Venice is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in the world, with its majestic architecture and breathtaking canals the entire city is a work of art. However, tourists should be prepared before they arrive as without some top tips, there budget require them to leave sooner than planned.

Where To Stay

There are numerous beautiful hotels located in the centre of Venice which offer the chance for a beautiful view as well as a great location. However, booking is advance should be a must as some of the last minute prices of such hotels are simply astronomical and while they are indeed beautiful but without being booked in advance they are most likely out of the price range of many. For those who may not have this option Venice also offers a wide selection of hostels and camping grounds in and around Venice. These are not only for youths and can still offer a great stay at a far more reasonable cost.

Buy A Map

Venice is designed to be seen and explored on foot. With the non-existence of cars and major roads, many believe they are forced into taking water taxis around the city. Whilst this in itself is a wonderful experience it is also very costly and before you know it the money may well have disappeared. Whilst a water taxi is a beautiful experience and should be recommended at least once, for general exploring getting around Venice simply buying a map and walking around is a more economic option and can be just as exciting as you explore the city by yourself. This options the door he the opportunity of finding some of the more authentic and local hotspots of the city, as water taxis often favour the more famous parts of Venice.

Eating And Drinking

Avoid the Piazza San Marco area the main square is very costly, regardless of whether you are looking for an evening meal or simply a quick drink to rehydrate. bars in venice will charge you extra to sit outside so if you just want a drink order it from inside the bar or simply buy it from a shop.

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The three mountain regions are inhabited by various types of unique flora and forna. An example of which being the rare Bosnian Pine, a very tough evergreen that is resilient to strong winds and extreme cold. The Pollino National Park is home to these rare pines which grow most northerly mountain range, the Pollino Mountains. This mountain range is especially rugged and forms a natural barrier, seperating Calabria from the rest of Italy.

The mildness of the Campanian climate, the richness of its art and history, the breathtaking beauty of its coasts and its passion for food, make it the ideal tourism destination. The intense colours of the seas that surround it, are set within a spectacular backdrop of rugged rock faces. The islands of Capri and Ischia are not far away and are well worth a visit. These Mediterranean paradises are covered with lush vegetation and well worth a visit.

Cambria is a great place to spend any vacation, especially in spring. Gerace, an exquisite mountain town is located in the Aspromonte mountain range and has buildings still standing from 1045. Perfect for those who want to take in a bit of regional Italian history and archietecture. The town is beautifully preserved and rich in history. Pentidattilo offers breathtaking views of the countryside and is also home to a ski resort.

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It’s no wonder that it attracts so many visitors, however. Its stunning coastal scenery set in a picturesque backdrop of lemon groves and sunshine keep on drawing the visitors back year on year. Its location allows tourists to undertake many excursions and get to know the area a bit better. An excursion to Pompeii is well worth considering. A violent eruption of Mount Vesuvious in AD 79 left the village and villagers buried and preserved in around five metres of volcanic ash until its discovery in 1749. Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is Italys most popular tourist destination, drawing in around two and a half million visitors a year. The resort of Sorrento is also well worth a visit for those who want to sample the well known and delicious limoncello liqour that is made here. The especially large, sweet and fleshy lemons that grow in this part of Italy are what gives this local drink its famous ‘sunshiney’ taste. A bottle of limoncello makes an excellent souvenir or gift.
Also close by is the island of Capri, which has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic, surrounded by beautiful seas and with a rich and interesting history, its well worth a visit. This was the island to which the Emperor Commodus, played by Joachim Phoenix in the well known film Gladiator, banished his sister Lucilla in 182 B.C. There are surely worse places to be banished to! (although Lucilla, was executed soon after). The island includes some fantastic natural wonders such as the Blue Grotto, as well as historical sites such as the Villa Damecuta, which was built by the Emperor Tiberius in the First Century.
Further inland from the coast, lies the village resort of Minori which is set in peaceful and picturesque surroundings All along this glorious coastline there are gems to be discovered and new pleaces to experience. Its climate is warm and pleasant all year round, even in winter. For the sun seekers, however, summer would be the best time to go as the temperature averages at around 30 celsius.

