Italian-American New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is scheduled to go on a ten-day vacation to Italy with his family, beginning July 18.
The trip was described by the mayor’s aides as a family vacation, although de Blasio will probably meet a few Italian government officials.
De Blasio, his wife Chirlane McCray, and children Clare and Dante will visit Rome, where the New York mayor is likely to meet Rome mayor Ignazio Marino, Venice, Capri and Naples.
De Blasio is also scheduled to visit Grassano, the town in the province of Matera where his maternal grandmother lived before emigrating to the U.S. in 1903. De Blasio is also planning to visit Sant'Agata de' Goti, in the region of Campania, his grandfather's hometown. He will be received by the local mayor and it is expected he will be given honorary citizenship.
On her Twitter page, Mr. de Blasio's wife, Chirlane McCray, wrote, "Our trip to Italy will be a chance for us to express our gratitude to family and residents who have supported us." She also wrote, "It's important to Bill and me that Chiara and Dante know where they come from -- excited to return to Italy!"
