A Visit to Capri

Overlooking Capri harbor from the rotunda in Villa San Michele. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Grotta azzurra, Capri, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

View from Monte Solaro towards the Faraglioni (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Mark McLaine

Capri is a small Italian town that is situated about 5 kilometers away from the mainland Italy. This island town has a number of resorts and is frequented by 2 million tourists from all over the world annually.

Reaching Capri

There is no international airport on the island and the only way to reach this town is through the boat. There are a number of boats which operate from port of Ischia and Naples. Besides this, there are a number of luxury Capritime boats which offer you water taxi services from Naples to this island.

Rome's Fabulous Festivals

English: View from the Piazza del Campidoglio. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Roberta Stuart

The Romans have never been a crowd that need much persuading when it comes to throwing a party or having a festival. In ancient times, an astounding 150 days of the year were set aside for rest and relaxation. Nowadays, the city's residents don't have quite as many days off, however that does not mean there is not an abundance of exciting and entertaining festivals to attend. Hotels in central Rome fill up quickly during these times, so those interested in attending particular festivals should book well in advance.

Festivals

Some festivals surround religious holidays while others are simply a celebration of music, art and culture. No matter the occasion, Romans love to let their hair down and enjoy a good party.

Natale di Roma: Not every city celebrates their birthday, but this one certainly does! "Born" in 753 BC, it is a city unlike any other. Every year, on 21 April the city begins the festivities with the lighting of the sacred fire in Piazza del Campidoglio. The party continues with the commemoration of the foundations of the city at Circo Massimo, followed by a concert there. City hall and the piazzas located on the hill are illuminated and from the balcony of any hotels in central Rome you will have a ringside seat - however attending the actual event is certainly an experience that should not be missed.

A Rome Italy Vacation - Insights Into What Can Makes Yours a Great One

English: The Pantheon in Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Details of Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By [Kent R Kerr

Rome, the Eternal City, a place that has a permanent spot on the top of almost every American's list of world cities to touch at least once in a lifetime. Making the best of your Rome (Italy) vacation requires that you go armed with a few tips on what to expect. With these in hand, there should be nothing keeping you from making a success of your trip.

Flying into Rome, you'll probably arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci airport in a suburb of Rome, called Fiumicino. You'll arrive here if you are flying in directly from the US on a major airline. If you are flying in from elsewhere in Europe on a discount airline, you'll probably arrive at Ciampino, the smaller secondary airport. Once at the airport, you'll find that there are airport buses that take you to the Stazione Termini 'receiving point' in the middle of the city. You could also take a train that leaves from the airport every hour. What is the Termini? It's kind of confusing that they should call it the airport terminal, but it's just the place that you aim for in the city to start out with when you arrive. It's the transit hub for everything in the city - trains, buses, you name it.

Things to Do on Your Italy Vacation

English: A 5x6 segment panoramic image taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 70-200mm f/2.8L lens from the dome of St Peter's in Vatican City in Rome. Français: Image panoramique composée de 5x6 photos prises par David Iliff à l'aide d'un appareil Canon 5D et une lentille 70-200mm f/2.8L à partir du dôme de la Basilique Saint-Pierre au Vatican. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Mike Romano

A vacation in Italy has everything that you and your family could want for a great time. Vacationers can choose stunning accommodations from holiday villas to a charming country cottage. The possibilities are endless when you decide to take your holiday in the romantic and charming country of Italy.

Rome is an exciting holiday city in Europe that travelers flock to all year long. The ancient city gives you a glimpse into a world that you may have only read about in history books. The city offers countless places to stay while you enjoy Italy such as villas and luxurious homes. Most Italy travel packages and tours include some time exploring the historic sites in Rome.

Festivals Celebrated in Rome

Rome (Photo credit: tejvanphotos)

Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: The River Tiber in winter with St Peter's and Castel Sant'Angelo Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rome (Photo credit: Elescir)

[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)

By []M. Patrick Quinn

The Romans have been a festive lot since ancient times, when the Eternal City's marble-lined streets played stage to triumphant processions, colorful religious rituals and ceremonial feasts, held by a people whose sacred calendar was heavily dotted with celebratory occasions. In fact, the very word festival comes to us from the Latin word "festum", meaning holiday or banquet. The Romans of today continue the revelries with a vibrant variety of festivals, some unquestionably modern and others still very much rooted in tradition. For those studying abroad in Italy, Roma offers festivals of all kinds, not to be missed by students sojourning in the city.

