Are you an Aussie looking at travelling to Italy ?

Often overlooked by travellers, Ancona, Italy is a hidden gem on the Adriatic coast. Steeped in history, boasting beautiful beaches, and serving as a gateway to Croatia, Ancona is perfect for Australians looking to explore a lesser-known side of Italy. Whether you’re a foodie, a history lover, or a coastal adventurer, Ancona has something unique to offer. A Brief History of Ancona Ancona’s history stretches back over 2,500 years. Founded as a Greek colony around 387 BC, it became an important Roman port due to its strategic position on the Adriatic Sea. Throughout the centuries, it thrived as a trading hub, connecting Italy to the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Today, Ancona’s mix of Roman ruins, medieval architecture, and Renaissance landmarks tells the story of a city shaped by commerce, culture, and the sea. Key historical highlights: • Ancona Cathedral (San Ciriaco) – Built in the 11th century on a hill overlooking the Adriatic, blending Romanesque and Byzantine influences. • Medieval Arco di Traiano (Arch of Trajan) – A Roman triumphal arch built in 115 AD, celebrating Emperor Trajan’s achievements. • Historic Port – Still active today, it has been a vital trade and ferry hub for over 2,000 years. Why Visit Ancona? • Historic Landmarks: From Roman arches to hilltop cathedrals, Ancona offers rich cultural experiences. • Seaside Charm: Relax on nearby beaches or stroll along the Adriatic promenade. • Authentic Cuisine: Taste fresh seafood, local Marche wines, and traditional dishes like vincisgrassi lasagna and truffles. • Gateway to Croatia: Ancona’s port connects Italy with Split and Dubrovnik, perfect for a multi-country Adriatic adventure. Day Trips from Ancona 1. Loreto (30 km / 40 min by train or car) Loreto is a spiritual and historic treasure, famous for the Basilica della Santa Casa, a major Catholic pilgrimage site. Top things to do in Loreto: • Visit the Basilica della Santa Casa and admire its Renaissance architecture. • Wander the historic streets lined with artisan shops and cafés. • Climb to viewpoints for panoramic views of the surrounding hills and Adriatic coast. 2. Ferry to Croatia Ancona is the ideal gateway to the Dalmatian coast: • Take a ferry to Split or Dubrovnik for a day trip or longer stay. • Enjoy port-side seafood and watch ferries navigate the Adriatic. • Explore the Croatian coast and return to Ancona (or overnight in Croatia for extended exploration). Things to Do in and Around Ancona • Ancona Cathedral (San Ciriaco): Hilltop Romanesque cathedral with sweeping Adriatic views. • Passetto Beach & Lighthouse: Walk cliffside steps to hidden beaches and historic lighthouse. • National Archaeological Museum of the Marche: Explore Etruscan, Roman, and medieval artifacts. • Mount Conero: Hike trails through cliffs, forests, and beaches along the Conero Riviera. • Piazza del Plebiscito: Relax in the main square with cafés and gelaterias, watching daily Italian life. Quick Travel Guide: Train Times and Distances from Ancona Destination Distance from Ancona Approx. Train Time Notes Loreto 30 km 40 min Regional trains; perfect for a half-day or full-day trip Croatia (Split/Dubrovnik ferry) 0 km 3–10 hrs Ferries depart daily; book in advance in summer Mount Conero 20 km 30–40 min by bus/car Ideal for hiking and beach lovers Ancona city centre – – Base for exploring the Adriatic coast Suggested 3-Day Itinerary for Australians in Ancona Day 1: Explore Ancona • Morning: Climb to Ancona Cathedral for panoramic Adriatic views. • Lunch: Try local seafood at a harbour-side trattoria. • Afternoon: Visit the National Archaeological Museum of the Marche. • Evening: Stroll along Piazza del Plebiscito and the promenade; enjoy gelato. Day 2: Day Trip to Loreto • Morning: Take a train or drive (~40 min) to Loreto. • Explore the Basilica della Santa Casa and historic streets. • Lunch: Sample local Marche cuisine in a small café. • Afternoon: Visit nearby viewpoints for sweeping panoramas. • Evening: Return to Ancona for dinner. Day 3: Ferry Adventure to Croatia • Morning: Board a ferry to Split or Dubrovnik (book in advance). • Spend the day exploring Croatian towns, waterfronts, and local markets. • Evening: Return to Ancona (or stay overnight in Croatia to extend your journey). Why Australians Should Explore Ancona • Authentic Italian Experience: Fewer tourists, more local culture. • Rich History: From Roman ports to medieval cathedrals. • Scenic Coastline: Beaches, cliffs, and Adriatic vistas. • Perfect Base for Day Trips: Loreto, Mount Conero, and Croatia are all accessible. • Gastronomy: Seafood, wine, and regional Marche specialties. For Australians seeking an off-the-beaten-path Italian adventure, Ancona offers history, coastal beauty, and access to both Italian and Croatian highlights — a perfect combination of culture, cuisine, and adventure.

