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Monday, February 28, 2011

How to Find the Best Beaches in the South of Italy

Mondello beach, PalermoImage via Wikipedia
Author: Enrico

The Sicily island is the perfect place to find beautiful beaches and warm waters to swim. If you think to go on holiday in the south of Italy, then the Sicilian island is what you need...let's examine 9 great reasons

There are different type of beaches in Sicily, the oriental coast in characterized by Reefs and sable beaches, the south coast is full undiscovered by the mass tourism and the north-west coasts are little more crowded and well known for sport and summer events.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I Love Touring Italy - Carnevale Season In Trentino

Trento,Trentino-Alto Adige, ItaliaImage via Wikipedia


The bilingual (Italian and German) region of Trentino-Alto Adige is on the border of Switzerland and Austria in northeast Italy. Given its heavily Germanic character don't be surprised that Carnevale here is fairly unique.



The village of Valfloriana population about 500 is located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Trento. Its Matoci Carnival is named after comical characters dressed in colorful outfits, festooned with bright ribbons and traditional wooden masks that cover their faces, known as "facere". One of the most spectacular events during the carnival period is the "Descent of the Matoci", a tradition here and in surrounding villages. A masked procession leaves the villages to meet at a village square. This descent symbolizes the return to normal life after a difficult winter spent in isolation. There's music, dancing, and sweets and a masked ball at night.


5 Things You Probably Don't Know About the Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower, ParisImage by Anirudh Koul via Flickr
Author: Fredrik

1. The French government first announced the plan to build an iron monument on the Champ de Mars by opening up a design contest to the public. The results were secretly predetermined as soon as Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel presented his idea. His structure was so original and magnificent that no other contest entries could compare.
2. Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel, later known as "the Iron Magician," was the mastermind behind building the Eiffel Tower. Despite his engineering achievements, he's not nearly as famous as the structures he helped create. After the tower was completed, Eiffel continued to live and work inside of his masterpiece for the next thirty years.
3. Eiffel's iron giant not only offers visitors spectacular views of Paris, but also two fantastic restaurants. There is nothing like enjoying delicious French cuisine inside the nation's most famous monument. Restaurant Altitude 95 overlooks the river Siene and is located on the first platform of the tower. Jules Verne is the restaurant on the second platform and reservations are required in order to eat there.
4. Standing at 1,063 ft. tall, approximately equivalent to 108 stories, the Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. When it was first built in 1889, it was the tallest structure in the world.
5. Not many people thought of the tower as anything special at first. In fact, it was originally going to be torn down in 1909 to be sold as scrap metal. The tower was spared to be used for communication.
Over 200 million people have visited this famous landmark since it was first opened to the public. It continues to be one of the most beautiful and loved structures in the world.
© Things To Do In Paris 2011
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/5-things-you-probably-dont-know-about-the-eiffel-tower-4295160.html
About the Author

My name is Fredrik Erixon and I'm the president of a small Advertising Agency in Stockholm. I love to Travel and see new places.

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Top 5 Historical Sites in Florence

05-24-04 Florence 0060Image by clare_and_ben via Flickr
Author: Kristel van Winkel

  1. The Duomo
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church or Duomo of Florence and is absolutely worth a visit. The building process begun in 1296 and was completed in 1436. The Duomo has a Gothic style and is a design of Arnolfo di Cambio. The complex includes the Baptistery and Giotto's Campanile. The three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Duomo is one of Italy's largest churches and has the largest brick dome ever constructed. It is located at Piazza del Duomo, which is a very nice square, with terraces and shops. You could walk the stairs all the way to the top of the tower Giotto's Campile and have an amazing view over Florence.

