tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14943221237965639652024-03-13T02:22:39.334-05:00Vino Con Vista | The BlogTravel news and information about: European Culture, History, Art, Travel, Architecture, Food and Wine.Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comBlogger986125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-88443272179599403012015-04-14T07:25:00.004-05:002015-04-14T07:25:53.879-05:00Travel Tips to Italy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseu..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="205" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg/350px-Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseum at dusk. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 50mm f/1.8 lens at f/5.6 (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_McLaine">By []Mark McLaine </a><br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a> is known <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/finance?q=NYSE:ALL" rel="googlefinance" title="NYSE: ALL">all</a> over the world for its churches and other monuments that were made during different eras of history. The country has a number of places that showcases the rich past and heritage. Italy has some of the finest collections of art and other works that were made during the era of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance" rel="wikipedia" title="Renaissance">Renaissance</a>.<br />
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When you are planning to travel to Italy, there are a number of factors which you need to keep in mind. Here are some of the tips that are shared below.<br />
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a. First and foremost is the budget as Italy is one of the expensive <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_dependent_territories_in_Europe" rel="wikipedia" title="List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Europe">countries in Europe</a>. There are a number of cheaper options to travel, live and explore this country. You can always refer to the local travel guides that would suggest you ways on saving money while exploring Italy.<br />
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b. The peak tourist season in Italy starts from the month of June and it goes on till the month of September. So, if you are low on budget then avoid this time. If you are travelling off season then the best time to visit Italy would be during the months of February and April.<br />
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c. It never hurts to have travel insurance. If you are an overseas traveller then I would suggest you that you should have a travel insurance that would safeguard you from any loss or theft of your belongings.<br />
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d. Another thing that you should keep in mind is to travel light. You may not find a porter at the railway stations of Italy.<br />
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e. Rome has a number of places that you can see and explore. There are a number of cheap hotels that are situated on the outskirts of the city where you can stay. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_cuisine" rel="wikipedia" title="Italian cuisine">Italian</a> food and cuisine is known all over the world and you have a golden chance to try out some of the delicacies from this cuisine. There are a number of affordable restaurants that are situated all around the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">city of Rome</a>. There are a number of bars, pubs and discotheques which are open all night long.<br />
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f. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394" rel="unesco" title="Venice and its Lagoon">Venice</a> is another interesting place where you should go when you come to Italy. Do carry a good camera to capture some of the spectacular views that this city has to offer.<br />
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g. Language is not a problem in Italy. Apart from Italian, people here can converse easily in English, French and German. As you go deeper into Italy, you would notice more regional dialects which are spoken by the people. Don't hesitate to use sign language whenever it is necessary. [http://www.londontoedinburghtrain.com/trainline.html]Trainline is one of the leading online travel agencies in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5,-0.116666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=51.5,-0.116666666667%20(United%20Kingdom)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="United Kingdom">UK</a>. You can know more about [http://www.londontoedinburghtrain.com/]<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5072222222,-0.1275&spn=0.1,0.1&q=51.5072222222,-0.1275%20(London)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="London">London</a> to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.9530555556,-3.18888888889&spn=0.1,0.1&q=55.9530555556,-3.18888888889%20(Edinburgh)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Edinburgh">Edinburgh</a> Train from here.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Tips-to-Italy&id=7538905] Travel Tips to ItalyVino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-78398610318348497922015-04-14T07:22:00.000-05:002015-04-14T07:22:30.516-05:00Calabria - The Toe of Italy's Boot<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Calabria.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Coat of arms of the southern Italian region of..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="392" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Coat_of_arms_of_Calabria.svg/350px-Coat_of_arms_of_Calabria.svg.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Coat of arms of the southern Italian region of Calabria Italiano: Stemma della regione Calabria (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Coat_of_arms_of_Calabria.svg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pizzo-Vista_dal_mare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Pizzo" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="263" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Pizzo-Vista_dal_mare.JPG/350px-Pizzo-Vista_dal_mare.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Pizzo (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pizzo-Vista_dal_mare.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Waddington"><br /></a>
<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Waddington">By []Elizabeth Waddington </a><br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.regione.calabria.it/" rel="homepage" title="Calabria">Calabria</a> may be one of the poorest <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Italy" rel="wikipedia" title="Regions of Italy">Italian regions</a>, and little known amongst the British, but it is also one of the most intriguing regions of the country. Its Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts are extremely popular with Italian holidaymakers who throng to the region throughout August while British holidaymakers seem to head for the a la mode resorts of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.0086111111,16.5127777778&spn=1.0,1.0&q=41.0086111111,16.5127777778%20(Apulia)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Apulia">Puglia</a>, the heel. <br />
