Cesca Rampley

Culture vulture from London with a passion for all things foodie. I’ve lived abroad for almost 10 years, floating from one magical place to another. I studied literature at university in the eclectic city of Brighton, and since then, I’ve been hooked on keeping up with what to do, see, and, of course, eat. I’m a firm believer in appreciating and learning from local cultures, travelling responsibly, and giving new things a go with an open mind and a healthy dose of curiosity. I try to share useful tips, local insights and a bit of honest know-how, so you can make the most of wherever you find yourself.

Living in Udine: the guietly good life in Friuli

Udine is one of those understated places, full of elegant Venetian architecture and quiet, cobbled squares, but without the tourist crush you get elsewhere. It's tucked away in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in Italy's far northeast that borders both Austria and Slovenia.

Living in Bologna: real life in ragù land

Located in the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna is a city of real substance. With a population of just under 400,000, it feels lively and important without the intense tourist crowds you might find in Florence or Rome.

Living in Parma: life beyond the deli counter

Sitting squarely in the Emilia-Romagna region, this gorgeous city, home to just shy of 200,000 people, has a name you’ve probably heard, even if your mind doesn't jump to the city itself If you're pondering living in Parma, you'll soon discover it's a place where life moves at a lovely pace, steeped

Italy School Holidays & Term Dates 2025–2026

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.

Living in Sicily: guide to costs, towns and real 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.

Living in Catania: Sicily's underdog city

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.

Beat the heat in Rome: cool spots and tips for summer

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.

Living in Siena: life in the UNESCO city

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.

Underrated unesco world heritage sites in italy

Italy's underrated World Heritage sites: beyond Rome & Pisa

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

Top 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Italy

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.