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| Italy Holidays - Destinations |
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| Temperature: |
Live Forecast |
Population: |
57.99 million |
| Time Zone: |
GMT +1 (+2 in summer) |
Driving side: |
Drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road. |
| Languages: |
Italian
French
German
Serbian
Croa |
| Religion: |
84% Roman Catholic
6% Jewish
Muslim
Protestant |
| Emergency #: |
All Emergencies: 113
Police: 112
Fire: 115
Car Breakdown: 116
Ambulance: 118 |
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Rome - The Eternal City is the most famous and most popular destination in Italy. The city has so much to offer, from the arrogance of the Vatican; the to the timeless Forum; and the amazing colosseum. The top attractions consist of temples; residences; basilicas; churches; palazzi; piazzi; parks; museums; and fountains. With so much crammed into the city, it is evident that Rome wasn't built in a day and you won't be able to enjoy what the city offers in a day.
Amalfi Coast - This 50 km long stretch of coast, from Sorrento to Salerno, consists of Europe's most beautiful coastline. The long windy roads that follow the cliffs on the coastline, overlook the most striking blue waters and pass picturesque villages, that remind you of a time gone by. This is one of the top beach resort areas in Europe and is popular with tourists from around the world.
Venice - The Queen of the Adriatic is one of the best known cities in the world, and an icon of everything Italian. Meandering through the maze of canals and lanes, getting lost in history, is one of the city's main pleasures. The heart of the city, the Piazza San Marco, is home to some of the world's most breathtaking sights. Venice is a city everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Milan - This stylish city is the design captal of the world and the home of fashion. Milan is also the economic headquaters of Italy, home to the stock market and business centres. Eventhough it is a modern cosmoplitan city, it's centre is home to some of the most amazing sights, such as the Duomo, a fantastic Gothic confection topped by the Maddonina, Milan's protectress. |
| Capri - by Capri from United Kingdom - 2004-12-05 | | Amazingly romantic island off Naples. Relax in luxury and take in the gorgeous sunsets in one of the islands premier hotels. |
| Maremma - by Gloria from Italy - 2005-09-18 | | Maremma is a very unspoilt region with beautiful beaches, sunflowers and poppies fields, olive groves and vineyards. The Natural Park of the Maremma is well known all over the world and it has trails and beautiful unspoilt beaches. Maremma is in Tuscany and it makes for a great alternative to the most touristy areas. |
| Nerja, Costa del Sol Spain - by Nerja from Spain - 2006-05-31 | | Nerja, Costa del Sol Spain
Once a small fishing village Nerja is now the biggest resort to the east of Malaga, it has managed to avoid the worst effects of unrestrained expansion and high rise hotels.
There are still plenty of bars and nightclubs for those wanting to party the night away, however the old centre of the town has retained some of its original charm with its narrow streets and courtyards, and its white washed flat-roofed houses.
Its most dramatic spot is the Balcón de Europa, a cliff that juts out to sea and is enclosed by two sheltered beaches. This palm-shaded promenade is a favourite spot of many visitors with a beautiful view of the Mediterranean. The walkway was built in 1895 in honour of a visit from the Spanish king Alfonso XIII, the phrase “Balcon de Europa” is said to be coined by the king himself during this visit.
Caves of Nerja
Nerja is probably most famous for its caves which lie in the hills near Maro. Discovered in 1959 by some boys chasing bats they discovered the entrance to a huge system of limestone caverns. The caves are protected and have been well preserved with many parts still closed to the public including areas with prehistoric paintings of animals & humans figures. It is estimated that the caves were inhabited between 20,000 BC and 1,800 BC.
Visitors are treated to a series of well lit chambers and displays of archaeological finds. Of interest are the Hall of Bethlehem which is full of stalactites and stalagmites. The Hall of the Waterfall, which is the scene for the Festival of the Caves held in July. And the Hall of the Cataclysm, whose fallen rocks indicate an earthquake long ago, the centre piece in the Hall of Cataclysm is the central column, formed when a stalactite and stalagmite met and joined after thousands of years of growth. It is the tallest of its kind in the world at some 32 metres. Some of these galleries have ceilings to a height of 60 metres.