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The problem with Calabria is that the modern world has brought with it organised crime, and organised crime has funded over-development along some, though not all, of this coastline. While corruption and dodgy dealings are rife in this poor area, there are some corners that have retained a delightful old-fashioned charm and simplicity and tourists need only use a modicum of common sense and they need not fear being the target of crime any more than anywhere else in Italy - the problems predominantly affect insiders, not those visiting from elsewhere. <br />
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The northern section of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.0,12.0&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.0,12.0%20(Tyrrhenian%20Sea)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Tyrrhenian Sea">Tyrrhenian coast</a> is characterised by holiday complexes that crowd the flat littoral. The towns of Diamante, Belvedere and Paola are welcome breaks in the monotony. South of the River Savuto is the narrowest part of the peninsula, which was only reclaimed from malarial swamps in the last hundred years. Fortunately, though there are still mosquitoes, they no longer carry the disease. <br />
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Further south, the scenery and seascapes make the whole journey worthwhile as you travel south along the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostrada_A1_%28Italy%29" rel="wikipedia" title="Autostrada A1 (Italy)">Autostrada del Sole</a> towards Sicily. Tropea is perhaps the prettiest of a number of scenic spots on the southern Tyrrhenian coast and there are a number of lovely, and not usually overcrowded, beaches nearby. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.6219444444,15.8322222222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=38.6219444444,15.8322222222%20(Capo%20Vaticano)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Capo Vaticano">Capo Vaticano</a> is home to some of this coastline's most popular beaches, though the beaches at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.6166666667,15.8666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=38.6166666667,15.8666666667%20(Ricadi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Ricadi">Grotticelle</a> and Tonicello are both large enough that you can get away from the busyness. <br />
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The Ionian coast of Calabria is less developed than the Tyrrhenian coast. It consists mainly of one long, flat sandy strip, and generally has cleaner water than the other coastline. This coastline is perfect if all you care about is finding a sandy beach to chill out on - you will find many of them here, both wild and undeveloped and or glitzy, like something from a brochure. On this stretch of coastline you will also find the interesting historical towns of Rossano and Crotone and the extreme eastern point of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.0255555556,17.2022222222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=39.0255555556,17.2022222222%20(Capo%20Colonna)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Capo Colonna">Capo Colonna</a>, which has some lovely bathing spots nearby and you can see a famous column, one part of an important temple serving all Calabria. The regions best collection of Greek ruins can be found at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.2333333333,16.2666666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=38.2333333333,16.2666666667%20(Locri)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Locri">Locri</a>. A short way inland, overlooking the sea, the mediaeval towns of Squillace and Gerace will be of interest to history lovers. <br />
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Calabria is an interesting region - beautiful and scruffy in turn. In the end, it does indeed perhaps resemble the toe of an old boot - a little scuffed in places but putting its best foot forward. So if you want a beach holiday and are looking for somewhere a little different to visit then Calabria, cheap and cheerful as it can be, could be a good option.<br />
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If you are thinking about travelling to Calabria, http://www.traveleze.co.uk/ can help you out. We're a specialist holiday company providing customers with affordable dream holidays. The team of travel experts are dedicated to providing outstanding service to customers helping them with flights, accommodation, holiday deals and Great Offers. The company's website http://www.traveleze.co.uk/ is brimming with valuable information and great deals, exceeding customers' expectations daily.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Calabria---The-Toe-of-Italys-Boot&id=8954774] Calabria - The Toe of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy's</a> BootVino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-84127300352245763342015-04-11T11:38:00.004-05:002015-04-11T11:40:22.727-05:00A Visit to Capri<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Overlooking_Capri_harbour_from_the_rotunda_in_Villa_San_Michele.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Overlooking Capri harbor from the rotunda in V..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="513" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Overlooking_Capri_harbour_from_the_rotunda_in_Villa_San_Michele.jpg/350px-Overlooking_Capri_harbour_from_the_rotunda_in_Villa_San_Michele.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Overlooking Capri harbor from the rotunda in Villa San Michele. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Overlooking_Capri_harbour_from_the_rotunda_in_Villa_San_Michele.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grotta_azzurra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Grotta azzurra, Capri, Italy" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="234" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Grotta_azzurra.jpg/350px-Grotta_azzurra.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">Grotta azzurra, Capri, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grotta_azzurra.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Capri_dal_monte_solaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="View from Monte Solaro towards the Faraglioni" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="263" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Capri_dal_monte_solaro.jpg/350px-Capri_dal_monte_solaro.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">View from Monte Solaro towards the Faraglioni (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Capri_dal_monte_solaro.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_McLaine"><br /></a>
