Rome NYE: Countdown to a Buon Capodanno

Happy New Year Italy - Buon Capodanno.  

Click for more about Italy New Year and Italy Carnevale.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Italy New Year's Eve Traditions

Italy New Year's Eve Traditions - NYE Rome, Florence and Venice and all the villages and towns are celebrating the coming New Year.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

NYE Rome Traditions and Festivals

New Year’s Eve is known as la Festa di San Silvestro (Feast of St. Sylvester) in Italy. New Year’s Day is called Capodanno. On both days you will find people celebrating by eating lentils symbolizing wealth or pork specialties such as cotechino or zampone symbolizing richness for the coming year. Fava beans are also widely eaten for good luck.

At midnight, there are fireworks displays throughout Italy with the largest and longest taking place in Piazza del Popolo in Rome. The fireworks last for an hour and also there is a concert that goes on for hours both before and after the fireworks.

Whatever your choice of rituals, if you are celebrating New Year’s in Italy, you will be well entertained until dawn - and beyond if you wish!

Click here for more about Italy New Years and Italy Carnevale.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Baroque and Renaissance Rome: Bernini's Vatican City - The Architect of St. Peter's

Bernini was called "The architect of St. Peter's" by Urban VIII (1623-44). And Bernini would have considered this quite a complement, as Bernini was one of a handful of artists in his time who would be come to known as a Renaissance Man due to his accomplishments in a variety of fields, including architecture, painting, and sculpture.

Popes Paul V and Gregory XV of the two great Roman families Borghese (see Cardinal Scipione Borghese the Pope's nephew) and Ludovisi (see Sant'Ignazio and Jesuits) respectively. It is these two Popes in the first two decades of the 17th century that created what is known as Triumphant Rome.

Truimphant Rome gets its name from the art and particularly the sculpture of that time, which had a triumphal role because it occupied a rhetorical position in the philosophy of the century. By the end of the 16th century theorists of New Science rationalized that the center of every operation is the man. In De sensu rerum et magi (1620) Tommaso Campanella writes: "Man is the epilogue of the whole World. The World is statue and image. It is the living Temple of God, where he has depicted his acts and written his own ideas. He adorned it with living statues, simple in heaven, mixed and feeble on earth; but from them goes the way to God."

In short, God created the world by means of three great arts:

• Sculpture, because it is statuary;
• Painting, because it is image; and
• Architecture, because it is a Temple.

Men are thus living statues, sculpture in motion.

Bernini's aim was to unite painting, sculpture, and architecture in his work, which he mastered beautifully by the time of the Ecstasy of St. Teresa and the Cornaro Family, both inside the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria.

Urban VIII was the Barberini Pope after Gregory XV, who with Innocent X (1644-55), and the Chigi Pope Alexander VII (1655-67), all erected churches and palaces around Rome and it was these Roman families who were the stimulus for many works by Bernini.

Today when you travel to Rome walk down Via dei Seminario, just off the Piazza Pantheon, to Sant'Ignazio where inside on the ceiling is painted an allegory depicting the nine arts battling for the Jesuit's heart.

Bernini took advantage of the Jesuit's new call for propaganda or "spreading the faith", such as the allegory on the ceiling of Sant'Ignazio by designing and building art around Rome that conveyed a universal and rhetorical message that is persuasive.

The idea of persuasion through images impelled the intellectuals of the time to rediscover the power and resources of rhetoric. The whole act of artistic creation could be viewed in a particular way through the lenses of the "Aristotelian telescope" (the title of a treatise on rhetoric by Emanuele Tesauro); viewed, that is, in terms of such rhetorical devices as antithesis, anastrophe, metonymy, ellipsis, hyperbole, oxymoron, and above all metaphor.

Under Innocent X Bernini created his most complex fountain conceived as an allegorical monument, the Fountain of Four Rivers (1648-51) in Piazza Navona, to the figure group as a theatrical vision in St. Teresa (1647-52).

Under Pope Alexander VII, Bernini busied himself with architecture: Sant'Andrea Quirinale, Colonnade in front of St. Peter's Basilica, sculpture Constantine inside St. Peter's, Daniel and Habakkuk in the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, and the Chair of St. Peter in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica.

Bernini the architect designed St. Peter's Square and the colonnade, and inside St. Peter's Basilica Bernini the sculptor designed a number of works including the bronze and gold 95 foot tall Baldachine (1624-1633) over the High Alter of St. Peter's Basilica, which cost the papal-state 10% of its annual revenue. It was testament to Bernini that the Vatican's would spend that kind of money on Bernini. And it was a testament to triumphant Rome that the Pope and super-rich of the 16th and 17th centuries used their wealth and money, chariots, like today's Gulfstream V jets, for the artists to travel between Rome, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Istanbul, France and Spain for the artist's sole benefit. And 10% of the annual revenue of the papal state was enough to keep an artist living well for several lifetimes. Of course, rather than sit back and just play the game like today's NBA basketball players, the genius-artist of the 17th century went on working day by day despite millions and millions in today's money in the bank.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Books about Rome

Rome

Founding of Rome and Thereafter:

1-Roma

2-Lavinia

3-The Aeneid

4-Rome

Cicero-The Life and Times of Rome's Greatest Politician by Anthony Everitt (2001)

Route 66 A.D.-On the Trail of Ancient Rome by Tony Perrottet (2002)

Playing Away-Roman Holidays by Michael Mewshaw (1988)

A Thousand Bells at Noon-A Roman's Guide to The Streets and Pleasures of His Native City by G. Franco Romagnoli (2002)

Roma-The Smart Travelers Guide to the Eternal City by Paul Hofmann (1993)

The Seasons of Rome-A Journal by Paul Hofmann (1997)

City of the Soul-A Walk in Rome by William Murray (2002)

As The Romans Do,The Delights, Drama, and Daily Diversions of Life in the Eternal City Alan Epstein (2000)

The Vatican's Women, Female Influence at the Holy See by Paul Hofmann (2000)

Rome Antics by David Maculay

Notes From A Roman Terrace by Joean Marble (2003)

Pasquale's Nose, Idle Days in an Italian Town by Michael Rips (2001)

The Smiles of Rome-Susan Cahill (2005)




