The Alps, a vast mountain range stretching from Slovenia and Austria across 1,200 kilometres to Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, support over 6,000 communities, and extend over 192,000 square kilometres.

The Italian Alps are home to an array of different cultures, with a rich history that can be discovered during a visit there. The scenery in the towns and villages across the mountains is spectacular, as is the countryside landscape of crags, foothills and valleys.

One of the best ways to explore these sights and landmarks is to trek across the areas, either via marked routes or on organised walks. There are a variety of different courses to take, whether the traveller is an experienced trekker or a complete beginner. It is also a great activity to do during a family holiday, as it can be enjoyed by people of any age and any fitness ability.

Hidden within the Alps, the Dolomite mountains are a delight for trekkers, providing truly spectacular views of flourishing green valleys and enchanting villages from the top, and cascading waterfalls and trickling streams on the way up the slopes.

The Italian Alps are a superb place to discover, whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned pro in the trekking community.

Beautiful Venice

You might be surprised, then, to learn that one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world is within reach for less than a tenner.

Forget Blackpool or Brighton, Venice is now one of the world’s truly affordable weekend break ideas, with flights from the UK to Treviso airport now starting at £9.99 from certain air hubs across the country. To find the latest travel deals, click here.
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If you’ve never been to Venice, it’s a city perhaps best summed up by the New York Times, which described it as “undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man”.

Architecturally stunning it may well be, but one of its best features is that it is car-free. You can drive to one of the two parking lots on the outer edge of the city, but the island nature of the geography means that you have only two options for getting around Venice: by boat or on foot.

The city is one of the world’s most important tourist destinations; in 2007 it averaged 50,000 tourists per day and almost three million arrivals over the course of the year. In fact, Venice was one of the first tourist spots. In the 18th century it was on the itinerary of every rich young nobleman who made the Grand Tour of European cultural highlights.

Those sights that captivated the imagination of visitors 300 years ago are still there and still fascinating even the most cultured of modern day tourists, including St Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco.

Fast forward to the 21st century and the city has enhanced its reputation for culture by reviving the Venice Carnival and hosting the prestigious Venice Biennale and Venice Film Festival. The Carnival is held annually and lasts for two weeks, ending on Shrove Tuesday. Visitors will see locals parading in the famous and highly decorated Venetian masks, which can be bought and taken home as souvenirs.

Weather and clothing
In general the weather is very hot and steamy in the dead of the summer. We recommend that you wear light clothing. Be sure to have sunglasses, hat and sunblock, as they are essential. Afternoon thunderstorms (brief) are common in Rome and inland cities, so you may want to consider bringing an umbrella. It is essential 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.

Safety
Remember to protect yourself against purse-snatchers and pickpockets. It is recommended that you wear a money belt or a pouch on a string around your neck, both concealed. When you have to carry a purse make sure that is around your neck and tucked between your body and arm. A word of caution: “gypsy” children are widespread in Rome, are skilled pickpockets that are quick, and know more tricks than you do.

Telephones
Since hotel tend to overcharge for long distance and international calls. It is best to make such calls from public phones, using telephone cards. For general information in English dial 176. To place international telephone calls via operator assisted service, dial 170 or long distance access numbers. The country code for Italy is 39.

If you are in need of additional information or have found what you are looking for. We suggest that you complete an internet search for additional information. Have a safe and enjoyable trip to Italy

What is great about the country is the fact that tourist spots literally litter every corner of this small country. There are monuments, piazzas, fountains, churches and museums. From its capital Rome to Venice, Tuscany and Florence, there will surely be something that will capture your interest.

Ancient Rome boasts of ancient structures like the Roman Imperial Forums, which includes the Forum of Caesar, The Forum of Vespasian, which is otherwise known as the Temple of Peace and of course the Forum Trajan, which has been greatly preserved even after several centuries. Overlooking the forums is the the Palatine Hills and the Palace Complex, where the greatest people in Roman history and Roman Empire lived.

Besides the complex is the Circus Maximus, which was historically famous for having been a venue for racing chariots. This is also where roman emperors kept the citizens entertained by filling their stomach with food and their eyes with circus acts.

The Colosseum is another spot that you should not exclude in your itinerary. The collosseum, which can seat more than fifty thousand spectators, lie witness to a chapter in history where gladiators provided entertainment for a falling Roman Empire.

The Pantheon is another symbol of the Great Roman Empire. Commissioned by Hadrian, the temple boasts of a rotunda and a dome. This is actually part of the seven wonders of the Ancient World.

Another great architectural work is the Castel Sant Angelo, which is better known as Hadrian’s Mausoleum. More than just a tomb, this tourist spot provides visitors a panoramic view of the Tiber. In previous centuries, the castle was also used by Emperors as passageways in times of danger. The popes of the Vatican were also able to use the tunnels as it connects to the Vatican. Speaking of Vatican, never forget to include St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums in your list of places to visit. Although the Vatican is technically an autonomous state, going there is relatively easy and cheap when you are in Italy of course.

