Italian Travel Team

13/06/2025

04/06/2025

22/05/2025

Roman aqueducts were built to last. To ensure the strength of their structures, Roman engineers used materials such as limestone, bricks, and most notably, Roman concrete—a blend of lime and volcanic ash (pozzolana) that made the constructions incredibly durable. The arches, a distinctive feature of many Roman aqueducts, were not only aesthetically pleasing but also crucial for distributing the weight of the structure evenly, enhancing its stability. This meticulous design allowed many sections of aqueducts to endure for centuries—some still stand today. The careful selection of materials and thoughtful engineering showcase the Romans’ extraordinary ability to merge beauty with functionality.

Roman aqueducts operated entirely by gravity—a simple yet highly efficient principle. Engineers precisely calculated the gradient of the channels to ensure that water flowed steadily toward the city, maintaining just the right speed to prevent stagnation or erosion. The Roman water system spanned dozens of kilometers, with gradients so slight yet so accurately measured that the flow remained uninterrupted. Underground pipelines and tunnels prevented water loss and contamination, allowing clean water to travel from its source to final destinations such as public fountains and baths. This advanced system reveals how the Romans skillfully applied the laws of physics to achieve maximum efficiency with limited resources.
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10/05/2025

Uncover the elegance and mystery of ancient Etruscan art at the National Museum of Cerveteri, located in the historic Castello di Cerveteri. Marvel at exquisite ceramics, gold jewelry, and painted sarcophagi that reveal a sophisticated aesthetic centuries ahead of its time. Each piece is a testament to the Etruscans’ refined sense of beauty, symbolism, and craftsmanship.

A hidden treasure for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

08/05/2025

A Historic Moment for Rome and the World

Rome celebrates a momentous occasion with the election of Pope Leo XIV — a new chapter for the Eternal City and the global Catholic community.

For our American friends, this is not just a spiritual milestone, but a personal one: Pope Leo XIV is your fellow countryman.

Now is the perfect time to return to Rome — to walk the streets of the Vatican, attend a Papal Audience, and witness history in the making.

Let Italian Travel Team welcome you back to the heart of Christianity, with exclusive experiences tailored to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Join us in celebrating a pope who brings America closer to Rome than ever before.

03/05/2025

A Lunch with Friends at Trabocco Punta Fornace

There are lunches you never forget, and today’s at Trabocco Punta Fornace is one worth telling. Suspended between sky and sea—literally—we shared laughter, stories, and dishes rich with tradition and the scent of the Adriatic.

Each course was a tribute to Abruzzo’s seafood cuisine: simple, authentic, and full of flavor. But it’s the atmosphere that makes it truly special—the creaking wood beneath your feet, the sound of the waves, the gentle breeze carrying the sea’s aroma right into your glass.

It was more than just a lunch: it was the joy of being together in a place where time seems to slow down, letting you savor every moment.

Trabocco Punta Fornace: a corner suspended over the blue, where friendship found the perfect setting.
Trabocco Punta Fornace

21/04/2025

Il mio Papa è salito in cielo questa mattina alle 7.30.

Se mi ami non piangere!
Se tu conoscessi il mistero immenso del cielo dove ora vivo,
se tu potessi vedere e sentire quello che io vedo e sento
in questi orizzonti senza fine,
e in questa luce che tutto investe e penetra,
tu non piangeresti se mi ami.

Qui si è ormai assorbiti dall’incanto di Dio,
dalle sue espressioni di infinità bontà e dai riflessi della sua sconfinata bellezza.
Le cose di un tempo sono così piccole e fuggevoli
al confronto. Mi è rimasto l’affetto per te:
una tenerezza che non ho mai conosciuto.
Sono felice di averti incontrato nel tempo,
anche se tutto era allora così fugace e limitato.

Ora l’amore che mi stringe profondamente a te,
è gioia pura e senza tramonto.
Mentre io vivo nella serena ed esaltante attesa del tuo arrivo tra noi,
tu pensami così!
Nelle tue battaglie,
nei tuoi momenti di sconforto e di solitudine,
pensa a questa meravigliosa casa,
dove non esiste la morte, dove ci disseteremo insieme,
nel trasporto più intenso alla fonte inesauribile dell’amore e della felicità.
Non piangere più, se veramente mi ami!
Sant'Agostino

15/03/2025

02/03/2025

07/02/2025

Dreaming of an unforgettable Italian getaway? At Italian Travel Team, we specialize in crafting bespoke itineraries tailored to your unique interests and desires. Whether you envision exploring ancient ruins, indulging in culinary delights, or relaxing amidst breathtaking landscapes, our expert team will curate the perfect Italian experience for you. Contact us today to start planning your dream trip!

25/01/2025

Secret Passages Unveiled: Leonardo da Vinci's Hidden Tunnels Beneath Sforza Castle in Milan

Using cutting-edge detection technologies, including ground-penetrating radar and laser scanners, a team of researchers from the Polytechnic University of Milan has identified a series of subterranean structures just a few meters below the surface of Sforza Castle. These hidden passages, once sketched by the renowned Renaissance artist and scientist Leonardo da Vinci, may connect the castle to the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

A Journey into Medieval History

Construction of Sforza Castle began in 1358, but it was destroyed during a period of political unrest about a century later. Francesco Sforza, the Duke of Milan, ordered the reconstruction of the castle on its ruins in 1450. After his death, his son Ludovico, also known as "il Moro" due to his dark complexion and hair, took control of the Duchy of Milan and continued the castle's renovation.

Ludovico Sforza, known for his patronage of the arts, commissioned several artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Donato Bramante, and Bernardino Zenale, to decorate the castle's walls. Leonardo's frescoes can still be seen in the castle's Sala delle Asse, or "Room of Wooden Boards." During this time, Leonardo also documented the secret passages built for military purposes beneath the castle's outer wall, known as the ghirlanda.

Confirming an Ancient Legend

"This passageway is immortalized in Leonardo's drawings and has long been the subject of legends and considerable speculation," according to a statement. "But now, thanks to technology, it seems that its existence can be confirmed." The researchers used ground-penetrating radar, which works by emitting radio waves into the ground and receiving signals back via an antenna. This technology revealed cavities and passageways just one or two yards below the surface.

A Tunnel for Love and Security

Historical records suggest that Ludovico Sforza ordered the construction of an underground passageway to allow him easy access to the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie, where his wife Beatrice d'Este was buried. Beatrice, the daughter of the Duke of Ferrara, married Ludovico in 1491. As Encyclopedia Britannica notes, their marriage was "unusually harmonious" but tragically short-lived: Beatrice died in childbirth in 1497. Ludovico's secret tunnel, which may have stretched over half a mile, would have provided the widower with private visitations and served as an escape route in case of a siege.

The Future of Research and Technology

Claudio Salsi, the historical director of the castle's museums, told ANSA that the scans could be used to create augmented reality experiences or virtual tours for tourists. Francesca Biolo, an architect at the Polytechnic University of Milan, stated in a release that the scans are only the first step in unraveling the secrets of Sforza Castle's tunnels.

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of Renaissance engineering techniques but also offers new opportunities to explore the past through modern technology. Leonardo da Vinci's secret passages, once merely the subject of speculation, can now be studied and appreciated as an integral part of Sforza Castle's history.

19/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from Italian Travel Team! 🎄

To all our cherished guests, we send our warmest wishes for a holiday season filled with joy, love, and unforgettable moments. Thank you for letting us be part of your Italian adventures.

May this Christmas bring happiness to your hearts and dreams of future travels to Italy! 🎅🌟

Buon Natale! 🎁
Italian Travel Team
Natalia and Antonio