Celebrating Easter Sunday today, the citizens of Florence, Italy and thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Scoppio del Carro “explosion of the cart” fireworks. An elaborate cart which stood almost three stories high was drawn through the city by a team of white oxen to the Duomo, the main cathedral. At the conclusion of High Mass a dove-shaped rocket slid down a cable from the altar at 11AM to the cart in the Duomo Square and set off the fireworks. A medieval costumed parade followed in the afternoon. Need an excuse to visit Italy? CLICK HERE to see our annual list of over 150 festivals and celebrations throughout the country. Experience Europe the Go Bucket List Travel way. Let us help you join the party!

Think a vacation or honeymoon in Italy is all about visiting art museums or churches? How about combining a vintage Fiat 500 road rally tour with a Tuscany wine experience! You’ll travel from Florence in a convoy of fun-loving fellow explorers as you drive a classic FIAT 500 right out of the 1960s. Just follow your expert guide into the picture-perfect hills of Tuscany for an afternoon adventure - he’ll stay in touch with you by radio so you won’t get lost. After arriving at a 15th-century villa and wine estate, you’ll participate in one of two wine tours: either a wine-tasting session and vineyard tour, or a winemaking experience where you’ll meet the head winemaker and stomp on the grapes! The entire afternoon of rally driving and wine experience lasts over five hours. pic courtesy of Our Friends at Viatour.

We were fortunate to be together in October with several friends as we squeezed through the “Door of Humility” to visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem during our three-day stay in Israel and the Palestine Territories. The ancient church is built over a network of caves that have been revered since the 2nd century as the location of Christ’s birth. The church was first constructed in 339 at the order of Emperor Constantine and has a history of destruction and rebirth over the ages. The “Door of Humility” is a 4-foot high opening that has forced pilgrims for over 700 years to bow as they entered and also prevented looters from entering the church on horseback or with carts. Construction was underway in October to repair the church’s leaking wooden roof. Wooden platforms also covered the floor but some panels were removed to show us a glimpse of the original 4th century mosaics. To learn more about the church and its history, we recommend you visit http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ as a good source of information and photos. We joined hundreds of pilgrims and tourists who descended that day into the grotto. The day was an early Christmas present for us and a moving experience as we followed in the footsteps of so many who have come over the centuries to honor the humble birth of the King of Kings. This week thousands will descend on Manager Square in Bethlehem in the Palestine Territories to celebrate Christmas. We wish them peace, safety and renewal.

Happy Birthday, Holy Father! Pope Francis celebrates his 78th birthday today. Click here to see how Vatican Radio described this morning’s festive General Audience

Germans love Christmas trees and AirBerlin is allowing customers to bring Christmas trees up to 5 feet tall with them at no charge on their Christmas vacation flights.