Attractions in Italy

Mostly, travelers go on a trip recommended by friends, but is this what they really want? It's never too early to plan for your trip and to do what your heart really desires. Here are several questions to ask yourself before starting to plan your vacation. Do I want to relax? Do I want adventure or a learning experience? Do I want to get away from my job? Once you know the answers to these questions, then you are ready to plan your trip.

Vacations are needed for our emotional, physical and mental balance. Vacations give a person a chance to relax, renew his energy, and free him from his daily routine. Vacations can be far away or close to home. Wherever the vacation may be, it does the same thing. It provides satisfaction, which is far more important than the destination itself. Generally, there are some different types of travel according to the activities involved. Here are some of them:

1. Responsible Travel. Traveling doesn't always have to be self-serving. With responsible travel, one could have enjoyment as much as respecting the local environment and the people.

2. Rediscovering nature. Rediscovering travel is all about nature and everything in it. It revitalizes the soul while experiencing everything there is to know about nature.

3. Tribal cultures. In today's world of high technology, it is wise to experience the simpler life of the tribal people who have lived close to nature in the same way for thousands of years.

4. Responsible Diving. Diving not only lets travelers appreciate what is in the sea but also helps make the traveler more aware of efforts concerning conservation of our natural resources.

Plan your travel to a country that will leave a great mark in your traveling diary. Here are some of the most popular destinations today:

1. Thailand. Thailand is also known as Siam. It is an Asian country bounded by Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Behind the back draft of Thailand's jungles of bamboo, rubber trees and vines are the Five-star hotels of modern conveniences. In some parts of the country, elephants are still being use to lift timbers and buffalos are still being used in farming.

2. China. China is now the second largest country and fastest growing economy in the world. Most parts of China are still unexplored by tourists; however, the eastern portion is now popular to western tourists. First class hotels now offer the highest class of amenities and dozens more are still being built.

3. Italy. Italy is a boot-like shape country bounded by Switzerland, Austria, France, and Slovenia. The main attraction of Italy is St. Peter's Square where the Pope resides.

4. Caribbean. Caribbean is an archipelago of islands, 2000 square miles across. Most of the islands are plateaus and eruptions of underlying mountain systems. It has nice beaches of crushed coral and white or pink sand and the water at the shore is a deep blue.

The success of any vacation will not depend on how much money the traveler spent or the destination. The final outcome will depend on the degree of enjoyment experienced by the traveler.

Tuscany is one of Italy's most visited regions for family holidays, romantic breaks and even relaxing spa excursions. With large hotel numbers and a host of interesting and educational sites a trip to Tuscany is both comfortable and entertaining. But what is there to see and do in Tuscany? What are the fundamental inclusions in any holiday itinerary?

Obviously any trip to this region of Italy should include a visit to Florence. As an example of Renaissance architecture and art it is hard to find a better city anywhere else in the world. The city does however experience large tourist numbers so for those who would like to avoid the hustle and bustle, a hotel in the beautiful Tuscan countryside is advisable. Florence will however fill the needs of those with a love of art, with hundreds of the most famous paintings and sculptures on the planet; it can truly be described as the jewel in Tuscany's crown.

Another destination of note is the town of Siena. With a glorious fan shaped piazza, the Piazza del Campo that acts as the centrepiece for this marvellous medieval hill town. In addition, if visiting in the summer it is well worth seeing the famous horse race that takes place in Siena each year. The horse race brings a fantastic festival feeling to the town and will be enjoyed by all members of the family. San Gimignano is a city of towers, a rarity in this part of Italy where natural disasters and warfare have led to the destruction of most of the medieval towers. San Gimignano however has fourteen remaining towers that give the town one of the most memorable and beautiful vistas in the whole of Tuscany.

Another city that has wonderfully preserved medieval architecture is Lucca. The wall that surrounds the city is regarded to be one of the best in all Italy making walking or cycling around the perimeter a truly unique experience. As well as the historic attractions, the city of Lucca is well known for the wide array of shops and restaurants that adorn its streets. Although predominantly famous for its leaning tower, Pisa has much to offer the tourist with lush green parks and astounding architecture making it ultimately relaxing. The one time home of Lords Byron and Shelley, history is ever present and the enchanting river is perfect for strolls on lazy summer afternoons.

