So Many Reasons Why to Retire in Italy

By Mitch Bowler
Famous for its romantic cities, such as Florence and Venice, no other country aside from Italy has the right to claim such beautiful and romantic cities. Get to enjoy "the sweet life" or la dolce vita as many would say here in the most seductive country in Europe. Enjoy the climate in an Italian villa and experience cultural immersion in this land. There are many sites to see in this enchanting country so make plans while you stay here to get enjoy as much of it as possible.
The Vatican City (a country within a city) is where the main Episcopal of the Roman Catholics' can be found in Italy. It is an ecclesiastical state of Rome, which is ruled by the Pope. This only shows that Italy, being a Catholic nation has high regards for their religion. If you are the type of person who strongly believes in God, then Italy is where you should be.
Italy, particularly in Milan, is home to different high-end fashion brands such as Prada, so if you love to shop, this country is a surefire shopping haven for you. Italian is the main language in this country, so for those retirees planning a lifelong stay here, it would be better if they start learning basic Italian. The food, especially its pasta and pizza are flawlessly mastered to give Italians' and foreigners alike a true taste of fine Italian cuisine. Italy is also called "The Wine Country"; an opportunity not to be missed especially if you consider yourself a wine connoisseur.
The country is one of the worlds richest in terms of economy therefore resulting to a very high standard of living. The country is well industrialized pertaining to its different infrastructure and on going developments made by the Italian government.
It is expected that an industrialized country like Italy to have a high-class healthcare system, indeed the worlds 2nd best healthcare system. In education, its literacy rate is high due to free compulsory education available from the government for students 6-14 years of age.
However, retiring in Italy is not as easy as with other countries and you will have to obtain an elective residency visa for you to stay and live in this country as a retiree. You have to show proof of income coming from your retirement funds and other sources, but not from your current employment. For those of you who decide to take the plunge and relocate here you will never regret the decision. Once you are officially settled here this paradise will definitely give you more than what you have expected.
Mitch Bowler is an avid traveler, having lived the majority of his adult life overseas exploring different cultures and learning about the best that each has to offer the expatriates who live there.
Visit http://www.retiring-overseas.com/retire-to-italy.html for more information on living abroad.

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Weddings in Italy: Top 3 Romantic Venues

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By Laura Frappa

If you are looking for a romantic wedding in Italy you may consider one of these cities: Venice, Rome or Florence.
Your romantic wedding in Italy could be planned to perfection by capable and talented Wedding Planners. A magical day to remember forever, special moments set in great photo services. Different kind of ceremonies can be organized in Italy: civil, protestant, catholic, Jewish or non-denominational weddings, and every kind of service (beauty, flowers, photography, music, transportation, activities ect) to make it unforgettable.
Here you can find a short description of the three best romantic venues:

Driving in Italy

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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


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Remarkable Rome Attractions

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Author: Robert Toth

If you are still undecided about the city to visit this vacation, why not fly to Rome? The Rome attractions are awesome and entertaining. Infact, you can dive deep into the exciting historic stories of this city.

City Overview
This charming city is home to many historical sites and monuments. A guide will be the right person to help you gather the essence of this city. Anyhow, the monuments and buildings can be clearly seen from far off.

Place which you must visit
- A fine portrayal of Roman engineering is the Colosseum that portrays mythological tales and the stories of olden times.
- Another Roman piece of architecture is the Pantheon that has used the world's largest brick dome.
- Among the rich Rome attractions, there is the Roman Forum which has a wide historic base.
- Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore situated at the apex of the Esquiline Hilland has not lost its originality.
- The Piazza Del Campidoglio is that monument which was built in memory of Michaelango way back in 1546.
- The Palazzo Del Quirinale is sited at the highest point of Rome hills and represents the Renaissance Movement.
- Monument Of Vittorio Emanuele Iiwas was erected in the fond memory of United Rome's first king.
- One of the best examples of exquisite Roman art and architecture is EUR District.
- The Vatican City is the certified headquarters of the Pope and symbolises Catholicism.

Thing you must do
- The Italian pizza is one of the most attractive Rome attractions and you get them best at Roscioli.
- The Vatican Museums must be visited on the last Sunday of every month between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Go to the Church and ask God to grant you salvation.
- The water of the fountains must be tasted at least once.
- Tempio di Adriano (Temple of Hadrian) must be toured as it has featured in several Hollywood movies.
- The Pantheon must be visited; it will cost you nothing.
- Walk your way to the Lo Zodiaco, the top most point in the city.
- Spend and party at Micca, the most crowded club in Rome.
- Spend ample time in one of the garden grounds.
- Go for some of the finest local drinks offered by the Etabli aperitif bar anytime after 7.

