Published on Monday, February 3, 2014 by Kathy McCabe Today the Vatican opened the Roman Necropolis of the Via Triumphalis to the public for the first time. The ancient burial ground dates back to the first century B.C. when it was the place of final rest for local Romans. The 10,000-square-foot site was originally uncovered during the 1950s during construction of a new parking garage underneath the Vatican. ...

Published on Tuesday, July 2, 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: John Paul II Set For Sainthood: A second miracle by the late Pope has confirmed and has the beloved John Paul cleared to become a saint.  (BBC News) Italy's Undiscovered Alpine Retreat: Rick St...

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 Thursday, February 28, 2013 by Kathy McCabe As of 8 p.m. local time, the Vatican's Swiss Guards are a protection force without a Pope to protect. Pope Benedict officially retired from the Papacy today as the Vatican is slated to announce Friday the date for the conclave to elect his successor.   According to  the Associated Press reporter who was at the Pope's summer/weekend residence, "As bells tolled, t...

Published on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 by Kathy McCabe There are few experiences that can match seeing the Sistine Chapel in person. But no matter how much time you spending touring the Sistine Chapel, there are details you will surely miss. That's why this virtual display of the chapel is a must-see. You can look at the ceiling for as long as you want without straining your neck! Plus you don't have to share the view w...

Published on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Slightly belated birthday wishes to one of the most famous sites in all of Italy - the Sistine Chapel - a must on every tour of Rome. The Vatican beauty turned 500 years young on October 31st. But you don't get to such a ripe old age without some controversy, some are calling for visits to the Sistine Chapel to be limited. The grand dame is a popular lady and five ...

Published on Monday, October 29, 2012 by Steve If you're planning to visit Rome and Vatican City, you might just wonder what the Pope is up to and if there might be a chance for you to see him...Wonder no more! Here's a link to the Pope's schedule for the next four months.  Check it when you are a few months out from your visit to the Vatican. Note that the  ‘Angelus’ is a special prayer the Pope recites ...

Published on Saturday, September 29, 2012 by Kathy McCabe Five million tourists visit the Sistine Chapel every year and one Italian writer says the most famous chapel in the world, at the heart of Vatican City, is falling prey to unimaginable disaster because of visitors who act like "drunken herds." Pietro Citati, a leading Italian literary critic and biographer, writes in an article for Corriere della Sera the the tou...

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...