How to Find the Best Beaches in the South of Italy

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Author: Enrico

The Sicily island is the perfect place to find beautiful beaches and warm waters to swim. If you think to go on holiday in the south of Italy, then the Sicilian island is what you need...let's examine 9 great reasons

There are different type of beaches in Sicily, the oriental coast in characterized by Reefs and sable beaches, the south coast is full undiscovered by the mass tourism and the north-west coasts are little more crowded and well known for sport and summer events.

I Love Touring Italy - Carnevale Season In Trentino

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The bilingual (Italian and German) region of Trentino-Alto Adige is on the border of Switzerland and Austria in northeast Italy. Given its heavily Germanic character don't be surprised that Carnevale here is fairly unique.



The village of Valfloriana population about 500 is located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Trento. Its Matoci Carnival is named after comical characters dressed in colorful outfits, festooned with bright ribbons and traditional wooden masks that cover their faces, known as "facere". One of the most spectacular events during the carnival period is the "Descent of the Matoci", a tradition here and in surrounding villages. A masked procession leaves the villages to meet at a village square. This descent symbolizes the return to normal life after a difficult winter spent in isolation. There's music, dancing, and sweets and a masked ball at night.

5 Things You Probably Don't Know About the Eiffel Tower

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Author: Fredrik

1. The French government first announced the plan to build an iron monument on the Champ de Mars by opening up a design contest to the public. The results were secretly predetermined as soon as Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel presented his idea. His structure was so original and magnificent that no other contest entries could compare.
2. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, later known as "the Iron Magician," was the mastermind behind building the Eiffel Tower. Despite his engineering achievements, he's not nearly as famous as the structures he helped create. After the tower was completed, Eiffel continued to live and work inside of his masterpiece for the next thirty years.
3. Eiffel's iron giant not only offers visitors spectacular views of Paris, but also two fantastic restaurants. There is nothing like enjoying delicious French cuisine inside the nation's most famous monument. Restaurant Altitude 95 overlooks the river Siene and is located on the first platform of the tower. Jules Verne is the restaurant on the second platform and reservations are required in order to eat there.
4. Standing at 1,063 ft. tall, approximately equivalent to 108 stories, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. When it was first built in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world.
5. Not many people thought of the tower as anything special at first. In fact, it was originally going to be torn down in 1909 to be sold as scrap metal. The tower was spared to be used for communication.
Over 200 million people have visited this famous landmark since it was first opened to the public. It continues to be one of the most beautiful and loved structures in the world.
© Things To Do In Paris 2011
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/5-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-the-eiffel-tower-4295160.html
About the Author

My name is Fredrik Erixon and I'm the president of a small Advertising Agency in Stockholm. I love to Travel and see new places.

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Top 5 Historical Sites in Florence

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Author: Kristel van Winkel

1. The Duomo

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church or Duomo of Florence and is absolutely worth a visit. The building process begun in 1296 and was completed in 1436. The Duomo has a Gothic style and is a design of Arnolfo di Cambio. The complex includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. The three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Duomo is one of Italy's largest churches and has the largest brick dome ever constructed. It is located at Piazza del Duomo, which is a very nice square, with terraces and shops. You could walk the stairs all the way to the top of the tower Giotto's Campile and have an amazing view over Florence.

Cooking Pots For Giants in Northern Italy

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By Marcus Smith

Many visitors to northern Italy visit the region of Lombardy, and particularly the lakes. The best known of these lakes is called lake Como, and is usually explored from the town of Como itself. The lake is extensive, and in a lovely setting surrounded by mountains. All leisure activities are close to hand, both hiking and cycling in the surrounding area and water-based activities on the lake itself.
During your visit we suggest you take a trip about 30 kilometers to the north to visit the region around the small town of Chiavenna. Less well known than the main lake resorts, it has an interesting old town to discover and there are several fascinating and impressive natural highlights to discover nearby.

5 Rome, Italy Annual Cultural Festivals Not to Be Missed

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By James Burrows


With Rome being absolutely crammed with culture it is no surprise that the locals like to share this culture with the rest of the world. Throughout the year there are a number of events which take place which, whilst enjoyed by the local residents, are also a great excuse for tourists to visit this marvellous city. The festivals, whilst varying in nature, are consistent in the pleasure and richness that they add to the already charming culture of Rome. Below are just some of these festivals which you may like to attend:

The 5 Best Beaches on Sicily

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Author: Rodney Ritchie

Sicily's beaches are renowned as some of Italy's best, with transparent blue-green waters, long sandy beaches and nearby picturesque villages. While everyone has his own opinion about which beach should make the top five, here are five of the most popular and possibly the best Sicily has to offer, and certainly worth a visit on your holiday.

