Published on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Venetians have had it with the "romantic" padlocks being locked onto the city's fragile bridges and one Venetian has started a campaign against them.  Lovers symbolically "lock" their love by placing a padlock on a bridge but the locks have become an eyesore and a threat to the integrity of the bridges.  The "Unlock Your Love" initiative this week was timed to c...

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 Friday, November 15, 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: Venice: Google Street View: How did Google captures the alleys of Venice without cars? Employees carrying backpack-mounted cameras. (The Guardian) St. Peter's Bones: For the first time in hist...

Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 by Steve I’m Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours. I have a video series called Steve's Travel Tips to share all the insider Italy travel tips I have learned over a lifetime of travel to Italy. In this video, I'd love to tell you about the 55th Annual Venice Biennale, the world's largest exhibit of contemporary art. taking place in Venice now through the end of November 2013. ...

Published on Sunday, July 28, 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: Ischia's Appeal:  Its neighbor Capri is far more famous but the island of Ischia is well worth a visit. (The Sun) A Murderer's Tour of Venice: Author Donna Leon, who lives in Venice, makes the ...

Published on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A number of dead fish have been found floating in the lagoons of Venice in recent days. While officials have been quick to scoop them up, so as not to ruin the tourist experience, residents and environmentalists alike are wondering what is causing the deaths of these fish? According to Gazzetta del Sud, "(Experts) want to clarify whether a lack of oxygen, possibly ...

Published on Saturday, June 1, 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: Dante Fever in Florence: Dan Brown's latest book The Inferno has tourists flocking to Florence to follow in Robert Langdon's steps.  (The Daily Beast) Venice's Hidden Neighborhood:  The workin...

Published on Wednesday, May 1, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Venice receives an average of 80,000 visitors per day. That's a staggering number considering Venice only has 60,000 permanent residents. And how to get them all the behave in such a small space? With rules of etiquette... The city of Venice is starting an initiative called 'Venice Yours Too, Respect It' with a list of 10 guidelines for respecting the city. Acco...

Published on Friday, March 22, 2013 by Steve If you're taking your first trip to Italy and you're looking for an independent itinerary, I have just the one for you. I'm thrilled to announce a fabulous new travel package called Three Crowns of Italy.  Experience Italy's 3 major cities in style, with 4-star, centrally located hotels and all of your land transportation! Here's what's included: 3 nights in a...

Published on Thursday, January 10, 2013 by Kathy McCabe That time of year is fast approaching...a spectacular time to visit the magical city of Venice...Carnevale. Short of Rio and New Orleans, there is no place more famous for its opulent pre-Lent celebrations. The Venetian events are getting off to a slightly earlier start this year since Ash Wednesday falls a bit early, on February 13. Venice's official program of Ca...