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Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Travel Tips to Italy

English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseu...
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.

Calabria - The Toe of Italy's Boot

Coat of arms of the southern Italian region of...
Coat of arms of the southern Italian region of Calabria Italiano: Stemma della regione Calabria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pizzo
Pizzo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Elizabeth Waddington

Calabria may be one of the poorest Italian regions, and little known amongst the British, but it is also one of the most intriguing regions of the country. Its Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts are extremely popular with Italian holidaymakers who throng to the region throughout August while British holidaymakers seem to head for the a la mode resorts of Puglia, the heel.

The problem with Calabria is that the modern world has brought with it organised crime, and organised crime has funded over-development along some, though not all, of this coastline. While corruption and dodgy dealings are rife in this poor area, there are some corners that have retained a delightful old-fashioned charm and simplicity and tourists need only use a modicum of common sense and they need not fear being the target of crime any more than anywhere else in Italy - the problems predominantly affect insiders, not those visiting from elsewhere.

The northern section of the Tyrrhenian coast is characterised by holiday complexes that crowd the flat littoral. The towns of Diamante, Belvedere and Paola are welcome breaks in the monotony. South of the River Savuto is the narrowest part of the peninsula, which was only reclaimed from malarial swamps in the last hundred years. Fortunately, though there are still mosquitoes, they no longer carry the disease.

Saturday, April 11, 2015

A Visit to Capri

Overlooking Capri harbor from the rotunda in V...
Overlooking Capri harbor from the rotunda in Villa San Michele. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Grotta azzurra, Capri, Italy
Grotta azzurra, Capri, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
View from Monte Solaro towards the Faraglioni
View from Monte Solaro towards the Faraglioni (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Mark McLaine

Capri is a small Italian town that is situated about 5 kilometers away from the mainland Italy. This island town has a number of resorts and is frequented by 2 million tourists from all over the world annually.

Reaching Capri

There is no international airport on the island and the only way to reach this town is through the boat. There are a number of boats which operate from port of Ischia and Naples. Besides this, there are a number of luxury Capritime boats which offer you water taxi services from Naples to this island.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Rome's Fabulous Festivals

English: View from the Piazza del Campidoglio.
English: View from the Piazza del Campidoglio. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Roberta Stuart

The Romans have never been a crowd that need much persuading when it comes to throwing a party or having a festival. In ancient times, an astounding 150 days of the year were set aside for rest and relaxation. Nowadays, the city's residents don't have quite as many days off, however that does not mean there is not an abundance of exciting and entertaining festivals to attend. Hotels in central Rome fill up quickly during these times, so those interested in attending particular festivals should book well in advance.

Festivals

Some festivals surround religious holidays while others are simply a celebration of music, art and culture. No matter the occasion, Romans love to let their hair down and enjoy a good party.

Natale di Roma: Not every city celebrates their birthday, but this one certainly does! "Born" in 753 BC, it is a city unlike any other. Every year, on 21 April the city begins the festivities with the lighting of the sacred fire in Piazza del Campidoglio. The party continues with the commemoration of the foundations of the city at Circo Massimo, followed by a concert there. City hall and the piazzas located on the hill are illuminated and from the balcony of any hotels in central Rome you will have a ringside seat - however attending the actual event is certainly an experience that should not be missed.

Monday, April 6, 2015

A Rome Italy Vacation - Insights Into What Can Makes Yours a Great One

English: The Pantheon in Rome, Italy
English: The Pantheon in Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Details of Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
English: Details of Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By [Kent R Kerr

Rome, the Eternal City, a place that has a permanent spot on the top of almost every American's list of world cities to touch at least once in a lifetime. Making the best of your Rome (Italy) vacation requires that you go armed with a few tips on what to expect. With these in hand, there should be nothing keeping you from making a success of your trip.

