Travel slow in Italy and stay in Orvieto

The cathedral of Orvieto is one of the architectural and artistic highlights of Italy but there is more to be enjoyed in this Umbrian town than the usual rushed tour-party itineraries allow.

The piazza around the duomo gets busy around midday as coach-loads of tourists and school groups swarm around the famous church.

But once they have moved on - to Rome or Florence - the town returns to its usual peaceful elegance and travellers clever enough to stay a night or a week can enjoy a real Italian treasure.

Free and inexpensive things to do in 15 European countries

Italy: Your secret weapon against high hotel prices in Italy is www.rentalo.com, an online directory of apartments and villas that makes it possible for couples, groups of friends and even large families to afford Italy. Rome apartments for $133 a night, Venice villas for $435 a night, a Tuscany farmhouse for $110 a night or an Umbria castle apartment for $144 a night -- they're all there, complete with all the fantasy views, historic charm and all the modern comforts you could desire.

Italian city of Milan to host 2015 Expo

Officials for the Paris-based International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) said Milan defeated the western Turkish city of Izmir by 86 votes to 65, dashing Turkish hopes of hosting the world's biggest fair for the first time.

Milan triumphed despite ailing flag carrier Alitalia's decision to slash flights at the northern city's Malpensa airport under a survival plan and an international scare over mozzarella cheese potentially tainted with cancer-causing dioxin.

The decision in favor of Milan, home of Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire head of Italy's centre-right opposition, comes just two weeks ahead of a snap national election.