Published on Sunday, March 23, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Bulgari has donated  1.5 million euros to the restoration of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, calling it a "gift" to the Roman people. The Italian jewelry and luxury goods brand is the latest in a series of Italian companies to step in to preserve Italy's heritage among a crushing economic crisis and the cutting of government funds. The refurbishment of 136 of ...

Published on Monday, March 17, 2014 by Kathy McCabe All eyes have been on the Vatican for a year now, with the election of Pope Francis and his incredible popularity resulting in "the Pope Francis Effect." The fervor only seems to be on the increase with the upcoming canonization of two former popes on April 27 at the Vatican.  In September 2013, Pope Francis announced that two of his predecessors - Pope John Paul ...

Published on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 by Steve Have kids or grandkids? Ready to show them the world? Here's your chance to take them on a once-in-a-lifetime trip and see Europe along with other families through our partnership with Smithsonian Journeys. Italy, England/France or Spain...the choice is yours! Spotlight - Treasures of Italy: A Family Adventure 11 days Exploring the Treasures of Venice, Florence, ...

Published on Sunday, March 9, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a weekly 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: The Great Beauty Tour: The Italian movie "La Grande Bellezza" won an Oscar last week. Here's a guide to where scenes were filmed in Rome.  (Buzz in Rome) Battle of the Oranges: This Ca...

Published on Sunday, March 2, 2014 by Kathy McCabe It took eight years to construct and now the world's largest maze or labyrinth is set to open in Italy. The 17-acre Labirinto della Masone is set on the estate of art publisher Franco Maria Ricci in the town of Fontanellato near Parma in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Italy Magazine reports, "It consists of a mix of 120,000 species of bamboo that edge almost 2 mil...

Published on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 by Kathy McCabe If you're visiting the Uffizi Gallery in Florence between now and April 29th, you have an exciting opportunity to see one of Florence's hidden art collections. Visit Tuscany reports that the Contini Bonacossi Collection, usually closed to the public, will be available for guided tours (though only in Italian) to anyone who purchases a ticket to the Uffizi. The col...

Published on Sunday, February 23, 2014 by Kathy McCabe The Italy Mix is a weekly 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: Academy of Silence: A new organization in Tuscany seeks to gather a list of the quietest hotels, towns and other places in Italy.  One of them, Eremito Hotelito del Alma in Umbria is pict...

Published on Saturday, February 22, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Florence is the home of two of the world's most famous and most visited museums — the Uffizi and the Accademia Gallery — so it isn't surprising that some of the "other" Florence museums don't get as much publicity but can be just as fascinating and worth seeing. So if you're visiting Florence and have some extra time after seeing the main sites, consider a visit t...

Published on Tuesday, February 18, 2014 by Steve Ready to travel to Italy but you're seeking peace and serenity instead of crowded cultural attractions? R&R, Italian-style can be yours on the stunning Italian Riviera and Lake Como in northern Italy. I've made a list of 5 incredible experiences you can have in this special corner of Italia: 1. Stroll by the water and take in magnificent views. Whether you're...

Published on Thursday, February 13, 2014 by Kathy McCabe What's a great way to celebrate a college graduation and a 65th birthday? How about walking 200 miles from Siena to Rome on the historic Via Francigena? That's what aspiring filmmaker Alex Sandberg and his mom did last June. The Via Francigena is part of the ancient route that brought pilgrims from Canterbury to Rome. Alex and his mom Catherine met up in Siena, hi...