Flying into Rome, you'll probably arrive at the Leonardo da Vinci airport in a suburb of Rome, called Fiumicino. You'll arrive here if you are flying in directly from the US on a major airline. If you are flying in from elsewhere in Europe on a discount airline, you'll probably arrive at Ciampino, the smaller secondary airport. Once at the airport, you'll find that there are airport buses that take you to the Stazione Termini 'receiving point' in the middle of the city. You could also take a train that leaves from the airport every hour. What is the Termini? It's kind of confusing that they should call it the airport terminal, but it's just the place that you aim for in the city to start out with when you arrive. It's the transit hub for everything in the city - trains, buses, you name it.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Things to Do on Your Italy Vacation

English: A 5x6 segment panoramic image taken b...
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.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Top Winter Events Around The World

Rio Carnival 2012
Rio Carnival 2012 (Photo credit: phossil)
Buenos Aires Tango Festival
Buenos Aires Tango Festival (Photo credit: Gerrysan)
mardi gras
mardi gras (Photo credit: patrix)
Italo-disco party in The Hague!
Italo-disco party in The Hague! (Photo credit: David Domingo)

By ]Adriana A Noton

One benefit of vacationing during the winter is that you can experience exciting winter celebrations. There are many travel destinations that offer incredible winter events. If you are planning on taking a vacation this winter, below you will find a list of the top winter events around the world:

Mardi Gras: The amazing Mardi Gras in New Orleans is one of the most exciting and fun parties in the world. Many people from all over the world come to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras. When you experience Mardi Gras, you will enjoy wonderful blues and jazz in the French Quarter. As well, the streets are filled with partiers wearing fantastic costumes. Make sure you acquire many beads when partying and take a walk down exciting Bourbon Street.

Sundance Film Festival: The Sundance Film Festival in the great state of Utah is the event where you can see great films as well as A-list celebrities. The festival is held each January in Park City and is dedicated to showing and promoting independent films. People from all over the world attend the Sundance Film Festival.

Buenos Aires Tango Festival: Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, is the place to tango. Fantastic dancers perform and celebrate the tango. Both the locals and tourists can participate in free tango lessons. If you love dancing, the Buenos Aires Tango Festival is the event for you.

Bluff International Balloon Festival: The Bluff International Balloon Festival is a popular event where hot air balloons from all over the world participate in the event in January. Visitors can take part in programs that support local park restoration, educational programs, and art programs.

Shetland's Viking Festival: The Shetland Viking Festival in Scotland features guys dressing up like Vikings, lively parades, and the world's largest fire festival. You can experience the fire festival on the last Tuesday of January. Every year, people from all over the world, travel to Scotland to experience Shetland's Viking Festival.

Frozen Dead Guy Days: Totally weird, a resident of a Colorado community once kept her frozen father's body in a shed in her backyard. Authorities enacted a law against keeping a frozen body, but the community managed to keep one exception for the woman's father. Twenty years after his death, the community celebrates 'Frozen Dead Guy Days,' weekend every March in Nederland where a number of activities take place such as: polar plunges, snowshoe races, and coffin racing.

Carnaval in Rio: Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is a week long pre-party. The event takes place for 4 days and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. It is famous for its drag queen show. Costumed party-goers celebrate along the streets and the Samba Parade is a fun celebration.

With so many parties, parades, and entertainment activities, visiting a winter event destination will definitely chase the winter blues away. Whether you are in the mood to party or create really cool snow sculptures, there is a winter activity out there that you will love. The next time you take a winter vacation, consider one of the top winter events from around the world.

Find cheap flights and compare ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of [http://www.cheapflights.ca/]cheap flights and [http://www.cheapflights.ca/hot-deals/]cheap last minute travel flights.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Winter-Events-Around-The-World&id=5593698] Top Winter Events Around The World
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The Top Party Cities in North America

English: Straws Milan Steer wrestling at the C...
English: Straws Milan Steer wrestling at the Calgary Stampede. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: A large crowd of people at the Chinoo...
English: A large crowd of people at the Chinook Centre pancake breakfast during the Calgary Stampede. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: The Calgary Stampede midway, with dow...
English: The Calgary Stampede midway, with downtown and the Calgary Tower in the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Looking south from Top of the Rock, N...
English: Looking south from Top of the Rock, New York City {| cellspacing="0" style="min-width:40em; color:#000; background:#ddd; border:1px solid #bbb; margin:.1em;" class="layouttemplate" | style="width:1.2em;height:1.2em;padding:.2em" | 20px |link=|center | style="font-size:.85em; padding:.2em; vertical-align:middle" |This image was created with hugin. |} NYC wideangle south from Top of the Rock.jpg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Grant Ave. in Chinatown, San Francisco.
Grant Ave. in Chinatown, San Francisco. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By []David Leonhardt

Berlin? London? Tokyo?

