Small Towns

I’m a mountain lover through and through — I’ve seen quite a few spectacular ranges, from the Durmitor Range in Montenegro to the Pyrenees in Andorra to the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. But honestly? In my estimation, Italy’s Dolomite Alps are some of my favorite mountains in the entire world.  Sprawling across three northern regions…

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…

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…

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…