Holidays in Sicily: Marina di Ragusa

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Author: Francesca Tessarollo

Thanks to the colours of its landscapes, to the number of artistic and cultural sites that all of its cities offer, to a crystal clear sea, and last but not least, to its wines and typical products, Sicily is an inexhaustible source or culture, amusement and relaxation. Every part of Sicily is worth a visit, no matter if you decide to visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, to sleep in Ragusa or to lay on Mondello beach: in any case you can be sure to spend an unforgettable holiday.

A Quick Tour of Italy - Eastern Sicily

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Author: Levi Reiss

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. And parts of Sicily haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This short article presents eastern Sicily. A companion article presents western Sicily; another presents the capital Palermo.



Messina is Sicily's third largest city. Founded by the Ancient Greeks it often changed hands over the centuries. The University of Messina started out as the world's first Jesuit College, founded by St. Ignatius himself. In 1908 the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. Make sure to see the cathedral, the Calapaj Palace, and the Sixteenth Century lighthouse.

5 Reasons Why You Must Visit the Vatican, Italy

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By James Burrows

When you think of the sights of most religious significance in the world, towards the top of the list for many people will be St Peter's Square in Vatican City. Vatican City is a district if Rome of which the official leader is the Pope. The area has been the home of the Pope since the 14th century, and it is for this reason that thousands of people descend upon the area each year for religious purposes. Visiting the Vatican, however, is not only something that appeals to the religious tourist; there is plenty of culture and history amongst other attractions which make the Vatican a must-visit location. Below are some of the reasons why you must visit the Vatican:

Trendy Eats in Rome

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By Roo Sadegi

The former printworks of the Il Manifesto daily paper provide a post-industrial setting for Reef, a restaurant masterminded by Antonello Colonna, the Italian government's banqueting supremo. The design, by Marco and Ginaluigi Giammetta, is bold and raw-edged, right down to the sand on the floor which gives the place its name. Glass, iron, and light provide the ambiance for an inventive seafood cuisine that artfully marries the savours of vegetables, fish, and shellfish. Outstanding specialties include saltimbocca di rana pescatrice alla salsa di marsala (roulade of frog in marsala wine sauce), rombo (turbot) with artichokes, moscardini (small fish) kebabs with a salad of broad beans and Pecorino cheese, and swordfish couscous. For fans of raw fish, the sushi, sashimi, and makisushi menus change daily, depending on the latest catch.
Reef

5 Restaurants You Must Try in the Champs Elysees, Paris Area

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By James Burrows

The Champs Elysees is one of the busiest areas in Paris and one of the most popular with tourist. As part of the manufactured evolution of the area, many restaurants have opened in and around the Champs Elysees over the years. There are restaurants to suit all tastes, and budgets and expectations. Below are just some of the restaurants in the area which must be tried:
Chez Catherine - Chez Catherine is a must try for those who seek a quiet location away from the busyness of the city. It is nicely located down a quiet side street and the chef, who happens to be the regarded as one of the top female chefs in the country, uses fresh local produce to create traditional French dishes which have more than a hint of a south-western influence.

Things to See and Do With Kids In Rome, Italy

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By Aidan Fitzgerald

Rome for younger children
You may not think it, but Rome can actually be fun for the very young as well as the older culture buffs amongst you. Located in Via Flamini is Explora, the Rome Children's Museum. This is a must visit for the young ones. The trip through the museum is set up in four sections, Me, Society, Environment, and Communication. Children can learn about the world around them through games and activities under the watchful eye of the museum staff. The museum also has a soft play area for very young children.
The Teatro San Carlino is a puppet theatre in Borghese Gardens, on Viale dei Bambini (Children's Way). Colombina can be seen clubbing the head of Pulcinella for having eaten her master's supper. Children will delight at the antics of the misfortunate Pulcinella. There is also a little train, which can transport the little ones around the park, leaving from Viale Goethe.
Bioparco which is part of Borghese Gardens also includes Rome Zoo which is must stop for families. The park has lots of special areas and exhibits just for children. The Zoo itself hosts nearly 1000 animals from over 200 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

I Love Italian Travel - Umbria Carnevale Season

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The city of Sant'Eraclio, Umbria is situated approximately some 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of the regional capital, Perugia. Its Carnevale was originated back in 1542 by the Olivetani friars of Mormonzone, who lived in a nearby convent that has long been abandoned. These forward-looking friars felt that the local populace deserved their own merry-making on the streets to balance the local gentry's exclusive palace parties. Good for them! Originally Sant'Eraclio Carnevale meant parades of oxen-drawn carts festooned with branches and flowers, and the people dancing and singing to the music of flutes and trumpets played by men and women in the traveling carts. But during the Seventeenth Century the Church decried this Carnevale as sinful and banned it. I have the impression that the local gentry's exclusive palace parties were not banned. Approximately a century later Carnevale was allowed to resume, but in this region only in Sant'Eraclio. Carnivale continued here without interruption until the Second World War.

