Hi, I'm John. Italy!!! If you have ever been there, then you will agree, it is a magnificent country to travel to. I went there for the first time 6 years ago, and I have to say,a day doesn't go by that I don't think of returning someday.
This site has been created for folks that want to go to Italy but it seems just out of reach financially. I found a place that you can get some money saving ideas and hopefully then be able to afford it. Let me know what you think, if I can make it any more useful or educational.
Good luck to you. I really hope you get to go. Because once you go, you really will never forget it.
Italy is so full of famous attractions, that is sometimes difficult to know where to begin. Hopefully, I can give you a few ideas that you can consider, and then incorporate into your Italy vacations. Lets begin, then shall we?
The Art Cities;
Many many years ago, when Italy wasn't the single entity it is today, it's art treasures were concentrated in many small capitals. Each of these capitals were blessed by a patronage from a papal representative or a ducal family. So, these cities then became troves of exquisite treasure - paintings, sculpture, statues, which were commonly displayed in churches and monasteries. The best known cities that have these glorious works of art are of course Rome, Florence and Venice. However, there are amazing collections of art in Assisi, Cremona, Genoa, Mantua, Padua, Parma, Palermo, Pisa, Siena (my favorite because of the ceramics) Taormina, Tivoli, Turin, Verona and Vicenza.
Eating Out - The Way Of The Italians;
For Italians, one of the most cherished pastimes is eating out. It doesn't matter how much lasagna or deep dish pizza you have had in your life, the real thing in Italy is beyond compare. Of course each region has its own specialties (I found the soups in Florence to be astounding) and some of these specialties have been passed down from generation to generation. I would totally recommend that in each city you go to, seek out the smaller restaurants on the unbeaten path. You will really not be sorry.
St. Peter's Basilica;
St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican is Christendom's most visible and most important building. The sheer massiveness of the structure is awe-inspiring. For many folks, attending a mass here is a spiritual highlight of their lives. In addition, many Catholic visitors that visit Rome eagerly wait for when the pope addresses the general public. If the weather is clear, then this will take place in St. Peter's Square.
Venice's Grand Canal;
The Grand Canal - Arguably the most famous waterway in the world. certainly the most romantic. It curves for 2 miles along historic buildings and under ornate bridges. If you are a first-timer, you will be awed by the Gothic and Renaissance structures, many of which fill architectural books. Take a ride on one of the many forms of water transportation available. Gondolas, water taxis, or even a vaporetto (public transportation, like a bus on water). Riding on the canal gives you a constantly changing look into the city's beauty. (Be careful tho-if you get sea sick easily, this city may make you a little queasy. It is a small island after all, and it is always moving. Nothing major, but you will feel just a little off. When I was leaving for Milan on the train, I discovered how good I felt being on the ground again.) I still wouldn't have missed Venice. Even after that.
Romantic Getaways!
You really can't go wrong going to Italy for romance. After all, Romeo and Juliet, the greatest romance of all time, was based here. You can go anywhere and be happy, but I have included a couple places that you may not have heard of.
Spoleto is a very romantic destination, especially during the off season when the crowds aren't so dense. This Umbrian town is in the center of a core of religious buildings dating back to the 13th century. It dates back to the Roman Empire and has a beautiful arts festival with amazing music during the summer.
Todi can be the ultimate escape. It is located just over 100 miles south of Florence, and this town will also transport you back to the Middle Ages. You can lose yourself in its maze of streets and alleys. It will remind you of a gentler time, when life was savored like a dark ridh wine.
Bellagio is often called "the prettiest town in Europe and is maybe the loveliest town in Italy's stunningly beautiful Lake District. It has a lakeside promenade that you can stroll, which follows the shores of Lake Como, that is filled with fragrant flowers in bloom. Couples can explore the arcaded streets and tiny shops, visiting lush gardens and relaxing in the sun.
Capri or "Island of Dreams" is renowned as a romantic destination for lovers. It floats in blue seas south of Naples and you will find the aroma of lemon trees in bloom everywhere. Since the late 1800's, celebrities have flocked to Capri to escape. Taking a boat ride around the rugged cliffs will take your breath away.
Ravello is small and sunny, and it manages to keep its aura of an old-fashioned village that is filled with old buildings. Especially its cathedral dating back to 1086. Gore Vidal once lived here.
Taormina is a resort town and is one of the most beautiful cities in Sicily. It is brimming with charm and carved stonework and a sense of the ages. Wealthy Europeans as well as artists have long favored this spot, especially in winter. The weather in winter is delightful as this town is a fertile oasis of olive groves, grapevines and orchards. Couples will delight in the sun and the medieval settings.
