Sightseeing in Italy
For its size, Italy has such a wealth of art that people from all over the world visit it to see these works. And by art, we’re not only referring to paintings and sculptures displayed in its museums. We’re also referring to its stunning architecture that basically has transformed entire cityscapes into outdoor galleries. Just like other forms of art, you can better appreciate Italian architecture by learning more about it. But with the wealth of information out there, where do you start? Here are 3 tips to get you started: 1. Get a basic understanding of Italian architectural styles. From the ancient Roman style of architecture, to the Byzantine, Romanesque, Renaissance, Gothic, Neoclassical and eventually Modern architecture, Italy sure has them all. That’s why it’s helpful to learn more about these specific styles so you can properly identify them when you come across them—and understand the mindset of the […]
In Italy, many small towns and comuni in rural areas hold festivals known as sagre. These sagre are held in honor of ancient traditions or organized as pageants celebrating local culinary specialties. Many are also held when a local produce is in season. From olive oil, pasta, and wine to pastries, vegetables, and fruits, these products bring income and sustenance to the communities and thus are a source of pride for the locals. Some 19 miles southeast of Rome, in the comune of Nemi, a sagra dedicated to strawberries is celebrated every late spring and early summer. This hillside town overlooking a lake of the same name has long been famous for its rich volcanic environment, which produces some of the sweetest strawberries in all of the Mediterranean. These strawberries come from the surrounding forests and are locally known as frogoline di bosco (wild strawberries). The Sagra Delle Fragole, as […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Events in Italy, Italian Food & Wine, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Vacations, Sightseeing in Italy, Tour Italy, Trip to Italy
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Tagged Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Nemi, Trip to Italy
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One of the biggest things that draw people into Rome is the presence of the Vatican City. It is, of course, technically not part of Italy because it is the world’s smallest sovereign state, but historically, this seat of the Roman Catholic Church is part and parcel of the Eternal City. A lot of our customers at Tour Italy ask us for tips on how to go to and around the Vatican, so we really hope this article does not disappoint. Getting there By metro – One of the easiest ways to get to the Vatican City is by taking the Metropolitana or the Rome metro. The two nearest stations to it are the Ottaviano Station along Via Ottaviano and the Cipro Station along the Valle Aurelia. The former is nearer Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Basilica), and the latter is also a good option to alight from if […]
If you’re a traveler who wants some breathing space between your exploration of Museums and historic districts, then visiting the country’s top parks and gardens should definitely be on your itinerary as well. Many of these gardens and parks in Italy are ancient places themselves, but they still serve as welcoming oases for weary tourists and locals alike, people who are looking for some relief from the urban hustle and bustle. Villa Borghese – Located on the Pincian Hill in the heart of Rome, the Villa Borghese Pinciana was built in the 1600s by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, who was commissioned by the Catholic cardinal and art patron Scipione Borghese to create a villa that would house his art collection. Reinvented as a public park when the Borghese family sold the estate to the Italian government in 1902, the Villa Borghese now boasts of several museums, the most famous of […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy Travel, Sightseeing in Italy
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Tagged Florence, Italy Gardens, Italy Parks, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Milan, Rome, summer, Turin, Verona
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Because Italy is the cradle of the mighty Roman Empire and of numerous other civilizations before it, there is no dearth of old towns in the country. In fact, even after the fall of Rome, many communities across what is today the modern state of Italy simply continued their existence as Medieval dominions. Some places became smaller kingdoms, others turned into independent maritime city-states, while others became vassal towns of more powerful realms. Their often complicated and violent histories notwithstanding, many of these towns and cities still stand today as reminders of their storied past. In this article, we share with you some of our favorite medieval towns and cities in the country. San Gimignano – Located in the province of Siena in the Tuscan region, the small walled medieval town of San Gimignano is affectionately called the “Manhattan of the Middle Ages” by historians and travelers alike. Now home […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy Travel, Sightseeing in Italy
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Tagged Florence, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy travel tips, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Liguria, medieval town, Tips for Italy Travel, Tour Italy, Tour Italy Now, travel tips, Trip to Italy, Tuscany, Veneto
