Posts tagged: Italy

Bbplanet – B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses In Italy

BBPlanet is an on-line booking site for touristic accommodations addressed to both landlords and users looking for B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses  where to spend their holidays.

 

The site, on-line from 2004 and already very well established, has a plain and elegant layout, clearly carried out by specialists of the sector, and has a list of 11.500 offers – translated into 6 languages – among Bed & Breakfast, Holiday houses, Hotel and Farmhouses all over Italy.Owners of Bed & Breakfast, Holiday Houses and Hotel are offered the possibility to freely publish online their accommodation, with photos and descriptions. Moreover, it provides with an “on demand” booking service, through which the tourist can directly ask the owner of the estate about price and availability.You can complete the purchase paying online by either credit card or bank transfer directly to the bank designated by the landord, with none of your personal data being acknowledgeable to either BBPlanet or the landlord. 

The tourist can count on a very large list of accommodations (about 11.500) and a fine and intuitive searching system in order to choose the best one. Each lodging has a dedicated web page divided into the following sections:”Details” – photos and exhaustive descriptions about the location and the structure, bedrooms’ arrangement, breakfast, spoken languages, room services, etc. all that a traveler wants to know about an accommodation. Including the price list.If the structure offers apartments, then, all of them are thoroughly described.”Availability” – a form where the user can directly ask the landlord about availability of both sleeping beds and dates, and the best price possible.”Map” – a map by Google Maps shows the exact position of the accommodation, in both “Map” and “Satellite” mode.”Users’ Feedback” – feedbacks and comments, with scores for several parameters of valuation, left by the previous guests. 

Use impressions:BBPlanet searching system is artfully realized.Simple, intuitive and complete from all view points. Excellent is the section dedicated to the guests’ feedbacks that represents a good way to have an idea of the accommodation we are going to book besides the landlords’ assertions. Excellent is the payment system that guarantees our bank data privacy, preserving it from both BBPlanet and landlords.

Useful the report that gives us account of all our requests and bookings.Final EvaluationThe system is excellent from all points of view. It is hard to find a fault in BBPlanet. There is plenty of Accommodations, Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Holiday House and Farmhouses with accurate information and a simply excellent research system. A site that is worth the “Top Rate” evaluation and that whoever is looking for an accommodation in Italy MUST refer to.

 

 

Italy: If Youâ??re Dreaming of the Ultimate Romantic Destination Wedding â?? This Is Your Place

It doesn’t have to be just a dream any longer.  Italy provides so many ultra romantic options for your dream wedding.  And with the right planning or, preferably planner (remember we’re trying to reduce the stress by choosing a destination wedding), the dream can become a reality.    Here are some things to think about – answer these questions for you and your fiancée (after all, this is YOUR wedding – your most special day – NOT anyone else’s).

 

What is your personal style as a couple?  Are you formal – like to really dress up in traditional wedding gear?  Or are you a little more laid back – would prefer to look fabulous but be comfortable?  Do you really enjoy formal dining with fine china and gloved wait staff?  Or would something a little more rustic and simple work for you?

 

What kind of environment would YOU be most comfortable in?  Or would help create the most memorable moments for you?    Have you always pictured an outdoor wedding either on the water or in the country?  Are you prepared for some of the “surprise” elements that may include like wind or heat?   Or have you always dreamed of an elegant ballroom, impressive cathedral or rustic country chapel?

 

What are some of the most important elements of your dream wedding?  What will fill your memories?  Is it the food?  The flowers?  The music?  People being relaxed, laughing, having a good time?  Including everyone you have ever known in your special day?  Or being surrounded by your closest friends and family?  Is it the setting itself? 

 

After you have answered these questions together, then decide if you want to try to plan and coordinate all the details and travel yourselves from afar.  It can be done and there are certainly lots of web sites and other resources to help you.  Or, share your dream with a wedding/travel planner who is also a travel agent and let them take care of all the details.  This way, you will be sure that you are getting the very best value on all the travel components as well as someone to take care of all the little details.    Since an experienced planner will have access to all sorts of travel deals – group rates, accommodations, secrets that will make for a perfect trip, etc. – even though you are paying them typically 10-15% of the overall wedding cost, you will be saving at least that much in higher air fare, accommodations, etc. 

