Venice and the north
Venice, Milan, the lakes, Turin and Bologna.
Top 10 Things to Do in Milan
Milan isn't at the top of most tourist's must-visit lists when they come to Italy. I understand that.
Top 10 Things to Do in Venice
If you were to ask the Venice tourism office what there is to see and do in the city, you'd likely be given a long list of "must-see" sights and attractions - but only a fraction of those are…
Venice Backstage: Behind the Scenes Video
We've all heard about how Venice is sinking, but when you're walking through its streets it's easy to think those stories are exaggerations - even with the water lapping at your feet.
Venice Biennale Festival: Contemporary Art in an Historic City
When we think of the words "art" and "Italy" in the same sentence, it's tempting to think only of the incredible array of world-famous masterpieces from centuries gone by that hang in some of the…
“The Tourist” Brings Venice to the Big Screen (Again)
Italy serves as a fine backdrop for films, and there's a long list of movies shot in Italy to date - but aside from George Clooney's recent release "The American" I can't think of another movie based…
How to Get Lost in Venice
If you're as directionally-challenged as I am, the idea that you'd need a "how to" article for getting lost might seem a bit ludicrous. But hear me out.
Adriatic Italy: It's More than Venice
Just in case you missed it, I wanted to point out a recent article that was published on BootsnAll about Italy.
Free Things to Do in Milan
In a country as notoriously expensive to visit as Italy, Milan still stands out as being particularly hard on the bank account.
New Canon TV Ads Filmed in Venice
Because my two favorite sports aren't typically broadcast on TV in the United States, I have to find creative ways to keep up with them.
"A Season With Verona" by Tim Parks - Italy Book Review
You may already know I'm a big fan of Italian soccer . Even though I didn't think "Winning at All Costs: A Scandalous History of Italian Soccer" was particularly well-written, it was incredibly…
Things You Should Know About Milan
Although I'll regularly tell people that Milan isn't worth a stop on a busy trip through Italy - especially if you're not hell-bent on designer shopping or opera viewing - I do think it's a very cool…
Book Your Spot Now to See the Shroud of Turin in April-May 2010
I've talked before about the reasons to visit Italy in the Spring - but in addition to the reasons that would be true in any year, this year there's a particularly special reason you might want to…
Itinerary for 2 Days in Venice
One of the most popular articles on this site since its inception remains my suggested two-week itinerary in Italy .
Things You Should Know About Venice
I love Venice. This should come as no surprise to anyone who's looked around this site at all, but as I never tire of gushing about how much I love Venice , it bears repeating.
Not finding quiet Venice? Don't blame Venice.
On my last Friday on my most recent stay in Italy, I decided to take a day-trip to Venice from Milan . It's not a short day-trip, but it's do-able.
Kayaking Venice: Not Such a Crazy Idea
Imagine walking out of a small piazza in Venice and facing a quiet canal. On said canal, you see things you'd expect to see on a Venetian canal - motorboats moored to buildings near doorways that are…
Back in Milan & Back to Work
I'm finally back in Milan after a week traveling in Rome and Naples, where it turned out my internet connections were less-than-predictable... So I apologize for the lack of posts over the last week.
Paolo Maldini's Last Game at San Siro in Milan
Along with the foodie meetup I attended in Rome, the other event which helped me decide I had to visit Italy at this time was a soccer game.
Arriving in Hot & Humid Milan
Some people travel well. Some people are able to sleep on planes, arrive at their destination refreshed and well-rested, ready to explore a new place and take on the world.
Is a fake Venice as good as the real thing?
Regular readers of this site won't need to be reminded how much I love Venice . I think it's the ideal place to begin a vacation in Italy .
La Scala in Milan: It's Not Just for Opera Lovers
There are just about as many reasons to visit Italy as there are people who visit Italy, but there are some themes that will sound familiar if you ask people why they chose Italy as their vacation…
Venice Gondolas: Pretty in Pictures
I've said before that I have an almost inexplicable infatuation with Venice , and yet I've never taken a gondola ride . In fact, I'm not terribly interested in taking one.
Milan in the Snow: January 2009
Over the Christmas holidays I kept reading updates from my Italian friends about the amount of snow they were getting, even in places that didn't often see much of the white stuff.
Venice Connected: Venice Goes Online
For travelers like me who are constantly online, researching a trip in Italy can be a bit frustrating.
Visiting Lake Como, Italy's Most Famous Lake
Lake Como, or Lago di Como in Italian, is undoubtedly Italy's most popular lake - and it's held that title since long before the exceptionally hunky Mr.
Free Things to Do in Venice
It doesn't matter how big your travel budget is - if you're anything like me, you're still going to be looking for travel deals everywhere you go.
Venice Gondoliers Sing for Obama - Again
If you didn't get enough of the first video of the Venice gondoliers singing their politically bastardized version of "Volare" when I posted it before , you'll be pleased to know that they've…
Kayaking Venice
I know I could have put this article in with my usual Sunday news snippets post, but I couldn't resist giving it its own headline - partly because I love the moxie of the couple in the story, and…
Venice Gondoliers Praise Obama in Song
I love Venice for a million intangible reasons, but I guess I have one more reason now. A couple Venice gondoliers made a pro-Obama video.