Cooking Pots For Giants in Northern Italy

Chiavenna - Porticato della Collegiata di S. L...Image via Wikipedia
By Marcus Smith

Many visitors to northern Italy visit the region of Lombardy, and particularly the lakes. The best known of these lakes is called lake Como, and is usually explored from the town of Como itself. The lake is extensive, and in a lovely setting surrounded by mountains. All leisure activities are close to hand, both hiking and cycling in the surrounding area and water-based activities on the lake itself.
During your visit we suggest you take a trip about 30 kilometers to the north to visit the region around the small town of Chiavenna. Less well known than the main lake resorts, it has an interesting old town to discover and there are several fascinating and impressive natural highlights to discover nearby.

5 Rome, Italy Annual Cultural Festivals Not to Be Missed

Piazza Navona - RomaImage via Wikipedia
By James Burrows


With Rome being absolutely crammed with culture it is no surprise that the locals like to share this culture with the rest of the world. Throughout the year there are a number of events which take place which, whilst enjoyed by the local residents, are also a great excuse for tourists to visit this marvellous city. The festivals, whilst varying in nature, are consistent in the pleasure and richness that they add to the already charming culture of Rome. Below are just some of these festivals which you may like to attend:

Friday, February 25, 2011

The 5 Best Beaches on Sicily

Giardini Naxos, Sicily at sunriseImage via Wikipedia
Author: Rodney Ritchie

Sicily's beaches are renowned as some of Italy's best, with transparent blue-green waters, long sandy beaches and nearby picturesque villages. While everyone has his own opinion about which beach should make the top five, here are five of the most popular and possibly the best Sicily has to offer, and certainly worth a visit on your holiday.


Holidays in Sicily: Marina di Ragusa

Spiaggia Dogana Marina di Ragusa Sicilia SicilyImage by AstroAlbert via Flickr
Author: Francesca Tessarollo

Thanks to the colours of its landscapes, to the number of artistic and cultural sites that all of its cities offer, to a crystal clear sea, and last but not least, to its wines and typical products, Sicily is an inexhaustible source or culture, amusement and relaxation. Every part of Sicily is worth a visit, no matter if you decide to visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, to sleep in Ragusa or to lay on Mondello beach: in any case you can be sure to spend an unforgettable holiday.

A Quick Tour of Italy - Eastern Sicily

Mount Etna (Sicily) viewed from the Greek amph...Image via Wikipedia
Author: Levi Reiss

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the island of Sicily, a region of southern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area can be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. And parts of Sicily haven't yet been discovered by tourists. This short article presents eastern Sicily. A companion article presents western Sicily; another presents the capital Palermo.



Messina is Sicily's third largest city. Founded by the Ancient Greeks it often changed hands over the centuries. The University of Messina started out as the world's first Jesuit College, founded by St. Ignatius himself. In 1908 the city was virtually destroyed by an earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. Make sure to see the cathedral, the Calapaj Palace, and the Sixteenth Century lighthouse.


Thursday, February 24, 2011

5 Reasons Why You Must Visit the Vatican, Italy

The Vatican Museums are the world's 37th most ...Image via Wikipedia
By James Burrows

When you think of the sights of most religious significance in the world, towards the top of the list for many people will be St Peter's Square in Vatican City. Vatican City is a district if Rome of which the official leader is the Pope. The area has been the home of the Pope since the 14th century, and it is for this reason that thousands of people descend upon the area each year for religious purposes. Visiting the Vatican, however, is not only something that appeals to the religious tourist; there is plenty of culture and history amongst other attractions which make the Vatican a must-visit location. Below are some of the reasons why you must visit the Vatican:

Trendy Eats in Rome

squash blossom, zucchini, corn fritters, and s...Image by kthread via Flickr
By Roo Sadegi

The former printworks of the Il Manifesto daily paper provide a post-industrial setting for Reef, a restaurant masterminded by Antonello Colonna, the Italian government's banqueting supremo. The design, by Marco and Ginaluigi Giammetta, is bold and raw-edged, right down to the sand on the floor which gives the place its name. Glass, iron, and light provide the ambiance for an inventive seafood cuisine that artfully marries the savours of vegetables, fish, and shellfish. Outstanding specialties include saltimbocca di rana pescatrice alla salsa di marsala (roulade of frog in marsala wine sauce), rombo (turbot) with artichokes, moscardini (small fish) kebabs with a salad of broad beans and Pecorino cheese, and swordfish couscous. For fans of raw fish, the sushi, sashimi, and makisushi menus change daily, depending on the latest catch.
Reef

