La dolce vita. Dolce far niente. Mangia! Between Italian culture, Italian food, Italian wine, and Italian charm, it’s not hard to see why Italy is one of the most visited countries in the world. For first-time tourists, the only hard part is deciding, where to start! That’s where we come in.
We’re Paolo Ferraris (Italian American Photographer) and Brandy Shearer (American Italian Writer) and together we share our love for everything Italian right here on ALOR.blog. Who better than two Italians with serious cases of wanderlust to show you around Italy. Where would you like to go?
Italy Pic of the Day
Italian Vacation Destinations
Sardinia, Italy
Craving a relaxing beach vacation? Dreaming of eating your way across Italy? Then Sardinia needs to be on your travel bucket list.
Sardinia is an Italian Mediterranean island with 1,242 mesmerizing coastal miles, and over 100 beautiful beaches.
The combination of everything Sardinia has to offer makes it one of the best places in Italy to strike a balance between a trip and a vacation.
Venice, Italy
Venice, the floating city captures the hearts and imagination of tourists. A series of islands separated by canals, linked by bridges it makes for the ultimate romantic getaway.
Our series of Venice is unique in that it focuses on art inspired by our time there. Our most popular post on Venice answers questions about whether or not Venice is really sinking. Plus it provides tips on ways to get around Venice, staying safe in Venice and of course, where to eat in Venice.
Puglia, Italy
There is a special beauty and magic to Puglia. Nature is bathed in resplendent color, people are kind, it’s safe, wine is delicious and the food is among the best in the world.
Puglia is one of Italy’s more economically challenged areas that relies heavily on tourism. Tourists are often surprised how inexpensive this Italian paradise can be.
Puglia does Italy proud.
- Art Inspired by Puglia, Italy Otranto
- How to Properly Pronounce Otranto
- Love Locks in Peschihi, Italy
- Video Post: Shore to Folklore Find Magic in Vieste
- How to Properly Pronounce Orecchiette
- Vieste, Because We Can Afford Views Like This!
- Orecchiette Throwdown In Vieste Italy
- Pizzomunno The Mythical Legend of Vieste
- Drive Across Italy for Lunch? Only Takes 3 Hours!
- Lazy Cows Make The Best Cheese in Puglia
Rome, Italy
Our series on Rome focuses on traveling through one of Italy’s most popular tourist locations, on a budget. We share tips on how to see all the most popular attractions in Rome including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and St. Peter’s Basilica without entry fees.
Plus, find out where to eat in Rome like a local. From the best breakfast to the heartiest lunch to romantic dinners, we’ve got you covered.
- Stories of Moving to Italy | Why Evelyn Hates Being Called Expat
- Rome on a Beer Budget: Day 3
- Rome on a Beer Budget: Day 2
- Rome on a Beer Budget: Day 1
- 3 Days in Rome on a Beer Budget
- Where Romans Lunch
- How to Save Money on Hotels in Rome, Italy
- Rome’s Budget Friendly Breakfast of Champions
- Cacio e Pepe, Rome’s Must Have Pasta
- Save a Bundle, See Rome On Foot
Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont is known worldwide for it’s wine, but to Paolo it’s home. This is where Paolo was born and raised. With family in Torino, this is also where we spend much of our time.
There will be more posts coming about Piedmont in the future since as of April 2020, it’s where we currently live, work and play.
- Stories of Moving to Italy | Why Evelyn Hates Being Called Expat
- Moving to Italy | 6 Months, 2 Lockdowns & 20 Pounds
- Moving to Italy | Month 5 | We Decided Where to Live!
- Moving to Italy | Church Bells & COVID
- 10 Stunning Photos | Lago d’Orta
- 10 Stunning Photos | Lago Maggiore – Italian Getaway to Love
- 5 Ducks in a Window | Italian Immersion is Hilarious
- Moving to Italy | Italian Wine Tours
- The Abandoned Italy Tourists Never See
The Italian Lakes
The Italian Lakes are a series of lakes in Northern Italy nestled in the Italian Alps and they are stunning! So far we’ve seen Lago Maggiore and Lago d’Orta but rest assured, there are more to come.
July, 2020 we’ll be visiting more in the Veneto region which we are eager to share!
Umbria, Italy
Umbria is one of Italy’s less touristy locations and is therefore, more affordable! It’s no less beautiful with lush rolling hills, vineyards and some of the best food in Italy.
It’s growing as an expat community thanks to a more affordable cost of living than Tuscany and more efficient services than the south.
Tuscany, Italy
Loved for vineyards and rolling countrysides lined by Cypress trees, Tuscany is a popular tourist destination in Italy.
Florence, wine country and the leaning tower of Pisa are just a few of the things to love about Tuscany.
- Italy Pic of the Day | Guinigi Tower
- Italy Pic of the Day | Florence Street Light
- Italy Pic of the Day | Arno River in Florence
- Italy Pic of the Day | Florence Cathedral
- Italy Pic of the Day | Summer Statue in Florence
- Italy Pic of the Day | Under the Tuscan Sunset & Raoul Bova
- Italy Pic of the Day | The Ape!
- Italy Pic of the Day | Pitigliano Sunset
- Italy Pic of the Day | Medici Aqueduct of Pitigliano at Sunset
- Italy Pic of the Day | Pitigliano
Liguria, Italy
Home to the Italian Riviera. Liguria is one of Italy’s most popular coastal region. A series of small coves and bays lined with brightly colored homes make this one of Italy’s most iconic regions.
Italian Culture
Italian Food & Wine
Italians are a resilient, stubborn, vocal and loving people. Take for example Cucina Povera, the food of the poor. Peasant food is one of the most enduring parts of Italian culture. A celebration of ingenuity and determination. Italy makes scraps revelatory. Pasta. Salumi. Grappa!
- Italy Pic of the Day | Prosecco Vineyard Keyhole
- Italy Pic of the Day | The Door of Valpolicella
- Why Eggs Are Not Refrigerated in Europe
- Moving to Italy | Month 4 | August Shutdown & Avoiding Crowds
- Moving to Italy | Saving on Wine
- Moving to Italy | Italian Wine Tours
- Pizza in Italy vs America
- Could Italy Run Out of Olive Oil?
- Why I Love Spoleto Italy in 10 Photos
- The One Dish You Must Have in Tuscany
Italian Culture
Did you know that only about 13% of Italian’s speak English? As one of the lowest English speaking populations in all of Europe, visiting small towns in Italy can be a bit intimidating.
Thankfully, Italians are very welcoming to tourists. Showing them you know a little about their culture will go a long way! Here are a few other tips to keep in mind while traveling through Italy.
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Moving to Italy
When it comes to Italy, exploring often turns into dreaming. Dreams of living in Italy that is! Whether contemplating a move to Italy or just dreaming of one, you’re welcome to join us on our journey of retiring early in Italy.
- Italian Citizenship Through Grandparents
- Video Interview | Moving to Italy During Lockdown!
- Expat Secrets, Why Barbora Thinks We Should Start Talking
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- Stories of Moving to Italy | Emer on Recovering from COVID & Life in Bergamo
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- Stories of Moving to Italy | Amanda on Finding a Job & Milan