The beaches that surround the town are some of the more picturesque and unique on the coast. The most popular beaches are the Playa Burriana to the east and the Playa Torrecilla to the west. The accommodation here is well designed with buildings located either in the attractive town centre or in white washed villas in the hills behind.
Climate
Located at the feet of the Sierra de Almijara which protects the town from the cold winds coming from the north in the winter and the heat of the inner land in summer, Nerja retains mild temperatures in both winter and summer. |
| Scottish Market - by Erika from Italy - 2006-10-18 | | Barga realised a SCOTTISH MARKET where people can go and buy Scottish products! It's fantastic! You can meet very Scottish people that sell kilts..and you can drink a beer with them!! |
| Garfagnana and media Valle - by Erika from Italy - 2006-10-18 | | Garfagnana and Media Valle are situated in Tuscany, near Lucca. It's a good place where you can go to pass your holiday in summer, because it is not too hot and in winter because you can go to make trekking or mountain bike.Media Valle is situated around Barga and you can visit a lot of number of towns and old village.It's near(45 min.)Lucca,a beautiful medieval city and is very green!you can eat particular products such as: polenta, porcini mushrooms, castagne, farro,wine. It's very quiet and, in the summer, there are a lot numbers of sagre and market (the Scottish market is the top!). |
| Vicenza, city of Andrea Palladio - by Kerasia from Greece - 2008-05-01 | | Vicenza is a historical city located in the north east of Italy and situated between the cities Venice, Padua and Verona. The variety of its surroundings create a fascinating landscape. Vicenza offers a wide range of cultural, artistic and historical sites such as the Olympic Theatre, the main work of the famous architect Andrea Palladio. Because of his great architectural work, Vicenza is listed as a UNESCO cultural world heritage. |
| Aosta Valley - by Margherita from Italy - 2008-06-18 | | Situated in the extreme north-west of Italy, Valle d'Aosta lays at the feet of the southern side of Mont Blanc: to the west is the French border and to the north, the Swiss border.
Aosta is a city rich in numerous Roman remains: the Theatre, Forum, Augustan Arch, Praetorian Gates, Cryptoporticus, Pailleron Tower-in fact Aosta is also known as ' Rome of the Alps'.
These wonderful structures are an integral part of Valle d'Aosta's identity, a place where modernity constantly draws upon its ancient roots.
Valle d'Aosta is famous for its castles, witness to a particularly rich and intense feudal history. In the primitive fortifications, military forts, sumptuous courtly residences, towers and fortresses, visitors will remain enchanted by the magic and charm of these 'sentries of the past'……
Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims along the Franciscan Way, which up until the Middle Ages was the only route between England and Italy. Passing over the Great Saint Bernard Pass and leading right the way to Rome, following this ancient route will allow you to discover numerous sanctuaries, solitary consecrated cells and see a different side of Valle d'Aosta at a slower and more attentive pace enabling you to take in all the details of our precious history.
A holiday in Valle d'Aosta allows you to discover genuine antique flavours…
With 14 vineyards, 20 types of wines ( with the official seal of denomination of origin), numerous local specialities ( D.O.P. classified) whose fame travels far beyond the boundaries of our region, Valle d'Aosta has preserved its authenticity and will reawake all your senses.
More than a fifth of Aostan territory is classified as a reserve for fauna and flora: The Gran Paradiso National Park (35.000 hectares), Mont Avic Regional Park (3.500 hectares), 8 natural reserves, 4 Alpine gardens. With 210 glaciers, 500 torrents, 400 lakes… there are countless things to discover!.
