Fall 2025: Best Restaurants, Milan Shopping, Mastrojanni Relais, Ischia Hideaway, Lakes Retreat

Not A Member? Today is the PERFECT day to JOIN Dream of Italy and you will not only receive online access to this issue and more than 200 other issues (and get it in print by mail should you choose).

You will also receive 3 BONUSES including 1) our Limited-Edition Collectible Dream of Italy Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Pin  2) our How to Move to Italy Virtual Workshop  and 3) exclusive extended version (nearly 90 minutes) of the PBS Special: Dream of Italy: Travel, Transform and Thrive — more with Sting in Tuscany and more about moving to Italy than seen in original version. JOIN HERE

Will Detour for Food: 12 Restaurants Worth Going Out of Your Way
Planning a trip? We have a group of favorite places to eat that might just prompt detours in your itinerary. Follow Contributing Writer Kevin Raub as he crisscrosses Italy in search of the country’s most exceptional meals and tables. In northern Italy, Kevin heads to the Slovenian border for a stay at a foodie Paradise and uncovers the must-visit restaurant in Venice and and in the south he tastes what is reported to be Italy’s best pizza (in the heart of the city of Caserta and no, it isn’t Franco Pepe‘s, though we love his pizza) and gets fancier at a Michelin-starred feast of the Amalfi Coast. Don’t miss this must-dine-in-Italy cheat sheet! 

An Insider’s Guide to Vintage Shopping in Milan
I heard about my friend Laura Morelli’s vintage shopping spree in Milan (she got some great pieces and deals) and begged her to spill the beans with you, dear reader. Did you know you can hire your own vintage shopping guide in Milan? Laura and did and uncovered vintage boutiques and markets. She introduces us to everything from couture finds at Cavalli e Nastri to bargains at Humana

A Wine-Filled Escape at Mastrojanni Relais
At Mastrojanni Relais, I experienced firsthand how wine, design and sustainability come together in the heart of Montalcino, one of the most picturesque corners on Earth. Guided by the organic philosophy of Francesco Illy, the estate celebrates Brunello at its purest: from tastings of their powerful wines to evenings overlooking the vineyards, this restored hamlet blends authentic Tuscan character with understated luxury. Start with spending a few days at the majestic Relais with two vineyards, Tuscany’s most stunning tasting patio and a beach-club-like wine bar ready for you to enjoy! 

Casa Via Costa: A Serene Dream of Ischia
When I heard Jeff Di Costanzo’s story of leaving a big tech career to rebuild his family’s home on Ischia, I had to see it for myself. On the sun-soaked western coast, Casa Via Costa is a design-forward boutique hideaway surrounded by rosemary, lemon trees and sea breezes. It blends sustainability, simplicity and breathtaking sea views: a love letter to island life and slow living.

A Sweet Lakeside Escape on Lago di Annone
I stumbled upon the quiet shores of little-known Lake Annone, and it felt like discovering Italy’s best-kept secret. This 10-room retreat called Bianca Relais, just an hour from Milan and Lake Como, offers glassy lake views, private spa suites and Michelin-worthy cuisine, turning this hidden corner of Lombardy into an elegant pause between the Alps and the city.

Dream Day in Italy: Museums and Menus in Prato
Just a short train ride from Florence, Prato offers a refreshing blend of contemporary art and bold cuisine. From the avant-garde collections at Centro Pecci to seafood surprises and Japan-worthy restaurants, Contributing Writer Kevin Raub reveals a Tuscan gem that feels like an entirely different world.

Sign in or Join to download this issue!

Sign inJoin

Members only have immediate access to this new issue and more than 200 back issues on every corner of Italy. Join nowand also receive an invitation to our BONUS How to Move to Italy Virtual Workshop LIVE this January!