Those visiting with the family will almost definitely want to visit Pinocchio Park; a unique attraction that will enthral visitors of all ages. Journeying around the park presents the visitor with wondrous statues of the many characters from the story. Attractions include the regular marionette shows that bring to life the tale of this puppet who wanted to be a boy. The park is located near Collodi, the home of Carlo Lorenzini's mother, the author of the story.

Not all of your time should be spent touring the interior or the area near your hotel. Tuscany can boast some amazing beaches that make ideal family excursions. The beaches are famed for the clean water that laps at the shore making them perfectly safe for bathing. In addition to the beaches the coast of Tuscany has some fabulous small fishing villages where it is possible to gain a true understanding of the Tuscan culture and of course the sumptuous local delicacies. Tuscany as a holiday destination really does have it all. Whether you want to spend your time visiting the many fine architectural examples, the renaissance art or even the beach, a trip to Tuscany will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Fun for all the family, this region of Italy is magical, enjoyable and culturally rich. No matter what you hope to gain from your holiday, Tuscany will supply it by the bucket load.

 Visiting Italy will always be an unforgettable experience, but those heading to this amazing country for the first time should be sure to hit all the major highlights before returning home, armed with hundreds of pictures, souvenirs, and memories that will last a lifetime.

The best way to get a taste of Italy is to be sure to include the Big Three on your itinerary; Rome, Venice, and Florence. These three cities have and always will be Italy's most popular tourist spots, each offering something unique for those who vacation there. With just 7 to 14 days of vacation time, travelers can get a good idea of what each city offers. In addition, travel between the cities whether by car or by coach provides a look at more of Italy's beautiful terrain since the cities are each located in a different region of the country.

The best way to see these three lovely cities, especially on a first visit is to book an escorted tour with a company that knows Rome, Venice, and Florence inside out and backwards. This way, you're hitting all the major attractions but also those little out-of-the-way places, like a favorite cafe or gelato shop you might not find on your own.

Rome

Rome remains Italy's most visited city. After all, The Eternal City is so full of things to see and do, no matter what your particular interest. Of course, if you're a history buff, you'll probably head straight to the buildings and remains of the Roman Empire and other early civilizations. You'll want to visit the Colosseum, built by Emperor Vespasian and his son Titus in 80 A.D.; the triumphal Arch of Constantine, erected in 315 A.D.; St Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's renowned frescoes; the extraordinary Pantheon, the first temple built for the common people; and the Roman Forum, once the center of political and commercial life in ancient Rome.

Museums abound, including the wonderful Vatican Museums, housing the most extensive and impressive collection of fine art found anywhere in the world. You'll also want to include visits to The Spanish Steps, the renowned Trevi Fountain, the Via Appia Antica (Appian Way), Castel St. Angelo, and Rome's beautiful churches.

Dining is a joy, whether you're in search of a five-star restaurant experience or would prefer to take a seat in a small outdoor cafe on the Piazza della Rotonda and do a little people watching. Either way, the food is stellar!

Try to allow at least 4 full days to enjoy the capital city and if you're on an escorted tour, do a little research ahead of time to decide which sights you'd like to explore during your free time when specific activities are not scheduled.

Venice

Situated in Northern Italy, Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world and is often a top choice for honeymooners. But, of course, anyone can enjoy this spectacular city, which stretches across about 110 small islands along the Adriatic Sea.

You'll need at least two full days to see all the highlights. First time visitors to Venice will certainly want to hop aboard a gondola or a vaporetti (water taxi) and explore the city's system of canals, which take visitors past most of Venice's prime attractions. (The canals serve the same function as roads because Venice is a car-free city.) While on your canal tour, you can decide what you'd like to see once you're back on foot.

Top attractions include pigeon-filled St. Mark's Square, home to St. Mark's Basilica, the magnificent gothic Doge's Palace, and many other buildings and sites. You'll also want to make your way to the Bridge of Sighs, one of Venice's many bridges, known as such because it passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the old prisons to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was often the last place prisoners could view the city before their incarceration or death.

Be sure to sample the local seafood as well as the innovative pasta dishes. Venice is also known for its wonderful sweets, so you'll want to include a stop at a patisserie or two while exploring this breathtaking city.

