Visiting Vatican City
Vatican
City is an independent state inside Rome that includes Saint Peter's
Square and Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and Sistine Chapel.
Vatican Travel Planning
- Hotels Near the Vatican
- Palm Sunday and Easter Events
- Saint Peter's Basilica Photos
March Festivals in Italy
Friday March 1, 2013
March in Italy includes celebrations for Women's Day, Saint Joseph's Day (Italy's Father's Day), and spring. In 2013 Easter week falls in March, too, so there's lots going on. You'll find details on these events and more in March Festivals in Italy.
Florence holds one of Italy's most unusual Easter Sunday Events, the Scoppio del Carro or Explosion of the Cart - see Florence Events in March for details.
Florence holds one of Italy's most unusual Easter Sunday Events, the Scoppio del Carro or Explosion of the Cart - see Florence Events in March for details.
Papal Audiences and Sunday Blessings by the Pope
Tuesday February 26, 2013
Pope
Benedict XVI gave his final Sunday blessing on Sunday to a huge crowd
in Saint Peter's Square and Wednesday's Papal Audience at 10:30 AM, also
expected to draw a huge crowd, will be his final appearance before his
resignation (see Pope Announces Resignation). Huge crowds are expected for Papal Audiences once the new Pope is chosen and for the usual Easter week events
presided over by the Pope. If you want to go to a Papal audience you'll
need to reserve a ticket. While there is no cost for the ticket, it can
be a little difficult to arrange yourself (see How to Request an Audience with the Pope). Select Italy offers ticket reservations for a fee if you don't want to do it yourself.Big crowds at the Vatican means that Rome will be very crowded. If you're planning to go to Rome this spring, reserve a hotel in advance, especially if you want a hotel near Vatican City - for more choices see Top Places to Stay in Rome.
More: Vatican City Visitors Guide
Palm Sunday in Saint Peter's Square, photo by Doug Baumgart, used by permission
Sardinia Kayaking Trips
Monday February 25, 2013
With its stunning coastline, clean sea, and good beaches,
the island of Sardinia makes an excellent place for kayaking. Barbara
Kossy, a Californian who has led kayak trips in Italy for many years,
has teamed up with two Sardinian kayakers to offer Sardinia coast kayaking trips on the island's northwest coast in 2013. Trips start from Alghero (see map
for location), a beautiful coastal town with Catalan influence. The
trip includes several sight-seeing excursions, dinners, and sea kayaking
with opportunities for swimming and hiking.Sardinia: Highlights | Photos
Alghero photo taken from Villa las Tronas Hotel © by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com
Italy Gas Prices in 2013
Thursday February 21, 2013
The average price of gas in Italy is currently
1.77 euro per liter, which is equivalent to about 9 US dollars per
gallon, according to Renault Eurodrive,
a company that provides tourist car leases for periods of three weeks
or longer. While gas is expensive, cars often get better mileage than
what you may be used to. Diesel costs a little less, currently 1.69 euro
per liter, and diesel cars get even better mileage so if you plan to
drive a lot on your vacation, it's worth trying to rent or lease a
diesel car. Read more about the Renault Eurodrive buy-back lease program for tourists.
Average European gas prices currently range from a low of 1.25 euro per liter in the Republic of Macedonia to a high of 1.96 in Norway. Gas in France costs less than in Italy (currently 1.60 per liter) so if you pick up a Renault lease car in France you'll not only save on the delivery fee but also on your first tank of gas. I often pick up a car in Nice, just a short drive from the Italian border.
Average European gas prices currently range from a low of 1.25 euro per liter in the Republic of Macedonia to a high of 1.96 in Norway. Gas in France costs less than in Italy (currently 1.60 per liter) so if you pick up a Renault lease car in France you'll not only save on the delivery fee but also on your first tank of gas. I often pick up a car in Nice, just a short drive from the Italian border.