Festa di Primavera -- The Spring Festival

From the end of March through the beginning of April, Romans welcome the arrival of spring with a range of cultural events. Guided tours of many of Rome's seemingly countless historical sites, including monuments and churches, are organized and made available for free, and a series of concerts take place on the famous Spanish Steps, an enormous staircase which surmounts the steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Trinit� dei Monti, and which once linked the Bourbon Spanish Embassy with a church under the Bourbon family's patronage. It is this stairway which makes the centerpiece of the Festa di Primavera, for which it is adorned with a pink sea of azalea-filled vases. No springtime study abroad experience would be complete without witnessing this legendary sight.

Natale di Roma -- Birth of Rome

If you're spending a semester at a university in Rome, chances are you're interested in the city's incomparable history. This makes the Natale di Roma, or Birth of Rome festival, a must-do for the visiting student. Held on the 21st of April, Natale di Roma celebrates the birth of a little city-state on the Tiber River that would grow up to rule the known world. On this date in the year 753 B.C., Romulus founded the city of Rome. The occasion was marked in ancient times and is celebrated nowadays with fireworks, dancing and parades around Rome's ancient historical sites, while the city hall as well as many of the city's palazzi, or palaces, are illuminated during the night.

Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma -- Rome International Film Festival

So many iconic films have been shot against the one-of-a-kind backdrop of Rome -- think Roman Holiday or The Bicycle Thief -- that the fairly recent creation of the Rome International Film Festival seemed long overdue. Held in October, the high-profile festival now plays host to international films in several different categories. The award statue is shaped like the famous mounted sculpture of the ancient philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Roma Europa

There would be no Europe as we know it today were it not for the Roman Empire, so it's only fitting that the City of the Seven Hills play cultural capitol with a preeminent festival titled "Roma Europa" through the months of October and November. Attracting artists, dancers, writers, filmmakers and digital innovators from across the world, Roma Europa was named one of the top four festivals in Europe by the Wall Street Journal. If you happen to be enrolled at a   rel=nofollow [http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/default.aspx]university in Rome for the fall, give the books a rest for a bit and learn the arts at the Roma Europa festival instead.

Visit [http://www.johncabot.edu/]John Cabot University for more information about study abroad opportunities in Rome.

Patrick Quinn is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing, and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other web marketing services and tools.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Festivals-Celebrated-in-Rome&id=8182097] Festivals Celebrated in Rome

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Can a Holiday Improve Your Life? If the Destination is Florence Italy, You Bet!

English: Florenace, Italy at night, seen from Michelangelo's Piazza. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The equestrian statue to Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, by Giambologna, Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Statue of Benvenuto Cellini, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Donatello's genius made him an important figure in the early Italian Renaissance period. His works include St John the Baptist as a Youth, his Marzocco (the Florentine heraldic lion) and his famous mature work of the bronze David. This is located in the Bargello Palace and Museum. Français : Sculpture de David en bronze, réalisée par Donatello entre 1430 et 1432. Elle est conservée au palais du Bargello de Florence. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Glenn Aitelli
Florence Italy is in the Tuscany region about midway between Milan to the north and Rome to the South. Florence is much more than a tourist attraction. It has been Italy's center of art and politics dating back to the renaissance period and continues to make an important contribution to global culture.

Florence Italy is our favorite European city to relax and enjoy the beauty of a special city. It is a city with a combination of qualities that allows you to do everything or nothing. You will have as much fun enjoying an espresso and people watching at a Trattoria in Piazza della Republicca as you would strolling through the Bargello museum!

Travelers can enjoy all of Tuscany while staying in one place. Florence is perfectly located to be your home base while traveling to multiple towns. You are just two short hours from Rome and 1 1/2 hours from beautiful Siena. With the large number of small towns near Florence, you could easily fill up a month vacation without ever going to the same place twice!

The best time to visit Florence:

*Spring or Fall which are called the "shoulder" seasons. April and May and October and November will not only give you great weather but will also be easier on your wallet.

*The weather in the Summer months is extremely hot and the lines for all the attractions are gigantic.