Ha! North America has better, more bopping party cities than any in the world. Who needs a plane ticket across the ocean, when the parties are all happening right here?

NEW YORK, New York is the Big Apple. Fortunately, it is not distinguished for its nutrition, but rather as the city with the most bars and clubs in the United States. There are always plenty of parties going on.

SAN FRANCISCO, California, is the city where flower power began half a century ago - and they are still partying, both hipster style and in electronic dance bars from Sausolito to San Jose. Among the top places to party include the Mission and SOMA Districts, as well as North Beach

CALGARY, Alberta, is known as Cowtown because of the famous Calgary Stampede, a 10-day rodeo that draws millions of people to the city. Even if country music culture is not your style, the after-rodeo parties are epic. These days, the Stampede is as much about the parties as it is about the rodeo.

CHICAGO, Illinois is not only known for its deep-dish pizza and molecular gastronomy, but it is also known for its parties. Let's face it, pizza and parties go hand in hand. Does molecular gastronomy go hand in hand with partying? Not sure. But whether you will be packing the clubs until five AM, or spending the whole summer at outdoor festivals, you will definitely have a party-good time in the Windy City.

TORONTO, Ontario, is known as "The Big Smoke" for its pollution and "Toronto the Good" for its lawfulness. But those are not the reasons why Toronto is the largest city in Canada - it is because so many people have gathered to party together.

LOS ANGELES, California, is home to the silver screen - and every barkeep, waitress and bellhop is a hopeful actor or actress. This is the ideal place to party for future bragging rights. Party in Los Angeles enough and one day you'll be telling everybody, "I know that superstar. She served me a beer when she was younger."

MIAMI, Florida is home to all sorts of party goers, from the Fort Lauderdale yacht club jet-setters, to the get-down-and-dirty dancers in the Latin dance clubs. Then, find a party on the beach. If you like sun, and you like fun, you will love Miami.

ATLANTA, Georgia is known as the Capital of The South. Although tourists often come here to enjoy the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia Aquarium, you can tell the true party animals come alive at night in the downtown Atlanta's nightlife.

MONTREAL, Quebec, has a world-famous bilingual nightlife, where the legal drinking age is 18. People come from around the world to join the locals for the drinks at the many bars and night clubs, but they certainly stay for the beautiful French women... er, I mean culture.

BOSTON, Massachusetts is the Athens of America. Each September (Let the party begin!), it is flooded with a fresh crop of students from around the world, drawn to Boston's prestigious colleges. With them comes a rush of cultural enthusiasm, which has spawned everything from music festivals to hip clubs and Irish pubs.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics - that was one big party. From what we hear, they have not stopped partying since. Vancouver parties are laid back, so relax and party.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada, is a party capital. Any place called Sin City doesn't go light on its parties - but it does cost a bit to party in Las Vegas. Just remember the saying, if you go a little overboard in your partying, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".

David Leonhardt writes for the [http://www.barwhiz.com]Directory of Bars and Nightlife, highlighting some great nightlife in North America, including [http://www.barwhiz.com/canada/calgary/]bars in Calgary.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Top-Party-Cities-in-North-America&id=6830938] The Top Party Cities in North America
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Top 10 Party Cities in the World

Piccadilly Circus, London, Great Britain
Piccadilly Circus, London, Great Britain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
San Francisco sky
San Francisco sky (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
The Inn on Peaks Island – western vista to Por...
The Inn on Peaks Island – western vista to Portland (Photo credit: origamidon)

By []Hank William Klinger

First of all I want to start by saying that these are my own picks. I didn't do any research on the top cities to party in or anything like that.

These are places I've spent time at and love. I think its better like that anyway, all about the experiences and sharing them with you. There's gonna be some off the wall spots on here you probably never would expect. I used to party a TON though so trust me on this. And granted there are plenty of others cities I've been to that could have made it on this list. But I picked the top ten that popped into my head first of all.

So these are my top 10 choices for the best cities to party at.

10. Lima Peru - This hot South American is bustling with life. I first hit Peru back in 07 I think it was, I gotta say for the men Peruvian woman are gorgeous, and for the ladies Peruvian dudes are good looking cats, South Americans in general are hot blooded and like their parties. We would never even head out until well after midnight and then wed party all night and hit the DiscoTechues at like 8 in the morning.

