We've just had a short stay in Torre Barolo, a vacation apartment in a 17th century tower in the wine town of Barolo. The photo is not actually from one of the windows but from the private rooftop terrace that overlooks the town and castle. Barolo, where Barolo wine comes from, is in the Langhe wine region of Piemonte (see map). If you're looking for a unique self-catering vacation experience, check out Torre Barolo.

Langhe Photos: Langhe Pictures on Europe Travel

Photo of Barolo Castle © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

If you're a Twilight Saga fan, you know that the New Moon movie premiers tomorrow. In the New Moon story, the Volturi vampire clan make their home in Volterra, Italy, and Bella and Edward end up there near the end of the book. Take a virtual tour of the city of the Volturi with these Volterra New Moon Photos where you'll see sites from the New Moon book (compare prices). You'll also see a photo of Montepulciano, where the New Moon movie in Italy was actually shot.

Photo of Palazzo dei Priori Clock Tower in Volterra © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Fall colors were beautiful Sunday as we drove home from the truffle festival in the Emilia Romagna region. Here's fall color topped by the Salti del Diavolo rock formations.

More about Fall in Italy | Previous Italy Travel Photos of the Week

Photo of fall color in Italy © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Although there are fewer daylight hours for touring in autumn, fall is a great season to appreciate the beauty of Italian cities after dark. Many historic monuments are lighted, making a beautiful and romantic sight. Florence by night is very picturesque as you'll see in these Florence Night Photos.

More Florence Pictures: Florence Photo Albums

Photo of Palazzo Vecchio Clock Tower after Dark © by Barbara Molini

Venice's Baroque Church of Santa Maria della Salute is probably the most photographed church in Venice. Built in the 17th century as thanks for delivery from the plague, the octagonal church has impressive white stone steps leading to the entrance, more than 100 figures adorning its buttresses, and an awe-inspiring interior. Although it's a dramatic sight any time, the most dramatic day to see the church is November 21, when thousands of Venetians cross the canal on a temporary bridge to light candles in the church for continued good health.

More: Venice Photos | Santa Maria della Salute on Italian Notebook with photos

Photo of Santa Maria della Salute © by James Martin

Kathy McCabe is offering a discount of $10 off gift subscriptions to her magazine, Dream of Italy. A subscription is an easy gift for someone who enjoys Italy or give the gift to yourself. With a subscription you get 10 issues of the magazine (either online or by mail), online access to previous issues, and the DVD, Visions of Italy - The Great Cities.

To get the discount, go the Gift Subscription page and choose the print or online version. When you check out, put the word about in the "discount code" box at the bottom of the page. You can also get her free Christmas in Italy e-book with interesting articles by several guest authors by signing up on her email list.

Waiting for New Moon events start November 14 in Volterra, the Tuscany hill town that's the home of the Vulturi, the vampire coven in the New Moon story. While Twilight saga fans await the release of the New Moon movie, they can attend the New Moon theme party Saturday night with the Volturi Club Volterra and on Sunday they'll get an exclusive look at 20 minutes of trailers and backstage videos from The Twilight Saga: New Moon that were shown at the Rome Film Festival. Details and reservations on New Moon Volterra.

Through December Twilight fans can sign up for a walk to the New Moon settings, Hot on the trail of Bella and Edward, with the Volterra Tourist Office on Saturdays at 5:30 pm.

More: New Moon in Volterra Photos - Here's a photo tour of New Moon sites in Volterra, home of the Volturi in New Moon.

Dramatically perched atop tufa cliffs, the Umbrian hill town of Orvieto makes an impressive sight as does Orvieto's stunning cathedral, with its glittering mosaic facade. The views of the countryside from town are also impressive.

Take a look at the medieval hill town of Orvieto with our Orvieto Pictures.

More: Orvieto Travel Guide | Orvieto Cathedral Pictures

Orvieto Duomo Detail Photo © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

Previous Italy Travel Photos of the Week

Italy Sundial Photo © 2009 by Martha Bakerjian, licensed to About.com

The Jewish catacombs under Rome's Villa Torlonia Park may be the oldest catacombs in Rome. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the catacombs, currently closed to the public, by special arrangement on a SecretGardensItaly tour. That's me on the right wearing a hard hat and viewing the stunning frescoes - click on the photo to see it larger and find out more about the catacombs.

Secret Gardens Italy tours visit more than just gardens. Lisa, who runs the tours, is often able to get special permission to visit sites you wouldn't be able to visit on your own. She customizes each tour individually to visit several gardens or sites of interest in either Rome, northern Lazio, or Umbria. On this tour we also had a guided visit of the impressive Villa Torlonia, the 19th century villa where Mussolini lived for 18 years.

More: Pictures of the Jewish Catacombs

Jewish Catacomb Photo © SecretGardensItaly, used by permission