by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Nov 9, 2020 | Italy, The Daily Mail
We’re all of the same mind. Then, as we step out of our hotel on the Piazza del Duomo, one of us says: ‘I hope they think we live here.’ That’s because I’m travelling with two girlfriends and have promised to show them the lesser known sights of this fabulous...
by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Feb 5, 2020 | Italy, The Daily Mail
Stop, I can’t climb any higher,’ I explained. ‘But I can’t leave you here on your own,’ our guide replied, ‘there are bears and wolves in this area.’ He assured me the view would be worthwhile, so I clambered up the last steps...
by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Jan 25, 2019 | Italy, The Daily Mail
The build up to the oldest horse race in the world in Siena is just as exciting as the main event. A grandstand seat, an invitation to a horse blessing, a private visit to a contrada museum and the chance to attend a pre-race banquet. These are all on the menu as I...
by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Jan 1, 2017 | Italia Magazine, Italy
I had always wanted to visit San Gimignano in Tuscany. Known as “Medieval Manhattan” and “The City of the Beautiful Towers”, it had been on my list of places to visit for a long time. Now finally I was heading through the Tuscan countryside waiting with bated breath...
by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Apr 27, 2016 | Italy, The Daily Mail
In search for the saint: On the spectacular trail of St Francis in his home city of Assisi (basilicas and pregnant statuettes included) Saints are meant to be, well, saintly. So when I heard about Saint Francis throwing himself into the rose bushes to quell his...
by Jane Keightley - Mrs K | Aug 4, 2014 | Italia Magazine, Italy
Described by Honoré de Balzac as “a pearl, enclosed by the green treasure chest of the Piemontese hills”, Orta is one of the smallest of the Italian lakes, and the only one to lie entirely in Piedmont. The main attractions, apart from the beautiful scenery, are the...