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Showing posts with label Italy travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy travel. Show all posts

Friday, January 28, 2011

Retire to Italy

A 5x6 segment panoramic image taken by myself ...Image via Wikipedia
By Mitch Bowler
Ciao! That is the most common word that you will hear when you first set foot in Italy. As we, all know the capital of this country is Rome where you can find St. Peter's Basilica, located in the Vatican City. This is known as the biggest Catholic Church in the whole world.
The climate here will depend on your location. The northern part of the country has a semi tropical climate with humidity. In coastal regions they experience warm weather, arid summers and a mild winter.
If you want to retire in Italy, you must have an annual income of 8,000 Euros which is US$ 11,510, for each retiree. If you are a European Union citizen, you will not need a visa to live here. For EU citizens all you have to do is go to the police station and make yourself registered as an acknowledgment of your stay in the country and then apply a permit for residency. For those retirees who are not from the European Union you must apply for a residence visa, which means that you have plans to stay in the country for more than 3 months and you have to show a proof that you can sustain your financial needs without working since you are already considered a retiree.

Driving in Italy

Autostrada del Sole near the city of Reggio EmiliaImage via Wikipedia
By Edward Pullen

I spent a week in Tuscany with my wife touring from one hill town to the next, along with a day trip to Florence. One of the best parts of the trip was driving. The experience is primarily positive, although does take some getting used to before real comfort occurs.
The driving can be broken down into three types. First and definitely the most fun is driving on the hill country winding roads. These roads are similar to the switch-backs you find hiking in the mountains, where the hair pin turns come one after another, and you feel like you are scaling a cliff at times. The drivers are generally aggressive but talented, and if you stay alert this can be a lot of fun. No place for the faint-hearted, but speeds are moderate and the turns keep you alert.
The second type is on the Italian highways, called the Autostrada and the Superstrada. Here you get used to kilometers per hour after a while, and the speeds of 130-150 seem less heroic. The primary thing to know on these roads is that when you see a big black car, usually a Mercedes, approaching from behind they intend to pass and you are expected to get to the right and out of their way. Use the left lane strictly to pass, pass quickly and aggressively when passing slower cars or trucks, and you'll do fine. The drivers are aggressive but skilled, and it can be fun.
City driving is the third type of driving. This is just something to avoid when possible. Park outside the city and take a bus or train into Florence, Rome or other large cities if possible. In the cities the traffic is snarling, slow, confusing, and not worth even trying.
Some of the most interesting things are the signs. Watch for tiny arrows pointing at road hazards and for the signs for entering and leaving towns. Mostly relax, enjoy, and stay out of the cities.
Dr. Pullen


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Pullen

http://EzineArticles.com/?Driving-in-Italy&id=5712221
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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Cows invade Rome for art parade

Fibreglass bovines popping up in streets and piazzas

28 May, 18:47

(ANSA) - May 28 - A cow dressed as a Roman centurion and another wearing the colours of the AS Roma soccer team are among life-size models popping up in Rome's streets and piazzas for the capital's first CowParade exhibition.

Herds of the fibreglass cows have been positioned around the city for the now world famous public art charity event, which has already visited some 40 cities worldwide including New York, Paris, Tokyo and London.
Read the entire article here:
Cows invade Rome for art parade - News in English - ANSA.it





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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Style City: Florence

Photograph og Ponte Vecchio at night.Image via Wikipedia

Style City: Florence

Florence is one of the most beautiful and inspirational cities in the world. Florence is where the Italian vernacular language was founded; it is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and of course is home to the famous and oldest bridge in Italy the "Ponte Vecchio", which is flanked on either side by magnificent, ornate jewellery shops that ...
Read the Rest here:
Full story: Irish Independent
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The 5 Secrets of Great Vacations

WeddingImage via Wikipedia

Copyright © 2010 Mr. Inside Sales



I read an article about how little time American workers spend on vacation. When compared to the French (5 weeks), and other Europeans, the American 2-week vacation seems downright discouraging. What is even worse is that when polled, most American workers admitted that they often didn't even use all the vacation time they had coming for fear that if they did, they'd be replaced!




