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Andrew McCarthy, one of my teenage crushes (okay, maybe an adult crush too) now writes occasionally for National Geographic Traveler . His most recent article, Three Faces of Rome , chronicles a visit to Rome during which he stays in three different neighborhoods. He starts with serious luxury at the Hotel Hassler and ends with authentic Rome in an apartment in Trastever e. McCarthy is my kind of traveler-his restaurant and cafe experiences are exactly what I look for when I visit Rome. He also has a great list of apartment rental resources. I will definitely be looking into them for my next visit!

As part of Traveler Magazine's Places of a Lifetime series, National Geographic has designed three detailed and fascinating walks in Rome. The walks are illustrated by maps and accompanied by pertinent information about what you will see and why it is important. The three walks are the Via Appia Antica , the Via Veneto district , and the historic sites in the heart of Rome . The website also includes what to wear in Rome, restaurant, hotel and shopping recommendations , and even books and music to get you started on your trip before you get there.

National Geographic's Intelligent Traveler Blog is celebrating Christmas all over the world. With recommendations from locals and experts, the most authentic ways to experience the season are now in your grasp. Among their recommendations are the Christmas market in Piazza Navona , the hundreds of nativity scenes in every church around the city (St. Peter's pictured), Christmas Mass in St. Peter's , and eating roasted chestnuts and panettone . The Modern Traveler also suggests panforte , an Italian riff on fruitcake (and naturally a thousand times better!). If you can't get to Rome to try it, Whole Foods always sells it!

The Modern Traveler is always looking for on-line travel resources that are interesting, thoughtful and naturally, all about Italy. National Geographic Traveler Magazine has a travel blog called the Intelligent Traveler and it offers all sorts of fun information on sites all over the world-and raises awareness about the planet. You'll find great pictures, unusual stories, and links to useful resources. Some favorite Italian stories: Walking Rome and Turning Water to Wine in Marino .

Every issue of National Geographic Traveler includes an iTunes playlist compiled by the writers of the magazine to accompany you and your iPod on your next trip. Their Italy playlist includes Andrea Bocelli's Con te partiro and Dean Martin's That's Amore . Download it on iTunes before you head off to Rome or when you are in the mood for a little Italian music.

Ancient Alexandria, the home of the Ptolemaic pharaohs in Egypt, has long been covered by murky brine. For decades archaeologists have been "unearthing" treasures from Cleopatra's sunken palace. Now archaeologists and the Egyptian government are planning to build a spectacular underwater museum to showcase this palace and other ruins in the port of Alexandria. According to National Geographic, the project is still two years from being fully developed, so construction is definitely several years off. But look forward to yet another impressive sight to visit in Egypt in the near future!

The print version of National Geographic Traveler has a fantastic article on Rome this month. While the full article in not available on-line, their website does have some fun Roman features that will help you plan your trip and save money. Free Rome details various monuments, sites, entertainment and even food that costs niente. Included in the extensive lists are walking tours of the Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica , free drinks and/or appetizers at various restaurants and festivals such as Estate Romana and the Isola del Cinema film festival on the Tiber Island. There's also a slide show to get you excited about your trip!