Florence

Florence, the gateway to Tuscany, has become more and more popular during the past few decades. Always Italy's most cultural city, it's been as such since the Renaissance, when Florence families such as the Medicis sponsored artists like Michelangelo and others.

The centerpiece of Florence is the Duomo, or Santa Maria del Fiore. A must see, with its magnificent dome and baptistery, this is the architectural jewel in Florence's crown. After you've seen the cathedral, head to the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), the only to survive World War II, lined with interesting shops help up by stilts. And stop at the Uffizi Gallery, one of the finest art museums in the world, or visit the Academia to view Michelangelo's David.

Wherever your first (or second or third) Italy tour takes you, you're sure to be mesmerized by all this wonderful country offers, from its vibrant cities to its bucolic countryside to its friendly people who welcome you with open arms. Take time to savor the moments!

Once the great center of the Florence Renaissance, Florence Italy is one of the world's most artistic & architecturally beautiful cities, with countless Florence museums and galleries packed with masterpieces, and with fabulous shopping and tremendous cuisine and restaurants. Florence dates back to the Etruscan era, when Fiesole, an important center in Etruria, dominated the valley. The Romans conquered the city in 59 BC, who set up camp by the River Arno in a place that became known as Florentia, "destined to flower". 

During the course of the next thousand years, a small population struggled under successive Byzantine, Goth, Lombard and Frankish rule. The number of residents began to grow from the tenth century onward, with the city being ruled by an autonomous commune from 1115. But the city soon became a battleground in the violent conflict between the pro-imperial Ghibelline faction and the pro-papal Guelphs. However, a strong merchant base, founded on wool and supported by a powerful currency (the florin) saw the city gradually grow.

By the 13th Century, a merchant elite ruled Florence Italy. Powerful families such as the Albizi and then the Medici came to dominate the city. With this oligarchy interrupted by spates of republican rule - influenced by the likes of radical Dominican prior Savonarola and the nobleman Machiavelli - Florence grew ever stronger and richer. It is during this period when Florence assumes its decisive role in European and world history specially Florence history. Experts in both banking and commerce (the Medici financed many of the adventures that opened up trade routes around the globe), the city grew spectacularly rich. 

The families flaunted their affluence, and money was poured into patronage of the fine Florence art. The city became a home to sculptors, artists, architects and musicians. While scholars were rediscovering the fertile literature and archaic culture of Greece and Rome, Europe began to emerge from the Dark Ages; meanwhile the likes of Michelangelo, Donatello and Brunelleschi, as well as countless others whose works adorn Florence 

Italy today, were pushing the bounds of creativity and artistic creation to ever-greater heights. A literal explosion of intellectual power and creativity in the city saw a new crop of radical thinkers, and the spreading of their ideas through the new medium of printing. During this time, the Florentines' ever-growing expertise in banking, accountancy, and the creation of credit saw the entire system become ever richer. Florence, it is often said, was the cradle of all Europe.

Florence Italy next became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, but by the mid-1700's the city was consumed by Austria. In 1859 it was swallowed up by the kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, and only two years later Tuscany proper became part of the new country of Italy. For six years (until Rome joined the union) Florence Italy was actually the capital of Italy. 20th century Florence thrived on the back of tourism, financial services, heavy industry and its old staple - trade. Occupied by the Germans between 1943 and 1944, the city suffered the further misfortune of flooding in 1966, when the Arno burst its banks.

Walking through its narrow, windy streets, it is hard to identify this city with just one symbol. It may be the sculpture of David by Michelangelo, or perhaps the romantic Ponte Vecchio, or Giotto's bell tower. Then again, Florence is equally synonymous with famous people such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo or Dante Alighieri, to name but a few.

Also, of course, there's the world-famous "Duomo" which is perhaps the most recognizable of Florence's monuments. Construction of the Gothic Florence cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore began in 1296 and was completed by Brunelleschi in 1436 with the famous Dome, which was painted inside with frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari. The square Bell tower designed by Giotto in 1334 stands on the right-hand side of the Florence Cathedral and is covered in white, green and red marble. The Baptistery of San Giovanni, one of the oldest monuments in Florence (1128), is located opposite the Cathedral and is built in Florentine Romanesque style.