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Seeing Italy Differently: An Aussie Traveller’s Guide to Experiencing Italy Beyond the Guidebooks When Australians think of Italy, the usual images come to mind: the Colosseum in Rome, gondolas in Venice, and Michelangelo’s David in Florence. And yes, these landmarks are incredible but if you want to experience Italy like a local, it’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about seeing, tasting, and feeling Italy from a different perspective. Here’s what I’ve learned from travelling through Italy with intention and how fellow Australians can do the same: 1. Slow Down and Discover Hidden Gems Italy is full of charming villages, quiet piazzas, and local markets that most tourists miss. I’ve wandered through Tuscan hill towns or Amalfi Coast lanes early in the morning and felt a world away from the crowds. Tip for Aussies: explore towns before 10 am or after 4 pm for the most authentic, peaceful experience – really do not suggest you stay in Amalfi (stay in Sorrento) too busy and very expensive ! 2. Immerse Yourself in Authentic Italian Experiences Forget rushing from museum to museum. Cooking classes in Bologna, wine tastings in Piedmont, or artisanal olive oil tours in Umbria bring you closer to Italian culture than any landmark ever could. Insider tip: choose small, family-run experiences… the stories, techniques, and connections are priceless. 3. Travel With Flexibility Some of the best memories happen when you leave room for the unexpected. Detour to a vineyard, linger at a street-side café, or hop on a regional train to a nearby village. Tip: Australians often love planning everything, but allowing spontaneity can turn your trip into something magical….allow time for this to happen 4. Engage All Your Senses Italy is a full-sensory experience. Listen to street music, smell fresh pastries at the morning market, touch centuries-old architecture, and taste everything from a perfectly pulled espresso to hand-made pasta. Tip: ask locals for their favourite spots as it’s often where you’ll find the most authentic flavours. 5. Connect With the People, Not Just the Places The most unforgettable experiences often come from the people you meet. Chat with a market vendor, share a bottle of wine with locals, or learn a recipe from a grandmother in her kitchen. Tip: say yes to invitations, small detours, and conversations as it’s where Italy truly comes alive for Aussie travellers. 5 Unusual Italian Experiences Australians Will Love: 1. Truffle Hunting in Piedmont or Tuscany Hunt for this elusive delicacy with local experts and their dogs, then enjoy tasting it fresh. 2. Stay on a Wine Estate in Umbria Wake up among vineyards, take part in the harvest if in season, and sip wine straight from the barrel. 3. Explore Venice’s Hidden Islands Skip the crowds and visit Torcello or San Francesco del Deserto for serenity and history. 4. Cooking with Nonna in a Village Kitchen Learn authentic pasta-making from local grandmothers and hear centuries-old stories. 5. Florence Food & Cooking week Ask us at Aussie2italia about our new micro tour - a week in Florence experiencing food wine including having lessons making a traditional Florence dinner….and so much more ! Italy isn’t just a place to visit it’s a country that changes how you see the world. For Australians, the beauty is in connecting with the people, the food, and the rhythms of life, not just ticking off landmarks. If you want your trip to leave a mark beyond photos and souvenirs plan experiences that let you see Italy differently. With a little thought, flexibility, and curiosity, Italy will reward you with memories that stay with you forever.