Venice is an incredibly romantic destination. Don't be afraid to "get lost" walking hand in hand thru the streets of Venice. Or take a 2 hour gondola ride and kiss under The Bridge of Sighs, the ultimate romantic thing to do. The city's beauty, timelessness and decay is almost mystical, and is a incredibly memorable spot.
Milan is one of Europe's hottest fashion capitals, and if you into shopping, this is the place to go. The range of shoes, clothing and accessories is unequaled anywhere else, except maybe London or Paris. Even if shopping isn't your thing, stroll along the Via Montenapoleone and just look at the elegant offerings form the worlds most famous designers.
If Buying Is Your Thing!
Italy is an amazing place for picking up things you just can't find anywhere else. And if you go during the off-season, just as with hotels and restaurants, the deals you can find will really shock and amaze. These places I have listed here are some of the places you should consider.
Lace - For hundreds of years, Italy has been known for its exquisite and its delicate lace, which has been fashioned into everything from women's undergarments to heirloom tablecloths. The most famous lace is naturally from Venice, which makes the world's finest products, especially tombolo (pillow lace), macrame, and the very expensive form of lace called chiacchierino. You can find reasonably priced collars, handkerchiefs and doilies in Venice as well as in Florence boutiques.
Leather - The Italians craft the finest leather in the world. Period. Boots, luggage, clothing, purses, wallets, the list is endless. Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice as well as many other Italian cities abound in leather shops selling quality goods. When I was in Florence, I was able to get an exquisite leatehr jacket for only $200, which I had appraised when I got home, and it was close to $900. Needless to say, I was thrilled.
Ceramics - As I mentioned before, Siena is a great town to pick up inexpensive, beautiful ceramics. The town of Faenza has been the center of pottery since the Renaissance. Majolica is a type of hand-painted, glazed and heavily ornamented earthenware. Many shops around the county carry this, so you don't have to travel there to buy it.
Glass made in Venice ranges from the delicate to the grotesque. You can even go to one of the glass making shops, and if you are lucky, they will give you a guided tour up close. It is a wonderful thing to see, glass being blown into a beautiful vase or figurine. There are literally hundreds of shops selling Venitian glass in many different prices.
Some other things you may want to research are prints and engravings, or even some religious objects and vestments. These are very big industries in Italy, and if you are an afficionado, then Italy is your gold mine.
Have fun.
Italy Travel Deals! These Sites Should Not Be Missed.
Here are some ideas for you to consider when planning your trip to Italy. Some of them are off the beaten path, but then, sometimes those will lead to the most memorable trips and experiences.
Siena is an amazing place to visit. It is a city right from the Middle Ages, with foreboding buildings carved out of stone as well as steep,twisting alleys. Everything centers around a plaza, the Piazza del Campo, arguably the loveliest plaza in Italy. This piazza is also the setting for the Palio, a wild and exciting horse race that is filled with tradition and pageantry. If you do decide to include this city, do not forget to seek out the ceramic shops. You will discover that they make these exquisite pieces right here.
Umbria is world renowned for their vineyards, which produce some of Italy's finest wines, notably the Chianti Classico. If wine is your passion, then Tuscany is definitely a must see.
Ravenna was at its peak culturally when it was part of the Byzantine Empire and is famed for its beautiful mosaics. There are many examples that must be seen to be truly enjoyed.
Bologna is an ancient university town, and it is never as crowded with tourists as Rome, Venice or Florence. It boasts great architecture, and a wide array of beautiful churches and museums. It has a vibrant night life and some of the best restaurants in Italy.
Pisa of course has the Leaning Tower and has gone thru a major restoration that stabilized the structure. It has shored up the tilt to a safe, yet still photographic tilt, and is now safe again for visitors to climb the tower.
The Dolomites is a great mountain range that dominates the northern part of Italy. If you are hiker or a camper, then this is the place for you, as it offers great hiking trails and great skiing in the winter.
The Amalfi Coast is a stupendous drive south from Rome and should not be missed. Imagine the coast of California by Big Sur, and will get an idea of just how glorious this part of Italy is. It is dotted with charming coastal towns that sit precariously on the cliffs that sweep dramatically down to the sea.
The Lacy Duomo in Milan is the largest Gothic cathedral in Italy. You can walk through a forest of turrets, pinnacles and a marble statuary on the roof. It is not to be missed, especially at night when it lights up the sky.
