Italy Travel News

Alitalia and Travelport Renew Agreement

2011-05-04T21:37:00.001+03:00

Travelport and Alitalia jointly announced the renewal of their global, full-content agreement for Galileo and Worldspan-connected travel agencies. The new multi-year deal ensures that all travel agents connected to Travelport’s GDS platforms are guaranteed access to the full fares and inventory of Alitalia, including its online fares.

“As one of Europe’s leading airlines, Alitalia is an important and longstanding partner for Travelport and we are delighted to have secured their full content for all our travel agency users worldwide,” said Robin Ranken, Travelport’s head of supplier for Europe.

Marco Sansavini, Alitalia’s executive vice president of sales, distribution and customer care said: “The extensive distribution network that Travelport offers through its Galileo and Worldspan platforms, and the fact that they are the GDS of choice amongst travel agents in Italy, gives us very valuable access to the travel industry and strengthens our cooperation with the travel agency network which is an essential part of our distribution strategy.”

Rome never goes out of style

2009-09-06T08:36:00.000+03:00

ROME — On the centuries-old cobblestone streets, in the busy cafes, in church pews, Rome is much more inviting than people imagine. And any love you show to the Eternal City will be paid back tenfold.

Romans say you’d need more than a lifetime to fully discover their city, and that’s its charm — with so much to see it’s impossible to get bored. As a comparison, there’s definitely more to see here than in Paris.

Everywhere you look there’s a swirling mix of styles from every conceivable era. At any given time you can find a 2,000-year-old Roman temple supported by huge white columns, and around every corner there will likely be a church where you can admire frescoes from the Middle Ages that are not listed in guide books; then it’s off to a trattoria to savour the best spaghetti carbonara you’ve ever tasted.

Travel Postcard: 48 hours in Trieste, Italy

2009-06-20T17:37:00.000+03:00

TRIESTE, Italy (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore the central European melting pot which is the Italian port city of Trieste?

A Reuters correspondent with local knowledge helps visitors to get the most out of a visit to the city that only became definitively part of Italy in 1954 and where James Joyce wrote part of "Ulysses."

FRIDAY

8 p.m. - Drive down past cliffs and trees into the city of 200,000 people, a northeastern outpost of Italy with the Slovenian and Croatian borders not far away.

Drive past the rail station and just beyond the city center to L'Albero Nascosto. The small homely hotel, not from the seafront, boasts large rooms and breakfasts of cheese, bread and jams.

fff

2009-06-06T20:32:00.001+03:00

test

Italy for Under $300 Per Day

2009-05-22T19:49:00.000+03:00

The Deal Detective is SmarterTravel.com's resident bargain hunter, Kate Hamman. She's always on the lookout for new travel deals and invites you, dear reader, to submit your own questions.

Marion writes "I was just informed that I must take one week without pay before the end of the year. I'd like to combine my one week of paid vacation with this one week of unpaid to go somewhere interesting with my husband. I'd like to keep the budget to less than $300 per day for two middle-aged folks who like art, food, and magnificent scenery."

Map of Rome Showing Tourist Destinations

2009-05-11T01:47:00.000+03:00

The map of Rome below will show you the major tourist destinations. Zoom in or out and move the map around by using the buttons.

Metro. The map shows the two metro lines. The red line is Metro A (linea A) and the blue is Metro B (linea B). They cross at Rome's central station, Termini. They run from 5:30am to 11:30pm. A ticket costs €1 and is good for a single metro ride or 75 minutes on the busses. Tickets for both the bus system and Metro can be purchased from a tabacchi (tobacco shop), a bar, or vending machines at metro stations and major bus stops.

Travel agent to offer a taste of Italy

2009-04-23T20:46:00.001+03:00

A SCARBOROUGH travel agents will be celebrating all things Italian on Saturday.
First Choice Travel, in Westborough, is having an Italy themed day and is inviting people to go and join in the celebrations.

It will also be offering special deals for holidays or and short breaks to Italy.

Manager Laura Laycock said: "The staff will be dressing up and there will be lots of nice nibbles including bread, olives and cheese.

"We have lots of special offers available so anyone is welcome to come along at any time during the day on Saturday."

Italian Riviera Great for Spring Travel

2009-04-18T21:36:00.000+03:00

Le Cinque Terre, the five lands, are a group of five picturesque villages along the coast surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and woods. The villages can be reached on the train that runs between La Spezia and Genoa or by ferry from La Spezia, Portovenere, Levanto (the next village up the coast toward Genoa where there's also a train station), or other Italian Riviera villages.

There are popular hiking trails between the villages as well as in the scenic hills above them. You'll have to pay for entrance to the trails. Europe for Visitors has a good Cinque Terre hiking guide and map with pictures so you'll know what to expect when you go.

The Cinque Terre region is very popular with Americans and is very crowded in summer. Spending the night in one of the villages is a good way to experience the charm without the huge crowds since they aren't packed with hotels. My friends recommend staying in Manarola at A Casa Rooms and Apartments. Vernazza would be another good choice.

Italy Travel: Discovering Calabria / Calabria, Italy

2009-04-15T19:10:00.000+03:00

Religious tourists keep Italy on must-see lists

2009-04-11T23:15:00.000+03:00

ROME — While the world economic crisis forces many consumers to change spending habits, at least one of Italy's economic sectors has so far been barely touched: religious tourism.

Italy, which surrounds Vatican City, the spiritual home to the world's 1.1 billion Catholics, boasts more than 30,000 churches and sanctuaries, according to the country's Ministry of Culture. That's more churches per capita than any other major country. And according to United Nations' World Tourism Organization statistics, seven of the world's 10 most visited Christian sanctuaries are in Italy.

Official figures are hard to come by because visitors to Italy are not required to indicate whether or not their vacation is religious in nature.

Italy's Ministry of Tourism reports that overall tourism over the first two months of the year is down by a fifth over the same period last year.

Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Turin, Italy

2009-04-03T19:54:00.000+03:00

One of the greatest joys of being a foreign expat is ditching the guide book and experiencing life as the locals do.

No longer a tourist, you are a part of the community, and privy to information and places that tourists who are only passing through rarely get to enjoy.

Turin, Italy, is the cosmopolitan capital of Piedmont where foodies, fashionistas, filmophiles and fun-seekers enjoy a city in the midst of a cultural Renaissance.

The revitalization process began with the 2006 Winter Olympics but hasn’t ceased since, and today signs of progress emerge from each portico-covered street and grand riverfront piazza.

