Travel Blog

From the canals of Venice to the architecture of Florence to the ancient historic sites of Rome, Italy is land of plenty for travelers. The food is rich, the people warm and the scenery varies from towering mountains to beautiful seascapes. Italy truly offers something wonderful for every traveler.

With so many choices, it can be a daunting task to plan a visit to Italy. Your best course of action is planning a personalized itinerary, listing the top places you want to visit. One choice might be to explore Tuscany, a region synonymous with romance. Perhaps you’ll choose to spend your time exploring Rome, Milan and the Italian Riviera. Another fun choice would be to explore the island of Sicily.

Expert travel writer Karen Brown has created several special itineraries for travelers to Italy, allowing them to truly experience all the fun of this vast country. She also describes some of the best places to stay, and the following hotels are all recent winners of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Awards:

Selecting the most romantic place to stay in a nation that is known as one of the world’s great romantic destinations is no easy feat, but Karen Brown’s readers have voted, choosing Locanda dell’Amorosa as the “Most Romantic” spot in Italy. This Tuscan treasure was its own village and has been converted into hotel, restaurant and wine bar. Each of the guest rooms is different, simply furnished in an elegant style with antiques and rustic pieces. Views of the surrounding countryside and vineyards are sure to charm you. The hotel is a perfect home base for travelers wishing to explore Tuscany and Umbria.

Il Falconiere Relais, just a few kilometers outside of Cortona, is yet another Tuscan gem. The hotel, the recipient of the Karen Brown Readers’ Choice Award for Italy’s “Warmest Welcome,” offers an assortment of beautifully appointed, romantic guest rooms and suites. The setting at this hotel is amazing, from the views of the surrounding countryside to the ambiance of the dining room.

Albergo Villa Belvedere is proof that you can eat your cake and have it too. This beautiful villa was chosen by Karen Brown readers as Italy’s “Greatest Value.” While not luxurious, the guest rooms are clean and comfortable with simple furnishings, and some have pleasant views of Lake Como. Breakfast and dinner, both filled with hearty fare, are included in the rates, adding to the value of this lakeside retreat. The Cappelletti Family and their warm hospitality are another huge plus, and you’ll be treated more as a friend than a hotel guest.

Pamper yourself at one of the world’s great resorts on the stunning Amalfi Coast at Il San Pietro di Positano. Everything about this hotel is spectacular, from the unparalleled views from the many terraces to the elegant guest rooms to the gourmet cuisine served at the hotel’s restaurant. The list of amenities is enormous - a full-service spa, fitness center, swimming pool and tennis court. Best of all is a private beach cove where you can lounge and sunbathe to your heart’s content. Il San Pietro was chosen as Italy’s best “Splendid Splurge” by Karen Brown readers.

Rome is a city where you can pretty much spend much of your time on foot and walking has never been more exciting!. Wondering through Rome’s old historical center is one of the most enjoyable aspects of being in Rome.

Explore the magnificent buildings and their architecture, take in the street life, visit hundreds of churches as you stroll down the narrow cobblestone streets, go window shopping, and walk into any caf?-bar for that taste of capuccino flavor. Our advise is to start early in the moring and get ready for a long walk with a pair of comfortable shoes.

All of the most famous sites in Rome are very close to each other in the very city center, you can easily see the most important ones two-three days.
If you are coming to Rome with your family and children probably the best time in the year is April-May or September-October, when the weather is just perfect.

Italians are in love with children and you will be very welcome everywhere you go. Children will be provided with special high chairs, often available in Pizzerias and Trattorias.

Most of these places don’t rule out the fact that children eat only half-portions or share meals. The most amusing pizzerias for kids are the old fashioned ones. Here they can watch the chefs pound, stretch, and flip the though in the air which is something different they will always remember!

Nightlife in Rome is exciting and in latest years the number places to hangout and clubs have increased and are focusing on a more demanding clientele.

In Testaccio area you will easily find all the best tastes for all budgets and a wide variety of places. Another equally popular activity is to simply relax with friends and enjoy a good bottle of wine in the so-called “enoteche” (wine bars)located in any of the historic center’s beautiful squares.

Rome also has a large offer of entertainment with Jazz, Rock, Folk, South American and world music concerts in many venues scattered around the city.

Lately, many new Italian bands are having international success and are out into the spotlight, be sure to give them a try.

Summer months bring excellent open-air rock, jazz and world music festivals. Ippodromo delle Capannelle has become the most popular highlight of many Roman Summer Events, selling million tickets in sales. African music is not forgotten and in June-July there’s an excellent festival taking place in Villa Ada. Talents such as Angelique Kidjo and pianist Abdullah Ibrahim perform here.

The popular, small local food markets and the several curiosity markets are all very well-known and located in the city center. Trastevere has a famous flea market whilst in Campo dei Fiori you will find a very characteristic vegetable and flower market .

Roman markets offer a lively feel of entertainment. During the Christmas and Epiphany holidays, many stand owners present their goods in a variety of handicrafts, games, toys, and clothes. A perfect opportunity to stock up on Italian specialties.

