I’m standing in a 40-year-old restaurant in Parma called Parma Rotta, and the waiter has just set down a bowl of tortellini in brodo that smells like Sunday dinner at a grandmother’s house — if that grandmother had been perfecting the recipe for decades. The broth is clear and golden, the tortellini are tiny and hand-folded, and I’m already planning how to recreate it at home. Parma is one of those rare cities where the food isn’t just good —
You can find incredible food in Parma, a city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. It’s known as Food Valley, and for good reason. This is where many famous Italian foods come from, made with traditional methods by local artisans. I was excited to explore, especially after hearing Parma was named a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy. It felt like a special recognition for a place so focused on its culinary roots. My plan was to dive into the heart of this
Parma truly lives up to its reputation as a culinary powerhouse in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region. Though it’s a city celebrated for its delicious food, from world-famous cheese and cured meats to handmade pasta, Parma offers so much more. Designated Italy’s cultural capital for 2020, it’s a city steeped in history, art, and music. I found myself drawn to its slower pace, a welcome contrast to the energy of larger cities. Here, life seems to unfold at a leisurely rhythm, with
This trip to Parma has been a true culinary revelation. It’s a place where food isn’t just sustenance; it’s the very heart and soul of the city. From the moment you arrive, you sense how deeply intertwined everything is with the production and enjoyment of its world-renowned PDO products: Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and Culatello di Zibello. Walking through its markets and quiet streets, you can’t help but feel how these staples shape the local life and culture. It’s
Exploring Parma feels like stepping into a perfectly preserved slice of Italian history and culture, with a strong emphasis on the exquisite flavors that have made it world-famous. Most people, myself included, initially think of its culinary stars – the renowned Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and the delicate Prosciutto di Parma. However, beyond these delicious delights, Parma unfurls a rich narrative of art, architecture, and even opera that’s truly a joy to discover. It’s a city that rewards slow exploration, allowing
Bringing home a piece of Italy is about capturing those fleeting moments – the scent of lemon groves, the feel of aged leather, the taste of rich olive oil. It’s more than just a souvenir; it’s a tangible memory that can transport you back to sun-drenched piazzas and ancient streets. Forget the generic airport trinkets; the real treasures are found in the bustling markets and artisan workshops, whispering stories of Italian craftsmanship and tradition. As I packed my bags after
I’m standing in the middle of Piazza Pio II, and for a second, I forget that this tiny, perfect square was essentially designed as a stage set. The travertine paving under my feet is warm, the afternoon light hits the cathedral facade just right, and I can see the Val d’Orcia rolling out beyond the edge of town like a painting someone forgot to frame. Pienza, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996, is often called the first “ideal Renaissance
When you think of Italy, your mind likely conjures images of rolling vineyards, historic cities, and, of course, incredible food. While I’ve explored many regions of this culinary wonderland, my recent trip to Emilia-Romagna, particularly the heart of Bologna and its surrounding “food valley,” offered a profound connection to the country’s gastronomic soul. It’s a region where tradition isn’t just preserved; it’s a living, breathing entity that younger generations are actively shaping for the future. The Gastronomic Heart of Italy
Italy holds a special kind of magic, especially when you venture beyond the well-trodden paths. I recently found myself drawn to the country’s less-explored corners, seeking out serene lakes, dramatic mountain vistas, and charming towns that felt untouched by the rush of mass tourism. My journeys took me from the foothills of the Dolomites to the tranquil shores of Lake Bracciano, each destination offering its own unique character and unforgettable experiences. Dolomites Lakeside Serenity Alleghe, nestled in the Belluno province
The Dolomites mountains in northern Italy offer a stunning landscape that feels like it exploded in popularity, and I recently had the chance to explore them with my husband, Michael. What struck me immediately was the sense of awe the scenery inspires, a feeling that stops you mid-scroll and makes you truly pay attention. Even with the popularity, we found the hiking trails surprisingly uncrowded, which we attributed partly to our early September visit and our choice of routes. Hiking
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On Via della Chiesa 29R in the Oltrarno, Ginevra Gemmi works in the studio where she was born — handcrafting jewelry without moulds or reproductions, in gold, silver, bronze, and natural stones, on a street she grew up on. That kind of continuity isn’t rare in this district. Bottega Conti has been producing traditional paper marbling since 1786. Some furniture restorers on Via Maggio work in the same rooms their grandparents occupied decades earlier. The Oltrarno’s artisan identity didn’t develop to serve tourists — it predates the tourism industry entirely, and that sequence matters for understanding what you’re actually
On Via della Chiesa 29R in the Oltrarno, Ginevra Gemmi works in the studio where she was born — handcrafting jewelry without moulds or reproductions, in gold, silver, bronze, and natural stones, on a street she grew up on. That kind of continuity isn’t rare in this district. Bottega Conti has been producing traditional paper marbling since 1786. Some furniture restorers on Via Maggio work in the same rooms their grandparents occupied decades earlier. The Oltrarno’s artisan identity didn’t develop to serve tourists — it predates the tourism industry entirely, and that sequence matters for understanding what you’re actually
Walk into Cavalli e Nastri on a Tuesday morning in Brera and you’re surrounded by silk Pucci prints from the 1960s and Versace jersey from the 1980s, each piece tagged and documented. This isn’t a thrift store in the conventional sense — it’s a deliberate archive, and the price tags make that obvious. What separates Milan’s vintage scene from most European cities is that access to fashion-industry supply chains is built into the city’s fabric. According to Milan Tourism, fashion houses regularly pass samples and archive pieces to dealers they’ve worked with for years, while wealthy Milanese residents direct
I was driving the SS163 Amalfitana, the road that snakes along the coast between Positano and Amalfi, when I passed a bridge and caught a flash of blue below. I pulled over where I could, walked back, and looked down — a narrow gorge dropped straight into the sea, with a tiny pebble beach at the bottom. That’s how I found Furore’s fjord, a place I’d read about but wasn’t prepared for the scale of it. The SS163 bridge crosses 30 metres above the water — and most people drive right over it without stopping. – thewomtravel.com Emily’s Take
I stood on the pebbles of Fornillo Beach at 5:45 AM, the sun not yet over the cliffs, and watched the water turn from grey to gold. No one else was there except a fisherman checking his boat. That moment alone made the early alarm worth it. Fornillo is Positano’s second beach, reachable by a 300-meter cliffside path, and it’s about 30% less crowded than the main Spiaggia Grande, according to local guides. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy Positano’s coastline without the chaos, this is it. Fornillo Beach sees roughly 30% fewer visitors than Positano’s main
I stepped off the bus onto the SS163 and the first thing I registered was the smell. Not the floral perfume of lemons that hangs over most of the Amalfi Coast. Something saltier. Sharper. Anchovies. Cetara makes no apologies for what it is — a working fishing village where colatura di alici has been pressed from fermented anchovies for centuries. In 2020, that amber liquid earned EU protected designation of origin status, legally tying it to this single stretch of coastline. Colatura di alici di Cetara is the liquid from fermenting salted anchovies in wooden barrels (terzigni), legally protected