<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mark_McLaine">By []Mark McLaine </a><br />
<br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.55,14.2333333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.55,14.2333333333%20(Capri)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Capri">Capri</a> is a small Italian town that is situated about 5 kilometers away from the mainland Italy. This island town has a number of resorts and is frequented by 2 million tourists from all over the world annually.<br />
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Reaching Capri<br />
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There is no international airport on the island and the only way to reach this town is through the boat. There are a number of boats which operate from port of Ischia and Naples. Besides this, there are a number of luxury Capritime boats which offer you water taxi services from Naples to this island.<br />
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Attractions in Capri<br />
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Some of the places of interest in Capri include<br />
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a. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5605555556,14.2047222222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5605555556,14.2047222222%20(Blue%20Grotto%20%28Capri%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Blue Grotto (Capri)">Blue Grotto</a>: This is a small cave that is situated at the water edge with a tiny opening to the sea and this opening closes during the high tide. This cave is situated along the western coast of the island. The cave offers you breathtaking views which would make your trip memorable.<br />
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b. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5444444444,14.2238888889&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5444444444,14.2238888889%20(Monte%20Solaro)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Monte Solaro">Monte Solaro</a>: This is the highest point of Capri and offers you some of the best view of the surrounding areas.<br />
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c. Capri is known for its beaches and coastal areas. There are a number of activities such as kayaking, trekking and other water sports which you can enjoy here.<br />
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d. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5583333333,14.2622222222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5583333333,14.2622222222%20(Villa%20Jovis)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Villa Jovis">Villa Jovis</a>: This is a palace that belonged to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius" rel="wikipedia" title="Tiberius">Emperor Tiberius</a>. This palace was built during the 15th century and is one of the best example of Roman and Gothic style of architecture. There are a number of other attractions such as Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso and Cave of Tiberius that are situated in close proximity to the villa and you should also visit them.<br />
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e. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5572222222,14.225&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5572222222,14.225%20(Villa%20San%20Michele)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Villa San Michele">Villa San Michele</a>: This villa was built during the late 20th century and was made by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axel_Munthe" rel="wikipedia" title="Axel Munthe">Axel Munthe</a>. The villa is situated in Anacapri and provides you spectacular views of the island, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.6246,14.4168&spn=1.0,1.0&q=40.6246,14.4168%20(Sorrento%20Peninsula)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Sorrento Peninsula">Sorrentine Peninsula</a> and surrounding areas.<br />
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f. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5548194444,14.217225&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5548194444,14.217225%20(Chiesa%20di%20San%20Michele%20Arcangelo)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo">Church of San Michele</a> Arcangelo: This is another prime attraction which one must visit. This church is also situated in Anacapri and has a number of paintings which are made on the walls and ceilings. There are wooden planks on all the sides on which you have to take a walk as per tradition. There is a tile floor in the church which has a mosaic depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Paradise. This mosaic was believed to be made by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci" rel="wikipedia" title="Leonardo da Vinci">Leonardo Da Vinci</a>. [http://www.cheaptrainticketsuk.org.uk/the-trainline.html]The Trainline is one of the leading online travel agents in UK. You can know more about [http://www.cheaptrainticketsuk.org.uk/]Cheap Train Tickets UK from here.<br />
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Northern Italy
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Visit-to-Capri&id=7538956] A Visit to CapriVino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-29228214003179466232015-04-09T08:05:00.003-05:002015-04-09T08:05:47.335-05:00Rome's Fabulous Festivals<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campidoglio_Roma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: View from the Piazza del Campidoglio." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="480" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Campidoglio_Roma.jpg/350px-Campidoglio_Roma.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: View from the Piazza del Campidoglio. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campidoglio_Roma.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival" rel="wikipedia" title="Festival"></a>
<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Roberta_Stuart">By []Roberta Stuart </a><br />
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The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">Romans</a> have never been a crowd that need much persuading when it comes to throwing a party or having a festival. In ancient times, an astounding 150 days of the year were set aside for rest and relaxation. Nowadays, the city's residents don't have quite as many days off, however that does not mean there is not an abundance of exciting and entertaining festivals to attend. Hotels in central Rome fill up quickly during these times, so those interested in attending particular festivals should book well in advance. <br />
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Festivals <br />
