Tuscany on the road

This is an idea of a two days travel to visit Tuscany on the road.

First stage, Florence.
Obviously, this is a "must" step. The numerous works of art there would deserve a longer stop, but given the time available, I would suggest you to spend a morning strolling through the city center, starting from Piazza Duomo.
In the square, located in the heart of the historic center of Florence, you can admire the Cathedral, Giotto's Bell Tower and the Baptistery of S. John. The visit could continue onto the elegant Via de Calzaiuoli to reach Piazza Signoria, Florence's central square a few meters from the famous Ponte Vecchio.
The short walk might move towards Via de Tornabuoni, with perhaps a brief moment of relax, drinking a cup of coffee in the historical bar Paszkowski in Piazza della Repubblica. Via de 'Tornabuoni, is a luxurious way of the historic center between Piazza Antinori to bridge of the Holy Trinity. It is one of the most elegant streets of Florence since the Renaissance, which is overlooked by many historical buildings, and that today is also characterized by the presence of the best high fashion designer boutiques and jewelry shops.

Before lunch, next stop is Greve in Chianti, Via Chiantigiana. This is the scenic road that leads from Florence to Siena, passing through the Chianti Classico area dominated by hills, villages, castles and country houses of the famous wine-producing DOCG. The stop in Greve in Chianti is dedicated to the tasting of wines and typical Tuscan cuisine, perhaps visiting one of the many wineries of the famous wine producers of the place.

The province of Grosseto, Tuscany.

Sovana was a flourishing Etruscan center, and was then an important city in Roman times, so much so that in the early centuries of Christianity it became a bishopric. It was conquered by the Lombards, and came under the dominion of the Duchy Aldobrandeschi which extends to the whole province of Grosseto. Then it passed to the Orsini family for inheritance it was sacked and destroyed by the Sienese.
From Aldobrandesca Rocca, along a tiles pavement, we arrive at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, enclosed between the symbols of the powers which have ruled, Sovana still retains its original charm and splendor. In the Praetorian Square you can admire the Praetorian Palace, the Loggia del Capitano, the
Palazzo of the Archives and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the seventeenth-century Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, leaning against the ancient Church of San Mamiliano.

Enjoying Sicily

Sicily, rich and mystique land, is a good destination for family holidays. With its variety of landscapes and nature, it is easy to entertain even the youngest.
Days at sea, in Sicily's most beautiful beaches, is kids' favorite way to spend a holiday, but you can also visit cities or archaeological sites, perhaps giving them a touch of adventure.
It is perfect for a family holiday to attend the traditional local festivals, with the rides and stalls full of toys and sweets that make them unique.

Visiting Rimini in winter

The city of Romagna is considered the capital of the summer holidays for young people, discos and nightclubs in the Riviera attract students from all over Europe, eager to dance and have fun until dawn.
It would be wrong, however, to think that there is no interest in visiting Rimini in winter, because the city has great attractions throughout the year, to be enjoyed with peace of mind. Even in wintertime you will find many hotels in Rimini, ready to offer a convenient and comfortable stay.

Beautiful Mantova

Mantova, quiet and beautiful city in Lombardy, hides behind an elegant facade its treasures.
The city was the center of the noble Gonzaga family power, the most important of the Middle Ages in Italy until 700. The Dukes, in order to show their power and their wealth, embellished Mantova and enriched it with palaces and monuments, giving the city its refined taste.
In particular, Palazzo Te and Palazzo Ducale are not to be missed, recognized in 2008 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Summer holidays in Capalbio, Tuscany

The coming of June is a good opportunity to do the first dive into the summer atmosphere, enjoying the first warm days of the season. To enjoy a mini-vacation just focus on an Italian beach, our advice is Capalbio in the province of Grosseto.
This Tuscan village is one of the most appreciated by people living nearby to spend a day outside the city, its clean sea and the excellent facilities have been awarded 5 stars by Legambiete.

Holidays in Maratea - our tips for summer 2011

The "leit motiv" of the vacations 2011 will surely be saving and looking for a stay that would fit perfectly with our budget. Fortunately, there are many low cost destinations for a holiday in Italy. We currently have one of the most beautiful Italian seaside resorts, Maratea, a delightful town in the province of Potenza in Basilicata overlooking the Gulf of Policastro.
Maratea is the only municipality in Basilicata overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea; the town is located on one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Italy, it is characterized by large creeks forming a jagged series of bays and coves. Another distinctive feature of this coast are the caves, more than 131. These caves have great archaeological value, and in fact many artifacts and fossils were found here.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome

The Trevi Fountain is a baroque monument which is located in Rome. For those who visit the "Eternal City", is a very important step and a must-see place also due to its legend.
Anyone who wants to visit Rome and return, must go to the fountain and throw the coins on it. This beautiful fountain was the main character of two famous movies, like La Dolce Vita and a film of Totò.
Better getting there by train: from Termini station with the underground line A, only two stops, getting off at Piazza Barberini. Triton street will take you around the Montecitorio, and turning left on Stamperia street, you get to the Trevi Fountain.