Day Trips from Venice
For many people, Venice is only seen as a place to spend a day - arriving early by train or cruise ship, and leaving before dinner to head onto the next city or port.
Day Trips from Milan
Milan isn't everyone's idea of the perfect Italian vacation destination, but it is close to one of the busiest airports in the country - and there are certainly some things worth seeing.
Milan for the Blind
Although I was based in Milan during my last trip to Italy, I was gallivanting around the country for roughly half of the entire trip.
What can Madonna teach us about Venice history?
Okay, all you children of the 70s, it's time to go back in time a bit to one of those formative moments in our collective musical past.
Milan Makes the List for the Most Beautiful Locals
It's official, folks. Milan has been declared one of the " 12 places to see really good-looking locals ." Allow me to gloat, while I also quote from the article: The financial and fashion capital of…
Wandering Milan's Brera and Navigli Neighborhoods
Milan isn't known for its quiet and picturesque neighborhoods - you know, the kind that seem ideal for just ambling along aimlessly, preferably with a gelato in hand, strolling from from shop window…
Bergamo: A Great Day-Trip from Milan
The small city of Bergamo is an easy day-trip from Milan , especially because the part of Bergamo that you'll want to visit is even smaller.
Seeing an Italian Football Match at San Siro in Milan
I'm not a huge sports fan, but I'm married to one - so that means I do pay attention.
Two Websites to Make Your Venice Visit Easier
During my last trip to Venice, I was reminded of two things - first, addresses in Venice are nearly useless; and second, the Venetian dialect is not Italian.
Al Mascaron Osteria in Venice
If you've ever been traveling and had one of those "off" days, where the things you tried to plan didn't quite work out and you're feeling a bit discouraged, then all you need to set things right is…
Weird & Wonderful Milan
Milan isn't usually the kind of city people come to spend more than a day or two, usually at one or the other end of a trip and only because they're flying in and out of Malpensa Airport .
My Favorite Bag Lady* in Milan
This is from yesterday night before my head hit the pillow, heavily: Well, we're here. We're in Milan.
Doge's Palace in Venice
Right behind St. Mark's Basilica in terms of actual attractions worth visiting in Venice is the Doge's Palace .
"VenicExposed" by Luca Campigotto - Book Review
Pictures of Venice are almost instantly recognizable - the canals and the Venice gondolas are unique and completely photogenic, so it's not surprising that every photographer and their brother has a…
Weird & Wonderful Venice
Venice is like an adult theme park, with the possibility for interesting and unique discoveries down every crooked alley and over every tiny bridge.
Bookstores in Milan
This article was written and submitted for publication on the Italy Logue by Chris Bright.
How to Take the Malpensa Express into Milan
Milan has two airports, and Linate is more convenient for most short trips because it's closer to the center of the city.
What to Do in Milan
Milan may not be at the top of everyone's list when it comes to sights and attractions, but there are certainly things that will entertain and delight you if you know where to look.
Visiting the Duomo in Milan
Milan 's most famous landmark is probably the Duomo, or cathedral, which sits at its heart.
Should you include Milan on your Italy itinerary?
Milan is one of those cities in Italy people seem to either love or hate - or love to hate, in some cases - and after spending last week there I've decided I fall into the camp that loves the city.
Goodbye, Milan!
I'm on my way back home today after a week in Milan, but the posts about Milan will continue for awhile - I've got lots of pictures left to share, and some more restaurant and gelateria…
Visiting the Duomo Roof in Milan
In most cities, just going inside the main cathedral is a great thrill - but in Milan that's just the beginning.
First Night in Milan
Seeing Milan 's Duomo lit up on a clear and crisp autumn night is just about the best introduction to the city that I can imagine.
I'm Off to Milan
I leave tomorrow for a week-long trip to Milan, and I plan to come back with all kinds of great photos and tidbits to share with you about the city and about the sights there.
Gondola Rides in Venice
When most people think of Venice , they think of gondola rides. And if you just think about them in the abstract, they sound like they'd be dreamy and romantic, right?
NY Times Trying to Sell Bologna
Either someone at the New York Times has a serious love affair happening with Italy (understandable), or there's something fishy going on.
What to Do in Venice
Venice is one of those cities where the to-do item most often recommended isn't a museum or ruin or gallery - it's an activity.
Like Venice, Taormina to Employ Decorum Police
I'm terribly fond of the decorum police in Venice (I must be, having written about them enough), partly because I love the idea of these overly polite and linguistically talented pretty young women…
Taking a Break from Venice in Burano
Venice is one of those cities people will tell you that you "have to see" in your lifetime. I'm not one of those people.
Video on Piazza San Marco, Venice
Here's a Monday video for you of the Piazza San Marco in Venice , which happens to be the front "lawn" of my favorite spot in all of Venice - the Basilica San Marco .
St. Mark's Bell Tower Gets a New Belt in Venice
Anyone who makes a concerted effort to see the leaning tower of Pisa is on a mad quest to see one of many leaning towers throughout Italy.
Introductory Video to Venice
Just a little teaser video for you about Venice... In case you wanted another distraction from work.