Luxurious Sicily Accommodations That Fit Every Budget

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By James Iozia

Sicily accommodations are second to none. Sicily is such a diverse experience for the traveler seeking adventure, history, culture and tradition. And there is nowhere like it for breathtaking scenery and great food. It offers centuries of history, including many multicultural societies from Greece, Africa, Spain, Arab influences, and Roman empires. Art, archeology, history, folklore, volcanoes-all are represented on Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Holidays in Caserta, Campania, Italy

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Caserta is the name of a province in the north of the Campania region, and also the name of its capital city. This small area is mainly residential, though it has one major tourist attraction that is popular with Italians and foreigners alike; the opulent Royal Palace of Caserta and its spectacular gardens. If you enjoy history, art or walking in beautiful natural surroundings, then the Royal Palace will have something that you will enjoy.
Royal Palace of Caserta

Roses, Horses and Dracula on Europe Train Holidays

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By Anna Copeland

There is only one way to really experience Europe - train holidays! Cruises have been popular among holiday makers for many years, but they are limited to the countries, cities and towns that cling to the European coastline. With Europe train holidays however, you have access to those gems hidden inland and away from the well-trodden path of tourists searching only for the beach! The landlocked countries can provide some interesting and cultural experiences to those who like to learn something about the history of the region while they travel.
Here are some of the more unique sights you may encounter on your Europe train holidays.
Off the Beaten Track
Away from the touristy coastlines of Europe you can find a plethora of fascinating sights that are off the beaten track, and much more interesting. Europe train holidays can take in the delights of Romania, the Carpathian Mountains and SighiÅŸoara, - the reported birthplace of Dracula. Or you can find yourself in Warsaw wandering through the medieval fortress which was built in 1274 by the Teutonic Order.

France's Top Three Romantic Destinations

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By Dipika Patel

If you're planning a romantic trip with a loved one, there can be nowhere more suited to this kind of break than France. The country is renowned for its romance-soaked atmosphere and destinations, so why not take a ferry to France and experience the perfect break away?
Indeed, travelling by ferry can make for the perfect relaxing journey - and you can even sample some fine French food during your Dover to Calais crossing!
Of course, France's most famous romantic destination has to be Paris. Known the world over as a lovers' paradise, it draws scores of couples looking to spend some quality time together.
While there's much you and your partner can do in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has to be the ultimate place to start. This incredible architectural feat is particularly spectacular at night, but if you're keen to travel to the top doing so during the day offers fantastic views over the city.
Meanwhile, taking a scenic walk down the River Seine and enjoying delicate pastries and hot drinks together in pavement cafes is a quintessentially French way to spend a little time with each other.

Villars Is My Favourite Holiday Destination in Switzerland

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By Persephone Cavendish

The resort is particularly family friendly having a number of good quality small hotels and chalets for rent. The 222 km ski area, with its 77 ski lifts, includes the high 'Glacier 3000' which allows all year skiing. Skiing is free for children under nine years of age. The ski school is well organised and provides English-speaking instructors. For non skiers there are numerous walking trails, sledging, ice skating, spas and sport centres. In the town and surrounding areas there are a number of good quality restaurants ranging from Michelin star to basic pizza joints.
The town is pretty and is built in a typical alpine style. Its cog railway winds it way up the mountainside to the ski slopes. French is the main language but there are many English-speaking visitors. Summer visitors enjoy the hiking and mountain biking. The well-marked trails of over 300 km take hikers through vineyards, flower filled pastures and around mountain lakes.
There is a world-renowned golf course and a well established sports centre with an active tennis club. Visiting Lake Geneva is a wonderful day trip where you can visit the World Heritage UNESCO site, the Lavaux vineyards. The resort offers a free access card to visitors in the summer which allows free and unlimited use of transport, sport and leisure facilities.
For visitors who enjoy staying in simple, cheap accommodation surrounded by pastures and mountain views there are a number of mountain huts and refuges run by the local communes. There are various events which occur throughout the year including a Christmas market, the annual Villars BCV 24 hour race, ice skating shows, ice hockey matches and in 2011 the world martial arts games. During the summer the Montreux Jazz Festival is a 30 minute drive away.
For an outdoors, activity filled holiday in magnificent surroundings Villars is hard to beat!