Contrast this with another article I read on how much more efficient workers are when they are relaxed and refreshed. Stress, it turns out, is actually detrimental to good performance (ya think?), and the article found that workers who worked less hours were actually more productive, made less mistakes, and were generally thought of higher than those stressed out workers who are grumbling under their breaths about not having enough time for themselves or their families.



The importance of regular vacations and breaks was proven to me early on in my career. In fact, I plan my year around vacations and three day weekends and regular mini breaks. I find that it's easier for me to go full out for weeks or months at a time when I know that an exciting vacation or extended weekend is coming up. Also, I find that I'm much more excited about working hard after a good break.



What I've also found is that there are guidelines and "best practices" to ensure that you get the most out of vacations and breaks. After years of perfecting vacation, I offer, "The 5 Secrets to Taking Great Vacations -- enjoy!



Secret #1 -- Schedule and pay for your trips at least six months or more in advance.



Don't wait until the last month to take a trip because if you do, you'll take it. Something will always come up, something will always be more important, and you will always be too busy. By planning, scheduling and paying for your trips far in advance, you're almost certain to actually take them.



July or November or March will always come and if you've already paid for a trip -- you're going!



Benefit: When you plan that far in advance, you get to look forward to it for months! It's a great motivator.



Secret #2 -- Go somewhere special.



Make a list right now of the six places you and your family would love to go. Make this a family activity and enlist their participation. I like to have each family member come up with their three favorite options and then plan an evening to compare and contrast.



Then, pick one special or exotic places per year and -- that's right -- book it now. Go ahead, buy the airfare, book the hotel and car and pay for it. And then, have everyone mark it on his or her calendars.



Benefit: Watch the attitude of your family change -- for the better. Suddenly there's something bright, fun and enjoyable you are all looking forward to. Gee, the kids sure are nice to be around again!



Secret #3 -- Don't return to work until Wednesday!



Even though you get back Saturday or Sunday, don't go right back to the office. Give yourself time to readjust, run errands, and settle back in. Nothing ruins of good vacation more than going back to work the very next day. Vacation? What vacation?



Benefit: Taking the Monday and Tuesday off is like getting another "bonus" vacation.



Secret #4 -- Take at least one mini vacation per quarter.



Besides your one or two large vacations, plan to take at least one extended weekend, holiday or other three or four day break per quarter. Hitch a Friday and Tuesday onto a Memorial Day weekend, and voila -- you have a bona fide vacation using just two personal days!



Try to go somewhere on at least two of these, and spend the others around the house getting things done or just relaxing.



But all the previous rules apply: plan, schedule, and pay for them advance!



Benefit: Even more to look forward to!



Secret #5 -- Don't work while on vacation.



Your vacation is exactly that -- a vacation! Leave your laptop, blackberry, and paperwork at the office. Resist the temptation to check in with your office. This is your and your family's time.



Train your sales manager or assistant to handle all business while away. They will do fine without you, and it will all be there when you return.



Benefit: You will actually feel like you're on vacation and you'll enjoy it even more!



So there you have it -- the 5 Secrets to Great Vacations. I guarantee that if you follow these rules, you will not only enjoy your life more, but you'll be more productive at work as well.



Imagine that -- more successful and happier!



When is your next vacation?


Mike Brooks, Mr. Inside Sales, helps sales reps close more business over the phone. Learn how to sell more today by downloading the Special Report, "Ten Techniques to Instantly Become a Better Closer".




Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com



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Sunday, May 9, 2010

5 Ridiculous Travel Products - Save Your Packing Space

View of Naples.Image via Wikipedia


Everyone admits that packing for a trip is one of the most painful parts of the experience. Endless lists (which often have a list themselves), agonising decisions about filling limited space and the inevitable panic at the airport or train station when you realise you've forgotten something. This isn't made any easier by the seemingly constant supply of pointless travel products cheerfully promoted by companies. All, naturally, claim to remove stress from your travel experience, demanding space in your already bulging suitcase.




So what are the biggest wastes of space that we've found? Let's keep the list short, for fear of hypocrisy following comments about packing...



1.Pillowig

We open with a combination product verging on anti-social. The Pillowig is, as it suggests, a pillow that you need never take off, held in place eternally behind your head by an attached bathing-style cap and fetching chin strap. Sleep anywhere!