 

Picture yourselves on the enchanted isle of Capri – surrounded by azure blue water.   Or exchanging vows in a medieval chapel and dancing the night away in a romantically lit piazza.  Or pledging your love with the majestic Alps and serene waters of Lake Como as your backdrop.   All the while surrounded by your loved ones who are also having the time of their lives and perhaps their own dream vacation.    Now doesn’t that beat the banquet hall or ballroom or town Church or Temple where everyone else you have ever known has had their wedding?  And the best part is that it can be more affordable that you think.

Diane has traveled extensively throughout the US and Europe. She has a true passion for the journey and has helped friends & family plan their own unique dream trips. See what Diane can do for you at http://www.italydreamtrips.com and get a FREE DVD as well as access to an Invitation Only Internet Shopping Portal. Or if you wish to book your own travel at http://www.wishfortravel.com. When she isn’t out traveling on her own or helping others live their dream, she can found in her gardens in Eastern Washington with her husband, family and two lucky cats.
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Travel Tips For Your Cycling Vacations In Italy

In this article we present common sense tips you can employ to ensure that you have a fun and safe vacation in Italy.
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
That’s an old cliche, but it’s true. When you travel to a different country you’ll come across different ways, different customs. It’s important to know a little bit about the culture before you visit, and of course there are common sense precautions you should follow where ever you travel.
Advance Planning
Do you need medications of any kind? Always bring the medication – and the appropriate documentation to prove you need it – with you. You may be able to get the same kind of medication in Italy – but then again you might not. Better to be safe than sorry.
Do you plan to do any driving? Find out if you can drive in Italy using your regular car license, or if you need to get an “international driving license.’ If you are not familiar with international road signs – learn them before you go. While driving, check out your route in advance so you have some knowledge of where you’re going before you try to get there. Know the rules of the road in Italy and what to do in case of accidents.
Make a list of the places and things you want to see before you go, and do research into them. Some events or museum exhibits are time sensitive, so you’ll want to make sure you’re going at the right time to see everything. Now that practically every museum and art gallery is online you can easily check to make sure if there’ll be an exhibit you’ll want to see, or if a gallery will be closed while you’re visiting.
Can you get along without your cellphone? You may be able to get a special card in it to make sure it will work in Italy. Ask your service provider about that. Will you be bringing a laptop computer? Make sure you have transformers so that you can plug in batteries to recharge, not only for computers but also for other electronic devices. And not only will you need a transformer but also a converter – to make sure you don’t burn out your appliance. Just because a plug fits into the socket, it does not mean the right voltage is going through it!
Site Seeing
You’re in Italy, and you’re seeing the sites. Depending on where you are, you will be in a crowd of other tourists. If you’re traveling with family or friends make sure that you have contingency plans in case you get separated. Distribute your money in such a way that if you lose a wallet you will not lose your vacation.
Be aware of the rules for each site you visit, and make sure you follow them. Not all of the sites you visit will allow you to take pictures, for example, and if you are inside buildings such as art galleries or museums you will certainly not be able to use a flash.
If you enter a church, be as quiet and respectful as possible. Even if there are famous for their architecture and open to tours, worshippers are still there and should not be disturbed. Be careful about using a camera in this instance.
Dinning Out in Italy
It’s a good idea to drink bottled water instead of the tap water, at any time of day. It will save you from any stomach unpleasantness.
There are some countries where you can go into a restaurant, order food, and get it “your way.” This is not the case in Italy. Don’t insult the chefs by making special requests to substitute or leave off an ingredient.
As you travel from country to country you’ll find that different regions have different table manners. You may look odd, for example, if you cut your spaghetti with a fork – the Italians wrap the spaghetti around a spoon and eat it that way. However, so many tourists travel in Italy with so many different customs that it won’t invite that much comment – you’ll probably just be considered a tourist. If you are traveling on business – that is the time to make sure you eat your food the way the Italians eat it.
Italians like to linger over their food. You will not be presented with a check – you’ll have to ask your server for it. Tipping is an accepted practice, and should be done in cash. Most of the dining restaurants in Italy are the sit down type with several different courses. If you want “fast food,” a pizzeria is your best bet.
You’ll enjoy your trip to Italy much more if you are familiar with the customs in advance, have plans to take care of every contingency, and know what you want to see and when you want to see it. Avanti!

