Benvenuti! la bella vita club is not a travel guide. Not a food blog. Not a cliché amplifier. It is: Stories, places, everyday life - with curiosity, humour and espresso depth. Welcome to our place. Feel free to stay a while.
Italy's towns and villages
Italy is more than Rome, Florence and Venice - This section is not about classic sights, but about small observations and big feelings: for example, when the Trevi Fountain the golden and selfie hour begins - posing without end. Or when the afternoon sky flickers in a southern Italian coastal town, the locals tie up their parasols - and you walk to the nearest gelateria with sand on your feet.
Stories, smells, sounds
We show you villages that are almost too beautiful to be real and towns that you will discover in a completely new way - with stories, smells and sounds. Sometimes melancholic, sometimes funny, but never copied from a travel guide. Of course, you'll also find our favourite insider tips for Italy here - from dreamy villages in Le Marche to the best aperitivo in Milan. Here you'll find the Italy you're looking for, even if you didn't realise you were missing it.
More about Italy's towns and villages
Food in Italy: a sacred affair
In Italy, you don't eat - you celebrate. Whether on the piazza with plastic chairs or in the elegant Ristorante with linen napkin: Mangiare is a sacred affair. It's about sharing, discussing, keeping quiet after the first bite. And sometimes it's simply about the best pasta alla norma north of Catania.
It's never about getting full
In this section, we take a deep dive into the art of Italian food: from the perfect crema in a caffè to the debate on whether Parmigiano should be served over the Vongole rub (spoiler: no). We visit ancient trattorias, modern wineries and markets where the right artichoke is still loudly debated. Of course, there are also our insider tips for culinary discoveries - whether in the alley behind the piazza or on a country estate with three generations at the cooker. Italy tastes different everywhere - but always more.
The Italian attitude to life: real life
What is it actually - this famous Italian attitude to life? Is it the leisurely stroll across the piazza? The espresso standing up, served at lightning speed and with a smile? Or the spirited discussion about politics, pasta or the best football club - with a wildly gesticulating great-aunt and lots of amore?
This section is about exactly that: about what makes Italy special. Not the perfect holiday photo, but the moment when your neighbour hangs out the washing while whistling loudly. Or when you're stuck in Palermo in the rain - and are suddenly invited to sit in the kitchen. Here we write about everyday life, people, rituals - about the small contradictions and the great passion for life. Sometimes quiet, sometimes loud, but always authentic.
Welcome to the section for everyday stories and real Italy - where Dolce Vita is more than just a slogan on a jute bag.
Our travel tips for Italy
Travelling Italy is easy - but travelling it well requires a bit of intuition, curiosity and sometimes nerves of steel (yes, we mean the Italian Road traffic). In this section you will find our best tips for your holiday in Italy - honest, helpful and never copied from a travel catalogue.
Whether you are cruising through Tuscany, travelling south on the Railway driving, sleeping in an old farmhouse or looking for the perfect timing for your next trip to Italy in spring: we'll tell you what works - and what is simply Italian (aka: a little unpredictable but charming).
Here you will find packing lists without panic, tips against heat and jet lag, advice for the perfect market visit, the best times to travel, apps, toll tricks - and yes, even a few "I would have liked to have known that beforehand"-moments. This section is your travelling companion with a sense of reality and a love of the country. For all those who prefer travelling with a smile rather than with a plan that is timed to the minute.
Our categories:
Stars & starlets - Italy's icons and it-girls
Whether Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida or the newest candidate at the Eurovision Song Contest - Italy has a knack for great performances and unforgettable faces. This section is all about film divas, pop phenomena, style icons and viral Italo stars.
We tell stories about Legendsthat have long since become part of the culture, but also from the newcomers who are currently shaking hands with Ciao on TikTok. Whether you are interested in the eventful life of Gigi Lollobrigidathe wild career of Måneskin or the most-posted outfits at Milan Fashion Week - here you'll find glamour, gossip and big emotions. Of course, we also take a look at the most famous Italian influencers who inspire millions with pizza, Positano and perfect filters. And sometimes we quietly ask ourselves: Was there really more glamour in the past? This is where La Dolce Vita meets likes, canvas and limoncello.
More paparazzi alerts can be found here
- 8 reasons why Bella Italia is especially beautiful in winter
- City quiz: Milan, Florence or Rome?
- Attention, rip-off: The tourist traps in Rome
- Insider tip: This is what awaits you in Puglia!
- GAY FRIENDLY travel in Italy: Benvenuti!
- Why is everyone in Italy a dottore?
- Nudism: What is allowed in Italy?
- Dolce Vita: Lifestyle & Everyday Life in Italy
- Social media: trends and stars in Italy
- Cult stars "Umarells": How Italy's pensioners became famous
- Cult on wheels! The birth of the Vespa
- Made for Italy: the mission...
- Spaghetti facts: Hard facts about the long pasta
- Hotels in Italy: This is what is stolen most often!