Shopping and Sports in the city
Some of the prominent shopping areas are Piazza di Spagna, Trastevere, Piazza Navona and Piazza Vittorio. The latest designer wear and accessories are found here. More than half the world's shopaholics are drawn by Fontana di Trevi, which is one of the most attractive Rome attractions. The Roman sports include the wrestling matches, gladiator flights, handball and races.

How to spend nightlife
The Rome nightlife is vibrant and interesting. Very recently, many clubs and bars have opened to meet the needs of the tourists. You can calmly sit and relax under the warm sun or serene moon.

Famous Festivals
The Romans celebrate festivals like Sana a Roma, Donna Sotto le Stelle, cartoon film showings and Roma Jazz festival.

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Visit TodayTourism.com to learn more about Rome tourist attractions and find hotels in Rom. Stop by Robert Toth's site where you can find more than 110,000 Cheap Hotels worldwide.

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Venice, Italy - Ghetto

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By Harry Preston

The Jewish Ghetto, famed as the setting for Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, dates from 1516 when the Council of Ten was pursuing its policy of zoning Venice. Murano was given over to glass production, Arsenale to ship building and the northerly island where there once stood a foundry (geto) became the home of Venice's Jewish population who had arrived as refugees from the mainland. Venice was a tolerant host and Jews were allowed to trade in medicine, money-lending and textiles. The Ghetto (which was to give its name to all other ghettos in Europe) was cordoned off by canals and entered by two water gates manned by Christian guards.
Although Napoleon removed the gates when he attacked Venice, the Austrians reinstalled them when they took over the city after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Venice's Jewish population was not fully emancipated until 1866 when the city became part of the new kingdom of Italy. By that time. two satellite ghettos, Ghetto Vecchio and Ghetto Novissimo, strained to accommodate a population that had swelled to 5,000.
Because of overcrowding, houses in the Ghetto were built as high as possible, but these Venetian skyscrapers were forbidden to be more than one-third taller than any other Venetian building. As a result, as many storeys as possible were crammed in, resulting in ceilings that are lower than anywhere else in Venice. Nowadays, the Ghetto is inhabited by only five Jewish families, but it still maintains its kosher food shops, a Jewish bakery and two synagogues. The Museo Ebraico here shows visitors many 17th- and 19th-century Ghetto artefacts followed by guided tours of the area's German, Spanish and Levantine synagogues.
For more information about Venice, Italy visit GuidedTourVenice.com.
For more information about Cuba visit GuidedTourCuba.com.

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What to See in Amsterdam

Image by bill barber via Flickr
Finally, we are in Amsterdam! Around we see buildings which are not too tall, 4-5 storeys, but old and original in style, apparently, built with love and for the ages. The design and style are very unusual, with red, white yellow and brown colors and high roofs covered with tiles. After passing a narrow street called Paulus Potter Straat we see amazing trams of different styles, types and colors shuttling back and forth.
Now we reach one of the most stylish places in Amsterdam, opposite the National Museum (Rijksmuseum). Nearby there is an artificial lake with people resting on the lawn in different postures: lying, sitting, chewing, reading, and conversing. They were all indulging in rest and did not pay any attention to what was happening around, people walking and dogs running. Even further I saw a modern cubic building of the Van Gogh Museum with a large green field behind, crowded with people spending their leisure time.


Our tourist group, according to the program, was taken to the Royal Diamond Museum (free admission). We entered there but just in two minutes I realized that this museum is not worth seeing at all (Internet forums were speaking of it as a waste of time), and we decided to skip it and explore the environs. They were picturesque: right behind the building of the State Museum we came to one of the famous canals of Amsterdam, so quiet and colorful. Next to it there was the historic first brewery of Heineken Brouvertji, a gloomy dark-brown building. It was here that they first began to brew Heineken, now a world-class beer brand. Our next stop was a park (or rather, a green field) where I noticed how much litter was there around the city, which is strikingly different from Germany, for example. Lawns were covered with chewing gum wrappers, scraps of newspapers, just like in so many cities I have seen before where cleanness is not worshipped. Also, it turned out that finding a clean toilet in Amsterdam is quite a challenge.



After making a large circle we soon walked out to the Van Gogh Museum on its reverse side. Next to it we found busy souvenir shops selling products associated with the name of the genius artist from Amsterdam: reproductions of his paintings (10 euros), shirts (14-15 euros), mugs (5-6 euros), posters (5.4 euros), e-cards (0,5-1,5 euros) etc. Everything was fairly pricey. The Europeans are good at making money on souvenirs, I have noticed that long ago.



Very interesting was a tour through Amsterdam aboard a river tram with an open deck. After all canals, a calling card of the capital of the Netherlands. They have all been dug over the last 400 years, in concentric semicircles around the Gulf coast. On them, around 1200 bridges (!) were built, of which 400 in the historic city center. The City Centre is located on 70 artificial islands, many of them were not in existence 300 years ago, and now people live where it used to be an open sea.