2.Stashcard

Where better to put your valuables than...somewhere valuable? The stashcard helpfully allows you to hide your credit cards, keys and cash in the empty slots in your laptop. Thieves will naturally avoid your personal computer when rooting through your belongings.



3.Vending machine urban camouflage costume

Urban violence. It's everywhere. Travel to any city in the world and you're sure to be set upon by young drug-addicts who will take everything, except your laptop and its secret Stashcard. But wait; there's a solution! To blend seamlessly into the urban environment where you are likely to be set upon, one design genius has come up with a skirt that unrolls into...a vending machine costume! The only thing giving away your impenetrable disguise is your shoes poking out of the bottom. According to the designer's website, she's also created a backpack that looks like a Japanese fire hydrant for children to hide behind. Bottomless creativity...



4.Weather forecasting umbrella

Thanks to a chip in the handle that receives a wireless signal, the owner of the Ambient Forecasting Umbrella will be informed via a selection of small lights on the handle if there is a chance of rain. Those of us without Ambient Forecasting Umbrellas can use the more old fashioned indicator of looking out of the window before leaving our accommodation.



5.Portable espresso maker

Thanks to the latest in mobile coffee preparation technology, you too can enjoy a shot of espresso in remote locations. With its "stylish black shoulder bag" measuring only 27 x 21 x 9cm the remote wilderness explorer can get his system buzzing with a caffeine kick. Incredibly, this simple pleasure is 'affordable', with the whole kit only costing you around $190.



For a look at the pictures of these travel essentials, visit the Escaped to Peru website using the link below. We assure you that they really do appear as ridiculous as they sound...



Do you agree with the selection, or is it a bit mean? Got any other nominations for the list? Maybe you are a representative from one of these companies and would like the chance to sell us the benefits of your product...leave your comments using the form!


Gary Sargent is the Managing Director of the tour companies Escaped to Peru and Escaped to Latin America and has lived in South America for over 10 years. Gary is passionate about life here, the people, customs and places. Visit Gary's Latin American travel website to learn more or to book your next adventure and don't forget to check out the useless gadget pictures!



Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com



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Friday, April 30, 2010

Find Airline Discount Flights That Will Save You Money!

Airbus A340-600Image via Wikipedia



Moment you think of a holiday, first thing that comes to mind is how to buy airline discount flights, because the amount you spend on your air ticket is a fairly large portion of the cost of your trip. This article provides few tips to find airline discount flights, whether you are planning a return flight to and from your favourite holiday resorts or around the world trip to visit a number of countries.




When you want to find airline discount flights, time of the year you intend travelling is also important. As you will encounter higher ticket costs, it is always advisable to avoid flying during peak seasons. Months of June and July, being northern hemisphere summer, are considered the most expensive periods to fly to places such as UK and USA. Winter holidays around Christmas and New Year eve are also considered to be peak seasons. It is not easy to find airline discount flights during these peak periods. The best bet would be to travel towards mid-January to February end and then again April/May and from mid-September to mid-December.



Another criterion to consider for finding airline discount flights is the time you purchase the tickets from internet. It is believed that the major plane ticket search engines such as Expedia, Travelocity release their new prices on Wednesdays. So if you start searching your airline discount flights from midnight on a Wednesday, you will have a greater chance of finding good prices. Nevertheless there is no absolute guarantee that you will be able to land on the cheapest fare just because it happens to be a Wednesday. You are only increasing your chances of finding the best price by trying on a Wednesday night.



Your flexibility on travel dates also plays a major part in finding airline discount flights. For example 2nd or 3rd of January are very busy days for airlines as many people travel on this day to get back to their places of residence from a holiday or a visit to friends and families. Air tickets for travel on these days could be higher due to the high demand. So if it is alright for you to travel a day or two later, you will be able to find discount flights. You will also face a similar scenario if you are travelling on or about a major holiday such as Christmas. Obviously not many people want to travel on the Christmas day, preferring to be home with their families instead. Again if you do not mind travelling on 25th December, you can increase your chances of finding airline discount flights.



Some budget airlines such as Airasia sell heavily discounted tickets a few months ahead of the travel date. In order to take advantage on such offers you need to make your reservation well before the travel dates. Sometimes these budget airlines offer a limited number of free tickets for promotional purposes too. Best way to catch these free offers is to sign up for the newsletters published by the airlines. Then you will be notified by an email to which you need to respond very quickly. You can use these free tickets by paying only the tax levies.



