Published on Friday, September 12, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Summer storms have dampened Italian wine grape production, putting this year’s harvest on track to be the most meager since 1950. If Italy produces an estimated 900 million gallons of wine in 2014 – 15% less than in 2013 – it will cede its position as the world’s most prolific wine producer to France. The 2014 grape harvest will also begin later than in previo...

Published on Saturday, September 6, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Thanks to a change in Roman law, luxury hotels in Rome just got pricier. Italian lawmakers recently approved a new lodging tax, hiking fees for five-star and four-star hotels from 3 to 7 € and 6€, respectively (approximately $4 to $9 and $8), per person per night. Previously, guests staying at one-, two-, or three-star hotels incurred a €2 € tax; now, ...

Published on Monday, September 1, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Pompeii - one of the world's greatest archaeological treasures - just got that much better with 10 newly renovated buildings, some of which have never before been seen by the public. The newly unveiled houses and late opening hours helped attract numerous visitors according to Italian news agency, ANSA. Here are some of the newly renovated buildings visitors can no...

Published on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Venetians have had it with the "romantic" padlocks being locked onto the city's fragile bridges and one Venetian has started a campaign against them.  Lovers symbolically "lock" their love by placing a padlock on a bridge but the locks have become an eyesore and a threat to the integrity of the bridges.  The "Unlock Your Love" initiative this week was timed to c...

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a weekly post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web.  Here are our top picks for this week: Augustus's Rome:  This week marks 2,000 years since the emperor's death. Here are 6 places in Rome to learn more about Augustus.   (The Telegraph) Mount Sibillini National Park:  When you r...

Published on Monday, August 18, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Sure, you've seen him on TV for as many years as you can remember, and his dad Mario for as many years before that but as much as you've seen Steve on TV, you might be surprised, pleasantly, to learn a thing or two more about him. First of all, he's truly as nice as he seems on TV but you might not know that he also has an incredibly dry and quirky sense of humor a...

Published on Thursday, August 7, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Piazza di Spagna - the piazza just in front of Rome's famous Spanish Steps - became more pedestrian friendly Monday with a new ban on vehicles. According to ANSA, "The city threatens fines of up to 80 euros for drivers entering the pedestrian zone, which will remain in place until the end of November. Some local residents complained that closing the square ent...

Published on Monday, August 4, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a weekly post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web.  Here are our top picks for this week: Drive of A Lifetime:  Many people dream of (and some dread) driving the beautiful but challenging Amalfi Drive. Here's an itinerary.  (National Geographic Traveler) Sicily's Facebook Mafia:...

Published on Friday, August 1, 2014 by Kathy McCabe In general, Italians love the beach. They love lots of togetherness at the beach too - you will see rows and rows of chairs and umbrellas all next to each other. But the summer of 2014 has turned into something of a wash beach-wise, it seems. ANSA reports, "The lingering effects of Italy's recession and the "crazy weather the country has endured so far this summer, wi...

Published on Monday, July 28, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a weekly post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web.  Here are our top picks for this week: Do Umbria on A Budget:  Umbria, home to Assisi and green rolling hills, is well worth a visit, and can be done affordably.  (The Guardian) Italy's Prison Paradises:  Though they once held s...