Some destinations are beautiful. Some destinations have great food. Some destinations have incredible history. Italy somehow manages to have all three and then adds something else entirely: atmosphere. It’s the feeling you get sitting in a small piazza as the sun goes down. The sound of church bells echoing through a village. The smell of fresh pizza and coffee drifting out of a tiny restaurant that’s been run by the same family for generations. Italy isn’t just a place you visit. It’s a place you feel. The Magic Happens in the Everyday Moments People often imagine Italy through its famous icons the Colosseum in Rome, the canals of Venice, the art of Florence, the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. And yes, those places are extraordinary. But what travellers remember most are often the small, unexpected moments: • Getting lost in a quiet street and discovering a bakery making focaccia fresh from the oven • Sitting at a tiny café with locals chatting around you • Tasting wine in a Tuscan village where the owner explains the history of the vineyard • Watching the sunset over a lake or coastline while the town slowly comes alive for dinner These are the moments that stay with you long after the trip ends. Every Region Feels Like a Different Country One of the reasons Italy keeps drawing travellers back is that it never feels like one single destination. Travel a few hours and everything changes. In the north you find dramatic lakes, alpine scenery and elegant towns. In Tuscany the landscape softens into rolling hills, vineyards and medieval villages. Along the coast the Mediterranean becomes the centre of life—boats, seafood, beaches and pastel-coloured towns clinging to cliffs. Then there’s Rome, where history surrounds you at every turn. Italy has a remarkable ability to constantly surprise travellers. The Secret to Experiencing Italy Properly Many travellers try to see too much. They rush from city to city, ticking famous sights off a list. But Italy rewards those who slow down. Stay longer in fewer places. Wander without a strict plan. Take time for long lunches, evening strolls and conversations with locals. Italy is not a destination to race through. It’s a destination to savour. Why Italy Keeps Calling People Back Talk to anyone who has travelled to Italy and you’ll often hear the same thing: "I want to go back." Because Italy isn’t a place you ever feel finished with. There’s always another village to explore, another region to discover, another meal you’ll be talking about for years. And that’s the real magic of Italy. It doesn’t just give you a holiday. It gives you memories that stay with you forever. Aussie2Italia Helping Australians experience Italy beyond the guidebook. 🇮🇹✈️

whether it’s economic uncertainty, global politics, or conflict like the current situation in the Middle East we see the same reaction from travellers. People pause. They metaphorically pull the blankets over their heads and wait. And that response is completely human. When uncertainty hits, the first instinct is often to stop making decisions and see what happens next. But here’s what years in the travel industry has taught me: Travel never stops. It just pauses for a moment. Then it surges.(bigger and better) The “Pause and Surge” Pattern in Travel Whenever there’s uncertainty in the world, travellers go through a predictable cycle. First comes the pause. People stop booking while they watch the news and wait for clarity. Then something interesting happens. People realise life is still moving, holidays are still needed, and those long-dreamed-of trips to Italy, France or Greece are still important. So they start planning again. And when they do, everyone starts planning at the same time. When Demand Comes Back, It Comes Back Fast The travel industry runs on availability. Hotels only have so many rooms. Boutique villas only have so many weeks available. Small group tours only run on certain dates. The best local guides and experiences get booked months sometimes a year ahead. So when travellers come out from under those blankets and start planning again, the best places and experiences disappear quickly. This is especially true in places like Italy where: • Boutique hotels are small • Villas are booked season by season • The most authentic experiences (the ones you want) have limited availability We see it every year. People wait… and then suddenly everyone wants the same July villa in Tuscany or the same lakefront hotel on Lake Como. Planning Early Isn’t About Panic - It’s About Choice Planning early doesn’t mean committing blindly or ignoring what’s happening in the world. It simply means securing your options while they exist. Many bookings today offer flexibility, but availability doesn’t come back once it’s gone. When you plan early you get: • The best locations • The best rooms and views • The best guides and experiences • Travel dates that actually suit you • The best cost Waiting often means choosing from what’s left, becoming desperate and paying more for less The Reality: Travel Is One of Life’s Priorities After the past few years, people have realised something important: Travel isn’t just a luxury. It’s connection. It’s time with family. It’s experiences that stay in your memory for decades. And those moments-watching the sunset over the Amalfi Coast, tasting wine in a small Tuscan village, or wandering the streets of Florence don’t lose their importance because the world feels uncertain for a while. If anything, they become more valuable. My Advice Right Now If Italy is on your list for the next year or two, start planning the framework now. You don’t need every detail immediately. But locking in key locations and dates ensures you don’t miss out when everyone else suddenly decides it’s time to travel again. Because they will. They always do. And when that moment comes, the best trips will already be taken. Aussie2Italia Helping Australians experience Italy beyond the guidebook.

