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Ariela Bankier
Jan 173 min read
The New Tuscany for the Shameless Hedonist 2025 Edition Is Here!
Imagine a place where sun-drenched vineyards stretch to the horizon, the scent of fresh olive oil lingers in the air, and the sound of...


Ariela Bankier
Jan 154 min read
Exploring the Magic of Northern Italy with the 2025 Family Travel Guide to Venice, Verona, Lake Garda, and the Dolomites
Italy has long been one of the world’s most beloved travel destinations—a country where vibrant history, decadent cuisine, and...


Ariela Bankier
Jan 143 min read
Discover the 2025 Florence & Tuscany with Kids Travel Guide
Planning a family trip to Florence and Tuscany? It just got a whole lot easier—and infinitely more inspiring—with the release of the...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 29, 20246 min read
Tuscany Wine Tour – What’s the Best Wine Tour in Tuscany for You: A Tailored Guide to Picking the right Wine Tour in Tuscany for Your Group
Tuscany, with its sun-soaked vineyards and centuries-old winemaking heritage, is a dream destination for wine enthusiasts. Visiting...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 27, 20244 min read
Discover 5 Hidden Gem Villages in Tuscany Off the Beaten Path
Tuscany’s rolling green hills, sun-soaked vineyards, and cobblestone streets have captured the hearts of travelers for centuries. Most...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 26, 20247 min read
8 Must-Try Northern Italian Cheeses
When it comes to cheese, few places in the world can compete with Italy’s unparalleled variety, rich heritage, and masterful...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 12, 20243 min read
Where to Eat in Venice? Three of the Best Homey Restaurants in Venice (Italy), For Those Who Want to Go Off the Beaten Path
Venice Restaurants: It Can Be Tricky to Find a Good One... Venice offers a plethora of exceptional dining options to suit every style and...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 11, 20245 min read
A Food Lover's Guide to the Best Foods to Eat in Tuscany
Tuscany is a feast for the senses, a region where rolling hills meet medieval towns, and every bite tells a story. For lovers of Italian...


Ariela Bankier
Dec 7, 20244 min read
5 Tasty Treats Any Foodie Should Try When Visiting Tuscany
Tuscany, in my opinion, is a paradise for food lovers. I've been living here for 20 years, and I'm still in love with the local dishes!...


Ariela Bankier
Nov 11, 20243 min read
Venice Shopping Guide: What Are the Best Souvenirs to Buy in Venice?
When you think of Venice, Italy, images of gondolas gliding through canals and the enchanting beauty of the Grand Canal likely come to...


Ariela Bankier
Oct 27, 20248 min read
Answering the Most Common Questions About Italian Wine (part 1)
Over the years, I’ve been asked the same wine-related questions time and time again—whether by travelers on my wine tours or by my...


Ariela Bankier
Oct 13, 20247 min read
Venice with kids: Ten Family-friendly Things to See and Do in Venice with Your Kids
Venice family vacation: Plan it the smart way! When people think of traveling to Italy, the enchanting city of Venice often comes to...


Ariela Bankier
Oct 2, 20244 min read
The Firenze Card for Families Visiting Florence with Kids: Is It a Good Deal?
The Firenze Card in Florence, Italy: Advantages and Disadvantages When visiting the beautiful city of Florence, Italy, tourists often...


Ariela Bankier
Sep 29, 20246 min read
Venice with kids: 7 Tips To Make Your Life Easier When Visiting Venice as a Family
Consistently celebrated as one of the world’s most captivating cities, Venice is famed for its breathtaking monuments and unique...


Ariela Bankier
Sep 24, 20242 min read
The Da Vinci Museum in Tuscany: Where Should You Go?
Leonardo da Vinci truly embodies the spirit of the Renaissance—a brilliant painter, inventor, engineer, and so much more. Across Italy,...


Ariela Bankier
Sep 12, 20243 min read
The Saturnia Hot Springs (Saturnia Thermal Baths): Location, Opening Hours and a Review
One of the most renowned thermal springs in Tuscany is the Saturnia Hot Springs (also known in Italian as Cascate del Mulino, Cascate del...


Ariela Bankier
Sep 8, 20243 min read
Understanding the New UGA (Unità Geografiche Aggiuntive) Classification in Tuscany for Chianti Wine
When discussing wine, the term “terroir” often arises, referring to the unique blend of natural elements that shape a wine’s...


Ariela Bankier
Sep 1, 20244 min read
Chianti Wine Explained: What is Chianti Wine from Tuscany and Which Bottles Should You buy?
In recent years, Chianti has made a remarkable comeback in Tuscany. Once burdened by a poor reputation—justifiably so, given its...


Ariela Bankier
Aug 31, 20242 min read
Hiking with Alpacas Near Lake Garda
For those of you who have read my guidebook, V enice, Verona, Lake Garda, and the Dolomites with Kids 2024 , you may have noticed my...


Ariela Bankier
Aug 31, 20243 min read
Visiting the Santa Corona Sanctuary near Verona
In my recently updated my travel guide, " Venice & Veneto for the Shameless Hedonist 2024 ," I included a new tip about one of my...
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