Italy, the country of beauty, fashion, history and culture has been considered as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. For those who like to journey and travel to romantic places, Italy is the best site to stop at, not only it is romantic but it has absolutely attractive buildings, monuments and architectural achievements which are part of history, so those who love to scrutinize the meaning behind art will find this location to be an out of this world historical and artistic puzzle.
While you can easily be swept off by the impulse to go on vacation, it is systematically better to have some kind of planning before you leave. First of all, know your circumstance for taking a vacation as the circumstance can surely affect the travel itinerary that you want. Are you going to a specific place to celebrate a special occasion like an anniversary? Or are you simply planning to break the monotony of your daily routine by going somewhere great?
In general the weather is very hot and steaming in the dead of the summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be guaranteed to have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential. Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland cities, so you would like to consider bringing an umbrella. It is critical to follow dress standards (no bare shoulders or knees) and is strictly enforced in many churches, especially in Rome at St. Peter’s and the Vatican Museums and at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice.
Venice is an incredible city, built on 117 small islands. It has more than 150 canals, and 409 bridges spanning those canals. Absolutely, the Grand Canal is a tourist favorite, and so is the Vaporetto. Other attractions you’ll want to see include the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, St. Mark’s Basilica, Palazzo Pisani, the Clock Tower and San Rocco.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is most assuredly a tourist highlight. However, the city of Pisa, located on the Arno River, has a number of other attractions you will love, too. Be guaranteed to see the Baptistery, Campo Santo, Santa Maria della Spina, Pisa Cathedral, National Museum and the Campo dei Miracoli.
Bologna offers visitors a opportunity to see Roman baths, temples and amphitheatres, mixed with Baroque palaces, churches and squares. Make sure to visit the Archeological Museum, Bevilacqua Palace, Palazzo della Mercanzia, St. Dominic’s Church, San Martino, Casa Isolani and the Basilica di San Pietro.
A tourist favorite, Rome could consume your entire vacation, and you still would not see it all. Some highlights to see include the Vatican, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, the Roman Forum, Campidoglio, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’Angelo and St. Peter’s Basilica.Every person should visit the Eternal City of Rome at least once in their life. This city was the most important place in the world for several centuries and its influence lasts today with the Vatican and the Catholic Church. Of course, on a simple Rome itinerary one must visit the ancient sites like the Colisseum and the ruins of the Forums, and also more modern sights such as Trevi Fontain and the Spanish Steps. A couple of days in this fast-paced metropolis are such a pleasure! Also, a worthy day trip located some hours south is the marvelous preserved city of Pompeii resting in the shadows of Mount Vesuvius.
Now, there are many “Must Sees” in Rome, but unfortunately it would take many pages to describe all of the places you can visit. So, I’ll just discuss about some of them. Before you start your journey by ways of Rome and all of Italy – purchase a book about Rome (or whatever city you are planning to visit) and read about the site(s) before you visit. You will get a many more out of the experience if you know what you’re seeking at and know the basic history of the site. The first of the “Must sees” are the Forum and the Colosseum. Since, they are located near each other and you can walk from one to the other rather easily, you should see them on the same day, if you have the time. These two sites encompass a lot of History in Rome and are seen in several movies, which most people can relate to. Of course, you should visit the sites in the course of the day to ensure you see everything, but the lights around the Colosseum at night are a great site to see as well.
Transportation in Rome: If you are concerned about your transportation when you arrive in Rome, there are several methods that you might consider. Public transportation methods offered in Rome include buses, trams, subway, and taxis. There are electric buses in Rome that were designed to eliminate or minimize pollution. There are several of the electric bus lines that navigate by ways of many alleyways. There are over 20 night buses that run throughout the middle of the night. There are two main terminal stations. You know if you are at a night bus stop if there is the mark of an owl. Taking a taxi cab is another method of transportation in Rome. You should continually insist on the metered fare in preference to a negotiated fare. Anyhow, if you can find the right taxi driver, you can pay him or her to be your tour guide by means of the city and take you to all of the places that you shouldn’t miss.
For those who choose to ride into Rome, Italy by train, there are a number of routes from the Stazione Termini and the Tiburtina Station that connect with major cities in Italy and also the rest of Europe. Eurostar trains have a reputation for being notably rapid, as are Intercity trains. Local trains take slightly longer to arrive at their destination. Tickets for Eurostar trains must be purchased in advance and seats are reserved prior to boarding the train. These tickets are available the train stations, at various travel agencies, or on the Internet. The latter method requires payment by credit card and tickets are reserved for and received by passengers when they board the train. If you do pay for your tickets only, be proven to validate them at one of the yellow electronic boxes in the boarding areas prior to boarding the train.
With a 2009 population of 386,000, Florence is one of, if not the most important cultural center in the world. Located on the river Arno in the north-central part of Italy, Florence is one of the world’s most beautiful cities as well as containing some of the planet’s greatest art treasures.
The most visited square is Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit. Loggia della Signoria holds some important statues such as Michelangelo’s David.
Florence’s most extended site is its Duomo (cathedral), the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. The exterior, produced of green, pink, and white marble, has several elaborate doors and interesting statues. Inside, Brunelleschi’s Dome is a masterpiece of construction. Buy a ticket to climb the 463 steps to the top of the bell tower. The panoramic view of the city is amazing. Please note, is not air-conditioned on the way up, so peak summer months can get markedly hot, so be sure and bring water.
Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens – This palace is a magnificent building and houses lots of interesting galleries and museums. It is also the entrance to the Boboli Gardens, which is a relaxing place to go to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is filled with statues and fountains and if you can make it all the way to the top of the hill, some beautiful views of Florence.
The Galleria degli Uffizi holds the world’s most important collection of Renaissance art but it’s also Italy’s most crowded museum. You can purchase tickets ahead to stay away from long lines. Better yet, if you purchase a shore excursion or are on one of our escorted tours, your group will have priority access. The Uffizi holds thousands of paintings from medieval to modern times and several antique sculptures, illuminations, and tapestries.
