Luxurious Sicily Accommodations That Fit Every Budget

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By James Iozia

Sicily accommodations are second to none. Sicily is such a diverse experience for the traveler seeking adventure, history, culture and tradition. And there is nowhere like it for breathtaking scenery and great food. It offers centuries of history, including many multicultural societies from Greece, Africa, Spain, Arab influences, and Roman empires. Art, archeology, history, folklore, volcanoes-all are represented on Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Holidays in Caserta, Campania, Italy

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Caserta is the name of a province in the north of the Campania region, and also the name of its capital city. This small area is mainly residential, though it has one major tourist attraction that is popular with Italians and foreigners alike; the opulent Royal Palace of Caserta and its spectacular gardens. If you enjoy history, art or walking in beautiful natural surroundings, then the Royal Palace will have something that you will enjoy.
Royal Palace of Caserta

Roses, Horses and Dracula on Europe Train Holidays

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By Anna Copeland

There is only one way to really experience Europe - train holidays! Cruises have been popular among holiday makers for many years, but they are limited to the countries, cities and towns that cling to the European coastline. With Europe train holidays however, you have access to those gems hidden inland and away from the well-trodden path of tourists searching only for the beach! The landlocked countries can provide some interesting and cultural experiences to those who like to learn something about the history of the region while they travel.
Here are some of the more unique sights you may encounter on your Europe train holidays.
Off the Beaten Track
Away from the touristy coastlines of Europe you can find a plethora of fascinating sights that are off the beaten track, and much more interesting. Europe train holidays can take in the delights of Romania, the Carpathian Mountains and SighiÅŸoara, - the reported birthplace of Dracula. Or you can find yourself in Warsaw wandering through the medieval fortress which was built in 1274 by the Teutonic Order.

France's Top Three Romantic Destinations

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By Dipika Patel

If you're planning a romantic trip with a loved one, there can be nowhere more suited to this kind of break than France. The country is renowned for its romance-soaked atmosphere and destinations, so why not take a ferry to France and experience the perfect break away?
Indeed, travelling by ferry can make for the perfect relaxing journey - and you can even sample some fine French food during your Dover to Calais crossing!
Of course, France's most famous romantic destination has to be Paris. Known the world over as a lovers' paradise, it draws scores of couples looking to spend some quality time together.
While there's much you and your partner can do in Paris, the Eiffel Tower has to be the ultimate place to start. This incredible architectural feat is particularly spectacular at night, but if you're keen to travel to the top doing so during the day offers fantastic views over the city.
Meanwhile, taking a scenic walk down the River Seine and enjoying delicate pastries and hot drinks together in pavement cafes is a quintessentially French way to spend a little time with each other.

Villars Is My Favourite Holiday Destination in Switzerland

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By Persephone Cavendish

The resort is particularly family friendly having a number of good quality small hotels and chalets for rent. The 222 km ski area, with its 77 ski lifts, includes the high 'Glacier 3000' which allows all year skiing. Skiing is free for children under nine years of age. The ski school is well organised and provides English-speaking instructors. For non skiers there are numerous walking trails, sledging, ice skating, spas and sport centres. In the town and surrounding areas there are a number of good quality restaurants ranging from Michelin star to basic pizza joints.
The town is pretty and is built in a typical alpine style. Its cog railway winds it way up the mountainside to the ski slopes. French is the main language but there are many English-speaking visitors. Summer visitors enjoy the hiking and mountain biking. The well-marked trails of over 300 km take hikers through vineyards, flower filled pastures and around mountain lakes.
There is a world-renowned golf course and a well established sports centre with an active tennis club. Visiting Lake Geneva is a wonderful day trip where you can visit the World Heritage UNESCO site, the Lavaux vineyards. The resort offers a free access card to visitors in the summer which allows free and unlimited use of transport, sport and leisure facilities.
For visitors who enjoy staying in simple, cheap accommodation surrounded by pastures and mountain views there are a number of mountain huts and refuges run by the local communes. There are various events which occur throughout the year including a Christmas market, the annual Villars BCV 24 hour race, ice skating shows, ice hockey matches and in 2011 the world martial arts games. During the summer the Montreux Jazz Festival is a 30 minute drive away.
For an outdoors, activity filled holiday in magnificent surroundings Villars is hard to beat!