Rome Guides:

Rome City Map by Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides

Top 10 Guide to Rome by Sharri Whiting

Trattorias of Rome, Florence and Venice by Maureen B Fant

Rome Insideout by The Map Group

Cafe Life Rome-Joe Wolff (2002)

Great Sleeps Italy, Florence, Rome, Venice by Sandra Gustafson (2002)

Access Rome by Richard Saul Wurman

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Italy Christmas Traditions

Italian Christmas traditions video from Naples via San Gregorio Armeno to Rome's Piazza Navona holiday market and festival, Italy at Christmas is wonderful time of year for your next Italy vacation.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Best Christmas Holiday Destinations

Welcome to travel guide Europe and our guide to the best holiday destinations to visit in Europe during this wonderful Christmas period. If you have been lucky enough to avoid being grounded by the snow at airports such as Gatwick that have ruined so many peoples holidays this winter – why not pack your bags and set off on a holiday to one of the many great European holiday destinations for winter travel.

Of course, when it comes to choosing the best Christmas holiday destinations in Europe opinion will be divided and there is always going to be differences in choice depending on your interests, age and disposable income.. For example, if your personal cup of tea tends towards a fantastic Christmas party inspired by twinkling Christmas lights, superb local cuisine and part filled music – then the best countries to visit in Europe for a Christmas holiday must surely be found in the UK and France. London and Paris are famous for their seasonal festivities, whist you can also travel to Germany for an authentic outdoor market experience with beers a plenty!

If you can afford to travel to destinations outside Europe, cities such as New York and Florida are brilliant places to visit at Christmas – and of course New York will provide you with all the Christmas shopping opportunities you will ever need! Florida will of course also have some good weather for this time of year if you fancy something a bit different to snow and freezing temperatures!

Rome Christmas - St. Peter's Square Presepe

nativity scene next to obelisk and Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Rome Christmas Eve: Things to do

Italy Right Now brings you to Rome Christmas Eve - wear comfortable shoes and be ready to walk for a Roman festival.

For more video of holidays in Italy click here.

For video of Rome click here.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

How to do Scavi Tour

Want to a Scavi tour of the Vatican in Rome. Try sending an email to :
visiteguidate.musei@scv.va.

In the email include names, date and time you would like to visit.

The Scavi tour is separate from any tours of St. Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums.

The tour itself takes about 1.5 hours. Less than 20 people enter with each tour.

If you want to take the Scavi Tour send an email when you know you will be in Rome.

Then pray for a reply ;-)

For more on travel to Italy click here for Web Vision Italy vacations.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Rome - Outdoor Markets

Rome Holidays

Markets in Rome are as old as time. Today in the United States fresh seasonal organic locally grown fruits and vegetables are a real luxury. In Italy and in Rome it is part of La Dolce Vita - access to locally grown fresh organic fruits and vegetables in neigborhood street markets is the way of life.

While in Rome, be sure to get up in the morning, have an espresso, and then wander to a Roman street market.

Depending on the season you'll find artichokes, zucchini flowers, peppers, tomatoes, etc etc. Taste delicious Roman spices like amatriciana and saffron. Enjoy Italy travel with the street fairs and markets.

Rome Street Markets: Monday-Friday

Campo de’Fiori - food and flowers - Mornings
Largo della Fontanella di Borghese - antique books and magazines - Mornings
Via Sannio - second hand clothes and accessories - Mornings
Piazza San Cosimato, Trastevere - high quality food - Mornings
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele - food - Mornings
Via Andrea Doria – food - Mornings
Via Magnagrecia - food - Mornings
Ponte Milvio - mornings


Saturday and Sunday you may find fairs here:

Via Tirso and Via Metauro - antiques and jewellery - Mornings
Lungotevere Capoprati - antique flea market - Afternoons
Porta Portese, Trastevere - flea market, clothing and antiques - Mornings
Centro Sportivo, Via Angelo Battelli - books, collectors’ items - All day
Via Tirso and Via Metauro - antiques and jewellery - All day from 10:00
Via Francesco Crispi - antiques and collectors’ items. (Closed during Summer) - All day
Piazza della Marina, Flaminio - Bric-a-brac, antiques and vintage clothing - All day


For more on markets in Italy visit the Spice Man in Campo de' Fiori.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

What do in Rome after The Vatican and St Peter's Basilica

 

Vatican Tour on a Rome Holiday

After the Vatican tour take a leisurely walk to Piazza Navona indirectly by crossing the bridge to Vittorio Emanuele II. After crossing take second right on Via Paola to Via Giulia. Enjoy Via Giulia all the way to Via dei Farnese. Take a left.

Nice wine bar in the Piazza Farnese square or keep walking through to Campo De' Fiori. Check it out:

http://www.webvisionitaly.com/category.php?id=221&ref_genre=&ref_item=180

Then I'd head over to Piazza Navona To the west of Piazza Navona, behind Brazilian Embassy, is the Via Della Pace neighborhood. There go to Raphael Hotel roof for a drink. Even better if the sun has not set yet.

And you can go shopping in that neighborhood on Via dei Coronari.

And there is plenty of nice Rome holiday trattoria around too:


Our favorite thing to do in Rome is wander.

-Motorino Man

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Espesso: La Dolce Vita Caffes of Rome; Historical Caffes of Turin

Rome Caffes

Travel to Rome Italy must include like ritual morning coffee. I prefer macchiato, espresso stained with a little milk. Rome is the capital of espresso, and living la dolce vita includes starting the day in a caffe.

Italian Broadcasting Company and Web Vision Italy bring you these videos about morning coffee in Rome, and the classic battle between Sant'Eustachio and Tazza d'Oro.

Click here to view video about Rome travel, La Dolce Vita - The Caffes of Rome.

Click here to view video about Turin travel, Historical Caffes of Turin.