We left from the river buses pier near the historic brewery Heineken, along the canal Singelgracht. Along the canal banks we saw small wooden barges, which are used as private homes: with verandas, flower-beds, and all the amenities inside. It looked very strange when you see the decks of these houses with sitting, walking or standing people who were drinking tea, watering their flowers, sweeping floors, that is, living a normal life and completely ignoring the trams with crowds of tourists staring at them. We were told that living in such homes on water is considered very prestigious in Amsterdam, and such apartments are in high demand. Such dwellings came to existence after the Second World War, when there was a shortage of housing and the city government temporarily allowed to build homes on water. Truly, there is nothing more permanent than temporary.

The canal through which we were sailing joined the bigger river Amstel, and right before us opened a majestic view of the river and the luxury hotel Amstel which sits on piles in water.



The magnificent buildings along the river originate from the Golden Age of Holland, the 17th century, when all this splendor was created. In those days, wealth just flocked to Amsterdam, as the Dutch East India Company controlled the world trade in spices from the Molucca Islands in Indonesia, making untold profits.



Leaving the harbor we passed by a giant snow-white ship hotel and at the distance we could see a huge green building of a business center with unusual architecture. Amsterdam citizens call this building 'Titanic' for its characteristic shape. Then, at the end of our tour, we saw a huge Chinese restaurant in the shape of a pagoda with 4 tiers, standing right on the water, an exact copy of the same restaurant in Hong Kong.

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Traveling to Europe? How to Overcome the Language Barrier Once You Have Your Airline Tickets

Image via WikipediaSo you've got your airline tickets and you're ready to embark on what is sure to be a great trip. Clutching your airline tickets in hand your happiness soon comes to a standstill--you don't speak anything but English. Then you remembered your agent at the travel agency kind of giggled when you said you didn't speak any other languages. Now you're nervous. Sure, it can be quite intimidating traveling to a foreign land without any knowledge of the native language, but there are things you can do to overcome the language barrier. If you're traveling to Spain and don't know anything besides the few words you learned in your high school Spanish class, you're not going to miraculously pick it up in time for your trip. But that doesn't mean that you're stranded. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind while you're on your European vacation.


1) When speaking, say things slowly and annunciate. Choose your easy words and pronounce each letter. Avoid using contractions. Speaking louder isn't going to help someone understand you--they're not deaf, they just don't speak your language. So if you speak slowly and pronounce words fully, you're more likely to be understood.



2) Don't use slang. Slang is something that will baffle Europeans. Imagine learning English out of a textbook or classroom, and then coming to America only to find that everything you learned from your book is useless--slang is like a whole different language.



3) Keep your messages short and sweet. Instead of saying, "Excuse me sire, you would be so kind to take our photo?", make the noun act as the entire sentence, i.e. "Photo?".



4) Use words that are internationally understood. Telling someone you're on vacation will probably elicit a blank stare. Holiday is used in Britan, and is more likely to get you a reaction. Toilet is also another universally understood word. Use words that are direct and simple, and you're more likely to be understood.



5) Don't be afraid of looking silly. It's inevitable. Butchering the language is ok, at least your making an attempt to communicate in the native language, instead of arrogantly expecting everyone to speak English. (Europeans hate that.) Use body language if you must. Turn your quest for understanding into a game of charades.



6) Be a language detective--figure things out. Most European languages stem from or were influenced by Latin, so they all have a similar strain. Practice your understanding by studying the newspaper, brochures, even graffiti in bathrooms. It's like a word puzzle. The more you play with it and experiment, the better you get.



7) Keep a small notebook and pen with you. If worse comes to worse, writing down the native words you're trying to say and showing them to the person you're trying to communicate with could help you tremendously.



8) Make educated guesses. Like a multiple choice test, choose the best option as you see it, and go with confidently.

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A Wine Lover's Weekly Guide To $10 Wines - A Chardonnay From Lazio, Italy

Image by gengish via FlickrBy: Levi Reiss
This kosher Chardonnay comes from the Lazio region of central Italy. Lazio, which also goes by the name of Latium, is home to Rome. It is often said that Latium's wines tend to be mediocre because Rome is a huge market and Romans, or perhaps the millions of tourists, will drink anything. Such sweeping statements may be dead wrong. I'm not necessarily a fan of Chardonnay, but I tend to prefer it to Latium's native white varieties, Malvasia and Trebbiano. Unless I'm forgetting something, this is my first Italian Chardonnay and one of my first wines from Lazio.

