Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: Visiting by Day vs. an Overnight Stay [2026]

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: Visiting by Day vs. an Overnight Stay [2026]

Of all the things I wanted to do on my winter trip to Alta, visiting the famous Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel was at the top of my list! Besides seeing the Northern lights, of course. I’ve been to several ice hotels around the Arctic, including the Ice Domes in Tromsø, IceHotel 365 in Jukkasjärvi, and the…

9 Things to Do in Ragusa, Sicily: A Baroque Gem

9 Things to Do in Ragusa, Sicily: A Baroque Gem

Picture a gorgeous hilltop city tucked between the smaller foothills, standing out against the Sicilian landscape. A Goldilocks destination of sorts: close to busier, popular tourist spots on the island like Siracusa and Catania — and yet nice and, dare I say it, even quiet… by Sicilian standards. For those reasons (and more), I visited…

The Ultimate 2 Days in Catania Itinerary for First-Timers

The Ultimate 2 Days in Catania Itinerary for First-Timers

Catania is a captivating Sicilian city right at the foot of Mount Etna, deserving of more attention than it gets. While it’s best known for its gorgeous Baroque architecture and charming historical town, Catania also has stunningly gorgeous views of the spectacular (and spectacularly active) volcano. When living in Italy, I made several trips to Sicily, and…

Varenna Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do in One of Como’s Best Towns

Varenna Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do in One of Como’s Best Towns

Varenna, once a humble fishing village, has done quite an about-face. Once merely a humble fishing village, it’s transformed into a captivating destination along the shores of Lake Como, a favorite spot for both the ultra-wealthy (hello, George Clooney) and visitors seeking a peaceful Italian getaway. Surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, Varenna’s villas, colorful lakeside…

7 Lovely Things to Do in Lecco (Como’s Secret Gem of a Town!)

7 Lovely Things to Do in Lecco (Como’s Secret Gem of a Town!)

Lecco is a lovely gem on Lake Como’s southeastern branch, and even though it’s the largest city in this particular part of the lake, it’s actually less busy than many cities on the lake, overshadowed by the more famous Como or smaller villages like Varenna and Bellagio.  Despite this, it’s absolutely worth visiting Lecco if…

8 Things to Do in Peschiera del Garda, an Italian Lakeside Gem

8 Things to Do in Peschiera del Garda, an Italian Lakeside Gem

Peschiera del Garda may just be the most impressive town on Lake Garda — and that’s saying something, since there’s no shortage of contenders for beautiful towns in this particular part of Italy. The town of Peschiera del Garda was developed on a set of small islands, located at mouth of the River Mincio beginning…

2 Days in Verona: Itinerary for A Dreamy City Escape

2 Days in Verona: Itinerary for A Dreamy City Escape

Verona is ironically known for all the wrong things — and forgotten for many of its best merits. Like that whole Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet thing? Well, the setting is technically right, but that’s about where the similarities end… any of the supposed “houses” that are related to it, are actually not connected at all!…