Published on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by Kathy McCabe An event taking place in over 100 locations throughout the world, Slow Art Day is a chance for art fans to take in beautiful works s-l-o-w-l-y. This year Slow Art Day is April 27.  If you're in Florence, a great place to experience the day is at Palazzo Strozzi. The Florentine reports visitors will have ample time to appreciate works from the current exhibition  ...

Published on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Sixty percent of the world's art treasures can be found in Italy. That's a staggering amount of painting, frescoes, sculptures and artifacts. Its no wonder that when visiting Italy, travelers want to try to see it all, even though that is impossible.  Plus there's the risk of Stendhal syndrome. What is that you ask? According to Wikipedia, "Stendhal syndrome, Sten...

Published on Friday, March 22, 2013 by Steve If you're taking your first trip to Italy and you're looking for an independent itinerary, I have just the one for you. I'm thrilled to announce a fabulous new travel package called Three Crowns of Italy.  Experience Italy's 3 major cities in style, with 4-star, centrally located hotels and all of your land transportation! Here's what's included: 3 nights in a...

Published on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 by Steve Florence has long been known for its rich history - it is the birthplace of the Renaissance -  as well as being an epicenter of Italian gastronomy.  That's why I'm thrilled to announce our new, independent 6-night Florence Adventure package from ItalyVacations.com. Rates for this culinary and historical odyssey start at $1,325 per person, based on double, and ...

Published on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Expert in all things European travel, Rick Steves has put together his list what to look out for in Italy in 2013. If you're planning to travel to Italy this year, it is worth a read. Here's what Steves says is new and interesting in Italy for 2013: More rooms at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence have been opened to the public, including  the Caravaggio Rooms and t...

Published on Friday, December 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe If Florence or Tuscany is on your must-visit list this Christmas season, there are some great Florence events for the holiday season, according to The Florentine.  Here are a few of the holiday celebrations in and around Florence that caught our eye: The German Market in Florence's Piazza Croce runs through December 16th. Enjoy Christmas delicacies from t...

Published on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by Kathy McCabe So you're planning a trip to Italy - probably your first - and can't decide exactly where to go. You're not alone, this is a problem most visitors to Italy have. There's simply too much to see! You need to start with the realization that there is no way you are going to see everything so don't even try.  The key is to prioritize. If it is your first trip to Italy, s...

Published on Thursday, October 11, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Budget travelers to Italy might want to check out L’è Maiala, an osteria that recently opened in Florence, supposedly  the first barter-only restaurant in the country of Italy.  The name of the restaurant means "What a pig!" or slang for "What a tough situation!" Those in a bind - or just curious to experience a barter-for-bites meal -  may want to pay a visit...

Published on Friday, October 5, 2012 by Steve For me to pick a favorite tour is like choosing a favorite child, but the 10-Day Vesuvius Tour is in the running for one of my top picks. Why?  It's Affordable! Starting at $2890 per person, Vesuvius packs in a lot for the price including first clas deluxe hotels, many delicious meals, experienced guides and transportation via our state-of-the-art motorcoaches. ...

Published on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 by Steve If Italy is calling you in the near future and you enjoy the convenience of an escorted tour but the adventure of dining on your own, I recommend our 14-Day North Continental Tour. This is the same itinerary as our best-selling Italy tour in history (14-Day North Classic) with the freedom to choice your own dining experiences. Imagine seeing the sites and then explor...