Travel Planning Specialist
Marco Bianchi
Marco, from Naples, spent a decade as a travel consultant, mastering itineraries across Italy's regions.
- Writing about travel
- 9+ years
- Covers
- Rail travel routes across Italy, Family‑friendly hotels, Regional transport passes, Seasonal events calendar
- Languages
- it
Stories by Marco Bianchi
· 5 min read
Christmas, New Year and the Befana in Italy 2026: Dates, Food and Fireworks Rules
Lentils and cotechino at midnight, fireworks bans in many cities, and the Befana on 6 January.
· 10 min read
Milan Christmas Markets 2026: Oh Bej! Oh Bej!, Duomo Market & Dates
The Duomo market, the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! fair at the Sforza Castle, the trees and when to go in 2026
· 10 min read
South Tyrol & Trentino Christmas Markets 2026: Bolzano, Merano, Bressanone, Trento
Dates, opening hours and train links for northern Italy's Alpine Christmas markets
· 10 min read
San Gregorio Armeno, Naples' Christmas Alley: Nativity Street Guide 2026
The street of nativity-scene workshops, when to go, what to buy and the Cuciniello presepe at San Martino
· 10 min read
Venice Carnival 2027: Dates, Key Events, Masks & Crowd Tips
23 January to 9 February 2027: the water parade, the Festa delle Marie, the mask contest and how to plan
· 9 min read
How to Get from Sicily to Sardinia: Ferry, Flights & Routes
The weekly Palermo–Cagliari ferry, direct flights from Palermo and Catania, and the route via Naples
· 10 min read
Skiing in Cortina d'Ampezzo 2026–27: Ski Areas, Passes & the Olympic Run
The Tofane, Cinque Torri, Lagazuoi and Faloria, which pass to buy, and how to get there without a car
· 4 min read
Italy on a Budget
Realistic daily costs in Italy and practical ways to save on beds, food, trains and museums.
· 4 min read
Driving in Italy: ZTL Zones, Parking and Road Rules for Visitors
What limited traffic zones are, how to avoid camera fines in historic centres, how Italian parking and motorway tolls work, and which documents to carry.
· 5 min read
Cinque Terre Hiking: Sentiero Azzurro Sections, Via dell'Amore and Trail Closures
How the Cinque Terre trail network fits together, which coastal sections need a card or booking, and what to do when the Blue Trail is closed.
· 4 min read
Trastevere, Rome: A Neighborhood Guide to Churches, Views and Evenings
What to see in Trastevere, from its medieval churches and Raphael frescoes to the Janiculum viewpoint, plus how to get there and what to expect at night.
· 4 min read
Assisi: A Visitor's Guide to the Places of St Francis and St Clare
The churches, sanctuaries and hermitages in and around Assisi connected with Francis and Clare, how to visit them respectfully, and how to plan one or two days.