Places to Stay for your Italy Vacation

When you travel to Italy you can be rest assured that accommodations will not
be a problem. Remember that this is one of the biggest tourist destinations of
the world so there is a healthy helping of hotels, villas, inns, and bed and
breakfasts to choose from. You may be on a budget, you may want to live in
luxury, you may want to experience Italy in the home of an Italian or you may
be traveling in a group and prefer to stay at a place that can accommodate
everyone. All the largest international hotels chains have a place in Italy so
if that is what you prefer then there will be plenty of choices for that
especially in Rome.

During your vacation to Italy you will find that there is something to suit
everyone's needs. However to completely experience Italy on your vacation it is
recommended that you stay at a small bed and breakfast if you can. Most of these
are family run and you will hear all kinds of stories, folklore and little known
facts that may not be in any of the guide books you may have with you on your
Italy vacation. Some of the bed and breakfasts will even offer you a price to
include a roundtrip ticket from London.

If you are traveling in style and you are visiting Venice, you may want to
consider staying at the Novecento Boutique Hotel. It is a chic bed and
breakfast that is family run and offers luxurious accommodations. 30 minutes
from the airport and offering free internet services, this hotel is modern but
still maintains the old Venetian feel to it that will be appreciated by even
the most discerning visitors. It is very close to many of Venice's main
attractions and with only 9 rooms, it is most suited to smaller groups or
pairs. Most of the rooms have antiques collected by the owners through their
own world travels and the bathrooms are especially large. The food here is said
to be excellent and this boutique hotel is noted for its peaceful setting even
for being as close as it is to all the action in Venice. This is the perfect
place to stay if you are in Venice for your Italy vacation.

If you are visiting Florence, you should consider staying at a place called The
Artist's Residence. Florence is the seat of Italy's artistic soul and this bed
and breakfast is the perfect place to experience the renaissance. It is in the
middle of old Florence and is furnished with 19th century sculptures created by
Giovanni Dupre. The present owners of the bed and breakfast are his descendants.
You will find original florentino tiled floors and even the bar counter was a
confessional from 1500AD. Some bedrooms have terraces and you may be able to
see the courtyard gardens from your terrace. Breakfast here is also said to be
excellent and there are numerous restaurants close by to choose from for your
other meals. There are 45 air-conditioned rooms here and also a gym and a
solarium. This hotel also provides access to the internet if you cannot go
without it on your Italy vacation.

Sightseeing on your Italy Vacation

You cannot go on an Italy vacation without doing some sightseeing. In fact this
is one of the most cited reasons for visiting Italy. The country has a rich
culture and a rich history. All over Italy are historic buildings, monuments,
museums and all kinds of places to visit that will make your Italy vacation
truly eventful. Italy is also a center for high fashion and along with the
great food, friendly people, wine and the Catholic Church this may be one of
the best sightseeing vacations you have ever been on. It is important to make
sure you see the most important sights before you leave. So where do most
people go to when they are on an Italian Vacation?

When you go to Italy you must visit Rome. There are several popular places here
for sightseers. The Colosseum is a very famous landmark in Rome. It is a huge
open air theatre that was built by Emperor Titus in AD80 for games and
gladiatorial battles. When many people see the Colosseum the
movie "Gladiator" comes to mind. Another magnificent sight is the Pantheon in
Rome. It is a huge temple built in AD120 and up until 1960 it had the largest
dome in the world. Rome is also the home of the Pope in Vatican City, another
popular destination for sightseeing on an Italian Vacation. Other cities in
Italy that are popular for sightseers include Milan, Venice, Naples and Sicily.

Pisa is a smaller city but it is world famous due to the Leaning Tower. It is a
bell tower in the Pisa Cathedral that is made up of a group of 4 beautiful white
marble buildings. Construction on this started in 1173 and went on for 200 years
because of a lot of interruptions. Since the construction took so long, the bell
tower started to lean hence the name.

If you are a savvy sightseer or traveler and know some Italian you may be able
to arrange to see all these sights for yourself. But you may want to consider
having everything arranged by someone else because you don't want to miss any
of the important places and you will benefit greatly from a guided tour. There
are several sightseeing companies that offer tours for visitors. Guided tours
will usually follow a pre-set route through a city or town during your Italy
vacation. Not only are the guides fluent in English but they also have a wealth
of information on the historical sights and there are opportunities to ask
questions. Some tours on your Italian vacation will allow you to get off the
tour vehicle to explore and then catch another tour vehicle from the same
company later on.

Or if you prefer not to walk, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride without
leaving the bus. Sightseeing tours on your Italian vacation range in price.
There are luxury tour coaches, full day tours, night tours and also several
tours for vacationers on a budget.

Cheap Italy Vacation

For the budget conscious traveler an Italian vacation may seem far out of
reach. But many people are surprised to find that visiting this destination may
be well within the cards. One of the most expensive aspects of a vacation is
usually the airfare and hotel. So what are the options available for those who
want to enjoy Italy and save at the same time?

Well for starters you may want to go on your vacation to Italy during the off
season. This will mean that you will find cheaper airfares. There are great
prices to be found for airfare especially if you plan to fly directly from a
major international airport such as New York or London. All airfare rates drop
dramatically after the summer. Hotel rates per night will also be more
affordable. After the summer many hotels are recovering from the large numbers
of people that came through their doors. You will find out that during your
cheap Italy vacation most places are happy for customers that provide them with
business during the off peak season.

Service could be even better simply because there are fewer people to serve and
focus on. The lines are also shorter for almost everything. Peak season is the
summer months of June through August. So why not plan to go in September if you
can? You will still enjoy all the sights and the remnants of great summer
weather. For example Rome in July can go up to 92 degrees but may be 80 degrees
in September. The advantage of going on your Italian Vacation during the
off-peak season is that the crowds are not there, the weather is slightly
cooler and Italy becomes more of itself. You can really experience Italy and
its people if you go in the off season and you will save some money too. Not
only are hotels and airfares cheaper in the off season but you will also find
discounts available for guided tours and concerts.

Another way to save on your cheap Italian vacation is to take public
transportation whenever possible rather than a taxi. Of course this needs some
planning in advance or you could spend numerous hours lost and wasting valuable
time. But with an adventurous spirit and an Italian pocket dictionary in hand it
can be done! Italy is well known for its extensive rail network. You can get a
rail pass or buy tickets as you go. Either way this option will help you save
if you are on a budget.

Another great tip for a cheap Italy vacation is to forgo the hotel altogether.
Rent a house or an apartment for a few days if you are in a group and you will
save tremendously. This is especially true if you also factor in the presence
of a kitchen that can allow you to make some of your meals rather than rely on
dining out for every meal. Even if you have to stay at a hotel you should also
consider fixing some simple meals such as sandwiches when you can especially if
you come across a grocery store during your cheap Italian vacation.

Italian People and your Italy Vacation

One good reason to go to Italy for your vacation is the people. With over 58
million people in an area about the size of the state of Arizona, Italians are
said to be some of the friendliest people in the world. Their love of life,
food, people, art and their great culture steeped in thousands of years of
history makes an Italy vacation a great choice for leisure travel. You will
find that the people are charming and charismatic. They love family life and
music and tend to be freely giving of their affection. During your Italy
vacation you will notice that Italians are proud of their heritage and are
passionate about everything they do. They are very welcoming to strangers and
quick to share their food and offer their wine or even a joke or a story. So
who are some of the famous Italian people that may be featured at some of the
sites you may visit on your Italy vacation?

