Verona, a city for all tastes

Il romano ponte Pietra a Verona (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Francesca Tessarollo
One of the most appreciated Italian travel destinations, Verona is one of those cities that can really satisfy everyone, and the variety of the tourist offer is certainly one of the strengths of this beautiful city.

The most famous attraction in Verona, which is become the symbol of the city, is probably the arena, which attracts tourists not only for its historic, artistic and architectonic importance, but also because every year it hosts one of the most emotional and famous opera season in Italy. The amphitheatre, which dates back to the 1st century, is one of the examples of recreational roman architecture that has best preserved, and it is also the third bigger roman amphitheatre in Italy (after the Capua amphitheatre and the Coliseum, of course), and nowadays it is visited by many tourists every year. A visit to the city must include a visit to the arena, but the city also has many other monuments and buildings that are worth a visit, like the roman theatre, which dates back to the 1st century B.C., and the two roman doors of the 1st century A.D. (Porta Borsari and Porta Leoni) and the bridge Ponte Pietra, which is also roman. There are also Middle-Ages monuments, like the basilica of San Zeno, the homonymous abbey and the cathedral, which is also called Santa Maria Matricolare.

Holidays To The Italian Lakes - Discover The Jewel Of Northern Italy

Lakeside promenade in Riva del Garda, Lago di Garda (Italy) Deutsch: Seepromenade in Riva del Garda, Gardasee (Italien) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Hamish Nolen


There is something remarkable about the Italian Lakes district of Northern Italy. So very close to the Italian and Swiss Alps, it is a lush and temperate paradise filled with plants and trees usually found only near the Mediterranean. Filled with the finest food and wine, the region's landscapes are truly breathtaking, and the experience of meeting and mingling with the locals is very special.
If you want to see the lakes in all their beauty, then it is best to travel there between April and October. The weather is perfect, although it can get crowded through July and August, so be prepared to pay top dollar during this time. If you arrive at the lakes out of season, you will find that the ferry services are reduced, with some not running at all. Many restaurants close over the cooler months too.

Five Things To Do In Lombardy and Italian Lakes

Image via WikipediaA country of pasta and wine, sunshine and snow, renaissance palaces and roman ruins, Italy is as beautiful as it is complex, making this region of Italy so popular for people to come and have a self catering holiday here in a rental villa or a rustic rural house. Lombardy is an Italian region which occupies a major part of Po Valley.
Orobic Alps, Rhaetian and Lepontine form its northern borders and it has a hilly district having major Italian lakes from lakes of Iseo, Como and Varese to Easter slopes of the Lago Maggiore. This area is rich in water mainly because of Po and the affluents. The capital of the region is Milan and the major cities are Brescia, Bergamo, Varese, Mantua, Pavia, Cremona, Sondrio and Como.
The first thing you can do in Lombardy is to view its Romanesque architecture. Each major city of Lombardy has beautiful examples of this type of architecture and the most stunning monument from the Gothic period remains the Cathedral of Milan.

The City of Figments: Verona

Image via Wikipedia

Author: Art Sarkissoff

Verona is a beautiful city and also known as pearl of Italy. For all the history lovers who want a live glimpse of history of Verona, nothing can be better than spending time there. Through this way legends of history will come at threshold of your mind. Because of some worldwide famous stories of Verona like Romeo and Juliet, tourists get attracted to it's underneath charm. Hence more and more people come here to see this place and to have the loving aroma of Verona's atmosphere.

Veneto Wine

Image via WikipediaEverybody knows that wine is one of the most appreciated Italian products abroad. You might also know that Veneto is one of the Italian regions where the wine culture is deeper-rooted. Form Prosecco to Amarone, many wines were born in this region, have then arrived to all the other Italian regions and went over the Italian borders to tickle the palates all over the world. Certainly there is a deep relation between wine and Veneto, a relation that does not only come from the numberless wineries that fill the region, but also from the peasant culture of the region, which seems to have penetrated into the collective memory of all the inhabitants of the region. For the inhabitants of Veneto drinking an ombra (meaning shadow this is how a glass of wine is called in Veneto) in someones company in a typical tavern or at some friends means sharing a part of their culture and habits with other people.

