Italy - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides (2022)

REVIEW: Sailing Around Sicily, Italy With MedSailors

Sailing around Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, hiking volcanoes, bathing in mud baths, and chilled out yacht life – here’s the lowdown on MedSailors’ brand new route in Sicily, Italy.

What’s it like to have lunch at Grand Hotel Tremezzo overlooking Lake Como..

As I pulled up outside Lake Como’s Grand Hotel Tremezzo, I felt like a Hollywood movie star. Ferraris screeched to a halt outside, glamorous 40-somethings strutted into the glass lifts, and champagne corks popped at T Beach across the road.
Over 100 years of history, stunning panoramic views and a string of celebrity fans make this one of the most desirable places to stay on the lake. With its 5 star rating, beautiful gardens, luxurious top floor suites, brand new spa and floating swimming pool, I couldn’t resist but stop by and check it out.

I’d been invited for lunch, but before that was treated to a tour of the hotel and its impressive grounds. The art nouveau building has numerous old-fashioned salons and reception rooms with regal colour schemes and plush fabrics, but there’s also a modern touch in places. The newest suites have simple, contemporary marble bathrooms, with TV screens and breath-taking views. Not to mention the jacuzzis on the terraces! Of the 90 rooms and suites, the most prestigious is the Greta, named after Greta Garbo.

If you’re a foodie, taking a Milan food tour is a must-do!

My nose led me to Panificio Pattini – a Milan bakery packed with incredible pastries and the scent of freshly baked focaccia. This was stop one of the Milan Food Tour.

I’m a strong believer that the best way to get to know a new place is by getting stuck into the cuisine. I’ve been on great food tours in Istanbul, Barcelona and Thessaloniki, and over the next few hours I would be eating my way around some lesser-known tourist areas, and sampling some of the best Milanese and Italian food in the city. With the Italian staples of gelato, pasta, pizza and Parma ham on offer, and a lovely local named Veronica leading the way, it was time to prepare our stomachs, and kick off.

We got off to a great start with tastings of two rich pastries – the cannoncini (similar to a cream horn) filled with custard, and bignès (similar to profiteroles) topped with chocolate and filled with a nutty chocolate cream. It’s normal for Italians to have two breakfasts (I could get used to that!) – one at home and one at work. They LOVE coffee, and pastries like these are usually accompanied by an espresso. We were shown how they were made, and also took a look at some of the beautiful freshly-made pasta in the window.

Looking for the best cafes to work from in Milan? Look no further!

While on my recent travels, I had a few days spare in Milan before heading to Turkey. So, I checked into a super cool hostel, made some traveller friends, and went off in search of the best cafes to work from for a few days.

I just love grabbing my laptop and setting up shop in a public place. There’s something so inspiring about the digital nomad lifestyle. With the buzz of a foreign city, it heightens everything, and for some reason I feel more motivated to work, the further I am from home!

Thankfully, Milan has some excellent spots, with free wifi… and lucky for you, I’ve decided not to keep them to myself!

PAVÉ

Pavé is a very cool café… in a neighbourhood that didn’t seem to have much happening. It’s the meeting spot for all sorts. Students piled in around 11am for espressos, business meetings took place around me all morning and at 1pm sharp a sudden influx of hungry lunchers packed out every nook and cranny. It also happens to be one of the best places for breakfast in Milan.

The pool at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como, Italy

Is it possible to visit Lake Como on a budget?

So you’re reading this because you want to visit Lake Como, but don’t have George Clooney’s millions. Don’t worry – it turns out you don’t need them!

I visited Lake Como in late September, as the busy tourist season was coming to close. I was keen to sample some of the finer things in life… but also wondered whether this was a place that could be done on a backpacker budget.