One of the most famous Italian people is Leonardo da Vinci. Not only did he
paint perhaps the most recognizable picture of all time "The Mona Lisa" but
most people around the world have heard of him because of his painting "The
Last Supper." This has become the source of several controversies such as the
one portrayed in the book and the movie "The DaVinci Code." During your Italy
vacation you will undoubtedly come across several places that are tied to the
name of this famous Italian. For example he was born and spent much on his
youth around Florence in the Tuscany region and later on moved to Milan.
Unfortunately you will not find the Mona Lisa on your Italy vacation but the
Last Supper is found in a famous church called Santa Maria delle Grazie in
Milan.

Galileo is another famous Italian also from the Florence area known for his
contributions to math, physics and astronomy. You can visit the University of
Pisa during your Italy vacation if you are curious to know where things began
for Galileo. You can also visit the bronze chandelier in the Cathedral of Pisa
that is said to be where Galileo first started thinking about his swinging
pendulum theories. He is said to have timed the swings with his pulse while
sitting in this cathedral.

Marco Polo is another famous Italian. He was a Venetian who traveled and
explored the world. He was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo in Venice and
the house that is said to be his actual birthplace in Venice also exists and is
frequented by people on vacation in Italy.

Michelangelo is also a famous Italian whose name will come up during your Italy
vacation. As a painter and sculptor he was said to be a rival of Leonardo da
Vinci's. "The Last Judgment" is a huge mural he took 6 years to paint that is
on a wall at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. It describes the
apocalypse or second coming of Christ. Michelangelo also designed the dome of
the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City which you will be able to see on your
vacation in Italy.

Seeing Art on Your Italy Vacation

Italy is one of the art centers of the world. This is the home of the
Renaissance and the world famous greats like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci
and Raphael. During your vacation in Italy you will find that art here has
strong ties to religion. Several of the greatest painters also painted numerous
religious subject matters and were often commissioned by the Church to paint
murals.

If you are in the Tuscan city of Florence while on vacation in Italy, you may
visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in the town called Vinci where he was born.
The museum is in a medieval castle called the Conti Guidi Castle. The purpose
of the museum is mainly to serve as a biographical memoir of the great artist
and to describe his hometown and places of interest. There is also a great
library here that holds almost everything that has ever been written about
Leonardo da Vinci as a man, as an artist and about his pieces. You can get a
guided tour of this museum if you happen to be in Tuscany for your Italy
vacation.

If you are in Florence you must also go to the Uffizi Gallery. This place holds
the greatest collection of paintings from the Italian renaissance period. Many
of the painters from that time lived in Florence. This town has beautiful
landscapes and rolling hills and it is no wonder that the great artists were so
inspired by living in this region. An Italy vacation in this area will allow you
to visit this museum and see famous works of art such as Michelangelo's "Doni
Tondo" Leonardo da Vinci's "The Annunciation" and Raphael's "Maddonna of the
Goldfinch." An Italy vacation here will be a true feast for your artistic soul
as you will not only get to see the masterpieces of the greats but you will
also get to walk the streets that they walked on.

If you are in Milan for your Italy vacation, you may want to visit the church
called Santa Maria delle Grazie. This is the church that houses the famous
mural painting of Leonardo da Vinci's called "The Last Supper." His other
famous painting "Mona Lisa" sits in the Louvre Museum in Paris. The Santa Maria
delle Grazie church is protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site of
outstanding cultural benefit to humanity. It also has some very unique and
beautiful architecture designed by Guiniforte Solari in the 1400s. It is said
that during World War II one of the bombs dropped by the British and American
planes hit this important church but the famous mural was saved because the
whole wall had been sand-bagged.

Although it does not feature art in the traditional sense of the word, the
Archeological Museum of Naples is one of the greatest museums in the world of
its kind and holds some of the most important findings from Pompeii and
Herculaneum. You should strongly consider visiting this museum for a guided
tour if you are in Naples for your Italy vacation.

Seeing Architecture on your Italy Vacation

During your Italy vacation you will find that architecture here has had strong
ties to religion through the ages. Many of the great architectural pieces are
religious buildings such as churches and chapels. Just walking around the
tourist attractions and in the country side you will come across several
chapels and churches with great and unique architectural design. There are
numerous other pieces to see in the architectural center of the world. But as
with many things when you are on vacation you will draw more out of a tour if
you have a guide. You guide will be able to provide you with the history
surrounding what you are seeing and its significance. He or she will be able to
accurately describe the architectural style and point out important details.

Although a lot of architecture is surrounded by religion in Italy, nothing says
a great piece of ancient architecture like the Colosseum. This is one of the
most popular destinations for tourists on vacation in Italy and also the world
but the name of its architect is unknown. It is the huge stadium that was built
for sporting events and is now infamous for the gladiator games that took place
here. It could seat 50,000 people and had 80 entrances! During your Italy
vacation you can enter the Colosseum by yourself or with a group for an
unlimited time but you can take a guided 45 minutes tour which will only cost
you a few dollars more. You will probably get more out of your visit by taking
the guided tour option.

An excellent piece of architecture that you may be able to see if you are in
Venice while in Italy for vacation is the Il Teatro del Mondo. This translates
to "The Theatre of the World." It is a more modern piece of architecture
designed by Aldo Rossi that opened in 1979. Modeled after the floating theatres
that were in Venice in the 18th century, it was constructed in a shipyard and
then carefully towed across town. Using steel beams for support the builders
welded the beams together to create a raft that now sits on the water. The
architect Aldo Rossi had a dream to recompose Venice and as you will see during
your Italy vacation here he managed to bring old Venice into the new.

If you are in Florence, Italy on vacation, you should probably see the Pallazo
Vecchio. It is huge gothic town hall with a famous copy of Michelangelo's David
statue. At one point in Italy's history, this building was the seat of the
government around 1865. It is now where Florence's city council holds its
offices. Each room, courtyard and entrance features beautiful architectural
designs. There are private rooms and studies and each room is named after an
architectural feature in the room. During your Italy vacation, you can take a
guided tour of this huge building or you can walk through it at your leisure to
marvel at the amazing ceilings and beautiful designs.

What you must know about Italian Language for your Italian Vacation

When most people are planning a vacation to a different country, language
barriers that may exist are a big concern. Some people even shy away from going
to a foreign country for that very reason even if they can afford it. Going on
an Italian vacation does not mean you need to learn to speak Italian first.
However, you will need some basic vocabulary to help you get around and make
sense of signs or even to ask for help or directions.

If the person you ask for help does not speak English at least they may be able
to point you in the right direction if you can say "bus stop" in Italian.
Another reason to learn some of the language is to enhance your experience. The
words you know before you leave for your Italian vacation will serve as a basis
for you to learn more words when you get there and expand your vocabulary.

