How to Spend 10 Days on Lake Maggiore: A Native’s Itinerary
A complete 10-day Lake Maggiore itinerary: Base yourself in Feriolo, explore the Borromean Islands, and take day trips to Milan and Langhe. See my native secrets!
Things to Do in Pallanza, Lake Maggiore: The Local’s Take on Stresa’s Sophisticated Sister
Discover the best things to do in Pallanza, Lake Maggiore with a local. From Villa Taranto to "The Gentlemen" filming locations.
26 Unique Things to Do in Florence: The Insider’s Guide to the Soul of the City
Skip the tourist traps...check out the "Butcher who sold books," a hidden 18th-century library, a legendary porcelain showroom and more.
The Maker’s Itinerary: 3 Florentine Artisans That Will Make You Forget the Uffizi Exists
Step inside the best artisan workshops in Florence. My Oltrarno guide covers paper marbling, leather binding, and Da Vinci’s silk looms.
The 4 Best Bookstores in Florence for Introverts: Coffee, Cinema, and Quiet
Escape the crowds in the 4 best bookstores in Florence. Find your quiet corner from the Giunti Odeon cinema-bookstore to a butcher shop.
Florence Wine Windows: Drinking (and Eating) Through History’s Walls
Discover Florence wine windows (buchette del vino) with this history guide and map and order wine through the wall like a local.
Fotoautomatica Florence: Vintage Photobooth Scavenger Hunt
Skip the David and hunt for Florence's 4.5-minute time capsules. Here is the exact map to every vintage analog Fotoautomatica booth in the city.
Casentino Wool: The IYKYK Guide to TACS Florence
Discover the history of Casentino wool and the secret workshop of TACS Florence. An insider's guide to sourcing Italy's most iconic "orange bobbly coat" and the refined Panarea fustagno jacket.
Florence Off The Beaten Path: A 3-Day Guide to Artisans & Eats
What are the best non-touristy things to do in Florence? To see the "real" Florence off the beaten path, skip the museum lines and focus on the city's "interiors": the 13th-century apothecaries, hidden Renaissance frescoes inside concept stores, and the workshops of master bookbinders and weavers. This 3-day guide focuses on intentional travel, artisanal craftsmanship, and authentic eateries favored by locals.
11 Boutique Hotels in Italy, From Palazzos to Masserias
As a local who’s explored Italy for 30+ years, I share 11 memorable boutique hotels from Florence palazzos to Puglia masserias.