Mondello, Sicily... It's a kind of magic!

Mondello, a beautiful fishing village at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, reachable through the Parco della Favorita along a charming tree-lined avenue that connects it to the center of Palermo, which is only few kilometers away. Originally just a fishing village, it has been gradually turned into a nice town, very popular destination for tourists from around the world. It overlooks a beautiful sandy bay with typical tropical colors that characterize this Mediterranean area.

Gallipoli, the pearl of Salento

Gallipoli is also known as the Pearl of the Ionian Sea. It's one of the most beautiful cities of  the Salento, a crystal sea characterized by all shades of colors ranging from light green to a deep blue when you move with the eye toward the horizon from the shore.
Gallipoli takes its name from a greek word, Kale Polis: the beautiful city! It boasts Greek influences not only in its name. Just walking in the old town located on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge, walking through the alleys of the old town to be thrown back in time and enjoy the Roman art, Greek and Renaissance traces in the whole Salento: palaces, churches, the Cathedral of Sant'Agata... every corner of the city is beautiful.

Discovering Sicily - Caltagirone

Caltagirone is a town located in the hinterland of the province of Catania, famous for the production of ceramics and majolica, activities developed in the centuries since the ancient Greeks. Like much of Sicily, Caltagirone suffered the passage of different populations, becoming a privileged stronghold for Byzantines, Arabs, Normans and Genoese, who controlled the position of the two flat, that of Catania and Gela.

History in Sardinia

Speaking of tourism in Sardinia, the first things that come to mind are surely: beaches, sun and sea.
But holidays in Sardinia are not just that. Sardinia, one might say, is the island with many faces: one is the cultural one, which has a long history as witnessed by the many "nuraghi" scattered throughout the island, which date back to ancient civilizations of Sardis and which is the main cultural and historical attraction of Sardinia.

Great beaches in Italy

Italy is full of place to spend holidays. Moreover, it is possible to enjoy the best beaches in the world, nothing less than dream places like caraibi or hawaii. Here is some places near the sea to forget foreign countries and love a bit more the Bel Paese.

San Vito lo Capo, Trapani (Sicily).
Framed between the northern coasts of Sicily, San Vito lo Capo is a small attractive seaside town with its legends and religious traditions.
Among its most famous beaches, Macari and the "Beaches of Gypsies" deserve to be visited, which beckon the tourists with their turquoise waters and white sand. San Vito lo Capo attracts also many visitors thanks to its Cous Cous Festival and his natural reserve "Zingaro".
The boat tour is definitely the best way to admire the natural reserve of "sea gypsies", before exploring it with a guided tour.

Wonderful Tuscany - The "Crete Senesi"

The "Crete Senesi" is a hilly area on the south-east of Siena (Tuscany), ideal for holidays. The Crete Senesi landscape are one of the most unique and fascinating of Italy. These hills are between the towns of Asciano, Buonconvento, Monteroni d 'Arbia, Rapolano Terme and San Giovanni d' Asso. The slow process of erosion has carved the landscape, digging "calanchi" and "biancane": elevations dome-shaped on which appears the color of sodium sulfate. In this "lunar" scenary passed the ancient Via Cassia built by the Romans and renamed via Francigena at the end of the eighth century, when the Franks defeated the Longobards.

Discovering Palermo: The historical market "Ballarò"

The historical markets of Palermo are a "must-see" for tourist routes proposed to visitors. visiting these markets throw you into an unknown and timeless dimension; the products, the shouts of sellers, the colors and fragrances are still the same for centuries.
The oldest market of Palermo is the Ballarò in the popular district "Albergheria". The origins of this market can be traced back even to the tenth century at the time of Arab domination in Sicily. Balhara was the name of a village of Arab traders who used to sell spices and precious goods at the market. That was the Suq Al-Balhara, converted from Palermo in Ballarò.
Unlike other ancient city markets, Ballarò is still very popular in Palermo and still very alive in spite of the spread of shopping malls.