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The religious festival of Carnival or Carnivale as it is known in Italian, is taken rather seriously on the predominantly Catholic peninsula. This occasion of joy and celebration occurs some 40 days before Easter and is seen as a final oppurtunity to cut loose, celebrate and indulge oneself before Lent begins. The 40 days leading up to Easter in which Christians prepare for the crucifixion, death and ressurection of Christ by making personal sacrifices themselves. The event is celebrated in many cities, the most well know of which is Venice.

Carnival, or ‘Carnevale’ in Italian, is a celebration which occurs some 40 days before Easter. It is a final opportunity to eat well and enjoy oneself before the restrictions of Lent take hold, and is celebrated with enthusiasm in many Italian cities, especially Venice. The tradition of getting dressed up at Carnival is one that goes back many year to a time in which the class system played a major role in society. The aim of wearing the disguises and masks in places like Venice for example were so that no one knew who you were and so that people were able to mix freely as identiy and who one was, or more to the point who one wasn’t didn’t play a significant role. The Venetian carnival masks are known as ‘maschere’ and are often handmade and hand painted, they make great souvenirs or gifts.

The main point of Carnival is fun. Children throw confetti in the streets, people play pranks on eachother and tell jokes, colourful parades make their way through the streets, balls take place and the streets are packed out with all sorts of forms of entertatinment, and music, complimented by the great variety of food and drink on offer.
Carnevale is a time when the pressures of everyday life are forgotten in a joyous rush of celebration, where the rules that shape the rest of the year do not necessarily apply. Children throw confetti in the streets, and pranks and jokes are tolerated and expected. Parades, balls and parties of all kinds are packed out, with entertainment and music complementing the food and drink on offer. The Gaudy gondola parades and the masked parades in St. Mark’s Square are the unmissable events of the carnival season. The Cannaregion distric also hosts a special carnival event for children which means that noone is left out of the celebrations.

Venice is not the only Italian city to go wild at this time of year; Viareggio on the Tuscan coast puts on a parade of papiermache floats. Away from the mainland, Oristano on Sardinia add an equestrian theme to the proceedings, with its La Sartigilia festival featuring a horse race and jousting tournament. At Ivrea in Piedmont, festival goers throw oranges at each other in celebration.
The saying ‘A Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale’, or ‘anything goes at Carnival’ perhaps best sums up the feeling of liberation and celebration that surrounds this festival. Visitors to Italy at this time of year should be ; they might not want to come home.

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Simply walking around the city and its iconic locations should be enough to get anyone’s romantic juices flowing. While locations such as the Bridge of Sighs and the Piazza San Marco are world famous, one of the most attractive walking routes in Venice is known as the Fondamenta delle Zattere. This route follows the Giudecca Canal, beginning at San Basilio and ending at Punta della Salute. An old customs house can be seen here, and the view, over San Marco bay to San Giorgio island and as far as the Lido, is difficult to beat.

The Bridge of Sighs may sound romantic, and has certainly become so over the years, with its beautiful Baroque decoration and Istrian stone. However, the bridge originally was used to transport prisoners from the Palazzo Ducale, the venue for trials, to the Piombi, Venice’s old prisons. The ‘sighs’ being made by the prisoners were certainly not of a romantic nature!

Venetian food is known for the seasonality of its ingredients, and a dinner for two in the city is something special. While the bacari, or ‘pubs’, offer tapas-like dishes known as ‘cichetti’, usually accompanied with an ‘ombra’, literally a ‘shadow’ but here a small glass of wine. The seafood dishes are superb, and the region is well-known for its risottos. A good place for a coffee break is Caffè Florian, one of Venice’s more famous venues. Located underneath the portico of the new Procuratie, this cafe has been going since 1720, and its interiors are stirring examples of 19th Century luxury.

