars seemingly close enough to touch and dawn turning the surrounding peaks pink, is possible. Italy’s highest mountain refuges provide a full immersion in high-altitude terrain, among glaciers, rocky faces and extraordinary views. But which shelters hold the altitude records in Italy? Here are the country’s five highest refuges, their stories and the key details for reaching them.

At the start of autumn, Italy prepares for the grape harvest. In this setting, grape and wine sagre — local food and wine festivals — are far more than simple village celebrations. They reflect centuries of winemaking tradition, celebrate the identity of each area and give visitors a taste of local food, music and popular culture.

As the colors of autumn paint villages and hills, a packed calendar of cultural, food and wine, and sporting events transforms Italy into an open-air stage. From the great regatta in the Gulf of Trieste to the courtyards of Sardinia, from the red carpet of Roman cinema to the white truffle of the Langhe, here's what to do in Italy in October 2026 and where to plan a weekend getaway.

Autumn is the best season for stargazing in Italy. The nights are getting longer, the air becomes drier and clearer, and light pollution is less of a problem in more remote areas. From the Alps to the islands, Italy is home to observatories, astronomical parks, and plateaus where the Milky Way is once again visible to the naked eye. Here, then, are some of the best places to see the stars in autumn in Italy.