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Holidays in Cilento, Campania, Italy

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By Phil Hanlon

Cilento is a popular tourist area in southern Italy, located to the southeast of the famous Amalfi Coast. Although perhaps not as well-known as its neighbour, the beaches of the Cilento region are just as beautiful as the Amalfi, and are usually a little quieter in the summer months too. The Cilento region is one of contrasts; in one day you could be walking through forests, where some of the last wild wolves in Europe live, exploring impressive Roman ruins in the home of Cicero and Virgil, and finally stretching out on a sunny beach and maybe going for a dip in the sea.
Roman heritage
There are Roman ruins and remains to be found throughout the Cilento region, but some of the most impressive are in the town of Velia. Home to Virgil and Cicero, two of the most recognisable names from Roman history, the excavated town now lies exposed on a hillside outside the modern settlement. The best preserved building here is the baths, where visitors can still see many of the original decorative tiles, while an arched gate dating from the 6th century BC is still standing. The nearby town of Paestum is one of the main attractions in Cilento for history buffs, with a fine collection of well-preserved Roman and Greek buildings, including three temples, and is classified a World Heritage Site. By now, the kids are probably fed up of looking at piles of rock, so why not take them to Castelcivita caves near Paestum. The mile-long path takes you through caves dotted with underground features, boating intriguing names such as the crocodile hall and the lemon room.

Italian Street Food

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By: Michele de Capitani


Italian gastronomic tradition does not only include restaurant dishes, or dishes that need a complex preparation and are to be eaten while sitting at a table, but also many kinds of street food, which are different in each region. Street food is very appreciated both by Italians, who like its traditional and intense flavour, its authenticity, its cheapness, and the possibility that it gives to eat quickly, and by those tourists that wish to discover every aspect of the places they are visiting, gastronomic culture included, and who prefer to shorten the time dedicated to eat in order to immerse themselves in visiting the city.

Greenbuilding In Verona From The 4th To The 6th Of May 2011

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By: Michele de Capitani

The fifth Greenbuilding, the international exhibition and conference on energy efficiency and sustainable architecture, will be held in Verona from the 4th to the 6th of May 2011. For three days eco-friendly houses, passive houses, energy-efficient buildings and wood buildings will be protagonist in Verona.

In an epoch where issues like energy waste, polluting emissions and the need to spare energy and to find alternative sources are constantly discussed, an event like Greenbuilding is certainly very important. Moreover, the event is one of the main Italian happenings as far as the promotion of products and technologies for an energy efficiency architecture are concerned, and through the years it has developed and gained the appreciation of professionals coming not only from Italy, but also from abroad. Thus if you want to know all the latest news in this field, Greenbuilding is the event not to miss.

Ragusa, A City With Two Patron Saints

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By: Michele de Capitani

In all the Italian cities there are always many celebrations dedicated to a given saint, whom the inhabitants of the city are notably devoted to as s/he is considered the protector of the city itself and of the people who live in it. In the day devoted to their patron saints Italian cities are enlivened with celebrations and many interesting events, which always attract not only the inhabitants of the city, who like to keep this ancient tradition alive, bit also tourists and visitors coming from other cities, regions and countries, who take the chance to take part in celebrations to enjoy a very special and typical feature of a citys culture.

Chianti Means Wine, First Of All

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The beauty and charm of the Chianti hills have been described by many. The grace of Chianti's landscapes and villages, with their little alleys and magic corners, and Chianti's churches, have fascinated passersby for more than a century. Out of all the attractions that this amazing region offers, one in particular stands out from all the others and has become legendary over the centuries.



Not many wines in the world can claim the same popularity. Brunello and Barolo are certainly good wines, but Chianti, although a little less aristocratic, is somehow more social and convivial. Chianti is a wine for both lords and peasants, a wine to sip at sunset, at the end of a hard day of work, while looking at the light that touches the long vineyards and the twisted branches of the olive trees.

Holidays In The Baroque Sicily

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Author: Pasquale Marchese

The Holy Week is the ideal period to discover one of the most charming areas of the island: the Val di Noto. The baroque style of cities such as Noto, Modica, Ragusa Ibla and Scicli, matches perfectly with the mystic, religious climate of the processions that take place between Palm Sunday and Easter.