Italian is considered a "Romance Language" because it is derived from Latin. It
is said to be one of the closest to Latin and uses the Latin alphabet. Italian
language is characterized by the stressing of certain syllables. There are
formal ways to say things and informal versions. For your needs when traveling,
the informal versions would probably be most appropriate.

One of the most important reasons to learn a few Italian words is if you plan
on using public transportation. Many guides, taxi drivers and hotel employees
are fluent in English and most speak at least some English. But there are a few
scenarios where you may need specific words during your Italian vacation. There
are some basic words that you need to know. These are all the informal
versions. Most people are familiar with the Italian word for "Yes." It is Si.
No is simply No. If you need to say "Hello" it is Ciao. The word Ciao can also
be used for "Goodbye." "How are you?" is Come stai?

During your Italian vacation, everyone will agree that you need to know how to
greet. Italians are very friendly people and to immerse yourself in the culture
you must be able to respond when you are greeted or offer a greeting first.
"Good morning" is Buon giorno! "Good afternoon" is Buona sera! "Good evening"
is Buona sera! "Good night" is Buona notte! And that is in reference to
sleeping well. For your Italian vacation it is important to learn how to say
"please" and "thank you" These are Per favore and Grazie! Italian words that
you will need to help you get directions include "Where...?" which is Dove...?
This is a great word to know because it will help you make all kinds of
sentences such as dove la toeletta? Where is the bathroom?

If you plan on using public transportation at the very least make sure you
carry around with you a card with words for "left, right, north, south, east,
west, bus stop, train" etc. Or if you can, carry along an Italian dictionary.
That will also be a big help on your Italian vacation.

Visiting Venice for your Italy Vacation

If you go on a vacation in Italy it is almost necessary that you visit Venice.
Everyone who has ever been to Italy has an almost classic picture of them in a
"vaporetti" or a "gondola" with a canal for a backdrop. This famous Italian
city found in the north is also sometimes known as the city of water, the city
of bridges and the city of lights. Vaporetti are motorized buses used by
Venetians for transportation around the city's canals while the gondola is a
Venetian boat that is now used mostly by tourists and sometimes for weddings or
funerals. The city is made up of several small islands, 118 to be exact hence
the need for water transportation and the many bridges.

There are 150 canals and 400 bridges. There are also several art galleries and
all together these make for an exciting experience when you are on an Italy
vacation.

You can get a Venice card which allows you free access for seven days into the
museums and casinos. You will also get free waterbus or vaporetti services plus
a free boat trip from the airport with this card. The airport in Venice is on
the main land and is newly renovated. You can go to the train station from here
to get to other parts of Venice. If you are driving on your Italy vacation you
can also get to Venice by car but you will need to take a Ferry boat. The least
expensive garage in Venice is the Tronchetta garage so you can park there and
take a public boat or hire a private water taxi which can be expensive. You
will be able to get one way vaporetti tickets, all day passes or if you are
spending more time here for your Italy vacation you could also get a 72 hour
pass.

If you are in Venice you must tour the city by a gondola. There are several
tours available. For something really different during your Italy vacation in
Venice and if you are really in the mood for it, perhaps you can even take what
is called a serenade tour. The tour is accompanied by a singer (usually a
baritone) and a guitarist or someone playing the accordion. Several of these
tours leave from piers near hotels in Venice. Your trip will probably be a
little under an hour and you may see landmarks such as the Church of Santa
Maria Formosa and the Bridge of Sighs.

This bridge received it name because it is said that prisoners would get their
last view of the City of Venice from here when on their way to confinement. If
you are in Venice for your Italy vacation with a significant other make sure
you take a gondola trip that will be going under this bridge under sunset.
Legend says that lovers will be assured eternal love if they kiss under this
bridge at sunset.

Venice is usually crowded with tourists in the summer months so if you can,
visit during the off season. Or you can simply opt for a private gondola tour
which may be more expensive but will be away from all the crowds.

Visiting the Vatican City during your Italy Vacation

One of the most popular destinations for people on a vacation to Italy is the
Vatican City. Most people do not know that this is a sovereign city-state. This
means that it makes its own rules and has its own governing system independent
of the Italian system. The Vatican City is a walled state within the city of
Rome. It is the smallest independent state in the whole world with only a
little over 100 acres. It was formed in 1929 under an agreement between the
Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See. The Holy See refers to the central governing
system of the Catholic Church headed by the Pope. The Pope is also known as the
Bishop of Rome. The Vatican City houses the official residence of the Pope and
it is visited by millions of people each year on an Italy vacation.

You can enter the Vatican City through the famous St. Peter's square. This
square is characterized by great Baroque architecture from the 1600s to include
symbols of the church motherly embracing its people in its arms. St. Peter's
Basilica is another place you can visit in the Vatican City while on your Italy
vacation because it is also found in St. Peter's square. It is the most notable
building in the Vatican City and this church's dome can be seen for miles
around Rome. St. Peter's Basilica seats 60,000 and is said to be the largest
building in the Christian church. It is noted for being the burial site of St.
Peter who is said to be the founding father of the Catholic Church by being the
first Bishop of Rome. The discovery of his tomb was announced in 1950 after a
decade of archeological research.

Catholic tradition says that St. Peter is buried under the altar of this
Basilica and therefore all the Popes since then have also been buried in the
Basilica the most recent being Pope John Paul II in April 2005. At the entrance
of the Basilica are statues of Christ, St. John the Baptist and 11 of the 12
apostles. You can enter the Basilica for free during your Italian vacation if
you are properly dressed with no bare shoulders or knees. If you would like to
attend mass you should go to the Basilica on a Sunday.

There are several other places to see here during your Italy vacation. The
largest museum in the world is also found in the Vatican City. It has over 1400
rooms and galleries that represent 3000 years of art. The Sistine Chapel is also
found here and is known for being the private chapel that the cardinals go to
when electing a new Pope.

So what is the best way to see all the sights that the Vatican City has to
offer during your Italian vacation? There are guided tours available that can
be taken for half a day or longer. You can take a guided tour of just the
museum or a guided tour to include all the important places of interest in the
Vatican City and this will ensure that you don't miss a thing here on your
Italian vacation.

Visiting the coast for your Italy vacation

If you are like many people you need to see some water to feel like you are
truly on vacation-lots and lots of water! Italy boasts some of the most
beautiful beaches and resorts in all of Europe.

The Amalfi coast is just south of Naples and you may want to visit this area as
part of your Italy vacation. Amalfi is a resort town also known for its lemon
trees. Not only do you get the sea here but this is the region that has the
famous cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and also the Mt. Vesuvius volcano.
During your Italy vacation here you will find that public transportation is
very easy to use especially around the Bay of Naples. If you do decide to drive
around here on your Italy vacation you must remember that the roads along the
coast tend to be narrow so you have to be very careful. There are several beach
hotels and resorts and along with the sandy shores and green-blue waters this
promises to deliver a beautiful Italy vacation.

If you would prefer a seaside vacation away from most other tourists you would
do better to visit the old fishing villages along the Italian Riviera. The
Italian Riviera is a portion of the Italian coast that lies between the
Liguiran Sea and the mountains. The capital of the Liguria region is Genoa.
During your Italy vacation in the area, you will find that fishing is a huge
part of the economy here. The fishing village of Portifino is world famous and
tends to be visited by many tourists but it will not be as crowded as the
Amalfi Coast.