Learn Italian in Italy and Visit the Most Impressive Lakes of the Region

Travelling abroad is a great experience to immerse into different cultures and landscapes. Learn Italian in Italy and discover unique settings. Encounter the majestic Alps and the numerous rivers and lakes that crisscross the entire nation as you learn Italian in Italy.  

Across the northern part of Italy all rivers are born from mountain glaciers. As you learn Italian in Italy visit this pure and deep blue lake region that is surrounded by pine woods and mountains, just a breathtaking postcard. Learn Italian in Italy while travelling around the country through its vast watercourse. In the north region of Italy you find the most extensive lake in the country, Garda Lake. Learn Italian in Italy and take a tour around this particular lake that is surrounded by mountains at the north while in the south it broadens with a flat landscape. Visit Garda Lake as you learn Italian in Italy and discover the most varied scenery around it, from pines to lush vegetation and colourful flowers, from attractive villas to wide range of lemon trees. Modern navigation services and facilities are available to make your water trip unique as you learn Italian in Italy.     The deepest lake of the country is also found in the north. Learn Italian in Italy and travel around Como Lake that counts with charming villages and luxurious resorts on its shores. As you learn Italian in Italy go around its tree branches and find numerous lush parks and a pleasant climate. 

Learn Italian in Italy and discover in the region of Piedmont three more lakes that are relevant in the north setting of the country. Maggiore Lake, Iseo Lake and Orta Lake are perfect destinations to relax as you learn Italian in Italy. Maggiore Lake offers incredible entertainment spots on its western shore and abundance of exotic and rare plants and flowers. Learn Italian in Italy and sightsee Iseo Lake and find the biggest island of the country called Monte Isola. Also enjoy extensive vineyards, olive yards and orchards as you learn Italian in Italy. On its behalf, Orta Lake counts with the Island of San Giulio with a Basilica in the middle part.   There are many more lakes and rivers worth as visit as you learn Italian in Italy. You shouldn’t miss Trasimeno Lake in Umbria with a rounded shape and three islands in its centre. Other impressive region to explore as you learn Italian in Italy is the Alban Hills where you will come across Albano Lake and Nemi Lake at the east. Learn Italian in Italy and travel to the northwest of Rome where you will discover Bracciano Lake, an impressive lagoon from the volcanic region of Colli Albani. In this section you will locate Gandolfo Castle, a popular summer resort for the Pope.  

Learn Italian in Italy and choose your best pick to go around in a boat trip. There are many more options, especially in Veneto and Trentino districts. As you learn Italian in Italy take a guided tour around any of these lakes to get to know about the history, the artistic expressions and the daily life of locals in that region.  

Learn more about travel abroad destinations athttp://www.easygolanguages.com , making it easy to learn a language.

