Discovering Italy

09/10/2024

A further update for some restrictions that will come into effect from now and throughout the Jubilee year in Rome - some that may continue into the future beyond the Jubilee year.

Rome will limit access to the Trevi Fountain for the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025, the city's mayor said, ahead of the possible introduction of an entry fee.

04/10/2023

Happy feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Umbria and Italy!

Buona festa di San Francesco d'Assisi, patrono dell'Umbria e delI'Italia!

03/10/2023

Fabulous, well done Florence. Keeping the rights of residents over itinerant tourists is the only way to maintain the core nature of the city.

Florence city council has approved a bylaw to prohibit any new Airbnb openings in the UNESCO area of the historic centre.

“Today is important for Florence,” writes Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence, on his Instagram. “The city council has approved a crucial measure for short-term rentals to meet the needs of students, workers, young couples, families and the elderly. Over the years, the short-term tourist rental market has grown disproportionately and is testing the city’s limits. The consequences are visible to everyone: a loss of identity in the historic centre, precarious living conditions, increases in the cost of living and a drastic reduction in housing availability…We have decided to put a stop to any new Airbnb openings in the UNESCO area of the Historic Centre of Florence. Housing is a fundamental right and it is our duty to ensure a future that is accessible to everyone. We want to keep the soul of our historic centre alive and to preserve the beauty and liveability of our city.”

The bylaw is not retroactive, meaning that current Airbnb rental owners will not be affected. However, if they choose to switch to long-term residential rentals, the council pledges to write off second home municipal taxes for three years.

What do you think?

15/08/2023

07/04/2023

Just beautiful

21/03/2023

Spring is definitely in the air here in Umbria. Still a tad chilly but stunning blue skies.

01/01/2023

The best display of the new year, and what a vantage point - spectacular. Happy New Year/Buon Anno Nuovo to all our DI friends, travellers, colleagues, associates around the world. We wish you a safe, joyous, happy year of travel.

24/12/2022

Buon Natale a tutti - Merry Christmas everyone

Vi auguriamo un Buon Natale da Assisi, l'Umbria vi aspetta .... Umbria the new Dolce Vita !
Photo Credit CHRISTIAN MACIAS

10/12/2022

NATALE 2022. Stunning view of the tree in Piazza Venezia from atop the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument in Rome.

09/12/2022

NATALE 2022. A very pretty tree for Assisi this year, birthplace of the presepe (nativity scene). https://youtu.be/pr5K3Y_l0wc

8 dicembre, tradizionale accensione e benedizione dell'albero di Natale e del Presepe nella piazza inferiore della Basilica di san Francesco d'Assisi

08/12/2022

NATALE 2022. Always my favourite- in Piazza del Duomo Florence

05/12/2022

NATALE 2022. Piazza Venezia in Rome is almost there.

05/12/2022

NATALE 2022. The fabulous light show in Piazza di San Pietro, Vatican City, as the Christmas tree lights up and the Presepe (Nativity scene) is uncovered. More details on that later.

https://fb.watch/hcXzaQquNg/

04/12/2022

NATALE 2022. In via Tornabuoni, Florence lights up

04/12/2022

NATALE 2022. Arezzo becomes a Christmas wonderland

28/11/2022

Exciting to see, the tree is being prepared in San Marco. Looks to be a traditional one this year.