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Italy is a country that lives through its food. From fresh pasta in Tuscany to seafood on the Amalfi Coast, every region has a culinary story to tell. And the best way to truly connect with Italy isn’t just eating - it’s cooking alongside the locals who make it. Cooking experiences in Italy are more than just classes - they’re cultural immersion. They give travellers a hands-on way to experience daily life, taste authentic ingredients, and take a piece of Italy home in every dish they make. Why Cooking Experiences Work So Well in Italy 1. Local and Authentic – Instead of generic cooking classes, these experiences often take place in family homes, small trattorias, or boutique farms. You learn recipes passed down through generations. 2. Hands-On Learning – Making pasta, kneading dough, or crafting the perfect tiramisu gives a tangible connection to Italian culture that no sightseeing alone can provide. 3. Food and Travel Combine – Cooking classes often include trips to local markets, vineyards, or olive groves, letting travellers see where their ingredients come from and learn the stories behind them. Building a Trip Around Cooking Experiences You don’t have to squeeze cooking into a sightseeing schedule - you can make it the focus of your trip. Here’s how to structure it: 1. Pick a region known for its cuisine • Tuscany – Pasta, olive oil, wine, truffles • Emilia-Romagna – Parmesan, balsamic vinegar, handmade tortellini • Amalfi Coast – Seafood, limoncello, fresh citrus desserts • Sicily – Cannoli, arancini, Mediterranean flavours 2. Mix cooking with culture Pair your cooking sessions with short trips to markets, vineyards, or food-producing farms. You get to see how ingredients are grown and harvested, which adds depth to your cooking skills. 3. Stay in culinary-focused accommodations Many boutique hotels or agriturismos (farm stays) in Italy offer in-house cooking workshops or partner with local chefs. This allows travellers to immerse themselves in Italian life while staying in a charming, authentic setting. 4. Create themed days • Morning: Market visit and ingredient selection • Midday: Cooking class with lunch included • Afternoon: Explore the town, enjoy a gelato, or a winery tour • Evening: Relax with the meal you’ve prepared and a local wine 5. Take the experience home One of the best parts of cooking in Italy is bringing those skills back. Recipes, techniques, and even ingredients you pick up make your memories tangible, letting you recreate the Italian experience at home. Why This Focus Works Trips centred around cooking and culinary experiences are immersive, flexible, and memorable. Instead of simply seeing Italy, travellers live it through flavour and culture. It’s also a perfect way to travel slowly, reduce costs by staying longer in one region, and connect with locals in ways that standard tourism can’t offer. Cooking tours aren’t just an activity - they can become the heart of your Italian adventure. And with thoughtful planning, you can structure a trip where every meal, every ingredient, and every technique is part of the journey. Ask us about our new 5 day cooking experience tour in Florence – It is in small groups range and all tours run with 2 or more people. It includes walking food and wine tasting tour, cooking class with learning to cook a traditional Tuscany dinner and a tour out to Tuscany with lunch and Chanti wine tasting …..and more !

