European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Your Honey moon and Vacation in Italy - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:10:04 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
What you must know about Italian Language for your Italian Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:09:16 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Visiting Venice for your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:08:02 PM

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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Visiting the Vatican City during your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:07:05 PM

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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Visiting the coast for your Italy vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:06:19 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Transportation for Your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:05:19 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Health and Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad for your Italy vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:04:25 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Taking your Italy Vacation in Tuscany - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:03:38 PM

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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Sightseeing on your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:02:44 PM
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?

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Seeing Art on Your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:01:45 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Seeing Architecture on your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 8:00:37 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Renting a Villa for your vacation in Italy - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:59:11 PM

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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Places to Stay for your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:58:24 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Music and your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:57:35 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Italian Wine and your Italy vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:56:51 PM
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!

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Italian People and your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:55:58 PM
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?

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Going on an Italy Vacation to Milan - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:51:00 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Fashion and Your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:50:09 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Eating Italian Food during your Italy vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:49:17 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Cooking Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:48:19 PM
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!

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Cheap Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:47:12 PM
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?

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
Attending Sporting Events on Your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:46:13 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
All about photography and your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:45:00 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
All about passports and visas for your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:43:35 PM
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.

European Travel : Southern Europe : Italy Travel
All about Money and your Italy Vacation - Feb 8, 2008 - 7:41:04 PM
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?