Verona becomes a playground during the Festival of Street Games

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Author: Albapp

The International Festival of Street Games, Tocatì, is back in Verona in its ninth edition that this year has the focus on emphasizing the importance of games and leisure traditions as a part of the cultural heritage of many countries.
To this end, the Association of Ancient Games, in collaboration with the local authorities has invited to this year's event several countries among which Brasil, Iran, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Portugal and Mexico.
Each of these countries will share with the citizens and visitors that will be in Verona the 23rd, 24th and 25th of September some of the most representative traditional games of their cultures, like the Capoeira from Brasil, the Malha from Portugal, l'Ulama de Cadera from Mexico and the Varpa from Sweden.

Lake Garda - A Paradise for Adventurists!

Image by marjoleinknuit via Flickr

Author: nfmmbs

Lake Garda in Italy is certainly a place to visit for those tourists, who seek the thrill of adventure. This exciting destination has a lot more to offer besides the lake. Adventure sports, such as windsurfing, diving, sailing, paragliding, horseback riding, and mountain biking keep this place active in all seasons. Book your tour to Lake Garda with PerilloTours.com, to get the best of your holiday in Italy.
A holiday spent in Italy at Lake Garda will be so exciting and invigorating that you will never feel like returning home. Celebrated as the largest lake of Italy, Garda also prides itself as the loveliest of all Italian lakes. The panoramic view of the lake, sweet smell of vineyards, striking silhouette of valleys, picturesque views of castles, and the remarkable backdrop of Mount Baldo are definitely a visual treat!

Visit Lake Garda by Rail for an Unforgettable Holiday

Image via WikipediaBy Dipika Patel


Lake Garda is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world when it comes to lakes and mountains holidays - and exploring the area by rail makes it even more unforgettable.
There are two ways in which you can enjoy this part of Italy by train. You can either get on the Eurostar from London and make your way to Lake Garda via the likes of Paris, Brussels and Lake Geneva, or you can fly to Italy before boarding a train to Lake Garda.
Whichever holiday package you choose, you are sure to fall in love with Lake Garda from the moment you set eyes on it from your train carriage.
The lake is the largest in Italy and is conveniently located between Venice and Milan. Its north end is surrounded by craggy mountains offering the potential for some spectacular views over the body of water, while the south is more open and features gentler scenery.

Many a famous face has regularly visited Lake Garda over the centuries, making it even more popular among the growing crowds of tourists who flock to this part of northern Italy every year.
You will find that some of the common features of the various destinations along the shores of Lake Garda include Roman and medieval points of interest, wonderful food and wine, and plentiful opportunities to engage in all kinds of sports - particularly the water-based kind.
Specific locations that can be visited as part of rail holidays to Lake Garda include the southern peninsula of Sirmione, which is particularly picturesque thanks to the fact that it is surrounded by sparkling blue lake waters.
It is also home to a castle and numerous archaeological sites that reveal something of the how the Romans once lived in the area.
If you head west from Sirmione you'll come across Desenzano, which harbours a Roman villa built in the fourth century BC along with a beautiful 16th century cathedral.
Further north along the western shore is Gardone Riviera, an extremely popular health resort that boasts extensive shopping facilities, poet Gabriele D'Annunzio's mausoleum and tomb, a botanical garden and an open-air theatre.
When you go north from here towards the mountains, you might find yourself trying to identify a particularly sweet scent floating on the air. This is a sign that you're close to Limone sul Garda, which is world-famous for its pungent lemons.
If you head to the northernmost tip of Lake Garda you will find the town Riva del Garda, which boasts another castle along with a museum sure to be of interest to those with a passion for history.
On the eastern shore of Lake Garda, meanwhile, is Malcesine, from where you can hop in a cable car to the top of Monte Baldo for some spectacular views over the lake. The town also has a medieval castle and museum.
If you head south from here you may want to stop at Torri del Benaco and Garda, each of which have enough pleasant diversions to occupy you on your way to Bardolino.
Don't forget to sample Bardolino's world-renowned wines while in the area - and if you love sports, this is the place to get your fill of all kinds of pursuits.
All of these destinations are just those around Lake Garda itself. If you choose to head to the region by rail, you may also get the opportunity to stop at European locations such as Dijon, Stuttgart, Nuremburg and the Dolomite Mountains, along with Milan, Venice and Verona.
This is why lakes and mountains holidays to Italy by rail can be so much more appealing than simply flying straight there - not only are you able to enjoy the convenience of leisurely travelling around Lake Garda on a train, but you can also see much more of Italy and other parts of Europe than you might do otherwise.
Whichever rail Europe holiday package you choose for your trip to Lake Garda, you're sure to have the getaway of a lifetime - just make sure you choose a different route on your second journey to the region to take in even more of this stunning destination.
If you're looking into lakes and mountains holidays, why not consider holidays by rail to Lake Garda from Great Rail? You can choose from fly rail holidays and rail Europe trips, with a selection of different routes available.

