Published on Thursday, July 24, 2014 by Kathy McCabe 922 days after it sank off the Tuscan island of Giglio, killing 32 souls, the Costa Concordia, has finally been raised and moved to the port of Genoa. Two tug boats pulled the wrecked craft to its new port and this fascinating time lapse video shows the process. ...

Published on Friday, July 18, 2014 by Kathy McCabe A country in never-ending economic trouble. Crumbling national treasures and monuments. What's the answer? For the Italian government, it has come in the form of private companies willing to foot the bill to save the country's national heritage.  Rome is a great example of this. The Colosseum is being renovated through funds from Tod's, Bulgari is sprucing up the...

Published on Monday, July 14, 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: Southern Italy Revitalized:  More and more travelers are heading south and it is a new dawn for the Mezzogiorno.  (BBC) Best Pizzerias:  Picking the best pizza in Italy is a tough job but t...

Published on Friday, July 11, 2014 by Kathy McCabe A staff member at the United States Consulate in Milan has put together an hilarious rap video to help Americans and other foreigners to learn the mysterious world of Italian hand gestures. Intern Brian Griffin put together the two and a half minute video that teaches, among other things, how to order a glass of wine with the flick of a wrist. Flamboyant Italians...

Published on Saturday, July 5, 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: Wine Hotels in Italy:  Where to sleep among the vines. Wine resorts are popping up all over Italy's wine regions.  (The Guardian) Etiquette for Rude Russians:  Tuscan hotel owner producesÂ...

Published on Thursday, June 26, 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: Gluten-Free Dining in Italy: Italy can actually be quite enjoyable for the gluten intolerant. You might be surprised.  (The New York Times) New World Heritage Site in Italy:  Landscape of v...

Published on Monday, June 23, 2014 by Kathy McCabe   As of July 1st, new rules will apply to visits of Italy's state museums, such as the Uffizi in Florence. One significant change is that on the every first Sunday of the month state museums will be free for everyone as part of the initiative “Sunday at the Museum.“ While this is fantastic news in making museums accessible to all, expect the museums ...

Published on Friday, June 20, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Italy is playing in the World Cup again today! The team plays in blue (azzurro) so fans shout "Forza Azzurri" roughly translated as Blue Power! Buona fortuna (good luck) to the team....

Published on Saturday, June 14, 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: Baptistery Dressed in Pucci: Florence's famous Baptistery is undergoing renovations and there are some fashionable duds hiding the work.  (The Florentine) Amalfi Coast Road Trip:  Yes, you c...

Published on Tuesday, June 10, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Where is the one place any visitor to Rome must go? Why Trevi Fountain of course! As throwing three coins in the fountain promises a return trip to the Eternal City.  The beloved fountain will be undergoing some changes however, but have no fear, it will still be open to the public. According to Italian news agency ANSA, restoration of the beloved fountain bega...