A great focus for a trip to Venice is a visit to the opera or the ballet. One venue is the Gran Teatro la Fenice, recently reconstructed after a destructive fire. As a way of topping off a romantic weekend away, it is hard to beat.

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]]> http://www.tourism-italia.com/a-romantic-trip-to-venice/feed/ 0 http://www.tourism-italia.com/hiking-on-the-cinque-terre/ http://www.tourism-italia.com/hiking-on-the-cinque-terre/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:01:38 +0000 admin http://www.tourism-italia.com/?p=366 For travellers who are keen on the beautiful scenery of Europe as well as the adventure and challenge of a hike, the Cinque Terre in Italy in an ideal choice of holiday destination. Located on the coast of Italy, the Cinque Terre or ‘The Five Lands’, makes up part of the Italian Riviera and the Cinque Terra National Park. The hilly region consists of five villages as denoted in its title, which are Corniglia, Manarola, Monterosso al Mare, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. Deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visitors can be assured that Cinque Terre will remain charmingly beautiful due to its protected status. Conservation efforts ensure that Cinque Terre is not marred by the same gaudy commercialisation that other popular tourist areas often suffer.

The villages of Cinque Terre are served by ferries, which allows holidaymakers to arrive by land or sea. Tourists will find that travelling by train is the easiest option to take when travelling via land, with trains arriving there from Rome, Milan and Tuscany amongst other areas. Holidaymakers who plan to stay at Cinque Terre are advised to book accommodation beforehand to avoid disappointment. In addition to arrange of accommodation being available in the area, it is also possible to set up a tent on designated camping areas.

Despite the exposed location, Cinque Terre enjoys a comfortable climate with sunny springs and summers and moderate temperatures. However, the area has been known to be affected by adverse weather conditions with heavy rainfall causing landslides and flooding that led to extensive damage. By avoiding late autumn and winter periods, visitors can get peace of mind from knowing that they are likely to enjoy reasonable weather conditions.

The steep cliffs and rugged landscape of Cinque Terre offers an ideal locale for a hiking holiday, enabling many to be able to explore and take in impressive views on foot. The Sentiero Azzurro Trail or ‘Light Blue Trail’ allows hikers who follow its path to visit each of the five villages that form Cinque Terre. Smaller paths intersect the Sentiero Azzurro and create the ability to design a hike that is most suited to the individual undertaking the same, such as being able to be completed
piecemeal or wheelchair accessible. The most difficult sections of the trails are those that follow the coastal line, with sheer cliff edges and tricky mountainous terrain awaiting the adventurous.

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]]> http://www.tourism-italia.com/hiking-on-the-cinque-terre/feed/ 0 http://www.tourism-italia.com/venturing-to-italy-during-winter/ http://www.tourism-italia.com/venturing-to-italy-during-winter/#comments Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:38:45 +0000 admin http://www.tourism-italia.com/?p=348 Soaked in culture and laden with attractions, Italy is the perfect choice for a magical winter getaway.

Italy is truly one of the most beautifully scenic of all the countries across the globe, and in the winter months the beauty is majorly exaggerated. Winter is an advisable time to visit Italy because the tourist crowds begin to die down, meaning you can enjoy your stay without the hustle and bustle of queuing for days out. If you are contemplating a journey to Italy in winter, take note of the recommended places to venture and why it would appeal to you.

What Climate To Expect When Visiting Italy In Winter

If you enjoy snowy destinations and cooler temperatures, then take a trip to Sicily, Sardinia or various areas of the southern mainland in Italy. These locations are relatively mild in climate and can range from considerably cold to majorly snowy in the northern mountains, providing a genuine wintery atmosphere. If you wish to move your destination to the well-known Italian landmarks such as Florence, Tuscany, Umbria and Venice then you are in for a treat, because these tourist destinations will often experience some snow in the winter months as well. Although these areas will sometimes get a dusting of snow, they can also sustain clear and crisp days. If this does not appeal to you and you want to delve straight into the coldest parts of Italy then plan your trip to the mountain ranges of the Alps, where you can participate in skiing and other outdoor sports.

