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Artikel-Schlagworte: „italy“

Venice is a romantic city in northern Italy where a lot of films and videos for songs were made. The city is also well-known for its typical masks which have been worn during the Carnival of Venice. This carnival has existed since the Middle Ages, but it came into its own in the 18th century.

However, not only the ball in Venice is magnificent. Standing in the middle of piazza San Marco is an experience in itself. St. Mark´s basilica, often seen as the living testimony of Venice´s links with Byzantium, Doge´s Palace, once Venice´s political and judicial hub or Torre dell´Orologio, a clock tower which was built between 1496 and 1506 are not just the square’s but some of the city´s main attractions.

Being in Venice you should not miss getting around in a gondola. This will be for sure an experience of lifetime, especially if you share this with someone you really care for.

Venice is a city where you can eat seafood you have never seen before. The lagoon city has a long and glorious culinary tradition based on fresh seafood. Going with the flow of “la cucina veneta” requires a certain spirit of open-minded experimentation. Not everybody has eaten “granseola” which is the spider crab or “garusoli”, the sea snails. However, Venice is the right place where you can try these.

If seafood is not your cup of tea, then you can try a delicious gelato. The best one is served in Boutique del Gelato. However, be prepared to be patient because there is always a huge crowd waiting to be served.

Hotels in Rome offer a lot of services from renaissance palaces to guest houses. The hotels in the centre are more expensive thanks to their position and the services often do not respond the price. It is better to book your accommodation in advance and stay where you can simply walk out your door into the heart of the city. The most vibrant area to stay is the half-mile stretch between Piazza Navona and Piazza Barberini. Some of the rooms are pricey but you can also find a lot of small guest houses nearby.

Being hungry is a problem for no traveller as the city is overrun with good places to eat. The busiest are is between Via del Corso and Piazza Navona. Most of them have outdoor seating and offer similar menus which include pasta, pizza, veal, chicken and a sew seafood dishes. The food is simple, fresh and delicious. If you are not sure where to go for eating, then choose according to what you would like to look at while enjoying the food. For instance, the Piazza della Rotonda contains several cafés which face the Pantheon and Piazza Navona is completely circled by restaurants which offer vies of its numerous fountains.

Remember that Rome is one of the cities where a restaurant´s house wine is usually excellent. It is also strongly recommended to learn at least a few phrases in Italian language although waiters usually speak English. Secondly, during summer Roman restaurants are open also after ten in the evening.

You should also have in mind that there is no one-scoop, two-scoop nonsense in real Italian gelaterias, just small, medium, Lartet and very large cones and tubs. Therefore do what Romans do – order the smallest and ask for two or three flavours. One of the best Roman gelato emporiums right now is Gelateria del Teatro where all ingredients are natural and the ciaccolato puro is dark chocolate heaven.

There is almost nobody who never heard the legend about Romulus and Remus. They were born to Princess Rhea Silvia who did not want them to be killed by their uncle Amulio. Therefore they were laid in wicker basket which was put into the Tiber River where they were found by the wolf who raised them well. After Romulus killed Remus, Rome was founded by him in 753 BC by combining several settlements. The name was given to the city after its founder, so Rome means “Romulus city”. In 6th century AD Rome was commanded by Etruscan kings. Later they were forced to leave and Rome became a republic which meant it started to be governed by the senate, not the King. The real power was in the hands of a few rich people – patricians. Consequently, Rome grew steadily until it conquered the whole Middle East countries and North Africa, including Spain. During the times of expansion, the Roman Empire stretched over the length of 4 thousands kilometres from the Red Sea to Scotland. Rome was the most politically important, richest and largest city in the Western World. Within 284-286 the empire was split into east and west. Under the rule of Emperor Constantine in 306-337, Rome was united again on the ground of the legalization of Christianity. The last Emperor of Rome was Romulus Augustus.

In 1527 Rome was plundered by the German and Spanish military units of the Emperor Charles V and later in 1797 it was occupied by Napoleon until 1814 when the religious state was restored again. The following years include unsuccessful attempt to create the Roman republic again. However, Italia became united in 1861 and in 1870 Rome was joined. Early after World War I., Rome was a witness of Italian Fascism which was guided by Benito Mussolini. In World War II, due to its status of an open city, Rome escaped the tragic destiny of other cities, but it was occupied until 1944 by the Germans.

After those wars, the city grew momentously during the post-war reconstruction and modernisation. It became a fashionable city in 1950s and 1960s which were the years of “the sweet life”. Due to its rich history Rome is a unique city where over 16% of the world´s cultural treasures are located.

Rome is also called the „Eternal city“ and belongs to one of the most romantic cities in the world. It has been the centre of power, culture and religion which is world-known for its palaces, millennium-old churches and basilicas, grand romantic ruins, opulent monuments, ornate statues and graceful fountains. It is one of the most visited, famous and beautiful capitals in Europe. At present it has growing nightlife and it has been a shopping heaven that is regarded as one of the fashion capitals of the world.

