Cefalù, Praiano, Tropea: Italy’s dreamy coastal villages you should visit this spring

Chef Norbert Niederkofler is perhaps the only chef in Italy who doesn’t cook with olive oil or lemon. His “local and seasonal” mindset goes far beyond the usual culinary mantra, and those staples don’t exist in his homeland. Northern and mountainous, Italy’s Dolomite mountains have more in common with Austria than Rome.

As 2024 heats up, "The Sicilian Inheritance" is the book on everyone's summer must-read list, buzzing with anticipation. It's a delicious mix of mystery and adventure, served up with a side of Sicilian food and wine, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking scenery and wrapped around a cast of characters that draw you in. But what really makes this book stand out is the heart and soul poured into it by its author, Jo Piazza.

Sitting pretty between Spain, Tunisia, the French Riviera and the Italian mainland, Sardinia is one of Europe's most alluring Mediterranean getaways. With its splendid white sands and translucent turquoise waters, the island is justifiably famed as a beach holiday destination – but it's well worth digging deeper to discover Sardinia's walking trails, urban attractions and unique cultural heritage. 

Uber-luxury line Crystal is out with a new world cruise itinerary that might be its most epic ever. It comes with an epic price tag, too.

Blessed with a balmy Mediterranean climate, white sands and sparkling waters, Sardinia is one of southern Europe’s most alluring beach destinations.

Located in Italy's culturally rich Emilia-Romagna region, Ravenna offers a fascinating blend of art, churches and historical landmarks.

It’s about to get more expensive to visit Ecuador’s popular Galapagos Islands as the country prepares to double entry fees this summer.

Just across the Potomac River from Washington DC, northern Virginia is legendary for its Civil War battlefields, Mount Vernon and other historic sites.

Every March and April, thousands of college students descend upon beaches in Florida, Mexico or sometimes even the Caribbean. 

If you’re a sakura - or cherry blossom - lover, you’ll likely have Japan and Washington DC on your travel bucket lists. But did you know there are countless places across Europe with equally impressive pink blooms to take in this spring?

The USA is a nation of immigrants, and there are plenty of places across the country with a distinctly European vibe.

With films like Under The Tuscan Sun and Call Me By Your Name romanticizing Italy in the summer, it’s no wonder the season is the country’s busiest. But with the country seeing unprecedented numbers of visitors—last year they received an estimated 68 million visitors, three million more than before the pandemic in 2019—it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find the magic of Italy amidst the crowds. Since the early days of Tuscany’s tourism economy in the 1980s, the region has remained a summer destination that largely shuts down to visitors during the winter months. But with the growing number of visitors in the summer, hotels in the region have gradually been expanding their seasons to open earlier and close later, providing visitors an opportunity to see Tuscany when it’s not flooded with tourists.