Flying with the same airline every time you travel will also help you to build your frequent flyer points which can be redeemed to claim a free flight. If you are flying a single airline over a long journey travelling tens of thousands of miles you can collect enough points for a short free flight.



If you would like to discover sure fire secrets in looking for airline discount flights, you can do so here =>> http://www.dirtcheapflights.biz



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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Getting Better Exchange Rates With Currency Cards

day 76 - credit cardsImage by JudeanPeoplesFront via Flickr


Once you compare exchange rates offered by the various banks and credit card companies, you will come to realize that prepaid currency cards are the cheapest way to go when traveling abroad. Most financial institutions will charge a 2% premium plus a three pound transaction fee for currency conversions. Prepaid cards are a new, safe and more affordable option to carrying your money during foreign travel.

If you opt to go with a pre paid card that can only be used at ATM machines there are cards with the Visa or Mastercard logo that can be used to withdraw local currency from over one million Visa or Mastercard cash machines in more than 160 countries. You have 24 hour access to your cash. This proves to be more convenient than having to constantly go to the bank or exchange bureaus to get cash.

Prepaid travel cards are preloaded with money that you plan to spend while travelling abroad. You determine the amount and how and where you want to spend your funds. If there are remaining funds on the card you have two options. If you are a frequent traveller of your particular destination, then you can leave the funds on the card. Your other option would be to withdraw the money. Your funds are never lost if you do not use the balance.

These convenient travel cards can be used as a credit or debit card. You are not restricted on your purchases, as long as your vendor accepts the Visa or Mastercard logo. You can also withdraw cash from the cards in most countries.

Currency travel cards are a secure option to banks and currency exchange bureaus. You have the added protection against fraud and identity theft. Travel cards are not like bank debit cards, they are not linked to your personal checking or savings account. So if there is ever unauthorized activity on your account, you can rest assured that your checking or savings accounts will remain unharmed.

Customer service is always available if your card is ever lost or stolen. A hold will be placed on your account preventing any further funds from being withdrawn. They are also insured, therefore any stolen funds would be replaced. And like all credit and debit cards, these pre paid card has associated PINs that you assign, making your funds even more secure.

Prepaid cards offer security, convenience and a more affordable option than banks and currency exchange bureaus. Compare exchange rates They give you the flexibility to spend your money how you want without the added costs of transaction fees. You ultimately get the best currency rates since you can secure foreign currency exchange rates in advance of your visit. This will save you an additional 5 to 8% on conversion rates.


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Tom Fisher is a travel writer for severla publications. He suggests FairFX - http://www.fairfx.com/ - for buying foreign currency becuase of their great value prepaid cards.


Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

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Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Tips for Cheap Holiday Deals

Irving lived at the Alhambra Palace while writ...Image via Wikipedia

Taking in terms of present context the role of spending holidays with your loved ones or along with entire family to give up your stress cannot be ignored. In fact, the best way you can take a much-needed break is by travelling or having cheap holidays abroad. Perhaps going for a cheap holiday can be considered as the great prospect to relax after having a lot of hard work. Going for a cheap holiday deals provide you an opportunity to go for an adventure trip or even enjoy spending some quality time along with your friends or family members in a beautiful setting. However, at times the plan of fun filled holidays can be dampened by the very expensive travel bills.

It's a very normal tendency that every human being after having a lot of hard work looks for various options to unwind and relax. And, the most feasible option that many people usually prefer is opting cheap holidays abroad. In fact, opting cheap holiday deals is what comes to everyone's mind every time we speak of planning for a break. Spending some relaxing time or enjoying a comfy stay far from home is the most common facility that everyone like to have. Nevertheless, at the same time every every tour needs money if you wish to enjoy all these.

No doubt, going for a cheap holiday can be more fun and exciting than an expensive one, but you need to put some efforts into the planning process. With just a bit of extra effort and proper care, you can plan a budget holiday that you can actually enjoy with everyone. These are some of the most important tips that you need to take care during your planning for a cheap holiday:

Be very clear about when you really want to go- It is very important to be clear in your idea about when you want to go for cheap holiday. Just for an example if you don't like to have trip during the summer season then simply avoid it. Usually the airfare can actually cost much less during the off-season. It is also important to note that seasonal pricing even holds good for lodging. And, therefore going for an off-peak travel be more feasible to explore other attractions as well. Perhaps going for a holiday during a non-peak period can surely be less costly than during peak periods.