The Aosta Valley: an open-air ethnographic museum! While the region is open to progress and technological development, the people maintain traditional events, capable of taking tourists on a journey back in time. |
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Marina di Ragusa in Sicily - This is the best beach in southern Sicily and is very busy during the summer months. The beach has a wide range of watersports on offer, and there are many pubs and ice cream bars located near the beach. This is a great place for the whole family to have some fun in the sun.
Costa Rei Beaches in Sardinia - Here you'll find some of the best beaches on the east coast of Sardinia, long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches with a whole host of watersports facilities and restaurants near the beach. Some of the best beaches in Costa Rei are Capo Ferrato Beach; Cala Pira Beach; Costa Rei Beach; and Porto Pirastu Beach.
da Gioia in Capri - Localita Marina Piccola. This is a family run swimming establishment in the bay of Marina Piccola. There is a solarium on the waterfront and an excellent restaurant serving seafood specialities. This is a great place for the whole family, you can relax in the sun or go for a swim in the sea.
Mortelle in sicily - The resort of Mortelle is where you'll find the best beaches of northeast Sicily. This area is filled with many excellent sandy beaches, so you have a wide choice available. The beaches are very popular during the summer months, with locals and tourists. Lido dei Tirreno is the most popeular beach in the area. |
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Buses are one of the best ways in getting around italy, they are fast and reliable. They travel anywhere throughout Italy, and are able to reach destinations not serviced by trains. Buses are relatively cheap and are therefore an ideal way for the budget traveler to explore the country.
There are some domestic airlines that service the diferent destinations in Italy, the airfare is quite inexpensive and flying is a great way to travel from one destination to another if you're in a hurry.
If you want to explore more of the country and get off the usual roads taken by tourists, renting a car is an excellent option. Roads throughout the country are in good condition and there is an extensive network of freeways, although you have to pay tolls to use some of them. |
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Feast of San Lorenzo (10 August) - Held in Rome, this is the anniversary of the death of San Lorenzo, and the saint's martyrdom is celebrated every year with fireworks and public celebrations near the crypt of Via Tiburtina.
Festa de'Noantri (Starts 3rd Sat of every Jul) - Every year, in Rome, on the Saturday after the Festa del Carmelo, a statue of the Vergine del Carmine is taken from its resting place in the church of Sant'Agata and is paraded through the streets of the Trastevere quarter and taken to San Crisogno, where it stays on display for eight days. |
| All Saint's Day - by Gloria - Casina di Rosa from Italy - 2005-11-14 | | All Saint's Day, November 1st, is a holiday in Italy. Families gather to spend the day together and to remember the loved ones who are no more with them. Shops are generally closed, except for restaurants and flower shops. |
| La Befana... the Epiphany - by Gloria - Casina di Rosa from Italy - 2005-11-14 | | January 6th is a big holiday in Italy. It used to be the day on which children received their presents. Nowadays Christmas is that day, but we still give socks full of candies and sugar coal to naughty children! La Befana is a sort of witch, an old woman which brings these presents coming in the house through the chimney.
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Guide to Le Marche - Italy - Where to stay, what to see & do in Le Marche Italy. The undiscovered region!
Map of Italy - Detaild maps of Italy (italia)
Alta Bada - Les Dolomites Nosta Tera Nosta Vita - Sited in a unique mountain scenery Alta Badia is rich in natural beauties and ancient traditions.
Try the sweeping emotion of finding yourself in the heart of the Dolomites, surrounded by springing torrents and deep alpine lakes, wild gorges and suggestive plateaus full of flowers.
Guide to Italy - Informative guide for travel to Italy.
Italy Travel Guide - Comprehensive guide to Italy with destination reports, maps, photos and more.
Italy - Travel information about Italy, each region and the main tourist cities.
Bicycle Italy - Non Profit association dedicated to help bikers find useful info about Italy. The website shares trip reports, reviews, tips and news on all Italian regions: Sicily, Tuscany, Lazio and Venetia.
www.italiantourism.com - The official Itallian tourism website
www.initaly.com - Information on traveling to Italy
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