Embrace Those Carbs! 6 Pasta Favorites & Where to Find Them
April 4th, 2017Italy offers an overwhelming number of traditional pasta dishes. The array of shapes, sauces, meats, and cheeses is daunting, and any true foodie will try them all! Spaghetti al Pomodoro While spaghetti dates back to the twelfth century, the first formal recipe for spaghetti al pomodoro did not appear until 1839. This simple dish is ... Read More
Budget Friendly Activities & Apartments in Florence
March 20th, 2017Florence is a great place to maximize your time and your budget. The art is astounding, the food delicious and the relatively compact size of the historic center lets you pack a lot of sightseeing, eating and enjoyment while savoring many breathtaking sites. And, with careful planning you can stretch your budget with many rich, yet modestly-priced, experiences. ... Read More
A Feast for the Eyes: Unforgettable Florence Views
July 25th, 2016The city of Florence has much to be admired. At every turn there are layers upon layers of beautiful views. Here are some of our favorite panoramic views for enjoying the splendor of Florence, whether from a popular tourist site, an off-the-beaten path location or a wonderful vacation rental apartment. ... Read More
Pizza By the Slice in Italy
May 3rd, 2016Pizza reigns supreme as a perennial favorite any time of year and just about any time of day! Here’s a brief primer on “pizza al taglio” literally translated as “cut pizza” as in, by the slice. ... Read More
Five Tuscan Fall Festivals
September 14th, 2015Fall is a great time to enjoy the many seasonal harvest festivals that take place throughout Tuscany which celebrate the rich tradition of food and wine. 1 – GREVE: CHIANTI CLASSICO WINE FESTIVAL This enticing wine festival is held every year in the city of Greve, in the Chianti area, on the second weekend of ... Read More
Favorite month to visit Italy? Our travel experts’ answer might surprise you.
July 13th, 2015November is our favorite month to take advantage of low season rates and fewer crowds. We always go in November, have done for 10 years, and the first part of the month has mild, October-like weather that can last into the latter half of the month. ... Read More
Indispensable Italian Coffee Primer
June 8th, 2015The caffeine landscape in Italy is rich with ritual and tradition. The espresso is as much a staple as pizza and wine. Italy is very traditional in its choice of coffees; popular American and British brands have never really made their mark here. So the Starbucks vocabulary such as latte and venti, while they are Italian words, don’t mean the ... Read More
5 Stunning Roman Rooftops
May 4th, 2015It is a true Roman virtue to relax in the afternoon when the sun is shining. From spring through autumn, Rome is blessed with many sunny days and temperate weather. Drink in the timeless skyline and feast on the panorama of golden-hued history. These 5 rooftops are a few of our favorite relaxing spots for ... Read More
Cool Apps to Enhance Your Italy Travels
September 16th, 2014We recently tried out a bunch of apps using an iPhone and also an Android phone. Here are our favorites based on usage and usefulness! So lets pack our bags, load our smartphones, this is traveling in the 21st century. ... Read More
Train Travel Tips – Italy Perfect’s tips to make train travel in Italy a fun and relaxing experience.
January 30th, 2014Here’s a collection of our wisdom regarding trains, including: Reserving train tickets Seat selection Rail protection insurance Changing reservations Rail pass? Cheaper to drive? First or second class? At the station Validate tickets Paperless tickets Boarding train Changing seats Food onboard Call your greeter Landing in Rome/Milan + same day train to Florence ... Read More
Should We Rent a Car in Italy?
January 8th, 2014Our guests often need to figure out whether and how to rent a car for their Italian vacation. Auto rentals, gas and parking can be pricey so it worth giving some consideration to this question before you assume a car is essential. We strongly recommend you organize your car rental before you leave for Italy, ... Read More