Articles

Elizabeth Heath

Article / News

Rome's 400-Year-Old St. Peter's Basilica Is Finally Entering the 21st Century

If you’ve been to Rome (or read any of our guidebooks on Italy), you’re probably familiar with the St. Peter’s Basilica caveat. While every other major attraction in Rome—including the…

Article / Slideshows

MSC World America Ship Tour: What We Loved and What Was Meh

If you watched Super Bowl LIX or have been anywhere near a TV or computer screen since then, you’ve probably caught a glimpse of that ad in which actors Drew Barrymore and Orlando…

Article / Slideshows

Slow on the Po: What to Expect on Barge Cruises in Italy

Italy lovers, take heart. France may seem to have cornered the market when it comes to barge cruising , but you don’t have to leave Italy to take a slow-mo voyage on a waterway cutting…

Article / Arts and Culture

Rome Underground: Haunting Subterranean Sights in the Eternal City

Go below street level in Rome to explore ancient ruins, dungeons, catacombs, and a crypt full of monks' skeletons. 

Article / Local Experiences

Planning a Trip to Italy: Where to Save and When to Splurge

The cost of a trip to Italy doesn't always translate to the quality of the experience. Our guide book author, a 15-year resident, knows the best places to apply your budget, no matter…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Rome Jubilee in 2025 Means Tons of Construction in 2024: What Travelers Need to Know

Sorry, travelers, but getting that perfect shot of the Pantheon may require a return trip to Rome. (The photo above was taken earlier this month.) As we all know, Rome wasn’t built in…

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

What to Know About Europe’s Upcoming Entry Requirement and Entry Fee

Soon, travelers to Europe will need to register with the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS). Here's how—and how much it will cost.

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Do You Need Tickets for the Pantheon? Navigating Rome’s Confusing New Fee Rollout

After centuries—nay, millennia—of flinging open its mighty bronze doors free of charge, the Pantheon, one of the most-visited attractions in Rome, is now charging admission. Effective…

Article / Outdoor & Adventure

Getting Around in Coastal British Columbia: Ferries, Seaplanes, and Boat Tours

On British Columbia's Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island, getting from point A to point B is an adventure. 

Article / Health, Insurance, Security

It's Literally Illegal for Visitors to Eat in Parts of Italy Now: A Roundup of the New Tourist Laws

Violating these rules probably won’t get you arrested, but stiff fines could dip into your vacation budget.  

Article / Local Experiences

How to Prepare to Visit Venice, Italy, During High Water Season

Here’s what to do if you want to keep the acqua alta—Venice’s high tide of November and December—from washing out your vacation.  

Article / Passportable

Rome's Colosseum Moves to a Timed Ticket System: We Tested It

Seeing the Colosseum in Rome just got easier. And more complicated. In spring of 2019, CoopCulture, the entity that manages visitor access to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the…

Article / Slideshows

What to Expect on an Expedition Cruise

Mega-cruise liners that carry 5,000 or more passengers may not be your style. But there are still parts of the world that are better experienced from a ship—and others you can only get…

Article / Slideshows

The Best Beaches in Italy (And How to Get to Them)

Travelers coming from outside of Europe may not think of Italy as a beach destination. But consider that “the Boot”—including its major islands Sicily and Sardinia and a dozen other…

Article / Slideshows

You'll Love these Lesser-Known Islands in Italy For a Quiet Vacation

Beyond the well-trod cities and verdant wine regions of Italy 's mainland, "the boot" is ringed by picturesque islands, each with its own unique geography, culture, and ambiance. Of…

Article / Slideshows

Introducing the Perfect One-Day Walking Tour of Rome

Forget the old cliché of Rome not being built in a day. If you’ve only got a day to spare, you can absolutely see the best of Rome. Unlike other European capitals, Rome has a touristic…

Article / Food and Drink

9 Food Rules to Follow in Italy—Plus 1 to Break

Dining in Italy may seem like a casual, carefree pursuit, but in reality it’s a complex game of manners, with origins dating to at least the 16th-century publication of Giovanni Della…