Lifestyle in Italy

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.

There’s something a bit magic about swapping Rome’s cobbled chaos for the salty air of a proper Italian seaside town. The best part? You don’t need to trek far – Lazio’s coast is full of lively beach towns, golden sands, seafood that actually tastes like the sea.

Imagine swapping your usual four walls for a whitewashed roundhouse with a quirky pointy hat, right in the heel of Italy’s boot.

When you picture your golden years, does an image of sipping espresso in a historic Italian piazza come to mind? Many retirees dream of living out their later years in luxury, and Italy offers some of the best retirement opportunities in the world.

Italy and pasta go hand in hand—it's not a cliché, it's just the simple truth.

Pasta dishes in Southern Italy are all about sun-soaked ingredients, sharp flavours and the kind of recipes that have been handed down in local dialects for generations.

Central Italy is where rustic countryside flavours collide with city flair, and the region’s pasta dishes are all about bold simplicity and proudly local ingredients.

Northern Italy’s pasta scene is all about comfort, richness and an eye for proper detail. The region’s love affair with creamy sauces, eggy fresh pastas, and plenty of cheese shines through in each dish, with local ingredients giving classics their unmistakable northern twist.

Among the many historic buildings and magnificent residences in Vatican City, not everyone knows exactly where Pope Leo XIV resides. The home of the Pope in Rome is the place the Holy Father chose upon his election on 8th May 2025.

Planning a beach holiday in Italy with your dog? You're in luck – Italy is increasingly dog-friendly, with many of its beautiful beaches welcoming four-legged visitors.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of northern Tuscany, Barga is one of those small Italian towns that quietly wins you over.

Palermo is one of those places that refuses to be pinned down. With a population circling 650,000, Sicily’s capital is all about contrasts.

The Palio di Siena, also known as the Palio di Provenzano, returns on 2 July 2025 in Piazza del Campo. This iconic bareback horse race attracts thousands of spectators. Discover which districts are competing and how you can watch or take part in the event.

If you’re anywhere near northern Italy in late June, you’ll notice a certain buzz in the air – it’s all down to the Festa de San Giovanni, or St John's Night.Torch-lit boat parades, live music under the stars, and laughter echoing across lakeside villages—San Giovanni is one of those genuine Italian

Southern Italy doesn’t make a big fuss—food’s woven into the day almost without thinking.

In 2001, fast food giant McDonald's decided to expand further into southern Italy, opening a large branch in the city of Altamura, in the province of Bari. However, the story of the Altamura McDonald’s is more than just an anecdote — it represents a key moment in the broader debate between globalisation and the preservation of local traditions in Italy.

If you’re planning a move to Italy but don’t fancy blowing your budget on big-city living in places like Rome or Milan, you’re not alone.

Looking for the most beautiful beach in the world in 2025? According to the World’s 50 Best Beaches 2025 ranking, the top spot goes to Cala Goloritzé, a breathtaking hidden gem located on the Baunei coast in Sardinia, Italy.

Finding your feet in Italy doesn’t have to mean shelling out for a city flat or jostling with tourists on the coast.

There’s something a bit magical about life in an Italian village.