Easter In Venice

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Author: sandhya jain

As with most parts of Italy, Easter in Venice is an important festival for reflecting and renewing faith and especially for families to come together.
The Easter holiday period is a time for the enjoyment of children and families visiting the city will find that kids take centre stage and are to be cherished. This is best illustrated at the Easter Monday fair on Via Alvise Pisani in the heart of central Venice. It features funfairs, sports and activities for children of all ages. A popular day out for locals, there are circus performers, street musicians and drama shows depicting biblical scenes all done with a sense of fun and freshness.
Church services and concerts across the city
Churches across the city welcome all visitors to celebrate the meaning of Easter from the famous St Marks Basilica to countless charming Gothic and Baroque churches that are themselves wonderful works of art. The old austere cathedral of San Pietro, the pretty 13th century Sant Elena or the spectacular San Rocco are just some of the churches that offer compelling Easter services. There is even an Anglican church in the heart of the city. The enduring sound of bells ringing out on Easter Sunday offers a melodic symphony across the city as streets are filled with solemn torch lit processions and music. Similarly a brightly illuminated flotilla of vaparetto boats leisurely cruise the waterways to St Marks filled with elegantly dressed local dignitaries prior to Easter mass. Everywhere at Easter one can feel the sense of cultural pride and faith that the occasion brings that makes it should an uplifting time of year for a visit.
Relaxation in the warm spring sunshine
Churches and museums open their doors at Easter for a series of choral and classical concerts often with free entrance and there is a special Easter proms season at the renowned Teatro Goldoni. Many cultural centres also provide children’s events such as the Scuola Grande di San Rocco which hosts a children's theatre during the holidays.
Easter in Venice is also a time for relaxation and there are several havens in the city where visitors can escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the warm sunshine. The Papapodoli Gardens is a secluded park ideal for a picnic or stroll along the Riva di Biasio which is a picturesque promenade offering lovely views of the Cannevegio Canal. This time of year sees an increasing active cafe society with pavements filled with diners and coffee drinkers enjoying the fine weather and colourful Venetian street life.
Easter activities are just a way of having fun. Do not tax your brain too much and do not relegate Easter activities into some sort of a headache. Keep Easter activities simple and enjoyable. Let everyone enjoy Easter with the Easter activities you plan. And try to involve everyone in all the Easter activities. So, take special care of adults and old ones who generally feel left out in these Easter activities.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/easter-in-venice-1868943.html
About the Author

Sandhya jain is an online marketing expert for CityVacations, with a particular interest in travel and hotel reviews, also associated with the CityVacations a leading travel agent from UK provides Holidays in Venice and International Destinations around the world.

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Easter Time In Florence - Relive The Traditions Of Italy

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Author: Steve Perillo

Florence, Italy, fondly known as the cradle of renaissance is one the best places to celebrate Easter. Though the Easter traditions here are centuries old, they are still practiced with great pomp keeping up with the age old customs.

Florence Easter weekend is probably the best time of the year to visit this city as it takes you through a nostalgic trip over the medieval times. The week long Easter traditions start from palm Sunday and lasts until the Easter Monday. The holy week as it is called is celebrated in class and style special to the traditions of Florence.

Special Events and Festivals in Italy

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By John Dulaney

Carnevale Festival in Italy
Celebrated 40 days before Easter, Carnevale is a large festival held before Ash Wednesday. The biggest celebrations are held in Viareggio, Ivrea and Venice. Carnevale celebrations are held in many cities around the world.
Celebrate the New Year in Italy
Italians bring in the New Year with music, dancing and fireworks. Celebrations may vary from one town to the next.
Festa della Madonna Bruna in Matera, Italy
This is a unique festival held in southern Italy in July. The festival's highlight comes when a Carro carrying the Madonna is destroyed. The Carro is made of papier mache and takes an entire year to create. Making the Carro is a skill passed down from one generation to the next.

Italian Lakes - Italian Culture and Holidays

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By F. Iglesias


Italian culture is celebrated multiple times throughout the calendar year. These celebrations include holidays, festivals, and feasts, many of which are observed in the rest of the world, however some of which are unique to just Italy. Many of these holidays celebrate saints, such as San Giovanni Battista, which takes place on June 24th and celebrates the patron saint of Firenze. San Rosalia (patron saint of Palermo, celebrated July 15th), and San Petronio (patron saint of Blogona, celebrated October 4th) are examples of some holidays unique only to Italy. However San Gennaro, which celebrates the patron saint of Napoli on September 19th is widely celebrated throughout the world. Italy also celebrates Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme), Good Friday (Venerdi Santo), Easter, also called Pasqua, as well as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (Martedi Grasso).

Visiting the Top 3 Cities in Spain on Train Holidays to Europe

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By Anna Copeland

If you are interested in train holidays to Europe, Spain should be one of the first destinations you choose. Spain is a beautiful country with so much for the visitor to see. You could spend your whole train holiday travelling around the country to different cities and never get bored. But if you take a train journey through Spain, which are the top cities that you should make an effort to see? Here are three of the best, all of them unique in their own way.

