Published on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The newly elected mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino wants to close down the Via dei Fori Imperiali which runs next to the Colosseum  in a bid to make ancient Rome more pedestrian friendly, hoping to double the current number of visitors to the ancient sites to 20 million.  On August 3rd, Marino began barring private cars from the southern end of the road and tas...

Published on Wednesday, August 14, 2013 by Kathy McCabe You can't visit the city of Rome without coming upon a Vespa parked on almost any street or whizzing by. These red Vespas truly stand out against a Roman backdrop. Photo by tekaybe, flickr.com...

Published on Monday, August 12, 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: Siena: Italy's Medieval Gem:  Rick Steves explores the Tuscan city of Siena and recommends sites, hotels and restaurants. (The Seattle Times) Italy With A Baby: New parents take their baby to P...

Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 by Kathy McCabe I've been talking to people who are deciding at the last minute to visit Italy this summer. For a number of reasons (like the school schedule), their schedules only allow them to visit Italy in August. Many of them have heard horror stories about how the whole country goes on vacation, there's no one left to cater to the visitors and it is too hot. Don't worry, August...

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 Sunday, July 28, 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: Ischia's Appeal:  Its neighbor Capri is far more famous but the island of Ischia is well worth a visit. (The Sun) A Murderer's Tour of Venice: Author Donna Leon, who lives in Venice, makes the ...

Published on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A visit to Hadrian's Villa in the town of Tivoli, 18 miles from Rome, makes for a great day trip from the Eternal City.  Roman Emperor Hadrian's retreat was built during the second and third decades of the 2nd century AD. The "villa" is actually a complex of more than 30 buildings and a variety of gardens.  Now five more buildings, surrounded by large statues, have ...

Published on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A number of dead fish have been found floating in the lagoons of Venice in recent days. While officials have been quick to scoop them up, so as not to ruin the tourist experience, residents and environmentalists alike are wondering what is causing the deaths of these fish? According to Gazzetta del Sud, "(Experts) want to clarify whether a lack of oxygen, possibly ...