Kuoni Holdiays launches book on Italy

Kuoni Holidays on Wednesday launched an exclusive brochure in the form of a coffee table book on Italy, entitled 'Romancing the Peninsula' in association with the Italian State Tourist Board. The book that unveils the beauty, history and culture of Italy was launched at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower by celebrity Malaika Arora Khan. Romancing the Peninsula showcases authentic travel experiences in Italy as witnessed by a travel writer known as The Wanderer. It offers an experience of the six best known regions of Italy, which comprise of Campania, Veneto, Tuscany, Lombardia, Lazio and Sicilia. The book offers a glimpse of Italy behind the postcards, the real Italy of the cafes, the delectable cuisine and the endless miles of luxuriant countryside.

Mandarin Oriental to open luxury hotel in Milan

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has today announced that it will manage a new hotel in the heart of Milan which will open in 2010. The project gives the Group another unique opportunity to provide guests with Mandarin Oriental’s distinctive style of luxury in Europe, and in one of Italy’s most important travel destinations. Designed as a stylish and intimate hotel, featuring 104 guestrooms including 34 suites, Mandarin Oriental, Milan will be housed in the re-development of three elegant 19th Century buildings, ideally located on Via Monte di Pieta, one of Milan’s most prestigious addresses. The property provides easy access to the city’s important commercial, fashion and cultural centres, and is a short walk from many major tourist and shopping attractions.

VRG Launches Flights to Paris and Rome

GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes S.A. , the parent company of Brazil's low-cost airlines GOL Transportes Aereos S.A. and VRG Linhas Aereas S.A., announced today that VRG has begun daily operations of its newest international route: Sao Paulo-Paris-Rome.
A new Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, recently incorporated into the Company's fleet, will service the route. Flights will depart from Guarulhos International Airport for Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, making one stop at Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Italy Beats Hawaii as the Best Honeymoon Destination

Ask any bride-to-be and she'll quickly tell you that honeymoon dreams come true in Hawaii. This tropical paradise has been king of the hill when it comes to honeymoon destinations for nine straight years. But this year, the king was dethroned. Instead of finding Hawaii as big kahuna, Italy took the lead. In previous years, Italy ranked third, but in the 11th annual Modern Bride survey for 2007, it surpassed Hawaii, followed by Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mexico and France. The 11th annual survey was conducted through a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who ranked their 50 favorite honeymoon spots. The results appear in the magazine's August/September issue.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me

My husband and I have just returned from Italy on a group tour, organized by a travel agency. We had been promised full board, kosher meals, a week of touring sites of Jewish interest throughout northern Italy and an English/Italian speaking guide.
What we got was confusion over return flights and accommodations, no kosher food provided on the charter flights to and from Italy, an Israeli guide whose English was atrocious (and so, one imagines, was his Italian)

Walking with friends in Tuscany is a magical experience

My friends and I are on the less travelled, white-pebbled side roads, the strade bianche. We see few people. No traffic, not even the odd tractor; it's obviously way too hot for knowledgeable locals to be out in the mid-morning heat. There's just the odd glance from passing motorcyclists as they double-take at the sight of a half-dozen women in our sexy sunhats but not so sexy shorts and trainers as we traipse the byroads, dirt paths and field tracks of Tuscany.

Visiting Urbania in Italy's Le Marche Region

Urbania, also known as Casteldurante, is a lively medieval town in central Italy's Le Marche region. Although it's in a scenic position in the hills, the town itself is flat and compact, making it pleasant for walking. Urbania makes a good base for exploring the region with good restaurants, bars, and a people-filled main square. Urbania has been a center for handmade ceramics since the 15th century. You'll see ceramics in the museums and also in workshops and stores where you can buy high quality handmade ceramic pieces. The Ducal Palace is well worth a visit as is the interesting Chiesa dei Morti Mummies Cemetery. The beautiful Renaissance hill town of Urbino is only 17km away, making it an easy day trip.

Tuscany Visioning Retreat

Dream of Italy is offering a 10 percent discount to residents of metropolitan Washington on its Tuscany Visioning Retreat to Italy Oct. 21-27. The six-night trip includes accommodations at La Foce, an estate in southeastern Tuscany; group and individual life-coaching sessions; all meals; a day trip; and a cooking lesson. Cost after discount is $2,880 per person double, plus $125 to $150 for required travel insurance. Book by Sept. 7. Info: 202-237-0657, http://www.dreamofitaly.com.

Italy Travel Tip: Buying Medications in Italy

While you're likely to find that your prescription drugs cost less than in the US, some over the counter medications may cost more. Recently a friend needed allergy medicine in Italy and paid about $1 per pill for the equivalent of sudafed. Another friend paid about $1 per pill for ibuprofen. So you might want to bring these with you, too, if you use them. Other medications, like aspirin, will be about the same cost as in the US.