A quiet escape in Italy

RIOMAGGIORE, Italy - Far from the spinning postcard racks, the camera-wielding tour groups, the blare of the train whistle and the lyrical background noise of everyday Italy - far from everything, but not too far - there is silence. In this Mediterranean seaside village, one of five towns that make up Cinque Terre, the silence fills an alley so narrow you can touch both walls with outstretched hands. There is no one around, no birds or airplanes above, no white noise, no Vespa scooters with their ubiquitous rumble. It is a moment to stand, be still and absorb.

Passion for all things Italian

Ravelli wines are produced in two stunning areas of Italy: the vineyards of the Veneto near Venice and in the beautiful region of Chianti. A taste of Ravelli will remind you of some of the delights of Italy, like the beautiful city of Venice, where shimmering water replaces the roads and authentic trattorias selling tasty local dishes are found on every corner. Ravelli is a taste of the spirit of Italy, captured in a delicious range which includes the ruby red Ravelli Rosso delle Venezie with hints of currants and violets and Ravelli Bianco, a refreshing white with juicy apple flavours.

Italy Travel Tip: Where to Eat Cheap in Italy

Where can you get great food for a song, combined with free entertainment and the chance to buy local handicrafts? Try a sagra. We've just returned from a medieval festival called "Anno Domini 1100" in the Little Lunigiana village of Castello di Regnano, a place we wouldn't have discovered at all if we hadn't read the signs along the highway noting the festival they hold in the medieval hilltown near the via Francigena pilgrimage route.

Travel Guru's Top Tips for Italy

Can you fall head over heels in love with a city? If Rome were a woman, she'd seduce you with her ageless beauty, mysterious secrets and her zest for life. If Rome were a man, he'd embrace you with his majestic strength, enduring artistry and romantic charm. It's a potent combination of romance, relics and ruins that makes Italy one of the top 3 Western European destinations for Americans.