Palazzo dei Conservatori, a building constructed through the plans made by none other than Michaelangelo, and the Palazzo dei Museo Capitolino are two of the museums that you should visit. Both of these can be found in the Capitoline Hill, which was once a seat of power in the country. Even today, it remains to be the center of government.

Italy also has lots of Piazzas, one of which is the Piazza Venezia, where you will find the Palazzo Venezia, a museum quite famous for its collections of works of arts in the medieval and the Renaissance period. There is also a shopping district in the area of the Via del Corso is only an hour or two away.

Another beautiful piazza that you can visit is the Piazza Navona, where you will find a number of fountains including Bernini’s La Fontana. There is also the Church of Sant Angese, which you will definitely admire for its architectural design.

The Piazza de Spagna, on the other hand, features the famous Spanish Steps or what is called the Scalinata della Trinita de Monti in Italian. The steps lead to the church in Trinita dei Monte.

Another tourist spot that you should not miss is the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that people who manage to throw their coins inside the Fontana di Trevi will come back again to Italy.

Lazio is notable for dishes featuring milk-fed lamb (abbacchio), veal (vitello), Parma ham (saltimbocca), thin-cut steak and offal, all of which are served with delicious herbs and seasonings. Best fish choices in Rome include sea bass (spigola), fried cod (baccal‡), bream (orata) and turbot (rombo). Artichokes (carciofi) are scattered all over menus through the winter, before spring heralds the vignarola – a tasty blend of peas, fava beans, and artichokes served with cured pork cheek. Fried sweetbreads are also a Roman speciality.

Rome is rich in markets and this is often reflected in the wonderful variety of superb vegetables served in the city’s restaurants. Beans are used a good deal in the cuisine and appear in many dishes, hot and cold. On a cool winter’s day the visitor seeking a warming lunch could do no better than to choose a tasty minestrone soup, which is another of the area’s specialities.

Standard tourist menus generally offer good value, beginning with bread and olive oil with soup or pasta; a simple meat or fish dish with vegetables (contorni) for secondi; and cheese or fresh fruit to finish; accompanied by a carafe of locally produced Frascati white or red wine from Tuscany. As a rule, main dishes do not come with vegetables, which are ordered separately.

Whether you are dining in a no-frills trattorie or a more formal ristorante, owners and chefs invariably take pride in sourcing the best seasonal produce. Vegetarians can expect most first (primi) pasta courses to be meat-free; other choices include a seasonal vegetable ‘fritto misto’ (‘mixed fried’) or side dish combo, the verdure miste (‘mixed green’). Kosher choices are limited because of the prevalence of meat and cheese, particularly pork.

As elsewhere in Italy, pizza remains a popular staple food for the restaurant and the street, and the Roman version is a hybrid between the thick crust, rustic Neopolitan variety and the thinner, more fancy Northern version. Away from the main tourist areas, most restaurants only serve pizza at dinner time.
The neighbourhoods of Trastevere, San Lorenzo and Testaccio are known for offering reasonably priced, authentic Roman cuisine; whilst restaurants around Campo de’Fiori and Piazza Navona are pleasurable places to dine, with musicians on hand to entertain.

Virtually every bar and dining establishment in Rome will offer first-rate filter coffee; Italians regard frothy cappuccinos as a morning drink and rarely a post-prandial treat, when the pick-me-up expresso or macchiato is preferred. Ice creams are sensational, creamy gelato and refreshing granita (sorbets) come in a host of enticing flavours, such as coffee, coconut, liquorice or sour cherry, that are lovingly prepared for an incomparable all-day dessert.

in Rome eating is an art and cooking a science, and he who does not know not what Rome provides knows neither art nor science.

But the whole experience of Italy on vacation, it is recommended that you live in a small bed and breakfast, if possible. Most of them are family, and you’ll hear different stories, folklore and little known facts that can not be in any directory you can have with you on your vacation in Italy. If you travel in style and visit Venice, try to stay in Novecento Boutique Hotel. This smart bed and breakfast, family and offers luxurious accommodation. 30 minutes drive from the airport and offers free Internet service, this hotel is modern but still retains the old Venetian feel to it that will be appreciated by even the most discerning visitors. This is very close to many of the major attractions of Venice, and only 9 rooms, the most suitable for small groups or pairs.

Most rooms have antiques collected by the owners through their travels the world, and the bathrooms are particularly high. Food here say, great, this boutique hotel is famous for its peaceful themselves as closely as possible that all the actions in Venice. This is an ideal place to stay if you are in Venice for your holidays in Italy. If you visit Florence, you should stay at a place called home of the artist. Florence is home to the soul of the artist in Italy, and on this bed and breakfast is the ideal place to experience revival. It is located in the heart of old Florence and is equipped with 19. century sculpture, created by Giovanni. The current owners of bed and breakfasts are his descendants. You will find original tile floors and even Florentino bar was religious from 1500AD. Some rooms have terraces, and you can see in the courtyard garden on your terrace. Breakfast here also say that well, and there are many restaurants to choose from for other dishes. There are 45 rooms with air-conditioning here, as well as a gym and a solarium. The hotel also offers access to the Internet if you can not do without him on vacation in Italy. Regardless of where you live in Italy you need to have a great time. Keep in mind for your holiday and visit our stand at myroadtotravel. com. More information on Italy, click here. For his persona Italian press photos here.