Paris For Tourists - 5 Things You Must See and Do

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By Orson Johnson

If you are visiting Paris, here are five things you must see and do to make the most of your trip.
1. Visit the Eiffel Tower - The first thing you must do when you arrive in Paris is visit the Eiffel Tower. This mammoth iron structure is well over a century old and is one of the most popular tourist attractions not only in Paris, or in France, but in the world. If you don't mind heights and would like to see what Paris looks like from the vantage point that only the Eiffel Tower can offer, then tickets are sold at the base of the tower to help you make that happen. There are stairs and lifts to take you up the first two levels. After that, you are allowed to go to the next level, free of charge. The Eiffel Tower is a favourite with tourists as it has become a symbol of Paris and France, and romance as well. Over 200,000,000 tourists have visited the Eiffel Tower since it was constructed.

Mount Etna - A Thrilling Sicily Destination!

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By James Iozia



When you hear of active volcanoes, one cannot help but think of Mount Etna, one of the world's most famous volcanoes. Located on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in the world. It is known as a stratovolcano, which means that it is conical and was built by the eruption of lava, ashes and pyroclastic flows. Currently it stands about 3,329 meters (10,922 ft.) high, but this is constantly changing due to summit eruptions.

4 Iconic Monuments to See on Train Holidays to Europe

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By Anna Copeland


Train holidays to Europe provide you with an ideal opportunity to see some of the most famous monuments on the planet. There are so many things to see in Europe that it is difficult to pick just a small selection, but below you will find four world-famous sights that you should definitely try to visit during any trip across Europe.

Italy by Train - Holidays That Don't Cost the Earth

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By Guy Saunders

Before the advent of the Channel Tunnel and then Eurostar, it was quite an undertaking to travel by rail to Italy. Once you had negotiated the British Rail portion of the journey and the cross-channel ferry there was then the prospect of an uncomfortable night on a sleeper. Many people might still be daunted by the prospect of a journey of more than 600 miles across at least 3 countries and opt to jump on a plane instead.

Sicilian Wine, the Perfect Compliment to Your Meal!

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By James Iozia

Sicilian wine is regarded as one of the best wines in the world. With the ideal growing conditions present in Sicily, namely the warm temperatures, the hilly terrain and the rich soil caressed by sea breezes, it is not surprising that Sicilian wine has been an integral part of the Sicilian diet for centuries-and that it is gaining in popularity world-wide today. Originally, Sicilian wine was really only identified with Marsala, which is a sweet wine often used for cooking or served with dessert. Recently however, even top wine experts from America are taking note of the good, world-class wines being offered in Sicily.

Best European Cities

Author: Kavin

European Cities - Rome :Rome, the capital city of Italy might be a city that has a wealthy culture at the same time as tradition. The city boasts of festivals as an example White Evening Festival which is worth seeing. Rome was the capital of the ancient Romans. You can find many standard locations of interest which could possibly be a amazing expertise towards the visitors. Roman Coliseum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon at the same time as so on are a couple of standard spots worth visiting. You can find quite a few museums at the same time as art galleries which would surely interest any art lover. Vatican city is an extra a great deal of sought away destination in Rome. 1 can take pleasure inside the marvelous at the same time as mind-blowing artworks of Michelangelo at St. Peter Basilica at the same time as Sistine Chapel.

Italy: Land extraordinaire

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Author: Matrix

Often referred to as the Belpaese, meaning beautiful country in Italian, Italy is considered far and wide as the perfect place to relax and bask in the most opulent pleasures the material world has to offer. Right from food to scenic views around the landscape to the most fashionable designer-ware and strikingly illustrious art, it is all there. The country has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other, with the number going over 40 (44 to be exact) and the città d'arte (cities of art) like Florence, Rome and Venice are certainly among the key places to have more visitors than the rest of the country. It may seem like the country is purely popular based on these few sites, but there are many other attractions, albeit for different people. Milan is Italy's financial hub, and is also host to one of the largest trade fairs in the world. Venice, despite being too engrossed in the art scene, has also opened a new bridge over the Grand Canal. So, there's a lot more happening to change the perceptions

Calabria For Tourists - 5 Things You Must See and Do

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By Orson Johnson

If you are visiting Calabria here are five things you must see and do while touring the region.
1. Visit Grotto Del Romito. Situated in the province of Cosenza, Grotto del Romito is a large imposing cavern that offers you a stunning display of stalactites and stalagmites. It is also the resting place of some of Calabria's earlier residents, with the skeletons found at the grotto estimated to be well over 10,000 years old. There is even evidence as to how they might have died, with one skeleton supposedly having met his death via a stone arrow. Even older than these skeletons, is the engraving of a bull, on the walls of the cave, which is thought to be well over 12,000 years old. The engraving is referred to as, 'Bos Promigenius,' and is a hugely popular tourist attraction in Cosenza.
2. Come face to face with a Grecian warrior or two, even if they are all bronze and no flesh and blood. Known as the Bronzi di Riace, or the Riace Bronzes, in translation, these two life sized bronze nudes which are currently housed at the National Museum in Reggio Calabria, are thought to have been lost at sea, for over two thousand years. The statues are truly a sight to behold with their eyes being inset with bone and glass and their teeth made of pure silver.

