Vino Con Vista Italy Travel Guides and Events

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

There Are Many Types of Italy Tours

St. Peter's Basilica at Early MorningSt. Peter's Basilica at Early Morning (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Phoenix Delray

People that are looking for Italy tours are often surprised at how many different kinds are available. There are ones that go to almost every area of this country and that have emphasis on many different things.
Many people immediately associate this country with Rome. They want to see this city because of all the historically significant features it has. They may also want to visit nearby Vatican City to see the artwork and possibly get a glimpse of the Pope. While this is an interesting place, this area is not the only reason that people visit this country.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Tours to Palermo - Beyond the Sicilian Legend

Detail of the bell tower.Detail of the bell tower. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Aman Kapur

When planning vacations time visiting Palermo, every person has different evocations associated to this place. Some people think of Palermo as a beach of cosmopolite charm, some others recall its historical connotation associated to ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Roman, and the Byzantine Empire, while others associate Palermo with the modern urban legends of Sicilian "bad guys." Whatever is written in your mind, Palermo is a tourist destination you must keep in your list to places to visit sometime.
Located in the south of the Italian peninsula, Palermo is the capital city of the Island of Sicily, a city that was founded around 2,700 years ago, although there is archeological evidence that the city was founded not later than 8000 years BC. Sicilia is an autonomous Italian region in the south tip of Italy, with Palermo connecting to mainland via by train or car via its highway, although the Aeroporto Internazionale Falcone Borsellino is the easiest way to arrive from almost anywhere around the world.

Syracuse, an Amazing Sicilian Tourist Spot

English: Piazza Duomo, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy...English: Piazza Duomo, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Français : Piazza Duomo, Syracuse, Sicile, Italie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Jacob

The city of Syracuse sits handsomely on the shores of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea. Probably one of the few cities which could challenge Rome in terms of power and prosperity, Syracuse exudes an old world charm that will transport you back in time. Make sure you spend some time in Syracuse while travelling around Italy.
This ancient city was founded in the year 733 B.C by the Corinthians and has a bloody political history that had seen the rise and fall of many great leaders. Syracuse was allied to Sparta and Carthage when it was founded and later became a powerful city-state in the Mediterranean region. Later it came under the Roman Republic and thrived as a port of trade between the Eastern and Western parts of the Roman Empire. The Vandals captured Syracuse which was not meant to last for long as the Byzantine Empire came to claim it in the year 535 A.D. In the year 828 A.D., the Arabs besieged the city and under their two century rule, they rebuilt the city along Islamic styles. Again in 1038 A.D., the Byzantine Empire reclaimed it and thus ended what seemed to be the most part of Syracuse's blood-spattered history.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

France - The Rules of the Restaurant

Caille en Sarcophage (Quail in Puff Pastry She... (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Liz Olkowicz


No holiday walking in France would be complete without sampling various forms of the regional cuisine. The good news is that there's no need to worry too much about restaurant etiquette, though a little basic awareness might help you avoid feeling awkward!
Restaurants and restaurants
In many English speaking countries, restaurant etiquette is relatively informal just about everywhere, apart perhaps from the very top-end establishments. When on a holiday walking in France, you may be pleasantly reassured to know that the vast majority of restaurants will also be relaxed and relatively informal. Of course, there will be haute cuisine establishments that bring with them certain formal conventions, but these are a relative minority. Dining is typically a relaxed affair, whether breakfast, dinner or lunch.
Yet there are a few things worth knowing!

Travel to Volterra and Discover the Real Tuscany

Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti ...Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti Classico region (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Giovanni Balboni


Volterra is not one of the best-known settlements in Tuscany, however, it is certainly one of the most appealing. Of all of the hilltop towns in the region, there are few that can match it.
There are many reasons so many people decide to make their holidays in Tuscany; villas in this region provide visitors with rolling hills, exquisite landscapes, quaint architecture and a more relaxed way of life. Volterra has all of these in abundance, making it the ideal place to spend some quality downtime.


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

The Often Overlooked Beauty of Naples, Italy

English: A view of Mount Vesuvius from a conve...English: A view of Mount Vesuvius from a convent across the waters. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Religious Tourism: Montecassino Abbey

English: Montecassino Abbey: First cloister wi...English: Montecassino Abbey: First cloister with San Benedetto's statue Italiano: Abbazzia di Montecassino: Primo Chiostro con la statua di San Benedetto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)With the beginning of the summer begins also the tourism machine, and the religious tourism is not an exception.

In summer, more than in other seasons, the cities famous for their places of worship and religious buildings are filled with tourists and pilgrims. In this sense, Italy has certainly a rich legacy: the destinations most appreciated by tourists are without a doubt the Vatican, Basilica of Saint Peter, Padre Pio Sanctuary in San Giovanni Rotondo and the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua. Beyond these three main places of worship, in Italy you can find many other buildings and places of high cultural and historical value, and the Abbey of Montecassino is one among the most proper examples in this sense.