Here you will find the Statue of Christ of the Abyss placed about 17 meters
under water to protect the fishermen and divers. Beach resorts in Japan and
Orlando, Florida have been built to recreate the details of the Portifino
Harbor on the Italian Riviera.

For more beautiful coastal scenery during your Italy vacation, you may want to
visit Bordighera. This is also a fishing village along the Italian Riviera.
There will probably be fewer crowds here and this place is known for being a
vacation spot for the wealthy in Europe. The palms used on Palm Sunday in the
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome are from Bordighera.

If you love seafood, you will have plenty of opportunity to indulge in
delicious delicacies while you are visiting the coast for your Italy vacation.
Seafood is a big part of these regions and you will be able to taste the
freshness in the meals prepared by the restaurants you eat at along the coast
during your vacation. Some of the best seafood restaurants in Italy will be
found along the coastal regions.

During your Italy vacation here you will get the chance to sample some
mouth-watering herb-crusted shrimp, scallop linguine and traditional halibut
fish with leeks. Olive oil, garlic and Italian sweet parsley are widely used in
seafood dishes here along with other Italian herbs such as basil, oregano and
rosemary.

Transportation for Your Italy Vacation

When most people travel, transportation is a primary concern. How do you get
from the airport to your hotel? How do you see all the sights that Italy has to
offer? What if you are traveling in a large group? What about public
transportation? On your Italy vacation there are several options for
transportation.

Many international flights arrive in Rome so in planning your transportation
needs you need to start from there. When you arrive at the airport you can rent
a car from one of the several car rental companies. In addition to local
companies there are the international names such as Hertz and Enterprise
Rent-A-Car so you should be able to reserve your vehicle online in advance and
have it waiting for you at the airport. There are 2 airports in Rome and they
are called the Fiumicino and the Ciampino Airports. Buses and shuttles depart
from the airports' arrivals areas about every hour and can take you to the
Termini Station which is the central train station. From there you should be
able to connect to all other parts of Italy. Public transportation although it
requires some advance planning, is always the cheapest option for your Italy
vacation. You may also want to learn some Italian words in case you get lost
and need directions or need help.

If your hotel is near the airport or is in Rome, you may also consider taking a
cab. They are known as "taxis" here and most drivers speak English and can even
serve as your tour guide if you choose. You may take a taxi out of Rome if your
Italian vacation is starting outside the city. If your budget allows there are
limo services at the airports that can serve your transportation needs when you
arrive. If you are traveling in a large group you probably want to rent a van at
least to get to your hotel from the airport. After that you can plan to join a
guided tour as a group but its best to reserve tickets or space in advance if
you want your group to stay together.

To see all the sights that Italy has to offer, you will do best by signing up
for a guided tour. With very knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, your
Italian vacation can be greatly enhanced by choosing this option. There are
walking tours, full day tours and night tours. Budget tours and luxury tours.
If you are in Italy for a very specific sight you would probably want to do a
walking tour. The tour guides on those tours give a more detailed presentation
as you walk through the sight and some of them know little-known facts that are
hard to find or read anywhere else. Non-Italian speakers will be happy to that
the tour guides speak English.

Also becoming famous are "transportation-included" visits to Italy. For your
Italy vacation you may choose to visit a small village if you want to see Italy
without the crowds. Many inns and bed and breakfasts provide options that
include transportation around the village.

Health and Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad for your Italy vacation

When traveling abroad for your Italian vacation there are some tips that you
should be aware of. First of all you must familiarize yourself with all the
locations you will be visiting. Read as much as possible about the cities and
towns you plan on visiting. If you are taking a vacation off the beaten path in
Italy it is best to try to limit yourself to places that friends or families
have recommended especially if this is your first time out of the country.

The US Department of State strongly suggests that you register your travel
before you leave. This applies to your vacation to Italy. Registering your
travel will allow you to be contacted by family members and friends in case of
an emergency. This is also especially important in case of a crisis in the
country that you may be visiting. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services
maintains a database of registered Americans out of the country so that you can
be contacted if necessary. It is also strongly recommended that you leave a copy
of your travel itinerary and copy of your passport photo page with a relative in
the US before you leave for your vacation in Italy.

Many countries have regulations as to what can be brought in or taken out of
the country with regards to food, pets, medications and other items. You will
need to check the website of the Italian embassy for an updated list before you
leave for your vacation to Italy. You may visit their website at
www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it

Many people planning a vacation to Italy may be concerned about what they can
do if they get sick. Remember your US health insurance will be useless abroad
and if you decide to have yourself evacuated back here for medical treatment it
could cost you about $50,000. It is good to know that there are several
insurance companies that provide insurance for short term travel abroad. This
will probably suffice for your Italy vacation and will provide you with the
peace of mind you need to enjoy your travel. Such policies are usually offered
through travel agents so that may be a good place to start if you are
interested in this type of coverage. At the very least you should be able to
get information on what to do at the US embassy in Italy if you need to during
a health emergency. They keep updated lists of doctors and hospitals in Italy.
If you have a pre-existing condition be sure to carry a letter from your doctor
describing your condition and history as well as any advice he may be able to
provide Italian doctors if you should find yourself in such a situation. Your
doctor's letter should also include a description of any medications you are on
as well as the generic names of your medications.

Many people going on a visit to Italy will be glad to know that there are no
specific vaccinations required for your Italy vacation but be sure to check on
the embassy's website in case anything has changed before you leave.

Taking your Italy Vacation in Tuscany

You may be wondering where you can go for your next vacation. Maybe you have
already been to Hawaii, London, and Paris. Its time to try an Italy vacation.
You may have even been to Rome already and disliked the crowds and the
"touristy" feel. If you prefer the countryside and don't mind the beautiful
scenery you should go to Tuscany for your Italy vacation. You should also go to
Tuscany for your Italian vacation if you are interested in art and architecture
because this region boasts some of the best in those categories.

There are twenty regions in Italy and Tuscany is a region found in central
Italy. It has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world and many
famous artists have achieved some spectacular pieces of art using the Tuscan
landscape for a backdrop during the Italian renaissance. The capital of this
region is Florence. In fact 350 out of a 1000 of Europe's most important
artists of the 2nd millennium lived in Florence. Six places in Tuscany are
UNESCO protected sites. That means that they have been placed on a list
maintained by the international World Heritage Program that aims to name,
catalogue and protect sites that are deemed to be of outstanding cultural value
for humanity. There are 851 such sites worldwide and you can see 6 of them on
your Tuscan Italian vacation. These include the historical centers of Florence,
Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza. They also include the Val d'Orcia and the
square of the Cathedral of Pisa which is famous for its leaning tower.

The historic centers of the cities you may visit on your Tuscan Italian
vacation are protected sites mainly for their magnificent architecture. The
Duomo is a cathedral in Siena that represents great Italian Romanesque culture.
In Florence you must visit Santa Maria del Flore which is another cathedral with
beautiful architecture. The Ponche Vencho Bridge in Florence is an amazing old
bridge held up by stilts but has several shops built along its edge. San
Gimignano is a small town on a hilltop. It is a walled town and is known for
its medieval architecture.

