Almost a million young people welcome Pope Leo at event near Rome
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Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I visited one of Italy's famous bucket-list destinations - here's why I would NEVER go back
An idyllic hotspot in Italy that has fast become a must-see destination on social media has been branded 'overpriced and overhyped' by a visitor who explained why she would never return. Curiosity got the better of Phoebe Cornish when she began noticing a quaint, rustic, romantic town appearing extensively on her TikTok and Instagram feeds. Bellagio, located in Lake Como, has seen a surge in popularity in recent years thanks to its narrow cobblestone streets, colourful buildings, striking mountain backdrops and dreamy lakeside promenade. Mesmerised by online clips showcasing its traditional Italian charm, the lifestyle reporter decided to book a flight and see if the 'pearl of Lake Como' was truly worth the hype. According to Lake Como Experiences, Bellagio is easily accessible from Milan, with direct trains run from Milan Centrale to Como San Giovanni station and journeys taking approximately 37 to 47 minutes. For those driving, Milan to Bellagio is roughly one hour and 36 minutes, where ferries from Como connect directly to the village, with trips taking about two hours. Writing for the Express, Phoebe explained that she was immediately 'impressed' once she had stepped off at the ferry port in early June and was greeted by the picturesque setting she had only seen on a screen beforehand. Though she described the area as 'breathtaking' during the day, even whilst wading through hordes of tourists, it soon became apparent that the village was nothing more than an 'overhyped' TikTok destination. She wrote: 'As the sun sets, the atmosphere fades away. Most restaurants closed surprisingly early - around 9pm or 9.30pm - with only a few remaining open until 10pm or 11pm. 'After a full day of exploring the lake, we craved a relaxed late dinner or a drink with a view. However, Bellagio was already winding down.' She admitted she was 'naive' in expecting the same night-time buzz experienced in bustling cities such as Milan, and became especially frustrated when returning from late evenings out in nearby towns, such as Lenno. Despite its culinary backdrop and mile-long queues, Phoebe felt let down by the 'unremarkable' food offered in restaurants across the village, including a 'very dry tiramisu' served by one host. She added that meals were generally overpriced, lacked flavour and felt underwhelming. The writer rounded up her thoughts with a scathing take: 'It is the busiest, most tourist-saturated town on Lake Como and feels far more commercialised than the quieter, more authentic areas.' She also noted that Bellagio 'fails to be accessible' to visitors who are less mobile, and that there are limited options when it comes to public transport in the town itself. Despite leaving the town deflated, Phoebe noted that Bellagio is 'not without its appeal.' She enjoyed practicing Italian with her warm and welcoming Airbnb host, ate fresh fish each day, and took in breathtaking views across the lake during the trip, which made her feel 'genuinely connected' to the village. Phoebe also encouraged visitors to hop onboard the £18 slow ferry from Como to Bellagio, where passengers can cruise past the charming villages of Tremezzo and Cernobbio, a journey she described as 'scenic and relaxing.' Meanwhile, a popular British tourist hotspot has banned walking barefoot, picnics, and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions in a brutal crackdown. Holidaymakers visiting Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, are now facing fines for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad. Starting today, travellers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless - or sit in the piazza in such attire. Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars, and designated areas left to booze in. Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks and parks has also been banned along with having picnics. The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Kevin Hart packs on the PDA with wife Eniko as they celebrate her birthday on a luxurious superyacht in Italy with rapper Ludacris
looked more loved-up than ever with bikini-clad wife Eniko as they enjoyed an Italian vacation on a luxurious superyacht around the Amalfi Coast. The comedian, 46, and his glamorous wife Eniko packed on the PDA as they kissed during the sun-soaked trip while celebrating her 41st birthday. The couple cozied up on a sofa at the front of the boat as they shared a smooch in front of the picturesque backdrop. Kevin later showed off his toned physique in a pair of swimming shorts while his stunning wife wowed in a red bikini. Eniko looked sensational in the tiny two-piece, which boasted a triangle top and thong bottoms, as the pair went swimming in the sea. The pair were also joined by rapper and Fast And Furious actor Ludacris and his wife Eudoxie Bridges. Ludacris cozied up to Eudoxie as they relaxed on a sofa. Later that evening, the actor was seen running on a treadmill during sunset. During the holiday, Kevin and Eniko looked to be without their two children: son Kenzo, seven, and daughter Kaori, four. Kevin also shares two older children daughter Heaven, 20, and son Hendrix, 17, with his ex-wife Torrei Hart. What a backdrop: The couple cozied up on a sofa at the front of the boat
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Jamie and Rebekah Vardy's potential new life in Italy: God-like status with fanatical supporters, romantic boat trips and partying... just don't expect a diet of pizza under Napoli's manager!