TAZZA D'ORO ORIGINAL COFFEE srl
Via degli Orfani, 84 (Pantheon) - 00186 Roma

Sant Eustachio Il Caffe Srl
Piazza Di S. Eustachio
00186 Roma (RM), Italy

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Amalfi Coast Holiday: Air, 6 Night Hotel, 7 Day Car Rental & Breakfast Daily from $899

8 Day Amalfi Coast Holiday Fly & Drive
This Italy travel package includes:
Roundtrip airfre to Italy;
6 nights hotel;
7 day car rental; and
Breakfast daily

Regular rate of $939 reduced to $899+*

*Lead Price Travel Dates: Jan 19, Jan 26, Feb 2 2011
Promo valid for Departure Dates: December 2010 – March 2011


Italy Travel Deal
This affordable Amalfi Coast holiday deal allows you to explore the charming, picture postcard towns of the Amalfi Coast, stacked high above the sea. This independent fly & drive Italy travel package gives you the flexibility to explore the region at your own pace. If you see something that sparks your interest, just pull over. We've included a suggested itinerary with stops in Pompeii, Positano, Caserta, Capri and more. Spend your time relaxing, taking in the beautiful scenery, or check out the sites of the neighboring towns – it's completely up to you!

Amalfi Coast Holiday Italy Travel Package Includes:
Round trip flights NYC-Naples.
Airline fuel surcharges
6 nights accommodations in your choice of hotels
7 day car rental: Economy Manual (Fiat Panda or similar). Upgrade available.
Car rental includes: Unlimited mileage, Third Party Liability Insurance (RCA), Collision Damage Waiver Reduction (C.D.R.), Theft Protection Reduction (T.P.R), Airport charges, local taxes (VAT)
Breakfast daily

How to Book this Amalfi Coast Holiday
This Amalfi Coast holiday must be booked by December 20, 2010 to save $40 per person off our regular price. Click here to book with Italian Tourism or call 305.914.0220 to speak with one of our certified Italy travel agents.

Other departure cities available. Inquire for exact airfare supplemental.

Click below to chat live with an Italian Tourism certified Italy Travel Agent:



Email Italian Tourism or Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 for rates from other citites.

*The following additional fees are not included, where applicable: airport taxes, fees & September 11th Security Fee of up to of up to $150, Car Rental Fees of $57 per vehicle, optional car rental insurance and parking. For more details, see our Terms & Conditions.

Click to see a full listing of Italy travel packages including cruises around Italy, cruises from Rome and cruises from Venice and other Amalfi Coast Holidays.

Spas an easy drive outside of Rome: Fiuggi and Terme di Vertralla

If you're feeling like you can't handle another night in the city of Rome, then the best way to relax and rejuvinate is get away for a night at a spa close by Rome.

South of Rome, off the A1 autostrada on the way to Naples, is the spa of Fiuggi, in the province of Frosinone. Fiuggi has been the watering hole of the rich and famous since the time of the Ancient Romans. Acqua di Fiuggi is thought to have curative powers. These days, Fiuggi is exceedingly popular, with many fashionable hotels and shops and places to eat. We suggest hotel reservations.

North of Rome, off the A1 autostrada on the way to Florence, is the spa of Terme di Vertralla in Viterbo, a 50-minute drive north of the city. The terme are naturally-occurring hot springs that have sprung up in the middle of a field. They have been used for about two millenia, first by the Etruscans. Everywhere around you you can see the remnants from ancient structures. They are free of charge and open to the public, just simply drive up, park the car and submerge yourself in the hot water.

Visit Fiuggi,

Visit Viterbo

For more on Italy, view webvisionitaly.com

Salute Per Acqua [good health through water] = SPA

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays.

Italian Tourism has the best Rome Italy pre-cruise tours and Rome Italy post-cruise tours.

Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

Cruises Around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice 3-Day Sale

Cruise around Italy Rome to Venice Italy cruise $ale!

Italy cruise Rome to Venice cruise ports of call include Monte Carlo, Florence, Naples, the Greek Isles including Santorini and Mykonos, on to Athens, Olympia, and Corfu then cruise the Adriatic sea to Split Croatia and finally Venice Italy. This Rome cruise around Italy to Venice is on sale for 3 days.

Cruise from Rome enjoying FREE balcony upgrades and up to $100 cash back when this Rome cruise around Italy is booked between December 15-17. Book your 2011 Rome cruise today!

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

Cruise around Italy cruise sale good for May – November 2011 sailings

Cruise around Italy - Cruise Rome to Venice sale for the following sailings:

May 30 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (30 May d1800); Monaco (31 May 0700-1800); Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy (01 Jun 0600-1800); Naples, Italy (02 Jun 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (04 Jun 0800-1900); Mykonos, Greece (05 Jun 0100-1800); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (06 Jun 0600-1745); Katakolon (Olympia), Greece (07 Jun 0800-1700); Corfu (08 Jun 0700-1600); Split, Croatia (09 Jun 0900-1800); Venice, Italy (10 Jun a0900(+1)disembark)

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

June 23 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (23 Jun d1800); Monaco (24 Jun 0700-1800); Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy (25 Jun 0600-1800); Naples, Italy (26 Jun 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (28 Jun 0800-1900); Mykonos, Greece (29 Jun 0100-1800); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (30 Jun 0600-1745); Katakolon (Olympia), Greece (01 Jul 0800-1700); Corfu (02 Jul 0700-1600); Split, Croatia (03 Jul 0900-1800); Venice, Italy (04 Jul a0900(+1)disembark)

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

July 17 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (17 Jul d1800); Monaco (18 Jul 0700-1800); Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy (19 Jul 0600-1800); Naples, Italy (20 Jul 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (22 Jul 0800-1900); Mykonos, Greece (23 Jul 0100-1800); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (24 Jul 0600-1745); Katakolon (Olympia), Greece (25 Jul 0800-1700); Corfu (26 Jul 0700-1600); Split, Croatia (27 Jul 0900-1800); Venice, Italy (28 Jul a0900(+1)disembark)

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

August 10 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (10 Aug d1800); Monaco (11 Aug 0700-1800); Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy (12 Aug 0600-1800); Naples, Italy (13 Aug 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (15 Aug 0800-1900); Mykonos, Greece (16 Aug 0100-1800); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (17 Aug 0600-1745); Katakolon (Olympia), Greece (18 Aug 0800-1700); Corfu (19 Aug 0700-1600); Split, Croatia (20 Aug 0900-1800); Venice, Italy (21 Aug a0900(+1)disembark)

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

September 3 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (03 Sep d1800); Monaco (04 Sep 0700-1800); Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy (05 Sep 0600-1800); Naples, Italy (06 Sep 0800-1900); Santorini, Greece (08 Sep 0800-1900); Mykonos, Greece (09 Sep 0100-1800); Piraeus (Athens), Greece (10 Sep 0600-1745); Katakolon (Olympia), Greece (11 Sep 0800-1700); Corfu (12 Sep 0700-1600); Split, Croatia (13 Sep 0900-1800); Venice, Italy (14 Sep a0900(+1)disembark)

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

November 2 Cruise around Italy Cruise Rome to Venice
Schedule: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy (02 Nov d1800); Monaco; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Naples, Italy; Santorini, Greece; Mykonos, Greece; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Katakolon (Olympia), Greece; Corfu; Split, Croatia; Venice, Italy

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 to book your Cruise from Rome to Venice cruise around Italy.