Its fourteen towers may be seen from several miles around. Through wars and
disasters, San Gimignano has been able to keep its beautiful fourteen towers
and you will be able to see these works of art on your Tuscan Italy vacation.
The Val d'Orcia gained its place on the list of protected sites because it
truly exemplifies beautiful landscape. With rolling hills and small quaint
villages you must make sure you see this area when you go on your Italian
vacation.

Another reason why you may want to visit Tuscany and specifically Florence is
that this was the place where Leonardo da Vinci was born and spent his youth
working in the studio of a well known Florentine painter. Most known for the
Mona Lisa and The Last Supper it is said that his landscapes and artistic style
came from growing up in this region. You will be able to visit the hamlet near
the hill town of Vinci where Leonardo da Vinci was born on your Tuscan Italian
Vacation.

Renting a Villa for your vacation in Italy

Villas are becoming an important part of planning for a vacation in Italy. In
Roman culture a villa used to be a luxurious country house built by a member of
the upper class as a second or third residence. It was not the main place of
residence and city folks usually had 2 villas. One of the 2 villas could be
easily reached from Rome if needed and the other was seasonally used and had
servants permanently there to run it. After the nineteenth century, villas came
to be used in reference to any type of single detached house that stood on its
own with its own compound and unattached to any other homes or buildings.

As with all the architecture in Rome there are some famous villas that you
could visit during your Italy vacation. But villas are also now rented by
tourists all over Italy. Villas allow the privacy you may want away from the
crowds during your Italy vacation and also allow you to cook and enjoy fresh
locally grown Italian produce. Most villas are also close enough to shops and
restaurants that if you choose to immerse yourself back into the hustle and
bustle with everyone else, nothing is still too far away.

Today visitors to the Tuscany region will find a wide selection of villas to
choose from if they prefer this option for their accommodations. Salogi Villas
offers villas and farmhouses for rent. They have villas in Tuscany but also in
Venice and are able to help you locate the perfect villa to suit your needs.
Many people traveling in a large group take the villa option simply for the
space and flexibility it offers. It can also turn out to be cheaper per person
if your group stays in a villa rather than a hotel or even a bed and breakfast
during your Italy vacation. Salogi Villas may be contacted through their
website at www.salogivillas.com

Another option for your group if you will be traveling in Italy is the Piemonte
Villa. It is 2 hours away from Milan and one hour away from Torino. Now this
villa has 3 bedrooms and 3 baths so its maximum capacity is 6 people. It is 200
years old and surrounded by over 3 hectares of land. It is close to a small
village and is high up in the hills. This house it the perfect place to enjoy
the landscape on your vacation to Italy due to its amazing views of the Alps if
the weather is clear. There are several vineyards you can visit in the area and
great places to see. If you are concerned about having some kind of a modern
feel to your stay here you may be happy to know that this villa was completely
rehabbed this year.

All bathrooms, electrical and plumbing systems are new and the management here
has succeeded in combining modern conveniences such as high speed internet with
furnishings true to this villa's history as an old farmhouse. The kitchen is
also fully updated with everything you may need and they even have 2 extra
bedrooms available if you must bring a larger group.

Your Honeymoon and Vacation in Italy

Italy is said to be one of the most romantic places to visit for your
honeymoon. If you are planning a vacation to Italy and never had a honeymoon or
recently got married, this is the perfect place to go. Venice is the most
popular destination for lovers and there are several companies that will help
you plan your honeymoon as a vacation in Italy.

Venice-Honeymoons.com is one such company that provides a one stop shopping
experience. If you want to be in Venice for a winter honeymoon they have a
package that includes skiing in the Dolomite Mountains. They will fly you into
the Venice airport and you will spend 2 nights in Venice and then 5 nights in
the mountains in a beautiful chalet. A courtesy bottle of champagne is given to
all visitors and all breakfasts are included. A half day guided tour will be
given privately and you can decide where you want to go on this walking tour.
When you are in the mountains, you will get 3 day ski passes and a 3 course
meal will be provided along with wine for dinner each evening. You will also be
given a 1 hour sleigh ride. If you are planning your honeymoon vacation in Italy
a ski trip to Venice may be one of the most romantic getaways you could try. If
you visit Venice in the warmer months one of the most romantic things you can
do is to go on a private gondola ride. Be sure to kiss under the Bridge of
Sighs because it is said that lovers who do so at sunset are assured of their
eternal love to one another.

For a romantic honeymoon Italy vacation in Florence, try Perillo Tours. They
offer a great 4 night stay in this beautiful city surrounded by some of the
most amazing scenery and landscapes in the world. You will spend the 4 nights
at the Santa Maria Novella hotel and breakfast will be included in your stay.
This specific tour is also provided in the off season and makes for a great
getaway and a chance to truly experience Italy without the crowds.

Venice and Florence are not the only places to consider going to for a romantic
honeymoon vacation in Italy. Rome may also be the perfect venue for this. This
city is also known as the Eternal City and there are several castles that you
could stay at to experience the feeling of eternity. Most of these castles are
over 300 years old and many honeymooners like the thought of staying at these
ancient places. You can walk on the same small streets that Caesar did and
explore this beautiful city together as you begin your new life during this
Italy vacation. You can view the sunset from your hotel room looking over
buildings that could be a thousand years old or museums that hold works of art
by some of the greatest artists in history and take in all the culture and
history you are surrounded with.

So if you are planning a honeymoon vacation don't forget to explore options in
Italy. This country has coasts, rolling hills, beautiful mountains, historic
architecture and amazingly beautiful landscapes and may be the perfect backdrop
to represent a new beginning.

Music and your Italy Vacation

If you are musically inclined or just simply interested in Italian music, a
vacation to Italy may be just the perfect vacation choice for you. Italy is
famous for opera and classical music but has various other types of music to
include traditional music, religious music and popular music which is both
native and imported. The culture of Italy is deeply rooted in music and it is
very important to the people. Therefore it would be impossible to go on an
Italy vacation and not come across some great musical performances if that is
what you are interested in. Over the centuries Italian music has taken on
elements from foreign sources that may have ruled or influenced the people.
Classical music is especially important in Italy and it has taken forms in
opera and sacred music. Opera music began in Italy in the late 1500s and sacred
music is of course a dominant presence due to the base of the Catholic Church
being in Italy specifically in Rome.

So if you are on an Italy vacation, and you are interested in exploring this
rich aspect of Italian culture you are most definitely looking for places to go
to for concerts. Italy has many music conservatories that hold concerts in
virtually every city you visit. There are also several opera houses and
symphony halls to choose from where you could see well-known orchestras from
Italy and other parts of the world. Open air operas are also held in
amphitheatres across Italy. If you are looking for something a little less
formal you may want to try going to an international music festival during your
Italian vacation. There are several that are organized each year for classical
and opera lovers. The most well known include the Festival of Spoleto and the
Wagner Festival in Ravello. You will find that some of these international
music festivals offer you a chance to enter and win music competitions during
your Italy vacation. Some of these competitions are geared towards young
composers and allow them to produce and stage their entries. Not only could you
win money but your music would be performed at the festival.