Alitalia Discount Flights: Travel to Italy from $349 RT

2009-03-25T13:16:00.000+02:00

Alitalia is spreading the love – or, should we say 'amore' – with spring flights to Italy from $349 round-trip, including taxes and fees.

In a search for flights to Rome using dates April 21 and April 27 for round-trip travel from New York City, fares started at $392 round-trip on other airlines. The same route with the same dates on Alitalia: $349 round-trip, including all fees.

Several routes between the U.S. and Italy start at $400 round-trip, or less. Book your flight by March 27 and travel between April 1 and May 25.

One Cheapflights tip: Don’t wait until summer when the fares go up. These cheap flights are almost too good to pass up. Book your Italy flights with Alitalia online.

Boston to Rome: $400
Boston to Milan: $389
Chicago to Milan: $389
Chicago to Bologna: $389
Miami to Milan: $389

What's the best way to spend 14 nights in Italy?

2009-03-23T10:47:00.000+02:00

I'm not sure if you're traveling by train or car, but let's assume you're going by train since all of these destinations are easily reachable. Leaving Rome, you could take the train to Florence, and base yourself there for three nights, spending the afternoon you arrive and the next day exploring the city and the next taking a day trip to Siena. You could certainly also add an extra day in Florence, depending on your interests.

The Cinque Terre (five villages) are about 2 ½ hours from Florence by train via Pisa. I've spent several days in the Cinque Terre, but I also visited the villages on a day trip from Florence a few years ago with relatives.

We were able to squeeze in a brief stop in Pisa, and arrive in the Cinque Terre in time for lunch and a walk before catching the train back in the early evening. It was a long day, and if you're really interested in exploring all of the villages, I'd recommend more time.

In the off-season, a trip to Siena, Italy, brings shivers of delight

2009-03-21T21:00:00.000+02:00

I was feeling lucky. That was my excuse for going to Siena in winter, when Tuscany is generally cold and rainy.

But rules were made to be broken in Italy, I've found. In Rome, you can wake up on a winter morning with rain beating on the window, bundle up and go outside and find yourself wishing you had sunglasses instead of an umbrella.

So my sister Martha and I took a gamble by planning a driving tour through southern Tuscany in the low season. Neither of us had been to Siena, about 150 miles north of Rome. And I wanted to see the Tuscan countryside, the model for paradise in paintings by 14th- and 15th-century Sienese masters.

It's Not Too Late to Sign Up to Go to Italy and Greece in 2010

2009-03-17T09:20:00.000+02:00

There is still time to sign up for the 13 day trip to Italy and Greece at the reduced price. If you sign up before March 31, the price will be $100 less due to early enrollment. Seventeen people have already taken advantage of this opportunity. We would love to take a group of 25-35, so there is still plenty of space available. After March 31, the price will increase by $100.

This exciting trip will take participants to many historical landmarks as well as Greek Island cruise. The group leader of the trip is Bob Wallace who is assisted by Suzanne Camp and Bob Blanton. Although geared toward high school and college students, teachers or other adults with an interest in cultural and educational experiences through international travel are welcome to participate. Middle school aged students be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Southern Italy Travel

2009-03-13T14:10:00.000+02:00

Rome is the most popular travel destination in Italy but while many tourists travel north of Rome, far fewer venture south. Naples and the Amalfi Coast are the most popular southern Italy destinations but Southern Italy has unusual sights that you won't find in the north like the well-preserved Greek temples at Paestum, the sassi or cave city of Matera (where you can stay in a cave hotel), and the cone-shaped houses called truilli in Puglia.

If you're interested in southern Italy check out South of Rome, an interesting blog created by an American woman living outside Naples. Today's post is about a restaurant she recommends in Paestum right by the temples.

Studying gastronomy in Italy

2009-03-03T14:29:00.000+02:00

OK, you have to admit: Could anything sound better than studying gastronomy in Italy, traveling to farms and artisan operations tasting olive oils and cured meats and cheeses? Eating the sort of salad pictured at right?

David Szanto recalls the moment he decided to take the plunge: He was at Highland Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, contemplating the end of a relationship and listening to NPR when he heard about the University of Gastronomic Sciences.

That was 2004, and he now teaches writing and communication at the university. On Friday night, he stopped by UCLA to talk about it. About 60 people came to the meeting.

Italy cracks down on transport strikes

2009-03-01T17:45:00.000+02:00

The Italian government on Friday proposed new rules to limit rampant strikes in the transport sector that each year cripple air, rail and road travel.

The measures approved at a Cabinet meeting would toughen sanctions for wildcat strikes and make it harder for small unions to call a walkout and paralyze transportation with the backing of just a handful of workers.

Frequent strikes by small groups have been particularly damaging for air travel in Italy. Last year, repeated protests by just a few dozen employees over the privatization of the failed national carrier Alitalia forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights over the Christmas period.

Spring in Italy

2009-02-27T00:19:00.000+02:00

Visiting Italy's Cities in Spring
Spring is a good time to visit most Italian cities. The heat and tourist crowds of summer have not arrived and more daylight hours give more time for touring and visiting outdoor sites which sometimes close at dusk. Although you'll still find hotel and accommodation bargains in spring, Holy Week and May 1 may be considered high season in many cities.

If you're away from major tourist areas, you'll find museums and attractions have shorter hours than in summer. Some things may only be open on weekends. Seaside resorts and camping areas are just opening and hotel swimming pools may still be closed in early spring. Beaches will be less crowded and swimming in the sea may be possible in late spring. Spring is a good time for hiking and viewing wildflowers. You'll find many small fairs and festivals, especially food festivals or sagre, and outdoor performances start in late spring.

Italy travel advice: regions and sites of Italy

2009-02-20T01:22:00.000+02:00

In the Northern portion of Italy, the most populous, you find the cities of Bologna, Milan, Turin, Venice and Verona. For natural beauty you find the amazing Lake Como area and the mountains of the Dolomites and the Alps. Skiing is popular in the at such resorts as Cortina dmpezzo. Milan, along with Paris, France, is the fashion capital of the world.

Venice is a city built on water where you will find only canal travel and no roads! Saint Mark Piazza is in Venice and is one of the most romantic places in Europe. Turin is home to one of the premier skiing parks in Europe and was host to the 2006 Olympic Games.

2009 Italy Travel Hot Spots

2009-02-06T13:51:00.001+02:00

Monte Argentario, part of Tuscany's Maremma Coast, is a hidden gem. Once an island, Monte Argentario is connected to Italy's mainland by sandbars. It's completely different from the popular hill towns of central Tuscany. Visitors will be rewarded with rugged coastline dotted with beaches, wildlife, hiking areas, and natural beauty. A highlight of a Maremma coast vacation is a boat trip to the Tuscan archipelago. Find out more with our Monte Argentario Travel Guide.