This cruise around Italy cruise Rome cruise to Venice includes a free balcony upgrade and up to $100 cash back. Start planning a relaxing getaway to Europe.

Contact Italian Tourism Italy Cruise travel agent today for a quote. This is the perfect Italy cruise to include a Italy pre-cruise tour in Rome and Italy post-cruise tour in Venice.

Italian Tourism has the low priced Italy airfare for flights to Rome and returning from Venice to make this Italy cruise tour a special Italy vacation to remember.

Detailed Cruise Around Italy itinerary:

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy: 6:00 PM Embark
Monte Carlo, Monaco: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Naples/Capri, Italy; 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
At Sea
Santorini, Greece: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Mykonos, Greece: 1:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Athens (Piraeus), Greece: 6:00 AM - 5:45 PM
Katakolon (Olympia), Greece: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Corfu, Greece: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Split, Croatia: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Venice, Italy: 9:00 AM - Overnight
Venice, Italy: 5:00 AM

Call Italian Tourism 305.914.0220 or email us "travel @ italiantourism.us" to take advantage of the Italy cruise sale.

Italy cruise sale begins Monday December 13. Book your Italy cruise tour Rome cruise to Venice and enjoy a cruise around Italy.

Best Backpacking Holiday Destinations in Portugal

A Brief Overview of Portugal

Portugal offers one of the warmest climates in Europe and provides the backpacking tourist with a wealth of things to see and do.  Typically, a backpacking vacation implies that you are travelling on a budget or have limited funds.  Not to worry.  There are a number of cheap hotels in Portugal that you can take advantage of.  Additionally, since most international flights land in Lisbon (the capital), there are a number of Lisbon hotels that you can take advantage of as well, although we wouldn’t call all of them cheap.

Backpacking Hot Spots

Although many backpacking tourists prefer to explore the inland regions of the country, it is the beaches and seaside mountains of Portugal that holds the allure for many backpackers.  If your choice is Portugal’s countryside, then you might want to consider one of the following areas:

- Castelo Branco
- Évora
- Douro Valley
- Leiria
- Miranda do Douro
- Viseu

However, if you want to observe the wildlife of the region in its natural state, then you owe it to yourself to backpack and explore the Azores or Madeira Islands.  Additionally, the mainland has nature reserves situated in the Douro Valley, at Peneda-Gerês and at Serra da Estrela.

Gems and Secrets of the Country

For many tourists, the Algarve is the destination of choice with its abundance of natural beauty and some of the most stunning coastlines in Portugal.  Unfortunately, it is gradually becoming overdeveloped and is no longer the hidden gem or secret that it once was.  However, it is still worth exploring because some of the Algarve’s beaches are less visited than others.

Amarante is one of Portugal’s most magnificent little towns and well worth the visit.  It is a lovely city that features some spectacular architecture with beautiful paths and trails to explore along the River Tamega.  Many tourists have commented on how beautiful the architecture and the green streets are as they reflect off the waters of the river.

If you travel to Oporto in the north, you will be at the gateway to another one of the gems and secrets of the country, namely the Douro River Valley.  The most outstanding characteristic of this valley is the vineyards growing along the sloped banks of the river.  The local wineries in the area are complemented by some stunning panoramas of the river.

Events and Cultural Festivals in Portugal

During the summer months, there are numerous fairs that take place especially in the northern regions of the country.  Additionally, there are a number of music festivals that take place that might be of interested to you.  These festivals are typically set in some of the most beautiful countryside and small, quaint villages.

To the north – the two oldest festivals in the region are the Paredes de Coura festival and the Vilar de Mouros festival.

To the south – along the western part of Portugal’s southern coast is the Festival Sudoeste, by far the oldest and most famous of Portugal’s many festivals.

Euro Holiday Destinations: Advice on Travel Insurance & Legal Claims

 It may seem a little pessimistic, but before you even think about setting set off on a backpacking holiday or vacation to any of the best holiday destinations in Europe that are discussed here in my blog, you should always be fully prepared for a worst case scenario. For this reason I would always ensure that you have sufficient travel insurance coverage to suit the activities that you are likely to take part in on your trip. Although travel insurance policies for single trips and holidays to Europe are readily available online these days from just a few pounds, if you are planning a longer excursion (perhaps on a month long backpacking holiday) or are planning on taking part in any extreme sports or other potentially dangerous activities during your visit then you will need to ensure that your policy covers the worst case scenario in such eventualities before you take out the policy.

     Travelling in Europe should always be a fun experience you remember for the rest of your life - and for the vast majority of backpackers and holidaymakers on the continent this will be the case - but please also keep in mind that at some of the holiday destinations in Europe you may plan to visit on your travels, you may possibly find that the standard of health and safety can on occasions be less thorough and strictly regulated than the conditions we are perhaps used to here in the UK. For this very reason, proper preparation as well as due vigilance and care for your personal safety are always essential.

      If the worst happens and you do fall foul of an injury or illness whilst on your holiday, then it’s always advisable to seek the advice and expertise of a qualified holiday claim specialist or solicitor who will be able to give you greater clarification on your legal options, should you wish to pursue them. In many cases, any initial enquiries you make are usually available for free, and you may find that seeking legal advice in such scenarios is often far less intimidating than one would potentially expect. If the accident or illness that occurred on your holiday was not through any fault of your own, it is possible you could be entitled to varying levels of compensation – but the help of experts in the field is invariably the best path to take to explore your options.

