Roberta Bianchi
Cultural & Design Specialist
Latest from Roberta Bianchi
20 Articles
Star Wars Destinations in Italy: Villa del Balbianello, Beauty Suspended on Lake Como
When in 2002 George Lucas chose Villa del Balbianello, on Lake Como, as the setting for a scene in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones, framing the rom
The Town That Refuses to Disappear: Visiting Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
In that part of Italy where every hilltop and every valley seems to hold a hidden wonder, there is a village as extraordinary as it is fragile. We are about 120
Why One Day in Val d’Orcia Is Never Enough
Spending just one day in Val d’Orcia feels both like a privilege and a small frustration, considering how much there is to see and do in this beautiful corner o
Skiathos: My One-Week Itinerary in Search of a Quintessential Greece
I chose Skiathos with a very specific idea of Greece in mind. I was looking for something quintessential Greek —clear water, recognizable beaches, strong Medite
Chesil Beach: Walking the Edge of Time on England’s Jurassic Coast
Chesil Beach is the heart of the Jurassic Coast, and without question my favorite place in this extraordinary corner of southern England. Here, the sea meets so
Crossing from Cambodia to Vietnam by Boat down the Mekong: a Cinematic Experience
If your travels in Southeast Asia ever take you from Cambodia to Vietnam, you have three options to cross the border: by plane, by car, or by the method that, f
Iron, Water, and Smoke: the Birthplaces of the Industrial Revolution along the River Severn
Defying overtourism, I spent last summer in the very heart of England, between Birmingham and the River Severn—my favorite river for both beauty and history. Mo
Running the Land: Following the UTMB Trails Through Chianti
There’s an excellent way to explore new places and appreciate them through a very special lens: trail and ultra trail running. Beyond the obvious appeal—moving
A Temple Enshrined in the Mountain: Discovering the Valadier Temple
An unexpected flower set into the mountain: this is how I like to describe the Valadier Temple, a marvel for which the label hidden gem could not be more approp
Phnom Penh in a Day: Exploring Cambodia’s Capital by Tuk Tuk
Phnom Penh doesn’t reveal itself all at once. It doesn’t overwhelm you, it doesn’t show off, it doesn’t try to impress with special effects. You have to enter i
The Garden of Ninfa: A Lost City, a Wild Garden, and One of Italy’s Best-Kept Secrets Just One Hour from Rome
If Rome is a must-see on any trip to Italy, very few travelers have the initiative to venture just beyond the capital to discover the extraordinary hidden gems
A Must-Know When Driving Around the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: River Crossings
The southwest corner of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula rewards curiosity—but only if you’re willing to accept a bit of friction. Traveling from San Francisco de
Between Bologna and Florence: Inside Italy’s Via degli Dei Trail
The Via degli Dei, a 130-km route that can be walked or cycled, crosses the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in central Italy, a region that remains largely untamed—ro
How I Learned to Feel Like a Bristolian, One Mood at a Time | Part 1
I stayed in Bristol for almost a month, in the middle of summer. Long enough to stop behaving like a visitor, but not so long that the city became background no
At the Birthplace of Thai Massage: Wat Pho, History, and the Art of Well-Being
Bangkok is a city that overwhelms and fascinates at the same time: golden temples, constant traffic, street food aromas, and an energy that never seems to slow
A Night and a Day in Huế: Inside the Citadel, Around the Walls
Huế is positioned exactly where it is to impress—and it worked on me immediately. I arrived at the edge of the city at night, when the gates of the Citadel appe
A Mystic Canoe Ride Through Trà Sư Cajuput Forest, Vietnam: Silence, Water, and Lotus Flowers
If you’re looking for an experience in Vietnam that goes beyond temples, bustling cities, and mountain landscapes, there’s a place where nature truly takes cent
Florence in Spring: Light, Stone, and the Return of Color
Spring in Florence feels immediate and unmistakable. It is, without question, the city’s most rewarding season—and the high amount of visitors confirms it. The
Two Free Stunning Gardens, One Perfect View: Florence’s Seasonal Escape
Florence has a very public side. Churches, museums, queues, masterpieces you feel you should see. And then there’s a more natural Florence, one that opens only
Rock Stars of the Jurassic Coast: Swanage, West Lulworth, and the Art of Timing Your Visit
England’s southern coast compresses geology, seaside culture, and contemporary travel habits into a narrow ribbon of cliffs and coves. In Dorset, two locations