Today, even though most of Florence's greatness lies in its enchanting Florence history, the city still thrives. It has marvelous shopping, airy gardens & parks, fabulous cuisine, an exhilarating artistic atmosphere and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.

When you aren't admiring the works of artists and sculptors in churches, galleries and museums such as the Uffizi and Accademia, you can wander around the luxury of world famous boutiques, watch craftsmen at work on traditional Florentine leatherwork, and peruse numerous bustling street markets. You can eat in the finest restaurants or in simple trattorie with delicious home cooking. Or buy the ingredients for a quaint open-air picnic at the Mercato Centrale or Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio. Grab a bottle of Chianti, and make an excursion to the Boboli Gardens or to the ramparts of the Belvedere Fort with its stunning views. Florence Italy has endless fascination. There's nothing in the world quite like it.

The earliest Bingo games were played in Italy, somewhere around the year 1530, and played a role in the unification of the country. At that time, Italy started its own lottery system, called Lo Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia, which was done on a weekly basis. Surprisingly enough, this lottery is still around today, and is one of the major sources of income for the government of Italy, bringing in approximately $75,000,000 every year to the national budget.

In those early days, the game of Bingo was known as Le Lotto, and soon became very popular in France as well. The version that France adopted was slightly different than the Italian game played in 1530, and was actually pretty similar to the Bingo games that we play today. Each participating Le Lotto player was given a card with three lines going across, and nine lines going up and down, and as numbers were called, players covered up their cards. The player who was able to fill a row all the way across was declared the winner.

Other European countries soon started playing their own versions of the game. Teachers even used their own version to help children living in Germany learn multiplication. At this time, the game was still known as lotto, and went on to be used in many teaching and educational tools throughout the years.

After being dubbed Lotto, the game eventually was called Beano, before finally being dubbed Bingo many years later. The original game of Beano was often played at carnivals and fairs, and consisted of a horseshoe table with cards on top. Players would claim a numbered card, and the game leader would call out numbers, much as they do in Bingo today. As the numbers on the cards were called, those players would place a bean on top of the corresponding number on their cards.

The first player that covered one full line was declared the winner, and got a prize, which was usually a small doll. A toy inventor and salesman known as Edwin Lowe happened upon one of these games in 1929, but was unable to play because there were so many people lined up at the booth. When Lowe went home, he constructed his own version of the game, and invited friends and colleagues over to give it a try. Of course, the game was a big hit, and the more people played the more they wanted to keep playing.

During one of these games, one player got so intense that rather than yelling Beano when she had filled her line, she called Bingo, giving Lowe the idea to name his version of the game Bingo.Lowe soon became a successful toy salesman, and actually sold the rights to his game, so that other inventors could make their own versions, but keep the same name. Bingo soon spread like wildfire throughout the United States, thanks to Lowe's insight in letting others use the same name.

Soon, people started using Bingo for fundraising events, which really helped increase its popularity. Lowe played an integral role in inventing and developing many other Bingo-style games as well, all leading up to the game of Bingo that we all know and love today.

For more than a century, international travelers have recognized the warmth and beauty of Italy's famed Liguria region and the magnificent Italian Riviera. Long the place where the rich and famous would gather to enjoy warm water, wide sandy beaches, and posh resorts, the heyday of some towns in the Italian Riviera has passed but the area still maintains a certain upscale atmosphere that beckons discriminating travelers to come and explore.

Liguria is located in the northern portion of Italy, between the French Riviera, Piemonte, and Tuscany. The weather in the Liguria region is nearly always nice and can best be described as balmy. Thanks to its location, it's protected from most nasty weather by the mountains of the Alpine range. The average summertime temperature is a comfortable 77 degrees fahrenheit and in the winter, it rarely dips below around 50 degrees. The sun is abundant and the vegetation is lush. That's why, for decades, it's been attracting the rich and famous who come to play in San Remo's famed casino, enjoy the harbor at Portofino, or explore quaint seaside towns like Camogli and Rapallo.