Italy Vacations: Arts Guide for your Italy Travel

Italian Tourism Italy vacations should include a visit to a museum oin Italy. Whether you are on a Italy cruise vacation or a Italy tour do make time to visit Italy's fabulous arts on your Italy vacation.



The following is a city-by-city guide to some of Italy's art exhibitions:



ALBA - Fondazione Ferrero: Giorgio Morandi, The Essence of Landscape; 70 works; until January 16.



BARLETTA - Palazza Marra: Giuseppe De Nittis, 43 engravings; until January 16.



FERRARA - Palazzo dei Diamanti: French 18th-century still-life master Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin; 50 loans from major international museums in first-ever Italian show; until January 13.



FLORENCE ART- Palazzo Strozzi: 'Bronzino, Painter and Poet at the Medici Court'; 90 works in world's first monographic show; to January 23.- Palazzo Pitti: Vinum Nostrum. The Art, Science and Myths of Wine in Civilisation; from prehistoric winegrowing to Dionysus cult, Etruscan, Roman use; show features oldest surviving wine container, on loan from Georgia; until April 30.- Bargello: Giovanfrancesco Rustici and Leonardo, first show examining links of 15th-century sculptor with da Vinci, Verrocchio and others; until January 10. For the best deals on Italy travel to Florence visit Italian Tourism for its Florence vacation packages.



FORLI' - Musei Civici di San Domenico: 400 ancient Egyptian artefacts gound by great Egyptologist Ernesto Schiaparelli (1856-1928) including works from Queen Nefertari's tomb; until January 9.



MAMIANO DI TRAVERSETOLO (PARMA ARTS) - Fondazione Magnani Rocca: Renato Guttuso, Passion and Reality, 65 works until December 8. Visit WebVisionItaly Parma video and when ready for a vacation visit Italian Tourism to plan the perfect Italy vacation.



MILAN Travel - Palazzo Reale: 'Salvador Dali', The Dream Draws Near'; 50 works, until January 30.- Museo Poldi Pezzoli: Sandro Botticelli, all of his works in Lombardy museums brought together for first time; until February 28.



PADUA ART - Palazzo Zabarella: "From Canova to Modigliani, the Face of the 19th Century"; 100 portraits and sculptures; until February 27. Looking for vacation to Veneto and Venice then vist Italian Tourism Venice vacation packages or for a Italy cruise click Venice cruise.



PASSARIANO (UDINE) - Villa Manin: 'Edvard Munch and the Spirit of the North'; 122 works; until March 6.


PERUGIA - Galleria Nazionale: 'Theatre of Dreams from Chagall to Fellini', 100 works; until January 9. For more Umbria visit WebVisionItaly Umbria travel channel. Looking for a Umbra vacation check out Italian Tourism Umbria vacation packages.

RIMINI - Castel Sismondo: The Marvelous Years: Impressionism; 100 works from international museums including Monet and Pissarro, Sisley and Degas, Bazille and Renoir, Cezanne and Guillaumin, Morisot and Fantin-Latour, Gauguin and Van Gogh; until March 27.- same venue: Caravaggio's first religious painting, The Ecstasy of St Francis, back in Italy for first time in 25 years from Wadsworh Museum, Hartford, as well as several contemporaries; until March 27.



ROME ARTS - Palazzo Venezia: The Two Empires, The Eagle and the Dragon; more than 400 works on Roman (up to Trajan) and Chinese (Qin and Han) empires, spanning second century BC to fourth century AD; marks Year of Chinese Culture in Italy and is paired with other section at Roman Forum; until January 9.- Palazzo delle Esposizioni: The City of the Gods, 450 artefacts from ancient Mexican site of Teotihuacan (2nd-century BC to 5th-century AD), once the largest city in pre-Columbian Americas; until February 27.- Musei Capitolini: Michelangelo 'Two Wrestlers' loaned from Casa Buonarroti in Florence; until December 5.- Galleria Borghese: Lucas Cranach the Elder, The Other Renaissance; 45 works from major international museums; until February 13.- Chiostro del Bramante: Greats from the Veneto, 15th- 18th Century; Bellini, Lotto, Titian, Veronese, Tiepolo, Canaletto; 80 works from Accademia Carrara in Bergamo; until January 30.- Vittoriano: 'Vincent Van Gogh, Timeless Landscape, Modern City'; 110 masterpieces in first major Rome show in 22 years; until January 30.- Scuderie del Quirinale: '1861: The Painters of the Risorgimento', war scenes, Garibaldi's Red Shirts, leaders' portraits; to January 16.- Curia Iulia, Roman Forum: 'The Two Empires, The Eagle and the Dragon'; 450 works; until January 9.- Museo di Roma (Palazzo Braschi): The Risorgimento in Colour: Patriot Painters; to January 9.

SAN MARINO - Palazzo Sums: 25 Impressionist works including Monet, Cezanne and Renoir; until March 27, in tandem with Rimini show.

SAN SEVERINO MARCHE - Pinacoteca Civica, Palazzo Servanzi Confidati and Chiesa della Misericordia: 'Baroque Marvels', 90 works including Bernini, Guercino, Pomarancio, Orazio Gentileschi, Valentin de Boulogne, Baciccio: until December 12.

TURIN - Palazzo Reale, Palazzo Chiablese, Castello di Racconigi: "Vittorio Emanuele II: The Gentleman King"; new documents, pictures on life of Italy's first post-unification king; until March 13. Visit Turin with an Italian Tourism Italy vacation.

VENICE ARTS - Fondazione Cini: 'The Arts of Giambattista Piranesi - Architect, etcher, antiquarian, vedutista, designer'; 300 original prints plus 33 photos by Gabriele Basilico of Rome sites in 1960s; until November 21. Visit the arts of Venice like the Doge's Palace and the Basilica of St. Marks. Looking to visit Venice click for complete listing of cruises from Venice and click Venice vacation packages for a land-based Venice vacation by Italian Tourism discount Italy vacations.

Click WebVisionItaly.com for Italy travel video. Click Italian Tourism for Italy vacation packages and Italy cruise for cruises from Italy and cruises around Italy.

What is an Etruscan?