There’s a new way people are choosing their next holiday - not from a brochure, but from Netflix. So swap your dinner tray on your knee to sitting in Italy at a local restaurant...... A show captures your imagination. A villa overlooking rolling hills. A dramatic coastal backdrop. A long lunch under lemon trees. And suddenly, you’re not just watching Italy… you’re dreaming of living it. Welcome to Netflix-inspired experience travel in Italy - where you don’t just visit locations, you step into the story. Sicily: The White Lotus Effect Few shows have influenced travel quite like The White Lotus. Filmed in the breathtaking town of Taormina, the series showcased the iconic San Domenico Palace, Taormina perched above the Ionian Sea. Since its release, Sicily has seen a surge in travellers wanting: • Luxury stays with cinematic views • Private boat charters around Isola Bella • Guided tours of the ancient Teatro Antico di Taormina • Long, indulgent Sicilian dinners overlooking the water But beyond the glamour, Sicily offers something deeper to the tourist an authenticity, layered history, and a slower rhythm of life. Food, Culture & Connection Netflix and streaming platforms have also reignited our love affair with Italian cuisine. In Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy, Stanley Tucci explores regional food traditions from Roman pasta to Sicilian street food - showing that Italian cuisine is hyper-local, deeply personal, and tied to family. Inspired travellers are now asking for: • Market tours with local chefs • Pasta-making classes in Bologna • Truffle hunting in Piedmont • Wine blending sessions in Tuscany • Olive harvest experiences in Puglia This is no longer “dinner with a view.” It’s cooking in a farmhouse kitchen. It’s tasting wine with the vineyard owner. It’s understanding why each region tastes different. Tuscany: Romance & Reinvention The romantic dream of rural Italy lives on thanks to Under the Tuscan Sun. Set around Cortona, it fuelled the desire for: • Private villa stays • Countryside cycling • Long vineyard lunches • Tuscan cooking schools Similarly, Call Me by Your Name showcased the soft beauty of northern Italy’s countryside - inspiring slow summer itineraries with lakeside swims, quiet piazzas, and local trattorias. Tuscany isn’t about rushing. It’s about settling in. Italian Glamour: Milan, Lake Como & Rome If fashion and elegance are more your style, Netflix has you covered. House of Gucci highlighted the sophistication of Milan and the grandeur of Lake Como. Travellers inspired by this world are seeking: • Designer shopping experiences • Private boat transfers across Lake Como • Luxury historic hotels • Personal styling sessions Meanwhile, Eat Pray Love reminded us why Rome and Naples are essential stops - pizza in Naples, gelato in Rome, and embracing the art of dolce far niente. Historical Drama & Cinematic Backdrops History lovers have also been drawn in by Netflix dramas. Medici brought Renaissance Florence to life, sparking renewed interest in private art tours and in-depth storytelling experiences in Florence. No Time to Die showcased the dramatic stone city of Matera - now one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations for travellers wanting something unique and visually spectacular. Even romance plays its part, with Letters to Juliet drawing couples to Verona for Juliet’s balcony and wine-filled countryside escapes. Why Streaming Has Changed Travel Streaming has shifted expectations. Travellers no longer want: • Generic tours • Rushed itineraries • Surface-level sightseeing • Or 40 people on a bus creating your own crowd wherever you go ! They want: • Immersion • Storytelling • Local connection • Hands-on experiences They want to walk the same cobblestones, taste the same flavours, and wake up to the same views they saw on screen. And Italy delivers this effortlessly. How to Design Your Own “Screen to Scene” Journey A Netflix-inspired Italian itinerary might include: ✨ 3 nights in Taormina at a clifftop luxury hotel ✨ Private Sicilian cooking class in a local home ✨ A Tuscan villa stay with wine tastings ✨ Lake Como boat day with lakeside lunch ✨ After-hours access to Renaissance art in Florence ✨ A pizza-making experience in Naples ✨ A sunset Vespa tour through Rome The key is balance - combining iconic filming locations with authentic local experiences that go beyond what’s shown on screen. Italy has always been cinematic. Netflix simply reminded the world. The beauty of experience travel is that it turns inspiration into reality. You don’t just watch the sunset over Sicily - you’re there. You don’t just see Tuscan vineyards on your screen - you’re walking through them. So next time you’re watching Italy from your couch, ask yourself: Is it time to press pause… and book the ticket instead?