If possible try to be flexible regarding the selection of location - These days many airlines even run or offer special promotion holiday package for certain tourist spots. Usually, they don't fly any other destination. Therefore, if you desire to visit any one of their holiday destinations, you can easily have cheaper airplane tickets as well. Always plan your transportation ahead of time- Nevertheless, if you are planning to spend holiday in more than one city then its better you look into your travel options well in advance. As a result, the best thing that you can do is go for car rentals service. Generally car rentals are less costly and can be considered as a good alternative if you really want to drive around or even check out the sights as per your own convince. Therefore, it is always better to book budget car rentals. But at the same time you need to be very sure that you are clear with the reservation policy.

Go for budget lodging or accommodation option- Now in order to reduce your cost-per-night the next best thing that you can do is stay at cheaper hotels, motels or rental apartments. Though, you must take care before making a final selection of an apartment or cheap hotel from a website and then get stuck with an unresponsive agent. So it is highly recommended that you do your homework first and then make a proper selection of your lodging. This way you will spend less money on your lodging.

Make sure to be your own tour guide- Nothing could be more exciting then being your own tour guide. All you can do is take a detailed map or you may even load up your iPod with number of site guides, and podcasts. Certainly, you will simply love touring at your own pace and enjoying sightseeing to your own interests as a great way to go. Moreover, going for economical multi-day or multi-site tourist passes, won't be the wrong idea instead of opting for the sightseeing buses or expensive private guides.

Apart from all these tips, the next and most important thing that you must try to follow is avoid eating in pricey hotel restaurants and theme parks. There are various other options as well, like you may find out eateries where you may enjoy some of the most famous local dishes as well. You can be assured of a place that is reasonable and one that allows you to sample local fare.

Cheap holiday deals can really provide an ideal break to revitalise your energy as well. All you need is proper planning so that you don't come back home with unwanted expenses or huge bills.
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The Best Travel Pillow

ChiropracticImage via Wikipedia

The Best Travel Pillow
Recently, many airlines have announced they will no longer provide pillows on their flights. This has many a traveler looking for alternatives. Good thing. In addition to the questions of sanitation and hygiene, those pillows were largely useless.

As a licensed chiropractor, I see many patients who return from traveling with all sorts of new ailments and re-injured old ones. Usually, the injury occurs during the flight, due to long periods of sitting uncomfortably. The right travel pillow will not only allow you to relax, which offers its own health benefits, but help prevent soreness or even injury.

During the day, the postural muscles in your neck are in contraction, to support your head. When you relax, your neck muscles relax with you.

Lying in bed, gravity keeps your neck and head aligned. When you are upright, like when sitting in an airline chair, gravity is your enemy. Especially, if you are trying to relax.

The standard U-shape travel pillows lack support under the chin. This allows your head to fall forward when you start to relax. Standard travel pillows also have excess padding in the back. This extra padding is unneeded. The airplane chair supports you in the back, much like your bed supports you when lying down. Making matters worse, this unnecessary padding pushes your head forward even further accentuating the lack of support in front.

Your head is now putting extra stress on your spine. Not only will you be uncomfortable and unable to rest, you'll likely end up tired, sore, and perhaps injured.

Picture your head and neck alignment when you are lying in bed. You naturally place yourself in neutral alignment, minimizing stress on your spine and neck postural muscles. You want to mimic this alignment as much as possible when you are sitting upright. Hanging your head forward or cocking it to one side is not only uncomfortable, but places great strain on your spine and neck postural muscles.

The best memory foam travel pillow is one that provides full support, including under the chin. This support helps you maintain proper alignment while sitting upright. Posture = comfort.

Maintaining proper alignment while traveling or sleeping upright is not only important with regards to personal comfort, but vital in reducing stress, soreness and preventing injury.

So don't be concerned about the airline's cost cutting measures. View this as an opportunity to get a travel pillow that works.