A Look at Some Popular Sicilian Festivals

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By James Iozia

Sicilian festivals are important to the people of Sicily. While many revolve around religious holidays, carnivals are considered secular events. They are traditionally held in the week preceding the beginning of Lent. Originally the festivals were intended to use up fresh food, since Lent is a time of prayer and fasting.
Some of the more famous carnivals are held in the communes of Sciacca, Acireale and Termini Imerese. Those participating in these Sicilian festivals typically wear masks. While the masks worn in Italian carnivals are usually like those of Pulcinella or Brighella, traditional Sicilian masks are more characteristic of Jardinara or Varca, especially in the province of Palermo.

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The Sicilian climate

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Author: daniele76

The Sicilian climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers and mild winters. Sicily Coast enjoys a subtropical climate, since it meets the parameters of this type climate: the average annual temperature is at least 18 ° C, the average temperature of the coldest month is between 6 and 18 ° C (in Palermo is 12.5 ° C in January), while the temperature of the warmest month exceeds 22 ° C (both Palermo and Catania is just over 26 ° C in August).

Sicily - An Open Air Museum

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By Elena Bernardi


The island of Sicily has been inspiring travelers for thousands of years with its exhilarating combination of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Visitors from antiquity through modern times have been drawn to the Mediterranean's largest island and impressed by everything it has to offer.
The culture of Sicily is singularly unique, shaped as it is by a wide variety of influences. Beginning in ancient times, Sicily has been infused with a mix of cultural traditions, thanks to its positioning as a key fixture of multiple Mediterranean trade routes. Thus today Sicily reflects influences from Angevin, Aragonese, Byzantine, Catalan, Greek, Muslim, Norman, and Roman contributors, which combine in a colorful pastiche to make modern Sicily into a one of a kind, open air museum.

Sicilian Piazzas - An Important Part of Sicilian Culture

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By James Iozia


Sicilian piazzas are the locations for festivals, gatherings and shopping. A piazza is simply a Sicily town square, like that found in any traditional town. The squares are suitable for open markets, concerts, rallies and other events that could not be easily held in a field or an area of "soft" ground.
The word piazza is roughly equivalent to the Spanish word "plaza". In the US, shopping centers are often called plazas. In Ethiopia, the word is used to refer to any part of a city, not just gathering places. US homes built during the 19th century sometimes had long colonnaded porches and the port was called a piazza.

5 Things to See in Paris For History and Culture Fanatics

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By James Burrows


Paris is a city that has seen world wars, revolutions and economic changes in its 2000 years of history and visitors to the region looking to gain an understanding of the city's history and culture should pay a visit to some of Paris' top cultural and historical attractions. Here is a guide to five of the region's most interesting historical and cultural sights.

Shopping in Sicily

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By James Iozia


Opportunities for shopping in Sicily are nearly endless. From Palermo's famous craftwork to fine petit point in Taormina and everything in between, you can easily spend days browsing unique stores in Sicily.
If you're from the US, be aware that most of the stores in Sicily are closed daily between 1 and 4pm. They reopen after 4, but most are closed again by 8pm. This is especially true of the family owned shops. Here are a few things to consider bringing home with you.
Ceramics
When you are shopping in Sicily, you will notice a variety of ceramics to choose from. Sicily is one of the leaders in the Italian ceramics market. Important factories are located on the northern coast, between Messina and Cefalu. Colorful "folk" pieces can still be purchased at bargain prices.

What You'll Learn at Cooking Classes in Sicily

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By James Iozia


If you want to take cooking classes in Sicily during your vacation, you might be interested in something called "culinary travel". Culinary travel combines informal cooking classes with a tour of the island. You might call it a "tour of Sicilian food". But, you'll also get to see the craftsmen and the famous archaeological sites.


The group tours start in the market place, where tourists learn how the fresh ingredients are selected. Freshness accounts for some of the virtues of Sicilian food. The primary ingredients are grown locally, purchased at a farmer's market and usually cooked the same day.
Once the ingredients are selected, you can participate in hands-on cooking classes in Sicily restaurants or private homes, depending on the group that you tour with. You can also sample traditional Sicilian food by participating in "Agritourism".