There was a time when travel was about ticking boxes. See the landmark. Take the photo. Move on. But today, travellers are craving something deeper. They don’t just want to see a place — they want to feel it, taste it, participate in it, and connect with it. So why has travel shifted from sightseeing to experience? Because experiences change us - neurologically, emotionally, and socially. The Shift: From Observing to Participating Traditional travel was observational. You stood in front of the Colosseum. You walked through a museum. You admired the view. Experience travel is participatory. You make pasta with a nonna. You harvest olives on a family farm. You sail along the coast with a local skipper. You share stories over a long Italian lunch. And that participation changes everything. The Science Behind Experience Travel 🧠 When we engage in hands-on experiences, our brains respond differently than when we simply observe. Here’s why: Multi-Sensory Engagement Strengthens Memory When you cook in Italy, you: • Smell fresh basil • Feel the texture of dough • Hear stories in another language • Taste the final dish • See the countryside around you This multi-sensory input activates multiple regions of the brain simultaneously. The more senses involved, the stronger the neural connections formed. In simple terms? You don’t just remember it - you embed it. That’s why you might forget the name of a monument… but never forget the day you made pasta in Tuscany. Novel Experiences Build New Neural Pathways Our brains are wired for novelty. When we step outside routine - navigating a market in Sicily, learning a new skill, speaking another language - the brain creates new neural pathways. This process, known as neuroplasticity, strengthens cognitive flexibility and emotional memory. Experiential travel stimulates: • Curiosity • Problem-solving • Adaptability • Emotional awareness It literally makes your brain more active and engaged. Shared Experiences Deepen Human Connection There’s powerful neuroscience behind shared moments. When people experience something meaningful together - like: • A sunset boat ride • A cooking class • A wine harvest • A local festival The brain releases oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone.” Shared novelty + emotional engagement = stronger relationships. That’s why couples reconnect on immersive holidays. Why families talk about “that day in Italy” for years. Why friends feel closer after travelling together. It’s not just the destination - it’s the shared story. AND its so 2026 …..people are sharing & connecting with steaming shows ! Emotional Connection Over Visual Consumption Social media initially pushed travel toward visual consumption - the perfect photo. But now, people are moving beyond “Instagrammable” moments. They want: • Authentic conversation • Cultural immersion • Storytelling • Meaning Because connection is what stays with us. When you sit at a long table in a small Italian village, listening to a family tell stories passed down for generations, you are not just a tourist. You are participating in something human and timeless. And that creates emotional memory - the kind that lasts. Why Italy Is Perfect for Experience Travel 🇮🇹 Italy naturally lends itself to experiential travel because its culture is built around: • Food as ritual • Family as foundation • Tradition as identity • Community as lifestyle You don’t “visit” Italy. You join it. Whether it’s: • Rolling pasta dough by hand • Joining the grape harvest • Learning regional recipes • Driving through countryside villages • Celebrating local festivals Italy invites you to participate, not observe. Experiences Create Identity Shifts The most powerful travel experiences don’t just entertain us - they shape how we see ourselves. After immersive travel, people often say: • “I feel different.” • “I’ve slowed down.” • “I want to live differently.” • “I have learnt more about me” That’s because meaningful experiences integrate into our identity. You’re no longer someone who visited Italy. You’re someone who cooked with Italians. Who understands regional wine. Who knows the rhythm of a piazza at sunset. And that identity shift is powerful. Why This Matters More Than Ever In a fast, digital world filled with scrolling and surface interaction, people crave depth. Experience travel offers: • Presence • Sensory richness • Human connection • Personal growth It allows us to step away from autopilot and into awareness. And when we are fully present, our brains encode the moment more deeply. That’s why experience travel doesn’t fade. It lingers. Exploring shows you a place. Experiencing connects you to it. And connection to people, to culture, to yourself…. is what modern travellers are truly seeking. Because at the end of the day, we don’t remember the number of sites we visited. We remember how it felt. And that feeling is what keeps calling us back. 🇮🇹✨