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Dr. Kirsti Neely is a licensed chiropractor and owner of Marina Chiropractic in San Francisco and design consultant for the Embrace Sleep Collar Travel Neck Pillow. Please visit http://www.sleepcollar/ for more information.


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Saturday, April 24, 2010

Looking For Bargain Cheap Flights? Hard To Find - But They Do Exist!

Ryanair is the largest operator at City of Der...Image via Wikipedia

Budgets are tight. In fact, it seems like they are getting tighter. This means that for many people, flying has become a luxury or even impossibility while it used to be a common mode of transportation. Thankfully there are bargain cheap flights that you can find, but they do take a bit of time and effort to find.

When looking for dirt cheap flights you have to be a bit creative and innovative as well. One of the best ways to do this is to really search out a bargain by shopping around between airlines. Do not simply check out one airline and accept that as your only option. Instead, you should look at their main competitors in that marketplace to really try to find the best deal.

Additionally, you may want to spend a bit of time looking at some on-line discount travel sites too. More and more of these sites have been cropping up offering bargain cheap flights. This has actually been a good thing for consumers because it has been driving airfare prices down. When you use these on-line sites, you can input different departure dates and times to look at your options. Then the results will show you which airlines are offering dirt cheap flights that fit within your budget constraints.

Be aware that when you are looking for bargain cheap flights one of the best things you can do is to shop early. This means that you need to plan ahead to give yourself the time to check out the airfares. Generally sale fare promotions are released on Wednesdays at midnight, so that is the best time to check your favourite airline.

Occasionally you can find dirt cheap flights just before your departure date. Sometimes there are last minute fares that will fit in your budget, but you cannot always count on these. Instead, they will become a good option for a last minute impulsive getaway. It is also a good idea to think about travelling during off peak seasons. This may mean that if you want to get to Arizona you may want to travel there during the summer months, as that is quite often when you can find bargain cheap flights. Whereas the very same plane ride might cost you as twice as the normal fare, during the winter period.

Many travellers who are looking for bargain cheap flights tend to purchase fares with no name carriers. Be careful if you choose to do this. Often these airlines do not have the same type of amenities that you would expect them to have. For example, if you are travelling with children and counting on having an in-flight movie to entertain your kids, you may be disappointed to discover that the cheaper airlines do not feature on board movies. Additionally, these dirt cheap flights are cheap because they consist of multiple stops along the way. This can greatly expand the length of your travel time. For some travellers this might not be a big deal, but if you are a nervous traveller or on a tight schedule it may be an impossibility for you to deal with.

While you do want to find bargain cheap flights you also must make sure you get a quality product for the money you are paying. You need to do your research and take your time in the purchasing process. If you follow these tips you are sure to find a pleasantly affordable flight that will get your trip started off right!


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If you would like to discover sure fire secrets in looking for bargain cheap flights, you can do so here =>>
http://www.dirtcheapflights.biz


Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

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Friday, April 23, 2010

I Love Italian Travel - May Attractions Of Central Italy

This picture was reworked by the Fotowerkstatt...Image via Wikipedia

Part I

So you are thinking of passing your May holidays in Tuscany or elsewhere in central Italy. Don't despair; there are lots and lots of special spring events that simply aren't available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; May is almost upon us. We start our virtual tour in Tuscany on the western Tyrrhenian Sea coast and then proceed in a clockwise direction heading to The Marches on the Adriatic Sea. There are so many things to see and do in central Italy in May that this is the first of three articles.

One of Florence's best-kept secrets is the stunning Iris Garden of Florence, a former olive grove on the eastern slope of Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks the city. As its name indicates, this garden includes a fabulous iris collection. There are also century old trees and an unforgettable view of the city of Florence and its surroundings. This lovely garden is open to the public only from May 2 until May 20; make sure not to miss it. The city of Pescia, home to about 20 thousand, celebrates Pinocchio's Birthday on May 25th. You may choose to celebrate it at the Pinocchio Park in the city of Collodi, population about 25 thousand, named for this author who unfortunately died without an inkling of the colossal success of his children's story. On the final weekend of the month the similarly sized city of Cortona celebrates the Archidado Games, which commemorate an upper-class marriage, which took place in the late Fourteenth-Century. You'll enjoy seeing townspeople dressed in traditional costumes. On Saturday there are religious ceremonies and processions and crossbow competitions that pit neighborhood against neighborhood on the following day.