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Some festivals surround religious holidays while others are simply a celebration of music, art and culture. No matter the occasion, Romans love to let their hair down and enjoy a good party.<br />
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Natale di Roma: Not every city celebrates their birthday, but this one certainly does! "Born" in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/753_BC" rel="wikipedia" title="753 BC">753 BC</a>, it is a city unlike any other. Every year, on 21 April the city begins the festivities with the lighting of the sacred fire in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8933333333,12.4830555556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.8933333333,12.4830555556%20(Capitoline%20Hill)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Capitoline Hill">Piazza del Campidoglio</a>. The party continues with the commemoration of the foundations of the city at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8859,12.4857&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.8859,12.4857%20(Circus%20Maximus)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Circus Maximus">Circo Massimo</a>, followed by a concert there. City hall and the piazzas located on the hill are illuminated and from the balcony of any hotels in central Rome you will have a ringside seat - however attending the actual event is certainly an experience that should not be missed. <br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.romacinemafest.it/" rel="homepage" title="Rome Film Festival">Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma</a>: The city's film festival began in 2006 and, while it is considerably younger than any other film festival in the world, its iconic cinematic status has already made it an enormous success. Every year throughout the month of October, a variety of different films make their debut at the event. From independent works, house-oriented films, children's selections and alternative productions the film festival captures the essence of the art of film. The prestigious Rome Film Festival award is a silver statuette shaped after the Roman Emperor Marcus Auerlius, designed by internationally renowned jewellery maker <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/finance?q=LON:BUL" rel="googlefinance" title="LSE: BUL">Bulgari</a>. It is presented to the winner of best film, as well as the best actor and actress. Throughout the award ceremony, hotels in central Rome fill up quite quickly and rooms should be booked early. <br />
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Campionato Internazionale di Tennis (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9292222222,12.4559611111&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.9292222222,12.4559611111%20(Italian%20Open%20%28tennis%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italian Open (tennis)">Italian Open</a>): The Italian Open tennis tournament is held annually during the second week in May. It is the most prestigious red clay tournament in the world after the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.8471638889,2.24921666667&spn=0.01,0.01&q=48.8471638889,2.24921666667%20(French%20Open)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="French Open">French Open</a>. It is also one of Europe's most important clay-court challenges outside of the Grand Slam and considered to be a warm-up for the French Open. All-star tennis players compete in the tournament every year and world champion, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.rafaelnadal.com/" rel="homepage" title="Rafael Nadal">Rafael Nadal</a> has won the title a record six times. This is one of Italy's most prestigious sporting events and is attended by tourists and tennis enthusiasts from all over the world. Hotels in central Rome are located within short distance of the event and it is certainly a favourite for any tennis enthusiast. <br />
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Looking for [http://www.worldhotels.com/en/hotels-in-italy/hotels-in-rome]hotels in central Rome? Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best rooms in a selection of unique four and five star hotels around the world.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Romes-Fabulous-Festivals&id=7445959] Rome's Fabulous FestivalsVino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-56979140812830462772015-04-06T07:31:00.000-05:002015-04-06T07:31:04.711-05:00A Rome Italy Vacation - Insights Into What Can Makes Yours a Great One<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pantheon_Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The Pantheon in Rome, Italy" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="250" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Pantheon_Front.jpg/350px-Pantheon_Front.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: The Pantheon in Rome, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pantheon_Front.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trevi_Fountain_detail_amk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Details of Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="233" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Trevi_Fountain_detail_amk.jpg/350px-Trevi_Fountain_detail_amk.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: Details of Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trevi_Fountain_detail_amk.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kent_R_Kerr">By [Kent R Kerr </a><br />
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Rome, the Eternal City, a place that has a permanent spot on the top of almost every <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="United States">American</a>'s list of world cities to touch at least once in a lifetime. Making the best of your <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">Rome (Italy)</a> vacation requires that you go armed with a few tips on what to expect. With these in hand, there should be nothing keeping you from making a success of your trip.<br />
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Flying into Rome, you'll probably arrive at the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8002777778,12.2388888889&spn=0.03,0.03&q=41.8002777778,12.2388888889%20(Leonardo%20da%20Vinci%E2%80%93Fiumicino%20Airport)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport">Leonardo da Vinci airport</a> in a suburb of Rome, called <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.7666666667,12.2333333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.7666666667,12.2333333333%20(Fiumicino)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Fiumicino">Fiumicino</a>. You'll arrive here if you are flying in directly from the US on a major airline. If you are flying in from elsewhere in Europe on a discount airline, you'll probably arrive at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8,12.6&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.8,12.6%20(Ciampino)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Ciampino">Ciampino</a>, the smaller secondary airport. Once at the airport, you'll find that there are airport buses that take you to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Station_%28film%29" rel="wikipedia" title="Terminal Station (film)">Stazione Termini</a> 'receiving point' in the middle of the city. You could also take a train that leaves from the airport every hour. What is the Termini? It's kind of confusing that they should call it the airport terminal, but it's just the place that you aim for in the city to start out with when you arrive. It's the transit hub for everything in the city - trains, buses, you name it.<br />
