Published on Friday, April 5, 2013 by Kathy McCabe An Italian woman has been named the world's best chef by Restaurant Magazine.  Nadia Santini, the proprietor of Dal Pescatore in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna, has won the honor.  Until recently her family's restaurant, which is over 100 years old, was the only restaurant in Italy to hold a Michelin three-star rating. Nadia, who married into the...

Published on Sunday, March 31, 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: Top Family Hotels in Italy: TripAdvisor says seven of the 10 best family-friendly hotels are in Italy. The Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel in Ortisei (Val Gardena) (pictured) rated #1. ...

Published on Friday, March 22, 2013 by Steve If you're taking your first trip to Italy and you're looking for an independent itinerary, I have just the one for you. I'm thrilled to announce a fabulous new travel package called Three Crowns of Italy.  Experience Italy's 3 major cities in style, with 4-star, centrally located hotels and all of your land transportation! Here's what's included: 3 nights in a...

Published on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Our new feature on ItalyTravel.com is The Italy Mix, 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: Meet the Three People Pope Francis Wanted Front and Center: Pope Francis celebrated his Inaugural Mass at the Vatican this week with some personal guests in t...

Published on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 by Steve I'm thrilled to announce a fabulous new travel package called Roman Adventure! With the Eternal City as your home base, see the highlights of Ancient Rome, the Colosseum, and the Vatican, plus venture out to Pompeii, Naples and Tuscany to make the most of your week in Rome. Here's what is included: + 6 nights in a 4-star Rome hotel + airport transfers + Coloss...

Published on Friday, March 15, 2013 by Steve All eyes were on Rome and Vatican City this week as Pope Francis became the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church. There has never been a better time to visit the Eternal City and Italy and  ItalyVacations.com has put together  an amazing package for you to meet the new pope! Meet Pope Francis at a Papal Audience at the Vatican - a once-in-a-lifetim...

Published on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 by Kathy McCabe All eyes are on Vatican City in Rome -- and specifically the chimney leading from the Sistine Chapel -- to see if a new Pope has been elected. 115 cardinals are locked away in the chapel, voting on the leader of over a billion Catholics. Here are some fun facts about the Conclave: In the 13th century, Pope Gregory put the rule into effect that cardinals must be s...

Published on Saturday, March 9, 2013 by Kathy McCabe We've started a new feature on ItalyTravel.com, it is called The Italy Mix and it 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: Papal Conclave to Start Tuesday: Cardinals have gathered at Vatican City to elect a new Pope. (Miami Herald) Is An America...

Published on Thursday, March 7, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Sicily's Mount Etna erupted Tuesday night providing a beautiful nighttime fireworks show. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and  the tallest active volcano in Europe.  It is the most active of Italy's three active volcanoes and the highest mountain in Italy, south of the Alps. ...

Published on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 by Kathy McCabe On Friday, the Vatican post office released stamps for the Sede Vacante or Vacant See period - the time when there is no Pope. Pope Benedict XVI stepped down on February 28th.  Because this period is so short, these stamps are quite the collectors item. Perillo Tours President Steve Perillo has his own collection of Sede Vacante commemorative stamps. The Vatican star...