Italy - Travel Blogs & Travel Guides: 2024

Top Things To Do In Turin (Italy Travel Guide)

Enjoying the view of Turin, Italy, from Mont Des Capucins

From tucking into incredible food and drink (including truffles and Barolo), to enjoying stunning orange-roofed cityscapes, and exploring historic palaces and museums, there are plenty of things to do in Turin, Italy.

Hiking active volcano Stromboli is something you HAVE to do if you visit Sicily’s Aeolian Islands.

You’re probably aware I’m someone who’s happiest when on an adventure. Hours by the pool don’t cut it. I get itchy feet, scared I’m missing out on something important and soon swap lying horizontally with a book for gallivanting around vertically!

Last year, I spent a gorgeous week sailing around Sicily with MedSailors. Our mornings were spent out at sea, sunbathing on the deck and diving into the water. The rest of the day was about exploration on land – checking out Salina’s picturesque streets, wine tasting, devouring tasty pizza in Stromboli and bathing in Vulcano’s mudbaths.

If you haven’t already, check out the video from my time in Sicily – including our epic hike up Stromboli!

Half way through the week we sailed from Salina to Stromboli. Guided by a pod of dolphins, with the ominous cone-shaped volcano in the background, it felt like a pretty epic journey. Stromboli is one of those classic geography textbook volcanoes, complete with a smoking top. I knew there was a hike you could do that took you to the top… but I also knew it would be challenging, taking around 6 hour and being at a steep gradient.

This isn’t just any volcano. Stromboli is one of the most active volcanoes on the planet. It’s been erupting almost continuously since 1932. Eruptions are spectacular, and as you can spot them at night, it’s been nicknamed the ‘lighthouse of the Mediterranean’.

It sounds obvious, but as we sailed towards it, it got bigger and bigger. Seriously, this thing was huge! Vast. Enormous. Ginormous. I stood on the black sand beach and looked up at the distant crater, 924 metres up, butterflies fluttering around in my tummy. What had I signed up for? Could I really do this?!

From incredible scenery, volcanoes and sapphire blue water, to delicious cuisine and cute towns, there are plenty of reasons to visit Sicily!

I always thought Sicily sounded SO glamorous. I envisaged stylish Italians hanging around on beautiful yachts, with a glass of wine in one hand, and a fork loaded with the best Italian cuisine in the other!

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.