Our taste for haute cuisine and fine wine is nothing new, writes The Independent's Ferdinand Mount.

The Italian city of Lucca is loved by travellers but Venetia Sherson finds pleasures beyond the city walls when Hannibal Lecter is on the loose.

Joelle Thomson nobly sips, swirls and spits 47 wines to find her top 10 low-cost reds.

After going on record last week about Italian wine being astonishingly food-friendly, I thought I should put up or shut up.

Giovanna Dell'Orto details her four favourite walks in Liguria, the arc-shaped slice of Italy that stretches from the border with France to Tuscany's coast.

Milan's furniture design fair, the Salone del Mobile, is a mecca for international trend-seekers.

Jim Eagles explores the violent history and stunning beauty of Tuscany and Umbria.

Wellington-based Tim Wigmore is one of the up-and-coming designers exhibiting at this year's Satellite Salone.

Today, the crowds descended upon the Fiera Pavillions in Milan to see what the biggest names in global furniture manufacturing had on offer.

Judging by the impressive display at the Swarovski Crystal Palace today we can assume that the dark days are almost over.

One thing which can be relied on at the Salone del Mobile is a plethora of new chair designs.

Publisher of Design Folio Magazine Claire Sullivan is heading to the Salone del Mobile design fair in Milan. Check back throughout the week for her updates on the latest trends.

We're travelling to a family wedding in San Francisco next April with our two children (aged 1 and 3).

Peter Bills explores the elegance of Venice on its intriguing and ancient Grand Canal.

The damage Italy's Prime Minister inflicts on his country continues unchecked.