Liguria is generally divided into two areas or coasts. West of Genoa is where you'll find traditional wide, sandy beaches and the resorts that make it a much-visited vacation spot. This area is known as Riviera di Ponente or Shore of the Setting Sun. Stretching all the way to the French Riviera, this side of Liguria boasts towns such as turn-of-the-century Bordighera, with its beautiful seaside promenade; the famed resort of San Remo; the medieval town of Masone; pretty Alassio with its 2-mile long beach; and the hill town of Sassello.

On the eastern side of Genoa is Riviera di Levante, Shore of the Rising Sun. The towns here are less developed, the coast more rugged. You won't find the huge resorts on this side of Genoa, but what you will find are some of Italy's most charming small towns, all lined up within just a few miles of each other and eager to welcome visitors. Head for little Portofino, perfect for those who require a little glitz with their vacation, or if you're looking for something less pretentious, travel just a few miles to pretty Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming town that was once a well-known retreat but is now quiet, boasting a pristine beach and lots of friendly locals.

If you're a city person, however, and you're visiting the Italian Riviera, don't miss an opportunity to spend some time in Genoa, one of Italy's least-visited cities but definitely worth a stop. Quite a historic city, Genoa's history can be traced back to the Etruscans of the 5th century BC and the city is simply full of wonderful archeological and architectural gems.

The most visited sight in Genoa is probably The Palace of the Doges, dating from the 13th century (not to be confused with the one in Venice). Other must sees include the magnificent Cathedral of St. Lawrence (Cattedrale di San Lorenzo); the Old Harbor area; the Museo d'Arte Oriental with its excellent collection of Oriental art; and the fun and educational Aquarium of Genoa, one of the largest in Europe. You'll also want to take a stroll down the Via Garibaldi. This street, lined with palaces, is a fascinating World Heritage Site.

No matter where you go in Italy, you'll want to be sure to taste the local food. Liguria is no exception. Seafood, of course, is quite popular, given the region's location, so expect most restaurants to have an excellent selection including fish that was just plucked from the sea hours before dinner is served. The produce in Liguria is equally as tantalizing and - like the seafood - you'll often find fruit or vegetables on your plate that were picked that very same day. Be sure to try the orata, a tasty local fish, usually cooked with olives and potatoes; or the gattafin, pasta stuffed with beetroot, onion and parmesan. Liguria is also the birthplace of pesto sauce so remember to order a dish that includes this popular topping.

Ask any bride-to-be and she'll quickly tell you that honeymoon dreams come true in Hawaii. This tropical paradise has been king of the hill when it comes to honeymoon destinations for nine straight years. But this year, the king was dethroned. Instead of finding Hawaii as big kahuna, Italy took the lead. In previous years, Italy ranked third, but in the 11th annual Modern Bride survey for 2007, it surpassed Hawaii, followed by Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mexico and France. The 11th annual survey was conducted through a network of 6,000 luxury travel agents who ranked their 50 favorite honeymoon spots. The results appear in the magazine's August/September issue. But what doesn't appear is the answer to the question "why?"

According to Hawaii's state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, the trend has been building over time. The number of honeymoon couples traveling to the Aloha State fell to just over 200,000 as of June this year. That's a 1.2% drop from 2006. Hawaii certainly has beauty and a playground with enough adventure and romance to keep couples busy for weeks. But Italy is beginning to be appreciated for many of its unique features.

Venice

For instance, Venice charms young and old alike with magical waterways stretching throughout the entire city. The gentle trickling of water through the canals is romantic on its own. Add to that a dreamy gondola ride and you've set the mood for the entire trip. Truth be known, Venetians travel by gondola because there are no cars, not because of the romance! You also won't find any motorbikes or motorized scooters. Why no cars? Because there are no roads to drive them on!

What you will find in Venice is gorgeous scenery along with palaces, museums and art collections. Open-air food markets are also plentiful and make for wonderful shopping. Or, of course, you can dine at any number of restaurants where you'll delight in truly authentic northern Italian cuisine. You won't want to leave without participating in Carnival. Remarkably, the term "carnival" comes from the Latin "farewell meat!" Similar to Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, Carnival began the practice of throwing huge parties in order to use up all the meat, eggs and butter before the fasting of Lent started. To make Carnival unique, Venetians wore masks to disguise themselves. This way they could participate in all types of debauchery without being found out. While Carnival today is much more civil, the enormous levels of fun still run high.