Rome has long been one of Italy's cities for travelers. Today's Rome is a vibrant and lively city with many fine restaurants and cafes, good nightlife, and lively streets and squares. Top Rome sites include ancient monuments, medieval and Renaissance buildings and fountains, churches, and great museums. Find out more about what to see and do with our Rome 3-Day Suggested Itinerary.

Luxury spa hotels in Italy & the islands

2009-01-21T16:42:00.001+02:00

Italy is the home of beauty, taste and style, so where better to go to pamper yourself? If you are looking for something really special – look no further. Southern Italy specialist Long Travel has a portfolio of spa hotels chosen not just for their fantastic facilities, but also because they offer something extra – maybe the general ambience and the superb location or the food and the friendly staff. Whatever the reason, they all offer something in addition to good spa facilities.

Both the Five Star Il Melograno in Puglia, and the Four Star Villa Maria d’Abruzzo in Abruzzo have recently completed their state-of-the-art spa and beauty facilities. The recently opened Petra Segreta in Sardinia is a small and exclusive hotel in an idyllic position with a fantastic spa and one of the world’s top therapists! Many other hotels including the Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, and Santa Caterina in Amalfi, who offer a very unusual, special lemon massage, have excellent spa facilities.

Best of Italy

2009-01-13T20:48:00.000+02:00

Italy has many beautiful and historic destinations well worth a visit. Our Best of Italy has top Italy travel destinations, from famous cities to picturesque hill towns and seaside villages. Use these travel suggestions to help plan your ideal Italy vacation.

If you've already been to Italy's best cities and towns, why not consider an off the beaten track destination? Here are a few places in Italy to get off the beaten track. You might spend less money in these Italian budget destinations, too.

Air France-KLM May Have Italian Bargain

2009-01-10T21:04:00.000+02:00

Alitalia is a very different and more attractive investment proposition to the one Air France-KLM and others snubbed in recent years when Alitalia couldn't service its borrowings. The Italian government is taking on most of the €1.2 billion in accumulated net debt. The final amount is yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, Alitalia has emerged as a bigger and potentially much more efficient business thanks to its merger with profitable, no-frills rival Air One. Thousands of jobs have been cut and new more flexible contracts agreed with labor unions. Plus Alitalia now operates a fleet of younger, more economical aircraft. The government has taken on older aircraft that it's selling off.

The Alitalia-Air One combination should have pricing power in the Italian market, Europe's fourth largest for business travel, where it has a 55% share compared with the old Alitalia's diminished share of 30%. The new company has a monopoly on the lucrative Milan-Rome route.

High-speed train to cut Rome-Milan travel time

2008-12-18T20:16:00.001+02:00

ROME, Dec 11 (Reuters) - A high-speed train service between Rome and Milan will cut travel time by 25 percent to three hours next year, allowing it to steal airline passengers on the busy route, the head of Italy's state railways said on Thursday.

The railways aims to corner 60 percent of the market for travel by any method over the route over the next two years, Ferrovie dello Stato CEO Mauro Moretti told Italian television.

The quicker train service comes as a group of Italian businessmen embark on an ambitious project to relaunch bankrupt national airline Alitalia (AZPIa.MI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), whose main attraction is its dominance of the Rome-Milan air route.

Italy launches Milan-Bologna high-speed train link

2008-12-14T14:58:00.000+02:00

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy launched a high-speed train link between the northern cities of Milan and Bologna on Saturday, part of a planned expansion to reach Rome next year and woo passengers away from airlines.

The fast train will cut travel time between the two cities to 65 minutes, state railway company unit Trenitalia said. Other trains take about twice as long on average to cover the 210-km (130-mile) stretch.

"The train has become a transport solution for everyone and throws out a challenge to the airplane," Trenitalia said in a statement.

Regular high-speed service from Milan to Bologna will start Sunday. Italy has three other fast train routes.

The high-speed service is scheduled to reach Rome next year and cut travel time between Milan, Italy's financial center, and the capital to three-and-a-half hours non-stop.

Italy Promises Star Ratings for Hotels

2008-12-07T08:19:00.000+02:00

Roman Holiday. Italy has established a uniform hotel rating system countrywide, despite resistance from some hoteliers, who were concerned that the bill was passed without their input. The new ratings — from one to five stars — will standardize hotel grades depending on room size, accessibility of private bathrooms, satellite TV, air-conditioning, Internet access, safes, the quality of cleaning services and the hours reception areas are manned.

Top 10 wine trips recommended

2008-12-03T19:41:00.000+02:00

Keen on Chianti: Tuscany, ItalY: Famed for its reds like Chianti and Montalcino, the Tuscany region of Italy is a delight for the senses.

Italy Travel Log

2008-10-30T12:33:00.000+02:00

Buon Giorno.

I've often seen the Vatican on television, but actually setting foot there was a truly unforgettable experience.

Today we got the chance to tour the Vatican which is considered to be its own country. It sits on 190 acres of land, and the religious and artistic treasures to be found at the Vactican are breath taking.

We were first provided a local guide who walked us through some of the rooms in the Vatican museum. Then, after some explanation, we were taken into the Sistine Chapel to see the amazing paintings completed on the walls and ceiling of the building. It's fascinating to think of Michelangelo working on these paintings hundreds of years ago.

After the Sistine Chapel, we were escorted into St. Peter's Basilica, which is considered to be the the largest church in the world. Just to give you an example, it is 413 feet from the floor to the top of the main dome. After seeing the inside of the church, we then walked out into St. Peter's Square to see the front of the church and where the Papal apartment is located. There really was so much to see that it's hard to put it into words.

Travel to Italy for 'a Rome-antic break'

2008-09-05T20:53:00.000+03:00

Britons looking to pop the question some time in the future can guarantee a positive response by proposing in Rome, it has been suggested.

According to the Flight Centre, Rome is one of the world's most romantic cities and is a top destination for those eager to get down on bended knee and propose.

"Whilst there are scores of beautiful city squares and fountains, the famous Trevi Fountain tops the list of places to propose. Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain your dreams will come true and you are sure to return to Rome," Flight Centre said.

Other romantic places to propose include Morocco, where the question can be popped against the stunning backdrop of the Sahara Desert.

Those looking to push the boat out could consider a trip to New Zealand, where Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula will take her breath away and surely provoke a good response.

Other romantic hotspots include Cape Town's Table Mountain and the Whitsundays in Australia.

