The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with a total area of about one sixth of a square mile (less than half a square kilometer). But as they say, good things come in small packages. The Vatican City holds a special place in the heart of millions and millions of people. This marks the spot where Saint Peter was martyred and buried. One of its major attractions is Saint Peter’s Square that hosts Basilica San Pietro, the Vatican Museums and Gardens, the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. But don’t miss the lesser known Castel sant’Angelo.

This towering castle built by the Emperor Hadrian, later became a papal residence, and has become a museum. The Palazzo di Giustizia now houses the National Law Courts. Its nickname is Palazzaccio, which means ugly palace in Italian. Why not stop by and see what you think? I don’t think you’ll be calling the Ponte Sant’Angelo ugly. For your convenience we have listed neighborhood hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified all website addresses making sure that they include English-language pages.

The Bed and Breakfast Orange Garden lives up to its name; its lovely patio is surrounded by orange trees. There are 4 rooms each of which is decorated with fine wall fabrics and elegant furniture. The address is Via G. Vitelleschi, 34 – 00193 – Rome.

The Bed and Breakfast La Maison Royale is a newly opened B and B … READ MORE ...

With most of us concerned about the economic situation we are reconsidering whether vacations to long-time popular destinations are wise. Actually, if you have a little bit of spending money, now is the time to go.

Right now you can find some great deals on airline tickets. I have managed to get last minute round-trip airline tickets from Houston to Paris for as little as $600. Since the flights have not been full, I have been able to stretch out across seats for very comfortable Atlantic crossings.

When it comes to hotels, even with discounts you should still expect to pay around $150 per night for a decent hotel room in a good location in Paris. If you are traveling with your family, a group of friends or if you are considering spending more than a long weekend in Paris, you may want to consider renting an apartment. This may not be as easy as pulling up Expedia on your web browser but you will be rewarded with a nice apartment and huge savings. You will find that there are plenty of great apartments with excellent amenities and locations that will comfortably sleep four people or more for the price of a small hotel room. Plus, you will have a kitchen at your disposal.

Speaking of kitchens, dining can be your third biggest expense. As I have already hinted at, you can save money by preparing your own meals. You may not find the gigantic supermarkets that you … READ MORE ...