Published on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 by Kathy McCabe A section of Palatine Hill in Rome has opened to the public for the first time in centuries, allowing visitors to take in 1,200 years of the Eternal City's history. One of Rome’s seven hills, Palatine Hill overlooks the Roman Forum and the Circus Maximus in the city center, but the newly opened spot is a place where tourists can experience nature in the middle o...

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 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 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...

Published on Friday, July 14, 2017 by Kathy McCabe A summer heat wave is prompting the city of Rome to turn off up to 30 of the city’s 2,800 public drinking fountains every day, much to the Roman public’s dismay. The fountains supply clean – and free – drinking water on street corners and in piazzas around the city, and some are concerned the shutoff will leave Romans, especially those who are homeless, dehydr...

Published on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 by Kathy McCabe I’m Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours. I'm thrilled to host 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. How many YEARS would it take you to visit every church in Rome if you visited one a day? Any guesses? Almost THREE YEARS! There are more than 900 churches in Rome! In...

Published on Saturday, August 27, 2016 by Kathy McCabe For travelers seeking an otherworldly experience, the allegedly haunted Isola Bisentina, said to host spirits, demons, and other monstrous creatures, may transport you to another realm. The island is in the middle of Lago di Bolsena, a crater lake located in the province of Viterbo about 81 miles north of Rome. The island was inhabited during ancient Etruscan and ...

Published on Sunday, June 5, 2016 by Kathy McCabe A new feature will allow the public to see the Roman Forum in a new light this summer – literally, as the Forum will be illuminated by LEDs and open for nighttime tours for the first time. The lights cast white and yellow highlights onto the site’s most famous structures, drawing attention to details on parts of the Forum including the via Sacra, the monumentâ€...