Marco Ferretti

Vigan — The Philippines' Spanish Colonial Gem

Vigan, a UNESCO jewel in the Philippines: Calle Crisologo, Spanish colonial houses, crispy empanada and a calesa on cobblestones — a leap into the 16th century.

Takayama, Japan

Takayama — Japanese Alps and Morning Markets

Takayama, deep in the Japanese Alps, enchants with its morning markets, Edo-period streets and Hida beef: authentic rural Japan at its finest.

Kamikochi, Japan

Kamikochi — The Alpine Valley Where Nature Rules

Kamikochi, in the Japanese Alps, is an unspoilt valley with no cars or shops: trekking, glacial lakes and peaks rising above three thousand metres.

Teshima, Japan

Teshima — The Island of the Water Museum and Slow Beauty

Teshima, in Japan's Inland Sea, holds a one-of-a-kind water museum, an archive of heartbeats and terraced rice paddies: art and absolute silence.

Civita, Calabria

Into the Raganello Gorge: The Wild Heart of the Pollino

The Raganello Gorge in the Pollino National Park offers a spectacular trek through canyons, waterfalls and medieval bridges in Calabria's most untamed landscape.

Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany

Bagni San Filippo: the White Canyon and Wild Thermal Springs of Tuscany

Discover Bagni San Filippo, Tuscany's free thermal springs in the Val d'Orcia: white travertine cascades, 48°C waters, and trails through ancient chestnut woods.

Petriolo, Tuscany

Terme di Petriolo: Roman Ruins and Sulphurous Waters in the Farma Torrent

Terme di Petriolo between Siena and Grosseto: medieval ruins, sulphurous springs at 43°C in the Farma torrent, and free natural pools in the Tuscan maquis.

Saturnia, Tuscany

Cascate del Mulino at Saturnia: the Maremma's Free Thermal Pools

Cascate del Mulino at Saturnia: travertine pools at 37°C with free access in the Maremma. A complete guide with timing tips, what to bring, and nearby sights.

Lipari, Sicily

San Calogero on Lipari: the Mediterranean's Oldest Spa

On Lipari, the Mediterranean's oldest thermal springs: waters at around 50°C, a Mycenaean tholos tomb, and sweeping views over the Aeolian Islands, still barely known.