The "Bel Paese"

Italy has always been defined as the "Bel Paese", the Beautiful country, perhaps for the artistic and cultural heritage can be found in every corner, maybe the lifestyle, the food of the highest quality. Whatever is, it is known worldwide as an ideal place for holidays.
One of the characteristics of Italy is that it is possible to find any kind of trip, and in some places it's easy to combine more than one kind.
The favorite holidays are those related to sea, especially because there are so many places where it is easy to find beaches and waters recalling wonderful exotic places.

Experience San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito lo Capo can be considered one of the must-see destinations for those who wish to spend their holidays in Sicily.

In the province of Trapani, located between the well known nature reserves called "Zingaro" and "Monte Cofano", San Vito lo Capo is the pride of the north-western island coast. A blue and green sea, white sandy beaches, beautiful landscapes and stunning sunsets (do not miss the Macari ones!) are just some of the ingredients of a holiday in San Vito lo Capo.
But this place can offer so much more. From the Zingaro Nature Reserve, which contains about 1500 acres of beautiful natural landscapes to the Sea Museum, which contains artefacts found under the beautiful deepest waters, nature has been able to give in San Vito lo Capo so much beauty and fame.

Holidays in Tuscany: an alternative way

Are you tired of Florence's Uffizi Gallery and the Tower of Pisa, but you don't want to give up a vacation in Tuscany? Here are some tips for an alternative holiday in Tuscany, dedicated to wellness, culture and sports. What are you waiting for? Pack your bags!

• Walking tourism in Tuscany, to enjoy the beauty and peace of the most remote and unknown part of the region.

The Association "La Boscaglia", which has been trying to spread the culture of "tourism on tiptoe" for years, offers interesting itineraries and excursions to the less touristic places of Tuscany, but often even more evocative and fascinating. The walking excursions, accompanied by expert guides (members of the National environmental guides) will allow you to come into contact with the most "hidden" part of the region, made of pure nature, silence and breathtaking sceneries.

Holidays in Cesenatico

Cesenatico is a city in the province of Forlì-Cesena, very popular tourist destination in Emilia Romagna, among the most desirables,both culturally and in terms of entertainment. Are you looking for a hotel in Cesenatico? Just choose among many alternatives along the coast, entirely dedicated to tourist accommodation. There is a lot to see in the city, such as the interesting project of the "Porto Canale", built by Leonardo da Vinci during the sixteenth century on the will of the municipality.
The ambitious purpose was to connect, by sea, Cesenatico to Cesena, only 15 km far.

Italy in Miniature

Among the historic amusement parks near the Adriatic Riviera in Italy, stands out the Italy in Miniature. Located in Viserba di Rimini, the park is to be regarded as an institution in that area: everybody knows it and every year is visited by many young and old people who want to have fun and learn walking along the italian "Stivale" and admire the masterpieces of Italian art of both Italy and Europe.
That is why there are so many hotels in Viserba, born near Italy in Miniature. Born to host the thousand of visitors who decide to spend a day in the park and stop for a few days to enjoy the other beauties of Rimini and the Riviera, no matter the period.

Castles near Milan

Opulence, impressive architecture and a prestigious past: the outskirts of Milan, away from the chaos and grey skyscrapers, preserve villas and castles to discover, often surrounded by green areas for relaxing breaks.

Trip to Italy, the most beautiful country in the World

Italy is a country that offers tourists infinite opportunities both for sites of natural interest and for the artistic heritage that preserves over 5,000 years of history, artifacts and sites.
We start from the north west, the Valle d'Aosta, a narrow valley surrounded by the highest mountains of the "Stivale": the Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa and Cervino are the most famous peaks as well as the location of Courmayeur the Thuille, Cervinia and Gressoney.
Then Aosta offers culture and history, with Roman remains, Saint Vincent and its Casino and the whole series of castles dominating the valley, such as Fenis. Piedmont offers Turin, magnificent former capital of Italy, but also regions such as the Canavese, the Langhe, the Monferrato and Asti zone. Lombardy has gems such as Vigevano, Pavia, Lodi and Cremona, and the magnificent alpine lakes of Como and Varese, as well as the monumental charm of Milan. The Alps are a great refuge for those seeking a holiday of peace and relax, as in Foppolo, Chiavenna, Bormio and Santa Caterina. The mountains of Trentino then take the color of pale Dolomites, with Madonna di Campiglio overlooking the Brenta, the Dolomites of Val Gardena, while the big massifs Ortles and Adamello silently dominate the narrow valleys.