If you're visiting Rome between March and September this year, ensure you visit the Capitoline museums for a not-to-be-missed exhibition.

Called "Lux in arcana - The Vatican Secret Archives reveals itself", the exhibition has on display one hundred original and historically significant documents from the Vatican archives spanning twelve centuries. These documents have never left the archives before, and include

* Galileo Galilei's heresy conviction

* Henry VIII's appeal to the Pope (signed by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and nearly 70% of the House of Lords) for the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon

* The dogma of the Immaculate Conception

* The Queen of Scotland's last letter to the Pope (professing her Catholic faith again) before she was executed in 1587 by her rival Queen Elizabeth of England

The Capitoline museums are located next to the Roman Forum. Closed Mondays.

Become a Passion For Italy Platinum client, and let us book your tickets to this unique exhibition.

For more information - http://www.luxinarcana.org/en

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ITALY?

Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) or Winter?

Each season in Italy has its benefits and drawbacks – our 4-part blog will give you ideas and information on how best to enjoy Italy, no matter the season.

SPRING – PRIMAVERA

March, April, May

Spring is a beautiful time in Italy. Flowers and gardens are in bloom, and the whole country comes out of its winter hibernation with numerous festivals and events.

Typically these months offer more pleasant temperatures and somewhat fewer crowds than summer, although Holy Week (Easter) in many Italian cities can be crowded and we suggest you book well in advance.

Ravello is one of the most magical towns in Italy. It had been four years since my last visit, so returning in September this year was a delight - and it reminded me just what I love about Ravello... its quaint piazza, pedestrian-only streets, the quiet and calm found nowhere else on the Amalfi Coast, beautiful villas and gardens, breathtaking views.

Unfortunately the Ravello Festival had finished a week before my visit, so I wasn't able to enjoy the incredible music this town is famous for. For anyone visiting in July and August attending an open-air performance during the festival is an absolute must-do, contact us for accommodation and festival ticket bookings. The festival is also known as the Wagner Festival, as his music is at the core of each year's programme (Wagner found inspiration in Ravello for his opera Parsifal).

Another Ravello highlight is Villa Cimbrone. For me, nothing can compete with the views from its Terrace of Infinity. Simply stunning. It is very easy to lose track of time here as you wander through the gardens - often you will see weddings in the cloisters and gardens. Ravello is a very romantic place.

Whether you choose to spend a number of relaxing days in Ravello, or just visit for the day, Ravello is a Passion For Italy highly recommended destination.

Click here to see our beautiful Ravello hotels. Click here for our Ravello cooking class.

During my visit to Italy last month I spent 4 days in beautiful Taormina. From the terrace in the main square there is a fabulous view of the ever-present and, for this year at least, the ever-active Mt Etna… 18 eruptions in 2011 and counting!

On the afternoon of October 8^th, Etna had a brief but violent eruption. The next morning my travelling companion and I decided to “play tourist” and drive out to Etna to take the cable-car to the top.

I travelled to Rome, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Venice and Sicily on my recent visit to Italy in September and October. Over my 5 week stay, my travelling companion and I spent, on average, 40 euro between us when eating out for lunch or dinner.

We ate only in local trattoria (no fine dining experiences or Michelin Star restaurants), and normally ordered

- a pasta or main each

- a salad to share

- a large bottle of water to share

- a quarter or half litre of house wine to share (which in most cases was very enjoyable)

- a dessert to share

and more often than not the bill came to just under 40 euro, 20 euro per person – we would then normally round up the bill to leave a small tip.

Of course we sometimes splurged a little and had a dessert each, or if we were starving after a big day of sightseeing we may have had a pasta and a main each, or we had to order a second bottle of water (the weather was unseasonally hot during our visit – click here to read our blog entry for more details on travelling in Italy in Autumn), which meant the price was closer to 50 euro for the two of us.

A note on tipping:

Tipping is certainly not compulsory in Italy, although if the service and food has been good you may choose to. That said, you may see written on some menus that service isn’t included and in that case you should tip as much as the service warrants based on your dining experience.

We hope this helps with your trip planning and budgeting. When you become a Passion For Italy client we provide you with travel guides and restaurant information for all the destinations you are visiting.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ITALY?

Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) or Winter?

Each season in Italy has its benefits and drawbacks – our 4-part blog will give you ideas and information on how best to enjoy Italy, no matter the season.

WINTER - INVERNO

December, January, February

My first visit to Italy was in January 1995. I came in to the country by car from Austria and within minutes I was being overtaken by a speeding Italian driver on a blind alpine bend! Benvenuti in Italia! I eventually made my way to Rome – isn’t that where all the roads lead? – and even in wet, cold mid-January, the eternal city won me over.

Winter in Italy is captivating in its own way. There are very few tourists (except those who have come for the skiing), and with the Christmas lights, festivities and traditions December can be a lovely time to visit. January is normally the coldest month in Italy, and it can be a quiet month as the festivities of Christmas, New Year and the Feast of the Epiphany (see our Festivals In Italy - January) are over and life goes back to normal – unless you like winter sports and it’s all systems go!

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ITALY?

Spring, Summer, Autumn (Fall) or Winter?

Each season in Italy has its benefits and drawbacks – our 4-part blog will give you ideas and information on how best to enjoy Italy, no matter the season.

Having just returned from 5 weeks in Italy it seems appropriate that we start the blog with Autumn (Fall)…

AUTUMN (FALL) – AUTUNNO

September, October, November

Traditionally these months offer pleasant temperatures and significantly fewer crowds than summer, however my visits in recent years have proven to me that September and October can sometimes be just as hot and as busy as summer...

David Henderson is a Brisbane artist based in Venice and Australia. His most recent works will be showing at Graydon Galleries from 26th August to 4th September. This exhibition will include paintings, drawings and watercolours of Venice, Istanbul, the nude and interiors.

Passion For Italy clients are invited to the opening of the exhibition in Brisbane:

Friday 26th August, 6-8pm

Graydon Gallery

29 Merthyr Road, New Farm

Works will be available for purchase on the evening and throughout the duration of the exhibition, 26th August - 4th September.

To see David's work, visit www.davidhenderson.com.au

Are you planning a trip to Italy? 

WE HAVE A SPECIAL OFFER until 29 June - book a Consultation with Passion For Italy and receive a free ticket to the new-release Italian film “Le Quattro Volte”.

Every day this week we are featuring one of our Small Group Tours and Packages.

Today's tour is for our creative clients - a BOUTIQUE PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR.

Learn how to see and capture Italy through the lens of your camera!

This small-group tour caters for all levels of photography experience and even if you are a frequent traveler to Italy, you will learn a different way of seeing and your creative juices will flow.

Imagine being taken to photographic vantage points you would not find easily on your own while wandering through ancient hill-towns in Tuscany, exploring the cobblestoned back streets of Rome and taking in the beauty of the magnificent Amalfi coast. (An optional Venice extension is also available.)

The itinerary has been designed to give you plenty of time in each destination, and the pace is relaxed and flexible. You will receive individual tuition, feedback and reviews of your progress ensuring you come away with fabulous images from your tour.

While the emphasis will be on photography, this is also a cultural journey, which will enhance your ability to capture the essence of Italy in your images.