Italy

Halfway inland in the very heart of Italy is the provincial city of Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna region. Here it’s possible to experience the real Italian art of living well. For Bologna is called three things: la Dotta (the Learned), for the oldest university in the Western world founded in 1088, transferred from Ravenna’s ancient school of Roman law; la Grassa (the Fat), considered the home of Italian gastronomy with its cuisine of tortellini, lasagne and tagliatelle al ragù and thirdly la Rossa (the Red), for its exquisite terracotta-tiled roofs.

Situated in the heart of Montone, just 50 metres from the stunning piazza, La Locanda del Capitano nestles within one of Italy’s most enchanting medieval villages. With its narrow cobblestone streets, historic churches, and panoramic views of the Umbrian countryside, Montone is a place that draws visitors from around the globe. Over the past 17 years, I’ve visited this village dozens (if not hundreds) of times, sometimes twice in a single day. Such is its charm and breathtaking beauty.

Marfuga, one of the finest producers of olive oil in the world, is not located in Tuscany but is nestled in the heart of Umbria. The company sits at the base of the majestic Marfuga hill, surrounded by fertile lands in the valley of Spoleto. It is a region I am very familiar with, having visited countless times to see friends, but was unaware of Marfuga until my most recent trip.

Donnafugata is one of Sicily’s most revered wineries. Established in 1983 by Giacomo Rallo and Gabriella Anca Rallo, the winery draws from over 170 years of family history in winemaking. Now under the stewardship of their children, Antonio and José, Donnafugata continues to champion Sicily’s extraordinary terroir, making wines that capture the island's unique essence and character.

I recently had the privilege of spending a day at Villa Margon, the beautiful heart of Ferrari Trento wines, located just an hour’s drive from the culturally rich city of Verona. Renowned for its Roman-era Arena di Verona, Verona is still a venue for operas and concerts, and its connection to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. While my previous visits had been centred around cycling along the scenic routes of Lake Garda, this trip was all about the wines of Ferrari Trento. 

In the heart of Emilia Romagna, Italy's revered 'Motor Valley', lies a symphony of speed, sophistication, and savoury delights. As an aficionado of automotive excellence and culinary indulgence, the invitation to the Motor Valley Fest ignited a fervour within me. This was the opportunity for me to embrace my love of chefs, foodie heaven with my newly found enthusiasm for the world of motors. With eagerness mounting, I embarked on a journey to this celebrated enclave, where tradition meets innovation and where the allure of horsepower intertwines with the art of gastronomy.

Mona Lisa's ancestral abode, nestled amidst the rolling Chianti hills above Greve and a mere stone's throw from Panzano, now stands as a luxurious haven for travellers. A short forty-minute drive south of Florence unveils this gem of a hotel, once the cherished family home of the enigmatic Mona Lisa.

In 2014, the esteemed architect and garden virtuoso, 65-year-old Patrice Taravella, took ownership of the "Villa Rinascimentale" along with its sprawling grounds, embarking on a mission to revive its former splendour. 

From the Field of Miracles to the Gulf of Paradise

It’s a rare and special act travelling off-season especially somewhere so geared to the summer where sun loungers are arranged in busy blocks to dissuade the casual visitor. Off-season you meet only locals, you don’t queue and in time you start to feel a local. It’s all so much more immersive and rewarding.

An unassuming, anonymous and heavy-set red door separates a quaint cobbled courtyard, from an intimately historic foyer, embracing an almost monastic-like silence. As the door closes behind you, Lisbon’s bright morning sunshine is replaced by softer tones; the sensory contrast is immediate and welcome. This is one of many such contrasts that guests of the exquisite ‘Palácio Belmonte’ will experience during their stay.

Parma, a central city to the valley, is only an hour from either Bologna or Milan airport and is still a hidden joy for most Brits. Yes it gets very hot in August and very cool in January but the other ten months are divine and it’s never crowded so there are none of the queues you can get elsewhere in Italy and mercifully no sign of any selfie-sticks.