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With the hustle and bustle of Carnival still fresh in the air, the city is still alive with the left over energy from this festive event. There are many interesting sights to see beyond the main thoroughfares like St. Mark’s Square. In fact, there a whole side of Venice that not many people know of, one that is appreciated by those looking to enjoy a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere. Those who like walking off the beaten path will surely want to check out the following places that are often overlooked by many tourists. Museo Querini Stampalia – Located in Castello, this museum houses some of the most impressive pieces of artwork, including one of the best collections of paintings in Venice. Works made by famous artists like Giovanni Bellini’s Presentation in the Temple can also be found here. The museum itself is lavishly decorated by 17th century frescoes, stuccoes […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy Travel, Sightseeing in Italy, Venice
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Tagged Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Tour Italy, Tour Italy Now, Trip to Italy, Venice
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Carnevale is a truly grand celebration, especially in Venice. With lavish decorations and colorful costumes, people fill the event with a vibrant energy that adds to its festivity. One of the most iconic symbols of the Venetian carnival is the mask. Originally used as a status symbol in the 17th century, it has many different meanings and functions during the event, with each type of mask having its own distinct look and symbolism. Bauta One of the more popular traditional masks of the Venetian carnival, the Bauta features a white mask made of fine white cloth. It has a square-ish design that gives it a wide chin and normally lacks a mouth. Its particular shape still allows the wearer to eat or drink without having to remove the mask. It is usually worn with a black tricorn hat, a veil and a mantle that is worn over the shoulders to […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy Fun Facts, Sightseeing in Italy, Venice
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Tagged Carnevale, carnival, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy travel tips, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, mask, Tips for Italy Travel, Tour Italy, Tour Italy Now, travel tips, Trip to Italy, Venice
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This is the conclusion to our two-part series about World War 2 historical sites in Italy. In the previous post, we discussed the route that the Allied Forces took as they made their way from Sicily, up to Rome and northern Italy, and finally to the Gothic Line. Today, we’ll be talking about the other important faction in Italy at the time, which was the Italian Resistance who opposed the occupying German forces and the Italian puppet regime of the Social Republic at the time. As mentioned in the previous post, World War II in Italy is often remembered by referring to the various phases of its development, which are “Il Ventennio”, the 20 years in which the Fascist Party was in power; “La Liberazione,” the arrival of the Allied troops and the liberation of Rome near the end of the war; and “La Repubblica di Salo,” the puppet government […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Rome, Sicily, Sightseeing in Italy, Tour Italy
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Tagged historical event, history, Italian resistance, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy travel tips, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, resistance, Rome, Rome Italy, Tips for Italy Travel, Tour Italy, travel tips, Trip to Italy, world war, world war 2, world war II
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As we all know, Veteran’s Day was recently celebrated in the US, honoring the many veterans who have fought in wars in order to protect the freedoms of others. In view of this, we’re running a two-part series on the various locations in Italy that have been witness to significant events during one of the major wars of the past century, World War II. In this part, we’ll be talking about the route that the Allied forces took as they made their way to Rome in order to recapture the capital from the dictator Benito Mussolini. For travelers, retracing the steps of the valiant troops, and visiting these various historical sites in Italy will allow them to relive some of the key moments of this huge event. Due to its role in the Second World War, Italy’s landscape is dotted not just by ancient Roman ruins, but also by structural […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Rome, Sicily, Sightseeing in Italy, Tour Italy
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Tagged allied forces, army, historical event, history, Italy, Italy Tour, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, montgomery, patton, Rome, Rome Italy, Sicily, Tips for Italy Travel, Trip to Italy, veterans, world war, world war 2, world war II
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As vacation destinations go, a trip to the mountains can mean many different things depending on who you ask. There are those who go to the mountains to enjoy the many different physical activities such as hiking or skiing, while there are also those who go there to enjoy the majestic scenery that can be viewed here. Regardless of the reason, Italy features one of the most impressive mountain ranges in the world – the Dolomites. Running across the northern edge of the country, the valleys of Trentino-Alto Adige border the country of Austria. Once known as the Pale Mountains, it has an unusual mineral makeup that gives it a distinct pink glow in the late afternoon light. Those who visit the Dolomites are enchanted by the beauty that its peaks and valleys contain. For those who want to visit this impressive mountain range, there are many different activities that […]
By Priscila
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Posted in Italy Travel, Sightseeing in Italy, Trip to Italy
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Tagged Dolomites, Italy, italy mountains, Italy Tours, Italy Travel, Italy Trip, Italy Vacation, Italy Vacations, Tips for Italy Travel, Tour Italy, Tour Italy Now, travel tips, Trip to Italy
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