First-Time Travelers to Italy Get the Royal Treatment and the Grand Tour

2008-08-13T13:19:00.000+03:00

Homebase Abroad, a firm that has specialized for more than fifteen years in travel to Italy and villa vacation planning, has created fall seasonal packages specifically designed for the first-time visitor. These new packages combine pristine villas in the most desired countryside locations with top-notch hotels near the must-see historic attractions Italy is known for, giving guests private, guided access to the luxury Italian lifestyle without the hassle of planning the itinerary.

"Villa vacations are ideally suited to those who have an active appetite for appreciating other cultures and are looking to truly 'live as the locals live'," says Mara Solomon, a founder and co-director of Homebase Abroad. "This package is designed to appeal to those who have not yet been to Italy and are interested in the relaxing villa lifestyle yet still want to experience the historical sites of Italy's most famous cities."

Ms. Solomon's company creates unique luxury Italian villa vacations for discriminating guests. The professional staff at Homebase Abroad is known for their meticulous attention to detail, crafting very special experiences for guests. The staff is known for going the extra mile to find specific vintage cars for a mountain road trip, creating a fireworks display for a family reunion at a luxury villa in Tuscany and many other captivating and memorable experiences for guests.

A guide to dining in Italy

2008-07-02T23:52:00.000+03:00

Italian pizza isn’t the same as we enjoy here. Pizza is considered a first course in Italy. It is almost always a 10-inch, thin crust pizza. The 10-inch pizza is meant to be a personal size pizza, but we often shared one.

Our meal in Positano was our first experience with being charged for sitting at a table, the cuperto or cover charge. In Italy, there are different charges for your meal based on if you carry it out, eat it at a counter or sit at a table. The location of the table can increase the charge also as we found out later in Florence where a table overlooking the Arno River cost us four euros each, the most expensive table charge of the trip.

48 hours in Ferrara, Italy

2008-06-25T11:33:00.000+03:00

FERRARA, Italy, (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore Ferrara, the picturesque Italian town famed for its Renaissance art and bicycle-peddling natives?

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge tell you how to get the most out of a weekend getaway to this hidden gem off Italy's well-worn tourist track.

Yet to be invaded by the armies of tourists that flock to better-known neighbors like Venice or Florence, Ferrara retains much of its medieval charm that makes wandering through its cobble-stoned piazzas and streets feel like a trip back in time.

Bicycling in Italy is a Daily Adventure

2008-06-11T10:33:00.000+03:00

Bicycling as a sport, whether it is for participants or spectators, has always held a special place in the hearts of Italians. Professional bike races, including Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France are followed passionately by the Italian people.

This mass interest in cycling as sport helps to make Italians among the world’s most knowledgeable consumers of bicycles. Everything you have ever heard about bicycling in Italy is true. The weather, roads and cities are all perfectly suited for bike touring. Each of bicycling and walking itineraries throughout Italy is carefully crafted to blend the best that our country has to offer by taking the active traveler off the beaten track.

Italy Traveling

2008-05-27T23:33:00.000+03:00

Walk the cobbled streets of Rome, Florence and Milan. Drive through Umbria or stay in a villa in Tuscany, take a gondola ride in Venice. Walk the Cinque Terre, see the ruins that is Pompeii. Take a ferry to Sicily and see Mt. Etna and more or sample true Italian cuisine like mamma used to make. Sun Island Tours can take care of your Italian needs.

Tuscany on a bicycle

2008-05-14T12:18:00.000+03:00

It is just over 40 miles from Siena to Florence by the direct route, but who wants direct when you’re in Chianti? We divided it into four stages – three nights, three hotels, three dinners – a slow progress northward on the skinniest roads, some paved, others dirt tracks.

How much cycling we tackled was a matter of debate over breakfast each morning. There was always a choice of routes – on day one they varied between 11 and 28 miles. And the one we chose was invariably a little longer than planned, thanks to wrong turns and detours. But distances were not the point. We were cycling through some of Europe’s most delectable countryside, crossing steep hills and blessed valleys, sloping vineyards and rocky scarps – and passing some of the most coveted real estate in the world. It is easy, with all that has been said and written about Tuscany, to forget just how seductive the place can be. It was a delight to be reminded.

Choose Bari over Brindisi if you're heading to Puglia in Italy

2008-05-06T11:27:00.000+03:00

Palm trees and benches line the pedestrian shopping street Sparano da Bari, which sports Gucci, Nike and Benetton. There's a spiffed-up and well-lighted waterfront park and public beach, and the centro storico — old Bari — is a colorful residential neighborhood in the heart of the busy commercial city.

Be sure to visit the Church of St. Nicholas, an Orthodox Catholic church and major European pilgrimage site where the relics of St. Nicholas were brought from Turkey in the 11th century.

You could make your way to Lecce, but there are many pretty little towns along the coast north and south of Bari. You'll need a car — it might be worth renting one for a day or two and exploring.

Travel slow in Italy and stay in Orvieto

2008-04-20T13:59:00.002+03:00

The cathedral of Orvieto is one of the architectural and artistic highlights of Italy but there is more to be enjoyed in this Umbrian town than the usual rushed tour-party itineraries allow.

The piazza around the duomo gets busy around midday as coach-loads of tourists and school groups swarm around the famous church.

But once they have moved on - to Rome or Florence - the town returns to its usual peaceful elegance and travellers clever enough to stay a night or a week can enjoy a real Italian treasure.

Free and inexpensive things to do in 15 European countries

2008-04-12T10:50:00.000+03:00

Italy: Your secret weapon against high hotel prices in Italy is www.rentalo.com, an online directory of apartments and villas that makes it possible for couples, groups of friends and even large families to afford Italy. Rome apartments for $133 a night, Venice villas for $435 a night, a Tuscany farmhouse for $110 a night or an Umbria castle apartment for $144 a night -- they're all there, complete with all the fantasy views, historic charm and all the modern comforts you could desire.

Italian city of Milan to host 2015 Expo

2008-04-01T23:30:00.000+03:00

Officials for the Paris-based International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE) said Milan defeated the western Turkish city of Izmir by 86 votes to 65, dashing Turkish hopes of hosting the world's biggest fair for the first time.

Milan triumphed despite ailing flag carrier Alitalia's decision to slash flights at the northern city's Malpensa airport under a survival plan and an international scare over mozzarella cheese potentially tainted with cancer-causing dioxin.

The decision in favor of Milan, home of Silvio Berlusconi, the billionaire head of Italy's centre-right opposition, comes just two weeks ahead of a snap national election.

