Travel in city Renaissance

Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1982, the historic center of Florence boasts a vast collection of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, despite its relatively compact size.

Food is big business in Florence, to the extent that the city council introduced a law limiting the opening of new bars and restaurants in the UNESCO-listed city center.

How far would you go – and how long would you take – to avoid flying and thoroughly embrace the idea of slow travel? In my case, it was 3,167 miles over three weeks. For nearly a decade I had wanted to do a road trip to Croatia, and to get as much out of the journey as the destination itself. Rather than bomb down the motorway for marathon stretches, the idea was to slow down and see new things.

Sitting comfortably along the banks of the Arno River, Florence has been welcoming tourists since the early days of international tourism, building a global reputation that is hard to match.

With its compact size and abundance of architectural landmarks, navigating Florence is hardly a challenge.

With summer just around the corner, thoughts turn to planning the perfect vacation. When it comes to finding an indulgent retreat, one key factor that often dominates everyone’s must-have list is a breathtaking swimming pool. If you’re deciding where to take the plunge, then check out these 7 hotels with outstanding pools. From the serene beauty of a countryside manor, to the historical charm of a reinvigorated convent, each of these accommodations offers a unique guest experience that epitomizes luxury and features an amazing pool. Let’s dive in!

Travelers to Italy in summer often feel they have to decide between city or beach—take in the cultural riches of a major art destination or give in to the dolce far niente vibe of a stunning waterfront locale. Some places make it easy to do both—Venice has its Lido beaches and the seaside hamlet of Nervi is a suburb of Genoa, but here are five other ways you can combine urban and coastal getaways without much fuss.

Beyond the hippy days and techno raves, the best things to do in Ibiza can be attributed to the island's staggering natural beauty of windswept beaches, coves, rocky red cliffs and pine forests. Spend your days swimming and snorkeling, hiking, or renting a boat to explore hard-to-reach bays. Away from the beaches, visit the cute villages and town squares that make this Balearic Island beat, each with its unique vibe but full of local cafes, restaurants, and shops. With a Phoenician settlement founded in 654 BC, much of the island is steeped in history, with UNESCO heritage sites of ancient settlements dotted around. Spend some time traipsing around Ibiza Town, a labyrinth of bustling shops and restaurants with an ancient past seen in its cobbled stone streets and castle that looms large over the island. Here, we share a snapshot of things to do in Ibiza, including what to see and explore to get to know this mythical island.

Eating, drinking and embracing la dolce vita in Florence has honestly never been so tantalizing or diverse.

On the EU’s frontline, bordering both Ukraine and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad, Poland has been much in the news of late.