Published on Sunday, May 25, 2014 by Steve For the independent traveler, we have a perfect mix of guided tours and time on your own with our ItalyVacations.com package Rome & The Charming South. See the best of Italy's history and beautiful coastline! Start in the Eternal City visiting Ancient Rome and the Colosseum, then head south to sunny Sorrento and the stunning island of Capri. Plus, enjoy food to...

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 Thursday, March 27, 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 each week. Here are our top picks for this week: Treasures of Val'D'Orcia: Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini introduces this stunning area of Tuscany.   (The Los Angeles Times) Idyllic Alta Badia: Gourmet food, glorious skiin...

Published on Monday, March 24, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Romans take their food shopping seriously. Gathering staples and ingredients for the coming days is more of a time-honored ritual than a series of errands. Two thirty-something Rome women wanted to capture this experience for visitors to the city and the Rome Gourmet Walking Tour was born. On a sunny Saturday morning, our guide,  Gaetano, an affable and erudite re...

Published on Sunday, March 23, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Bulgari has donated  1.5 million euros to the restoration of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, calling it a "gift" to the Roman people. The Italian jewelry and luxury goods brand is the latest in a series of Italian companies to step in to preserve Italy's heritage among a crushing economic crisis and the cutting of government funds. The refurbishment of 136 of ...

Published on Monday, March 17, 2014 by Kathy McCabe All eyes have been on the Vatican for a year now, with the election of Pope Francis and his incredible popularity resulting in "the Pope Francis Effect." The fervor only seems to be on the increase with the upcoming canonization of two former popes on April 27 at the Vatican.  In September 2013, Pope Francis announced that two of his predecessors - Pope John Paul ...

Published on Sunday, March 9, 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 each week. Here are our top picks for this week: The Great Beauty Tour: The Italian movie "La Grande Bellezza" won an Oscar last week. Here's a guide to where scenes were filmed in Rome.  (Buzz in Rome) Battle of the Oranges: This Ca...

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 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 Tuesday, December 10, 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: Guide to Christmas in Rome: The ultimate guide to Christmas and New Year's in the Eternal City. (Revealed Rome) Italian Processions Honored by UNESCO: Ceremonies in Viterbo (Lazio), Sassari (Sa...