Published on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 by Kathy McCabe The capital of the Italian region of Abruzzo - L'Aquila - was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2009. It will take years to rebuild the destruction but now some good news for the citizens of L'Aquila. This month the city inaugurated a new temporary auditorium whose design was donated by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano who also designed Rome's Parco della Musica A...

Published on Monday, October 15, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Like clockwork every fall bring acqua alta (high water) to the canals and walkways of Venice.  Seasonal high tides in this city on water rise 105 centimeters during this time of year, flooding squares and walkways. Currently the 9% of the city is underwater and the city is at "code yellow" meaning more high water is expected. November and December are traditionally t...

Published on Friday, October 12, 2012 by Kathy McCabe There were few moments more dramatic in ancient Rome than the stabbing of Emperor Julius Caesar; but until now the details have been murky. Archaeologists from the Spanish National Research Council say they have now pinpointed the location and details of the famous act. According to the Huffington Post, "The scientists said in a written statement that they found a ...

Published on Monday, October 8, 2012 by Kathy McCabe In Rome, they've dubbed it "the War on the Sandwich." Starting October 1, it is  illegal to snack on or near any monuments in the Eternal City. Rome's mayor spearheaded the new legislation. According to NBC News, "Tourists will still be allowed to eat while they walk, but stop with a bag of chips in your hands or sit down while chewing on your panino, and you are...

Published on Friday, October 5, 2012 by Steve For me to pick a favorite tour is like choosing a favorite child, but the 10-Day Vesuvius Tour is in the running for one of my top picks. Why?  It's Affordable! Starting at $2890 per person, Vesuvius packs in a lot for the price including first clas deluxe hotels, many delicious meals, experienced guides and transportation via our state-of-the-art motorcoaches. ...

Published on Monday, October 1, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Italy is one of the top five best destinations for travelers over the age of 70, according to British travel association Abta. While British seniors have the advantage of being that much closer to Italy than their American counterparts, Italy is still a hot destination for American senior travel. Since seniors, especially those over 70, have special considerations,...

Published on Monday, September 24, 2012 by Kathy McCabe The Vatican recently completed a month-long pilot project placing priests in the Vatican Museums to offer interaction with visitors and hails it a success. “There are so many themes that are spoken of. We might speak of art and faith or of economics and faith. Some people come to share their experiences or difficulties in their personal, professional or family li...

Published on Monday, September 17, 2012 by Kathy McCabe An Italy vacation can fit almost any budget. But for those who have money to spend, Sardinia might just be your destination... A study by Luxury-hotels.com reveals that some of the world's most expensive hotel rooms can be found on this Italian island - especially during the summer when Sardinia becomes a playful paradise for the rich and famous. The key is that...

Published on Friday, September 14, 2012 by Kathy McCabe VirtualTourist.com has named Florence Italy as the best destination for an intergenerational trip - that means kids, parents and grandparents! We've always thought that Italy is perfect for family vacations -- the Italian culture honors families and children and there are so many fun things for people of all ages to do -- so we can't agree more. "In addition t...

Published on Thursday, September 13, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Looking to make an impression on the upwards of 15 million people who visit the city of Venice Italy each year? Maybe you should take out an ad on the city's famous Rialto Bridge. The Venice city council is looking for a sponsor to pay for 5 million euros of renovations on the celebrated bridge. In return, the sponsor will receive advertising on the bridge as well a...