Travelling Italy

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St. Angelo Castle - Rome
2007-10-05 16:20:00
The castle was originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD. Since then it has played many roles: a military fortification, a prison and a place of safety for the Pope during times of political unrest. A corridor links the castle with the Vatican Palace.The massive fortress of St. Angelo Castle takes its name from the vision of the Archangel Michael by Pope Gregory the Great in the 6th century, as he led a procession across the bridge, praying for the end of the plague of Black Death.The many rooms in the castle are extremely interesting: the bathroom of Clement VII decorated by Giulio Romano, the Sala Paolina with illusionistic frescoes by Tibaldi and Perin del Vaga, the historical prisons section, called the Mouth of Hell, where Cellini, Giordano Bruno, Cagliostro were imprisoned.This splendid bridge, built in the 2nd century links St. Angelo Castle to Campo Marzio.The bridge is adorned with statues of St. Paul and St. Peter. In the mid 17th century Pope Cleme...
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Visiting Italy For The Purpose Of Sightseeing
2007-09-30 01:55:00
Author: Ray J. WalbergWith the population strength of 2.7 million, Rome has mild to rainy climate in winter while in the summer it is hot and dry. To understand the city's artistic richness it would be wise to move on foot since you can play it by ear while you can take quick side trips at the inspiration of the poetic spirit in you. However to move around conveniently you can depend on private guided tours for which you can easily contact your hotel management. Tram-Bus system is another reasonably priced option that will take you around the city and Rome's neighborhoods as well to enjoy a charming tour.Whatever may be your special preferences as a tourist there are some places you cannot miss when you are visiting Rome with the sole purpose of sightseeing. In the popularity scale possibly the Coliseum would come next to the Vatican to say the least. Moreover it is the most recognizable structure of Rome. Since operating hours vary all along the year it would be advisable that fo...
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Italy Beats Hawaii as the Best Honeymoon Destination
2007-09-30 01:49:00
Author: Roy WitmanAsk any bride-to-be and she'll quickly tell you that honeymoon dreams come true in Hawaii . This tropical paradise has been king of the hill when it comes to honeymoon destinations for nine straight years. But this year, the king was dethroned. Instead of finding Hawaii as big kahuna, Italy took the lead.In previous years, Italy ranked third, but in the 11th annual Modern Bride survey for 2007, it surpassed Hawaii, followed by Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mexico and France. The 11th annual survey was conducted through a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who ranked their 50 favorite honeymoon spots. The results appear in the magazine's August/September issue. But what doesn't appear is the answer to the question "why?"According to Hawaii's state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the trend has been building over time. The number of honeymoon couples traveling to the Aloha State fell to just over 200,000 as of June this year. That's a 1.2% drop ...
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Modern Rome
2007-09-18 18:43:00
Author: Christian DerlagenVia Articlesbase.comCaput mundi, or the head of the world, is the Latin term many inhabitants of Rome use to indicate the importance of their city in world history. But the head could use a little rejuvenation. Although the countless historical monuments and artistic jewels still hold a great attraction for the millions of tourists that visit the Eternal City every year, the city seemed to have missed the connection with a new generation of visitors that are also looking for the 21st century vibe of the Italian capital. On matters of music, modern art or trendy nightclubs, Rome could not compete anymore with other European cities such as London, Berlin or Barcelona. But today that seems to change. Design-hotels, minimalistic restaurants and number of new centres for modern art and architecture are rapidly conquering their position in the “dolce vita” of young Romans.If you are planning to visit Rome, do not only spend your time between the wonderful mon...
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A Tourist Guide To Puglia
2007-09-18 08:20:00
Author Doug ScottPuglia is a region located on the East coast of southern Italy. It is often known as the heel due to Italy's aerial view resemblance to a knee-high boot. Many past rulers from years ago have used this region for a base location to try and control both the Adriatic and Ionian seas. These days it is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful coastline and natural scenery.Travelling ThereFlying is the best option for getting there as the region three airports (Bari-Palese, Brindisi and Foggia). Good rail and road networks allow for frequent train and bus journeys. If you are arriving from Greece then the ferries to Bari and Brindisi are a good choice.Acomodation OptionsPuglia is a large region and so accommodation options are plentiful. Hotels, campsites and guesthouses are the norm but why not make your holiday a bit more of an experience and stay in a castle or a trullo that are found in the Alberobello area.HistoryThe region of Puglia is home to many ci...
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Holiday in Sardinia
2007-09-17 04:38:00
Holiday in Sard iniaThe island of Sardinia is second in size only to Sicily among the islands of the western Mediterranean. It lies 120 miles (200 km) west of the mainland of Italy, 7.5 miles (12 km) south of the neighbouring French island of Corsica, and 120 miles (200 km) north of the coast of Africa. The capital is Cagliari.It is not a big Mediterranean destination for tourist but a sophisticated island set in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.For many years Sardinia was considered a harsh and inhospitable country – a place to exile the unwanted. Today things have changed. This enchanting island where the incredibly clear light turquoise sea gently laps the sand and the shores will be a welcoming refuge from the loudness and chaos of every day life. Like a magic place, it will wake up our sleeping senses and give us regenerating energy.It is small enough to be called an island but big enough to be a universe unto itself. It is renowned for its deserted beautiful beaches, its c...