*Try to avoid traveling to Florence in August, most Italians take their vacations in August and who wants to go to Italy to be surrounded by Americans?

Walking in Florence Italy enables you to see the city on a more personal level and it's also a good way to work off the excellent Florentine food! Walking through the lesser known and spooky areas of the city may be enough to make your hair stand on its end. How brave are you? Walk daily though the narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined with palaces and churches built by the architectural geniuses of the Middle ages and the Renaissance. View sculptures adorning outdoor walls and standing in the loggias of the grand piazzas.

Florence Italy is unique in that even small alleyways and courtyards are like museums with statues and frescos. Sometimes the best thing to do is put down the guide book for a day and just start walking. Just when you realize you're lost, you will discover some new piazza or neighborhood that you would never have found in a tour guide. I always ask locals where they go to eat or where they go to hear music to see how the Florentines live

Soggiorno Battistero is a charming Hotel in the heart of Florence, directly across from the Baptistery and Duomo. The hotel has simple, comfortable and large rooms at a price that even your accountant would approve of. You will get breakfast daily with the price of your room and the staff is very helpful and can assist you with restaurant reservations and advice on things to see. Hotels just next door are three times the price and don't offer the view or service that Soggiorno Battistero does. Florence is one of the greatest cities in the world and you will fall in love and long to come back again and again! http://www.Travel-To-Florence.com is owned and operated by Glenn and Jeanne Aitelli. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe but our passion is Italy. Both of us are graduates of the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco and we are both certified Tour Directors. It is our hope that this site will not only help you plan your trip but enhance it.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-a-Holiday-Improve-Your-Life?-If-the-Destination-is-Florence-Italy,-You-Bet!&id=2675916] Can a Holiday Improve Your Life? If the Destination is Florence Italy, You Bet!

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Romantic Rome Vacations

English: Panorama of the Trevi fountain at night. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The "Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi" (Fountain of the four rivers) by Gianlorenzo Bernini in piazza Navona in Rome, Italy, topped by the "obelisk of Domitian". Picture by Radomil 28.09.2004. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseum at dusk. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 50mm f/1.8 lens at f/5.6 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spagna, Spanish Steps, Spanische Treppe in Rom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rome (Photo credit: tejvanphotos)

By []Asma Rofik

Rome - the undying town! splendid, celebrated, significant, idealistic! Discuss a Rome vacation and romance strikes you immediately. To be on an Italian holiday and not to take a vacation in Rome is actually, seeing Italy without its heart. It is not easy to describe Rome in words - it is simply overwhelming has architectural wonders are obvious in the haughty Vatican, the huge Coliseum, the enduring Roman Forum, majestic shrines, Renaissance palaces and decorative and elaborate churches, and its ancient bell towers. Not astonishingly, our Rome vacation packages make certain that you get to walk around all the magnificent delights this mysterious and treasured city provides - the Piazza Navona, Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Consequently, for a Rome holiday, there are a large number of packages, each tailored for utmost satisfaction and pleasure.
 
 Perfect Packages
 One package that is Rome Special package lets you exist every second of la dolce vita in the undying City. Take pleasure in Christmas and the New Year Italian-style with the Rome Christmas Special or Rome New Year's Special vacation tours. If you are hunting for economical vacation, there are just the kinds of Rome holiday packages you desire for. Go for the Rome break in your journey, Rome Escape, Express Rome, or Rome Getaway -- actually great vacations and hard to resist prices!
 
  Rome combo vacations
 One can even unite a Rome vacation with other great Italian cities such as Milan, Venice and Florence. There is a selection of Italian vacation packages where you can mingle two or three great Roman towns together. You can go for Rome & Florence or Rome & Venice or Florence & Venice tour. You are improbable to find enhanced value for money than these inexpensive vacation packages!

 To get pleasure from Venice in its right fortitude, Venetian Lagoon Cruise where you discover Venice and its adjoining islands in an exhilarating and reinvigorating six nights cruise that gives you lifelong memories.
 
  Historic Capitals
 If you keen to see two of the most talked-about capitals of Europe in one vacation package, we let you get an excellent combo tour of the Historic Capitals - Rome, London, and Paris jointly by Eurostar and rail.
 The holiday Packages have also been planned and tailored for the convenience of the travelers. Italy vacation packages help you discover the country at your own speed.

