Published on Sunday, April 1, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Two leading independent airport organizations have recognized Rome’s Fiumicino Airport as the world’s most improved airport and the airport with the best quality of services. Skytrax, an airport rating and assessment company, named Fiumicino the world’s most improved airport. Each year, Skytrax reviews more than 550 airports worldwide to determine which one ...

Published on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by Kathy McCabe The Monday after Easter is called Pasquetta in Italian - or "little Easter" - and Italians usually spend the day picnicking in the countryside. This year, that day is April 2. And here at Perillo Tours, we are going to make it a BIG DAY! Book any Perillo Tour (Italy or Hawaii) on Monday, April 2 and we will send each person a $50 American Express Gift Card as a tha...

Published on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Every holiday in Italy is celebrated with food. Easter is no exception. One of the most delicious Easter foods is Pizza Rustica- pie filled with all kinds of goodness, perfect to break the Lenten fast. Diana from Perillo Tours shares her family recipe: Dough: Purchase ready-made pizza dough at the supermarket or use your favorite dough recipe. Ingredients for F...

Published on Friday, March 9, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Giotto’s painting Madonna di San Giorgio alla Costa hasn’t been on public display in 25 years, until now, as it has moved to the Opera del Duomo Museum in the Duomo Cathedral complex in Florence. The tempera and gold painting depicts the Madonna as a queen, holding the Christ Child, with two angels and is considered one of the most representative paintings of the...

Published on Saturday, March 3, 2018 by Kathy McCabe In modern times, most countries are moving away from governance by a monarchy – with the exception of something of a principality in Italy, which adopted a monarchy in 1963 and is now seeking to become a sovereign nation. Seborga, a 5.4-square-mile parcel of land near the French-Italian border and in the region of Liguria, has only 320 residents, but is making its ...

Published on Monday, February 26, 2018 by Kathy McCabe The second-largest Italian airline, Meridiana, has rebranded under the name Air Italy. With financial support from new shareholder Qatar Airways, Air Italy is looking to become Italy’s premier airline, as Alitalia is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. Qatar Airways bought a 49% share in the airline in 2017. Meridiana will begin its brand transformation in May wit...

Published on Thursday, February 22, 2018 by Kathy McCabe In anticipation of peak summer tourist season, the Duomo cathedral complex in Florence is stepping up security measures by installing seven metal detectors in the building. The new walk-through metal detectors will replace the old handheld detectors, with the goal of reducing the time spent waiting to clear security and helping the monuments’ 1.4 million annual visi...

Published on Saturday, February 17, 2018 by Kathy McCabe The short film Destination Florence is now playing at the Cinema La Compagnia (Via Cavour 50/r) every day at 6 p.m. The 25-minute movie, set at nightfall in Florence, shows a different and intimate side of Florence with stunning imagery. Churches, towers, piazzas, streets, paintings and sculptures are featured – including lesser-known landmarks – inspiring view...

Published on Saturday, February 10, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Three Italian neighborhoods are among Business Insider’s list of Europe’s 18 coolest neighborhoods to visit in 2018: Monti and Piazza Cavour, both in Rome, and Campania (which is really a region but who's arguing) in southern Italy. The list was curated by travel experts, including from Suitcase Magazine, Spain-based Marugal Hotel Company  and the app HolidaySwap...

Published on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Venice is gearing up to celebrate Tintoretto’s 500th birthday all year, with the main event on Sept. 7. The painter, whose real name was Jacopo Robusti, was born in Venice in 1518, though his exact birthdate is unknown. The months-long celebration will include special events around the city in honor of the artist and his paintings, which can be seen in several Venet...