Tyrol Images

2008-03-30T11:20:00.002+03:00

If you are in Tyrol — the proud region straddling northern Italy and western Austria — and you ascend through the Val Passiria to the mountain pass

Italy skiing holidays 2008

2008-03-26T12:34:00.000+02:00

Italy may be better known for its attractive cities such as Rome, Venice and Florence than as a skiing destination, but remains one of the most popular places to ski in Europe.

The main base to head for is Turin – home to the 2006 Winter Olympics - close to the neighbouring Alpine ski areas of France and Switzerland.

Ski resorts close to the city include the popular Sauze d'Oulx, Bardonecchia and Sestriere, located by the French border.

A need for travel authors from italy

2008-03-24T10:44:00.003+02:00

hi, I hope you like the Italy travel news blog.

I need travel authors from Italy to help me coverage more Italian travel news from Tuscany and north Italy.

Please send email if you like to participated in this effort. Thanks !

tamtree@gmail.com

Italy on a budget, cheap travel deals all for less than £300.00

2008-03-20T13:18:00.000+02:00

Chianti

Lovely farmhouse in the beautiful Greve in Chianti. Two people including accommodation in a double room for 3 nights, breakfast and car hire group B for 3 days. Total cost: £ 295.00. Flights not included.

Umbria – Flaminia

Charming apartment that has been recently renovated with great care and created in an ancient 13th tower in the medieval hamlet of Otricoli. The windows face a private garden and the valleys of the Tevere. Peaceful position. Sleeps 2-4. Total cost: £ 250.00.

Mobissimo serving online travel markets in Italy

2008-03-17T10:20:00.000+02:00

Much more than a simple translation, Mobissimo's new Italian site is seamlessly "Italian" and extends the reach of the travel search engine. Mobissimo's Italian site includes fares and offers from local travel agencies, consolidators, hotel operators and all the major and low-cost airlines that are pertinent to users in Italy.

The addition of Italian suppliers to the 180 travel sites Mobissimo searches -- such as edreams.it, venere.it, opodo.it, ehotel.it, veuling.it, Tuifly.it and centralwings.it, among others -- will benefit all Mobissimo users with access to more possible itineraries, connections and good prices. Mobissimo also partners with local advertisers and companies.

Intrepid wheelchair traveller conquers Venice

2008-03-13T20:16:00.000+02:00

VENICE, Italy–If there was ever a glorious tourist destination that seemed out of reach to someone in a wheelchair, it is Venice, where travelling a few blocks often means crossing steep, stepped bridges.

Even for Pat Broderick, who has wheeled through Egypt, South America and Nepal, the watery island city had long been an unfulfilled life goal. But the intrepid traveller refused to give up. So, the two of us took off to conquer Venice.

Puglian equivalent to wine tasting

2008-03-08T12:07:00.002+02:00

Surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Kath Freer savours a taste of paradise in as-yet-undiscovered Puglia.

Olive oil is considered as much a delicacy as fine wine here, as this region of Italy is one of the world’s biggest producers of both.

As general manager of hotel Masseria Bosco, Stefano works with the De Padova family who have been olive oil producers for four generations.

Tuscany Cooking Class Recommendation

2008-03-05T01:38:00.001+02:00

Leigh Anne Farrell (the reader who recommended an Amalfi Coast villa rental) took a cooking class with Accidental Tourist out of Florence. She said - that was definitely a highlight of the trip for me. I bought a pasta machine soon after returning, and my son and I have made a lot of fettuccine!

Accidental Tourist operates one-day cooking classes, winery tours, and walks and half-day picnics and wine tours in the Chianti region of Tuscany. They pick up participants in Florence so it's a great way to see some of the countryside without renting a car.

A taste of the Italian good life

2008-03-01T10:56:00.001+02:00

Italian Hideaways is the brainchild of Italian travel and tourism management graduate Simona Mussio. Having begun her career in accounting, Simona soon discovered a passion for travel and tour operating so following experience of working with other operators she set up Italian Hideaways in July 2007.

Her company is therefore a blend of her Italian background, knowledge of the British tourism market and passion for simple, good quality organic food and ethical tourism.

Italian Paradise: Perfect and peaceful Puglia

2008-02-25T10:15:00.000+02:00

Puglia is a piece of paradise just waiting to be discovered. It has as much to offer as the more famous parts of Italy, but is yet to be overrun by tourists as KATH FREER discovers

STEFANO lined up the shot glasses and poured a generous measure in each.

Eyeing the gloopy liquid apprehensively, I lifted a glass to my lips, gave the contents a sniff and then swallowed it in one gulp. My verdict: an almost odourless oil with an inoffensive peppery aftertaste.

Sipping vino and savoring vistas in Tuscany

2008-02-22T22:57:00.000+02:00

MONTALCINO, Italy - Wandering the hilly, narrow cobblestone streets in our home base of Montalcino, a medieval city of interlocking passageways, steps and alleyways curving around and through and behind and beyond the main square, I reminded myself that I was walking through history spanning 800 years.

Whatever the village, be sure to walk off the main square to see where the people really live. Perusing 13th century corridors an arm's length wide, flanked on both sides by two- and three-story stone apartments, we eavesdropped on venues teeming with life. The back streets appear even more historic and colorful than the already-enthralling but more touristy central piazza.

Gail Hecko, Leader of tours to Italy

2008-02-18T00:56:00.000+02:00

She leads weeklong, small-group tours to a villa in a mountain village in Tuscany, the part of central Italy near Florence. She is the hostess for up to 16 people who can tour the region, visit wineries and restaurants, taste local wine and cheese, take art and cooking classes, relax with yoga and meditation instruction, or just sit back and enjoy the countryside.

"I'm not Italian, but, when I'm there, I'm at home," said Hecko, 63, of Roswell, who often is accompanied and aided by her husband, John.

Cheese Rolling in Italy

2008-02-14T08:35:00.000+02:00

This ancient game is still practiced several places in Italy. In the Umbrian hill town of Panicale cheese rolling takes place the day after Easter, La Pasquetta. There contestants roll a huge wheel of cheese around the village walls using the fewest number of strokes. Check out last year's Panicale cheese rolling event on Stew's Italy Blog. Read more about the town of Panicale or see Panicale pictures on Europe Travel.

In Italy, the Monday after Easter is also a holiday so you may find small festivals, music, or celebrations. Find out more about Easter week and Easter events with Easter in Italy.

Does Italy have cheap and clean road side hotels?

