Hello and welcome to today's independent travel podcast with me, Simon Calder.

It's Tuesday in the 19th of March, which means that Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter,

is almost upon us. And crucially, that is a time when an awful lot of people want to be in Italy.

And it also marks when really the season gets underway in Italy.

So, in order to find out more about what's going to be happening,

and crucially, how to avoid the crowds, is that even possible in Italy?

In summer, I'm delighted to be joined by the

noted tour guide James Hill, who is, I understand James, embarking on a new venture,

setting up a tour operation called James Hill Travels. Yes, good morning, Simon. Gosh, it's so great to be here with you in London. Yes, good morning, Simon.

Gosh, it's so great to be here with you in London.

Yes, thank you.

That's exactly it.

Yes, embarking out into the wider commercial world,

and I'm dragging myself, kicking a screaming into the 1990s,

just getting myself a website sorted out.

But yes, Rome at Easter, very exciting.

And of course, it's the most important week in the year for Rome, quite clearly.

The smallest sovereign state in the world is sort of squidged in it.

And of course, for any Catholic, for any Christian, for that matter,

Easter week is the most important feast of the year. And there'll be lots going on,

particularly from next Sunday morning when the Holy Father, Pope Francis I, will address his flock

in St. Peter Square. Now, does that mean we're talking here about Vatican City, of course,

...