For people looking for more modern forms of music specifically pop and rock
fans, an Italy vacation also provides for several concerts that occur
throughout the year. Some theatres also hold Italian translations of American
musicals but for a true experience, try an Italian musical comedy. If you only
know a few Italian words, these are still great if you want to immerse yourself
in the culture.

Since Italy is the home of the Roman Catholic Church, religious music will show
up in many ways during your Italian vacation. There are several parish bands all
over the country and they can range in size from 4 to 30 members. They are found
performing in religious festivals in honor of patron saints of different towns.
Religious music is also found in Italian Christmas carols so if you go on your
vacation to Italy during that time of year you may find yourself learning the
Italian versions of "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas."

Italian Wine and your Italy vacation

During your Italy vacation you will find that wine is very important to the
country. It has some of the oldest vineyards in the world and some of the best
wines are produced here. About 20% of wine in the world is produced in Italy.
While you are on your Italy vacation you will find that wine is drunk with
every meal and sometimes in-between meals. It will be offered to you almost
everywhere you go because grapes are grown all over Italy and wine is made by
everyone from the villagers to the large commercial wineries. It is said that
there are one million vineyards in Italy!

So what are some of the wineries you should visit on your Italian vacation? The
Enthusiastic Traveler offers winery tours in May, September and October. This
tour is in the Tuscan region which is the home of the Super Tuscan. Super
Tuscan wines do not follow the rules of wine making. Blends are made using
non-traditional methods of combining certain grapes which are not normally
combined. The tour will take you to a farm called Castel Pietraio in a
beautiful hillside town near Siena for a simple wine tasting of wines made by
squeezing grapes in barrels. Other vineyards are visited and many people on an
Italy vacation that come here say they smell the wine in the air. There is also
a visit to an ancient castle complete with a wine making baron who has
discovered some very rare grapes to use in his wines. For your vacation in
Italy "The Enthusiastic Traveler" may be contacted through its website at
www.theenthusiastictraveler.com

Ca'Bruzzo Italian Winery is found in Northern Italy close to Venice. They grow
5 varieties of grapes here and produce about 20,000 bottles a year. This is a
small family owned winery and they believe their close physical contact with
the vines make for their especially tasty wines. During your Italy vacation you
may want to take this tour because not only do you get to taste wine at its
different stages of development and see the wine cellar but the family will
also teach you how to make wine and care for a vineyard. There is a lot of
focus here on the benefits of organically grown grapes for wine. If you enjoy
this vineyard during your vacation in Italy, the Bruzzos can even ship their
wine to you so you can continue to experience the amazing taste. This winery
can be contacted through its website at www.cabruzzo.com

One of the most memorable wines that you may come across during your Italy
vacation is called "Est! Est! Est!" It is a semi-sweet white wine from
Montefiascone. It has some effervescence and a mildly fruity flavor. It is said
that this wine got its name from the story of a German bishop who needed to go
to Rome and sent someone ahead of him to mark on the doors of inns serving the
best wines along the way. He marked the doors with the word "Est!" in chalk and
when he got to Montefiascone he liked the wine so much that he marked the inn
door with "Est! Est! Est!"

Going on an Italy Vacation to Milan

Milan is one of the largest cities in Italy and one of the most highly
developed areas of all of Europe. If you like to be in a city when you go on
vacation then you must visit Milan when you are in Italy. It makes for a great
combination of a city vacation amidst cultural and historic relevance. There
are over one million people living in Milan. Not only is this where you will
find Da Vinci's famous painting "The Last Supper" but this city is also one of
the best shopping centers of the world. Many fashion designers have their
houses here and you will find opportunity for a lot of window shopping or real
shopping while in Milan for your Italy vacation.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II is said to be the oldest shopping mall in the
world. It was designed and built in the 1800s and features a huge glass and
steel arch covering a long street. At its center is a large glass dome and to
this day the oldest shopping mall in the world continues to be a bustling
retail center with shops selling everything from books to haute couture and
numerous restaurants serving tourists and residents of Milan. During your Italy
vacation in Milan you will find that the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II connects 2
of Milan's most popular attractions. These are the Duomo and the Teatro Ala
Scalla.

The Duomo is the cathedral of Milan that you may visit while on vacation in
Italy. This is where the Archbishop of Milan resides. With its amazing gothic
architecture this cathedral played an important role in establishing Catholic
traditions and spreading the Catholic faith. In Italy, the only church that is
larger than the Duomo is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City in Rome. Most
guided tours of Milan will feature a visit to the Duomo and you will get a
chance to see this beautiful feat of Italian history.

The Teatro Alla Scala is a world famous opera house in Milan that you must
visit on your Italy vacation. It was built in the late 1700s after a carnival
fire destroyed the previous opera house. It was known to be the gathering place
of the rich in Milan and had a gallery area above the boxes where the less
wealthy were allowed to come to also enjoy the opera performances. After much
controversy the theatre was renovated a few years ago. Most of the controversy
was regarding a concern with whether the historical details would be lost. But
during your Italy vacation here if you see the Teatro Alla Scala you will find
that an excellent job was done in preserving the history of this great opera
house.

When in Milan on your Italy vacation, you must also visit the Sforza Castle. It
took 10 years to build this in the 1300s. It was built to be a defensive
fortress and has undergone several reconstructions, additions and
transformations over the centuries. There are several museums here that you can
visit on your Italy vacation and most of them feature castle art such as
defensive armor and furniture from its royal inhabitants. This castle also
holds Michelangelo's final work of art, a marble sculpture known as the
Rondanini Pieta.

Fashion and Your Italy Vacation

Along with London, Paris and New York, Milan and Rome are on the list of the
famous fashion centers of the world. When you are on your Italy vacation you
may not be able to help yourself but to indulge a little in this aspect of
Italian culture. By all means make sure you visit the rolling hills of
Florence, take a gondola trip through Venice and visit a vineyard in Tuscany.
But don't forget that you are in the country of the likes of Armani, Versace,
Fendi, Prada and Valentino. If this at all interests you do find out if your
visit coincides with any fashion exhibits or public fashion shows in Rome or
Milan.

When you are in Rome make sure you visit the Vatican City but you must go to
the original stores of all the Italian designers. You will not only see little
old ladies in Italian villages while on vacation in Italy but when you arrive
you will quickly realize that Italians have a very high fashion sense, care
very much about their looks and are very sophisticated especially in Rome and
Milan. You must visit the famous shopping strip Via Montenapoleone in Milan.
Here you will find boutiques for Chanel, Dolce e Gabbana and Fendi along with
numerous others. Even if your budget does not allow you to purchase anything,
this will make for an unbelievable window shopping experience during your
vacation in Italy. Many of these boutiques are open from 10 am till 7 pm
Tuesdays through Saturdays with shorter hours on Mondays and are closed on
Sundays.

Italy is especially known for its high fashion industry or "haute couture" and
the runway fashion shows that the designers use to debut their new collections
each season. The houses of Valentino and Fendi originated in Rome while the
houses of Prada, Versace and Armani originated in Milan. With near perfect
craftsmanship, Italian fashions are said to rival those of France and many
people even feel the Italian fashions are superior.

