Over time, the Italian home has not changed shape by chance. Homes built during the economic boom years, for instance, were designed for often larger families. Today, they need to adapt to smaller households, people living alone, couples without children and new ways of working.
According to the International Energy Agency’s Household Energy Spending Index, Sweden has the highest household energy expenditure in the world, at $1,926 per person in 2025. Europe accounts for 24 of the top 30 countries in the ranking, highlighting the unusually high energy costs faced by ho
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.
It may seem unlikely, but there is no need to cross the ocean to find hills glowing with red and orange. In Italy, autumn lights up the woods like an open-air gallery, with shades changing hour by hour.
Why visit the thermal baths now? Crisp air makes the warm water feel even more comforting, autumn colours alter the scenery, and the summer crowds give way to a slower pace. Across Italy, natural pools and historic spa resorts become welcoming autumn retreats, with benefits for the respiratory system and skin. The choice comes down to the setting: untamed nature or full-service comfort.
Piazza Vittorio Veneto is Turin's largest square, spanning over 38,000 square meters—enough to accommodate five regulation soccer fields, yet always bustling with people. In Turin, it's simply called Piazza Vittorio, and residents are keen to keep it simple: this square is part of the city's daily life, not just a postcard to show off to tourists.
Veneto and the Aeolian Islands have been named among Lonely Planet’s 50 Best Places to Go in 2027. One opens up Italy beyond Venice; the other puts Sicily’s volcanic coast firmly in view.
Dreaming of relocating to Italy? Our handpicked selection of affordable new-build homes makes it easier than ever to enjoy modern comforts without stretching your budget.
High above Lake Mezzola in Lombardy, a small stone village sits at the end of a steep mountain path.
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.
Described as “the Mozart of mushrooms” by the celebrated composer Gioachino Rossini, the white truffle is among the most prized and sought-after ingredients in Italian cooking. It grows underground, cannot be easily cultivated, and has an unmistakable aroma that brings to mind fresh garlic, aged cheese and damp woodland. Its scent has won over some of the world’s most exclusive kitchens.
Tucked beside Verona Cathedral, the Biblioteca Capitolare is a quiet counterpoint to the city’s better-trodden sights.
Perched on a tuff spur in the province of Viterbo, Civita di Bagnoregio is one of the most photographed and beloved villages in Italy. Nicknamed "the dying city" due to the erosion slowly wearing away the cliff on which it stands, this small medieval wonder has captivated not only tourists but also world-famous directors and screenwriters.
A small mountain community in central Sardinia has been identified as a new Blue Zones candidate after researchers documented exceptional survival rates among its oldest residents.
In 2025, 46% of Energy Performance Certificates (Attestati di Prestazione Energetica, or APE) issued for residential buildings fell into energy classes F and G, up by two percentage points on the previous year. Just 11% of certified properties were in classes A1–A4, down from 14% in 2024. These figures come from Saie — the Construction Fair for design, building and systems — based on SIAPE data. They highlight the challenges facing Italy’s housing stock and bring energy refurbishment back into focus ahead of the event’s 60th edition, taking place at BolognaFiere between 7 and 10 October 2026.
The pandemic changed the way Italians think about their homes, and that shift has not faded. In 2025, according to an analysis by Tecnocasa Group’s Research Office of property transactions, detached and semi-detached homes — villas, smaller villas, rural homes and standalone houses — accounted for 21.6% of all residential sales. This share was largely unchanged from 2024, yet it remains structurally higher than pre-Covid levels.
Sophia Loren's villa is up for sale and will officially be on the market from September 2026, rekindling the interest of enthusiasts of history, luxury real estate, and Italian film culture.
Tuscany really does have a medieval village that reappears at irregular intervals from the bottom of a lake. Tuscany’s Atlantis is not a legend. It is Fabbriche di Careggine, beneath the waters of Lake Vagli in Garfagnana. It last resurfaced in 1994, drawing more than one million visitors.
A vast Roman arena built for around 60,000 spectators sits in Campania rather than Rome, with a maze of underground passages beneath its floor.
Italy’s rental market has changed considerably over the past decade, although its overall size has not shrunk.
In the Val di Merse, southwest of Siena, an ancient abbey stands in open countryside with no roof above its Gothic nave.
Biccari is a village in the Daunia Sub-Apennines of Puglia, in the province of Foggia. It has just over 2,500 inhabitants and a rich historical, natural, and gastronomic heritage. Among its main attractions are the Byzantine Tower, the Convent of Sant'Antonio, Lake Pescara, and Monte Cornacchia, the "roof of Puglia." The village is also known for its "1 Euro Homes" initiative, the outdoor offerings of the Daunia Adventure Park and its Bubble Rooms, and specialities such as the Scorzone truffle and the award-winning pasta of Terre di Biccari. The main events are held in August.
Tuscan autumn occupies that golden zone where everything balances out: temperatures are mild, the days are still bright, accommodation prices are more affordable, and the village streets are finally accessible without crowds. It's also the perfect time to explore the Val d'Orcia, which turns ochre and brown; the Garfagnana reveals its chestnut groves, and the natural hot springs of Maremma invite you to soak in the crisp autumn air.
How many regions can fit into a single view? In Irpinia, the answer is a surprising five. In Frigento, a small hilltop town at 911 metres, a natural terrace makes it possible to see Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Molise and Abruzzo at the same time. It is a particular distinction that makes this borgo an unusual case in Italy.
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.
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