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 Monday, August 5, 2013 by Kathy McCabe If you're looking for some ultimate, once-in-lifetime Italian experiences, get ready to visit the region of Emilia-Romagna in central Italy. That's where Italy's luxury car makers are based and where YOU can get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini for a Super Car Test Drive! Choose the model you want to drive (how about a Spider) and where (race track, i...

Published on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 by Kathy McCabe 2013 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi, one of the world's greatest opera composers. Many know, of course, that the composer was Italian (or born in what is now considered Italy) but may know anything about his early life. According to Wikipedia, "Verdi was born the son of Carlo Giuseppe Verdi and Luigia Uttini in Le Ron...

Published on Thursday, June 6, 2013 by Kathy McCabe What's more harmonious than pairing music with wine? That's the premise behind Melodia del Vino - a series of five classical music concerts combined with wine tastings, hosted at some of Tuscany's finest vineyards between June 27 and July 6, 2013. The wineries taking part in the music series include Cantina Antinori nel Classico in Bargina, Cantna Petra near Livorn...

Published on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The most translated book from the Italian language, The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli celebrates its 500th birthday this year with a special exhibit in Rome. The exhibition “Niccolò Machiavelli: The Prince and His Times 1513-2013" runs through June 16th at Rome's Vittoriano Museum Complex. Its six parts trace Machiavelli and his times, the impact of The Prince throu...

Published on Thursday, May 16, 2013 by Kathy McCabe   One of the magical experiences of visiting Italy is watching master artisans at work... This craftsman is in the town of Volterra, in Tuscany, a place known for its alabaster creations. Photo by Theodore Scott, flickr.com...

Published on Friday, May 10, 2013 by Kathy McCabe If you're traveling to Rome and looking for an authentic dining experience, look no further than Orso 80. You can make a meal out of the antipasti alone at this casual Roman eatery near Piazza Navona. Or another way to put it is don't go to Orso 80 and not partake of the scrumptious appetizers. Yes, they are that good! Tell the waiter to bring out a selection of the d...

Published on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 by Kathy McCabe If you're in Italy on May 18th, you might want to plan to stay up until the wee hours of the morning - not drinking or dancing, but taking in culture at a museum. It is all part of the Night of the Museums or La Notte Dei Musei - an event throughout Europe, including Italy, with free admission to museums as well as very extended hours. The Night of the Museums starts ...

Published on Friday, April 26, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A long-standing ban on the import of salami into the United States will be lifted on May 28, according to the Italian news agency ANSA.  Previously the American Federal Drug Administration prohibited the import of cured pork products. The move will open up a huge market for Italian salami manufacturers. The Italian farmers' organization Coldiretti estimates that t...

Published on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 by Kathy McCabe An event taking place in over 100 locations throughout the world, Slow Art Day is a chance for art fans to take in beautiful works s-l-o-w-l-y. This year Slow Art Day is April 27.  If you're in Florence, a great place to experience the day is at Palazzo Strozzi. The Florentine reports visitors will have ample time to appreciate works from the current exhibition  ...