Before reviewing this wine, let me state a few things about the bottler, Cantina Sant' Andrea. This family business started on Pantelleria Island in the Mediterranean Sea between mainland Sicily and Tunisia about 150 years ago. Later the vineyards were relocated to Tunisia where they were expropriated in 1964. So the family moved to the Pontine, marshland that was reclaimed during the time of BM, Benito Mussolini.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review have been purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Chardonnay Lazio IGT 2008 12.0% alcohol about $10
There were no marketing materials, and the label said nothing about the wine. I even looked for additional reviews on the Internet after finishing my tests but came up with nothing.
At the first sips the wine was lemony but short. Its first pairing was with smoked rainbow trout filet (alas, not as good as it may sound) and a grated red cabbage salad. The wine tasted of apples and its acidity did well with the fish's grease. With the red cabbage, the Chardonnay intensified; it was refreshing but light. There were two desserts. The fresh pineapple just overpowered the wine. But with oversweet chocolate peanut butter candy the wine was lemony and fairly long.
The next meal involved a boxed eggplant parmigiana slathered with grated Parmesan cheese. Now the Chardonnay presented great acidity; it meshed with the tomatoes. It was lemony with nice length. The dessert of a frozen chocolate pie virtually muted the wine.
My final meal was composed of an omelet garnished with fresh tomatoes. The wine showed very pleasant acidity with a lemon taste and good length. Interestingly enough the fresh tomato rendered the wine rounder. With a side of grilled artichoke dip that tasted more of mayonnaise than of the grill, the wine was perky.
I finished the tastings (but not the bottle) with two local cheeses. When paired with a marbled cheddar it came up round with light, lemony acidity. And with provolone the wine tasted of green apples.
Final verdict. I saw no reason to finish the bottle. It was OK, but not really that good. Prejudices die hard. I am not prejudiced against kosher wines; many of them are fairly good. But I am rather prejudiced against Lazio wines. While I am always ready to taste others, I have yet to encounter a fine one.

 


Author Resource:-> Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but really prefers fine Italian or other wine, with good food and company. He loves teaching computer classes at an Ontario French-language community college. His global wine website www.theworldwidewine.com features a weekly review of $10 wines and new sections writing about and tasting organic and kosher wines. His Italian travel website is www.travelitalytravel.com .

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Tour Italy and See The Five Treasures of Countryside by Rome

Image by ken mccown via FlickrBy Priscila Siano
Rome, Italy is called to be a land of ancient structures, hot fashion, and authentic culture. But apart from its alluring beauty and a very meaningful history Rome also has its hidden treasures along the countryside. These are the unveiled beauty of the city that should actually be a part of any tour Italy experience. Explore the picturesque sceneries outside the gates of Rome by marveling around the countryside.
1. Castelli Romani. Spreading all over the Alban Hills which is an astonishing site capturing the bits and pieces of extinct volcanic activity, Catelli Romani is a package of charming towns and villages.
Tour Italy where the Pope spends his summers - Villa Pontifica, and to the smallest yet the most beautiful of all - Nemi. These towns are now filled with vineyards and wine cellars, olive groves, woods full of chestnut trees too. Paying a visit to Castelgandolfo, Frescati and Villa aldonbrandini, Ariccia and the alluring Palazzo Chigi is a must in a Tour Italy experience.
2. Tivoli. Runaway to Tivoli like the Emperors in primeval times. Huge palaces and villas served as summer getaway spots for Emperors who wanted run off from the heat and distress of Roman life. Although abandoned for ages, the area was revived and buildings were built by a group of wealthy Cardinals and Popes.

Two of the must visit during your tour Italy in Tivoli would be the Villa Adriana and the Villa d'Este's fabled gardens. Tourists also get fascinated with the views and beautiful waterfalls in Tivoli. As part of its history, the ruins as the Temple of Vesta and the ruins of the Sanctuary of the Sibyl remains as the two most visited landmarks of the place.
3. Villa d'Este. Plan for a tour Italy to Villa d'Este on a cool summer day. Marvel the magnificent work of art in the gardens of Villa d'Este as the elements of nature unite as one to create a breathtaking view, this is best seen in the evening though. Situated in the heart of Tivoli, this Villa was built in the 16th Century by a Cardinal.
4. Ostia Antica. A fun filled tour with a bunch of historical learning will definitely be a good reason to drop by Ostia Antica in your tour Italy. You can take a train and travel about half hour to the eastern part of Rome, as you get the hype of seeing the "Pompeii of Rome". What is good in a trip to the place is getting a profound understanding about what was life like in ancient times, this is through the sites of excavation. The museum is also one of the hot spots in town, along with the theater built by Agrippa. The Mithraeum, also a worth visiting spot has been decorated with symbols from the Cult of Mithras regions in its balconies and walls - a sure must see in your tour Italy itinerary.
5. Villa Adriana. Walk around in one of the most desired Villas in Tivoli. This well-constructed Villa was made possible by one of the most accomplished Emperors - Hadrian. This structure was a magnificent work of art made by the local artisans manifesting the Emperor's world travel. Explore the conglomerate baths, theaters, libraries, temples, guest pavilions' and open-air gymnasiums and witness these masterpieces yourself. Tour Italy in Villa Adriana by visiting the most famous attraction - Canopus, an artificial pool which was made to imitate a canal in Nile.
Priscila Siano is the Business Manager of http://www.TourItalyNow.com, a pioneer among the world's online providers of escorted, customized, small group tours to Italy. She also enjoys writing articles about Italy vacation. Feel free to republish this article provided you do not edit it in any way and include the author bio as well.