During your Italy vacation you may hear of AltaRoma, an organization that has
been responsible for putting Italian designers on the map over the years
through its yearly fashion shows. These fashion shows feature established
designers as well as new designers. They are closed to the general public but
AltaRoma also organizes another event that is open to everyone. If your Italy
vacation is in mid July the Donna Sotto del Stelle is worth catching. It means
"Woman under the Stars." It is an open air fashion event that takes place at
the Piazza de Spagna in Rome and features several newer designers.

To further take in the couture culture during your vacation in Italy, you
should also visit the most prominent fashion school in Rome. This school has
produced some very talented new designers and usually has fashion exhibits and
shows open to the public. Valentino also opened a fashion school in 1990 which
also hosts some fashion and art shows open to the general public.

Eating Italian Food during your Italy vacation

Italian food will be very important to you during and after your Italy
vacation. Most people are usually surprised by the diversity of food in Italy
especially if they expect to eat pizza, pasta and spaghetti during their Italy
vacation. You may get your fill of these classics while you are in Italy but
you will also want to make sure you get your fair share of local delicacies
too. Make sure the food you eat is made from locally grown ingredients and make
sure you pair the food with some great wine and you will be experiencing Italy
at its best.

Italian food is classed into 3 regional types. Northern, Central and Southern.
While visiting Northern Italy during your Italy vacation, you will find that
the food here is less "Italian" than you would expect. For example they use
less olive oil and more butter. They also eat more rice and corn polenta here
than pasta and tomato sauce is not used very often. Northern Italian food also
includes a lot of use of wild game found in the countryside. These include wild
fowl, rabbit and quail. Northern Italy also has some coastal towns and some
towns and villages near streams and rivers. So if you visit Northern Italy
during your Italy vacation you may eat a lot of seafood and fish.

What we know as "Italian food" comes from Central Italy. Olive oil, cheeses and
rich tomato sauces all hail from central Italy. The coastal areas here are also
well known for seafood. Italian cooking was said to have been born in Tuscany
which is a region in Central Italy so to be sure to visit this area during your
Italy vacation. Some of the best olive oil comes from Southern Italy. But very
little of it is exported so make sure you sample the olive oil here during your
Italy vacation. Naples, a city in this area is well known for its pizza and
southern Italy as a whole grows a lot of citrus fruits and has many vineyards.
Some of the best wines in the world come from Southern Italy.

You may eat at several local restaurants during your vacation in Italy. However
one of the best ways to sample some of the different food that Italy has to
offer during your vacation in Italy is to take a cooking class or make your
vacation a culinary one. Many of these classes and culinary vacations include
going on a winery tour or wine tasting events. Cooking classes can range from a
few hours to half a day and they range in price from about $150 to $250. Many of
these are hosted by families in homes or small inns and bed and breakfasts. Some
of these classes are taught by excellent chefs many of whom have written Italian
recipe books and manage restaurants. They will teach you which food goes with
which wine to make for a delicious meal. During your Italy vacation you can
learn how to make your own homemade spaghetti and authentic tomato sauce.

Cooking Italy Vacation

When we think of going on vacation most of us see ourselves lying on a beach
somewhere or gazing into a sunset. Most of us do not think about going on a
cooking vacation. But if you are looking for something different to do this
year when you travel this may be just the thing for you to try. There are
several places in Italy where you can learn how to cook on a cooking Italy
vacation. Who knows you may even be the next Rachel Ray when you return home!

A place you should know about if you want to try a cooking Italian vacation is
a small family owned bed and breakfast called La Locanda del Prete. It is found
high on the hills of Monte Amiata in a place called Arcidosso in the province of
Grosseto, Tuscany. Arcidosso is found outside a small medieval village and is
two and a half hours away from Rome. This family owned operation has welcomed
visitors from all over the world. The owner's name is Carlo Innocenti and he is
also the master chef. La Locanda Del Prete will provide a genuine Tuscan
experience for you on your Italian vacation. It is far away from the normally
busy and sometimes congested popular tourist destinations so this cozy little
bed and breakfast on the hills promises a wonderful experience. Over the years
the owner has operated or managed several Italian restaurants and has also been
teaching Tuscan cooking. Some of his students have even included other chefs
from all over the world who wanted to learn traditional Italian recipes handed
down through the generations. Carlo and his family will teach you authentic
Tuscan cooking in an authentic Tuscan environment.

Carlo is also helped by his son Romeo who is also a great Italian chef with a
vast knowledge of Italian seafood recipes and the pairing of food with specific
wines. If you need help Romeo is also a great tour guide who is fluent in
English. Romeo handles their Tuscany Wine Tasting and Vacation Tours. These
tours are a fantastic addition to your Cooking Italian Vacation because Romeo
will take you through Brunello wine country. You will also be wined and dined
while you learn about the culture. They also allow time for you to tour the
area and perhaps re-visit some sights that were particularly interesting to you.

This bed and breakfast is open from mid-May and has 2 packages to choose from.
You can stay for a week or for half a week (3 nights). The one week cooking
Italian vacation is perfect for small groups of four to ten. You will stay with
Carlo and his family for 6 nights and all transportation is included. For those
of you who do not see themselves on vacation without the sea, this package even
includes a visit to an old seaside fishing village. As part of this Italy
vacation, you will receive an apron and recipe book and spend a morning
learning how to cook Tuscan food and then you get to enjoy your own cooking for
lunch. La Loconda Del Prete has a website to help you plane your cooking Italian
Vacation at www.lalocandadelprete.com.

Attending Sporting Events on Your Italy Vacation

Sports and Italians go together like spaghetti and meatballs! The most popular
sports are soccer, rugby and cycling. Winter sports are also very popular
during that season. Italians are serious spectators and fierce competitors.
During your Italy vacation you may decide to look up which sporting events are
going on that you may be able to attend. You will definitely experience Italy
culture and the passion that they bring to competition.

With soccer the passion is very understandable because Italy has won the World
Cup 4 times and is actually the current title holder after the 2006 World Cup
Series. With their 4 total wins they hold the record of being the second most
successful team since the championship began and are second only to Brazil. If
you are a sports fan you may be interested in seeing a match during your Italy
vacation. Select Italy is a company that will allow you to experience this.
They can arrange tickets for you to see Series A and Series B games in some of
the major cities in Italy. You can request a specific city on their website and
they have staff who will confirm pricing and other details with you after they
receive your request.

If you would rather see something else while you are in Italy on vacation they
can also arrange tickets for you to see anything from auto racing to basketball
to tennis. Tickets obtained through this company will be up to 25% higher than
their face value as the company adds on fees and processing costs for providing
travelers with this great service. Select Italy may be contacted through their
website at www.selectitaly.com/sports.php

If you are going to see a soccer match in Italy during your vacation you may be
concerned about what you have heard about the dangers and sometimes violence at
these events. Italians as you know are very competitive and passionate about
their soccer. It is best to make sure that you either wear the colors of the
Italian home team or something else that is not in line with the opposing
team's colors. Companies like Select Italy will advise you which colors to wear
if you want to support the Italian team and which colors to stay away from
depending on which match you want to see. Another thing to remember is that
many of these Italian soccer matches have a designated area for their die-hard
fans.

