Rome, GA

Thirty-five million people visited Rome in 2023. Maybe you were one of them, or you plan on going in the near future. The Eternal City is full of incredible historic sights like the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, the museums full of artifacts, or the Spanish Steps. It's a pretty good bet you'll stop by the Colosseum (above) where gladiators once fought battles for the adoration (or scorn) of the roaring crowds. While waiting in line to see this piece of history, or as you leave, you may see people dressed up as those gladiators. In fact, you may want a picture with them. That's what they show up there for, however, these pictures are anything but free.

Avoid This Common Photo Scam Too Many Tourists Fall For While Visiting Rome

No one likes to spend unwisely, not even on vacation. And it’s equally disappointing whether you spend too much money on overpriced experiences or you spend too little and get a subpar hotel room, a bad meal (yep, they exist in Italy), or a too-cheap souvenir. So let my...

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

If you're visiting Italy, it's a pretty good bet that you're starting your vacation in Rome. That means, if you want to visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii, you're looking at traveling around 150 miles away from where you began. That can cost you a lot of time, a new hotel or rental in a different city, and fewer hours to actually see the sights. Pompeii is wonderful, of course. In fact, it got almost 3 million visitors in 2022. However, you can find a less crowded ancient city much closer to Rome in Ostia Antica. Just around a 30-minute drive from the Eternal City, Ostia Antica is a lesser-known but incredible spot to see ancient ruins, much like the Appian Way just outside of Rome is.

This Ancient Port City Right By Rome Is A Less Chaotic And Uncrowded Alternative To Pompeii

Insider

Locals in popular destinations like Barcelona are tired of overtourism. Travelers can help by visiting lesser-known places instead.

Forget Spain. These under-the-radar countries actually want you to visit.

Though BI's reporter took steps to avoid tourists when she visited the Colosseum, she found it was too crowded to enjoy Rome's iconic attraction.

Disappointing photos show what it was really like to visit the Colosseum in Rome

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Total Apex Sports & Entertainment

In the charmingly delightful world of astrology, you should know that each of the zodiac signs carries a specific set of traits. Those characteristics influence how individuals navigate the challenges they may meet in life. Some signs are known for their over-the-top boldness. These are the people who usually have such a strong willingness to face conflicts head-on.

3 Zodiac Signs That Hate Confrontation

North Carolina State

Winston-salem, NC

Town Talks

A North Carolina restaurant serves fried chicken in a “spicy, savory” sauce — and fans can’t get enough. So much so, the restaurant now ranks as the state’s No. 1 place to eat fried chicken.

Best fried chicken in North Carolina is at this restaurant, Yelp says. Why it’s No. 1

An old term from Northumberland, England, “sea-piner” is what locals there used to call a cold, rainless wind blowing inland from the sea for several days. The “sea” part is self-explanatory; “piner,” meanwhile, comes from “pine,” meaning to dry or desiccate. A marked characteristic of an area beset by sea-piners is that vegetation in it grows slowly.

Weather Words: 'Sea-Piner'

Manhattan, NY

These mysterious ants have been doing it their way in Manhattan since 2011. Scientists only recently discovered what they are and where they came from. And they could be headed your way.

Mysterious ‘ManhattAnts’ Could Be Your New Neighbors

Ohio State

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The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

As Tropical Storm Ernesto raced through the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, people were hit with heavy rain and winds. See the islands impacted before Ernesto took a turn toward Puerto Rico.

Ernesto Batters Leeward Islands

Florida State

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Akeena

Red Lobster, the popular seafood chain, has confirmed additional closures in Florida, adding to its recent wave of shutdowns following the company’s bankruptcy filing in May. The latest round of closures includes two more Florida locations, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the iconic restaurant chain.

Popular seafood chain announces more closures in Florida

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Ernesto is bringing torrential rain and strong winds to Puerto Rico as it nears hurricane strength. Areas on the East Coast will see dangerous beach impacts. Here’s what you need to know.

Ernesto Becomes A Hurricane: What We Know

In the world of astrology, certain dates align with celestial energies that lean toward the fruition of dreams. Today is one such day. The energy brings with it an essence of positivity, offering a powerful blend of heavenly influences that can bring longings into existence. For three zodiac signs in particular, this is especially true. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius, the stars are aligning in your favor more so than the rest of us. Here's how these signs can take advantage of this powerful energy and make their dreams begin to come true.

3 Zodiac Signs Whose Dreams Come True | August 16, 2024

“Blashy,” an adjective that dates back to at least 1700, means extremely rainy, gusty or splashy. A sailor might describe a long, soaking rain as a “very blashy day.”

Weather Words: 'Blashy'

Backyard debris burns can quickly turn into wildfires. Here are some safety tips in honor of Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday. You can also click on smokeybear.com for more information and wildfire prevention tips.

How To Safely Burn Debris In Your Backyard

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A permanent marker will be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting nearly a year ago at a Dollar General store in the New Town community. City Council approved the marker 17-0 on Tuesday night.

Marker will honor victims of racist Dollar General shooting

A “moonwake” is the line of reflected light that the moon casts over the surface of a body of water. The term has a nautical connotation due to the way the line of moonlight resembles the wake of a ship. If you’re a long time reader of Morning Brief, you may remember another slightly more Poetic-with-a-capital-p term that means the same thing, which is “moonglade.”

Weather Words: 'Moonwake'

CBS News

Researchers studying an underwater city in Italy say they have found an ancient mosaic floor that was once the base of a Roman villa, a discovery that the local mayor called "stupendous." The discovery was made in Bay Sommersa, a marine-protected area and UNESCO World Heritage Site off the northern...

Archaeologists make stunning underwater discovery of ancient mosaic in sea off Italy

NewsBreak

Italy’s Tourist Rules Limit Selfies, Beach Seats

Italy is grappling with record tourism, despite temperatures this...

Italy’s Tourist Rules Limit Selfies, Beach Seats

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