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Autumn Brings a Host of Italy Travel Deals

Image via WikipediaBy Priscila Siano
Italy is beautiful any time of year, but for those who have some flexibility of travel time, Italy travel deals are superb in the pleasant autumn months. Gone are the families with children who head to Europe in the summer months when the kids are on school break. Gone are many of the college students who decided to spend the summer backpacking through this marvelous country. Therefore, that flexibility provides you with far fewer crowds, especially at the most popular tourist destinations in places like Rome, Venice, and Florence and, indeed, throughout the rest of the country as well.
If you're searching for Italy travel deals throughout September, October, November, and early December, you'll find that this "shoulder" season means lower prices on everything from hotel rooms to organized and custom tours. The discounted prices can lower your output substantially, leaving a little extra money to splurge on that great pair of shoes in that shop in Milan, that extra bottle of wine with dinner in Tuscany, and perhaps that unique work of art you've spied in a gallery in Florence.

In addition, autumn puts travelers in Italy during a time when festivals are abundant. Italy travel deals in the fall months might include a visit to Calabria, for example, where there are at least three notable festivals occurring during that season. September brought the "Pizza Chef Champion of Italy 2010" competition to this town located on Italy's "toe". It October there's a quirky gathering of accordion players that's part of the Festival of the Madonna of Constantinople. To cap off the season, an annual Mushroom Festival is held in the town of Mammola, celebrating the harvest of mushrooms from the thousands of acres where they grow around the town. All sorts of mushroom dishes are prepared in a variety of ways, and there's plenty of singing and dancing as well at this day-long celebration.

In general, autumn in Italy presents plenty of opportunities to get to know the local products. For example, the Euro Chocolate Festival in Perugia features well-known Baci Perugina candies and other chocolates from the area. You might even be there to celebrate Chocoday! What could be better! Of course, you may even stumble on a truffle festival or two as well as some excellent wine tasting events. If you're booking a custom Italy tour, visits to these events or any others can often be arranged as you organize your itinerary.

Italy travel deals are also abundant in the late winter and early spring when the weather may be a little iffy in parts of the country but just divine in other regions. Ask your travel consultant about the nicest places to visit in both fall and spring and where you're likely to find the best prices as well. The money you save on these Italy travel deals might even leave you with enough spare cash to return next year!

Priscila Siano is the Business Manager of http://www.TourItalyNow.com, a pioneer among the world's online providers of escorted, customized, small group tours to Italy. She also enjoys writing articles about Italy travel. Feel free to republish this article provided you do not edit it in any way and include the author bio as well.

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An Instep Italy Vacation to Basilicata

Image via WikipediaBy Priscila Siano
Located in the southern part of Italy, Basilicata (or Lucania) is known as the "instep" of Italy. Basilicata is divided into two provinces; Potenza and Matera, having Potenza as the region's capital. This territory is hilly and with scant amount of water. One of the most important indicators of the region's economy is agriculture despite the fact that it is scarcely watered. An Italy vacation to Basilicata takes the tourist to the famous resort of Maratea along the tiny coastline of Tyrrhenian.
Italy vacation packages to Basilicata include an interesting blend of a list of exciting sightseeing spots plus the religious chronicles of the populace. The region's archeological inheritance are famous tourist spots, attracting vacationers from all over the world. The Piana Metaponto, Chiesa della Trinita at Venosa, Abbey of San Michele at Montescaglioso and Murgia Materana are just few of the many archeological sites worth visiting. Tourists visiting Basilicata for some sort of religious intentions can wander around the 24 religious structures spread out all over the territory. Must-see sites are the monuments and spots in Sassi which are considered as UNESCO's World Heritage sites.

Numerous hotels offer interesting vacation packages Italy, including Basilicata. These hotels offer great Italy package deals and guided tours to the wonders of the region. Hotel Villa del Mare and Ostillo di Matera are just two of the famous accommodations. An array of food options is also available for all sorts of tourists. Regional food as Lucana salami makes anyone who tastes it savor the taste of the region. Table wines are also very popular in the region - Aglianico di Ferrandina, Asprino and Aglianico di Matera are three of the well-liked tasty wines produced in the region.

Some rel=nofollow [http://www.touritalynow.com]Italy vacation groups visit Basilicata specifically because of certain events. One of the most admired/attended events in the region is the Festa Della Madonna Bruna in Matera. Matera gained popularity because of the movie - Passion of the Christ. But more than that, tourist flock to the province because of this feast which is celebrated as a religious event held with profound ceremony and concludes with a stunning fireworks display.