Capri

Another unique destination in Italy is Capri. An island (as is Venice), this region has wooed the world for decades. Countless movies have been made on Capri, emperors have visited and honeymooners have strolled along her hillsides. Part of the allure of this island lies in the aromatic fragrances that overtake you as soon as you arrive. The scent of ripe natively grown lemons in addition to the intense perfume of indigenous basil, marjoram, oregano, parsley and thyme waft through the air with every breeze. It's something almost everyone is pleasantly surprised by. One of the most popular attractions is The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) - a must-see. 

As daylight enters through an underwater opening located immediately below the entrance to the cave, the light is filtered by the water. The red tones are absorbed, leaving only the blue ones to pass into the cave. The result is an astonishing aura of blues that simply defies words. Whichever you choose as your top honeymoon spot, you'll find plenty to do and see. Cruising to your destination offers the flexibility to see more of the region for less than you might think. Explore online first and then decide which location will offer more of what you and your spouse-to-be will love.

If you looking forward to spend a vacation with your close relatives in complete bliss and stunning scenery, then Sicily is the place for you. Being an autonomous area of Italy, Sicily is a great place to go on a relaxing holiday staying in holiday rentals. Many families come to this part of Italy and rent holiday villas and self catering holiday apartments as their holiday accommodation.Sicily is visited by a large number of tourists due to the fact that it is the biggest island in the entire Mediterranean Sea.

Also, numerous smaller islands that surround this region are taken to be an important part and parcel of Sicily. Apart from Sardinia, this island is classified as the area of Insular Italy. The five important things to do include experiencing the Greek temples, climbing the Mount Etna, exploring the Medieval jewel of Old Palerma, dancing at the Giardini Naxos and trying the local wine and enjoying the sports and activities. If you are a sports enthusiast, you can find some interesting games and sports to play in the Sicily countryside. Most sports that holiday makers can enjoy in Sicily include the water activities. Whether it is scuba diving, fishing or windsurfing, there are a large number of water sports to do.

Hiking is another activity that can be enjoyed in Sicily. There are special paths and courses so that the hiking experience can become all the more easy and enjoyable. In the winter seasons, tourists can also try the activities of snowboarding and skiing. Other activities in Sicily include bird watching, mountain biking, running, trekking, camping and horse riding. The second most important thing to do in Sicily is to sample the wine from a local vineyard. Sicily's flagship red grape produces a spicy and exotic wine. The leading towns producing wine includes Messina, Ragusa, Noto and Marsala.

Also, if you are a great lover of dance, there are brilliant nightlife destinations so that you can have a great night life. The seaside resort Giardini Naxos is a highly admired family venue where people can enjoy the various open-air bars, night discos along with an excellent party atmosphere. Thirdly, tourists can climb the highest volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. This activity can serve as a great thing for all those who are energetic and who wish to do something adventurous. You can also try your hand at night climbing. Another option worth consideration is that of walking the Circumetnea Railroad that circles this active volcano.

The fourth thing to do is to explore the capital of Sicily, Palermo. The metropolis is full of unique medieval buildings, monuments, shady squares and Baroque churches. Last but not least, this island has a large number of ancient sites that include the Greek temples. The ancient Syracuse played an important role in mythology of Greece. Due to this it is home to various impressive ruins that can be dated back to the 6th Century BC. When there be sure not to miss visiting the Doric Temple and Temple of Apollo. You can now understand why Sicily is such a popular holiday destination with families staying in holiday rentals. This part of Italy is perfect for a self catering holiday staying in holiday homes. There are many splendid holiday villas and apartments that can act as a base to explore the beautiful island of Sciliy.

Today on vacations in Italy, travelers want to experience real, local life in a meaningful ways with families, to visit their homes, share pieces of their lives, learn new things and even make new friends. Four ways to get to know locals are cooking with families in their homes, taking a course and renting a room in a local home, staying at a farm B & B, and dining with families in their homes through Home Food.

1. Take a cooking class or cooking school tour with a family in their home kitchen

Here's an example of a delicious cooking school in Bologna, Italy's gastronomic capital.