On the first Sunday in May, the town of Tolentino, with a population of approximately 20 thousand, presents their historic Le Marche Festa. This is a military pageant that recreates the Napoleonic period. The key activity takes place at the Castello della Rancia commemorating an 1815 battle which some historians and others consider to be the first battle in the war for Italian independence. Between the first and second weeks of May the town of Camerino, population 7 thousand, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of the regional capital Ancona, hosts their Fifteenth Century Le Marche Festa that just happens to coincide with the festival of the city's patron saint, San Venanzio. A major festival highlight is the Corsa alla spada in which competitors race up the town's wonderful steep alleys and streets. Another is the Giostra della Quintana (historical jousting tournament). You'll definitely enjoy the local food and wine specialties.


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Once upon a time Levi Reiss wrote or co-authored ten computer and Internet books. And yet, he really prefers drinking fine Italian or other wine, with the right food and friends. He teaches computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his website http://www.wineinyourdiet.com which focuses on wine, weight loss, health, and nutrition issues.


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Friday, April 16, 2010

5 things we didn’t know about italy last week

5 things we didn’t know about italy last week: "According to Italy’s Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, the  Marsili volcano, which is located 150km off-shore, southwest of Naples, could erupt at any time, resulting in a tsunami that could hit the coasts of Campania, Calabria and Sicily.
Five days before the earthquake hit L’Aquila last year, 96% of male toads abandoned a breeding site [...]"
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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Dirt Cheap Flights - Where? - Hard To Find But They Do Exist!


You may be an expat working overseas, a frequent traveller looking forward to visiting your favourite holiday destination, or a company executive travelling often on business? Definitely you will be looking for dirt cheap flights, and will invariably find this is no easy task. How many times did you have to pay more than the normal price even after looking for discounted tickets in the internet? Late booking can cost you a lot of money. Given below are some tips for planning your trip and researching for cheap flights.




Most airlines sell their discounted tickets well in advance, sometimes even 6-7 months ahead. You can take advantage of this opportunity, if you plan your travel itinerary a few months ahead. Business travellers may find it difficult to cash in as their business meetings are generally scheduled at short notice. However if you are flexible in travel dates, you can take advantage of paying less for airlines whose flights are less likely to be full and sold out on a particular day. Traditionally airlines offer discounted fares during the mid week in domestic sectors, but prices of international flights could vary from day to day.



You can save money by comparing air fares from different airlines flying over the same sector. Within Australia, you may be able to fly cheaper with budget airlines such as Tiger airways, Jetstar or Virgin Blue rather than flying with Qantas. Similarly for domestic travellers within India, there are so many budget airlines such as Kingfisher, Jetlight etc offering dirt cheap flights. Note of caution however when travelling budget airlines is that you need to check if quoted price includes all taxes, carry on luggage, seat allocation and in-flight meals etc, as traditional airlines do not charge extra for these services.



Travel companies such as Go Holiday in conjunction with Air Asia offer holiday packages from Australian cities to many holiday destinations in Malaysia. All these packages can be booked via internet (airasia.com). Internet booking needs attention to details though, making sure you click the correct date, destination etc. The slightest mistake can cost you money as no refunds are given once the booking order goes through.



Travelling during off peak period also saves significantly, as airlines and hotels offer cheap rates during off peak periods. It will be expensive to travel during school holidays too. Simply avoid travelling during school vacations if you do not have to travel with your children. Basically if you choose not to travel at a time when everyone else travels, you can save money.



Every airline does not fly every day of the week, and often these airlines could be the ones who have got cheapest fares. So it makes sense to check the airline schedule before deciding date of travel. Some airlines offer cheap rates during certain time windows such as after midnight. For example Virgin Blue offers cheap fares during "happy hour" 10.00am to 11.00am Australian EST.



The above various ways to find dirt cheap flights may look a bit messy at times, with so many constraints when planning to travel. Therefore one must strive to look for other avenues which may yield better results. You will certainly be better off by finding short-cuts which reveals more secrets to find better deals.



If you would like to discover sure fire secrets in looking for dirt cheap flights, you can do so here =>> http://www.dirtcheapflights.biz


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