Author is an associate editor for [http://www.makemytrip.com/holiday-packages/]Holiday Packages. Get all possible information about [http://www.makemytrip.com/holidays-international/tour-rome-all_packages.html]Rome travel Packages and Holiday Pakcages India.We also provide nformation about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Romantic-Rome-Vacations&id=3999733] Romantic Rome Vacations

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Must See in Rome - The Roman Forum

Roman Forum (Photo credit: StefanoRomeTours)

By Eric Simon

It is said that Rome wasn't built in a day. The magnificent structures as well as the ruins speak volumes of its glorious history. It has the richest and the fullest history evidenced by anyone so far. It is colorful and the most appealing of all travel destinations. This is one place where the past and the present go hand in hand. Here you can try to follow the tourist's path or try and go off the track, if you are brave enough to. Either way, Rome is going to amaze and surprise you. This is one city which has plenty to offer, but its beauty has been blurred by the passing time.

5 Top Historical Monuments in Rome

Though in ruins, the Flavian Amphitheatre, now known as the Colosseum, still stands today (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Preety Gupta

Rome is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. It is home to several historical monuments some of which can be seen for free while others require cards and passes. Most of these ancient monuments are located in the city's historic centre and so there are several places that you can visit in a single day. Even if you don't have time for an in-depth look, you will find walking past them an incredible experience. Over the past few years, some of these monuments have been renovated to make them more user-friendly. Here are just some of the historical monuments that you may wish to see while in Rome.

Apulia Region in Italy – A Wonderful Place to Celebrate your Wedding in Italy

English: The Castel del Monte is one of the best known landmarks of Southern Italy. It lies in the the region of Apulia. The resolution of the original photograph is 7912*5825. Nederlands: Het Castel del Monte is één van de meest bekende bezienswaardigheden in Zuid-Italië. Het staat in de regio Apulië. De resolutie van de oorspronkelijke foto is 7912*5825. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: daniela castellarin
Apulia (Puglia) region in Italy forms the eastern most part of the peninsula and has a long coastline, facing the Ionian and the Adriatic Seas.
Crystal blue sea, green countryside, intense red terrain, golden sunsets.... from Porto Cesareo to Peschici, from Bari to Taranto, from Vieste to Brindisi, from Otranto to the Tremiti Islands, you can experience a multitude of emotions while visiting Apulia all year round.
The region is divided into six provinces: Bari (which is the regional capital), Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, Taranto and the recently-constituted province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. The area around Lecce and the southernmost tip of the 'heel' is called the Salento dotted with wonderful beaches and seaside towns.

Trulli District and Itria Valley in Apulia Region

Trulli strung along via Monte Pertica in Alberobello, province of Bari, Italy. The whitewashed symbols were added following the restoration of the stone roofs in the 1980s and 1990s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Wonderful location for a Unique and Romantic Wedding in Italy

Author: daniela castellarin
Itria Valley is characterized by a flourishing vegetation where olive trees stand, These are cultivated in masserie lands, small typical local stone fortresses. Coasts are marked by long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of the ancient Messapi civilizations, rock settlements, castles and not-to-be-missed many trulli made with dry stone techniques.

The Most Beautiful Beaches In Italy

Author: K J S
After a miserable, non-existent spring in most parts of Europe the majority of people is now very much looking forward to a sunny and long-awaited summer. How about celebrating the warm season on a fabulous Italian beach?
Let's start with the Puglia region, the heel of the Italian boot. A little corner of paradise is nestled in Brindisi, almost at the lowest point of the heel. Its name is Torre Guaceto, a protected nature reserve that has luckily escaped

5 Travel Destinations in Rome for Honeymooners

English: Ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy Česky: Rozvaliny Caracallových lázní v Římě, Itálie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Nadine Sedillo
Are you looking for a place to spend your honeymoon? If you are, I guarantee you there is no better place to achieve it than in Rome. Being the capital of Italy, Rome is considered as the love city which is true by the evidence of every romantic site, parks as well as the stunning Italian restaurants you can visit around the city. So, in what parts of Rome can you spend some intimate time with your partner? Here are some of the romantic travel destinations in Rome that you may visit for your honeymoon:

4 Top Destinations to Explore While Walking in Italy

The Colosseum (Photo credit: KayYen)

By []Tony Maniscalco

Wherever you go walking in Italy, there's guaranteed to be a plethora of amazing sights and places of historical interest to discover. For those who go walking hoping to feel a connection to the places they choose, there are many locations in Italy that seem to reveal something of the place, whether it's the architecture, the culture, the history, or even just the spirit of the area. Take a look at these top sights to see while you're walking in Italy. Although they are popular as tourist destinations, don't let any bias towards this fool you - there is a lot to be said for some of the most famous sights of the country.