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Touring Northern Italy

Image via WikipediaBy Keith Barrett
For those wanting to experience Italy without the crowds and the sometimes unbearable summer heat, a tour of the north has plenty that appeals. Let's take a look at some must-see highlights.
The rise of budget airlines has meant that it has never been easier to find a cheap flight to northern Italy. Both Milan and Verona have busy international airports, with flights from most major European cities. Verona is served by regular flights from London Gatwick, making it a perfect starting point for any tour.
If you can't find a suitably priced flight from Verona, then you might also consider Bologna as a feasible alternative.
Lake Garda is within easy reach of both airports. This grand lake has a quite wonderful location, with a mountainous backdrop and a coastal feel. Lined by pretty villages and towns, Lake Garda is a natural focal point for any tour of northern Italy.
The area here is well known for its fine cuisine - eating out in Italy is not to be missed!
Verona itself, as well as providing an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding countryside, has a rich history. This is a city that was first brought to the attention of the English by no lesser figure than William Shakespeare.
The Dolomites, the mighty mountains of the region, provide some spectacular views and wonderful spots to enjoy. The popular towns of Vipiteno, Brunico and Bolzano are all well worth a visit.
Finally, no tour of this part of Italy would be complete without visiting the medieval walled magnificence of Trento.
A tour of northern Italy involves some of the most beautiful towns, villages and countryside that this country has to offer - it is not to be missed.
To find out more about Lake Garda Italy, check out Keith Barrett's other travel articles. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.
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I Love Italian Travel - Wine Touring In Lombardy

Image via WikipediaSo you are planning to visit Lombardy, a region of northern Italy bordering on Switzerland, the Gulf of Taranto, and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its regional capital and largest city is Milan, the center of Italian finance, fashion, and media. Lombardy is home to La Scala, the greatest opera house in Europe, or perhaps the whole world. And the Cathedral of Milan, ooh, la, la. You will find museums galore and the massive, impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, an upscale Nineteenth Century shopping mall.
Small towns in Lombardy that are well worth visiting include Pavia which houses an important university, Cremona the historic center of violin making, and Mantua, where Romeo fled after killing Juliet's cousin. Its Palazzo Ducale contains 500 rooms one of which took a master seven years to paint. Save some time and money to visit the lakes. Lombardy doesn't border any sea but it's home to Lake Maggiore, Lake Iseo, Lake Orta, Lake Como, and Lake Garda which spills over into the neighboring regions of Trentino-Alto Adige and Veneto. Each lake has its own special attractions, as do the lakeside towns such as Bellagio, considered one of the loveliest towns in Europe, and honored by a hotel of that name in Las Vegas.

Lombardy is home to three DOCG wines. Franciacorta is produced near Lake Iseo between Bergamo and Brescia. This is Italy's answer to Champagne and priced accordingly. The rosé tends to cost more than the white. Sforzato di Valtellina and Valtellina Superiore are vinified from the red Nebbiolo grape locally known as Chiavennasca. Perhaps it's no surprise that these wines comes from western Lombardy not far from Piedmont. After all, Nebbiolo is Piedmont's signature grape. Just for the record Sforzato di Valtellina is made from dried grapes and often costs more than Valtellina Superiore. The best Valtellina Superiore wines tend to come from the rocky Sassella subdistrict.