Perhaps a day or two of vacation in Italy to the beautiful Basilicata won't be enough to catch up with all the good stuff this region can offer.

Priscila Siano is the Business Manager of [http://www.TourItalyNow.com]http://www.TourItalyNow.com, a pioneer among the world's online providers of escorted, customized, small group tours to Italy. She also enjoys writing articles about tour Italy. Feel free to republish this article provided you do not edit it in any way and include the author bio as well.
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Forte Dei Marmi - Where the Sea Meets the Hills

Image via WikipediaAh, Forte Dei Marmi. A cool sea breeze, healthy salty air, anything anyone could care for. A lovely Tuscan port made famous for marble shipping, Forte dei Marmi is definitely a good rocky base. Surrounded by magnificent white sand beaches, elegant venues, and being an up and up hotspot, Forte Dei Marmi delivers to the avid vacationer without falling short of the mark.
Geared towards wealthy Italians, Forte Dei Marmi aspires to be the all encompassing beach resort, where people can come from any and everywhere to collect a taste of style. From Puccini to Bocelli to Zucchero himself, Forte Dei Marmi is both home and vacation spot to many shining stars and attractive as a vacation spot to the rest of us.

Offering festivals at many times of year, breathtakingly inspiring hills, and of course the fabulous beaches, this part of Tuscany has a bit of something for everyone and is an up and coming hotspot not yet completely milked dry by tourism. The annual caricature and satire festival is a large draw to many as it's very particular and a museum has even sprung up around it. Museums, history, a jazz festival, mushroom picking season, and a stunning fireworks display in August are among the many reasons to visit, and let's not forget the amazing cuisine.

Thanks to its location where the hills roll into the sea the climate and soil are ideal for a variety of produce and thus cuisine in this region ranges from the heavier Tuscan grains and meats to a variety of local seafood. Cod is definitely quite the local staple, prepared in a variety of ways, as well as shellfish and blue fish which are present at least most of the year. During mushroom season local fairs are abundant and in the summer people beat the heat by escaping to the hills for blueberry, raspberry, and cranberry picking......and then use their spoils to create a variety of local liquors, desserts, and just plain deliciousness. Tordelli is the local ravioli and testaroli, flatbread served with the local cheese and pesto sauce, is an absolute can't be missed menu item. Surprisingly, even lard is a delicacy in this area, after being seasoned in a marble vessels in the small village of Colonnata, above Carrara. Sgabei is the name of a delectable deep fried pancake that begs to be enjoyed during any sojourn in Forte Dei Marmi, and the legendary chestnut cakes are not to be ignored.Wine and Tuscany go hand in hand and the Candia wines are the best on offer here, made from the grapes of local vineyards from Vermentino to Luni to Massa to Carrara,. Of course you can still find the much sought after tried and true staples like a good Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino, Trebbiano, or Chianti.

Staying in Tuscany is wonderful, and as always one needs a place to stay. Among the many uniquely fantastic selections here in Forte Dei Marmi, Hotel Byron really holds its own. A boutique hotel comprised of two recently refurbished villas, Hotel Byron delivers the height of modern comfort with the right amount of old world charm and attention to detail. Located just 3 km from the train station, on the coast, in a very residential area makes Hotel Byron an amazing draw. Built in the late 1800's for the Canavero family, the villas now house 29 rooms and suites and are and excellent spot for all aficionados of golf, swimming, and tennis, seeing as resorts for such are only a stone's throw away. La Capannina, Italy's first nightclub, is walking distance from the hotel, and another major draw.

Culinary delights prepared by Chef Mattei with a variety of specialty pasta and bread accompanied by variously stellar local wines make the hotel restaurant a must-taste point and is wonderfully convenient to all guests.

Travel is also convenient from this location, allowing one to hit beaches from outside Carrara back to town where one is able to indulge in the Poets Gulf. A visual adventure even while entering the area, the Poets Gulf is also surrounded by stellar architecture.

Tellaro is a particularly interesting sea village to visit in this region, and highly recommended in terms of architecture as well as cuisine. Initially built as protection against invasion, the houses crowded together separated only by the winding sidestreets eventually leading to the sea, is a defitnite must while here.

Not far from Cinque Terre, Forte Dei Marmi is a good base and considerably less expensive. The Cinque Terre are extremely accessible from this location, with its villages of Monterosso, Manarola, Vernazza, Rio Riomaggiore, and Corniglia.

Small towns aside, transit to Florence, Pisa, and Siena is a complete breeze from here and most recommended, especially as from Forte Dei Marmi they all classify as day trips. Firenze with its markets and museums, not to mention the fabulous duomo, Siena and the cathedral, Pisa and the Field of Miracles, all of Tuscany has something to offer and at least the Hotel Byron puts one close to the general action but is a hidden gem society has yet to find.

