A secret passage in Florence's Uffizi gallery was shut down by the fire brigade over safety concerns on Monday, which experts say will cost tour guides tens of thousands of euros.
The general public may soon be able to get a peek at the paintings lining the mysterious Vasari Corridor, which connects Florence’s famed Uffizi gallery to the Pitti Palace via Ponte Vecchio.
Did you know that cannons are fired in Rome to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, or that Italians ski down the slopes bearing flaming torches each Christmas Eve? For details of these and other festive traditions, check out The Local's list.
It's kind when Italians translate menus and signs into English for the benefit of us Anglos, but the result is sometimes hilarious. We've gathered a collection of photos of the most amusing translations.
Whether it’s the stunning natural beauty, the gelato or the abundance of Vespas, for one reason or another many visitors just can’t help falling in love with Italy. Many have taken to Twitter to express their admiration under the hashtag #ILoveItaly. The Local looks at ten of the best.
After a while living in Italy, foreigners may notice a few strange changes in their personality. The Local takes a look at the top ten signs that could indicate you've been here a bit too long.
English-speakers have for years adopted Italian words, including everything from "diva" to "mafia", but now the linguistic tables have turned. The Local takes a look at some of the most common - and most unexpected - English words creeping into the Italian language.
Italians have emigrated the world over and taken their skills with them. But despite this, some jobs can still only be done in Italy. The Local takes a look at the best and the bizarre of those very Italian careers.
From the heel of Italy's boot to the northern economic powerhouse, Italians have been ranking their city mayors. The Local takes a look at the most popular ones in the country and how they are trying to transform their metropolises.
You may think you have mastered the Italian language, only to be stumped when someone starts referring to horses and snakes in day-to-day conversation. The Local has come up with the definitive list of must-know animal sayings.
We've already taken a look at what Italians find off about the Americans, so this week The Local turns the tables to find out what's baffling Americans in Italy.
Many foreigners experience culture shock when moving to a new country - what you might not realize is that it works both ways. The Local's list reveals the top ten things Italians don't understand about Americans.
Italians have a bad reputation when it comes to matters of the heart. Should foreigners steer well clear of Latin lovers, or is the Casanova approach a thing of the past? The Local explores the reasons to - and the reasons not to - date an Italian.
After taking a look at what Italians think of the Brits, The Local has spoken to Brits living in Italy to find out what they really think of their adopted neighbours.