The headline said "No Etruscan link to modern Tuscans Study shows" with a sub heading "genetic discontinuity with Bronze Age people," as it was declared by the Universities of Florence, Ferrara, Pisa, Venice and Parma on behalf of its esteemed and tenured sociology and anthropolgy professors, which their E.U.-funded research found.

The news and of course world-government seeking bureaucrats would claim it to be the definitve truth.

Fortunately for civilization, there are many Etruscans left like Motorino Man's alter ego and your friendly writer who had a visit from the 2000 census-counter in Washington DC coming to learn what Etruscan blood is in fact. Once discovering that Etruscan homeland is on the Italic peninsula the census declared Motorino Man "just another Italian trouble maker."

I did remind her Italy the country and thus Italians were not identified as such until long after a country called the United States was founded and even when Lincoln fought the civil war there was no "Italy" to ally.

In fact, the success of Italy's Made In Italy products is rooted in local-ism ot global-ism. Most recall Italy's recent experiment with centralized planning by Mussolini, which sure did get the trains running on time but it also resulted in hundreds pf thousands of deaths. Italy is better known for its long traditition of city-states ruled by locally and which industries are intricately tied together locally to create great product. Today this fashion of doing business is resulting in major contributions to pharmaceutical, technology, aerospace, and other modern-day cutting edge industries.

According to researchers at the universities of Florence, Ferrara, Pisa, Venice and Parma discovered the genealogical discontinuity by testing samples of mitochondrial DNA from remains of Etruscans and people who lived in the Middle Ages (between the 10th and 15th centuries) as well as from people living in the region today.

While there was a clear genetic link between Medieval Tuscans and the current population, the relationship between modern Tuscans and their Bronze Age ancestors could not be proven, the study showed. The study did not reach outside Tuscany to the Italic peneinsula nor did it reach other countries.

''Some people have hypothesised that the most ancient DNA sequences, those from the Etruscan era, could contain errors or have been contaminated but tests conducted with new methods exclude this,'' said David Caramelli of Florence University and Guido Barbujani of Ferrara University.

''The most simple explanation is that the structure of the Tuscan population underwent important demographic changes in the first millennium before Christ,'' they said.

''Immigration and forced migration have diluted the Etruscan genetic inheritance so much as to make it difficult to recognise''.

The scientific data does not necessarily mean that the Etruscans died out, the researchers said.

Teams from Florence and Ferrara universities are working to identify whether traces of the Etruscans' genetic inheritance may still exist in people living in isolated locations in the region.

The new study is published online by the scientific journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.

The Etruscans lived mainly between the rivers Tiber and Arno in modern-day Umbria, Lazio and Tuscany, in the first millennium BC.

By the sixth century BC they had become the dominant force in central Italy, but repeated attacks from Gauls and Syracusans later forced them into an alliance with the embryonic Roman state, which gradually absorbed Etruscan civilization.

Most of what is known about the Etruscans derives from archaeology as the few accounts passed down by Roman historians tend to be hostile, portraying them as gluttonous and lecherous. Yet it is know that ancient Rome and ancient Romans adopted many of the Etruscan customs.

This problem is compounded by the fact that Etruscan cities were built almost entirely of wood and so vanished quickly, leaving little for archaeologists to investigate.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays. Italian Tourism has the best Italy pre-cruise tour and Italy post-cruise tour Italy vacation packages. Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise.

Photo: Head of Hermes, 510-500 BC.

How to Ride the Italy Rail: Guide to Train Travel in Italy

Train travel in Italy is made easy in the Italy rail guide, one of WebVisionItaly.com's most popular videos. The Train Italy video is a guide to riding trains in Italy. So for Thanksgiving when many of are on trains, planes, and automobiles, we're publishing 10 Tips to riding the train in Italy.

Motorino Man's Top 10 Tips to ride Italy's rails from the big three like Rome trains, Florence trains, and Venice trains to tips for buying Italy rail tickets in small stations in towns outside Italy's big three that may not be manned at all times by ticket sellers.

Click to see the video how to buy a train ticket in Italy for important tips and tricks to navigating the Italy train ticket vending machine so you may buy a train ticket in Italy without hassle when traveling Italy. Motorino Man suggests buying train tickets in Italy as itineraries change and trains do get cancelled.

Click for a full listing of Italy train travel vacations by Italian Tourism.

Motorino Man's Top 10 Tips to Ride Train in Italy.

10. Save money by buying bread and prosciutto before arriving at station for food on train. If you don't bring food the dining car is a very nice place to have a snack.

9. Arrive 30 minutes before departure for stress-free travel.

8. Trains in Italy are used by Italian commuters at rush hour so try to plan your travel off rush-hour and do plan accordingly. Train ticket in Italy will be less expensive off rush hour.

7. In Italy's big three Rome, Florence, Venice and all Italy's big-city stations like Naples, Milan, Bari, Genoa etc. if standing on line or at vending machine to buy ticket beware of pick pockets and other thieves and do always keep an eye on your baggage by keeping it eyesight next to you.
6. Gather belongings before destination so exiting is smooth and efficient - especially important when exiting before end of line because Italian trains only stop long enough for exiting and entering passengers. Every time you stand up on train in Italy glance back to see what you left behind.

5. Carry change to buy ticket at vending machine in small stations where there is no attendant.

4. Carry-on bags: Keep your bag under your seat or between your legs. If you are going to place it in the overhead compartment, try to place it ahead of your seat location, so you can see whoever reaches into the compartment.

3. If catching the train outside major cities like Italy's big three Rome, Florence, and Venice be sure to check that the Italian train you get on is the one you want. Many travel same track.

2. ALWAYS validate Italy train ticket by stamping it in CONVALIDA yellow box in the station or along the track platform.

1. Keep an eye on things at all times in stations and on Italy's trains. YOU carry your luggage onto the bus, train, truck, or taxi with you. Don’t allow a porter or stranger to take your bag for you. You might not ever see it again.

And finally, when you buy a train ticket in Italy be sure you actually receive a ticket for a Italy train.

Buon Viaggio!

Now that you know how to ride the Italy rail check out these great Italy train travel vacations. Or click to see a full listing of cruises around Italy including cruises from Rome and cruises from Venice.

