If you’ve got children at school in Italy or you’re planning to move over soon, knowing how the school year is structured makes a real difference to family life.

The thought of living in Sicily is about more than just moving to an island in Italy. It’s about stepping into a place that has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean for thousands of years. The layers of its past are everywhere, from ancient Greek ruins to Norman cathedrals and Baroque towns.

When people ask where most American expats live in Sicily, many will point to Palermo or the tourist towns. However, the underdog city of Catania has a significant, if less conspicuous, international community, partly thanks to the nearby NATO base.

During a summer heat wave, Rome's famous sunshine can feel incredibly intense, and the humidity really doesn't help matters. It’s easy to feel like the heat might get in the way of seeing everything you wanted to.

Situated among the rolling hills of Tuscany, Siena sizes up as a fantastic spot for anyone after a slower pace but without skimping on culture or daily buzz.

Italy’s not exactly shy when it comes to UNESCO World Heritage sites – there are 60 of them dotted from top to toe.

Italy currently boasts an incredible 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites, which is more than any other country on the planet. They aren't all ancient ruins, either. The sites fall into a few categories. Most are 'cultural' sites, which makes sense for Italy, given its incredible history.

Italy isn’t just renowned for its exceptional food and great fashion sense—it's also a living museum, home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country on the planet.

Italy is flying high in 2025 with an impressive 487 Blue Flag beaches—more than almost anywhere else in the world. With such a vast and varied coastline (and a few sparkling lakes thrown in), you’re truly spoilt for choice when it comes to Italy's many blue flag beaches.

The Blue Flag, or Bandiera Blu as you’ll hear locals call it, is a pretty big deal along the Italian coast. It’s an international stamp of approval for beaches with spotless water, solid lifeguard cover, top-notch facilities, and a real commitment to taking care of the environment.