 I highly recommend this for anyone looking to have some fun in another country with some great people. Head over to Mira Flores the major tourist hub in Lima and check out Aura and Gotica Nightclubs. These two of the larger and more trendy nightclubs in the area.

09. Mobile Alabama - Most people don't know this, but this is the home of the original Mardi Gras, it started back in 1703 and is the oldest Carnival Celebration in the United States. There are plenty of tanned bodies on the Gulf coast always looking to have a good time. Downtown Mobile has a ton of character, and you get tons of young par-tiers coming Pensacola Florida (Another Hot Spot).

And more from Gulf Shores Mississippi, this whole area is one big party really. Head on down to Mobile during the first week of October for BayFest Music Festival. Its largest music festival in Alabama, upwards of 125 bands over a three day period. Good times good food, and good people.

08. Santa Barbara California - This place has it all, a beautiful downtown, and State Street is off the chain. Buy Designer clothes by day and party by night. I've spent a lot of time partying here, and granted its been a while. Things haven't changed.

If you're looking for more of a house party and college party type scene head to I.V. or Isla Vista for the younger crowd and streets packed with par-tiers until the wee hours of the morning.

07. Hollywood California - Alright I couldn't leave this off, land of the beautiful people. Rock Stars, Celebrities, and famous people of all sorts. Hollywood is famous for a reason. There are endless clubs and bars, whatever you're looking for.

Head over to the Whiskey for some live music, or check out some burlesque dance at the Pussycat Doll Lounge. Or you prefer to get straight to clubbing check out Johnny Deps Viper Room. Whatever you're looking for Hollywood has it all

06. Juneau Alaska - Believe it this place is out of control, I had to throw this on here to encourage people to head to Alaska. The capital city has an unbelievable party scene. Especially in the summer time, during the peak of summer its not uncommon to have an extra 30,000 people in town from the cruise ships.

And Alaskans in general love to party, the beauty of Juneau is that everything is conveniently located in about three or four square blocks. I know this down sound like much, but there are more than enough establishments in this area. And when done partying for the night, head over to Pel Minis for some Russian dumplings.

05. San Francisco California - This is probably my favorite city in the world. Broadway is out of control and Chinatown is just crazy. Remember Big Trouble in Little China with old Jack Burton? Well its not quite the same as it used to be, but its still wild. And SF is just a fun city to visit, the culture, the music, and food, everything about it.

And yes the clubs and nightlife. Being from California and haven't spent a good amount of time all over the state, my hat go offs to SF for being so unique. Don't get me wrong So Cal is great too, but there's something about the whole Bay atmosphere that hits home.

Maybe its because I was born right next to SF, but I cant think of anyone who would ever disagree about SF. Make sure while you're there you see Broadway at night, and if you're a little seedier action there's always the Tenderloin But I don't recommend that area for the faint of heart or just anyone.

04. Portland Oregon - Gotta love this city, land of the free spirits and flower children. Portland is definitely a young new wave town. Very modern, and extremely liberal, its got a great nightlife and very good food. On a side note, Portland is takes the reins for the most exotic Dance Clubs within a city limits in the entire United States. Yes lots and lots of Strippers, its a fun city though than that.

You a Fan of Whiskey? Check out the Multnomah Whiskey Library. And after a big night of partying have some steak and eggs while watching the lovely woman of the Acropolis Club in Southeast Portland. Well they could be lovely at nine in the morning after a night of drinking.

03. Gothenburg Sweden - This is where I actually call home right now. And let me tell you that if you're looking to party with the seriously beautiful people, then Sweden is for you. Swedish people are just beautiful in general. And they know how to have fun; they are a bit more reserved at first. But once they open up, its game over.

Gothenburg is second to Stockholm in size, and while I haven't been to Stockholm yet to compare. Gothenburg will always hold a place in my heart. If you're looking for some good live rock there's always Stick Fingers. And if you're covered in tats like me, theres the rock bar which is right up your alley. On the other hand if you're looking for a more club scene type thing go except, you wont be disappointed.

