There Are Many Types of Italy Tours

St. Peter's Basilica at Early Morning (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Phoenix Delray

People that are looking for Italy tours are often surprised at how many different kinds are available. There are ones that go to almost every area of this country and that have emphasis on many different things.
Many people immediately associate this country with Rome. They want to see this city because of all the historically significant features it has. They may also want to visit nearby Vatican City to see the artwork and possibly get a glimpse of the Pope. While this is an interesting place, this area is not the only reason that people visit this country.

Tours to Palermo - Beyond the Sicilian Legend

Detail of the bell tower. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Aman Kapur

When planning vacations time visiting Palermo, every person has different evocations associated to this place. Some people think of Palermo as a beach of cosmopolite charm, some others recall its historical connotation associated to ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, Roman, and the Byzantine Empire, while others associate Palermo with the modern urban legends of Sicilian "bad guys." Whatever is written in your mind, Palermo is a tourist destination you must keep in your list to places to visit sometime.
Located in the south of the Italian peninsula, Palermo is the capital city of the Island of Sicily, a city that was founded around 2,700 years ago, although there is archeological evidence that the city was founded not later than 8000 years BC. Sicilia is an autonomous Italian region in the south tip of Italy, with Palermo connecting to mainland via by train or car via its highway, although the Aeroporto Internazionale Falcone Borsellino is the easiest way to arrive from almost anywhere around the world.

Syracuse, an Amazing Sicilian Tourist Spot

English: Piazza Duomo, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. Français : Piazza Duomo, Syracuse, Sicile, Italie. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Author: Jacob

The city of Syracuse sits handsomely on the shores of Sicily facing the Ionian Sea. Probably one of the few cities which could challenge Rome in terms of power and prosperity, Syracuse exudes an old world charm that will transport you back in time. Make sure you spend some time in Syracuse while travelling around Italy.
This ancient city was founded in the year 733 B.C by the Corinthians and has a bloody political history that had seen the rise and fall of many great leaders. Syracuse was allied to Sparta and Carthage when it was founded and later became a powerful city-state in the Mediterranean region. Later it came under the Roman Republic and thrived as a port of trade between the Eastern and Western parts of the Roman Empire. The Vandals captured Syracuse which was not meant to last for long as the Byzantine Empire came to claim it in the year 535 A.D. In the year 828 A.D., the Arabs besieged the city and under their two century rule, they rebuilt the city along Islamic styles. Again in 1038 A.D., the Byzantine Empire reclaimed it and thus ended what seemed to be the most part of Syracuse's blood-spattered history.

France - The Rules of the Restaurant

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Liz Olkowicz


No holiday walking in France would be complete without sampling various forms of the regional cuisine. The good news is that there's no need to worry too much about restaurant etiquette, though a little basic awareness might help you avoid feeling awkward!
Restaurants and restaurants
In many English speaking countries, restaurant etiquette is relatively informal just about everywhere, apart perhaps from the very top-end establishments. When on a holiday walking in France, you may be pleasantly reassured to know that the vast majority of restaurants will also be relaxed and relatively informal. Of course, there will be haute cuisine establishments that bring with them certain formal conventions, but these are a relative minority. Dining is typically a relaxed affair, whether breakfast, dinner or lunch.
Yet there are a few things worth knowing!

Travel to Volterra and Discover the Real Tuscany

Vineyards in Gaiole in Chianti in the Chianti Classico region (Photo credit: Wikipedia) By Giovanni Balboni


Volterra is not one of the best-known settlements in Tuscany, however, it is certainly one of the most appealing. Of all of the hilltop towns in the region, there are few that can match it.
There are many reasons so many people decide to make their holidays in Tuscany; villas in this region provide visitors with rolling hills, exquisite landscapes, quaint architecture and a more relaxed way of life. Volterra has all of these in abundance, making it the ideal place to spend some quality downtime.

The Often Overlooked Beauty of Naples, Italy

English: A view of Mount Vesuvius from a convent across the waters. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Religious Tourism: Montecassino Abbey

English: Montecassino Abbey: First cloister with San Benedetto's statue Italiano: Abbazzia di Montecassino: Primo Chiostro con la statua di San Benedetto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)With the beginning of the summer begins also the tourism machine, and the religious tourism is not an exception.

In summer, more than in other seasons, the cities famous for their places of worship and religious buildings are filled with tourists and pilgrims. In this sense, Italy has certainly a rich legacy: the destinations most appreciated by tourists are without a doubt the Vatican, Basilica of Saint Peter, Padre Pio Sanctuary in San Giovanni Rotondo and the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua. Beyond these three main places of worship, in Italy you can find many other buildings and places of high cultural and historical value, and the Abbey of Montecassino is one among the most proper examples in this sense.

What to See Outside of Florence, Italy

Many towns, such as San Gimignano, were enclosed with walls, causing crowding and the building of tower houses. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Florence is a beautiful city located towards the north of Italy. It's been popular with tourists and art lovers for years because of its cultural sights and great shopping, and it's one of those places that you really should take the time to visit if you're ever in the region. And while a short break in this fashionable city is always guaranteed to delight, the surrounding region of Tuscany offers plenty more fabulous places to visit. Next time you're in Florence why not try one of these great day excursions to see some of the quieter, less touristy towns.

Plan Your Italian Holiday - Sardinia Wine Tours

Sardinia (Photo credit: giannisl)So you have decided to go to Sardinia, a Mediterranean island southwest of Rome. You can see their bronze age stone fortresses called nuraghi that are found nowhere else on earth. To a large extent Sardinia is the most traditional part of Italy. But it is also home away from home for jet setters who haunt the Costa Smeralda in the island's northeast. I'm told that the Presidential Suite at the Cala di Volpe has a private pool. On the other hand Costa Verde at the opposite end of the island is only accessible by unpaved roads. The local mines have been abandoned. Try to get there before it's "developed." Sardinia is known for unusual food such as Cavallo (horse meat) and Ricci (sea urchins). If you feel lonesome for Aragosta (lobster), Sardinia is perhaps your best bet in Italy but remember to bring your wallet.

