Published on Friday, December 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe If Florence or Tuscany is on your must-visit list this Christmas season, there are some great Florence events for the holiday season, according to The Florentine.  Here are a few of the holiday celebrations in and around Florence that caught our eye: The German Market in Florence's Piazza Croce runs through December 16th. Enjoy Christmas delicacies from t...

Published on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by Kathy McCabe So you're planning a trip to Italy - probably your first - and can't decide exactly where to go. You're not alone, this is a problem most visitors to Italy have. There's simply too much to see! You need to start with the realization that there is no way you are going to see everything so don't even try.  The key is to prioritize. If it is your first trip to Italy, s...

Published on Thursday, October 11, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Budget travelers to Italy might want to check out L’è Maiala, an osteria that recently opened in Florence, supposedly  the first barter-only restaurant in the country of Italy.  The name of the restaurant means "What a pig!" or slang for "What a tough situation!" Those in a bind - or just curious to experience a barter-for-bites meal -  may want to pay a visit...

Published on Friday, October 5, 2012 by Steve For me to pick a favorite tour is like choosing a favorite child, but the 10-Day Vesuvius Tour is in the running for one of my top picks. Why?  It's Affordable! Starting at $2890 per person, Vesuvius packs in a lot for the price including first clas deluxe hotels, many delicious meals, experienced guides and transportation via our state-of-the-art motorcoaches. ...

Published on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 by Steve If Italy is calling you in the near future and you enjoy the convenience of an escorted tour but the adventure of dining on your own, I recommend our 14-Day North Continental Tour. This is the same itinerary as our best-selling Italy tour in history (14-Day North Classic) with the freedom to choice your own dining experiences. Imagine seeing the sites and then explor...

Published on Friday, September 14, 2012 by Kathy McCabe VirtualTourist.com has named Florence Italy as the best destination for an intergenerational trip - that means kids, parents and grandparents! We've always thought that Italy is perfect for family vacations -- the Italian culture honors families and children and there are so many fun things for people of all ages to do -- so we can't agree more. "In addition t...

Published on Friday, August 31, 2012 by Kathy McCabe For anyone who loves Italian fashion or Italian shoes, the Ferragamo Museum in Florence is already a must-visit. Yet there's even more reason to visit this fall and winter - a chance to celebrate the life and fashion of  Marilyn Monroe on the 50th anniversary of her death  The exhibit, which runs through January 28, 2013, pays special attention to Monroe's de...

Published on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Referred to by Michelangelo as “The Door of Paradise,” this 15-th century gilded bronze door will soon be unveiled to the public after nearly three decades of restoration.  Crafted by Lorenzo Ghiberti, the medieval masterpiece weighs eight tons and had been part of the baptistery of Florence’s Duomo for more than 500 years until it was removed for restoration. ...

Published on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 by Daniel When you want to enjoy Italy at its best, you definitely ought to visit its five fascinating cities - Rome, Venice, Milan, Florence, and Naples. These beautiful cities are a perfect amalgamation of Italian history and modern attractions. With abundant places to visit, these cities are sure to create moments that you’ll cherish for years to come. Each city here has s...

Published on Monday, May 28, 2012 by Daniel Italy is not just about long sandy beaches, stunning landscapes, impressive historic buildings, and tasty food items - it’s a land of beautiful vineyards and fine wines too. If you’re in Florence this September, then consider yourself lucky. You’ll get to taste the world’s finest wines in some of the magnificent historic buildings. A tradition that’s so spec...