Published on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 by Steve Ready to travel to Italy but you're seeking peace and serenity instead of crowded cultural attractions? R&R, Italian-style can be yours on the stunning Italian Riviera and Lake Como in northern Italy. I've made a list of 5 incredible experiences you can have in this special corner of Italia: 1. Stroll by the water and take in magnificent views. Whether you're...

Published on Thursday, February 13, 2014 by Kathy McCabe What's a great way to celebrate a college graduation and a 65th birthday? How about walking 200 miles from Siena to Rome on the historic Via Francigena? That's what aspiring filmmaker Alex Sandberg and his mom did last June. The Via Francigena is part of the ancient route that brought pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome. Alex and his mom Catherine met up in Siena, hi...

Published on Saturday, February 8, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Are you looking for the most magical time of the year to visit Venice? Well look no further than Carnevale season! This is the time (February 22 to March 4, 2014) of year when a wintry Venice comes alive with magic and mystery all in an effort to have maximum fun before  Lent starts. Here are six ways to enjoy Carnevale in Venice: 1. Do as the Venetians do and wea...

Published on Monday, February 3, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Today the Vatican opened the Roman Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis to the public for the first time. The ancient burial ground dates back to the first century B.C. when it was the place of final rest for local Romans. The 10,000-square-foot site was originally uncovered during the 1950s during construction of a new parking garage underneath the Vatican. ...

Published on Sunday, January 26, 2014 by Kathy McCabe One of the great joys of taking a food and wine tour in Italy, even just for a day, is to get more familiar with the ingredients and attributes of Italy's bounty of tastes. If you're visiting the Amalfi Coast, Naples or anywhere in Campania, you can't miss the private day-long Southern Gourmet Tour where our guide extraordinaire Gaetano takes visitors to his corner...

Published on Thursday, January 23, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The city of Milan finally has a permanent children's museum. MUBA or Museo dei Bambini di Milano opends Friday in Rotonda di via Besana, an historic Baroque building not far from Milan's center.  While the museum was actually founded in 1995,  it has been running programs without a permanent home, until now. The museum expects to run three exhibitions per year ...

Published on Thursday, January 16, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Visiting San Gimignano, the Tuscan town famous for its towers, can feel like a journey back in time. One of the town's museums - San Gimignano 1300 -  helps you have this time travel feeling with an historic, miniature version of what this UNESCO World Heritage Site was like in the year 1300.  While numerous towers in other Italian cities have ben destroyed by t...

Published on Wednesday, January 8, 2014 by Steve So you're planning to go travel to Italy in 2014 but not quite sure where to start? We're here to help. After all, my family has been offering Italy tours and planning Italy itineraries for 69 years. Here's a quick guide to picking the perfect Italy trip for you: First Trip to Italy - Escorted Tours If you've never been to Italy before, the best cities to vi...

Published on Saturday, January 4, 2014 by Kathy McCabe While Americans and others around the world enjoy shopping sales at many points during the year, Italian retailers put their items "on sale" mostly during two times during the year - July and January. Items are generally discounted between 30 and 75% making these sales periods a time when Italians and vacationers alike shop till they drop. 17 of Italy's 20 regions ...

Published on Tuesday, December 3, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The most popular Christmas dessert in Italy is panettone, a tall cake made from flour, sugar, milk, eggs, fruit and raisins. You will see these for sale in every food shop in Italy throughout the holiday season. One type of panettone you won't find everywhere is a gold-and-diamond version commissioned by a Russian businessman. Pastry chef Dario Hartvig, owner of th...