If a fight would break out it would be more likely to be between someone who
sits in that designated area with someone who supports the opposing team. As a
visitor you would probably feel most comfortable sitting in a neutral central
location. Select Italy will not insure you or assume any liability for anything
that may happen at any of these matches that they help you attend.

If you are interested in seeing sporting events when in Rome for your Italy
vacation, you can always find out what is going on at the Flaminio Stadium. It
was built for the 1960 Olympic Games in Italy and now has all kinds of sporting
events going on from rugby to equestrian. It is very accessible from many hotels
in Rome.

All about photography and your Italy Vacation

Taking pictures when you go on vacation is extremely important. It will allow
you to re-visit all those fond memories and also make for great conversation
pieces when you return home. On your Italian vacation there will be many
opportunities to take tons of pictures. The country is famous for its beautiful
architecture, amazing landscapes and friendly people. There is a photo
opportunity every corner you turn. You will want to remember what the Vatican
looked like when you first saw it or the huge Colosseum. If you visit Tuscany,
you will see architecture at its best and you will be able to take pictures of
all the wonderful buildings and structures like the leaning tower of Pisa. Even
quaint chapels and little Old Italian ladies make for perfect shots that cannot
be missed during your vacation to Italy. There are a few things to remember if
you want to be able to take great shots each time.

Make sure your subject matter is within the frame of your shot. You must always
check the corners and edges in the shot before you click. This will reduce the
chances of amateur mistakes like missing top halves of heads. Also look for
patterns and symmetry especially when shooting buildings on your Italy
vacation. For example if you are taking a picture of a street scene, try to
have all the buildings in your shot on an angle. Simple patterns and simple
subjects also make for beautiful shots especially when you use natural light.

The best times to shoot for the best shots are early in the morning or late in
the day. This is because film or digital sensors in digital cameras are much
more sensitive to light than your eyes so what may seem to be a normal bright
day could show up in your prints as too bright and washed over. You will do
best to also always make sure the light is behind you unless you are shooting
people. If you take pictures of people who are looking into the sun you end up
with squinted eyes in your pictures. You can also avoid this by taking pictures
early morning or late in the day when the sun is not as powerful.

Another technique to use for your photographs during your Italian vacation is
to change your point of view from the subject. For example shots looking up
usually turn out beautiful so try taking some pictures on your knees. Other
variations include taking close ups rather than always trying to get too much
into the frame of the picture. Also, to make for some great photography during
your Italy vacation, try one of the most powerful techniques that professional
photographers use. Avoid placing all your subjects in the middle of your frame.
Have the subject on an edge or in a corner and click. It is important to
remember that even amateurs can take great looking pictures and an Italian
vacation presents tremendous opportunities to practice taking pictures.

All about passports and visas for your Italy Vacation

When traveling to Italy there are several things you must have. The least of
these are a passport and maybe even a visa. If this is your first time
traveling out of the US you will need to apply for a passport. You may also
need to apply for a passport if your old one has expired, is damaged or lost.
Applying for a passport is a fairly simple process which may be as simple as a
trip to the post office but be sure to start early so you can be ready for your
Italy vacation. There are stories of people who have had to cancel vacations
because their passport was not ready. You don't want to do this as it will be
very disappointing and also expensive especially if you have reserved an
airline ticket or some sort of package vacation.

The US Department of State asks that you allow six months for them to process
your passport application however some travelers have found it only took a few
weeks for them to receive their passports. You can apply online however first
time applicants must apply in person. The main supporting document that is
required is a valid original US birth certificate. Passport applicants are
sometimes surprised to find that their original birth certificate needs to be
submitted to the Department of State with a promise of it being mailed back.
Many people tend to be leery of this especially because they have found how
difficult it is to get a replacement birth certificate. However, most report
that within a short period of receiving their new passports, their birth
certificates arrive in the mail safe and sound. For all the details on where
the 9000 passport application accepting facilities are and how to apply for a
passport for your Italy vacation you can go to www.travel.state.gov/passport

If you are a US citizen you will not need a visa to go on an Italy vacation.
However you must show that your airline ticket includes a return back to the
US. If you are planning to travel to Italy for reasons other than a vacation
the requirements are different and usually stricter. When on vacation in Italy
you can stay for a maximum of 3 months at a time but remember that this is a
combined period to include any time spent in several other European countries.
Italy has an embassy in Washington DC that can process visas for non-US
citizens. They must go to the embassy for personal interviews. If you are going
to Italy for a vacation the prime concern of the Italian government is that you
plan to return to your country. Therefore they always ask for proof that you
have a full-time job especially if you are a non-US citizen.

The Department of State recommends that during your Italy vacation you register
your presence there with the US embassy. This is important in case someone needs
to contact you for an emergency home or in case of a disaster abroad so your
whereabouts can be confirmed.

All about Money and your Italy Vacation

If you are traveling to Italy for vacation, you need to be aware of some basics
about the currency. Travelers are usually concerned with several questions. What
is the currency conversion rate? Where can I change my dollars into Euros when I
arrive? Can I use my travelers' checks? Are ATM machines readily available? What
if I need a larger amount of cash and I need a bank? Can I use my major credit
card at many places? What about tax-free shopping?

These are all great questions to ask before you go on your Italy vacation and
each one has an answer that will be addressed here. First of all it is
important to know that Italy uses the European Euro. There is no "Italian
currency." One dollar ($1) is equivalent to approximately 0.70 euros. The
currency conversion rate can fluctuate daily so it is best that you check for a
more accurate figure before you leave for your vacation to Italy. You can find
the most current exchange rate at The Universal Currency Converter website
which is www.xe.com/ucc/

How can you get Euros once you arrive in Italy for your vacation? There will be
an exchange office at the airport when you arrive. This is usually most accurate
if you are arriving in a main city. Exchange offices may also be available at
railway stations in the main cities. You can always also get Euros at any ATM
or bank. This leads in to the next question about the availability of ATMs.
There are ATMs all over Italy mainly in big cities but also in some smaller
towns. But you need to know that in Italy ATMs are called "bancomats." During
your Italy vacation you will find that these bancomats work just like they do
in the US and you will get the chance to select your language of preference
from the screen when you begin. You can use your credit or debit card to get
money (euros only) out of the bancomat as long as there is a Cirrus or BankMate
symbol on that machine and your card.

You could always find out from your Credit Card Company or bank if their cards
can be used worldwide before you leave for your vacation to Italy. Most
businesses accept major credit cards in Italy and you should always look for
the credit card signage stickers on doors of shops just like there are in the
US. Travelers' checks are also widely accepted in the major cities.

If you need a larger sum of cash than the bancomat will provide during your
Italy vacation you will find that there are banks all over Italy especially at
the main tourist attractions. Most Italian banks close for about an hour and a
half for a lunch break during the week and are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and
National Holidays.

People taking an Italy vacation will be glad to find out that non-resident
visitors may claim a refund for the tax they pay on many of their purchases.
You can go to www.globalrefund.com to pursue a refund.

  InfoBank Intro | Main Page | Usenet Forums | Search The RockSite/The Web