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Holidays in Cilento, Campania, Italy

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By Phil Hanlon

Cilento is a popular tourist area in southern Italy, located to the southeast of the famous Amalfi Coast. Although perhaps not as well-known as its neighbour, the beaches of the Cilento region are just as beautiful as the Amalfi, and are usually a little quieter in the summer months too. The Cilento region is one of contrasts; in one day you could be walking through forests, where some of the last wild wolves in Europe live, exploring impressive Roman ruins in the home of Cicero and Virgil, and finally stretching out on a sunny beach and maybe going for a dip in the sea.
Roman heritage
There are Roman ruins and remains to be found throughout the Cilento region, but some of the most impressive are in the town of Velia. Home to Virgil and Cicero, two of the most recognisable names from Roman history, the excavated town now lies exposed on a hillside outside the modern settlement. The best preserved building here is the baths, where visitors can still see many of the original decorative tiles, while an arched gate dating from the 6th century BC is still standing. The nearby town of Paestum is one of the main attractions in Cilento for history buffs, with a fine collection of well-preserved Roman and Greek buildings, including three temples, and is classified a World Heritage Site. By now, the kids are probably fed up of looking at piles of rock, so why not take them to Castelcivita caves near Paestum. The mile-long path takes you through caves dotted with underground features, boating intriguing names such as the crocodile hall and the lemon room.

Italian Street Food

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By: Michele de Capitani


Italian gastronomic tradition does not only include restaurant dishes, or dishes that need a complex preparation and are to be eaten while sitting at a table, but also many kinds of street food, which are different in each region. Street food is very appreciated both by Italians, who like its traditional and intense flavour, its authenticity, its cheapness, and the possibility that it gives to eat quickly, and by those tourists that wish to discover every aspect of the places they are visiting, gastronomic culture included, and who prefer to shorten the time dedicated to eat in order to immerse themselves in visiting the city.

Greenbuilding In Verona From The 4th To The 6th Of May 2011

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By: Michele de Capitani

The fifth Greenbuilding, the international exhibition and conference on energy efficiency and sustainable architecture, will be held in Verona from the 4th to the 6th of May 2011. For three days eco-friendly houses, passive houses, energy-efficient buildings and wood buildings will be protagonist in Verona.

In an epoch where issues like energy waste, polluting emissions and the need to spare energy and to find alternative sources are constantly discussed, an event like Greenbuilding is certainly very important. Moreover, the event is one of the main Italian happenings as far as the promotion of products and technologies for an energy efficiency architecture are concerned, and through the years it has developed and gained the appreciation of professionals coming not only from Italy, but also from abroad. Thus if you want to know all the latest news in this field, Greenbuilding is the event not to miss.

Ragusa, A City With Two Patron Saints

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By: Michele de Capitani

In all the Italian cities there are always many celebrations dedicated to a given saint, whom the inhabitants of the city are notably devoted to as s/he is considered the protector of the city itself and of the people who live in it. In the day devoted to their patron saints Italian cities are enlivened with celebrations and many interesting events, which always attract not only the inhabitants of the city, who like to keep this ancient tradition alive, bit also tourists and visitors coming from other cities, regions and countries, who take the chance to take part in celebrations to enjoy a very special and typical feature of a citys culture.

Chianti Means Wine, First Of All

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The beauty and charm of the Chianti hills have been described by many. The grace of Chianti's landscapes and villages, with their little alleys and magic corners, and Chianti's churches, have fascinated passersby for more than a century. Out of all the attractions that this amazing region offers, one in particular stands out from all the others and has become legendary over the centuries.



Not many wines in the world can claim the same popularity. Brunello and Barolo are certainly good wines, but Chianti, although a little less aristocratic, is somehow more social and convivial. Chianti is a wine for both lords and peasants, a wine to sip at sunset, at the end of a hard day of work, while looking at the light that touches the long vineyards and the twisted branches of the olive trees.

Holidays In The Baroque Sicily

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Author: Pasquale Marchese

The Holy Week is the ideal period to discover one of the most charming areas of the island: the Val di Noto. The baroque style of cities such as Noto, Modica, Ragusa Ibla and Scicli, matches perfectly with the mystic, religious climate of the processions that take place between Palm Sunday and Easter.