For more about riding trains in Italy visit WebVisionItaly's video how to train travel in Italy.

Rome Holidays: Ancient Rome Forum Opens Temple of Venus and Rome

Ancient Rome's most imposing shrine, the Temple of Venus and Rome, has reopened after a restoration lasting almost 30 years in welcome news for a government under pressure since last weekend's collapse of Pompeii's Gladiator School.

Facing East and West to symbolize the sweep of the empire, the temple was built in the second century AD by Hadrian on the vestibule of Nero's Golden House, shifting the Colossus of Nero close to the Flavian Amphitheatre so that it got its better-known name, the Colosseum.

"We have restored to Rome one of the most powerful symbols of the power and greatness of the Roman Empire," said restoration chief Claudia Del Monti, who has been on the job for all but three years of its 26-year duration.

"My project was aimed at reading the temple as far as possible in its entirety," she said, recalling that it had once been split in two and was used as a car park until the 1980s.

Rome's archeological superintendent, Anna Maria Moretti, said the revamped temple "affords an extraordinary view, walking up from the Colosseum".

With majestic pillars and soaring arches, the Temple of Venus Felix (Venus the Bringer of Good Fortune) and Aeterna Roma (Eternal Rome) was designed by Hadrian in 121 AD, inaugurated by him in 135, and finished by his successor Antoninus Pius in 141.

Damaged by fire in 307, it was restored with changes by Maxentius.

The temple restoration is part of the government's plans to open up more ancient sites, said Culture Undersecretary Franco Giro, deputising for Culture Minister Sandro Bondi who was fielding a fusillade of questions in parliament over Saturday's collapse of the school in Naples where gladiators trained. Giro noted that the pits under the Colosseum where gladiators prepared for mortal combat have recently been unveiled and other temples, such as that of Antoninus and Faustina, are set to be reopened within the next year.

"We are respecting the schedule we set for the Forum and we are proceeding with a restoration of an area that was in deep decay, having been abandoned by governments of all colors," Giro said.

He rejected criticism of Bondi's handling of Italy's artistic heritage which began with his allegedly supine acceptance of budget cuts that led to Italy's museums staging a mass closure Friday.

The undersecretary also defended the minister from what he described as "unfair" attacks over the situation in Pompeii, calling the center-left opposition "ill-informed".

Visit Rome travel video by WebVisionItaly.com for more about Rome.

To plan your Italy vacation to Rome click Rome holidays. Italian Tourism has the best Italy pre-cruise tour and Italy post-cruise tours. Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise around Italy from Rome click Rome cruise. If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum.

Italy Travel and Italy Tours: Rome's biggest temple reopens

Ancient Rome's most imposing shrine, the Temple of Venus and Rome, has reopened after a restoration lasting almost 30 years in welcome news for a government under pressure since last weekend's collapse of Pompeii's Gladiator School.

Facing East and West to symbolize the sweep of the empire, the temple was built in the second century AD by Hadrian on the vestibule of Nero's Golden House, shifting the Colossus of Nero close to the Flavian Amphitheatre so that it got its better-known name, the Colosseum.

"We have restored to Rome one of the most powerful symbols of the power and greatness of the Roman Empire," said restoration chief Claudia Del Monti, who has been on the job for all but three years of its 26-year duration.

"My project was aimed at reading the temple as far as possible in its entirety," she said, recalling that it had once been split in two and was used as a car park until the 1980s.

Rome's archeological superintendent, Anna Maria Moretti, said the revamped temple "affords an extraordinary view, walking up from the Colosseum".

With majestic pillars and soaring arches, the Temple of Venus Felix (Venus the Bringer of Good Fortune) and Aeterna Roma (Eternal Rome) was designed by Hadrian in 121 AD, inaugurated by him in 135, and finished by his successor Antoninus Pius in 141.

Damaged by fire in 307, it was restored with changes by Maxentius.

The temple restoration is part of the government's plans to open up more ancient sites, said Culture Undersecretary Franco Giro, deputising for Culture Minister Sandro Bondi who was fielding a fusillade of questions in parliament over Saturday's collapse of the school in Naples where gladiators trained. Giro noted that the pits under the Colosseum where gladiators prepared for mortal combat have recently been unveiled and other temples, such as that of Antoninus and Faustina, are set to be reopened within the next year.

"We are respecting the schedule we set for the Forum and we are proceeding with a restoration of an area that was in deep decay, having been abandoned by governments of all colors," Giro said.

He rejected criticism of Bondi's handling of Italy's artistic heritage which began with his allegedly supine acceptance of budget cuts that led to Italy's museums staging a mass closure Friday.

The undersecretary also defended the minister from what he described as "unfair" attacks over the situation in Pompeii, calling the center-left opposition "ill-informed".

Visit Rome travel video by WebVisionItaly.com for more about Rome.

To plan your vacation to Rome click for Rome holidays. Italian Tourism has the best pre-cruise and Italy post-cruise tours. Italian tourism also specializes in Italy cruise tours from Rome. For a Italy cruise from Rome click Rome cruise. If you'll be on a Rome cruise 2011 be sure to visit the Roman forum. Click for January Rome cruises 2011.

$999+ Air and 8-Day Rome, Florence, Venice Italy Travel Deal

$999+ 8-Day Independent Italian Tourism Italy travel package to 3 of Italy's enchanting cities Rome, Florence and Venice Italy vacation.

Visit Rome, Florence & Venice 2 nights in each city traveling by Italy rail between cities.

Lead Price Travel Dates:
Dec 7 '10; Jan 11, Jan 18, & Jan 25 '11
Italy travelers also were interested in these Italy travel packages:

8 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail
10 Day Rome, Florence & Venice by Rail
10 Day Venice, Florence & Rome by Rail

Italy Travel Deal

This 8 day Italy rail package makes it easy to see three of Italy's most captivating cities on one trip. Explore independently or join an assortment of convenient and affordable optional tours such as an evening tour of illuminated Rome, a walking tour of the dazzling renaissance city of Florence, or a romantic gondola serenade along the canals of Venice. Whether it's your first trip to Italy or a return visit to old favorites, this tour offers an ideal opportunity to spend a great vacation in bella Italia while we take care of the details, with flights, hotels, and reserved rail seats all prearranged for you.

