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Photos of Snow in Rome

5. February 2012

It’s rare to have snow in Rome but today the city was covered with snow, causing major transportation problems in the city with many shops and businesses remaining closed. While there was snow in Rome in 2010, this is said to have been Rome’s biggest snowfall in more than 25 years and lots of people [...]

It’s Carnival Time in Viareggio, Italy

4. February 2012

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Viareggio, on Italy’s Tuscan coast, holds one of Italy’s biggest and most popular carnival, or carnevale, celebrations. During carnival season, six parades are held along the waterfront parade featuring paper …
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Romantic Places to Stay in Italy

31. January 2012

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Italy is a top romantic destination with many romantic places to go. If you’re planning an Italian vacation with romance in mind, take a look at these recommended Romantic Italian Hotels, with suggestions for places to stay from Venice all the way to the heel of the boot.
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Rome Holocaust Museum Planned for Villa Torlonia

30. January 2012

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Rome City Council approved plans for a Holocaust Museum to be built on the grounds of Villa Torlonia, according to ANSA. The villa, once the residence of Mussolini, is now …
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Exploring World War II Sites in Italy

27. January 2012

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Italy has many historic monuments, battlegrounds, and museums related to World War II. If you’re interested in visiting a few of them, the book A Travel Guide to World War II Sites in Italy makes a good companion. Available both on Kindle or in paperback, the book has details about visiting many sites with visitor [...]

Scipio Tomb in Rome Open to the Public

23. January 2012

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The tomb of the ancient Roman Scipio family has been restored and opened to the public on guided visits, according to this article. Although sarcophagi and inscriptions have been moved to the Vatican Museums, visitors can see reproductions as well as tomb niches and frescoes in the tunnels. Guided tours (currently in Italian only) are [...]

Milan Opera House Hotel

22. January 2012

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Hotel Milano Scala, near Milan’s La Scala Opera House, is a unique opera-themed boutique hotel. The hotel’s rooms and suites are named for operas and no two rooms are alike. It’s also the first hotel in Milan to produce energy for heating and cooling without using any fuel. Another plus is the eighth floor sky [...]

Best Beaches on the Island of Sardinia

20. January 2012

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Sardinia is a great place for beach-lovers, swimming, and water sports, with a number of beautiful and interesting beaches all around the island. These best five Sardinia beaches represent a good cross-section of the island’s coastal beauty, from sandy beaches to dunes and good places to try kite-surfing or snorkeling.
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Vatican Documents on Display

13. January 2012

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To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Vatican Archives, 100 documents from the Secret Archives are on display to the public for the first time, starting in March. The exhibit, Lux in Arcana: The Vatican Secret Archives Revealed, runs from March 1 through September 9 in Rome’s Capitoline Museums. The Capitoline’s current exhibit, running through [...]

Become a Tuscan Chef for a Day

12. January 2012

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Taking a cooking class on your Italy vacation is a fun way to learn more about food and culture. One of the most popular Italian regions for cooking classes is Tuscany. On Select Italy’s Become a Tuscan Chef for a Day (details and booking), based in Florence, students first visit the central market where they [...]

Cinque Terre Trails 2012

9. January 2012

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While popular Cinque Terre hiking trails remain closed at the beginning of 2012 (as well as the villages of Monterosso and Vernazza) due to last year’s floods, there are still good hikes you can take in the area. Recently a reader commented:
Even though 4 of the coastal trails are currently closed, you can
still access some [...]

2012 Places to Go Includes Two in Italy

8. January 2012

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Two places in Italy are included in the New York Times list of The 45 Places to Go in 2012. Coming in at number 16 is the city of Florence, one of Italy’s most popular travel destinations and just making the cut at number 45 is Portovenere, one of my favorite seaside towns, on the [...]

Where to Go in Italy in 2012

3. January 2012

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Here are my picks for Three Places to Go in Italy in 2012. Why go now? Although these regions saw an increase in tourism last year, they are still fairly off-the-beaten-path places. They’re working to attract more tourists so tourist services are increasing but you can still experience the warm hospitality and traditions that these [...]

