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.

Top Tips to See Rome on a Budget

Italiano: Collage di vari immagini di Roma. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Fabio Carrozi


Rome isn't exactly renowned for being the cheapest of cities to take a holiday in. Unfortunately, despite the imminent recession the credit crunch hasn't dampened people's desire to visit this expensive city. Help is at hand: I've been a Rome shuttle driver for more years than I care to remember, and have picked up a great deal of insider knowledge that should help you get by on - well, if not a shoestring budget, then at least significantly cheaper than you'd expect to pay.
I won't go into details of booking flights - that's not really my area of expertise - but do shop around, and make sure you get the best deal possible. Once you get there, there's plenty of ways to save money:

The Best Places to Stop When You Travel to Italy

Image via Wikipedia

By Luciano Fellini00

The people who live there call it The Belapese, Beautiful Country, and while they may be biased, the Italians certainly know what they are talking about. Lovers of fashion, art and food alike will find something to swoon for when they get to Italy. There is so much to see that many people need to return more than once, but first time visitors should not miss these important Italian attractions.

When in Rome, it is difficult to miss The Trevi Fountain, the largest and most famous fountain in the entire city. Not only is it beautiful, but it is the center piece for one of Italy's most romantic customs. Legend says that if someone throws one coin over their shoulder into the fountain, they are sure to return to Rome someday. Two coins means they will fall in love with an Italian and three coins means they will marry them.

It is not necessary to be Catholic in order to appreciate a visit to The Vatican in Rome. The Vatican Museums are home to one of the world's largest and most impressive art collections. After touring the collection, visitors get to view Michelangelo's infamous painting on the ceiling of The Sistine Chapel.

While some of Italy's most iconic sights are in Rome, there is much to see in the other beautiful areas of the country. Florence is perhaps the loveliest city in all of Italy and is home to the renowned sculpture, David, by Michelangelo. Not only does it feature beautiful art, but it is home to many of the fashion world's top names, such as Gucci and Ferragamo.

The famed Leaning Tower is just one of the reasons that people flock to the city of Pisa. The city is home to many of Italy's finest universities, so it is always abuzz with students going to and from class. Visitors will often see them studying in the Piazza dei Miracoli, one of Italy's most gorgeous squares.

When people plan a getaway to Italy, they usually imagine themselves being serenaded by a gondolier while cruising the waterways of Venice. This is one of the most relaxing and romantic ways to explore the city, which is full of beautiful buildings and works of art. In fact, Venice has the distinction of housing more artistic masterpieces per square kilometer than any other city in the world.

There is no denying the powerful beauty of Italy and the attraction it holds for lovers of fashion, food, architecture and art. The Italian people love their country so dearly, they are thrilled to show visitors around, making the entire experience even more magical. When planning to travel in Italy, be sure not to miss these beautiful cities and infamous landmarks.

Luciano Fellini is a travel writer living in Rome. To learn more about travel in Italy stop by Discover Beautiful Places for more articles like this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Luciano_Fellini

Tips for Exploring Italian Cities Like Venice and Rome

Image via Wikipedia

When making plans to travel to another country it is always a good idea to do some research on your destination. Attempts to understand and respect other cultures and their traditions will always be appreciated and make your holiday more enjoyable.

There are many things to consider when you go to Italy. Besides the eating and drinking habits of the Italians, you should also look into dress codes. I am not talking about having to wear designer clothing but more what kind of clothing. If you like to visit churches then you should know that in most churches dress codes and rules are mandatory. If you have bare shoulders or knees, some churches will not let you enter, especially in Rome at St. Peter's and the Vatican Museums and at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. If it is to hot outside then just bring something to cover up with you.

Italy is a magnificent country to visit, offering distinct scenery, extraordinary ruins, museums, churches, food and wine. Most people have heard of Rome, Venice, Pisa, Florence and Milan, along with these beautiful cities are the lesser well-known destinations of the Lake District in the North of Italy, Tuscany & Umbria, the Amalfi Coast or the stunning islands of Capri and Sicily.

If you are leaving some of your family members behind and you would like to call them once in a while just to let them know what a good time you’re having, it might be a good idea to or buy a telephone card and use public phones. If you are bringing your mobile with you, you can also buy an Italian pre-paid card + top-up and call your family via the Italian Mobile network. Italy’s country code is 39. Some of you might even bring the laptop along. Skype is one of the easiest ways to call people from all over the world for very little amount and if you call someone on their laptop it is for free.

As with any city, be wary of bag snatchers and pickpockets. Put your money safely in a money belt or a purse on a string around your neck and conceal them under your clothes. There are many ‘gypsy’ children in Rome who are accomplished at picking pockets so be careful.

The weather in Italy in the summer months can be very hot so choose light clothing to take with you. Do not forget your sunglasses, hat and sun cream as it is easy to get sunburn if you are walking around all day sightseeing. Short thunderstorms in the afternoon are frequent in Rome and inland cities, so it might be wise to have an umbrella with you.

Many types of accommodation in Rome are available, from hotels and hostels to bed and breakfasts, apartments and guesthouses. Italy also has a type of accommodation known as Agriturismo, the word is a combination of the words agriculture and tourism in Italian and are farmhouse resorts and particularly suited for families. Meals supplied will usually be prepared from freshly grown produce from the farm. Some farmhouses let you get involved in the working activities such as taking care of the livestock and crops. Regardless of the rustic surroundings, the accommodation is not always basic, many Agriturismo offer a high standard of lodging, and some even have swimming pools.

Whether you are intending to visit a popular Italian city such as Rome, Venice, Milan or Venice or heading to the country, like Tuscany, for a quieter break you will meet the friendly people of Italy and a belissima experience.

Hotels are the most popular type of accommodation in the cities of Italy, like Venice, their ranking is from one to five stars but is slightly different from other countries. Mostly, the accommodation in Venice like a one-star hotel is very basic with a bed in a private room but you will have to share a bathroom and breakfast will not be included. Two-star hotels generally give the option of a private or shared bathroom, will provide a TV and breakfast, but do not expect anything overgenerous. Facilities and services depend entirely on the hotel. Three-star hotels should provide satellite TV, a telephone and a bathroom with bidet. Again, it depends on the hotel; some might have minimal facilities, whilst others will have large airy rooms, tasteful furnishings and a full breakfast. Rooms in four-star hotels should be quite large and include facilities such as a telephone, satellite TV and bathroom. Expect plenty of choice at breakfast and on site facilities such as a bar and free ADSL.
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