Venice puts on its Carnival face
Venice takes its annual break from worries about its future to revive a tradition of the past.
Italy
Italy gets first no-smoking beach
After a few years of trials, Italy starts to take its indoor smoking ban out to the beach.
Bari, the town that pays cyclists
In a scheme to reduce car traffic in its crowded center, Bari is paying people to use their bikes to commute to work and school.
The Lure of the Abandoned
Marilyn Jones considers what links us not only to the life around us, but to the life that has left its monuments behind.
Piazza del Duomo, Milan
DrFumblefinger visits the always busy and popular square, Piazza del Duomo, which faces the city's famous cathedral. He points out some of the highlights of the Piazza.
Rome: City wants Trevi Fountain coins
A controversy is brewing over Rome's plan to shift the fountain's coins from a Catholic charity to city fix-up funds.
January 8, 2019: A Rooftop Retreat in Milan
DrFumblefinger admires a lovely rooftop sitting area in the busy and crowded city of Milan.
It's 'Take your Dog to Dinner' in Vicenza
So many dogs are coming to dinner, a restaurant near Vicenza has decided to offer a special menu for them.
Venice gets OK to tax day-trippers
Italy's parliament give the city an ok for an 'entry tax' of up to €10
Alitalia gets new owners—at last
Italy's state railway corporation buys the struggling airline, and is looking to partner with the losing bidders in running it.
Mount Etna erupts again, blocks flights
With a massive ash plume and minor earthquakes, Mount Etna pushes its way into the news again.
December 21, 2018: Piazza della Scala, Milan
DrFumblefinger admires a statue of Leonardo da Vinci in one of Milan's prime city squares.
Verona: The Pleasure of the Piazza
Piazza Bra, surely one of Europe's best open spaces, is at the center of Verona's history, culture and leisure as well as a good place for a break.
December 14, 2018: Enoteca Cotti, Milan
DrFumblefinger visits an excellent and historic wine shop in the Brera neighborhood of Milan.
Leonardo da Vinci National Science and Technology Museum, Milan
Gumbo was visiting this rather large hit-and-miss collection. The hits include a wonderful collection of models based on da Vinci's drawings, and an intriguing train collection.