Berlusconi Takes Mama to the Polls

It’s election time in Italia. Sunday marked day one of a two-day election that could oust plastic surgery afficianado/uber-businessman/Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi from the highest office in the land. When so much is at stake, it is time to bring out the big guns. And as any Italian man will tell you — the biggest gun of them all is …

Save $ with Alitalia E-Coupon!

In celebration of its first million tickets sold online, Alitalia is offering a $15 e-coupon for tickets purchased online between April 7 and April 18, 2006 for travel between May 2 and May 28, 2006. The following instructions are from Alitaliausa.com: To obtain your discount, simply insert code 1000000us in the “promo code” field of the “Ticket Details” page and …

Tuscan Hideaway: La Pietra, near Cortona

In honor of our March issue, a special report on Tuscan hideaways, we asked friends of Dream of Italy to tell us about their favorite spots in Tuscany. Alice and Martin of Italian Vacation Villas recommend: La Pietra is a spectacular estate in the hills above Cortona. A stone farmhouse from the 1600’s, it is nestled among acres of well-tended …

Continental and Alitalia Announce Codeshare

This may be of most interest to travel agents, but anyone who is planning to travel to Italy using Continental and/or Alitalia airlines should know about their new codeshare agreement. Codesharing improves airline service by simplifying the booking process with electronic ticketing and communication of itinerary information between airlines. Customers traveling on connecting Continental/Alitalia itineraries are able to have single …

Tuscan Hideaway: Truffle Hunting at a B&B

In honor of or our March issue, a special report on Tuscan hideaways, we asked friends of Dream of Italy to tell us about their favorite spots in Tuscany. Seth Zurer of Select Italy recommends: The Ankhura is a spectacular family-run farmhouse bed and breakfast perched right in the middle of Senese countryside. Our three-night package lets guests bask in …

Tuscan Hideaway: Villa in Montalcino

Sheri Levitt and Naomi Finkelstein of The Villa People recommend: Our recommended Tuscan hideaway is “Casa “R” in Montalcino (the home of Brunello wine) The villa is breathtaking in that it is nestled totally within the center of a vineyard and boasts 360-degree views. Each room has its own special feature such as fireplace, Juliet balcony or terrace.Typically charming and …

Tuscan Hideaway: Castelletto Di Montebenichi

In honor of or our March issue, a special report on Tuscan hideaways, we asked friends of Dream of Italy to tell us about their favorite spots in Tuscany. This recommendation is from Rosanne Cofoid of La Dolce Via Travel: Castelletto Di Montebenichi is an enchanting little hotel (just 10 rooms), in the center of a medieval hamlet that was …

Tuscan Hideaway: L’Andana

In honor of our March issue, a special report on Tuscan hideaways, we asked friends of Dream of Italy to tell us about their favorite spots in Tuscany. This recommendation is from Anna Maria Sorrentino of Shop, Wine and Dine: Maremma’s uncompromising beauty , with its expanse of sweet rolling hills, stretches of dense pine woods, olive groves and vineyards …

New Budget Fights to/from/within Italy Launch This Week

According to BizTravelLife, today Virgin Express starts three weekly Boeing 737 flights from its Brussels hub to Palermo, Sicily. Wednesday, Virgin Express starts three weekly Boeing 737 flights from its Brussels hub to Palermo, Sicily. And on Friday, Ryanair begins four weekly Boeing 737 flights from London/Stansted to Parma.

Interested in Learning Italian On Your Own?

I received an e-mail today from a fellow travel writer who is looking for someone who doesn’t currently speak Italian but would like to begin learning. Perhaps in preparation for a summer trip? She would like that person to try a particular brand of books and tapes (she will be provide them and you are free to keep them as …