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Top Places to See in Tuscany
2007-09-13 15:54:00
The Tuscany or Toscana region of west northwest Italy or “Chianti shire” as it is sometimes described is one of those in areas where it is extremely hard to put together a top 10 of any form of tourism highlights.Where on earth would you start? Possibly, Florence I suppose.Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Florence has so many architectural delights and treasures that it would be very easy to spend not just one holiday but a lifetime appreciating the delights of Florence. The Uffizi for one has to be or almost at the top of the list. The former offices of the ruling Medici family (now there’s a name to take seriously) the Uffizi houses a veritable cornucopia (treasure trove to the uninitiated) of Renaissance masters that it is difficult to take all of them in.Next on your whistle stop tour of Florence I guess would be the Duomo. It is very easy and understandable to be dumbstruck when you first view the Duomo. Why? Well for starters there is the central dome designed by Brunel...
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Florence, Italy...a Must See for the First-time Visitor to Italy
2007-09-13 15:43:00
If I were to pick one city as a definite must-see for the first time traveler to Italy , my choice would be Florence . Since the birth of the Renaissance, Florence has retained its standing as a center of art and culture. It has also become renowned for high fashion (excellent leather and silk goods), great cuisine, beautiful parks, tourism and, of course, friendly and warm people. Located in the heart of the central region of Tuscany, Florence is situated in a valley surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills. It is about a three-hour train ride north of Rome and 1 hour from Pisa.Home to many great prominent figures (Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Dante Allighieri, Niccolo' Machiavelli), their legacies can be seen all over town. In the Academy Art Gallery one can see Michaelangelo's famous Statue of David, completed by the sculptor at age 26 after others had rejected the marble block because of its imperfections. According to the bible, David represents an Israelite shepherd b...
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Hiking in Italy Western Alps
2007-09-13 15:32:00
Some of the best things about Italy are found completely within the Western Alps , if you’re a hiker. Of course there’s the country’s highest peak, which no hiker can resist. Then there is Italy’s oldest national park, also found in the Western Alps. Count the amazing variety of flora and fauna, the alpine meadows, and accessible yet remote wilderness areas, and you have the perfect setting for a hiker’s dream vacation in beautiful Italy. Discover Colonna mine or encounter wildlife throughout Vallone del Grand Nomenon.Reach your personal goals and try for the six-day trek along the Alta Via 2, known as a particularly challenging route. From Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso (Gran Paradiso National Park) to Valle d’Aosta, to Monte Bianco (the highest peak in Europe), there is a series of wonderful pathways for hikers and walkers who will find that traversing the Western Alps to be the experience of a lifetime. Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso will stun you with its beauty...
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The Benefits to Reserve an Accommodation in Central Rome
2007-09-04 18:49:00
Author: Paola Lo RussoRome has a vast number of pensioni and hotels, but it is always best to book in advance. This article has the purpose to explain where I suggest to reserve hotels in Rome and the benefits to reserve an accommodation (hotel or apartment) in this area.The area from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia and from the Spanish Steps to the Tiber is the medieval centre of Rome, the Centro Storico. It also comprises the Reinassance Quarter, a dense, wedge-shaped area past Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, but that area – somewhat different in character – is described below. Here, however, is mixture of tourists and Romans in an areaLively and exuberant, crowded day and night, yet retaining its historic charm; the financial and political centre of the modern capital; and large modernised apartments in centuries-old palazzo that make it a convenient and exciting area in which to live.Centro Storico refers to an area that included the Campus Martius in ancient Rome. This dist...
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Venice Film Festival 2007
2007-08-29 10:52:00
The Mostra Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica, better known internationally as the Venice Film Festival , is by far the oldest film festival still in existence today. Screenings take place in cinemas all over the city, but the centre of the action is the Lido area.The festival was established in 1932, and even in the prevailing cinematic climate of fascist propaganda films and imitations of Hollywood comedies ("white telephone" comedies, named after that undying symbol of elegance and opulence), it upheld the values of cinema d'auteur, transcending national boundaries.The 64th Venice International Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday 29 August. The opening ceremony is to take place in the Palazzo del Cinema at 7.00 p.m., hosted by the Italian actress Ambra Angiolini. This will be followed by Antonello Sarno's documentary, Venezia 75, and by the first film screening in competition, Atonement by Joe Wright.More information here.64th Venice International Film FestivalAugust 29 - S...
