Lifestyle in Italy

A tiny hilltop settlement in Lombardy has earned its identity through a free-roaming feline colony that has lived among its stone houses and lanes for generations.

Italy is one of the few countries where sunset can look completely different each evening, depending on where you are. A sunset in the Dolomites bears little resemblance to one in Positano, or to the late light over Sicily’s Scala dei Turchi. That remarkable variety of scenery makes Italy a sought-after place for anyone hoping to make the most of the day’s final light.

A supermarket in Venice is drawing attention for a detail that has nothing to do with pasta offers or the weekly shop. Despar Teatro Italia occupies a former Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau theatre, where original decorative details and a ceiling fresco remain in place above the shelves.The unusual

Tuscany is much bigger than Florence, and its most memorable corners often sit beyond the capital’s museum queues and busy central streets.

Italy ranks 25th in Visual Capitalist’s 2026 ranking of the best countries for quality of life, behind Spain and Portugal but ahead of the United States.

September brings milder temperatures and a calendar filled with major events covering literature, food, contemporary art and centuries-old traditions. There are plenty of options for anyone looking for things to do in Italy in September 2026. Venetian canals set the scene for poetry, the Langhe hills carry the scents of the grape harvest, Sicilian beaches fill with the aromas of spices, and Ligurian towns become spaces for new ideas.

The traditional Italian holiday calendar has long revolved around July and, above all, August.

A medieval castle on the Lazio coast played an unexpected part in Cleopatra (1963), the Hollywood epic starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.

September is an ideal month to visit Italy and explore new places and landscapes. With mild weather, fewer tourists and a wide variety of events and festivals taking place across the country, travelling in September is certainly a good idea. If you prefer the coast, the mountains, a city, an island or a budget-friendly destination, there is bound to be a place that suits your holiday. Here, then, is where to go on holiday in Italy in September.

There is no need to travel as far as England to see a genuine English-style garden in Italy. Liguria has one overlooking the sea, with blooms that have few rivals in the country. On the hillside above Alassio, the Gardens of Villa della Pergola combine Mediterranean views with exceptional botanical collections, including iconic wisteria and a record-breaking collection of agapanthus.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year is approaching, and the return to the classroom will not look the same across the country.

Rome has an old riddle hidden in plain sight.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year starts in September, although the exact first day differs by region. The earliest published return date is 7 September, while the latest is 17 September 2026.For families with children in Italian schools, the important dates are not limited to the first day of term.

With more than 7,500 km of coastline, Italy has seafront promenades that are far more than simple walks beside the sea. For a sunset stroll or an evening wander, here is a selection of the most scenic seafront promenades in Italy, spanning the country from north to south, along with the features that set each one apart. Some, including Bari and Caorle, still tend to sit outside the usual tourist radar.

A castle rising from the rock, a heart-shaped lake, and restaurants perched above the sea: Abruzzo surprises you where you least expect it. In just a few hours, you can travel from the peaks of Gran Sasso to the coves of the Costa dei Trabocchi, passing through pristine medieval villages and parks that preserve rare biodiversity. These are perfect itineraries for those who want to avoid the usual destinations without sacrificing iconic landscapes.

Italy’s summer tourism market is showing stronger demand in 2026, with bookings rising across major cities, lake destinations and mountain resorts, according to data from property-management operator Halldis by Vita.The company reported a 12% year-on-year increase in bookings for June to August 2026

It's hot, the seaside beaches are crowded, but there's an alternative: real beaches, at high altitude, where the water remains clear and the air is lighter. In Italy and Europe, you'll find sandy lakes, mountain beaches, meadows, and full-service amenities, ideal even for just a weekend getaway.

Trentino and Alto Adige are often grouped together as one Alpine destination, yet they are two autonomous provinces with distinct languages, cultures and histories.For foreigners considering life in the region, the most noticeable contrast is linguistic: Trentino is predominantly Italian-speaking, w

Until a few decades ago, leaving home before the age of 30 was considered a natural step towards adulthood.

Zungoli is a small comune in the province of Avellino, with fewer than 1,000 residents. It has earned a place among I Borghi più Belli d’Italia — Italy’s association of its most beautiful villages — and holds the Touring Club Italiano’s Orange Flag award. It only takes a few hours on foot to understand what there is to see in Zungoli: the village has a Norman castle, historic churches and an underground network carved into tuff stone.

A car-free mountain trip can be surprisingly simple: no traffic, no need to hunt for a seat, and a view that changes with every tunnel. In many Alpine resorts, the train is already the most direct way to reach the heart of the towns and enjoy the cool air, even in August. A real advantage for Gen Z and Millennials seeking flexible, sustainable, and highly free-spirited experiences. Here's where to set your sights for a truly effortless high-altitude getaway.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an autonomous Italian region. Yet the two names joined by a hyphen point to areas shaped by different histories, languages, landscapes and cultural influences.Friuli occupies the western and central part of the region, while Venezia Giulia sits to the east.

Italy has more than 7,400 kilometres of coastline, yet every summer millions of people end up on the same beaches, at the same stabilimenti — beach clubs — and in the same resorts. A short distance from the best-trodden routes, there are lesser-known seaside towns where beaches can still be qui

Elba may seem familiar at first, until you come across corners that change the picture entirely: a green lagoon where swimming is forbidden, a black beach reached only by taking the walk slowly, and a fortress that never fell under siege. These are six unusual, lesser-visited places on Elba, giving a different perspective on Tuscany’s best-known island in the archipelago.

In a small village in Tuscany’s Valdarno Aretino, the sound of running water is part of daily life.