Published on Monday, April 21, 2014 by Kathy McCabe While Pompeii may be the most famous archaeological site in Italy, fans of Ancient Rome often argue that the lesser-known ruins of Ostia Antica, just outside of Rome, surpass Pompeii in quality. Now there's even more reason to get your archaeological fix at this old port town with a secret part of the ancient site recently unearthed. "The find is enormous, inclu...

Published on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A visit to Hadrian's Villa in the town of Tivoli, 18 miles from Rome, makes for a great day trip from the Eternal City.  Roman Emperor Hadrian's retreat was built during the second and third decades of the 2nd century AD. The "villa" is actually a complex of more than 30 buildings and a variety of gardens.  Now five more buildings, surrounded by large statues, have ...

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 Friday, February 15, 2013 by Kathy McCabe With news of the Pope's resignation this week, many are wondering what comes next for the soon-to-be-former pope when he leaves his post. On his last day, February 28th, the pope will be helicoptered from the Vatican to the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, in the hills outside Rome. Then at a later date, he will retire to a monastery within the Vatican walls....

Published on Thursday, August 16, 2012 by Kathy McCabe We're deep in the heart of August and that means most Italians are at the beach! Each year, the non-profit  Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) awards select beaches and marinas  a "Blue Flag" or "Bandiera Blu."  A "Blue Flag" beach is one with pristine sand, clear water and organized services. Beaches are given this award by complying with many crite...