Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 by Steve All eyes were on Rome and Vatican City this week as Pope Francis became the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church. There has never been a better time to visit the Eternal City and Italy and  ItalyVacations.com has put together  an amazing package for you to meet the new pope! Meet Pope Francis at a Papal Audience at the Vatican - a once-in-a-lifetim...

Published on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 by Kathy McCabe All eyes are on Vatican City in Rome -- and specifically the chimney leading from the Sistine Chapel -- to see if a new Pope has been elected. 115 cardinals are locked away in the chapel, voting on the leader of over a billion Catholics. Here are some fun facts about the Conclave: In the 13th century, Pope Gregory put the rule into effect that cardinals must be s...

Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 by Kathy McCabe On Friday, the Vatican post office released stamps for the Sede Vacante or Vacant See period - the time when there is no Pope. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down on February 28th.  Because this period is so short, these stamps are quite the collectors item. Perillo Tours President Steve Perillo has his own collection of Sede Vacante commemorative stamps. The Vatican star...

Published on Monday, February 11, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Pope Benedict XVI shocked the world today with the announcement that he will resign the Papacy effective February 28th. If you have a trip to Rome planned for March or Easter (which is March 31 this year) or you are thinking about visiting Rome in the next two months, there are a few things to know now that all eyes will be at the Vatican during that time: Technic...

Published on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 by Kathy McCabe There are few experiences that can match seeing the Sistine Chapel in person. But no matter how much time you spending touring the Sistine Chapel, there are details you will surely miss. That's why this virtual display of the chapel is a must-see. You can look at the ceiling for as long as you want without straining your neck! Plus you don't have to share the view w...

Published on Monday, October 29, 2012 by Steve If you're planning to visit Rome and Vatican City, you might just wonder what the Pope is up to and if there might be a chance for you to see him...Wonder no more! Here's a link to the Pope's schedule for the next four months.  Check it when you are a few months out from your visit to the Vatican. Note that the  ‘Angelus’ is a special prayer the Pope recites ...

Published on Friday, March 30, 2012 by Daniel Celebrations in Italy are not a rarity, and if you are in Rome on April 21st, then you can very well be a part of some exciting celebrations. Yes, the Eternal City, Rome is turning 2765 years old city on the 21st of April. Romans commemorate this day as the birthday of Rome, which was founded by Romulus in 753 B.C. Romans have a very interesting story behind the fo...

Published on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 by Kathy McCabe Many visitors to Rome take the opportunity to mail postcards and letters back home from another country, no, not Italy -- Vatican City! The Vatican has had its own post office and stamps since 1929. More items are mailed from the Vatican City postal code (00120) per inhabitant than from any other postal code in the world. The Universal Postal Union has called th...

Published on Tuesday, August 30, 2011 by JacobMartin A surprisingly small city with an area of 110 acres occupied by just about 1,000 people,  Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Although it is a part of Italy that is land-locked by Rome on all sides, the Vatican City is classed as a separate country on its own. If you’re planning a trip to Vatican, then here is your list of things to do: • The pa...