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The center of Rome where all of the great attractions are, isn't that large. You could probably go from one area to the next just walking. Since the climate is usually pleasant and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.0,18.0&spn=0.1,0.1&q=35.0,18.0%20(Mediterranean%20Sea)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Mediterranean Sea">Mediterranean</a>, walking can be delightful. The thing about a Rome (Italy) vacation is that you don't really have to go looking for art in the city. The whole city is a living museum, and just about every single thing you lay eyes on has great artistic and historic significance usually. Everywhere you turn in Rome, there is a tiny fountain with impossibly beautiful sculptures all around. It might be difficult to believe this, but most fountains on the streets of Rome are safe to drink from. The best way of taking in the most of Rome on your trip would be to walk everywhere, and absorb everything you see.<br />
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Begin your Rome (Italy) vacation at the center of the city at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_See" rel="wikipedia" title="Holy See">the Vatican</a>, and it's likely to put you in a great mood for the remainder of the time you're there. The major sights can get impossibly crowded during the peak seasons. Summer, and the times around the religious celebrations are the most difficult. Rome is a city built for a time when there were no cars, and you'll find that traffic jams are frequent during the peak seasons. Whenever you travel, make sure you get to the sights you are aiming for early in the morning around 9 AM, and you should get in with the least amount of delay.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?A-Rome-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a>-Vacation---Insights-Into-What-Can-Makes-Yours-a-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Comet" rel="wikipedia" title="Great Comet">Great</a>-One&id=5569788] A Rome Italy Vacation - Insights Into What Can Makes Yours a Great One
Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-35889013033501687292015-04-05T11:58:00.001-05:002015-04-05T11:58:08.094-05:00Things to Do on Your Italy Vacation<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Peter%27s_Square%2C_Vatican_City_-_April_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: A 5x6 segment panoramic image taken b..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted zemanta-img-configured" height="197" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/St_Peter%27s_Square%2C_Vatican_City_-_April_2007.jpg/350px-St_Peter%27s_Square%2C_Vatican_City_-_April_2007.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="350" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 350px;">English: A 5x6 segment panoramic image taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 70-200mm f/2.8L lens from the dome of St Peter's in Vatican City in Rome. Français: Image panoramique composée de 5x6 photos prises par David Iliff à l'aide d'un appareil Canon 5D et une lentille 70-200mm f/2.8L à partir du dôme de la Basilique Saint-Pierre au Vatican. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Peter%27s_Square%2C_Vatican_City_-_April_2007.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Romano">By []Mike Romano </a><br />
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A vacation in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a> has everything that you and your family could want for a great time. Vacationers can choose stunning accommodations from holiday villas to a charming country cottage. The possibilities are endless when you decide to take your holiday in the romantic and charming country of Italy. <br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">Rome</a> is an exciting holiday city in Europe that travelers flock to all year long. The ancient city gives you a glimpse into a world that you may have only read about in history books. The city offers countless places to stay while you enjoy Italy such as villas and luxurious homes. Most Italy travel packages and tours include some time exploring the historic sites in Rome. <br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/286" rel="unesco" title="Vatican City">Vatican City</a> has a tremendous amount for travelers to see and enjoy. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9030555556,12.4544444444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.9030555556,12.4544444444%20(Sistine%20Chapel)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Sistine Chapel">Sistine Chapel</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9022222222,12.4563888889&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.9022222222,12.4563888889%20(Saint%20Peter%27s%20Square)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Saint Peter's Square">St. Peter's Square</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9063888889,12.4544444444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.9063888889,12.4544444444%20(Vatican%20Museums)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Vatican Museums">Vatican museums</a> offer visitors a cultural experience that cannot be found in any other area of the world. <br />
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<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.regione.toscana.it/" rel="homepage" title="Tuscany">Tuscany</a> is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The landscape is breathtaking and it inspired many of the world's greatest painters to create their art. A visit to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7230555556,10.3964166667&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7230555556,10.3964166667%20(Leaning%20Tower%20of%20Pisa)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Leaning Tower of Pisa">Tower of Pisa</a> and the culturally rich city of Florence make a trip through the Tuscany region a vacation all on its own. When you include it in a tour of the charming regions of Italy, it will stand out as the single most visually beautiful areas on your trip. <br />
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Enjoy the romance of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.4375,12.3358333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.4375,12.3358333333%20(Venice)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Venice">Venice</a> on your tour of Italy. An Italy vacation would not be complete without a trip to Venice. Honeymooning couples may choose to spend all of their time in the charming city and enjoy all it has to offer. <br />
