Published on Friday, April 26, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A long-standing ban on the import of salami into the United States will be lifted on May 28, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.  Previously the American Federal Drug Administration prohibited the import of cured pork products. The move will open up a huge market for Italian salami manufacturers. The Italian farmers' organization Coldiretti estimates that t...

Published on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web each week. Here are our top picks for this week: 17 Italian Treasures to Explore: Beaches, spas, restaurants and sites that truly evoke Italia. (AFAR) First U.S. Ship to Cruise Italian River: The first U.S. owned and operated ship is now touri...

Published on Sunday, April 21, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Assisi (in the region of Umbria) and its start attraction, the Basilica of St. Francis, have always been popular with tourists but the election of the new Pope Francis makes them even more popular than ever. This is a view of the top level of the basilica with a statue of the saint in the foreground. Ready to plan a trip to Assisi? Talk to the travel experts at It...

Published on Thursday, April 18, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Ready for the beach? One of the most beautiful beaches in Italy is in the southern Italian town of Tropea in the region of Calabria. Tropea is also known for its stunning Norman cathedral and delicious red onions. Ready to plan a trip to Tropea or Calabria, contact  ItalyVacations.com for help! Photo by simo0082, flickr.com...

Published on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 by Kathy McCabe It may be a sign of the times in cash-strapped and decaying Italy: an Italian town will now be charging visitors admission. The mayor of Civita di Bagnoregio, some 90 miles north of Rome, says his town is in desperate need of repair and thus will require visitors to purchase a three-euro ticket to enter. According to Italian news agency ANSA, "The ground has been ...

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 Sunday, April 14, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web each week. Here are our top picks for this week: New Hotel Initiative in Italy: The Italian government leases abandoned castles to hoteliers for cash. (Skift.com) Slide Show: Fast Lane in Italy: Take a midnight Vespa ride through a Tuscan vill...

Published on Friday, April 12, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Trapani in Sicily is famous for some of Europe's oldest salt marshes - providing tasty sea salt and beautiful to look at as well! Photo by dapho, flickr.com...

Published on Sunday, April 7, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a post about the most interesting Italy and Italy travel news and human interest stories around the Web each week. Here are our top picks for this week: To Siena to See the Door to Heaven: For the first time ever, the upper walkways  in the vault of of  Siena's Duomo are open to visitors. (Tuscan Traveler) Mantua: Italy's Sleeping Beauty City:...

Published on Friday, April 5, 2013 by Kathy McCabe An Italian woman has been named the world's best chef by Restaurant Magazine.  Nadia Santini, the proprietor of Dal Pescatore in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, has won the honor.  Until recently her family's restaurant, which is over 100 years old, was the only restaurant in Italy to hold a Michelin three-star rating. Nadia, who married into the...