2008-02-08T03:11:00.000+02:00

Sunday Times travel expert Richard Green responds: Italy has far fewer budget chain hotels than France, with no Premiere Classe or Formula 1's, and just the three Campaniles one in Padua and two in Turin. It's slim pickings with most of the other budget chains too, with eleven Ibis Hotels, two of which are in Rome (from £75), and 15 Holiday Inn Express', five in Rome, from £95.

Win an escape to Italy

2008-02-04T01:06:00.000+02:00

Prize - “Jewels of Italy” 2 Malaysia Airlines return Economy Class tickets from Adelaide to Rome with a Cosmos 15 day tour of Italy (tour 6370) with travel insurance provided by QBE Travel Insurance. Personal expenses, meals, Government taxes and levies at winner’s expense.
Value $8,500

Skiing from hut to hut is a great way to see the Alps, but beware

2008-01-30T11:26:00.000+02:00

The Route, which runs through France, Italy and Switzerland, dates back to the mid-1800s. At one end is Chamonix, France; at the other, Zermatt, Switzerland. In between are enough glaciated ridges and sheer drops to make you wonder why you didn't just stay home. But by no other means will you enjoy so intimate an experience of the winter Alps. Both Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn are on the Route, and the scenery's scale is never less than majestic. Nor will you suffer much privation, since, at intervals of approximately one day's travel, a stone hut like a little castle awaits you, light and warmth emanating from its windows, food simmering on the stove and wine waiting in the larder.

Italy remains the leading choice

2008-01-25T00:30:00.000+02:00

Luxury travel is booming according to new research presented in December at the International Luxury Travel Market in Cannes. In most countries across the world, luxury travel is one of the best performing sectors of the travel business with many countries currently enjoying between 10 and 20 per cent annual growth.

Travel to Milan, Italy

2008-01-21T10:08:00.001+02:00

Milan is one of Italy's most fashionable and richest cities but it also has many great artistic and historical sights and a thriving cultural scene. Home to the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the famous opera house, La Scala, Milan has a lot to offer the traveler. If you want to travel in northern Italy, Milan, with 2 airports, makes a convenient starting or ending destination. Read our Travel Profile of Milan, Italy, to learn more about Milan.

Festa Italiana seeks to shed ‘niche’ image of Italy

2008-01-16T09:59:00.000+02:00

The Italian State Tourist Board (ENIT), in association with the Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and the Consulate General of Italy, concluded the sixth edition of its annual road show in Mumbai, 'Festa Italiana' or Fascinating Italy. The focus of this year's event pointed to the country's desire to present Italy as a more accessible destination to the Indian traveller. It saw the launch of the Hindi version of 'The Little Book of Italy', apart from participation from various partners of ENIT, including cruise liners, hotels and tour operators.

Sunny Italy to shine again

2008-01-10T02:20:00.000+02:00

Anyone longing for a pleasant getaway to lift winter spirits might find an idyllic vacation without leaving Annapolis in the Colonial Players' production of Enchanted April.

Italy has long been a favorite travel destination for me, and I was surprised at how well the Italian ambience was captured in the 1992 movie and in a later stage version that I caught in New York.

Want to get away?

2008-01-03T11:03:00.000+02:00

Hart says favorite winter destinations for Puebloans are Disneyland and Disney World, the Riviera Maya on Mexico's east coast, many Florida locations, Hawaii, the Caribbean, San Antonio, New Orleans and some of the southern states.

Many people come from elsewhere to ski in Colorado, Hart says, but most residents don't consider going to one of the state's ski resorts as a winter vacation; most want to escape the snow and cold.

National parks, Italy among top vacation spots

2007-12-30T15:02:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK - Here are some of the hot spots, trends and statistics for travel in the new year.

U.S. TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION: For the fifth straight year, Italy placed first as the most popular international destination for vacation packages and tours, according to an annual informal poll of USTOA member companies. Croatia, followed by China, were the hottest up-and-coming countries for tours and packages.

YAHOO! TRAVEL: Yahoo! [YHOO] Travel’s biggest domestic “Movers & Shakers” - destinations that got the biggest increase in page views in Yahoo! Travel Guides - were Lancaster, Pa.; Ocean City, N.J.; South Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Wildwood, N.J.; Helen, Ga.; and Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Costa Offers Travelers 60% Savings On Sailings in 2008

2007-12-25T22:43:00.000+02:00

Named "one of the top 10 cruise lines" by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Costa offers an experience that is delightfully different in service and cuisine, in an atmosphere filled with love, laughter and la dolce vita. It's called "Cruising Italian Style" and true to its heritage, no detail has been overlooked in bringing the beauty and hospitality of Italy to the sea. Cruising Italian Style ... that's Amore!

Transport Strike Disrupts Italy Travel

2007-12-20T10:21:00.000+02:00

ROME (AP) — A general transport strike by workers in Italy demanding more investment in the sector forced the cancellation of hundreds of flights and idled trains, ships and buses across the country on Friday.

National carrier Alitalia canceled 217 national and international flights before a four-hour walkout by air sector workers beginning at 11 a.m. (5 a.m. EST). Air One, Italy's No. 2 carrier, said that only nine flights would be guaranteed.

The workers are protesting planned cuts in transport funding in the new budget as well as the declining fortunes of the main companies in the sector, starting with the money-losing Alitalia, which the Italian government is struggling to sell.

Italy paralyzed by nationwide truckers strike

2007-12-13T11:42:00.000+02:00

ROME, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- Italy was crippled by a nationwide truckers' strike for the third day on Wednesday, according to Italian News Agency ANSA.

Most gas stations had run out of petrol and supermarket shelves were growing increasingly barer as truckers' representatives gathered to consider a government offer.

There were even fears that ambulances and other emergency services could find themselves without fuel.

New Gianni chief named as Legance is launched

2007-12-04T04:11:00.000+02:00

Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners has named a new managing partner as 85 departing lawyers break off from the Italian leader to form a new independent firm practising as Legance.

Rome-based M&A lawyer Tomaso Cenci has been confirmed as the new managing partner of Gianni Origoni, which still has around 250 lawyers.

Cenci, who headed the firm's New York office between 2000 and 2004, will lead an executive committee that also includes Milan-based M&A partners Gianluca Ghersini and Ottaviano Sanseverino as well as Rome real estate partner Domenico Tulli and City banking partner Marco Amedeo Zaccagnini.

Pie in the sky

2007-11-29T20:06:00.000+02:00

Meanwhile on December 5th Alitalia, Italy's national airline, hopes to receive non-binding offers for most of the Italian government's 49.9% stake. It may be disappointed. Alitalia, which loses about €1m a day, is a very different proposition from Iberia, which is decently managed and modestly profitable. But its fate also lies in the hands of politicians rather than those appointed to run the business.

