Published on Thursday, August 20, 2015 by Kathy McCabe At 136 acres, the grounds of the Castel Gandolfo, the Pope’s private residence in Lazio, are larger than the entire Vatican City (108 acres). The land includes gardens, woodland, a working farm, beehives, a dairy, and even hay fields—but you don’t need to take our word for it. As of this this year, the public can tour these previously closed areas that are just ...

Published on Thursday, January 2, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Scaffolding is now up around part's of Rome's iconic Colosseum, as part of a $33 million repair project funded by the private Italian leather goods company Tod's. Amid economic hardship and deteriorating ruins, private companies have stepped in to help save some of Italy's treasures. Tod's chairman Diego della Valle told CBS News, “I am very proud to be Italian....

Published on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A visit to Hadrian's Villa in the town of Tivoli, 18 miles from Rome, makes for a great day trip from the Eternal City.  Roman Emperor Hadrian's retreat was built during the second and third decades of the 2nd century AD. The "villa" is actually a complex of more than 30 buildings and a variety of gardens.  Now five more buildings, surrounded by large statues, have ...

Published on Monday, May 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe A short train ride from Rome, Castel Gandolfo is a picturesque town with a population of about 8,000 people, overlooking Lake Albano. It is home to the Pope’s summer residence and is one of the Castelli Romani, historic hill towns located around the Alban Hills and dominated by impressive villas. In Piazza della Libertà, the main square, visit the Chiesa di San ...