Travel Tips to Italy

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)

By []Mark McLaine

Italy is known all over the world for its churches and other monuments that were made during different eras of history. The country has a number of places that showcases the rich past and heritage. Italy has some of the finest collections of art and other works that were made during the era of Renaissance.

When you are planning to travel to Italy, there are a number of factors which you need to keep in mind. Here are some of the tips that are shared below.

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.

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Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice (Photo credit: jivedanson)

English: The Rialto Bridge over Venice's Grand Canal. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a photograph of the Doge's Palace in Venice. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Entrance of Doge's Palace in Venice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

5 Things You Must Do in Venice
By []Marie Ryan

How to Get Around the City

The city of Venice is a pedestrian city made up of canals and bridges. The best way to travel along the Grand Canal in Venice is by 'vaporetto' (water-bus) to the nearest pier and then on foot to your destination. There are no cars or buses in Venice. All transport is by water, in 'vaporettos' (public water-buses), 'traghettos' (small boats for crossing the Grand Canal), 'g�endolas' (traditional Venetian long-boats) or water-taxi for private hire.

1. Saint Mark's Square
Wander around the magnificent Saint Mark's Square and people watch. You can listen in to the chamber music being performed at the stylish caf�s on the square. The three different caf�s all have a chamber orchestra, but to avoid a cacophony of music, as would occur if they all played together, they each 'take turn' and respectfully wait until each is instrumental is finished.

2. Saint Mark's Basilica
If you don't mind joining the queue of hundreds of other tourists, you can enter the Basilica di San Marco at no charge. The exterior has beautiful frescoes above the main doorway and the interior is, naturally, packed with artwork, paintings, and colourful murals. If you are feeling energetic, you can ascend to the roof terrace and contemplate the Square from above. There is also a very informative museum/gallery where you can delve more into the history of the basilica.

3. Doge's Palace and Bridge of Sighs
The Doge's Palace is a vestige of medieval Venice and was for centuries the seat of power of Venice, during its 'Golden Age', when Venice was a hub for the silk, and spice trade from the East and a formidable political and military force in the area. The Bridge of Sighs was the bridge which prisoners would cross on their way from the courts at the Doge's palace, after sentence had been passed, to the dungeons of Venice.

4. The Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of four bridges crossing the canal and is one of the top tourist attractions in Venice. It is unusual in that it has two lines of shops on the bridge itself, in continuation of the Rialto Market nearby. Thousands of tourists flock there daily to view Venice from the steps of the bridge and to feel the excitement of being in one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

5. Relax with Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was born in 1678 in Venice and as a tribute to him there are many performances of Vivaldi's music being held daily in the city. "The Four Seasons" concert is one of the most popular pieces offered but other works by Vivaldi and other composers such as Mozart are also popular.

Find out more about Venice and read about a four-day trip I made to this beautiful place. Then start planning your own holiday to Venice! Visit me on Hubpages at: http://hub.me/afynj

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City of Romeo and Juliet

Italiano: Collage di varie foto di Verona (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: jogurunet
Verona is sited in Italy's Veneto quarter between Venice and Milan. Shakespeare's well-known tragedy, the celebrated Romeo and Juliet was set in this city. This city of romance also boasts of numerous historic structures including the famous Roman Arena.

Verona Tourist Guide

Catullo Airport is the nearest airport from Verona operating budget flights from cities like Dublin, Brussels, Paris and London. Venice's Marco Polo Airport provides another option to reach Verona by plane. Verona Porta Nuova train station is connected to Milan, Venice and Munich via Euro City trains. For local transportation City bus service offers frequent bus services from Porta Nuova rail station.

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.

Unforgettable Must-See Sites When Walking in Italy

English: Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice, Italy. T(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Tony Maniscalco

Walking in Italy can either be the best tourism-related decision you've ever made, or it could be your most tiring travel - with many more hours spent finding the right street or cobble-stoned alley, train, bus, or subway ride than in enjoying the delightful things the country has to offer. But with the help of well-experienced tour leaders, your exploration of the country's famous cities can become one of your most memorable adventures.