Take the train in Europe

2007-11-21T12:19:00.000+02:00

After new rail line upgrades, the travel time between London and Paris aboard the Eurostar is just under 2.5 hours. Take the ride on a premier ticket at a one-way rate of $418 and receive a Eurail Select Pass which is valid for five days of first-class rail travel in France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Italy within a two-month period.

That pricey premier ticket includes some exclusive benefits such as express check-in; access to Eurostar's Executive Lounge; WiFi access in the terminal; a seat in a dedicated business premier train car (with power supply at your seat); complimentary newspapers; a three-course meal and drinks with full service at your seat and spacious reclining seats with generous legroom.

Travel Ban Imposed On Italian Football Supporters

2007-11-16T11:15:00.000+02:00

A Lazio fan was shot dead by a policeman when rumbling Lazio and Juventus fans fatefully crossed paths while traveling to their respective away games last weekend, and this ban is just one of the measures imposed by the FIGC as a response to the uproar.

Though it is not yet confirmed whether the season will restart on the weekend of November 24, fans of 15 teams will surely have to settle to watch the next away match of their team from the television.

Film lovers travel to Italy for silent film festival

2007-11-11T09:41:00.000+02:00

he silent film genre does not appeal to many modern moviegoers, many of whom have come to expect loud explosions and dazzling special effects to justify paying upwards of nine dollars for a ticket. To some, however, the timeless gags of Charlie Chaplin or the epic films of D.W. Griffith may prove overwhelmingly more appealing than a Josh Hartnett family drama—at least for some students.

ItalyTravelNotes.com is launching a series of free travel reports

2007-11-06T11:53:00.000+02:00

Rome, Italy - ItalyTravelNotes.com is created by travellers who describe Italy from their personal point of view and share their inspiration of the country and it is targetting those who would like to learn more about the country, before they go there. Starting this week the blog is launching the first of a series of free travel reports. Available for download on italytravelnotes.com, the Rome report is dedicated to the eternal city and consists of helpful tips on what to visit and where to go, when you are there.

Dispatch from along The Italian Riviera: Genoa

2007-11-01T19:46:00.000+02:00

Our excursion for Tuesday took us to Genoa, which has had several "golden ages" in its long history. It was a shipping town, a banking town and of course the home of Christopher Columbus. Today it has more than 600,000 residents -- and more than 100,000 motor scooters! We saw large parking lots filled with nothing but scooters. Our bus driver told us that he, like many local residents, doesn't own a car -- just a scooter.

One of the highlights of Genoa was a walk down the Via Garibaldi, a street of palazzi, or mansions, dating to the 1500s.

Lake Como - a Top Italy Travel Destination

2007-10-27T22:30:00.000+02:00

Lake Como, Lago di Como, is a romantic travel destination and Italy's most visited lake. With its mild climate, Lake Como can be visited year round but spring and fall are really the best times to go.

Many beautiful villas, resort villages, and hiking paths surround Lake Como. The town of Como is the lake's main town and makes a good base for exploring the lake, especially if you're traveling by public transportation. Como is on the train line between Milan and Switzerland.

I've put together a list of Lake Como Top Rated Hotels based on Venere guest ratings. These 2-4 star hotels around the lake have been rated and reviewed by guests and can be viewed and booked directly on Venere, a site I often use to make hotel reservations in Italy. The site includes hotel descriptions, photos, and a location map.

Strike notice - Italy

2007-10-21T13:55:00.000+02:00

In the eventuality of an Air Traffic Controllers’ strike, which has been declared in Italy for tomorrow, Air Malta’s scheduled flights to Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino on this day will be affected.

Passengers booked to travel on KM 628 (Malta-Milan) will now depart 30 minutes earlier from Malta International Airport at 08:55hrs; passengers travelling on KM 629 (Milan-Malta) will leave Milan Malpensa Airport at 13:55hrs.

What Is Right Age For Kids To Start Travel Abroad?

2007-10-17T12:18:00.000+02:00

NEW YORK - Christine Louise Hohlbaum and her husband took their children to Venice when they were 2 and 4 years old. Looking back, she wishes she'd waited until they were a little older.

"It was expensive, they were cranky and we said next time we'd go without them," said Hohlbaum, who lives in Germany and blogs about life as an American stay-at-home mom abroad at diaryofamother.blogs.com.

Despite, or maybe because of, the hassles, businesses that cater to families traveling abroad are booming. A 2006 survey of AAA Travel professionals found that 42 percent were booking more international trips for parents with children under 18.

Travel to Italy with sounds of 'First Night Out' concert

2007-10-10T14:38:00.000+02:00

Before filing into the Florida West Coast Symphony's "First Night Out" concert Saturday, try sipping a martini by the sunset. This may be the perfect prelude to an evening of moonlight and music, says Maestro Leif Bjaland. The first performance of the season for the full orchestra will feature Vivaldi's "Autumn" from "The Four Seasons" (with guest violinist James Ehnes), Verdi's "Triumphal March" from "Aida," Respighi's "The Pines of Rome" and Rossini's "Overture to William Tell."

The magical Piazza of Florence

2007-10-06T02:57:00.000+02:00

If I ever get a break or a chance to travel to Europe, the first place that crosses my mind is the most wonderful and magical 'piazza' or square that I have ever visited - the amazing Piazza della Signoria in the heart of Florence - Italy. Before I started of as an Internet entrepreneur, I was employed in the family hosiery business that used to import lots of equipment from Italy. As luck would have it, I was assigned to train with a company in Florence, and that's when I fell in love with the city and specially this beautiful square. Every evening once I returned to my hotel, I would immediately refresh myself and rush to the Piazza della Signoria that is located in the heart of Florence and typically walking distance from any of the inner city limits.

Host-Italy, Events & Luxury Travel with a Personal Touch

2007-10-02T16:54:00.001+02:00

Host Italy has now well and truly established itself in the luxury events management market. After launching last year, the company has grown; attracting first-rate partners from all regions of Italy and is primarily aimed at a high-end clientele. Host Italy specializes in exclusive private and small corporate events, destination management services, as well as niche luxury travel throughout Italy. Founder, 38-year-old Annette Bontke, launched the company last April from her new home in Florence. The neighbouring regions of Umbria and even the city itself, have offered a generous market place in which to promote the business, with opportunities for gastronomy, wine and cultural activities.