With its vast culinary options, beach draw, and the fact Forte Dei Marmi is a tourist hotspot for Italian travellers, this is the real thing and the place to go before you can't find a spot on the beach!

http://www.italiancollection.com/en/byron-hotel.html

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Capri Island - A Slice of Paradise in Italy

Image by The Library of Congress via FlickrBy Alfard Lee
Italy has been the inspirational source of unique architectures, exceptional culture, classic streets, delightful cuisine and a wide range of entertainment. Among the most charming and captivating modern attractions of Italy, the mind blowing island of Capri is the top of the list that appeals a mass of tourists to book the cheap flights to Italy from all over the world and delight their relaxing vacations at their favorite destination. Although it covers about four square miles of area, the Italy tours are incomplete without have a full day at Capri. Whether just day-tripping from Naples or taking a full week in one of the profligate Capri island hotels, there is more than enough to entertain the most experienced travelers.

The good looks of the Capri Island is definitely no secret - its peak season stays radically longer than most Mediterranean resorts and the hotels reservations get difficult between April through October. So, get your plan well in advance and book your tickets for the flights to Italy before time. It is advisable to get the lodging done with the air tickets as it tends to produce more discounts. The majority of the island of Capri is like an oversize resort, and prices increase consequently.

The Capri is the city in Italy where most of the hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops exist in. Here you may enjoy lovely walks, stay in a cafe for a limoncello cocktail, a local lemon flavored beverage, or stopover Villa Jovis, the remains of one of twelve villas built under during the first century. Committed to the Olympus Gods and identified as the Palazzo di Tiberio, legends and tales of the debauched emperor are so omnipresent; you'd feel that he was still presiding in the tall cliffs. So, book now the flights to Italy and make splendid tour to Capri Island.

Further, you may stop at the Giardini di Augusto that makes a sight facing the legendary I Faraglioni - the steep cliffs battered by fast winds and tides to elevate independent of the mainland. Another beautiful attraction of the island is the renowned blue grotto, a cave where sunrays illumine the Mediterranean clear waters so the waves emerge a shade of delicate azure. You will observe some exotic wildlife there including sea gulls, monk seal and blue lizards. The international visitors of the Italy flights can hire boats to reach the grotto. Another Green Grotto is located in close proximity, equally beautiful as blue but less famed.

The pleasurable charm of Capri is just left behind the booking of the cheap flights to Italy.

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I Love Italian Travel - Tuscany Wine Touring

Image via WikipediaWho has not heard about Tuscany? Its capital Florence is a living work of art, whose relatively small historic center contains far too many sites to list here. Where else you can find world-class jewelry in shops lining a bridge as they have been for centuries on the Ponte Vecchio? You might be surprised that Bistecca all Fiorentina, the local beefsteak, is excellent. Enjoy it with a Chianti or other fine Tuscan wine. Tuscany is a lot more than Florence. You may want to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa and visit the partially walled city of Lucca, home to 99 churches. Or visit Florence's historic rival, Siena, which has retained its medieval flavor. Its Piazza del Campo is one of Italy's finest squares. Make sure to see the Palio, a historic horserace pitting the city's 17 neighborhoods against one another every July 2 and August 16. The Renaissance village of Montepulciano is best known for its Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOC. Go to Saturnia to see some Etruscan and pre-Etruscan tombs. There's a whole lot more to see, for example, the region of Chianti.

What about the wine? Virtually everywhere you turn in rural Tuscany somebody is making fine wine. Most of it is red, but there are some great whites as well. Tuscany is home to Super Tuscans, wines that defied traditional wine making practices and regulations. They aren't allowed to carry Italy's fine wine designations. Many of these wines sell for much more than $100 a bottle, so successful producers are laughing all the way to the bank.

Sangiovese is the most widely planted red grape in Tuscany. It's the heart of Chianti DOCG (with and without the Classico refering to the traditional Chianti region), Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, and many others. Don't be confused; many Super Tuscans contain Sangiovese and sometimes no other grapes. Other quite common Tuscan red varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The whites are simpler. The most common are Trebbiano, especially Trebbiano Toscano, and Vermentino. The famous Tuscan sweet wine Vino Santo is made from white grapes.

Companies that sell Tuscany wine tours include Prime Italy, Select Italy, and Alabaster and Clark Wine Tours Worldwide. Tuscany wineries that provide visits include Antinori in Firenze now in the agriturismo business, Avignonesi in Montepulciano, the organic winery Badia a Coltibuono in Gaiole in Chianti which offers a restaurant and lodgings, Barone Ricasoli in Gaiole in Chianti, and Ruffino in Pontassieve to name but a few. A few words of warning are in order. Be sure to check ahead of time for opening hours and whether English is spoken. Some of these places may charge admission; others may expect that you buy some of their products.


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Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but he prefers drinking fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and people. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes information on Italian wine and food.