Tie The Knot And Fly To Your Italy Honeymoon

Mass-produced colour photolithography on paper for Toy Theatre; Romeo and Juliet (background and surroundings removed) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Kalyan Kumar
If you are still wondering where to go for your honeymoon, trying to take into consideration all the pros and cons different destinations offer, you should opt out for the place that speaks love and romance all the way through - from its people to the cobbles in its tiny streets. It sounds familiar, right? Italy, of course.
Italy has become synonymous with romance, and for the last decades, Italy honeymoons have been widely preferred as the perfect destination for romantic entanglements. Young couples and newlyweds often choose Italy honeymoons because they somehow believe, or at least hope, that their love could be of the kind with which romance and passion speak their true names and are there to stay.

Train Tips for Your Italian Vacation

During your European vacation, there could be no other wiser choice than to visit Italy as it is among the most romantic and spectacular of all places on earth. You can do many amazing things here as this is a beautiful tourist center. Most artists and art lovers consider Italy as the most inspiring destination to experience the true taste of art. Italian churches with its magnificent sculptures, paintings and historic pillars, make it an amazingly beautiful place to visit.

The Venetian Lagoon

Venetian Lagoon as seen by Landsat 1 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Lukas Johannes
The fact that Venice is built on water is common knowledge to anyone who has looked, however briefly, into this Italian city. But what most tourists will probably not be aware of, as they step out of their Venice airport boat transfer, is that the city is built over a myriad of small islands, inside a natural preserve called the Venetian Lagoon.
Formed six to seven thousand years ago, in an age well before Venice airport boat transfers, vaporetti or gondole, the Venetian Lagoon stemmed from the flooding of an Adriatic coastal plain. This flooded area was then sealed off by natural debris and sediments, leading to what would become internationally known as a "lagoon".

3 European Cities You Have to Visit

Basilica di San Marco, Venice (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Barbara Macdonald
There are 3 European cities you have to visit if you love cities built on canals. Each city offers an opportunity to explore and experience it from the pleasure of a boat trip on the canal. These 3 cities are located on a network of canals.
Venice
Brugge
Amsterdam
Venice was founded in 421 AD, as a place where people could seek refuge from barbarian invasions. Venice was built on several islands of a lagoon, then linked by bridges. It grew to become an important city. In 828 the reputation of Venice was elevated by the acquisition of the relics of St.Mark the Evangelist, which were placed in San Marco Basilica. Venice is famous for the Murano Glass works. It has a long history of mystery, intrigue and romance. It has been exciting visitors for centuries. Authors and movie makers have set their works in Venice. Henry James said of Venice, "A visit to Venice becomes a perpetual love affair."
On your first visit to Venice you must see the famous sites. Begin at San Marco Square. Take a water taxi, a vaporetto, from the train station to the square. Sit at one of the outdoor tables and begin to enjoy your Venice experience. You can see St. Mark's Basilica, the Doges's Palace, the Campanile bell tower while you sip your tea or coffee or glass of wine. When you are ready stroll to the Tourist Information Office to plan your visit, be sure to include a romantic gondola ride.

Venice Cavaliers: the gallants of the eighteenth century

Venice (Photo credit: BillT)

Author: Albapp

It seems hard to believe today that it was the excess of bachelors during the eighteenth century what gave birth to one of the most representative figures of the century of Lights in Italy, and specially in Venice. However, this was the real reason that lead to the existence of the cicisbeo, the gallant partner, not married to the noble lady who is often represented in important paintings of the period as a main character or as a secondary one.
Most of the time, the cicisbeo was one of the younger sons of a noble family, bound to celibacy or the seminar for not being first-born. The latter owning all the family's property, the choice of the younger ones was between a life in the Church or a life of relative luxury next to a lady. Many, as one can expect, chose the last one.