Discovering the Delights of the Tuscan City of Siena

Piazza del Campo with Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia, town of Siena, Tuscany/Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

Experience picture postcard Tuscany as you explore the stunning and beautiful Chianti area in the heart of Italy. Wander around the quaint hilltop towns, visit some of the country's most romantic cities and soak up the unique light and atmosphere while meandering through the countryside. When choosing to stay in Tuscany, villas dotted throughout the region are the perfect way to make the most of your time here. In Tuscany, villas are offered for rent by many excellent companies, all with something different to offer. You are certain to find one that suits your group size and holiday aspirations. Whether you are travelling with a group of friends, family, or even if you and a loved one are looking for a peaceful getaway, there will be somewhere perfect for you in this stunning region.

How to Spend 7 Days in Sicily

Sicily, Villa Romana del Casale (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Larry Aiello

7 Day Recommended Itinerary for Sicily, Italy

If you plan to visit Sicily, Italy, there is an abundance of sights to see and places to visit. It might be difficult to narrow down all the choices you have but if you choose the main points of interest you simply must see here, it will make planning your itinerary that much easier.

Enjoying the Delights of Tuscan Cuisine

By []Giovanni Balboni

Chances are, delightful as the villas in Tuscany invariably are, there will be many occasions when you want to get out and about in order to sample the true taste of authentic Tuscan cuisine. Which is not to say that you can't get good meals inside your villas in Tuscany - with the fresh produce, the great spices and overall wonderful environment, any meal you make yourself is practically guaranteed to be delicious. Eating in the best food outlets in the area, however, is an experience not to be missed - whether they're small hole-in-the-wall shops, traditional family restaurants, or globally-recognised gourmet bistros.

Travel Tips: Best Five-Star Hotels in Berlin, Germany

'Schlosshotel im Grunewald', accommodation of the German World-Cup football team 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Brian Willett
With a vast trove of cultural treasures, awe-inspiring architecture, museums of all kinds, historical landmarks and other displays of German heritage, Berlin is a must-see destination in Germany. Berlin is the nation's capital and in many ways seems to be the nations' cultural capital, given the rich history and modern entertainment, from shops to theaters to spas. It would be impossible to take in all that is Berlin in one day, so staying the night is a must. Thankfully, Berlin has no shortage of fine hotels, which offer the utmost in German service and comfort.

The Joys of Walking in Italy

St. Peter's Basilica, believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, seen from the River Tiber. The iconic dome dominates the skyline of Rome. St. Peter's Basilica from the River Tiber. The iconic dome dominates the skyline of Rome. Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Christianity became the dominant religion of Western Civilization when the Roman Empire converted to Christianity. St. Peter's Basilica, believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, seen from the River Tiber. Saint Peter's Basilica. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Tony Maniscalco

Ah, La Bella Italia! Whenever one thinks of a holiday in Italy, it's hard not to smile. The food, the people, the towns, the history and just that Italian style and charm - they all bring an instinctive warmth even if you've never even visited the country! Walking in Italy is a way to really experience that warmth first-hand.

Italy - Worlds within worlds

What can be said about Italy? Home of the Roman Empire; the Renaissance; great science; art; literature; and today, a byword for high fashion. Italian cuisine in all its glory rivals the best in the world, and the friendliness and hospitality of the Italian people is legendary.

Walking in Italy: Exploring Rome on Foot

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Tony Maniscalco

Rome is fairly packed with ancient and classic sights for the eager visitor to discover and explore. From basilicas to squares and ancient structures to eye-catching fountains, you will most certainly never be bored when you visit this beautiful city. Walking in Italy really does come into its own when you decide to explore the capital on foot, and around every corner will be something new.