Beware the Jellyfish

It may be prime time for Italians to be hitting the beaches, but that doesn’t mean that the water is welcoming. The summer of 2006 may be remembered as the summer of the jellyfish on the Mediterranean. Researchers say some 30,000 swimmers in Spain, Sicily and Northern Africa have been bitten by jellyfish so far this season. Scientists blame a …

The Lowdown on Visiting Italy in August

The entire city of Rome shuts down. It’s difficult to find a spot of empty sand on any beach. The heat is unbearable. Although each of these statements is based on a grain of truth, these are some of the popular misconceptions about visiting the land of la dolce vita during the month of August, the most important vacation time …

Thoughts: Travel to Italy in the Near Future

Given today’s events, I have been giving some thought as to how travel to Italy may be affected. I’ve also consulted with other Italy specialists on their thoughts and experiences today. It may be wishful thinking, but I’m feeling pretty confident that people won’t be detered from traveling to Italy and that cancellations will be few. I think this has …

Bellagio: Shopping, Wine Tasting and More

This is from the July/August 2006 issue of Dream of Italy: Bellagio, the most famous of Lake Como’s villages, is said to have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Today it is perfectly groomed with potted flowers galore, small winding streets and old world charm. Restaurants and cafès line the lakeside promenade, and luxury shops beckon. An important silk town for …

7-Star(!) Hotel Slated for Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele

Looking for a new place to rest your head next time you’re in Milan? How about staying a 7-star hotel? That’s no typo – when the Town House Galleria opens later this year, it promises to be Europe’s first 7-star hotel. The only other 7-star in the world is Dubai’s Burj Al Arab. As the eFlyer newsletter reminds us, there …

Outsourcing in Italy — To Convicts

Calling directory assistance in Italy? A convicted murderer might help you locate a phone number. There has been lots of press about the outsourced phone call centers opened in India, but unlike the U.S., Italy is keeping these jobs within the country—and giving them to convicts, according to Reuters. Telecom Italia, the country’s biggest phone operator, recently launched a new …

Tuscany Tour for Women – Save 10%

Dream of Italy readers can save 10% on European Escapes’ “Tesori della Toscana” Tour September 21 through 29, 2006. This women-only tour includes four nights in Florence, two nights nights at a 5-star spa in Tuscany and two nights in Rome. Dream of Italy readers can save 10% off the tour price of $3,450.00 per person. (This is a good …

Pompeii’s Summer Amusements

In the past year, the once deserted city of Pompeii has really come to life. Beginning in the fall of 2005, Pompeii has hosted a year-long celebration of its history with special exhibits and activities devoted to each season. After “Moods of Autumn,” “Winter: Romantic Pompeii,” and “The Spring”, Pompeii is now in full swing of “Summer Amusements.” The intention …

Saldi!: July Sale on Dream of Italy Products

During the month of July, there are clearance sales n (saldi) all over Italy. It is one of two government-sanctioned periods for holding such sales; the other being in January, just after the Christmas shopping season. In honor of saldi, Dream of Italy is offering discounts on everything from our storage binder to gift subscription to our Special Reports Collection. …

New Rome Hotel: The Portrait Suites

A sumptious new hotel opened in Rome almost two weeks ago. The Portrait Suites is the first Roman property from Florence-based Lungarno Hotels (which is affiliated with the Ferragamo shoe family). Florence’s Hotel Lungarno is one of my favorite places to stay in the city; a close tie with JK Place). Both exude understated elegance. The Portrait Suites occupies an …