Easter In Venice

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Author: sandhya jain

As with most parts of Italy, Easter in Venice is an important festival for reflecting and renewing faith and especially for families to come together.
The Easter holiday period is a time for the enjoyment of children and families visiting the city will find that kids take centre stage and are to be cherished. This is best illustrated at the Easter Monday fair on Via Alvise Pisani in the heart of central Venice. It features funfairs, sports and activities for children of all ages. A popular day out for locals, there are circus performers, street musicians and drama shows depicting biblical scenes all done with a sense of fun and freshness.
Church services and concerts across the city
Churches across the city welcome all visitors to celebrate the meaning of Easter from the famous St Marks Basilica to countless charming Gothic and Baroque churches that are themselves wonderful works of art. The old austere cathedral of San Pietro, the pretty 13th century Sant Elena or the spectacular San Rocco are just some of the churches that offer compelling Easter services. There is even an Anglican church in the heart of the city. The enduring sound of bells ringing out on Easter Sunday offers a melodic symphony across the city as streets are filled with solemn torch lit processions and music. Similarly a brightly illuminated flotilla of vaparetto boats leisurely cruise the waterways to St Marks filled with elegantly dressed local dignitaries prior to Easter mass. Everywhere at Easter one can feel the sense of cultural pride and faith that the occasion brings that makes it should an uplifting time of year for a visit.
Relaxation in the warm spring sunshine
Churches and museums open their doors at Easter for a series of choral and classical concerts often with free entrance and there is a special Easter proms season at the renowned Teatro Goldoni. Many cultural centres also provide children’s events such as the Scuola Grande di San Rocco which hosts a children's theatre during the holidays.
Easter in Venice is also a time for relaxation and there are several havens in the city where visitors can escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the warm sunshine. The Papapodoli Gardens is a secluded park ideal for a picnic or stroll along the Riva di Biasio which is a picturesque promenade offering lovely views of the Cannevegio Canal. This time of year sees an increasing active cafe society with pavements filled with diners and coffee drinkers enjoying the fine weather and colourful Venetian street life.
Easter activities are just a way of having fun. Do not tax your brain too much and do not relegate Easter activities into some sort of a headache. Keep Easter activities simple and enjoyable. Let everyone enjoy Easter with the Easter activities you plan. And try to involve everyone in all the Easter activities. So, take special care of adults and old ones who generally feel left out in these Easter activities.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/easter-in-venice-1868943.html
About the Author

Sandhya jain is an online marketing expert for CityVacations, with a particular interest in travel and hotel reviews, also associated with the CityVacations a leading travel agent from UK provides Holidays in Venice and International Destinations around the world.

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Easter Time In Florence - Relive The Traditions Of Italy

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Author: Steve Perillo

Florence, Italy, fondly known as the cradle of renaissance is one the best places to celebrate Easter. Though the Easter traditions here are centuries old, they are still practiced with great pomp keeping up with the age old customs.

Florence Easter weekend is probably the best time of the year to visit this city as it takes you through a nostalgic trip over the medieval times. The week long Easter traditions start from palm Sunday and lasts until the Easter Monday. The holy week as it is called is celebrated in class and style special to the traditions of Florence.

Special Events and Festivals in Italy

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By John Dulaney

Carnevale Festival in Italy
Celebrated 40 days before Easter, Carnevale is a large festival held before Ash Wednesday. The biggest celebrations are held in Viareggio, Ivrea and Venice. Carnevale celebrations are held in many cities around the world.
Celebrate the New Year in Italy
Italians bring in the New Year with music, dancing and fireworks. Celebrations may vary from one town to the next.
Festa della Madonna Bruna in Matera, Italy
This is a unique festival held in southern Italy in July. The festival's highlight comes when a Carro carrying the Madonna is destroyed. The Carro is made of papier mache and takes an entire year to create. Making the Carro is a skill passed down from one generation to the next.

Italian Lakes - Italian Culture and Holidays

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By F. Iglesias


Italian culture is celebrated multiple times throughout the calendar year. These celebrations include holidays, festivals, and feasts, many of which are observed in the rest of the world, however some of which are unique to just Italy. Many of these holidays celebrate saints, such as San Giovanni Battista, which takes place on June 24th and celebrates the patron saint of Firenze. San Rosalia (patron saint of Palermo, celebrated July 15th), and San Petronio (patron saint of Blogona, celebrated October 4th) are examples of some holidays unique only to Italy. However San Gennaro, which celebrates the patron saint of Napoli on September 19th is widely celebrated throughout the world. Italy also celebrates Palm Sunday (Domenica delle Palme), Good Friday (Venerdi Santo), Easter, also called Pasqua, as well as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday (Martedi Grasso).