For your cooking week you live in an independent apartment in the medieval centre, next door to your host family's home, so you live like a local and have local friends nearby. With the mother and daughter, both excellent home cooks, you cook full menu dinners hands on for about three hours in three lessons in their kitchen. Then you gather around the dining table to eat your creations with the father, sons and your two cooking teachers, sharing laughter and good conversation. You soon feel part of the family!

Your cooking teacher tours you around Bologna's food market, telling you about local food treasures like parmesan cheese and buying ingredients for your lesson. Your week also includes a Bologna city tour and a day trip to Florence or Venice where a local guide shows you the sights. You can also enjoy a one day experience with market visit, cooking class and lunch.

2. Take a course and ask for home stay accommodation

In 1996 I took a month long Italian language course in Rome and asked the language school to get me a room with a family where nobody spoke English. They matched me up with Lucia, a 45 year old high school art teacher, architect and single mother of two kids, aged 8 and 16 in their apartment near the Vatican. At first Lucia was surprised to see a woman her age arrive, not the usual 22 year old student. We discovered we had a lot in common, had many long conversations in her kitchen and became friends. For 12 years, I've visited Lucia, shared many meals around tables with her friends and taken trips to Naples and her country home in Le Marche with them. Take a course, stay with a local family in your favourite Italian city! You never know what lovely surprises may come out of the experience!

3. Stay on at a farm B & B or apartment where the owners live on the property

If you're renting a car to explore the Italian countryside, stay in agriturismos (farm B&Bs or apartments). Many agriturismo owners make wine and olive oil. You may want to help pick grapes or olives at harvest time! To make sure you meet the owners, confirm they live on the property so you'll get to know them.

For example, in southern Tuscany about nine km south of Montalcino, Agriturismo Podere La Fonte offers two small suites in the country with marvelous views of Val d'Orcia. The organic property full of exotic plants and trees, birds and a chemical free swimming pool, has many olive trees. Owner Alberto makes olive oil the traditional way using the big granite wheel. Friendly, joyful Alberto and his wife make your breakfast and can make dinner for you. Alberto is a fantastic cook and gives cooking lessons too.

4. Eat traditional dishes with families in homes all over Italy through Home Food

Imagine yourself arriving at 8:30 p.m. at a family's home in Venice. The mother, Mercedes, whom you don't know, welcomes you warmly to share a dinner of traditional Venetian dishes she's just cooked for you. You join her and up to five food loving tourists you may not know around her table through the Home Food organization. You savour dry cod with polenta (a dish from the 1500s), risotto with radicchio from Treviso, sardines with saor (fried onions, wine, vinegar, pine nuts, raisins) that fishermen in the 14th century made, vegetables in oil and pincia, a soft cake of bread soaked in milk with raisins and apple.

As you eat and drink local wines, you learn about Venetian culinary traditions and history and get to know a local family as well as fellow food lovers. Home Food started in Bologna in 2004 and spread to 14 regions in Italy. Its mission is to preserve traditional recipes and food traditions handed down from mothers to daughters and to share these dishes and local food culture with food lovers.

About 100 women throughout Italy, all excellent home cooks with a wealth of food knowledge, enthusiastically open their homes for scheduled dinners for small groups. Visit the Home Food website to know more and register for dinners. Have fun cooking, speaking Italian, picking grapes or olives and dining with Italian families at their homes! You'll experience genuine Italian life as an insider friend and soon feel Italian!

Rome is the capital city of Italy as well as one of the most famous cities in the entire world. One of the things that makes it so unique from other cities is the fact that within its walls is the smallest nation in the world, the State of the Vatican City, a sovereign territory of the Holy See.

Within the Vatican City is Saint Peter's Square and Saint Peter's Basilica. Between the years 1656 and 1667, the open area in front of the basilica was redesigned so that it could accommodate the largest number of people possible during blessings given by the Pope. In addition to surrounding the Vatican, Rome has an extremely long and interesting history. The legend of its founding says that Romulus and Remus, twins who were supposedly raised by wolves, established the city. However, the archaeological evidence indicates that Rome developed out of pastoral settlements and became a city around the 8th century BC.

