Human Interest

As modern times pass them by, Italy's ageless hill towns turn to a game-changing hotel concept to survive.

Via Mariano Pallottini, Mike Busarello's Digital Storybooks

Camerano underground city is a dense and, partially unknown, network of tunnels and chambers carved in the sandstone below the old town.
Origin and purpose of the city is still uncertain. It was used for different purposes and by different people in the past. It’s unclear who and why built this complex.
Weirdly enough, there aren’t many references describing the tunnels in the local historiography.
For the tradition, the underground city always existed. Oral tradition suggests that " there is more of Camerano below than above," testifying the great planimetric development of the underground paths , and that " the caves are as old as the country is old ." [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini

Are you planning to change your life by living better with less? Then head to Italy as from Lombardy to Sicily here is where you should head to if you want to follow in the downshifting trend.

Downshifting is a social trend in which individuals live simpler lives to escape from the rat race of obsessive materialism and to reduce the stress that comes with it. It is about finding an improved balance between leisure and work and focusing life goals on personal fulfillment and relationship building instead of the all-consuming pursuit of economic success. And why not trying to do this in one of the most beautiful Countries on Earth, Italy? This list is meant to be as an inspiration for a life-change for whoever is seeking beauty, great food, relax and a comfortable life that doesn’t require too many expenses.

Veneto, Torcello

Lombardy, Monte Isola

Liguria, Framura

Umbria, Spello

Marche, Corinaldo 

Corinaldo is a town in the Province of Ancona, within the Marche region of central Italy. Also funnily known as “the town of the crazy people”, this place is what you are looking for if you want a still lively historical town. Real estate prices here are lower than many other parts of Italy and there is a choice of farmhouses requiring restoration that can be acquired at bargain prices: open a B&B!

Abruzzo, Castelvecchio Calvisio

Sardinia, Laconi

Apulia, Martina Franca

Basilicata, Pisticci

Sicily, Erice

Via Mariano Pallottini, Ivan Smirnov

If you're aching to visit Italy and wouldn't mind cooking classes, a porchetta tasting and an intensive, hands-on class on cake design, this is the tour for you. From Oct. 7-12, renowned sugar artist and cake designer Margaret Braun will host a group in Sant'Angelo, a small, picturesque village in Le Marche—a.k.a. truffle country. The trip will include Italian feasts, a truffle hunt, art tours and master cake classes with Braun throughout which travelers will design their own sugary masterpieces. The trip costs $3,650 (not including airfare). [...]

Via Mariano Pallottini