More News on Italy Fare Sales

A few updates on some of the fare sales we reported on last week: Alitalia has extended its fare sale to September 28. Details below. Delta has extended its fare sale through October 8. We mention a deal to Pisa below, but other routes are on sale, including the convenient non-stop New York to Venice flight.

A Unique Way to Celebrate Columbus Day in Baltimore

My friend Matt Platania, director of the Modern Italian Network, has done it again — come up with a unique event to celebrate Italy and Italian-American history. He’s hosting The 1491 Fusion Dinner on Sunday, October 7, 2007 in Baltimore’s Little Italy. This event will celebrate the land that Columbus discovered by combining native ingredients found in the Western Hemisphere …

Add United to Sale Fares for Italy

United is having a sale on winter fares to Rome and Milan; fares start at $494 roundtrip (not including taxes). Travel between: December 1 through March 29, 2008. Deadline for booking: September 27, 11:59 PM ET Other requirements: Departures are valid Monday through Thursday through February 29, 2008. Fares require a Saturday-night stay, and the maximum stay is 30 days.

Roundup: Sale Fares for Flights to Italy

Alitalia has fares starting at $502 roundtrip (including taxes and fees) between U.S. cities and Florence or Rome. Travel between: October 29, 2007 and December 13, 2007 or from January 8 through March 13, 2008. Deadline for booking: September 21. Other requirements: Saturday-night stay; maximum stay is one month. Delta can get you to Pisa this winter for as little …

How to Ship Your Purchases Home from Italy

“You have a lot of luggage, madam,” the hotel concierge in Rome told me on my last trip to Italy. I didn’t think two big suitcases and a smaller bag was a lot, but maybe he was reacting to the face the bellhop was making as he tried to lift one of those suitcases. It was a reminder of a …

Mourning Pavarotti

The great Italian opera singer Luciano Pavarotti succumbed to pancreatic cancer today in his beloved hometown of Modena. The star, who brought opera to the masses, in addition to enjoying massive critical acclaim was 71. I feel privileged to have been there in person at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympics when Pavarotti sang his last aria, the …

Holy Planes, Batman! Pope Launches Airline

A Vatican-backed charter airline inaugurated flights this week between Italy and Catholic shrines such as Lourdes, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Land. The Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, an outfit that organizes pilgrimages for the Diocese of Rome, has signed a five-year agreement with Mistral Air, a small airline owned by the private Italian post office. The flights using a …

Italian Wine Harvest Off to Early Start

This summer’s heat wave across Italy hasn’t just been a hundrance to summer travel but could wreak serious havoc with travelers hoping to be in Italy for this year’s wine harvest. The hot weather is forcing Italy’s earliest harvest in decades, and some say decades. “I haven’t heard of such an early harvest since the Council of Trent of 1563,” …

Renting a Car in Italy? Save 5% with Auto Europe

Dream of Italy has partnered with Auto Europe to offer all readers 5% off Auto Europe’s already-low rental rates. Even before I knew anyone at the company, I always rented my cars through Auto Europe. That’s because they always beat everyone else’s rates and they offer 24-hour service. If you’re worried about the weakening dollar, Auto Europe offers the added …