Blogs

If you’re an ancient history enthusiast, your first port of call may be to go to Rome, after all, it is the home of the famous Colosseum, Pantheon and Roman Forum. However, if you’re a true Roman enthusiast, then you really should get yourself down to Pozzouli.

With its location in the Bay of Naples making it the ideal Roman military (and then later commercial) port, and its relatively close proximity to Rome, Pozzuoli was one of the key hotspots of the Roman Empire, and therefore has a lot of relics and remains for tourists to explore.

The Bay of Naples is a unique melting pot of history, archaeology, mythology, geology and volcanic life, perfectly emblematised by the Baia Underwater Archaeology Park.

The park is home to the sunken city of Baia; an ancient Roman city that was completely submerged by bradyseism activity, a phenomenon typical of the volcanic area of the ‘Phlegraean fields’ in which the city was built.

The underwater engulfment left the city virtually untouched, transforming it a great testament to the wonders of the Roman era in the Neapolitan region.

Who said wine wasn’t a religious experience? Well, whoever it was, a trip to Canelli would certainly change their mind. This small, charming village in the Italian region of Piedmont is home to multiple subterranean wine cellars, which date back to the 18th Centiry and have come to be affectionately known as “wine cathedrals”.

Strolling the food stalls of Naples is understanding the city’s culture, traditions and pride. Mobile cooking-stations, kiosks, cafés, tiny eateries, food markets and other street food havens are the city’s law and order. Take these away and Naples would run into real chaos.

Whether it is your first or fifth visit to the Eternal City, there is always something new to discover. With an almost overwhelming amount of art, history and culture to explore, the best advice is to plan a selection of must-see stops interspersed with some gentle wandering.

Escape the crowds and experience Venice the authentic way, on the water. Gondolas, private water taxis and Venice’s vaporetto are all great ways of getting around but our top tip for memorable moments is to paddle your way through the city on one of Venice Kayak’s guided tours.

If you read our “Top Roman Relics to explore in Pozzuoli” article, then you will already know a little bit about the Rione Terra. But, as promised, we’ve now put together a whole article just about this magnificent archaeological attraction, so you can learn even more about what to expect upon a visit to the fascinating Roman remains.

Our best recommendation for a pre or after-dinner drink

Literally meaning “over the Po river”, Oltrepò Pavese is a tranquil area of the Lombardy region in Northern Italy. It is often referred to as the “Tuscany of the North”, yet unlike its regional competitor, it is less known to tourists, making it a more peaceful alternative and offering visitors an authentic, local, Italian experience. Still not convinced? C heck out our top reasons why you should visit Oltrepò Pavese below!

From the southern tip of Lake Garda to the historic city of Mantua lies a special stretch of Italian beauty: the Mincio River.

Flowing peacefully over 70 kilometres, the river passes through many places of interest, making it an ideal strategic point to leap from.

Perfect for family holidays or romantic escapes, the banks of the Mincio River combine natural beauty with man-made treasures. Let’s discover what it has to offer!