For around one thousand years, Rome was very important in the political world and was considered the largest and richest city in the Western world. It remained an important power even after the Roman Empire began its decline. However, it did eventually lose its status as a capital city to Milan and then to Ravenna. One of the things Rome is known for today are the ancient structures that still exist there. The Roman Colosseum has become a symbol of the Roman Empire and of Rome itself. It was the largest amphitheatre ever built by the Roman Empire and was capable of seating 50,000 people. Its original use was as a venue for staging combats between gladiators, which was a popular spectator sport of the time.

Rome is also home to many beautiful villas and gardens. The center of the city is surrounded by many green areas and gorgeous old villas. Among them is the Villa Borghese, which has a large, landscaped garden constructed in the 19th century naturalistic English style. The villa also has a number of buildings, museums, and other attractions. For the many tourists vacationing in Rome, there are a number of lovely places to stay, including both hotels and holiday apartments.

Examples of hotels in Rome, Italy are:

Hotel Aldrovandi Palace: This historical hotel was built in 1899 and remodeled in 2004. It is located between the Villa Borghese Gardens and the Borghese Gallery in a quiet, upscale residential area. It is also very close to the Spanish Steps. The hotel features an outdoor pool, private park, and garden dining.

Examples of holiday apartments in Rome, Italy are:

Casa Cesi: This two bedroom apartment sleeps up to six people and is located between the Vatican and the Spanish Steps. It's a spacious apartment that has been carefully decorated to make guests feel at home. The kitchen is modern and fully equipped and the master bedroom has an en suite bathroom.

Frattina Beauty: This stylishly decorated apartment has bright, cheery colors to welcome its guests. It's just minutes from the Spanish Steps in the historical centre. It's on the second floor of its building and has an elevator to get you there comfortably. The famous old structures of Rome make it an exciting place for any traveler to visit. While its sites may be ancient, its hotels and holiday apartments are comfortably modern to accommodate even the most discerning of vacationers.

Football clothing has changed over the years - from shiny flat caps covered in pin badges, to the replica shirt era, to the soccer casual clad in designer labels... And one particular item of football clothing is not so much making a comeback but has made a return to the fore of football merchandise. The football scarf has always been a prominent garment at football matches up and down the country, and recently many fans have reintroduced a trend first seen in the 60s - wrapping a scarf around your wrist and waving it around whenever the ball hits the back of the net!

The scarf has always been an iconic part of Liverpool football club, especially when anyone mentions the famous Kop End of Anfield stadium. It has long been a tradition, usually during victorious Champions League matches, for Reds fans to hold their Liverpool scarves aloft and belt out the club's anthem: You'll Never Walk Alone. The scene of a full Kop with nothing in view but heads and hands emanating from a sea of scarves is one of British football's iconic images. At another Premier League club, Arsenal, many fans are waving their retro red and white striped scarves around Emirates stadium whenever a goal goes in, which adds to the colour of a match, and in turn adds to the atmosphere both within the ground but also on TV.

In South America and Italy in particular fans have always tied scarves around their wrists and celebrated in this way. And of course they adopted this trend from British football fans of the 60s. As any fashion designer will tell you, trends are cyclical. Just as sportswear and trainers of the 80s came back into fashion in a big way on the streets, scarves are re-entering the 'cool' of football. Scarves in general have become extremely fashionable in this millennium, both for male and female. Be it cashmere, lamb's wool, silk, patterned, branded, plain... The choice is endless and designers really went to town in capitalising on this market.

And in the world of football it is no different, especially given the merchandising potential, particularly at Premier League level. Club scarves are available at club shops, at online stores, outside the football grounds at the vast numbers of market stalls... They are everywhere for one reason and that is because the football scarf is the most popular item of football clothing around. Always has been and always will be.

The football scarf has negative connotations, especially in Italy where football hooligans that form 'Ultras' - the Italian equivalent of football hooligan firms (a group of football hooligans who organise fights with rivals) - use scarves to cover their faces in order to disguise themselves from CCTV cameras and the Police when being naughty little boys. In fact, in Italy you can buy scarves outside the stadiums that have the name of the team, e.g. Lazio, and the word Ultras on them, actually advertising the hooligans! When in Rome eh! Football has always been a vehicle with which to express style as well as to cheer on your team. Football fans are a sub culture in themselves and football clothing is a fundamental part of this. The football scarf is synonymous with football culture; it has been for generations and will continue to be for generations to come.