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Italy offers travelers sumptuous foods that are unique to each region of the country. The art, culture, music, history and atmosphere in the country create a backdrop for a vacation that you will never forget. Vacation packages allow you to purchase a trip to Italy that includes all regions of the country on your trip and also provides you with accommodations and tours while you are in the country. Spend some time walking the ancient streets and meet the warm and welcoming people who live in Italy. Enjoy the shops full of exquisite Italian treasures. Lose yourself in this romantic country with someone you love or take your entire family for a holiday that will live in your memory forever.<br />
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For more information on Italy vacation packages [http://italiatrips.com/italy-vacation-packages] and Italian holidays [http://Italiatrips.com], please visit our website.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Things-to-Do-on-Your-Italy-Vacation&id=4241266] Things to Do on Your Italy VacationVino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-88644344182215349332013-12-28T08:16:00.003-06:002013-12-28T08:16:54.844-06:00Top Winter Events Around The World<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45018276@N00/6812983562" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Rio Carnival 2012" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="240" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7208/6812983562_b7a8f25f88_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Rio Carnival 2012 (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/45018276@N00/6812983562">phossil</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24082817@N00/6910703" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Buenos Aires Tango Festival" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/7/6910703_687790b382_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Buenos Aires Tango Festival (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24082817@N00/6910703">Gerrysan</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22138181@N00/110044489" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="mardi gras" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="133" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/38/110044489_5973aaa96a_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">mardi gras (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/22138181@N00/110044489">patrix</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61085800@N00/97519096" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Italo-disco party in The Hague!" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="180" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/32/97519096_6cf59f243a_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Italo-disco party in The Hague! (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/61085800@N00/97519096">David Domingo</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adriana_A_Noton">By ]Adriana A Noton </a><br /><br />One benefit of vacationing during the winter is that you can experience exciting winter celebrations. There are many travel destinations that offer incredible winter events. If you are planning on taking a vacation this winter, below you will find a list of the top winter events around the world:<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi_Gras" rel="wikipedia" title="Mardi Gras">Mardi Gras</a>: The amazing <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Mardi_Gras" rel="wikipedia" title="New Orleans Mardi Gras">Mardi Gras in New Orleans</a> is one of the most exciting and fun parties in the world. Many people from all over the world come to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.9647222222,-90.0705555556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=29.9647222222,-90.0705555556%20(New%20Orleans)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="New Orleans">New Orleans</a> to experience Mardi Gras. When you experience Mardi Gras, you will enjoy wonderful blues and jazz in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.9586111111,-90.065&spn=0.1,0.1&q=29.9586111111,-90.065%20(French%20Quarter)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="French Quarter">French Quarter</a>. As well, the streets are filled with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party" rel="wikipedia" title="Party">partiers</a> wearing fantastic costumes. Make sure you acquire many beads when partying and take a walk down exciting <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=29.95885,-90.06545&spn=0.01,0.01&q=29.95885,-90.06545%20(Bourbon%20Street)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Bourbon Street">Bourbon Street</a>. <br /><br />Sundance Film Festival: <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.642498,-111.495143&spn=1.0,1.0&q=40.642498,-111.495143%20(Sundance%20Film%20Festival)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Sundance Film Festival">The Sundance Film Festival</a> in the great state of Utah is the event where you can see great films as well as A-list celebrities. The festival is held each January in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.6594444444,-111.499722222&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.6594444444,-111.499722222%20(Park%20City%2C%20Utah)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Park City, Utah">Park City</a> and is dedicated to showing and promoting independent films. People from all over the world attend the Sundance Film Festival.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.6033333333,-58.3816666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-34.6033333333,-58.3816666667%20(Buenos%20Aires)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Buenos Aires">Buenos Aires</a> Tango Festival: Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires, is the place to tango. Fantastic dancers perform and celebrate the tango. Both the locals and tourists can participate in free tango lessons. If you love dancing, the Buenos Aires Tango Festival is the event for you.<br /><br />Bluff International Balloon Festival: The Bluff International Balloon Festival is a popular event where hot air balloons from all over the world participate in the event in January. Visitors can take part in programs that support local park restoration, educational programs, and art programs. <br /><br />Shetland's Viking Festival: The Shetland Viking Festival in Scotland features guys dressing up like Vikings, lively parades, and the world's largest fire festival. You can experience the fire festival on the last Tuesday of January. Every year, people from all over the world, travel to Scotland to experience Shetland's Viking Festival.