Events and Festivals in Italy (Spring Season)

Easter Sunday (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Kristie Haller


SPRING
The Italian spring begins early, particularly in the south. City streets and main sights are rarely over crowded (except at Easter in Rome). The weather, however, can be unpredictable and wet in the central and northern parts of the country.
Spring specialties, such as asparagus, spinach, and rocket, begin to feature on restaurant menus. This is a season of great celebration; festivals and fairs abound, especially in Sicily, and the Easter papal address always draws massive crowds to St. Peter's.
MARCH
Mostra Vini Spumanti, (mid- Mar), Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino-Alto Adige. Fair celebrating sparkling wine.

How to Do Venice in 48 Hours

Piazza San Marco, the Campanile and Doge's Palace (Photo credit: **Mary**)


By Katy Hyslop


Canals, gondoliers, romance, swaying buildings and mystery persons wearing painted masks. This guide will help you get behind the mask of Venice in just 48 hours.
Providing you haven't spent the better part of the day trying to locate your accommodation you may find some time after checking in to do some exploring. One of the first things you will notice is no traffic. Vehicles are restricted to the last piece of solid ground near the train station, Piazzale Roma. This is where the bus terminal and public carparks are located and where your journey begins.

Top 10 Restaurants in Rome - Dining in Elegance

Image via WikipediaBy Sarah Dudleymore


1). Agata & Romeo:Is a family based restaurant that has been around for three generations serving traditional local Roman cuisine. Its large collection of different types of wine to delicious. Romeo is an expert sommelier (more than 1500 labels in his cellar), he can help you select the appropriate wine to best match your desired meal. Agata is the chef known for her delicious unique recipes of her traditional Roman dishes.
Cuisine: Italian, European
Opening Times: Monday-Friday 12.00pm-3.00pm, 7.00pm-11.30pm, Closed: Saturday/Sunday
Location: Via Carlo Alberto,45
2). Checchino da 1887:This is another perfect example of traditional Roman food with a more wide variety and taste. Try the veal hearts with artichokes or oxtail stew. These are highly recommended by everyone. Don't be scared by this, they are also very good in serving the finger-licking homemade pasta, and salads. Desserts are a must have!
Cuisine: Italian, Roman
Opening Times: 12.30pm-3.00pm, 8.00pm-12.00am
Location: Via di Monte Testaccio,30

Free Things to Do in Venice

Image via Wikipedia
By Sarah Dudleymore


Venice is known to be expensive, but don't despair. I have created a list for you to enjoy Venice to the maximum without spending a fortune!
1) Piazza san marco is excellent place to stroll around the square. Do some window shopping, take amazing pictures of the great architecture and if you like pigeons, then join them in the middle of the square as they love to just stand on people.

Getting Around Venice - Transportation Tips

Image via Wikipedia By Sarah Dudleymore


'The Vaporetto'
In this amazing world wonder city on water probably the best way to get around (if you don't want to walk a full day) is the "Vaporetto".
The Vaporetto is a boat that is like a bus except it stops at a pier to pick up passengers.
A one way ticket costs 6.50 euro (2008 price) each way per person for any line along the Grand Canal, valid for up 60 minutes.
Before boarding a 'Vaporetto', you must stamp your ticket in a little yellow box, found on both sides of the platform. If you forget to do so, tell the guy that ties the boat to stamp it for you. By doing this, you will avoid a fine of EUR30 if you get checked by the ticket-person while in the boat. If this happens make sure the ticket-person gives you a receipt for the fine you paid. You do not have to show your ticket on board unless a ticket-person, comes on board and asks you to show it, but make sure it is stamped.
If you plan on using the 'Vaporetto' often, you might want to consider purchasing a pass which end up saving you money in the end.
According to your travel arrangement you will have different choices to get around in Venice at your arrival:
Arrival by Train at the Santa Lucia Station and using a Vaporetto
When you get off at the Venice train station stop (Santa Lucia), walk outside and go down a long set of stairs to the boat docks. There are two "Vaporetti" main lines.
You will have a choice of taking Line 1 or Line 2 to get to San Marco. Both of these lines make several stops including Rialto Bridge, but Line 2 is a much faster and preferred line.
Using Water Taxis in Venice
Water Taxis are fun and great for large parties of 5 to 8 people splitting the costs. This way is fast and fun, but it could be a bit expensive (approximately 100-150 euro depending on the number of people and luggage for a 20/30 minute ride into most parts of the city). If you use this taxi service in the early morning hours or very late evening, you will pay approximately 10 euro more.
Arriving at Treviso Airport (Ryanair)
The best and least expensive way into Venice from Treviso Airport is to take the Ryanair Bus Shuttle service for 5 Euro per person to Piazzale Roma in Venice. From there, you can get a public "Vaporetti" along the Grand Canal. Attention: Take the bus only to Piazzale Roma.
Arriving in Venice by Car
If you are driving in or have a rental car, ask your car rental company to allow you to drop off your car in the Piazzale Roma (big square on firm land) in Venice. Do not park your vehicle at the Airport location. From the airport makes the commute into the city much longer with a possibility of a higher cost.
Sarah Dudleymore is a professional travel consultant. She is working for "The Key to Italy" a travel agency specialized in Venice Apartments for Rent and with a wide offer of Apartments in Venice in San Marco Area

