When I visited Bhutan on assignment 15 years ago, I didn’t encounter many tourists. The country had been open to visitors since 1974, but prohibitively high entry fees (at the time, at least $200 a day – including food, guides and accommodation – plus a government surcharge of $65) meant that only those with a … Read more
MILAN — Recharge your batteries and enjoy a relaxing summer vacation, because the cinematic back-to-school and red carpet events promise to be intense. When organizers of the 81st Venice International Film Festival announced the event’s program on Tuesday, film fans and fashion lovers alike were high on anticipation for the upcoming edition, which runs from … Read more
My first impressions of Venice as I leave the Ponte della Libertà, the bridge spanning the lagoon from La Serenissima to the Domini di Terraferma, are not very promising, as I drive past the giant refineries of the mainland’s petrochemical industry, then the immense skeleton of a mega-cruise ship under construction in vast maritime shipyards. … Read more
“I don’t use the word ‘represent’ because I can’t represent Australia,” says softly spoken Indigenous artist Archie Moore, recovering after the packed opening of the Australian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. “I can’t even represent all Aboriginal people – because we are not a homogenous group. That is why I choose to simply say that … Read more
Hundreds of excited, high-flying international arts players, a strange culture minister and a few CIAO-barking celebrities cram onto a sinking island… what could go wrong? That film played out last week as the Venice Biennale – now in its 60th year and the world’s longest-running, preeminent contemporary art festival – opened after a Spritz-infused preview … Read more
Luisa Casati was an Italian heiress, muse and patroness of the arts in early 20th century Europe – Corbis Historical As another peachy Bellini-colored sunset begins to dissolve the stones and bricks of Venice into light and water, I, as regal as I can on a black-painted gondola, miss a crucial element: a living cheetah … Read more
Cruising makes it easy to travel from Italy to Croatia – Alamy Stock Photo Since the days of the Grand Tour, Italy – and its glorious, indulgent way of life – has been a favorite haunt of British travellers. But make no mistake: this is not just one destination. Rather, it is a series of … Read more
On the top floor of Ca’ Rezzonico you can see the frescoes of Giandomenico Tiepolo’s private villa – Alamy Venice has always been a busy city. There were complaints about the noise and crowds centuries ago. Although I love the place today, the sheer number of other visitors can be troublesome. Unless you know how … Read more
Cruise ships shift their routes from Dubrovnik (pictured) to the nearby city of Split – Getty/iStock As opposition to cruise ships refuses to subside in some of Europe’s most popular ports, the region’s cruise map is being subtly redrawn as companies look for alternative stops. Norwegian Cruise Line announced this week that it would stop … Read more