The Top Ten Best Tourist Spots In Italy

Italy is one of the most popular places to visit in the world. It’s a favorite of millions of tourists worldwide. And who can blame them? Nobody can resist the charms of Italy’s culture and architecture. This boot-shaped country was, after all, the home of the Legendary Romans and the Heroes of the Renaissance. Indeed, if you’re going to go to Italy, be prepared to have your breathe taken away by the sheer beauty of the place.
1.) The Coliseum
No other civilization in the world could top the Romans in terms of strength and power, and indeed, the Romans practically conquered the world. And for their entertainment, the Romans had the world. They had the Coliseum where the prizes of their conquests, lions and other exotic animals were made to battle with the gladiators. Indeed, if you stand within the walls of this gigantic complex, you can almost feel the spirit of celebration that once rang through the place.
2.) Piazza Campidoglio
The Piazza Campidoglio, or the Capitoline Hill, was the seat of power of the Ancient Romans. And up until today, it still stands as Italy’s center of politics. It holds the famous statue of Castor and Pollux and various structures designed by the great Michaelangelo himself like the double staircase and other buildings.
3.) The Roman Forums
Also, there’s nothing more exhilarating than to visit the place where democracy was born. The Roman Forums, where the Roman senate once held their heated debates discussing everything from large-scale wars to petty squabbles, are also popular tourist attractions. Here, you can find the Forum of Caesar and the Forum of Trajan, and there’s also the Palatine Hill and all the other temples dedicated to the various gods and goddesses of the ancient Romans.
4.) The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best places that you can visit in Rome. It’s teeming with beautiful architecture, beautiful sculptures, and beautiful statues. This magnificent building is also the home of the grave of the famous painter, Raphael.
5.) The Trevi Fountain
This world renowned fountain is famous for its sheer beauty and size, and it features several sculptures, including one of Neptune coming out from underwater, riding on a sea shell that’s drawn by two horses with wings. It’s featured in Dan Brown’s famous novel, the Da Vinci Code. Also, toss a coin into it while facing away from it and it is said that you will be guaranteed a return to the great city.
6.) The Grand Canal in Venice
There’s nothing more Romantic than going on a boat ride through the famous canals of the floating city of Venice. These quixotic canals are featured in various movies and are a favorite of newlyweds all over the world. It’s also a great way to take in all the sights of the beautiful city.
7.) The Sistine Chapel
The Vatican, though it’s considered as an independent country in itself, is still found in the heart of Italy. And, there, you’ll find the great Sistine Chapel where extraordinary pieces of art can be found. There, you’ll see the works of Michelangelo and Botticelli.
8.) St. Peter’s Basilica
Also, if you’re a fan of great architecture, you will have to see the famous St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s the largest Catholic Church in the whole world, and it’s simply teeming with beautiful paintings, frescoes, and statues. You can also see this Basilica’s famous dome which is literally filled with works of art.
9.) St. Peter’s Square
And of course, if you’re going to St. Peter’s Basilica, you might as well walk a few steps to get to St. Peter’s Square. This beautiful plaza is designed by the famous artist Bernini. It is also featured in Dan Brown’s novels.
10.) The Vatican Gardens
The Vatican Gardens as beautiful as they are large. This grand paradise is filled with beautiful sculptures, fountains, and flowers. It’s a great place for sightseeing and picture-taking.

Streetwise Rome Map – Laminated City Center Street Map of Rome, Italy – Folding pocket size travel map with metro map, subway (Map)

Streetwise Rome Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Rome, Italy - Folding pocket size travel map with metro map, subway

Review
‘Don’t leave home without STREETWISE.’ –The New York Times ‘STREETWISE is an absolute travel essential.’ –Travel + Leisure Magazine ‘In a strange city, your sense of direction is only as good as the map in your hands. The best maps to carry are published by STREETWISE.’ –Chicago Daily Herald

Product DescriptionStreetwise Rome Map – Laminated City Center Street Map of Rome, Italy – Folding pocket size travel map with integrated metro map including subway & railway lines, stationsThis map covers the following areas:Main Rome Map 1:17,000Rome Historic District Map 1:8,700Rome Metro MapAs the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. It took hundreds of years to create the great Roman Empire, but it shouldn’t take as long to find your way around the ancient ruins that remain. With a STREETWISE® Map of Rome Italy, you have the ultimate guide to navigating Italy’s most famous and most historic city.Throughout the city of Rome, past and present are intertwined as modern-day Italians and visiting tourists walk and drive through the remnants of one of history’s greatest civilizations. Whether it’s your first time or another return visit to your favorite destination, there’s always something new to see in Rome. A great map can be the key to discovering all the city has to offer.Our STREETWISE® Rome Map provides a comprehensive and fully detailed map of Rome to aid you in finding your way to all there is to do and see in this great center of history and culture. From Vatican City to the southeast corner of Palatine, the STREETWISE® Rome Map covers the entire city in full-color, including graphic representations of the major buildings and historic sites. Our STREETWISE® Rome City Map is fully indexed, including streets, piazzas, gardens, and important places of interest. The STREETWISE® Rome Map also features a map of the Rome Metro system, including subway lines, railways, and the airport.Our pocket size map of Rome is laminated for durability and accordion folding for effortless use. The STREETWISE® Rome map is one of many detailed and easy-to-read city street maps designed and published by STREETWISE®. Buy your STREETWISE® Rome map today and you too can navigate Rome, Italy like a native. For a larger selection of our detailed travel maps simply type STREETWISE MAPS into the Amazon search bar.