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.961715,-105.510936&spn=1.0,1.0&q=39.961715,-105.510936%20(Frozen%20Dead%20Guy%20Days)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Frozen Dead Guy Days">Frozen Dead Guy Days</a>: Totally weird, a resident of a Colorado community once kept her frozen father's body in a shed in her backyard. Authorities enacted a law against keeping a frozen body, but the community managed to keep one exception for the woman's father. Twenty years after his death, the community celebrates 'Frozen Dead Guy Days,' weekend every March in Nederland where a number of activities take place such as: polar plunges, snowshoe races, and coffin racing. <br /><br />Carnaval in Rio: Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro is a week long pre-party. The event takes place for 4 days and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. It is famous for its drag queen show. Costumed party-goers celebrate along the streets and the Samba Parade is a fun celebration.<br /><br />With so many parties, parades, and entertainment activities, visiting a winter event destination will definitely chase the winter blues away. Whether you are in the mood to party or create really cool snow sculptures, there is a winter activity out there that you will love. The next time you take a winter vacation, consider one of the top winter events from around the world.<br /><br />Find cheap flights and compare ticket prices online at Cheapflights, providing the best selection and availability of [http://www.cheapflights.ca/]cheap flights and [http://www.cheapflights.ca/hot-deals/]cheap last minute travel flights.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-Winter-Events-Around-The-World&id=5593698] Top Winter Events Around The World<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-63497648809020783662013-12-28T08:11:00.004-06:002013-12-28T08:11:53.195-06:00The Top Party Cities in North America<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steerwrestling-c01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Straws Milan Steer wrestling at the C..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="289" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Steerwrestling-c01.jpg/300px-Steerwrestling-c01.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Straws Milan Steer wrestling at the Calgary Stampede. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steerwrestling-c01.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chinook_Stampede_Breakfast.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: A large crowd of people at the Chinoo..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="147" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Chinook_Stampede_Breakfast.png/300px-Chinook_Stampede_Breakfast.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: A large crowd of people at the Chinook Centre pancake breakfast during the Calgary Stampede. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chinook_Stampede_Breakfast.png">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stampede_Midway_2011.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The Calgary Stampede midway, with dow..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Stampede_Midway_2011.png/300px-Stampede_Midway_2011.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: The Calgary Stampede midway, with downtown and the Calgary Tower in the background. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stampede_Midway_2011.png">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NYC_wideangle_south_from_Top_of_the_Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Looking south from Top of the Rock, N..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="211" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/NYC_wideangle_south_from_Top_of_the_Rock.jpg/300px-NYC_wideangle_south_from_Top_of_the_Rock.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Looking south from Top of the Rock, New York City {| cellspacing="0" style="min-width:40em; color:#000; background:#ddd; border:1px solid #bbb; margin:.1em;" class="layouttemplate" | style="width:1.2em;height:1.2em;padding:.2em" | 20px |link=|center | style="font-size:.85em; padding:.2em; vertical-align:middle" |This image was created with hugin. |} NYC wideangle south from Top of the Rock.jpg (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:NYC_wideangle_south_from_Top_of_the_Rock.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SF_Chinatown_CA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Grant Ave. in Chinatown, San Francisco." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/SF_Chinatown_CA.jpg/300px-SF_Chinatown_CA.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Grant Ave. in Chinatown, San Francisco. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SF_Chinatown_CA.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Leonhardt">By []David Leonhardt </a><br /><br />Berlin? London? Tokyo?<br /><br />Ha! <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.1666666667,-100.166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=48.1666666667,-100.166666667%20(North%20America)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="North America">North America</a> has better, more bopping party cities than any in the world. Who needs a plane ticket across the ocean, when the parties are all happening right here?<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.6641666667,-73.9386111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.6641666667,-73.9386111111%20(New%20York%20City)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="New York City">NEW YORK, New York</a> is the Big Apple. Fortunately, it is not distinguished for its nutrition, but rather as the city with the most bars and clubs in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="United States">United States</a>. There are always plenty of parties going on.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.7833333333,-122.416666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=37.7833333333,-122.416666667%20(San%20Francisco)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="San Francisco">SAN FRANCISCO, California</a>, is the city where flower power began half a century ago - and they are still partying, both hipster style and in electronic dance bars from Sausolito to San Jose. Among the top places to party include the Mission and SOMA Districts, as well as North Beach<br /><br />CALGARY, Alberta, is known as Cowtown because of the famous <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.0336111111,-114.053888889&spn=0.01,0.01&q=51.0336111111,-114.053888889%20(Calgary%20Stampede)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Calgary Stampede">Calgary Stampede</a>, a 10-day rodeo that draws millions of people to the city. Even if country music culture is not your style, the after-rodeo parties are epic. These days, the Stampede is as much about the parties as it is about the rodeo.