Festivals & Events To Experience In Italy’s Winter Months

Of course, Italy is an outstanding and exotic destination to visit all year round, but winter time captures the highlights of all that there is to experience. With Christmas, New Years and the Carnevale season present during the winter months, fascinating events and festivals are celebrated. Journey to Viareggio and Venice for major festivals or take part in the Piazza Navona Christmas Market based in Rome throughout December. Countless nativity scenes and traditions take place in Italy from December to March, giving you plenty of time to partake in as many as possible. With earlier sunsets in winter, you will have the chance to see Italy blooming at night time. Not only are cultural events and beautiful sights consistent at this time of year, but hotel and flight prices are majorly discounted too.

Be sure to pack your clothes wisely for winter in Italy, because temperatures can get very chilly. Bear in mind that the majority of tourist attractions will be closed at this time however, you will have the opportunity to participate in other activities such as skiing and winter sports. Spot the winter discounts and plan your stay wisely for an unforgettable winter trip.

Picture: Rainer Sturm/ pixelio.de

Eurocamp has holiday camping parks in Tuscany and Rome, at the Italian lakes and on the Italian Adriatic. You could spend a few days in each enjoying the mountains, seaside, gorgeous scenery and ancient ruins.

Most of their campsites offer a wide variety of activities including football, badminton, tennis, basketball, horse riding, golf and mini golf. They all have thrilling water parks and many have water slides and chutes, whirlpools and lazy rivers. The sites on the sea offer wind surfing, scuba diving, sailing, kayaking and much more.

Entertainment includes games rooms with fun stations for all ages as well as planned excursions to local historical sites or theme parks. Camping near Venice is an inexpensive way to visit the romantic city and enjoy the art, culture, history and food.

Eurocamp holiday parks offer several types of accommodation. Mobile homes with two or three bedrooms that sleep six or eight, two types of tents that sleep up to six and chalets and lodges that may sleep six to eight.

Canvas Holidays also offers many campsites in Italy that are clean and modern. They have fantastic swimming complexes, many sports facilities and other activities as well as on site restaurants and bars with great Italian food and wine. The accommodation consists mainly of Maxi Tents and mobile homes in a variety of sizes. There is facility for self catering in each type of accommodation.

If you want to have fun in Italy, Rimini, in the Adriatic Sea coast, is well-known for its beaches, activities and nightlife. You will find very good accommodations in Riccione to organise your trip.

Picture: Peter Heinrich  / pixelio.de

The unemployment rate amongst young people between the ages of 15-24 years old rose to 28.9% and experts say things are expected to get worse for 2011.

The effects of the recession are not only affecting young people; a recent report has suggested. Experts are predicting that unemployment rates could increase by 20% in 2011 as more companies are feeling the strain of the recession. It is estimated that around 400,000 people are at risk of losing there jobs in 2011 and joining the current 2 million Italians currently on the dole.

Employees in the construction and engineering sector are the most concerned at loosing their jobs, claiming that this key area of the Italian economy has felt the biggest strain throughout the recession. The tourism sector, however, remains at a steady pace, experts say. Thanks to cheaper European transport costs in and out of the country, a steady flow of tourism has been able to come and go within Italy, keeping the industry strong throughout the recession.

Health experts in Italy stress that although this is a good start, more needs to be done to push this initiative and reach even better results in forthcoming years. While the original smoking ban in public places was introduced in 2005, an further extension was brought in, in 2007 to also include train stations. Naples and Verona have also banned smoking in public parks.

Experts have called for more help from the media to push anti-smoking initiatives throughout Italy. More government initiatives such as lowering taxes on anti-smoking products and setting up specialised medical centres are expected to be introduced in the future.