Small shops along the narrow streets are the norm here, and, in the opinion of many, one of the nicest neighborhoods in Milan for walks and shopping at a leisurely pace. With the largest concentration of stores throughout Europe, Corso Buenos Aires is another must-see. area when you come to Milan for shopping. It is impossible to make significant progress in many shops here, yes, you can spend a whole day and do not believe that even part of the proposal. It is a paradise great merchant in Milan, especially for those seeking thrills Marathon purchases. While Milan is known throughout the world to its high-end fashion, there are many deals to be. Let’s go to Bindi, on the lake to get incredible prices on t-shirts, scarves and neckties. Or, if you are looking for prices on some of the famous silk clothes in Milan, check Frey. This shop is located on the western outskirts of the old part of town and filled with clothing and accessories offers.

Piercing and around Milan are well considered coin shops. These stores offer a wonderful selection of fine quality apparel, accessories, handbags and jewelry. There is also a great deal to be in household items in the basement, in most stores coins. If you have arrived in northern Italy, you simply must check this Milanese institution. Nyamaa shopping trip in Milan may have hoped to be complete without a stop at prominent department store La Rinascente. Here, shoppers find absolutely everything you can imagine, when it comes to high fashion and clothing. Make a day of enjoying it one of the floor of a restaurant meal to a gourmet meal, and then head to more shopping! Those looking for open markets in Milan really their work cut out for them. That’s because Milan is bursting at the seams with enormous possibilities.

If you are looking for shoes, from head to Mercato and Via San Marco on Monday and Thursday morning. In addition, shoe stores can customers enjoy many fine food and the prime choice of jerseys, including the selection of Valentine’s Day. Elite Milan, believes that this market is to be the best available, but these are not the only one. On Saturdays and Tuesdays, from approximately 9:00 to 1:00, the leader of the huge Mercato Papiniano on the prices of the designer is not ammunition. Those looking for antiques should head to Mercatone dell’Antiquario last Sunday of the month.

And to check something different, try a Armorari Sunday morning to take his stamps, coins and postcards collectors in action. Terms of the sale price of Milan, by law, and lasts from mid-January to mid-July. If you want the latest fashions fresh from the runway, came here from mid-February to mid-August. There are certainly deals to be had; key to give enough time to search. This is especially true if you visit during one of their fashion week, where a city full of influx of fashion industry elite. Each time you visit, however, buying in Milano is an unforgettable experience.

The best way to make the Michelin map with you not to get lost. Before you arrive in Positano, you can stay in Positano Belvedere, an observation post on the road, so you can see in the town of Positano in the distance. Kind of takes your breath away. If you arrive in Positano, stop and walk around the city. Most likely, you’ve seen it in commercials. Once a small fishing village, now popular among international audiences, and some celebrities who stay in Positano, four and five star hotels. Most of the houses look like small boxes painted white bougainvillea growing along the walls. In Positano, continue Vertica Maggiore, then Furore-del Valle, the second jewel of the city. Near emerald grotto. Emerald cavity be reached only by boat. Water Tyrrhenian Sea, which includes a cave, and Sun will do the rest. Continue to the town of Amalfi and Ravello. Ravello also unforgettable views. In Ravello, you’ll see a white house up on the hills gardens with grapes, lemon and olive trees. This is an important tourist center, the city’s beauty and its charm has inspired its residents and visitors for centuries. Sightseeing: Ravello: Villa Rodolfo Villa Cimbrone CathedralAmalfi: St. Andrew’s Cathedral Monastery of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso) is in the region: Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast is located in the region of Campania, as well as the typical southern cuisine most likely will appear in the menu.

Among them there are pizza, pasta, tomatoes, eggplant, mozzarella cheese, seafood and citrus. If you have ever Tomato and mozzarella salad, you’re probably him there. It’s called “Caprese” named after the island of Capri. The famous San Marzano plum tomatoes that grow in this area, with a silky buffalo mozzarella, olive oil and basil, of course, will make a beautiful balloon. And let’s not forget the wine. The region is rich volcanic soil, ideal environment for the growth of the vine, and even wines from the region known at the international level, as well as the more popular Italian classes. Wine at lunch and dinner are usually served in small countess, but you can order wine from a bottle. Do not forget to finish your meal with a cup of espresso dark, like most Italians do.

Resources: If you decide to go, arm yourself a good map and a good reference. My favorite guides are Frommers and Michelin. You can find them at any major bookstore. Italians are friendly people by nature and run around the field should not be difficult, even if you do not speak Italian. This article can not be copied only in its entirety.