As a frequent traveler, I've made just about all the mistakes a traveler can make. I've taken too much luggage and I've taken too little. I've been pickpocketed because of my own stupidity, and even been stuck in a 3rd world country without a passport or money. However, I've learned from my mistakes. Spare yourself some of the traveler's learning curve while I share with you my 3 favorite travel accessories.

Why a timeshare instead of a hotel? First, a timeshare rental is often up to 50% cheaper than a hotel, on a per person basis. So, immediately you'll notice that it's a great deal for any budget-minded traveler, and in this day and age who isn't?

As one of the world's most sacred sites and colossal architectural monuments, visiting St. Peter's Basilica is an awesome experience. It can also be an overwhelming one. What are the most unmissable sights? How do you find your way around? How do you navigate through the crowds of other visitors who flock here every day? . . . Read article...

If you're planning a trip to Florence, you're probably wondering when is be the best time to go. After all, you don't want to arrive there when it's cold and raining, if you were hoping to spend your time lingering outside at the sidewalk cafes. So here's a guide to when it's the best time to visit Florence! . . . Read article...

Tuscany is a gorgeous area of Italy with olive groves and magnificent wild beauty. It also has outstanding ancient towns filled with Renaissance art for you to admire. So what are our top ten things to do in Tuscany?

Venice is more than surrounded by water -- it has the water of the Adriatic running in its veins. One unfortunate effect of this is that high tides or heavy rains can cause flooding in the city. In December 2008, one of the highest tides in its history hit Venice. People waded through the streets in high boots, or walked on the boardwalks above the flood waters. See how the 4th highest tide in recorded history (records there have been kept since 1872) hit the city.

The national sport of Italy is soccer, and the country is crazy for it. If you're there during the World Cup, you'll find televisions everywhere tuned in, with crowds standing around watching. That included tourists! Cafes will have signs posted of times different teams are playing, so that fans of the German, US, Korean, or any other team know when to show up to cheer on their favorites. But the biggest crowds are for the Italians...

Zooming around the streets of Rome on your scooter... That would make me nervous, but the Italians sure do it! (Of course driving a car in Rome makes me nervous too, as does being a passenger in a Roman taxicab!) Danger aside, the scooters do make a lot of sense. It saves on gas (expensive in Europe), and it's a whole lot easier to find room to park than a car! :-) ...

What would it be like to wake up in Venice in the morning? This lovely, atmospheric video gives you the feeling of a different side of Venice, away from the hectic crowds of San Marco. This is a peaceful, calm, lovely Venice. One that makes you want to stroll aimlessly through the back streets, just enjoying the scenery, and listening to the ever-present sounds of lapping water. And most of all, it makes me want to wake up in Venice in the morning!