Published on Monday, October 27, 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.  Here are our top picks for this week: Swiss Guards Launch Cookbook: Sure they guard the Pope, but did you know that they can cook too? It includes the favorite recipes of Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.  (Wanted in Rome) Sparkling ...

Published on Saturday, May 17, 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.  Here are our top picks for this week: Big Florence Wedding:  Rumor has it that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West will marry at Forte Belvedere next weekend.  (The Daily Mail) Italy Trivia Quiz: How well do you know Italy's tourist attr...

Published on Thursday, March 27, 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: Treasures of Val'D'Orcia: Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini introduces this stunning area of Tuscany.   (The Los Angeles Times) Idyllic Alta Badia: Gourmet food, glorious skiin...

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...

Published on Thursday, January 16, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Visiting San Gimignano, the Tuscan town famous for its towers, can feel like a journey back in time. One of the town's museums - San Gimignano 1300 -  helps you have this time travel feeling with an historic, miniature version of what this UNESCO World Heritage Site was like in the year 1300.  While numerous towers in other Italian cities have ben destroyed by t...

Published on Friday, November 15, 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: Venice: Google Street View: How did Google captures the alleys of Venice without cars? Employees carrying backpack-mounted cameras. (The Guardian) St. Peter's Bones: For the first time in hist...

Published on Friday, September 13, 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: Take Action for Tiramisu:  An Italian politician has asked the European Union for protection for that precious dessert - tiramisu. (Italy Magazine) No Fun at Leaning Tower of Pisa: A panicked ...

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 Thursday, July 18, 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: Fishing in Tuscany:  Who knew that the region of rolling hills and vineyards is also a fine place to fish - whether in the rivers or on the sea.  (The Florentine) Colosseum Restoration Startin...

Published on Sunday, July 14, 2013 by Kathy McCabe The ornate marble floor of Siena's Duomo is one of its great treasures. Yet it is rarely uncovered in all its glory for visitors to see. Following the success of last summer's display (350,000 visitors saw it), the flooring of Siena's cathedral will be on view again this summer, for two months, starting August 18th. A must-see if you're visiting Tuscany. According ...