The Real Reasons Why Brits Appreciate Property In Brittany

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To many people, Brittany is practically a nation on its very own. While France by itself is extremely different and distinctive, starting from the allure as well as charm of the city of Paris to the actual splendour of the Alps, this specific region does have its special fascination. You will find an assortment of conventional and also modern daily life and a lot of attraction to those dynamic retirees among you.

Brittany is actually dominated by the ocean, which borders the region on three sides. Its own specific topography is just as varied as its people and the lifestyles, with rocky granite mountains and also cliffs perhaps the most distinctive element. The particular well-known cities of Nantes and Rennes, the capital of the region tend to be exceptional tourist destinations.

I Love Italian Travel - Sicily Carnevale Season

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Acireale, a city of about 50 thousand, is about fifty miles (eighty kilometers) north of Siracusa on the eastern coastline facing the Ionian Sea. This coast is called the Riviera dei Cilopi; according to Homer's Odyssey it was created when the blinded Cyclops Polyphemus flung boulders at the retreating Ulysses, creating spectacular rock pillars known as faraglioni. This great site hosts what is widely regarded as Sicily's finest Carnevale, one of the few that can compete with Venice's world-class offering.

5 Best London Annual Events for Tourists

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By Paul Symonds

There are a number of things to see and do in London, such as visiting the zoo and the city's museums and art galleries; however that may not be unique enough for some tourists, so here is a list of five events that happen in the capital city, but only once a year.
1. The London Marathon - One of the most famous marathons in the world, the London Marathon attracts over 500,000 spectators each year and is a unique event to witness. While there are a number of elite and world famous athletes, many people like to cheer on the runners that are doing the race a bit differently - namely in fancy dress. With the Marathon raising thousands of pounds each year for charity, the London Marathon is one of the most charitable and exciting annual events to witness in London.
2. The Boat Race - Occurring in early March or April, the world famous boat race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities attracts huge crowds to see which of the two distinguished colleges will win. Each year over 250,000 people watch the race from the Thames river banks, but even more watch on TV with an estimated 450 million people watching all over the world. Tourists love the race, often enjoying a pub lunch and a few beers during the event. The race is a national institution having been held every year since 1829!

Sicily And Malta Cultures - A Look At Two Mediterranean Islands

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By Paul Symonds

Sicily & Malta are two lovely islands in the Mediterranean Sea. The two islands have a lot of cultural similarities. Located on the west of the southern end of the Italian peninsula, separated from the Italian mainland by the Strait of Messina, Sicily is autonomous region of Italy. Located to the South of Sicily (Italy), the East of Tunisia, and the North of Libya, the Republic of Malta is Island country of Southern Europe.
Sicily is located just 60 miles to the north of Malta. There is great cultural affinity between Sicily & Malta. Due to their geographical closeness, there's been continuous exchange of knowledge, ideas, culture, customs and beliefs between the two islands. Many modern Maltese families trace their origins to various parts of Sicily and Southern Italy. The geographic proximity has facilitated a considerable amount of intermarriage, cross-migration, and trade between the two groups of islands.
The culture of modern Malta has been described as a "rich pattern of traditions, beliefs and practices, which is the result of a long process of adaptation, assimilation and cross fertilization of beliefs and usages drawn from various conflicting sources."

Greek Temples in Sicily

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By Marcello Arrambide

When anyone thinks of Greek temples, Greece automatically comes to mind. Many people don't consider the impact the Greeks had on history and how far their empire spanned throughout time. There are actually Greek temples that still stand today in Egypt, Turkey, and even Sicily. While Greece does hold the record for the most Greek temples the majority of them are in Ruins. Don't be mistaken with the fact that you are still able to see great temples in the city of Athens. There is another place in the world that rivals the quality of Greek Temples in Greece, the island of Sicily.

Our Lady of Tears - Siracusa, Sicily August 1953

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By Bob Lordand Penny Lord

Our Lady Who Cried
You cannot visit Syracuse or Siracusa as it is known in Italy, without visiting the Shrine of Our Lady Who Cried. Quite honestly, we were more than a little skeptical, until we discovered all the invaluable, indisputable scientific evidence assuring us it was legitimate. Like Bishop Ettore Baranzini, we have always had reservation when it came to alleged apparitions and purported miracles. Only when Mother Church verifies do we write and make programs.
Our story begins in Syracuse on the 29th of August, 1953, Five months before, Antonina and Angelo Jannuso were married. Because they were a struggling young couple, with Angelo a poor worker earning the barest minimum wages, they accepted his brother's gracious invitation and moved into his small house on Via degli Orti di E. Giorgio.