Friday, February 18, 2011

5 Restaurants You Must Try in the Champs Elysees, Paris Area

Bistro Jeanty - Restaurant FrontImage by ZagatBuzz via Flickr
By James Burrows

The Champs Elysees is one of the busiest areas in Paris and one of the most popular with tourist. As part of the manufactured evolution of the area, many restaurants have opened in and around the Champs Elysees over the years. There are restaurants to suit all tastes, and budgets and expectations. Below are just some of the restaurants in the area which must be tried:
Chez Catherine - Chez Catherine is a must try for those who seek a quiet location away from the busyness of the city. It is nicely located down a quiet side street and the chef, who happens to be the regarded as one of the top female chefs in the country, uses fresh local produce to create traditional French dishes which have more than a hint of a south-western influence.

Things to See and Do With Kids In Rome, Italy

TreviFountainFromLeftSideImage via Wikipedia
By Aidan Fitzgerald

Rome for younger children
You may not think it, but Rome can actually be fun for the very young as well as the older culture buffs amongst you. Located in Via Flamini is Explora, the Rome Children's Museum. This is a must visit for the young ones. The trip through the museum is set up in four sections, Me, Society, Environment, and Communication. Children can learn about the world around them through games and activities under the watchful eye of the museum staff. The museum also has a soft play area for very young children.
The Teatro San Carlino is a puppet theatre in Borghese Gardens, on Viale dei Bambini (Children's Way). Colombina can be seen clubbing the head of Pulcinella for having eaten her master's supper. Children will delight at the antics of the misfortunate Pulcinella. There is also a little train, which can transport the little ones around the park, leaving from Viale Goethe.
Bioparco which is part of Borghese Gardens also includes Rome Zoo which is must stop for families. The park has lots of special areas and exhibits just for children. The Zoo itself hosts nearly 1000 animals from over 200 species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds.

I Love Italian Travel - Umbria Carnevale Season

Spoleto: Albornozian Castle and Ponte delle TorriImage via Wikipedia
The city of Sant'Eraclio, Umbria is situated approximately some 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast of the regional capital, Perugia. Its Carnevale was originated back in 1542 by the Olivetani friars of Mormonzone, who lived in a nearby convent that has long been abandoned. These forward-looking friars felt that the local populace deserved their own merry-making on the streets to balance the local gentry's exclusive palace parties. Good for them! Originally Sant'Eraclio Carnevale meant parades of oxen-drawn carts festooned with branches and flowers, and the people dancing and singing to the music of flutes and trumpets played by men and women in the traveling carts. But during the Seventeenth Century the Church decried this Carnevale as sinful and banned it. I have the impression that the local gentry's exclusive palace parties were not banned. Approximately a century later Carnevale was allowed to resume, but in this region only in Sant'Eraclio. Carnivale continued here without interruption until the Second World War.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The Real Reasons Why Brits Appreciate Property In Brittany

Nantes: the Erdre river and the Bretagne tower.Image via Wikipedia
To many people, Brittany is practically a nation on its very own. While France by itself is extremely different and distinctive, starting from the allure as well as charm of the city of Paris to the actual splendour of the Alps, this specific region does have its special fascination. You will find an assortment of conventional and also modern daily life and a lot of attraction to those dynamic retirees among you.

Brittany is actually dominated by the ocean, which borders the region on three sides. Its own specific topography is just as varied as its people and the lifestyles, with rocky granite mountains and also cliffs perhaps the most distinctive element. The particular well-known cities of Nantes and Rennes, the capital of the region tend to be exceptional tourist destinations.