02. Austin Texas - I was very surprised by the downtown area of Austin. Wow, this place had a great nightlife, and tons and tons of clubs and bars. Fridays and Saturdays they shut down all of Sixth Street and the place is packed with par-tiers for blocks and blocks.

If you're looking to some ladies dancing on the bars, check out the world famous Coyote Ugly. This place is great fun, good drinks, and wild as ever. I actually got hand cuffed there and took body shots off of a bartender, it was pretty funny.

01. London England - OK, this is the height of it all for pretty much everything. London is like San Francisco jacked up on juice. No joke, there are too many places to name here, but you gotta make sure and go to Piccadilly Circus. Whatever you're looking for London has it, I've never seen a more culturally diverse city. There are people from everywhere in this city, and during the day there is so much to see.

I suggest before you go out partying check out the open market at the Camden Lock. This market had everything and awesome street food. I could imagine what the open markets must have been like 2000 years ago. It was kind of like the troll market from Hellboy 2, minus the trolls.

So These are the top 10 cities for partying in the world in my opinion.

I'm sure everyone has their own. And I cant say anything about Asia or Australia as I haven't been there yet. Bali is next on my list; Ive grown into some different interest these days. But I still love a good party.

OK so I cant leave out my personal favorite party city. Chico California, its my hometown. It may not be the biggest in the world, but it packs a punch. And can contend with the best of them. Halloween and St. Patricks day are by far the wildest in Chico. Or if you're looking to flat the river with about 15,000 college students, don't miss Labor and Memorial Day. [http://www.Facebook.com/tattooedtravel]Connect with me on Facebook - Tattooed Traveler

Are you a traveler?

Always looking for that next big party? But cant seem to fund your next adventure? I used to have that same problem. And then I started blogging and working online. Now I get paid to blog and work online.

Its really a great life, especially if you're into Traveling. I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a job that you can take with you around the world, you can learn more about how you can work from your laptop and get paid to blog when you enter your e-mail on the next page by following the link below. [http://www.tattooedtraveler.com/blog/category/destinations-and-toplist]More Articles

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Party-Cities-in-the-World&id=8137959] Top 10 Party Cities in the World
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Southern Italy - Campania Region

English: Salerno, city of Campania (southern I...
English: Salerno, city of Campania (southern Italy), with it's castle at the background Español: Salerno, ciudad de la Campania (en el sur de Italia), con su castillo al fondo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Castel Nuovo, Naples: initiated by the Anjou, ...
Castel Nuovo, Naples: initiated by the Anjou, it was heavily altered as it served as Spanish headquarters until 1700s. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Italy, Region Campania - In the foreground the...
Italy, Region Campania - In the foreground the excavation of Herculaneum; in the background the Mount Vesuvius. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By [s]Yamila Fonseca Rosales

Campania is a region in southern Italy. The capital is Napoli also known as Naples. It is considered the second capital of Italy. Its geographic position makes it one of the best destinations for tourist, not to mention the archeological treasures it holds.

Most parts of this region are characterized by the presence of many mountains. Masses of volcanic origin can be found on the coastline. The archipelago is composed of the major islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. There are other minor isles which are Vivara and Nisida connecting between each other and to the mainland.

Along the coast are the charming towns of Sorrento, Amalfi and Positano. Ravello is 350 meters high on the Amalfitana coast featuring an exclusive destination of interest worth visiting due to its elevated position which offers clean environment, accommodation and hospitality facilities.

You can visit the excavation sites of Ercolano and Pompei which are of great historic importance due to their archeological patrimony. Visit Vesuvius and admire its National Park.

Foods And Drinks

The cuisine is well bound to the products and traditions of the region. The origin of many dishes from this area is Greek. The exceptionally good taste of food is owned to the fertile volcanic soil of the region. In fact, all fruits and vegetables from this region are highly demanded in other regions for their good quality. This can be considered the home of Italian Pizza. The symbol of the cuisine is without doubts the Pizza Margherita, prepared with tomato, mozzarella and basil. Other dishes include Cervella alla Vesuviana (veal), Minestra di Riso Napoletana (soup with caciocavallo cheese), Calamaretti all'Amalfitana and many other dishes prepared with cuttlefish, clams and local octopus. Outstanding red wines include Vesuvio, Taurasi and for white, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino and Lacryma Christi.

Thanks for reading.

