Attractions in Italy

These days, an increasing number of single individuals are recognizing that it's completely okay for them toward tour alone plus increasingly more tour businesses are dispensing by the single traveler fees which have so long plagued people that tour without a companion. It's only fair! Nowadays, more people wait until their late 20s or later to tie the knot plus they take pleasure in spending their post-highschool or post-college time wandering the world and exploring wonderful destinations. At some time when one of every three adults in the United States is solo, solo travel is more popular than ever and an individual person ought to not at all be anxious regarding finding something to suit their needs.

An Italy vacation intended for singles is definitely a viable opportunity, and every year, various single travelers come in the country to see why so many individuals worldwide have fallen in love with this incredible vacation spot. An outstanding way intended for a particular person to view Italy is to enroll in a seat on an prepared escorted tour. Escorted tours are a good way to journey carefully particularly for unmarried women and these excursions can provide, if desired, the opportunity to meet other people with like travel interests. A lot of free people join many of these excursions each year, only to return home with email addresses as well as phone numbers of individuals as well as families they met on their travels. At times, these tourists become life-long friends.

Occasionally, it is possible to find an Italy vacation tour that is designed mainly for singles, however it surely isn't bizarre for a particular traveler to affix a trip that includes not just other singles but additionally couples and families. But, if the single person is adverse to traveling along with kids, he or she should hunt down an adults-only escorted tour that eliminates the need to journey along with children who may be less than well-behaved on the trip.

Another advantage of an escorted tour, especially intended for the single embarking on their first Italy vacation, is that these tours usually hit all of the highlights with the country or a specific part of the nation. Typically ranging from about seven or 8 days up to 2 weeks or additional in length, these Italy vacation trips will go to see venues resembling Rome's legendary Colosseum as well as Pantheon, Florence's Duomo, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the magnificent sites of Venice, Capri's Blue Grotto, and many others. Regularly, various meals are included in the price of the spree and are loved mutually by the whole crowd of travelers. This means the single will all the time have companions with whom to dine, if so desired.

The single explorer who's bearing in mind an Italy vacation may also consider joining a more specialized trip including possibly a bike trip, baking journey, wine-tasting tour, drawing outing, or perhaps even an Italy adventure tour, where extreme sports and other less-common actions are the name of the game. The probabilities are endless and no companion is important!

Italy is famed for its wonderful cuisine, delicious wines and sultry atmosphere. The breathtaking landscapes make a perfect backdrop for romance and many people choose to visit the snowy ski resorts, beautiful lakes, sunny beaches and historical towns for a long holiday or a short break. One of the more unique places to visit in Italy is Venice. With waterways instead of highways, it can be quite a culture shock visiting this unusual province; if you are looking for a Hotel in Venice, we are here to help you find the perfect time to visit this aqua paradise.

The cultural activities in Venice cover every aspect of the arts you can imagine. Art galleries and museums mix with opera houses and theatre, and the annual Venice Carnival attracts visitors from all around the world every year. It has been classed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world thanks to the fabulous setting. It stretches across a string of eighteen islands which sit in a lagoon and look out onto the Adriatic Sea.

This beautiful city is slowly sinking and is often prone to flooding, especially during heavy rain which can reach as much as three inches even in August. When the flooding is imminent, a siren rings out to warn everyone to don their wellies. This doesn't bother the population of about sixty two thousand, or those who are visiting. If you are looking for a hotel in Venice, you might prefer to visit when the temperatures reach an average high of around 27 degrees in the summer months, although the mild winters draw many visitors too.

The Gondolas that Venice is famous for are reserved mostly for tourists and ceremonial occasions such as weddings and funerals; the locals prefer to use the high speed water busses as they are a more efficient way to travel. Gondolas are available all year round, but are a much more pleasurable experience in the summer, especially with the obligatory Cornetto in hand!

For art lovers, the best time to book a hotel in Venice is during the Venice Art Biennial. The province has been famed for its artistic background since the 14th century when the fashion inclinations of the young
males became popular and started trends across Europe. Venice was also the first European country to embrace printing, and with the addition of a music scene that was second to none, soon gained a reputation for attracting bohemians and artisans.

The Venice Carnival was the originator of all carnivals, with the word literally meaning 'goodbye meat'; it has always been a celebration to feast as much as possible before the beginning of lent. The carnival is famed for masked revellers; the idea that everyone is incognito means that no one is aware of each other's social status, and for the carnival period the social hierarchy can be forgotten. To encounter this exceptional spectacular you will need to book a hotel in Venice for the beginning of February, but do check dates as it varies year to year.

There is also a year-round ballet, chamber music and opera scene in Venice, and thanks to the fame of former residents such as Vivaldi, Wagner and Britten it is no wonder that people the world over want to stay in a hotel in Venice to indulge in the cultural atmosphere. If you are hoping to holiday on a budget, then you might find winter a better time to visit as there are many more free performances available to the tourist. However, for those wishing to experience the Venetian culture fully, we recommend that you take every opportunity to visit during each season and soak up the special events of the moment.

 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!

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.