The best way to reach Rome is by train. The main station is close to the historic centre. However, there are several outlying stations as well. It is also possible to come by bus or plane and use the public transport as Rome has an extensive bus and metro system. In case you plan to take a taxi, check the Rome Taxi Tips to avoid being overcharged.

Rome is often associated with the smallest state; the Vatican which is is only 0.44 square kilometres large and has a population of nearly one thousand which is headed by the Pope. Its centre is the magnificent St. Peter´s Basilica where the Pope recites the Angelus prayers every Sunday. This basilica is a must for anybody coming to Rome. However, remember to dress properly as it is not allowed to wear short skirts, shorts or sleeveless dresses inside. The state also includes splendid Vatican Museums. You are recommended to book online before your visit as there might be long queues which might require a great deal of energy and patience. However, Vatican Museum complex is the largest art collections in the world. There are many paintings, books, frescoes, and Greek, Etruscan and Roman statues. One of the most famous sights is the Sistine Chapel which was named after Pope Sixtus IV. The twelve paintings on the left represent scenes from the life of Jesus Christ while the left side of the chapel shows scenes from the life of Moses. The most famous fresco is the Chapel of the Last Judgment which was the perfect work done by Michelangelo.

Tourists are recommended to buy Roma Pass which is a special tourist-cultural card which enables them to use benefits like various discounts or services and make it easier and cheaper to enjoy Rome. In case you need any information during your tour there are Tourist Information Points almost everywhere.

There are many things to see in Florence. There are some of Italy´s best museums, beautiful cathedrals and churches as well as interesting streets and squares with elegant buildings and shops.

Piazza della Signoria is the top attraction among the most important squares. It is Florence´s primary meeting place for locals as well as tourists. Concerts, fairs and rallies are held here during the whole year. The piazza gets its name from the towering Palazzo Vecchio whose original name is Palazzo della Signoria. The square is decorated by some of the most famous Florentine artists. Almost all of them are copies, the originals have been moved indoors. The most famous of the piazza´s sculptures is a copy of Michelangelo´s David which stands watch outside the Palazzo Vecchio. The other sculpture which is a must to see are two statues by Giambologna, the statue of Grand Duke Cosimo I and Rape of a Sabine, and Cellini´s Perseus and Medusa.

Il Duomo or the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore is the icon of the city and it is also one of the most recognizable symbols of Renaissance architecture. Inside it could be said, it is a vast space which contains only a few works of art. There are 44 stained glass windows which were designed by some famous Renaissance artists, such as Donatello and Paolo Uccello. For a small fee, you can also see the crypt which contains the archaeological remains of the ancient cathedral of Santa Reparata. A tour of the dome also allows visitors to walk around the outside of the dome with spectacular, panoramic views of Florence and Tuscan hills.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the top museums in Italy. All of the famous names from Italy´s rich artistic heritage, including Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Piero della Francesca, Caravaggio and Raphael are represented here. The gallery is in a long narrow building and it houses much of the private collection of the Florentine first family – the Medici. A visit here is one of the greatest pleasures when visiting Florence. Therefor you are advised to reserve tickets in advance, so you avoid long queues or disappointment.

Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace is a huge part on a hillside in the middle of Florence behind the Pitti Palace. You will find beautiful gardens and fountains where you can enjoy a great view of Florence from the Forte Belvedere.

The Campanile or Bell Tower is a part of the Duomo complex. Therefore it is also decorated in white, green, and pink marble. But where the Duomo is expansive, the Campanile is slender and symmetrical. You should know that there are 414 steps to the top of the Campanile and there is no elevator.

Florence is one of the most beautiful historical towns in the world. It is filled with museums, palaces and churches. Florence is a treasure trove with so many things to see that a few days will not be enough. The town is well serviced by the railway network as many main European cities are directly connected to Florence via Eurocity and Euronight trains. There is also an airport which is small but well connected to the main historical centre of Florence which can be reached by taxi with a 15 minutes ride.
Florence is a perfect place for tourists as it offers such a variety of touristic experiences. When visiting this town, you will be influenced by a series of variables like time, personal taste and budget. You can enjoy classic tours that include the most touristic itineraries and the most visited attractions. Your other choice is non-conventional tours that will bring you to the hidden spots of Florence, places that only few people know about.
The best time to visit Florence is spring. At this time, it is relatively warm, but it is not as hot as usually in the summer. Moreover, you can more enjoy the town as it is less busy than during the rest of the warmer months. Summer is very hot and quite humid. Do not forget to bring a hat and visit regularly the stores or cafes to drink plenty of water when you get hot while doing your sightseeing. Summer is also the busiest season, so expect crowds, long queues, higher hotel rates and a lot of tourists. In case you want to visit Florence in summer, choose August as the locals go to the sea, so much of the city is empty. However, have in mind that some restaurants and shops will close for the month. Autumn is the best time for food and wine. There is nothing better than a glass of Chianti to warm you up at night. If you like holidays in winter, Florence offers you a fair amount of rain, but it is not so much cold.