Read other related articles about Travel and Tourism at: [http://www.cybertrony.com/southern-italy-campania-region.html]

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Southern-Italy---Campania-Region&id=3418498] Southern Italy - Campania Region

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An Itinerary to Discover Procida Island, on the Bay of Naples, Italy

English: Marina Grande, Capri, Campania, Italy...
English: Marina Grande, Capri, Campania, Italy. On the horizon, the islands of Ischia and Procida, and the Gulf of Naples. Français : Marina Grande, Capri, Campanie, Italie. À l'horizon, les îles d'Ischia et Procida, et la baie de Naples. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of ...
Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of Corricella. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of ...
Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of Corricella. View from Cape Pizzaco. Taken by User:Nathan Hamblen on April 11, 2004. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Location of Procida in the Tyrrhenian Sea
Location of Procida in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Procida
Procida (Photo credit: PhotoAgo)

By []Nico Muro

Procida Island, with its 4.1 square kilometers, is the smallest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples. It is the ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday. Coming from the ports of Naples or Pozzuoli, the maximum time spent on a ferry is no more than an hour. The arrival at the island, with its colorful houses overlooking the Marina Grande, attracts the sight and the mind of tourists immediately. On the waterfront there are bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and in the evening it becomes a destination for the islands' nightlife.

The flat morphology and spontaneous architecture make Procida Island a natural movie set. It has hosted famous movies such as "The Postman", "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Francesca and Nunziata". The highest part of the island is dominated by Avalos Palace. It dates back to 1563. It's citadel is surrounded by fortified walls to defend it from the Saracens. The Royal Palace of the Borboni with Carlo III has been transformed into the prison of Ferdinando II and then into a maximum security prison which eventually closed in the late 80's. The cultural and religious center is the Abbey of "San Michele Arcangelo", a Benedictine foundation which dates back to the 11th century. Inside the Abbey there are alters, paintings and statues. On the lower floors, there is a secret library that contains 8000 books and ancient manuscripts.

The quaint and picturesque fishing village of Marina Corricella is the oldest port of Procida. It can only be reached by going through the houses that are on it. The harbor has been inhabited by fishermen and their families for generations. It is very pedestrian-friendly, as the port is exposed to the sun for several hours a day which makes it a nice walk in the winter and autumn. There are some excellent restaurants that have menus offering their catch of the day, along with seasonal local produce. This is all a stone's throw away from the sea.

Procida is a volcanic island so its beaches contains dark sand. The west coast, from Ciraccio to Ciracciello, is plenty of beaches and restaurants. From this area, you can watch spectacular sunsets. In the afternoon if the Maestrale wind blows, you will see surfers and sailors. You can also see Vivara, which is a natural oasis which is connected by a bridge to Santa Margherita. Ischia can be seen in the background as well.

The inland areas of the island are less known because it is simply inhabited by residents. There you can find the lighthouse, the Cottimo and the Starza. It is mainly a rural area which used to be covered in vineyards. Via Vittorio Emanuele, the ancient road from the port to the inner part of the island, connects to Via Flavio Gioia which comes from the heart of the island to Piazza Olmo.

On this area, you can find some Apartments in Procida. The location of this area is perfect as you can walk for less than 5 minutes to the village of Coricella, Chiaia Beach, and Ciraccio Beach.

Piazza Olmo, which is in walking distance, is a popular area of the island. It is accessible by all bus lines.

On this area, you can find some [http://www.visitprocida.co.uk]Accommodation in Procida. The location of this area is perfect as you can walk for less than 5 minutes to the village of Coricella, Chiaia Beach, and Ciraccio Beach.

Piazza Olmo, which is in walking distance, is a popular area of the island. It is accessible by all bus lines.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Itinerary-to-Discover-Procida-Island,-on-the-Bay-of-Naples,-Italy&id=8164542] An Itinerary to Discover Procida Island, on the Bay of Naples, Italy
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Festivals Celebrated in Rome

Rome
Rome (Photo credit: tejvanphotos)
Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy.
Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: The River Tiber in winter with St Pet...
English: The River Tiber in winter with St Peter's and Castel Sant'Angelo Rome (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna
The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Rome
Rome (Photo credit: Elescir)
[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC)
[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)

By []M. Patrick Quinn

The Romans have been a festive lot since ancient times, when the Eternal City's marble-lined streets played stage to triumphant processions, colorful religious rituals and ceremonial feasts, held by a people whose sacred calendar was heavily dotted with celebratory occasions. In fact, the very word festival comes to us from the Latin word "festum", meaning holiday or banquet. The Romans of today continue the revelries with a vibrant variety of festivals, some unquestionably modern and others still very much rooted in tradition. For those studying abroad in Italy, Roma offers festivals of all kinds, not to be missed by students sojourning in the city.

