Published on Sunday, April 1, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Two leading independent airport organizations have recognized Rome’s Fiumicino Airport as the world’s most improved airport and the airport with the best quality of services. Skytrax, an airport rating and assessment company, named Fiumicino the world’s most improved airport. Each year, Skytrax reviews more than 550 airports worldwide to determine which one ...

Published on Saturday, February 10, 2018 by Kathy McCabe Three Italian neighborhoods are among Business Insider’s list of Europe’s 18 coolest neighborhoods to visit in 2018: Monti and Piazza Cavour, both in Rome, and Campania (which is really a region but who's arguing) in southern Italy. The list was curated by travel experts, including from Suitcase Magazine, Spain-based Marugal Hotel Company  and the app HolidaySwap...

Published on Thursday, December 28, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Spending New Year's Eve (Capodanno)  in Italy can be as much a cultural experience as a celebration. Italians have very particular ways that they say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new one: Natale con I tuoi, Capodanno con chi vuoi. This  Italian expression sums up the holiday -- "Christmas with the family, New Year's with whom you want." Since many...

Published on Monday, December 11, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Rome’s popular 13th emperor is getting a new exhibit detailing his life and legacy, in time for the 1900th anniversary of his death. Trajan, who ruled the Roman Empire from 98 to 117 A.D., was referred to as the optimus princeps (the best ruler) by the senate at the time. He is most known for his military victories in the expansion of the Roman Empire to its largest...

Published on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 by Kathy McCabe The next time you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome, you could be unwittingly making a donation to the Roman government. Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi has announced that the coins, which can add up to more than 100 million euros!! per year, will now be used to fund city projects, which will be decided upon by a city hall working group. Since 2006, the money has ...

Published on Saturday, October 21, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Rinascente, the historic Italian department store founded in Milan, will return to the center of Rome for the first time since the Spanish clothing chain Zara took over its original location over 11 years ago. Formerly on Via del Corso, the new Rinascente (previously known as La Rinascente) opened this month in a stunning new site nearby on Via del Tritone. The 17,...

Published on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 by Kathy McCabe A new institute in Rome, the Caravaggio Research Institute, will dedicate itself to becoming the sole authority on everything related to the artist, who lived from 1571 to 1610. Founded as a result of a partnership between fashion brand Fendi and the Borghese Gallery, the institute will be a center of research and education to identify genuine works by the Italian mas...

Published on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Even if you’ve visited Rome many times and seen it from every angle including the Vatican’s keyhole vista, there’s an entirely new view in Italy’s iconic city—from the fourth and fifth levels of its unforgettable Colosseum, the largest amphitheater ever built. Starting November 1st, visitors will be allowed access to those restored rows of seats, as well ...

Published on Monday, August 21, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi’s administration has introduced a temporary period of controlled access to the Trevi Fountain through a set path. During the 80-day trial period that began on July 25, volunteer patrols are controlling the flow of traffic around the fountain and reminding tourists not to eat, swim, sit or lean on the fountain. Those who break the rules may ...

Published on Thursday, July 20, 2017 by Kathy McCabe Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome has opened previously closed-off spaces, including a series of three rooms known as the Cambellotti Rooms, to the public for the first time, and is also providing new ways for visitors to interact with and understand the historic monument. Guests can access the rooms through a newly opened ceremonial entrance designed by architect Giov...