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Ciampino Airport
2007-08-28 18:09:00
Rome Ciampino Airport (Italian: Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino or Giovan Battista Pastine Airport) (IATA: CIA, ICAO: LIRA) is a joint civilian, commercial and military airport near Rome in Italy. The airport is situated 15 km southeast of central Rome, just outside the Greater Ring Road (Italian: Grande Raccordo Anulare) the circular motorway around the city. Until 1960 Ciampino was the main airport of Rome, before the construction of the Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino.There is no rail transport at Ciampino Airport. The options are to take a bus to a rail station (either metro or regular train) or to take a bus or taxi all the way.Bus, then rail transportCOTRAL/Schiaffini operates buses from outside the terminal building to Anagnina metro station, costing €1. A metro ticket to central Rome costs another €1. For the same price, buses take go to Ciampino local train station, from where a train to Rome Termini station costs €2. Train tickets must be bought from ...

When in Rome--do What the Romans Do!
2007-08-28 12:13:00
author : Roy E. K.If you have taken the time and expense to visit Rome , why would you be concerned about home?So, you have planned this trip to Rome for months-you need to get away, to forget about things for awhile and enjoy all that Rome has to offer. Everyone needs a vacation, a change of pace, an opportunity to experience something different.So why is it that two days after you have arrived in Rome, you are thinking about things at home? Your focus is not where you are. Your mind constantly is returning to what may be going on at home. Your job is occupying much of your minds attention. You left home to experience Rome, not to dwell on things thousands of miles away. Your home will be there when you get back. Your job will be there and so will your family and friends. How much sense does it make to be dwelling on these things?You have 14 days, and for two of them you have not been in the moment. If fact your time has been spend looking for familiar things- food, surroundings and...
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Visit the Coliseum!
2007-08-27 11:17:00
Author: Andrew ReganThe eternal city of Rome provides the venue for many a romantic weekend or holiday break, offering a memorable mix of activities and sights guaranteed to keep even the hardest-to-please tourist happy! The capital of Italy is home to great designer shopping, a long impressive history and, of course, a gorgeous Mediterranean climate. Furthermore, Rome is currently in the news due to the election of the Coliseum - its iconic ancient stadium - as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.The Coliseum is Europe’s sole representative in the new Seven Wonders list, for which 90 million people voted in an online poll. The results, announced during a star-studded ceremony in Lisbon in early July, also revealed the remaining six of the new Seven Wonders of the World to be: the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India, Chichén Itzá in Mexico, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil, and the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The poll has ...
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Milan, Fashion capital of Italy!
2007-08-26 20:58:00
Milan is the business, fashion and design capital of Italy , with numerous fashion and trade fairs in the Rho` district of the city (previously held in the Fiera district). It is also Italy's second largest and richest city. The city is split into 9 zones and full of beautiful architecture, lively nightlife and many museums and exhibitions. As Milan is based in the very north of Italy, Switzerland is only a short distance by train, so worth a day trip if visting the city. The stunning scenery of Lake Como and Lake Lecco is also worth a day trip and again a very short journey by train.Centro Storico (the historical centre) is full of life, with many things to see and do. In this area you will find the huge Piazza Duomo and Duomo Cathedral, (see above photo) the castle Castello Sforzesco, the world renowned opera house La Scala, and stunning shopping gallery, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.(see below photo). Also, just a few minutes walk away from Piazza Duomo, are Via della Spiga, and Vi...
More About: Fashion , Milan , Capital , Fash

The Ambiance of Venice
2007-08-26 02:46:00
Ahhh, Venice ..sounds of Andrea Boccelli resonating from open balcony windows. Two young lovers comfortably embraced while savoring a nice gondola ride through a quaint canal. Couples strolling down the narrow cobblestone streets mano-a-mano. Romance is in the air. And there's no better place for romance than a trip to Venice.Venice's main waterway is the Canale Grande (Grand Canal) which snakes its way through the city for approximately 2 miles. Other canals will feed into and out of this one. The Grand Canal is the "Main Street" of Venice.A good vantage point to see the Grand Canal and its activity is from the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). The Rialto Bridge is one of only three bridges to cross the Grand Canal. The original wooden drawbridge collapsed and was rebuilt a few times culminating with its current day stone structure in the late 1500's.Piazza San Marco is really the heart and soul of Venice. This is the main tourist focal point of the city. It is a place where p...
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Things to do in Rome
2007-08-24 12:59:00
Author: Cherdkiat TaesookavatFor new travelers who never been to Rome before could find out that it is very hard to imagine how Rome looks like and how to prepare themselves before visiting Rome. There are already plenty of this kind of information but this one probably the in-dept one that you are looking for. There are some good tips about what kind of attractions that you should visit when you are in Rome as they are particularly interesting even some of them may not be the highlighted attractions.Rome is very well known among travelers of its attractive building, environment and fascinating culture. One you have a chance to visit Rome, you will be able to find out that Rome is not just a place for vacation and relax but it is also for anyone who wants to learn history and culture because Rome is the city that has very interesting history and diversity of culture. By visiting Rome, there are some tourist attractions that could not be missed. General description of RomeRome is cla...
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