Published on Thursday, February 28, 2019 by Kathy McCabe A new tram line has opened in Florence, connecting the airport and the city center at Piazza dell’Unità near Santa Maria Novella Central Station in 22 minutes. The T2 line is the second tram line to open in Florence and has 12 stops. The T1 line opened in 2010 and links Villa Costanza with Careggi in the northern outskirts of Florence, passing through Santa Maria N...

Published on Friday, February 22, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Climate change and disease is threatening to endanger Italian olive oil, with supply expected to run out by April. According to Italian agricultural association Coldiretti, last season’s olive harvest fell 57% to a 25-year low due to weather and disease affecting the crop. Italy is the second-largest producer of olive oil in Europe, after Spain. “We risk for ev...

Published on Saturday, February 16, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Perillo Tours loves travel agents! They know Perillo Tours will provide their clients with the most authentic and worry-free tours of Italy and Hawaii. Perillo has been working with many of their favorite agents for decades. To show appreciation for some of their New York agents, Steve and the gang thought outside the box for a night of a fun and pasta-making!...

Published on Thursday, February 14, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Vatican City sits completely within the city of Rome so it is sometimes easy to forget that it is indeed its own city-state. However, it is likely that soon the Vatican will have its own athletics team with the hopes of perhaps competing on the world stage at the Olympic Games. Thanks to an agreement with the Italian Olympic organization, CONI, the Vatican athletes...

Published on Sunday, February 10, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Most of the world celebrates Valentine’s Day on February 14, but it is not widely known that St. Valentine was born and later buried in the Umbrian town of Terni. February 14th is the anniversary of his death and it is a day to celebrate love and lovers. According to one legend, St. Valentine, a bishop, got his reputation as the patron saint of lovers when he wed...

Published on Tuesday, February 5, 2019 by Kathy McCabe The city of Bologna is famous for its cuisine and its covered porticoes, but recently it is making headlines for other reasons. From April to September each year, the city’s initiative “Bella Mossa” kicks into full swing. “Bella Mossa” translates to “Good Job” or “Good Move” and it is a way to not only benefit the environment but to be rewarded at th...

Published on Friday, February 1, 2019 by Kathy McCabe The southern half of the boot is simply magical for its stunning landscapes, fresh food, delicious wines and friendly people.  Travel with Italy Vacations, Perillo's custom travel department, celebrating its 10th anniversary! Women Only: Golden Week in Southern Italy ItalyVacations.com has a very special opportunity for ladies only to travel with the incomparabl...

Published on Saturday, January 26, 2019 by Kathy McCabe The city of Matera, deep in Italy’s Basilicata region has a big year on the horizon. It is the European Capital of Culture for 2019, and the title is a source of pride for the entire nation, but especially for the residents of the city. Matera is unlike any other city in the world. Houses are carved into mountains’ rocky landscape and some have been continuousl...

Published on Wednesday, January 23, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Perillo Tours is excited to announce that this October, comedian and radio host Joe Piscopo will be accompanying a very special Perillo Tour to Italy! This is basically Perillo's popular Vesuvius Tour but with two additional elements: an extra day in Sorrento and a new travel friend will come along - Joe Piscopo! We depart October 19th for 11 days...in Rome, Pomp...

Published on Thursday, January 17, 2019 by Kathy McCabe Pompeii’s Schola Armaturarum (School of Gladiators) has reopened after a three-year restoration. The school was used to train gladiators in combat, as well as to host feasts. The building collapsed in November 2010 due to heavy rains. As part of the restoration, workers pieced together brightly colored frescoes that had fallen apart in the collapse. Archeologists...