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
The ZTL – Avoid Restricted Traffic Zones & Fines in Italy
June 16th, 2015Are you thinking of cruising around in your rental car, pulling up to the doorstep of your vacation rental in the center of Rome or Florence, unloading your bags and then chancing upon a handy parking garage or, better yet, street parking? Think again… Driving in Italy takes some careful planning if your route takes you through ... 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
Shopping Rome’s Unique Flea Markets
May 18th, 2015Romans love many things, and shopping is high on their list. To get a taste of bargain hunting, Italian style, why not visit a flea market or two? Here we’ve compiled a list of five interesting flea markets within this glorious city. ... 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
Travel Tips for a Do-Able Day Trip to Venice from Florence. And sample itinerary!
April 21st, 2015Get the most out of a day in Venice. It is a small city with many attractions, so we’ve put together 5 travel tips for vacationers staying in Florence. Some of these tips save you time, some save you money and all of them come from our years of experience in Italy tourism. ... Read More
Fanatic Packer’s 5 Spring Packing Tips!
April 8th, 2015The response to our winter packing tips was so wonderful — thank you! So, by popular demand, here are 5 spring packing tips since we know many of you are preparing now for upcoming travels. Spring is harder than winter or summer because the weather can be unpredictable, ranging from really chilly to quite warm. Packing Tips 1. ... Read More
4 Top Tips From a Fanatic Packer
March 3rd, 2015I confess, I pack with near-military precision, fitting everything into a rolling carry-on bag even for a month-long trip. During my most recent trip — a month in Italy inspecting properties — I moved accommodations every couple of nights because staying in our properties is the best way to inspect. Packing for a long winter ... Read More
Rome’s Stately Piazza del Popolo
February 20th, 2015Piazza del Popolo was, and is, a truly impressive welcome to Rome, beautifully proportioned, it is anchored by an Egyptian obelisk (acquired from Egypt by Augustus Caesar during his conquests) which theme is carried forward with a fountain featuring Egyptian lions and a dozen sphinxes on the surrounding wall. The arched portal to Piazza del ... Read More
Italy Perfect Featured in Travel + Leisure Magazine
February 4th, 2015Italy Perfect is delighted to be included in Travel + Leisure magazine’s February 2015 “Guide to the New World of Vacation Rentals”. The February issue includes Italy Perfect’s beautiful Tuscany Bucine property located in a peaceful setting in the hills near the fortified, ancient town of Arezzo. The accommodations here are very comfortable, a good value and almost ... Read More
Irresistibly Creative Italian Idiomatic Expressions
January 21st, 2015We love the rich stories these comic and creative idiomatic expressions tell. We can only hope that the English language can evolve to emulate these charming and picturesque expressions. They begged our little cartoons. Ha le braccine corte. — He has little short arms. His arms are so short he can’t reach his wallet. He is cheap! ... Read More