Kuoni Holdiays launches book on Italy

2007-09-28T22:57:00.000+02:00

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

2007-09-25T22:07:00.001+02:00

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

2007-09-22T04:21:00.000+02:00

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

2007-09-18T12:21:00.000+02:00

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

2007-09-13T22:35:00.001+03:00

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

2007-09-09T05:29:00.000+03:00

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

2007-09-06T04:12:00.001+03:00

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

2007-09-04T02:00:00.000+03:00

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

2007-09-02T01:01:00.000+03:00

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.

Italy takes top spot on the luxury charts

2007-08-31T01:09:00.000+03:00

New research released by the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), has revealed Italy to be the most popular country for top-end travel. “From the exquisite fashions of Valentino to the heart-throbbing design of Ferrari, Italy offers the best of what life has to offer. The Italians know what it means to enjoy la dolce vita and are willing to share this way of life with their visitors,” she added. According to the ILTM research, other destinations tipped to be in strong and growing demand over the coming year include the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam and China.

New book divulges 'Where to Go When'

2007-08-29T06:24:00.000+03:00

Thirty destinations are presented for each month, with 11 covered in depth. Tuscany, Italy, is recommended for October, when the grape and olive harvests take place, and when porcini mushrooms, prized truffles and other specialties appear on regional menus. The listing includes a six-day itinerary on the "Chianti Trail," from Florence to Siena.

Rome: "I'm searching for your face, Lord"

2007-08-27T00:55:00.000+03:00

An airline with a difference is due to take to the skies on Monday. Its slogan: "I'm searching for your face, Lord". Flights will be chartered from Rome by the Vatican.
The first will be to Lourdes, followed by other places of pilgrimage, including Santiago de Compostela in Spain, Guadeloupe in Mexico and Fatima in Portugal. The Italian cargo airline Mistral Air, which will operate the flights, is not promising miracle cures, but it does say it will show mercy, if not charity, when it comes to setting fares.

Sicily - Italy's Island Adventure

2007-08-25T03:13:00.000+03:00

Sicily is a great place to visit off peak October/November to March/April - during Italy's winter and cooler months and outside the core Italian tourist visiting months of April to October. A Sicilian summer is not for the faint hearted when it can be very, very hot particularly in July and August; so if you travel to Sicily avoid these months. In August, the Italian holiday month, many of the hospitality industry close up shop and go on holiday - it's just too hot to work. However during the winter months November to March while Milan's temperature ranges between 1.1C and 6.9C [34F and 44F] Palermo the capital of Sicily, in the north west of the island, enjoys the wonderfully mild winter weather of between 12.5C and 17.1C [54.9F and 62.8F].

Perugia, Italy - Chocolate Paradise in October

2007-08-23T22:20:00.000+03:00

Perugia has much more to offer than just chocolate with history going back to the ninth century BC. Today Perugia, the capital of central Italy's Umbria region, is a cosmopolitan hill town with historic buildings, people-filled squares, and great views over the valley. Served by two train lines and buses, it makes a good base for central Italy travel. Perugia is one of my favorite Italian cities and one of our picks for Top Ten Cities to Visit in Italy.

Honeymoons in Italy capture la dolce vita

2007-08-21T02:26:00.000+03:00

The best vacations are thoughtfully planned and there are myriad magazines out there offering everything from the best places to vacation to cool travel tips to make the sojourn a little easier.The Chicago Sun-Times launches its new travel magazine column. We will check out magazines for the best travel tips. Here are some of the highlights:

Easy riding on a train to Tuscany

2007-08-19T01:40:00.000+03:00

I took the train north from Rome this week to spend a little time in some hillside villages in southern Tuscany. . I would enjoy having the freedom of a car here, to do the remote villages and countryside justice. But I truly enjoy the chance to sit on a train and watch the landscape, with little effort on my part beyond trying to stay awake. I always seem to pop back to reality before my stop, however, and haven't missed one yet. Perhaps I am being watched over by the animus of some ancient Etruscan who once roamed these hills and valleys. That's a comforting thought.

Travel in Italy with Disabilities

2007-08-17T03:26:00.000+03:00

As someone who is lucky enough to not be limited on what I can eat (except for the fact that I still don’t like mushrooms), I might have passed these lists of resources for food allergy translations into Italian. But my in-laws are plagued with food allergies, from wheat to shellfish to milk, so when I saw this information I immediately thought of them. And, of course, they’re not alone. Food allergies are becoming more and more prevalent these days, and some of them are serious enough to require hospitalization. That is the last thing you want to deal with, especially on vacation. So, be sure to read up on these useful tidbits.

A tour of Italy to celebrate

2007-08-15T18:10:00.000+03:00

We did all our traveling by train and did all the planning ourselves; it was the best way to go for us! It was a wonderful trip, and we highly recommend Italy in October, when the weather is beautiful.

New Bridge Over Venice's Grand Canal

2007-08-13T01:09:00.000+03:00

Venice, one of Italy's most romantic cities, is one of the top Italian travel cities. A trip down the Grand Canal, lined with beautiful buildings, is a must for the traveler in Venice.Venice's Grand Canal, Canale Grande, is like Main Street to the city built on canals. The Grand Canal cuts through the middle of Venice but there are currently only three bridges that cross it - the Rialto (the oldest), Accademia, and Scalzi Bridges.

Italy Travel Tip: Avoiding Petty Theft

2007-08-11T06:27:00.000+03:00

A friend who was recently traveling in Rome had her wallet stolen. Although there was no major loss, she had to cancel all her credit cards as well as spend time reporting the theft to the police. While you're unlikely to be a victim of violent crime in Italy, when traveling in tourist areas in big cities like Rome and Florence you may be a target for pickpockets or purse snatchers. To avoid loss, it's always wise to carry any important documents (like your passport), your credit cards, and most of your money in a travel security wallet or passport holder that can be worn under your clothing.

New Website for Italian Villa Rentals

2007-08-09T01:53:00.000+03:00

While most villa rental agencies are merely intermediaries between owners and renters, the owners of Italian Vacation Villas have personally visited all the properties listed on their website. The site emphasizes the value of choosing a villa rental instead of a hotel for those who are seeking a base for sightseeing, more space, and a local experience with more access to Italian cultural life and provides enhanced photos, a database for the selection process, and in-depth tips on traveling to Italy.

Italian Police Investigate Luggage Chaos

2007-08-07T05:12:00.000+03:00

Italian police have started an investigation into the circumstances that led to the chaos after thousands of pieces of baggage went astray at Fiumicino Airport in Rome during the heaviest travel weekend of the year. Government ministers have called for an immediate inquiry into the chaos after one MP dubbed the crisis a national disgrace. Italy's Civil Aviation Authority has accused baggage handlers of sabotaging obsolete equipment resulting in huge delays.