Published on Friday, August 9, 2013 by Steve I’m Steve Perillo of Perillo Tours. I have 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. In this video, I'd love to tell you about the 55th Annual Venice Biennale, the world's largest exhibit of contemporary art. taking place in Venice now through the end of November 2013. ...

Published on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 by Kathy McCabe A number of dead fish have been found floating in the lagoons of Venice in recent days. While officials have been quick to scoop them up, so as not to ruin the tourist experience, residents and environmentalists alike are wondering what is causing the deaths of these fish? According to Gazzetta del Sud, "(Experts) want to clarify whether a lack of oxygen, possibly ...

Published on Thursday, June 13, 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: A World of Mist and Stone in Sicily: Explore the walled town of Erice in northwestern Sicily. A local says, "You don’t come here to see sights, you come here to be here.”  (The Boston Globe) ...

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, January 2, 2013 by Kathy McCabe Expert in all things European travel, Rick Steves has put together his list what to look out for in Italy in 2013. If you're planning to travel to Italy this year, it is worth a read. Here's what Steves says is new and interesting in Italy for 2013: More rooms at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence have been opened to the public, including  the Caravaggio Rooms and t...

Published on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 by Kathy McCabe For four straight days, parts of Italy have been deluged by floods resulting in at least four deaths. Hundreds have been evacuated from their homes in Tuscany and the Tiber River burst its banks north of Rome. High tide in Venice where acqua alta is at record levels: Photo by Robert Trm, flickr.com Flooding in Montepulciano, Tuscany: Photo by Andrea Ro...

Published on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 by Kathy McCabe So you're planning a trip to Italy - probably your first - and can't decide exactly where to go. You're not alone, this is a problem most visitors to Italy have. There's simply too much to see! You need to start with the realization that there is no way you are going to see everything so don't even try.  The key is to prioritize. If it is your first trip to Italy, s...

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 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 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...