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10 Places Worth Seeing in Italy

Image via Wikipedia

By Orson Johnson


A truly multi-faceted land, Italy has seen a remarkable growth in tourism. Here is a list of ten hot-spots that you just cannot afford to ignore!
1. The Roman Coliseum - One of the first Roman Amphitheatres which was inaugurated after the death Vespasian in 79AD by his son Titus, the Roman Coliseum has witnessed innumerable historical gladiatorial shows of death and violence. With a capacity of 50,000, this overwhelming historical monument is a must-see in Rome, Italy.
2. The Leaning Tower of Pisa - This marvellous work of art which started in the 12th century and took around 177 years to be completed needs no introduction. One of the third oldest structures in Pisa's Cathedral Square, the tower leans at an angle of 3.97 degrees to the southwest and remains one of the most fascinating pieces of architecture to this day.
3. La Scala, Milan - While it is a known fact that opera is at the heart of Italian culture, the La Scala Opera House is one among the most famous theatres in the world. Inaugurated on 3 August 1778, this is one place an admirer of art and opera cannot afford to miss out on while in Italy.

The Best Italian Cities

Image by ryarwood via Flickr
By Matthew Kepnes


Traveling to Italy - The Best Italian Cities
The best Italian cities are difficult to pinpoint because there are simply so many beautiful places to go to it wouldn't be fair to pick out a list and say these should be seen, while ignoring all the others. If you truly want to experience Italy, then it's best if you spend a couple of weeks there or even consider staying there a while to work or study.
The following is a description of some of the best cities that you can visit.

Happy New Year's Eve in Italy

Image via Wikipedia
By Isabel C. Moore


Your new year's eve? Always with your friends or family, having a dinner and than going to parties? Well it is a time to change something.
For you and your partner you can organize the most romantic new years eve in Italy, a country of romance, sun, history and good food. Italy gives you opportunity to chose among wonderful cities, sea, lakes or mountains where you can spent the most romantic and unforgettable new year ever.

How to Have the Best Trip to Venice

Image via Wikipedia
By Mimi Rippy


Drift beneath bridges, alongside cafes, under balconies and through the vibrant Venetian streetscape as your singing gondolier sweeps you down the Grand Canal for a gondola ride like no other.
The magic of Venice will come alive as you float by gondola down the shimmering Grand Canal and make your way into narrow canals spanned by tiny bridges that make up a labyrinth of land and water. Gondolas have existed in Venice for centuries. At first, gondolas were used for transporting goods through the narrow canals of Venice, today gondolas are primarily used for tourism and ceremonial functions. Taking a gondola ride in Venice reveals a totally different view of the city than exploring it by walking. The best time for a gondola ride in Venice is later in the day when the canals are no longer crowded with other boats.