No doubt that Rome is an excellent choice for group and family vacation!

Intro - Trastevere Area is famous for its restaurants, pubs, movie theaters, and nightlife. In the evening, all of the cafes and restaurants tables spill out over to the pavement, especially in the area of Santa Maria Square in Trastevere. The morning here has instead a unique and antique charm mainly due to Trastevere’s narrow cobbled alleyways.

The Area - Trastevere is the district that lays on the right bank of the Tiber. It was called “Trans Tiberem” (across the Tiber) and it was considered a precarious region.

It belonged to the Etruscans until Rome conquered it again and get back in control of both banks of the river. “Pons Sublicius” bridge (from Latin: “bridge built on piles”) was the only one way from Trastevere to the city (Rome). With the Emperor Augustus this area soon began to be considered part of the city.

During the Republic era in 509, the number of sailors and fishermen making a living from the river had increased, and many had taken up residence in Trastevere.

Then, during the Imperial Age, on the top of Trastevere hill rich romans built some luxury villas and gardens. For example Clodia (which was said to be Catullus lover) lived here, and Julius Caesar with his garden villa called ‘the Horti Caesaris’ lived here. The flat land below was used to be home for poor people and small.

Trastevere grew in a network of small, curly streets in the Middle Age because of structures on the front of buildings that left no space for carriages to pass.This is why a strong contrast between large houses for rich people and small houses for poor people are still creating such a contrast.

Up until 1400 Trastevere streets had no pavement, later bricks were used and then replaced by sampietrini (cobble stones).

The oldest church in the area is Santa Maria in Trastevere (probably among the firsts to host an open ceremony). Santa Maria is indeed the queen of all churches of the area and immediately became the focus point for devotion to the Virgin by its people. It is said that this church Mother of God was worshiped in Rome. In the Square there is an Octagonal fountain that today is a meeting point. The neighbourhood still has its own medieval character and the many changes occurred in the recent years haven’t changed it a lot.

Today this area still has its own style due to the narrow cobbled streets built in the medieval era. At night, both italians and tourists gather together around its many restaurants and pubs. Trastevere is attracting tourists, locals, artists, foreign expats, and many famous people and it is incredibly charming.

The area is home to John Cabot University, a private American University. Also to the American Academy in Rome, and the Rome campus of the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. The Canadian University of Waterloo School of Architecture (between the months of September and December), and the American Pratt Institute School of Architecture therefore serving as a temporary home to an International student body.

In the 60s and 70s, the American musicians Frederic Rzewski and Richard Teitelbaum (Musica Elettronica Viva group), lived here in Via della Luce. The director of Spaghetti Westerns Sergio Leone, grew up in Viale Glorioso (you will see a marble plaque to his memory on the wall of the apartment building), and went to a Catholic private school in Trastevere.

Trastevere is definitely the place to stay when in Rome!

This article is about spending holidays in Italy and where are good places to go as well as what there is to do.

Spending the Holidays in Italy

Italy is a beautiful country to spend your holiday. Not only is it full of culture but it’s also a very historic place. Many attractions are available in this country. Whether it’s a couple wanting a romantic holiday or a family looking for a nice vacation spot, Italy will not disappoint anyone. There are several popular cities worth seeing in Italy including Venice, Rome and Milan. While each of them is similar, they all have different highlights and wonders to see.

Rome

If you’ve decided on Rome for your Italian holiday vacation, you’ve chosen one of the most historical cities in the world. You will see works of art and architecture that you’ve only seen in magazines and books. Much of the artwork goes back as far as the Baroque and Renaissance eras. You can spend all your time in their galleries and museums and still not see all they have to offer.

Venice

Venice is another city that is exciting and will keep you on the move. Although referred to as waterlogged and half-submerged, you’ll get a real kick out of riding the gondolas. Venice, like all of Italy, is a very romantic spot to either find love or renew your love for that someone special. Venice is the location of the Mascheranda Ball, home of the famous Venetian masks. St. Mark’s square is a real hit with the tourists you’ll see strolling down the streets. Rialto Market has many vendors in action trying to sell their wares.

Milan

For the people that enjoy fashion and design, Milan is the perfect spot, as you’ll see many famous fashion designers that have come from all over the world for their amazing fashion shows each season. Anyone that’s important in the fashion industry visits Milan and chances are you’ll see some of them there. In addition, you’ll see the beauty of the city for your holiday in Milan.

Booking Your Italy Holidays

Many travel agencies book holiday vacations for flights and accommodations in person or through the internet. Italian holidays are quite common for the travel agencies. Whereas at one time Italy holidays were just a dream, more and more people are finding them affordable.

Things To Do On Your Italy Holiday

There are so many things to do while in Italy, your time will literally fly by. Cycling in Italy is quite popular with exercise and fitness being so important today. Sightseeing is something you’ll spend a great deal of time doing as well. While in Italy, don’t forget to check out their best restaurants for some delicious Italian cooking.