Jamie Vardy could write the final chapter of his hard-as-nails career in one of Europe's most romantic destinations - Naples. The forward has emerged as a shock candidate for the Italian champions Napoli, meaning he could enjoy his last hurrah in a paradise of pizza, parties, and footballing passion. It is, in many ways, a perfect fit for Vardy - a city which wears its heart on its sleeve, a club which crowns its favourite sons as kings, and a culture which has welcomed other British players to much fanfare in recent years. Napoli are on the hunt for another striker after Romelu Lukaku 's injury on the eve of the season and, while they may face competition from the likes of Celtic, where Vardy's old boss Brendan Rodgers pulls the strings, they have a lot to offer the 38-year-old. From breathtaking islands to world-leading restaurants, from boat trips to poker parties and rooftop bars, the region has an explosion of activities to indulge those with deep wallets - and its footballers take full advantage. Just ask Scott McTominay what life is like out there. The former Manchester United star could scarcely have asked for a better first year after leaving England with his girlfriend Cam Reading. So beloved is McTominay, now a Serie A title-winner, that he already has a shrine dedicated to him in Via San Nicola a Nilo, a central street. One fan revealed a McTominay-themed birthday cake. Another got a tattoo in tribute to him. Give you all to Napoli and they will give their all to you. 'I love this place, I love the fans, I love my team-mates,' he declared in December. And there is plenty to entertain him and girlfriend Cam away from the football. The duo have been dining on the Amalfi coast, enjoying parties with their team-mates and families, and exploring the wider region. One of the favourite pastimes of Napoli stars is to hire out a boat and drift off towards one of the islands in the Gulf of Naples: Ischia, Capri, Procida, Vivara, or Nisida. Substitute goalkeeper Nikita Contini shared intimate snaps soaking up the sun with his partner Martina Fusco as they took a boat trip out to Ischia one summer. In July, Pasquale Mazzocchi posed on a boat in front of the Aragonese Castle on a diving trip with some of his close friends. And forward Matteo Politano said: 'The city is wonderful: the sea, climate, and landscapes score a hundred points. I find it a small city, being used to Rome, so I can easily get around. 'The most beautiful thing about being here is being able to take a boat trip or maybe go to the coast as soon as you have one or two days off, while when I was at other clubs I couldn't wait to get back home.' If maritime adventures don't tickle your fancy, then why not tuck into some of the region's renowned cuisine? The Sorbillo restaurant chain has three outlets in the city and is owned by Gino Sorbillo, one of the world's most famous pizza-makers whose recipes are such as hit that he was even made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. It's not just pizza which gets the tastebuds tingling in Naples - the city is also known for its seafood, pasta, and rice. That said, manager Antonio Conte is a strict monitor of his players' diets, so Vardy shouldn't expect to be gorging on treats too often. The former Chelsea boss is a proponent of the 'Bresaola diet', meaning fried food, mozzarella and alcohol are firmly off the menu (even if he has been spotted out and about having a tipple in Naples), while a Mediterranean menu of vegetables and protein-rich white meats such as turkey and chicken are on the table. What becomes clear, when you dig into the lives of Napoli's stars, is how united they appear to be away from the field. McTominay fortunately has Scottish pal Billy Gilmour to help him settle in, and the duo have had Italian lessons from none other than Conte himself, but the wider culture of the team appears friendly. After their Scudetto success last season, the squad and their partners went for a night out at the Riserva Rooftop bar in the exclusive neighbourhood of Posillipo, which many of the affluent members of Naples society call home. Riserva is reasonably priced in some aspects but lavish in others - a bottle of still water from the Dolomites, for example, can set you back 25 euros. Napoli's heroes took their trophy and their medals to the chic spot and manager Conte was even seen letting his hair down there. But what stands out the most about Naples is its raw passion for the game. Diego Maradona is almost a religion in himself - 515 babies were named after him in the seven years he spent at the club, and his influence still reverberates around the city's streets in graffiti, murals, and statues. The sky-blue colours of Napoli stretch as far as the eye can see and the feet can wander, with flags hanging down over narrow streets and street vendors selling knock-off merchandise. It's not just Maradona who is lionised - from recent years, the likes of Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne also have enduring legacies in the city's streets. As Victor Osimhen put it: 'Naples should be a country, I see the reason why lot of players spend many years there, because the love they show to their players is really massive and they love football.' Or take Dries Mertens, who spent nine seasons with them: 'In Naples, you breathe football. Not only the young people, it's also a thing for the grandmothers and kids. It's crazy! 'It's something special: waking up, having coffee in the morning, and talking about football. I started to live like them, I love the food, the sea, all the islands here.' There is a lot to weigh up for Vardy, who hopes to keep playing beyond the age of 40. And he isn't the only one in this discussion - his wife Rebekah and their kids matter, too, and they have a lot to weigh up. Moving to Italy could be a chance to escape the glare that abounds in the Premier League or even remaining playing in Britain more general - particularly after Rebekah lost her High Court libel battle with Coleen Rooney. And if Vardy called up McTominay, one of his old Premier League rivals, he would only hear a glowing report. As the midfielder has said: 'The pride of playing here is really special and when I found out that Napoli was interested in me I felt the fire inside me. 'I wanted to come here and push as much as possible because the fans are crazy, I would say they are some of the best fans I have ever seen. Incredible. 'I can't talk enough about the fans, the people, the city and the welcome that my teammates and coaches gave me.' He also told BBC Scotland: 'It was a big decision, but in some ways it was quite straightforward. 'I saw the passionate fans, I saw the coach, I saw the players and I saw an opportunity. 'I took it. I didn't look back. It didn't take me long to make the decision because I knew that was what I wanted and I'll never have any regrets in my life. 'I love this place. I love the fans, I love my team-mates.'