Italy Travel Package Includes:
Flights NYC – Rome, Venice – NYC. Other departure cities available
Airline fuel surcharges
6 nights accommodations in your choice of hotels
2 nights Rome
2 nights Florence
2 nights Venice
Breakfast daily

Transportation between cities via First Class Italy rail (Plan A, B or C) or Standard Italy rail (Plans D,E) with reserved seats.

Follow this 8-day Italy travel package with a Italy cruise or check out one an Italian Tourism Italy cruise tour that includes Italy tour followed by a Italy cruise.

How to Book:
Click here to book or call 305.914.0220 to with an Italian Tourism Italy travel reservation specialists.

Click Italy travel for Italy tour and Italy cruise video.

When you are ready for an Italy tour visit Italian Tourism for Italy travel packages including air and hotel including the best deals on Amalfi Coast holidays, or for a Italy cruise click Rome cruise and Venice cruise Italy cruise listings.

Italian cinema legend De Laurentiis dies

Dino De Laurentiis, producer of some of Italy's best-known films including works by Federico Fellini and Roberto Rossellini, has died in Los Angeles aged 91, Italian media reported on Thursday.

The Oscar-winner also produced several famous films in the United States, including "Serpico" with Al Pacino in 1973, "Three Days of the Condor" with Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway in 1975 and Ridley Scott's "Hannibal" in 2001.

"Cinema has lost one of its greats," said Walter Veltroni, an Italian lawmaker and former mayor of Rome who founded the Rome Film Festival.

"The name of Dino De Laurentiis is tied to the history of cinema," he said.

De Laurentiis was born on August 8, 1919 in Torre Annunziata near Naples and moved to the United States in the late 1960s. His parents were pasta makers.

He started out in film aged 20 and became one of the leading producers of Italy's post-war cinema boom and the neo-realist genre.

De Laurentiis produced more than 500 films over his entire career.

One of the first films he produced was "Riso Amaro" ("Bitter Rice") by Giuseppe De Santis, a 1949 classic and one of the best examples of neo-realism.

In 1949, he married Silvana Mangano, the star of "Riso Amaro" and one of the beauties of her day. They had four children together and later divorced.

He won an Oscar in 1956 for Fellini's "La Strada" and was nominated 38 times. In 2001, he received the Irving G.Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars for demonstrating "a consistently high quality of motion picture production."

In 2003, he won a lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival.

$899 Italy travel package: Tuscany: Luxury Vineyard Estate Vacation w/Car & Air

Italian Tourism Italy travel packages presents the ultimate in Italy travel with a Luxury Tuscany Italy travel package. This travel package includes roundtrip air to Italy, car rental and 6-nights is a Tuscany farmhouse. Enjoy Italy with this travel package by Italian Tourism. Don’t wait, this Italy travel deal will sell out early and there are limited spaces available.

Travel to Italy through March 31, 2011 to receive this Tuscany travel deal when you book by November 19 and while air seats and vineyard rooms last. Brag to friends about staying in Tuscany 5-star luxury for practically the price of airfare alone.


Live la dolce vita for six nights at the uber-luxurious Il Borro Estate for $899 per person including air and car.


Beautifully restored by the famous Ferragamo family of the Italian fashion world, this 1000-year-old authentic country estate typically commands rates of $400 per night for the room alone.

This Italy travel package, based on four travelers, consists of:


1) Roundtrip airfare to Pisa, Italy from New York City or Newark; +$30 Boston; +$150 Chicago 2) Six nights in a two-bedroom Tuscan farmhouse

3) Full-size weeklong car rental in Tuscany

4) Complimentary bottle of wine from the Il Borro Vineyard

This rate is available only while air seats and vineyard rooms last and with a departure Monday-Wednesday Nov. 1 - Feb. 20. Early spring departures are available for $50 more per person.

Il Borro's accommodations feature a mix of medieval and modern: antique furniture, marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet and original artwork. Wine tasting tours, cooking classes, fishing, archery and more are offered on-site.


Blackout dates: Dec. 18 - Jan. 2 Note: Pricing during Christmas Italy travel and New Years Italy travel holiday periods (i.e. Nov. 21- 28) is slightly higher.


Italy Travel Package Options:

Upgrade to Medieval Village for $50 per person:
Enhance your Il Borro experience by upgrading to the cozy Medieval Village located right in the heart of Il Borro offering easy access to the restaurants and Spa.

Wine Tour & Tasting for $20 per person:
Enjoy a guided tour of the cellar for an illustration of the wine-making process from harvest to bottling concluding with a tasting of Il Borro's wines.

Tuscan Cooking Class for $99 per person:
Learn the art of traditional Tuscan cooking at a cookery course. For approximately 2 hours you will experience cooking with local ingredients and enjoy your prepared meal in the restaurant.

Add a 7th night stay from $79 per person: Spend an additional night with car rental at 5-star Il Borro Estate! Spa Treatment for $139 per person (Save 40%)

About Tuscany:

Tuscany is known for its beautiful landscapes, its rich artistic legacy and vast influence on high culture. Tuscany is widely regarded as the true birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, and has been home to some of the most influential people in the history of arts and science, such as Petrarch, Dante, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo Galilei, Amerigo Vespucci and Puccini. Due to this, the region has several museums (such as the Uffizi, the Pitti Palace and the Chianciano Museum of Art). Tuscany has a unique culinary tradition, and is famous for its wines (most famous of which are Chianti, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Morellino di Scansano and Brunello di Montalcino).


Six Tuscan localities have been designated World Heritage Sites: the historic centre of Florence (1982), the historical centre of Siena (1995), the square of the Cathedral of Pisa (1987), the historical centre of San Gimignano (1990), the historical centre of Pienza (1996) and the Val d'Orcia (2004). Furthermore, Tuscany has over 120 protected nature reserves. This makes Tuscany and its capital city Florence very popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of tourists every year. Florence itself receives an average of 10 million tourists a year by placing the city as one of the most visited in the world.

Experience the ultimate Tuscany vacation at an unbeatable price with this Italy travel deal. If you were to put this package together you’d pay over $1799. Save over $1000 on this Tuscany holiday by traveling to Italy with Italian Tourism Italy travel packages.