January in Italy

1. January 2012

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January in Italy is highlighted by skiing and Epiphany, when la Befana brings gifts and the holiday season ends. Saint Anthony’s Day, or la festa di San Antonio Abate, on January 17 is celebrated many places in Italy, too.
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Ring in the New Year in Florence, Rome, or Venice

29. December 2011

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Italy’s top three cities are excellent places to ring in the new year. Main squares offer entertainment and fireworks while nightclubs and concert venues offer a variety of music. Most public transportation has extended hours and parking is very limited. Be sure to reserve ahead for special events and allow extra time to get to [...]

Roman Colosseum Restoration in 2012

27. December 2011

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Restoration work will start on the Roman Colosseum in March, 2012, according to ANSA. The Colosseum, Rome’s most popular tourist attraction, is nearly 2000 years old and is badly in …
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Saint Francis Woodlands Opens in Umbria

21. December 2011

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Saint Francis, the patron saint of Italy, was born in Assisi in the region of Umbria and spent much time in the peaceful woods outside the town. Recently, the Bosco di San Francesco or Saint Francis woodlands was inaugurated and opened to the public. 12 acres of woodlands was restored with walking paths guiding visitors [...]

Venice Christmas Pictures

20. December 2011

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Christmas in Venice is magical with the city is decked out for the holidays. Enjoy more pictures of Venice at Christmas taken by Marie Ohanesian Nardin, who lives in Venice and writes the blog, Italy to Los Angeles and Back.
Photo of Christmas Tree in Saint Mark’s Square © by Marie Ohanesian Nardin, used by permission
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Photo of Florence from the Vasari Corridor

19. December 2011

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Photo of the Arno River taken from the Vasari Corridor in Florence © 2011 by Andrea Guglielmino, Select Italy. The Vasari Corridor, built for the Medici family in 1564, is a hidden walkway that crosses the Arno River over Ponte Vecchio, connecting Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace.
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Christmas in Umbria and Tuscany

15. December 2011

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While many people think of Christmas in Rome, going to the small towns and Christmas markets in Umbria or Tuscany during the Christmas season can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. Visitors will find artisan crafts and small shops where they can buy unique gifts, many family-oriented traditional events to enjoy without huge [...]

What to Do on New Year’s Eve in Italy

13. December 2011

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New Year’s Eve is an exciting time to be in Italy. Many cities and towns have concerts in a piazza, starting around 9 or 10PM with a grand fireworks display and often a brindisi, or toast, at midnight. These festivities often go on all night. Remember that major events often draw huge crowds so plan [...]

Bridge of Sighs in Venice Can Be Seen Again

10. December 2011

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Venice’s Bridge of Sighs, one of the city’s most famous sights, can once again be seen by visitors, according to this report. The bridge has been covered for three years …
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Vatican and Rome Sightseeing Pass

8. December 2011

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The new OMNIA Vatican and Rome Sightseeing Card lets visitors enter major sites and museums in Rome and Vatican City without having to wait in line. The pass includes admission to the two most visited attractions, the Vatican Museums and the Roman Colosseum, which often have long entrance lines. Valid for three days, the pass [...]

Vatican and Rome Sightseeing Pass

8. December 2011

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The new OMNIA Vatican and Rome Sightseeing Card lets visitors enter major sites and museums in Rome and Vatican City without having to wait in line. The pass includes admission to the two most visited attractions, the Vatican Museums and the Roman Colosseum, which often have long entrance lines. Valid for three days, the pass [...]

Opera in Florence

6. December 2011

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Florence doesn’t have one of Italy’s top opera houses so people often don’t associate Florence with opera. However visitors can see opera performances in the intimate setting of Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, part of an old Medici Palace once owned by Machiavelli. This season includes nine operas, with performances running through the end of June, [...]