The major white grape varieties include the local Garganega (the major componenent of Soave in next-door Veneto), Trebbiano di Lugana, Riesling Renano, and its cousin, Riesling Italico. International white grape varieties include Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, the major components of Franciacorta. Regional reds include Barbera, Bonarda, Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), and Lambrusco. Pinot Noir is found in Franciacorta and some other wines such as the high-volume Oltrepò Pavese DOC made in a wide variety of styles.

Companies selling regional wine tours include Prime Italy, Le Baccanti, Romantic Travel Destinations Getaway, and Wine Tour Italia. Regional wineries accepting visits include Berlucchi in Cortefranca, Cavalleri in Erbusco, and Sertoli Salis in Tirano. A few words of warning are in order. Make sure that you check ahead of time for opening hours and whether English is spoken. Some places may charge admission; others may expect you to buy some of their products.


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Over the years Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet but simply prefers drinking fine Italian or other wine, with the right foods. He teaches a variety of computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes information on Italian wine and food.


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Discover the 'Other' Italian Lakes

Image via Wikipedia

By Mark Scriven

When you think of the Italian Lakes most people tend to think of Lake Maggiore, Lake Lugano, Lake Como, and Lake Garda - the famous glacial lakes located in the northern Lombardy region in the foothills of the Alps and close to Italy's border with Switzerland. These stunning lakes attract millions of tourists each year and can be exceptionally crowded during weekends and in the summer months.

However, there are another group of lakes in Italy which are just as beautiful but much less well-known. The 'other' Italian lakes are volcanic in nature and located just north of Rome, in the Lazio area. Lake Bracciano, Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico are very easy to get to and are all breathtakingly beautiful. You will find them between the Apennine Mountains on the east, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west sitting at an altitude of almost three hundred meters.

Perhaps one of the best ways to experience these lakes is to rent one of the many historical holiday houses that are available in the area. These properties tend to be located in very rural areas, or in small villages, and provide a real feel for the local area.

There are many holiday rental options to choose from in the Lazio region that will fit any budget. However, due to the proximity of Rome it is important to make reservations well in advance - especially in high season.

You will find a number of stunning rental properties in this area. For example, the lovely Villa Concetta is only two kilometers away from Lake Vico. This is the oldest volcanic lake in Europe. It is also very near to lake front beaches and lots of nice restaurants and bars. The villa is surrounded by spacious landscaped grounds and is equipped with a private swimming pool.

You can barbecue and eat outside on the patio. If you don't want to cook, there are great restaurants nearby. The village of Caprarola is nearby with its pharmacy, shops and banks. There are wonderful walking trails in the nearby woods and the Cimini mountains.

Villa Castelluzzo is another beautiful and historic holiday villa which is secluded amongst lovely lawns, wooded gardens, and mature trees on the Lazio/Umbria border near Assisi. This property is extremely well appointed and features a floodlit tennis court, a large outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi.

The lovely village of Lubriano is only a few kilometers away and you can easily drive to Lake Bolsena just 16-kilometers away. The towns of Maremma and Montepulciano make great day trips.

Villa Anna is a large vacation property suitable for a group on holiday or for a large family. It's situated only an hour from Rome on the shore of beautiful Lake Vico. The house features open fireplaces, large picture windows and traditional furnishings. It offers a total of five bedrooms - three on the ground floor and two on the second floor. There is plenty of outside dining space and the house overlooks wooded gardens and lawns with wonderful panoramas of the lake and the beach. The lake with its numerous restaurants and bars is a short walk from the villa.

The historic village of Ronciglione is just four kilometers away on the Via Francigena offering a wide selection of restaurants as well as other amenities.

Whether you decide to stay in one of these stunning holiday homes or choose a different accommodation option, the 'other' Italian lakes of Lake Bracciano, Lake Bolsena and Lake Vico are definitely worth a visit. Not only are they as beautiful as their more celebrated rivals in the North of Italy, but they also offer a much less crowded and natural alternative.

Mark Scriven is an online marketing expert and has written many articles on business, travel and the internet. For a wide selection of holiday villas in Italy visit Cottages to Castles, specialists in luxury vacation rentals in Italy.

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