Italy Archives

Five mildly interesting things I learned recently: 7 July 2025

From a country with far too many lakes to a bird named after far too many countries. Finland has 187,888 lakes That’s according to the Finland Promotion Board. That’s undeniably an awful lot of lakes, but it makes me wonder whose job it was to…

How much does it cost to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?

Official tickets to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa cost €20. But there are other options. Leaning Tower of Pisa tickets, in summary. It’s possible to climb the Leaning Tower again. Tower-only tickets cost €20. Complete Visit + Tower tickets are better value at €27.…

View over the rooftops in Trieste, Italy.

Ljubljana to Trieste train vs bus: Times and prices

The recently reinstated train service from Ljubljana to Trieste is probably not convenient for most travellers. Train or bus from Ljubljana to Trieste? Take the bus from Ljubljana to Trieste because: They’re far more frequent. They’re cheaper. They’re quicker. For more detail, read on. To…

Venice to Verona train times and prices: Can you do a day trip?

Venice to Verona trains are relatively cheap and fast – a day trip is easily doable. Venice to Verona trains, summarised There are several trains per hour. The fast Frecciarossa service takes as little as 55 minutes. Tickets cost from €10.35. A Venice to Verona…

My Verona bus hell: Why travellers shouldn’t rely on phones

A mission to find a brewpub in the Italian city of Verona leads to getting very lost indeed. Advice, a little too late As the bleak stomp along Verona’s finest snarling dual carriageway took a more frightening turn into an unlit underpass, a message from…

Why Verona is a practical base for exploring the Valpolicella wine country

The Valpolicella wine region lies just north of Verona, tucked into the foothills between the city and Lake Garda. Known for its bold reds—especially Amarone—it’s a landscape of small villages, sloping vineyards, and independent producers. Corteforte in Valpolicella, Italy. Photo by Daniel Vogel on Unsplash…

Plan your visit to the Church of San Nicolò in Treviso: Opening hours, key features and how to get there

First time visiting the Church of San Nicolò in Treviso, Italy? This guide covers history, architecture, opening times, accessibility, and nearby attractions. History and overview of the Church of San Nicolò The story of the Church of San Nicolò in Treviso begins with the arrival…

Is photography allowed at the Capuchin Crypt in Rome?

The photography rules at the Capuchin Crypt have changed – and most of the information online is incorrect. The bone chapels of the Capuchin Crypt The Capuchin Crypt is one of Rome’s more ghoulish attractions. Inside are six chapels made with human bones, and surprisingly…

Treviso travel guide for first time visitors

Long used as a base for exploring Venice, the Veneto city of Treviso has its own charms. What’s Treviso all about? Treviso is cursed by a reputation of being somewhere to pass through. Its tiny airport is used by European budget airlines as a cheaper…

Verona travel guide for first time visitors

Italy’s city of Romeo and Juliet is much more appealing once you branch away from the Shakespeare tourist traps. What’s Verona all about? One look at a map, and Verona’s romantic reputation makes instant sense. The city walls and the looping River Adige surround the…