Piedmontese Cuisine, a Hidden Jewel of Italian Food and Cooking

(Piedmontese version) Category:Maps of Piedmont Piedmont Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)In the Italian wine region of Piedmont (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the great things about visiting Italy is that each region is almost like a different country. Each region has differences in dialect, cuisine, architecture, and topography.


Italy is no stranger to great cuisine. It is virtually impossible to not have a good meal in Italy. However, there are certain regions where the cuisine is more noted than others.


Recently become renowned for its cuisine is the Piedmont region of Italy. Piedmont, which in Italian means, at the foot of the mountain, is located just south of the Alps in the northwest region of Italy. It is a very industrialized region, being home to Turin, the automobile capital of Italy. The restaurant scene is now bursting with progressive and avant-garde type cooking.

I Love Italian Travel - Wine Tours In Campania

English: Cetara on the Amalfi coast, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
So you have decided to go to Campania, a region of southern Italy bordering on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This beautiful region contains the ancient cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, which were preserved forever by Mount Vesuvius almost two thousand years ago. Then head west and see Naples, the regional capital that was once the third largest city in Europe. Go underground to visit the vast network of Greco-Roman reservoirs and tunnels. Of course there is quite a lot to see above ground such as the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) and the Castel dell'Ovo (Egg Castle) in addition to lots of museums and historic neighborhoods. As always, keep a close eye on your belongings. To the west of Naples you'll find several towns worth visiting, such as Baia, an Ancient Roman resort. Make sure to check out the Isle of Ischia with its beautiful gardens. If you have the time and plenty of money stop by the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri, very upscale tourist destinations.

So How Exactly Do Italians Stay Slim?

It's the picture of Italian ice-cream in a shop of Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)By Wendy Kaufmann


After travel, our next greatest passion in life is enjoying good food, and so our recent trips to Italy left us with not only wonderful memories, new travel ideas, and great holiday snaps, but it also left us with a whole lot more than an inch to pinch!
A country passionate about everything from the way they speak to each other (hands and all!), the way they dress (don't forget the sunglasses!), and the way they cook, the Italians certainly know how to live life to its fullest, and their Mediterranean style of cooking tickles the taste buds in all the right places.
From teeny tiny espresso's and sweet treats for breakfast, to pizza lunches, and pasta and salad evening menus, they really know how to create a delicious meal from simple ingredients, and that's before you even get started on the gelato!

Vatican City State: a Unique Country

Vatican (Photo credit: tejvanphotos)

The Vatican is a truly unique state within a city, a city-museum which is inextricably linked to the history of the Roman Empire. Here, unique works of the best artists of all ages can be seen literally everywhere. Temples, palaces, museum collections of ancient art, masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture are noteworthy and attract the guests' attention. Despite the small area of the Vatican, it is widely known throughout the world. The sights of this city make it very attractive for tourists. One of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the Vatican City is the St. Peter's Cathedral. It is located on St. Peter's Square, designed by the famous Bernini. It has an oval shape and is surrounded by a row of pillars, which includes four rows of Doric pillars crowned by a balustrade with the statues of saints. In the center of the square, there is the Egyptian Obelisk, which was brought to the Vatican by Caligula, and two fountains built in the 17th century.

Travel Money - Which Currency Should You Take on Holiday?

By Wendy Kaufmann

With the Eurozone in turmoil yet again and the ever-fluctuating exchange rates, it can be difficult for holidaymakers and travellers to know how, when, and where they should exchange their hard-earned cash into foreign currency.
Greece is getting more than its fair share of bad press at the moment, and while there seems to be a real threat of them exiting the Eurozone and the Euro currency, holidaymakers are still being encouraged to visit the Greek Islands and take advantage of the cut-price deals available.
In the event that Greece does return to the Drachma during the summer months, there will almost certainly be a transition period where both Euros and Drachmas are accepted, but tourists are being advised to take a mixture of cash (Pounds and Euros), a credit card, and a prepaid card, to cover every eventuality. Holiday Insurance is also highly recommended, and if you book your trip through an ATOL-bonded tour operator, your flights and accommodation will be protected.
If the 'Grexit' does take place the Euro will most certainly be affected, and so anyone travelling within the Eurozone should probably hold onto their pounds, dollars, and any other foreign currency for as long as possible, and exchange just before you leave home or when you arrive at your chosen destination.
Credit and Debit cards are by far the easiest and often the cheapest way to get hold of your holiday spending money, and providing you bank or CC provider does not charge you an excessive amount for withdrawing cash abroad, you can benefit from up-to-date exchange rates directly from the bank.

Popular Day Trips From Florence, Italy

Many towns, such as San Gimignano, were enclosed with walls, causing crowding and the building of tower houses. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)



By Larry Aiello


The city of Florence is a true artistic treasure, filled with lots of art and museums, along with the great fashion and is truly a must-see destination when you visit the country of Italy. However, if you do have some time and want to escape the city life to more tranquil destinations, then you should consider these popular day trips from Florence:
San Gimignano
From Florence, you can take a rental car and drive through the beautiful wine country down to San Gimignano, an example of Renaissance beauty. This town is famous for its medieval towers that will impress you very quickly as you approach the town. There is a charming old part of town that is easily accessible on foot. You can check out some of the restaurants, shops, alleyways and piazzas. Be sure to savor some of the local white wine called Vernaccia di San Gimignano.