10 Fun Things to Do in Sicily, Italy

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By Orson Johnson

Everyone thinks of the Mafia when they think of Sicily. What does one do for fun in the region that was home to the most powerful families of their time?
1. Visit the archaeological sites. Sicily is steeped in ancient history and has several ruins and monuments worth visiting. The Valley of the Temples, which dates back to the Grecian era, can be found in the city of Agrigento. Byzantine-Christian cemeteries from the 4th and 5th centuries are found here too. Visitors to Sicily must also take a look at the Greek amphitheater in Taormina.

Carnival Time in Venice

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By Constance Grayson

Carnival - the very name excites the imagination. Carnival as celebrated in Venice, Italy is a six week pageant of costumed revelers wandering throughout the city, glimpsed crossing the picturesque bridges that traverse the canals. Masks, flowing costumes, characters from the Comedy of Arts, feathery hats, mysterious cloaks-all are part of carnival. It is, in essence, a six week party that takes place in many parts of Italy but most spectacularly in Venice.

Treat Yourself to Taormina

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Taormina, a true jewel, and one I'm always delighted to return to.Sparkling above the beauty of the Ionian Sea with the Greek amphitheatre as a backdrop and Mt. Etna less than an hour away, it's no wonder this city is considered both a historic and natural treasure.Desired, fought over, and ruled by societies from Greek to Arab to Spanish and back to Italian, Taormina is a much coveted spot, and for good reason. Taormina's rich history is very inviting, while the town itself is quite simple to navigate on foot, making it welcoming to all manner of traveler.Aside from the Odeon, built for Emperor Octavian, the town's highlight is definitely the Greek Theatre set amongst the gemlike greenery and beauty of the surrounding hills.

The Fountains of Rome

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By Jhon Mcnemor

Rome has over the millennia of its history, leaving to posterity a special sign of passing time: a thousand fountains, a thousand squares that recall the style and art of an amazing city like Rome. The Fountains have always been filled with wonder travelers, such as the English poet Percy B. Shelley, who wrote that "the fountains are sufficient to justify a trip to Rome."
From the Renaissance to the Enlightenment, many architects wrestled with this particular form of sculpture. One of the nicest is the one made by the master John Fontana, made between 1608 and 1612, commissioned by Pope Paul V and that is the great and monumental exhibition of the Acqua Paola. Once with five small basins, was later restored in 1690 by yet another fountain, which endowed it with one big tub, and much more spectacular effect.

Food That You Must Try When in Taormina

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By Gianni Merida

When traveling through Sicily, Italy it is important to experience the culture and food is a major part of Sicilian culture! There are several types of food that are distinctly Sicilian, and each region of Sicily is known for a specific type of food as well. In Taormina, Sicily you will have many opportunities to taste the different flavors.
If it is a warm day, and you need a quick refreshment, your first stop upon arrival at Taormina should be to pick up a Granita with Brioche. This is an amazing treat found in just about every pastry shop or gelateria in Taormina. The granita is a Sicilian invention - scooped ice shavings with a delicious flavor (I would suggest lemon). The "Brioche" is a pastry that looks similar to a croissant and creates a great balance with the ice cold treat. You must eat your Granita in true Sicilian style by tearing the top off of the brioche and using it as a spoon to scoop out the granita (ice) and then eating the entire thing. It is a bit messy at first but most foreigners get the hang of it pretty quickly!

The town of Messina - Sicily

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Author: Daniele Davide


Messina is a town in Sicily called "door of Sicily" and once Zancle and Messana. Located near the extreme northeast of Sicily (Capo Peloro) on the Strait that bears her name. The city has 243,030 inhabitants and is the third of the Sicilian cities, as well as the thirteenth Italian town by population. Its port is the first in Italy for number of passengers and sixth for cruise traffic. Ancient and illustrious city, Messina has had a destructive and tragic story like few others, which deleted the greatness achieved in the late Middle Ages

Discover Sicily

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Author: R. Ritchie

Sicily's prime geographic location in the centre of the Mediterranean Basin has meant that, over time, settlers and conquerors from the medieval Normans, Aragonese Spanish, Moorish North Africans, ancient Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans have come and, except for the latter, mostly, gone. Today, Sicily's Roman ruins are rivaled only by those in Rome, and lovers of Roman archaeology will find a treasure trove of sites to explore.


To get an idea of the diversity of Sicily in ancient times and particularly the range of artifacts from the Greek and Roman colonizations of the island, visit the Museo Archeologico Regionale in Palermo. One of Italy’s greatest archaeological museums, it is filled with rare finds that put the multiple foreign occupations in perspective. As well, you’ll have a chance to compare priceless artifacts from the island’s different civilizations, including those from the Phoenician, Punic, Greek, Roman and Saracen periods. Listed here are some of the best Roman ruins in Sicily:

Travel | Roman Forum reopens walking route through ancient house | Seattle Times Newspaper

At the Roman Forum, tourists now can walk again through the House of the Vestal Virgins, one of the iconic sights of ancient Rome.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2014054942_webromanforum27.html