Abetone Italy

Image via WikipediaBy Larry Lindley Abetone is major Appenine ski location located in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany, Italy. It is approximately 80 kilometres Northwest of Florence and around 49 kilometres Northwest of Pistoia. The name Abetone means 'large fir' in Italian. The ski resort of Abetone is home to 51 kilometres of downhill slope skiing, in addition with 41 individual pistes, which can be accessible by its 22 lifts. The slopes of the resort spans out between the four interconnected valleys of Valle dello Scoltenna, Val di Luce, Valle di Lima and Valle del Sestalone. These slopes constitute one of the most awesome, renowned and scenic view of the Apennines. The pistes at Abetone will pose a great challenge, reaching at 1,800 metres, on a clear powder day.
Transportation going to Abetone is moderately accessible. There are also a few airports near the ski resort from which you can start your travel. From Pisa airport, you can access the motorway on going to Casa Marginetta, and from there, you can travel for another hour through a clear main road to go to Abetone. On the other hand, travel time from Venice airport going to the resort would take about three hours depending on weather and road conditions. From Florence airport, the trip would last for less than two hours. From Bologna airport, you would have to make a 70-kilometre drive before you can arrive to Abetone.
There are also various ways to get to the skiing destination. The nearest rail station to Abetone is Pracchia. Bus services are also available to transport you there if you are from Pistoia, Pisa, Florence, Modena or Luca. Rental cars, taxis and ski transfer companies, whether shared or private vehicles are also very much available from any of the airports mentioned.
The attractiveness and appeal of Abetone not only relies on its panoramic view or white-covered mountains but also in its friendly accommodations and facilities. If you are a new visitor travelling to the resort, you need to book your air trip, ski transfer, and lodgings in advance. This is the best thing to do when engaging in any ski holiday. Travelling in groups than individually can also save you money because transportations and accommodations usually come in cheap packages available for multiple visitors. If your budget could allow, you can rent a private car rather than take public transportations so that it would be more convenient for you with all the bulky gears being carried.
The author writes articles about ski travel and Geneva ski transfers including resort information and info on ski transfer destinations Austria
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Florence Holidays

Image via WikipediaBy Madhumay Mallik
The quieter side of Florence is found on the south bank of the Arno River. To reach it, one must cross over the Ponte Vecchio. It's short walk to the Pitti Palace.
Built for the wealthy merchant Luca Pitti and later sold to the Medici family, who ruled Florence for nearly 400 years, the Pitti houses five museums. The Galleria Palatina displays hundreds of 16th and 17th-century masterpieces once belonging to the Medicis. The Raphael collection is exceptional. A modern art gallery includes Italian paintings ranging from Neoclassic to Impressionist. Additional museums highlight historical fashions, silver, furnishings and carriages.
Behind the Pitti Palace, the elegantly landscaped Boboli Gardens spread over expanses of lawn graced with fountains and statuary. Footpaths lead to hidden grottoes.

As a grand finale visitors often catch a taxi up the hill to the Piazzale Michangelo for a glorious view overlooking the red-tile rooftops of Florence. One of the city's two copies of Michangelo's 'David' stands in the centre of the Piazzale, this one in bronze.

In the movie Field of dreams, a mysterious voice says, "If you build it, he will come." In Pisa, they bulldozed the Field of Miracles - the Campo dei Miracoli - and they are coming. By the thousands. No mystery though, just lots to see.

Pisa's thoughtful designers have conveniently bundled most of its top attractions on the campo. There's the Leaning Tower, of course, seemingly eager to careen earthward but reasonably stable for the moment.

The tower is only a miracle. Another is the dazzling cathedral, a fine-art wonderland housing Giovanni Pisano's ornate pulpit and swath of Gothic reliefs. There's also a baptistery, whose acoustics are said to hold a snug note for minutes. No rap demos, please. Next door is the Campo Santo, an elongated white walled cemetery built by the crusaders in the 12th century, now housing stone coffins and frescoes. Across the street, the Museo delle Sinopie displays masterly preliminary sketches for frescoes, which were discovered after World War II. The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, behind the tower, sports works by Pisano and Guardi, as well as area archaeological finds.

Just below the Piazzale Michelangelo is one of Florence's most fragrant enclaves, the Giardino dell'Iris, or Iris Garden. The garden is home to some 2,500 varieties of flower that has been the symbol of Florence since 1251 and that is even displayed on the city's coat of arms.

The iris blooms for only about a month each year between May and June; in May, the annual International iris Competition elicits bulbs from all over the world to be judged by an international jury.

The Greeks were the first to cultivate the purple, violet scented flowers; they planted them on women's graves in the hope that the messenger goddess Iris, embodiment of the rainbow, would lead the women's soul to the Elysian Fields.

Visitors who arrive before May or after June can still enjoy the fragrance of the Florentine iris in a variety of commercial perfumes.

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