Ciao Italia

Welcome to our travel-loving hub...Italy's allure!
Say Ciao to your next adventure!

We are both passionate explorers and Italy enthusiasts, we call ourselves Italian Dream Chasers, eager to share and discover the hidden gems of this beautiful country. We hope to capture the spirit of exploring Italy's wonders and La Dolce Vita. Whether you’re planning your first visit or have a story to share from your latest adventure, you're in the right place.

Our adventures have taken us across Italy, capturing the essence of countless charming towns through photos and footage. Imagine immersing yourself in the rustic beauty of Puglia, the historical treasures of Sicily, the rolling hills of Tuscany and the romantic, picturesque Lake Como.

From the first time I (Anna) visited Italy at the age of 7, it left a lasting impression that lured me back time and time again in my later years and fortunately for me Michael fell in love with Italy and is passionate about all things Italian.

Why Italy for us?

The culture and lifestyle first and foremost. We have a sense of fulfillment and living from our hearts when we are in Italy, it's like coming home. The history, the people and the zero kilometre food with it's central location for travel are some of the other reasons we bought a home in Italy.


In this hub we look to inspire and give you our tried recommendations as you embark on your adventures and share unforgettable experiences.
Every region of Italy has something to offer everyone. From the mountains to the sea, from the city to the countryside, from the north to the south. Each region has their own blend of uniqueness. Over the last 20 years we have travelled to Italy and witnessed many of its wonders.
What makes a region or city attractive to you? Discover these hidden gems as we uncover Italy's treasures and help you discover your dream destination in Italy.
Here are some of our recommendations to make your journey a memorable one!

Places to See

Discover the iconic sights that make Italy irresistible but don't forget to visit the smaller less known towns too,
they are definitely worth a stop over and look in.
We have visited countless towns and villages from the bustling streets of Rome to the serene countryside of Tuscany savouring the moment of "la dolce vita".

SANT ANDRE IN SALENTO

CASTRO & SURROUNDS

OTRANTO
OSTUNI

LECCE
SANTA MARIA AL BAGNO

GALLIPOLI

ALBEROBELLO

MATERA

POLIGNANO A MARE

SAN GIMIGNANO, VOLTERRA
MONTEPULICANO, PIENZA

LUCCA
SIENA
CINQUE TERRE

TAORMINA

ORTIGIA

CEFALU

CASTELLAMARE DEL GOLFO, SCOPELLO

TROPEA

SCILLA

AMALFI COAST (RAVELLO, POSITANO, AMALFI)

ROME

FLORENCE

LAKE COMO

LAKE GARDA

VERONA

VENICE

SICILY

Why Puglia?
We are often asked why did we purchase our home in Puglia?
Michael has Maltese heritage and I (Anna) have Sicilian heritage and we both had 3 regions on our list.
Tuscany, Sicily and Puglia.
Having visited these regions on numerous occassions we narrowed it to Puglia for it's beautiful coastline and beaches and being on the mainland of Italy suited our travel plans.
We also were mindful to look for an asset that would look after itself when we were not there.
Our long term goal is still Tuscany and it is next on our list.
This video on our YouTube Channel showcases the

pristine, turquoise beaches in Salento.

Where to Eat


LOCANDA LA MANDRAGOLA SAN GIMIGNANO

LE VECCHIE MURA SAN GIMIGNANO

LA VECCHIA LIRE VOLTERRA

LIFE BISTROT PLANT BASED VOLTERRA

LA CANONICA TRASTEVERE

IL DUCA TRASTEVERE

IL CHIANTI OSTERIA TOSCANA ROME TREVI FOUNTAIN

CASEIFICIO BORDERI BEST PANINI ORTIGIA

GROTTO PALAZZESE POLIGNANO A MARE FOR THE EXPERIENCE NOT FOOD

O'PARRACCHIANO SORRENTO IN A LEMON GARDEN

POSITANO FARM LEMON TOUR ALSO

CASA E BOTTEGA BREAKFAST & LUNCH

MELALEUCA FLORENCE BREAKFAST BRUNCH


LA CISTERNA SAN GIMIGNANO

LA PERGOLA SANTA MARIA AL BAGNO

GUSTAVO GALATONE

Food Related


FELICIAS HOME RESTAURANT COOKING CLASS SALERNO


MASSERIA MOROSETA OSTUNI


QUERCETO DI CASTELLINA DINNER AT WINERY

MERCATO CENTRALE FLORENCE FRESH FOOD ALSO VISIT UPSTAIRS TO DINE


EATALY FLORENCE

TESTACCIO MARKET ROME


MERCATE CENTRALE ROME


PORTA PORTESE MARKET PIAZZA DI PORTA PORTESE OUTSKIRT OF ROME

EATALY ROME

AMALFI LEMON TOUR

PODERE LA MARRONAIA WINE TOUR SAN GIMIGNANO

ABBADIA ARDENGA CELLAR BRUNELLO WINES

MASSERIA MONTENAPOLEONE FULL EXPERIENCE

POSITANO FARM LEMON GROVE & ORGANIC FOOD

MASSERIA IL FRANTOIO OSTUNI


What to Do

MUST DO ROME

EAT IN TRASTEVERE
COLOSSEUM TOUR

VATICAN TOUR

THROW A COIN TREVI FOUNTAIN

CAMPO DI FIORE

BORGHESE GARDENS SUNSET

VISIT THE SUBURB MONTI
JUBILEE YEAR 2025 ROME

MUST DO FLORENCE

VISIT THE DUOMO
WALK TO PIAZZA MICHAELANGELO
VISIT FLORENCE MARKET

VISIT ONE OF THE MUSEUMS

PONTE VECCHIO AT SUNSET

ORDER A BISTECCA

MUST DO TUSCANY


VISIT A WINERY IN TUSCANY

DO A COOKING CLASS

VISIT THE MANY DOTTED VILLAGES

PIENZA, SAN GIMIGNANO, MONTEPULCIANO, SIENA, CORTONA

LAJATICO

BOOK AN ANDREA BOCELLI CONCERT
AREZZO VINTAGE MARKET

FIVIZZANOVINTAGE MARKET

HIRE A FIAT 500

MUST DO AMALFI

BOAT TRIP TO ANY OF THE ISLANDS

CAPRI, ISCHIA, PROCIDA

COOKING CLASS

VISIT RAVELLO

TRY LIMONCELLO

EAT A NAPOLITANA PIZZA

EAT A SFOGLIATELLA

VISIT A LEMONGROVE

VISIT POSITANO FARM

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ALL ABOUT APULIA
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APPS
TRANSPORT
Trainline
Trenitalia
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Italbus, Flixbus
Toilet Finder
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itTaxi, FreeNow
Trip Advisor

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FREE SICILY GUIDE

Everything you need to see and do in Sicily.


MUST DO IN SICILY

Visit Taormina

Go to a concert Greek Theatre
Eat the best canoli
Eat the best granita
Visit Mt Etna
Visit Ortigia
Visit the capital Palermo
Visit Castellamare del Golfo
Visit Valley of the Temples