Festa di Primavera -- The Spring Festival

From the end of March through the beginning of April, Romans welcome the arrival of spring with a range of cultural events. Guided tours of many of Rome's seemingly countless historical sites, including monuments and churches, are organized and made available for free, and a series of concerts take place on the famous Spanish Steps, an enormous staircase which surmounts the steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Trinit� dei Monti, and which once linked the Bourbon Spanish Embassy with a church under the Bourbon family's patronage. It is this stairway which makes the centerpiece of the Festa di Primavera, for which it is adorned with a pink sea of azalea-filled vases. No springtime study abroad experience would be complete without witnessing this legendary sight.

Natale di Roma -- Birth of Rome

If you're spending a semester at a university in Rome, chances are you're interested in the city's incomparable history. This makes the Natale di Roma, or Birth of Rome festival, a must-do for the visiting student. Held on the 21st of April, Natale di Roma celebrates the birth of a little city-state on the Tiber River that would grow up to rule the known world. On this date in the year 753 B.C., Romulus founded the city of Rome. The occasion was marked in ancient times and is celebrated nowadays with fireworks, dancing and parades around Rome's ancient historical sites, while the city hall as well as many of the city's palazzi, or palaces, are illuminated during the night.

Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma -- Rome International Film Festival

So many iconic films have been shot against the one-of-a-kind backdrop of Rome -- think Roman Holiday or The Bicycle Thief -- that the fairly recent creation of the Rome International Film Festival seemed long overdue. Held in October, the high-profile festival now plays host to international films in several different categories. The award statue is shaped like the famous mounted sculpture of the ancient philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius.

Roma Europa

There would be no Europe as we know it today were it not for the Roman Empire, so it's only fitting that the City of the Seven Hills play cultural capitol with a preeminent festival titled "Roma Europa" through the months of October and November. Attracting artists, dancers, writers, filmmakers and digital innovators from across the world, Roma Europa was named one of the top four festivals in Europe by the Wall Street Journal. If you happen to be enrolled at a   rel=nofollow [http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/default.aspx]university in Rome for the fall, give the books a rest for a bit and learn the arts at the Roma Europa festival instead.

Visit [http://www.johncabot.edu/]John Cabot University for more information about study abroad opportunities in Rome.

Patrick Quinn is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading web marketing firm specializing in Google Analytics, Education Lead Generation, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Marketing, and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other web marketing services and tools.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Festivals-Celebrated-in-Rome&id=8182097] Festivals Celebrated in Rome
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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Christmas in Europe

Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of t...
Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of this Christmas display with over 3.5 million lights. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Der Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt bei Nacht von der...
Der Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt bei Nacht von der Zitadelle Petersberg aus gesehen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Christmas lights on South Molton Stre...
English: Christmas lights on South Molton Street, Central London, UK. Christmas season 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A gathering of Carol Singers in front of the C...
A gathering of Carol Singers in front of the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, London England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Picture of the Ferris Wheel at the Hy...
English: Picture of the Ferris Wheel at the Hyde Park Christmas Market (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Cologne Christmas market lit up durin...
English: Cologne Christmas market lit up during the evening (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Christmas lights Nederlands: Kerstver...
English: Christmas lights Nederlands: Kerstverlichting (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
the sexy santa assistants were there to take a...
the sexy santa assistants were there to take a photo of you in front of the xmas tree or you could just ask them to take a photo with you and pretend that your girlfriend is a sexy santa assistant See where this picture was taken. [?] (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Christopher Walters

The ancient and historic lands of Europe have town, villages, and cities where some of them date back to the day of the first historic Christmas. Other mostly established in the centuries that followed but their long histories are closely tied to the holiday of Christmas. Some of have dramatic festivals and snow covered scenery straight out of a storybook. No matter what you're particular religion, spending the Christmas season with your family in the fabled lands of Europe can be a one of kind and all together magical experience. Here are a few of the towns and villages with some of the best Christmas celebrations anywhere in the world.

