Published on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Gubbio, in the region of Umbria, is home to the world's largest Christmas tree. The tree of lights is 650 meters (or 2,130 feet) tall and takes 1,900 man hours to assemble on the side of Gubbio's Mount Ignacio. It was named the world's largest Christmas tree in 1991 by the Guinness Book of World Records. The tree tradition started in 1981 and in 2011, Pope Benedic...

Published on Monday, December 10, 2012 by Steve Christmas – it’s the  most magical time of year – and is  even more magical when you spend it in Italy. Christmas – or natale in Italian – still retains a very traditional feel in Italy. It hasn’t been tainted by too much commercialism. Christmas markets spring up in piazzas. The holiday market in Rome’s Piazza Navona is one of the most noteworthy...

Published on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 by Kathy McCabe I’m Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours. I'm thrilled to have started a new video series called Steve's Travel Tips to share all the insider Italy travel tips I have learned over a lifetime of travel to Italy. This week I'm talking about Christmas in Italy, traveling to Italy for Christmas, Italian holiday traditions and more. If you want to get into the Italian Chris...

Published on Thursday, November 8, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Breakfast (colazione) for the typical Italian is not a big meal. The traditional breakfast usually consists of cappuccino and a pastry (a cornetto or brioche) which may be eaten at home or just as likely, at the local bar or cafe.  Fortunately for travelers, nearly every hotel in Italy includes breakfast in its nightly room rate and you can expect a self-service ...

Published on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 by Kathy McCabe So you're planning an Italian cruise, how cool would it be to be joined by the controversial but always entertaining Silvio Berlusconi, the former prime minister of Italy? Guests on the MSC Divina, cruising from Venice along the Adriatic, will have the unique chance to meet Berlusconi, a former cruise line crooner himself! The 75-year-old billionaire is the specia...

Published on Thursday, August 30, 2012 by Kathy McCabe If you love Italy and are obsessed with traveling in Italy, you're not the first one. Throughout history there have been great men and women whose words about Italy and their appreciation for the country have been immortalized. Here are just a few great quotes on Italy: "You may have the universe if I may have Italy." -- Giuseppe Verdi "A man who has not been...

Published on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 by Kathy McCabe August in Italy can be hot, no doubt. But this month's temps make the boot sizzlin'. Eleven Italian cities, from Bolzano to Rome, had code red heat warnings and a few more cities are expected to join the list on Thursday. Temperatures are hoovering at 104F in  one of the hottest summers on record in Europe. This heat wave has a name - an appropriate one at that - Lu...

Published on Monday, July 23, 2012 by JacobMartin Beautiful buildings, which have stood the test of times to make their architects proud, stand amidst the modern masterpieces in the town of Siena. This lovely medieval city has been preserving its culture with its own urban identity. Travel to Siena and feel the thrill of the place that was once the center of cultural and religious activities. Even today, you can see ...

Published on Friday, July 20, 2012 by Daniel If you want to spend time exploring the grandeur of Italian architecture, then the Basilica of St. Anthony is the perfect spot. However, before paying a visit to this wonderful place, get an insight of it. Find below some interesting facts that will take you through the history for a nostalgic ride. Although the Basilica of St. Anthony is frequented as a place of pil...

Published on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 by JacobMartin The famous Circus Maximus in Rome was an entertainment stadium used for chariot racing and other sports during the historic days. This famous race track had an underground Mithraic Temple which is mysteriously obscured 45 feet below ground. The Mithraeum discovered in 1931, is in fact a temple devoted to the Pagan God ‘Mithras’. Mithraism has its roots somewhere b...