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For The Love Of Italy

You’ve heard the phrase ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. Likewise if you are planning a trip to Rome you will want to give yourself a lot more time to enjoy what the city has to offer. This is something a lot of people already know, as the famous city in Italy has gotten great kudos in recent years. Rome ranked number 2 in the category of Top 10 European Cities in the Condé Nast Traveler’s 2004 Reader’s Choice Awards.
Places to See
On the top of your list of places to visit in Rome will likely be the Coliseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum.
You have read about the Coliseum throughout your whole life, in history books, in religious literature. Now you can see this location that has been such a historical landmark, where the Gladiators used to fight for their lives. If you sign up for a tour, you may have a guide that looks much like a gladiator of days of old.
Next, you may want to see the over 1,800 year old Pantheon. This building has made it through generation after generation and is an awe-inspiring location. Its name translates to “temple to all gods”. Inside its walls is the final resting place of a number of high-ranking individuals of Italian history including two kings, and the famous painter, Raphael. This location is free to visit and is open every day, except Christmas.
The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was where all the great minds of Rome used to meet, 2000 years ago. Whether it was religious or political meeting, it would have happened here. Unfortunately time has been cruel to the Roman Forum and much of what used to be magnificent columns are now ruins. But, some still stand to help you appreciate the magnitude of this location. This site is free to visit, but there are fees for tours.
Things to Know
If you want to visit this busy city, which has about 2.7 million people living in it, you are going to need a passport to get into Italy and then travel to Rome. Generally the weather is what you may expect in this area of Europe. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are moderate, but full of rain. If you don’t want to get lost in the massive crowds that plan a summer getaway to Rome, you may instead want to visit in off-peak months of October through March.
If you only stick to the world of planned tours, you may miss much of what Rome has to offer. Instead you should make sure to take a tour through town and look at the historic buildings and unique shops and the treasures they hold. If you want to go a little further than you can walk, the TramBus system will take you through all of Rome’s neighborhoods.
Then don’t forget the old cliché, ‘ When in Rome do as the Romans do.’ And make sure to try some of the fabulous cafes and restaurants that are throughout the area.

Bbplanet – B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses In Italy

BBPlanet is an on-line booking site for touristic accommodations addressed to both landlords and users looking for B&B, Hotels, Holiday House, Farmhouses  where to spend their holidays.

 

The site, on-line from 2004 and already very well established, has a plain and elegant layout, clearly carried out by specialists of the sector, and has a list of 11.500 offers – translated into 6 languages – among Bed & Breakfast, Holiday houses, Hotel and Farmhouses all over Italy.Owners of Bed & Breakfast, Holiday Houses and Hotel are offered the possibility to freely publish online their accommodation, with photos and descriptions. Moreover, it provides with an “on demand” booking service, through which the tourist can directly ask the owner of the estate about price and availability.You can complete the purchase paying online by either credit card or bank transfer directly to the bank designated by the landord, with none of your personal data being acknowledgeable to either BBPlanet or the landlord. 

The tourist can count on a very large list of accommodations (about 11.500) and a fine and intuitive searching system in order to choose the best one. Each lodging has a dedicated web page divided into the following sections:”Details” – photos and exhaustive descriptions about the location and the structure, bedrooms’ arrangement, breakfast, spoken languages, room services, etc. all that a traveler wants to know about an accommodation. Including the price list.If the structure offers apartments, then, all of them are thoroughly described.”Availability” – a form where the user can directly ask the landlord about availability of both sleeping beds and dates, and the best price possible.”Map” – a map by Google Maps shows the exact position of the accommodation, in both “Map” and “Satellite” mode.”Users’ Feedback” – feedbacks and comments, with scores for several parameters of valuation, left by the previous guests. 

Use impressions:BBPlanet searching system is artfully realized.Simple, intuitive and complete from all view points. Excellent is the section dedicated to the guests’ feedbacks that represents a good way to have an idea of the accommodation we are going to book besides the landlords’ assertions. Excellent is the payment system that guarantees our bank data privacy, preserving it from both BBPlanet and landlords.

Useful the report that gives us account of all our requests and bookings.Final EvaluationThe system is excellent from all points of view. It is hard to find a fault in BBPlanet. There is plenty of Accommodations, Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Holiday House and Farmhouses with accurate information and a simply excellent research system. A site that is worth the “Top Rate” evaluation and that whoever is looking for an accommodation in Italy MUST refer to.