1. Salzburg, Austria

The town of Salzburg is not only the birthplace of the legendary composer Mozart and the setting for the iconic "Sound of Music", it has one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. It attracts millions of visitors every season to shop the hundreds of stalls, shops, and celebrations as the air fills with the amazing sounds of the season. There are children's puppet shows and choir singing songs, making this place a magical Christmas setting high in the stunning snowy mountains of the Alps. The town is light with million of lights and horse drawn sleighs trot along the cobblestones. There are countless places to find one of kind Christmas treasures, toys, treats, and ornaments. Step into a quiet caf� and warm yourself with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of wine.

2. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

This historic medieval town nestled deep in the Black Forest of Germany is probably one of the most magical and enchanting places to visit around Christmas time. Christmas is so important here that they even have a massive Christmas market that is open all year around. The city is transformed into a winter wonderland and the market, known as Reiterlesmarkt, dates back to the 15th century. Aside from the fantastic shopping where shops and stalled are filled with toys, ornaments, and heavenly treats, the town itself will have you swearing Santa's workshop might be just around the corner. The buildings are hundreds of years old and the cobblestone streets give the entire town a very romantic feel. Make sure to stop by and nibble on their signature treat, the Schneeball or snowball, which is essentially sweet fried dough, rolled in sugar. It's truly a winter fairyland.

3. Dresden, Germany

The Christmas market began in here in 1434 and is the oldest and most popular in Germany. The entire city is alight with Christmas lights and there is no shortage of holiday fun to have. From the Gingerbread Festival in early December to the Stollenfest to the Christmas Arch Festival, the holiday events last all month long. Each one brings to life the history, traditions, and customs through carols and dances and the entire city delights in the cheer of the Christmas season. The children are front and center for the season too. Santa and his elves meet with the little ones and there are enchanting storybook cottages that will have the kids sure they have stepped into one of their fairytales. There is also a children's railway and merry-go-round in the children's adventure land. Kids can enjoy puppet sows, story telling or simply sinking their teeth in delicious treats and chocolates. Enjoy authentic gingerbread in the very land where it originated or stop in and a local pub or restaurant to warm your toes.

4. Prague, Czech Republic

The Christmas season lasts all month long in the Czech Republic and the capital city of Prague hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. The city is wrapped in Christmas lights and the air is filled with the sounds of Christmas carols emanated from both the streets and any one of the gothic churches. The Old Town Square and the Wenceslas Square host the main Christmas markets where you can not only buy ornaments, winter gear, jewelry, traditional souvenirs or toys, but also hearty food and hot wine on a chilly winter evening. Enjoy some traditional seasonal food such as roasted ham, sausage, or Trdelnik, which is a delicious sugary pastry. The pubs are a place where you can relax, socialize and enjoy some of the local beer. The children will enjoy the Nativity scene and a chance to pet the goats and sheep or awe at the massive Christmas tree in Old Town Square. You can also enjoy phenomenal operas and symphonies as well. All month long, the city becomes even more spectacular than usual.

5. London, England

In the land of Charles Dickens, the classic Christmas tales come to life in front of your eyes. Seems as though every inch of the city is covered in Christmas lights. During the holiday season you can enjoy ice-skating and Christmas choirs singing into the chilly night air. A visit to the annual Winter Wonderland and you can see ice sculptures and shop until you drop. There are several Christmas markets that offer all kind of treats, toys, souvenirs, clothing, ornaments, etc, There are shows, plays, and symphonies to get yourself in the mood for the season. There are sleigh rides and Santa's Grotto along with a stroll through the 105-acre wildlife oasis. You can hear the story of Scrooge in London's Wetland Centre. The famous store Harrods also gets a visit from Santa giving the family a chance for shopping, photos with Santa, and even real-life reindeer. You can also see real reindeer at the London Zoo along with Santa and his elves as well. The list is endless and you are sure to stay in the Christmas spirit for a long time.

For more information on traveling to Europe please visit http://www.destinationeuropeonline.com/blog/?page_id=510

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Christmas-in-Europe&id=7946826] Christmas in Europe
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