For the first time in some 70 years, a new bridge is being built over Venice's Grand Canal. This steel bridge designed by Spanish born architect Santiago Calatrave will connect the train station to Piazzale Rome.
Italy Named Best Honeymoon Destination
Italy has been named the #1 honeymoon destination in Modern Bride magazine’s annual “World’s Best Honeymoons” survey. Is it any wonder? Early this year, I interviewed Monica Larner, author of In Love, In Italy, and asked her what exactly makes Italia so romantic? “A very big part of what makes Italy so romantic is that fact that we – as …
Rome: Papal Dungeon Open Through End of August
Have you ever wondered what’s inside Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome? Well now is your chance to take a stroll inside the enormous walls to see for yourself. According to the L.A. Times, “Through Aug. 26, 2007, visitors will be offered nighttime guided tours of the prison built in the fort’s cellars by Pope Alexander VI in 1503, stepping through darkened …
Tuscan Tourism on the Rise
If it seems like more and more people are treking off to spend some time “under the Tuscan sun,” it’s not just your imagination. According to The Florentine, “Statistics from 2006 reveal that tourism in Tuscany is up 7.6 percent from the previous year and there is no sign of it declining. Second only to the region of Veneto, Tuscany’s …
Special Offer at Alain Ducasse’ L’Andana
I’m a big fan of Daily Candy Travel and today they announced a special offer (4th night free with stay of three nights) for Alain Ducasse’ luxury Tuscan inn, L’Andana. This is one place I haven’t gotten to in my 20 or so visits to Italia and am eager to visit! Located in the little-known village of Castiglione della Pescala …
European Heat Has Italy on Fire
Italy is sizzling, and we’re not just talking about the gorgeous men and women. Temperatures all over the country are approaching or over 100 degrees and presenting a health hazard. Some regions where the heat and dryness have combined to spark wildfires have declared states of emergency. “Fires forced the rescue of about 250 beach-goers by boat on the Gargano …
This October: “The Secret” Meets “Under the Tuscan Sun”
So many of us barely have time to pick up our dry cleaning let alone set aside the time and space to ask ourselves the questions: “What do I want?” and “What’s next?” What if a new type of journey could give you this much-needed time and space — and also give you the chance to experience the colors, flavors, …
George Clooney Against Lake Como Construction Plans
Actor, director and producer George Clooney may be the “Sexiest Man of the Year,” but he’s definitely more than just a pretty face (and body). Although he is wealthy enough to have bought a lakeside villa in Laglio, a small town near Como, he hasn’t let his fame or fortune overshadow his sense of civil duty to his fellow Italian …
Five Favorite Casual Restaurants in Italy
It is Dream of Italy’s 5th anniversary!And you will see a number of features using the number “5” in the coming months. I’m inaugurating the series this month with “Five Favorite Casual Restaurants in Italy.” I was going to just pick my five favorite restaurants from my travels over the last five years but, although it may sound cliche, it …
Naples: “Scarface” Mansion to Become Community Clinic
Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds of Mafia member Walter Schiavone, who was arrested for murder in 1999, Italian authorities have decided to turn his “Scarface-esque” mansion into a physical rehabilitation center for Naples residents. According to The Guardian , Schiavone was so obsessed with the character of Scarface that he built a $ 2.5-million dollar replica of the …