5 Things to Do in Pisa Besides Climbing the Leaning Tower
The city of Pisa Italy is famous the world over for its Leaning Tower but there's much more to the city. Here are some other things to do in Pisa: 1. Be sure to visit the Duomo and Baptistery next to the tower. Leave extra time (a few hours) to visit Pisa's stunning cathedral as well as the largest baptistery in Italy. 2. Also leave time to go into Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. This museum is where much of the art that was formerly in the cathedral is now housed. See Giovanni Pisano's ivory carving of the Madonna and Child carved for the cathedral's ...
Things to See in Alberobello
When you travel to Italy, there might be a lot of places that you would want to visit. One destination that definitely calls for a place in your travel itinerary is - Alberobello. Located in the southern part of Italy, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is known for its exceptional style of building called Trulli. Trullis are nothing but limestone houses with dry stone walls and conical roof that are known for their mortarless construction. The reason behind these pre-historic buildings was to escape from paying taxes. When the king’s tax collector came to collect taxes, the owner ...
Where To Stay in Rome: The Rose Garden Palace Hotel
One of my favorite hotels in Rome is the Rose Garden Palace Hotel. Just off the famous Via Veneto, and a stone’s throw from the American Embassy, it enjoys one of the best locations in the city. The hotel is partly owned by Steve Perillo, the third generation owner of Perillo Tours, the world’s largest tour operator to Italy. Perillo and his Italian partner bought this 19th-century building in 1998 and named it after the rose bushes in the courtyard. One might expect a hotel owned by a tour company to seem impersonal or ...
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Vatican Opens Ancient Necropolis to...
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...
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The Italy Mix: Saint John Paul in W...
Published on Tuesday, July 2, 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: John Paul II Set For Sainthood: A second miracle by the late Pope has confirmed and has the beloved John Paul cleared... -
Meet Pope Francis While Visiting Va...
Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 by Steve
All eyes were on Rome and Vatican City this week as Pope Francis became the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church. There has never been a better time to visit the Eternal City and Italy and ItalyVacations.com has put together an amazing package for you to meet the new pope!... -
Swiss Guards Now “Off Duty...
Published on Thursday, February 28, 2013 by Kathy McCabe
As of 8 p.m. local time, the Vatican's Swiss Guards are a protection force without a Pope to protect. Pope Benedict officially retired from the Papacy today as the Vatican is slated to announce Friday the date for the conclave to elect his successor. According to the Associated Pr... -
Pay a Virtual Visit to the Sistine ... Published on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 by Kathy McCabe
There are few experiences that can match seeing the Sistine Chapel in person. But no matter how much time you spending touring the Sistine Chapel, there are details you will surely miss. That's why this virtual display of the chapel is a must-see. You can look at the ceiling for as long ... -
Happy 500th Birthday to the Vatican...
Published on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe
Slightly belated birthday wishes to one of the most famous sites in all of Italy - the Sistine Chapel - a must on every tour of Rome. The Vatican beauty turned 500 years young on October 31st. But you don't get to such a ripe old age without some controversy, some are calling for visits... -
Visiting the Vatican? Check the Pop...
Published on Monday, October 29, 2012 by Steve
If you're planning to visit Rome and Vatican City, you might just wonder what the Pope is up to and if there might be a chance for you to see him...Wonder no more! Here's a link to the Pope's schedule for the next four months. Check it when you are a few months out from your visit to the... -
Is the Vatican’s Sistine Chap...
Published on Saturday, September 29, 2012 by Kathy McCabe
Five million tourists visit the Sistine Chapel every year and one Italian writer says the most famous chapel in the world, at the heart of Vatican City, is falling prey to unimaginable disaster because of visitors who act like "drunken herds." Pietro Citati, a leading Italian literary ... -
Visit With A Priest at The Vatican ...
Published on Monday, September 24, 2012 by Kathy McCabe
The Vatican recently completed a month-long pilot project placing priests in the Vatican Museums to offer interaction with visitors and hails it a success. “There are so many themes that are spoken of. We might speak of art and faith or of economics and faith. Some people come to shar...