<br /><br />CHICAGO, Illinois is not only known for its deep-dish pizza and molecular gastronomy, but it is also known for its parties. Let's face it, pizza and parties go hand in hand. Does molecular gastronomy go hand in hand with partying? Not sure. But whether you will be packing the clubs until five AM, or spending the whole summer at outdoor festivals, you will definitely have a party-good time in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8819444444,-87.6277777778&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.8819444444,-87.6277777778%20(Chicago)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Chicago">the Windy City</a>.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7,-79.4&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.7,-79.4%20(Toronto)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Toronto">TORONTO, Ontario</a>, is known as "The Big Smoke" for its pollution and "Toronto the Good" for its lawfulness. But those are not the reasons why Toronto is the largest city in Canada - it is because so many people have gathered to party together.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=34.05,-118.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=34.05,-118.25%20(Los%20Angeles)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Los Angeles">LOS ANGELES, California</a>, is home to the silver screen - and every barkeep, waitress and bellhop is a hopeful actor or actress. This is the ideal place to party for future bragging rights. Party in Los Angeles enough and one day you'll be telling everybody, "I know that superstar. She served me a beer when she was younger."<br /><br />MIAMI, Florida is home to all sorts of party goers, from the Fort Lauderdale yacht club jet-setters, to the get-down-and-dirty dancers in the Latin dance clubs. Then, find a party on the beach. If you like sun, and you like fun, you will love Miami.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.755,-84.39&spn=0.1,0.1&q=33.755,-84.39%20(Atlanta)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Atlanta">ATLANTA, Georgia</a> is known as the Capital of The South. Although tourists often come here to enjoy the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia Aquarium, you can tell the true party animals come alive at night in the downtown Atlanta's nightlife.<br /><br />MONTREAL, Quebec, has a world-famous bilingual nightlife, where the legal drinking age is 18. People come from around the world to join the locals for the drinks at the many bars and night clubs, but they certainly stay for the beautiful French women... er, I mean culture.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.3580555556,-71.0636111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=42.3580555556,-71.0636111111%20(Boston)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Boston">BOSTON, Massachusetts</a> is the Athens of America. Each September (Let the party begin!), it is flooded with a fresh crop of students from around the world, drawn to Boston's prestigious colleges. With them comes a rush of cultural enthusiasm, which has spawned everything from music festivals to hip clubs and Irish pubs.<br /><br />VANCOUVER, British Columbia, hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics - that was one big party. From what we hear, they have not stopped partying since. Vancouver parties are laid back, so relax and party.<br /><br />LAS VEGAS, Nevada, is a party capital. Any place called Sin City doesn't go light on its parties - but it does cost a bit to party in Las Vegas. Just remember the saying, if you go a little overboard in your partying, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas".<br /><br />David Leonhardt writes for the [http://www.barwhiz.com]Directory of Bars and Nightlife, highlighting some great nightlife in North America, including [http://www.barwhiz.com/canada/calgary/]bars in Calgary.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Top-Party-Cities-in-North-America&id=6830938] The Top Party Cities in North America<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-31789058950858334202013-12-28T08:09:00.001-06:002013-12-28T08:09:22.250-06:00Top 10 Party Cities in the World<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piccadilly_circus_1992_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Piccadilly Circus, London, Great Britain" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="193" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Piccadilly_circus_1992_07.jpg/300px-Piccadilly_circus_1992_07.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Piccadilly Circus, London, Great Britain (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piccadilly_circus_1992_07.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55514420@N00/6023746097" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="San Francisco sky" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="160" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6207/6023746097_4458e02f69_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">San Francisco sky (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55514420@N00/6023746097">davidyuweb</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34619038@N00/7233103330" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="The Inn on Peaks Island – western vista to Por..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="180" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5200/7233103330_d33b454719_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">The Inn on Peaks Island – western vista to Portland (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34619038@N00/7233103330">origamidon</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hank_William_Klinger">By []Hank William Klinger </a><br /><br />First of all I want to start by saying that these are my own picks. I didn't do any research on the top cities to party in or anything like that.<br /><br />These are places I've spent time at and love. I think its better like that anyway, all about the experiences and sharing them with you. There's gonna be some off the wall spots on here you probably never would expect. I used to party a TON though so trust me on this. And granted there are plenty of others cities I've been to that could have made it on this list. But I picked the top ten that popped into my head first of all.<br /><br />So these are my top 10 choices for the best cities to party at.<br /><br />10. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-12.0433333333,-77.0283333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=-12.0433333333,-77.0283333333%20(Lima)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Lima">Lima Peru</a> - This hot South American is bustling with life. I first hit Peru back in 07 I think it was, I gotta say for the men Peruvian woman are gorgeous, and for the ladies Peruvian dudes are good looking cats, South Americans in general are hot blooded and like their parties. We would never even head out until well after midnight and then wed party all night and hit the DiscoTechues at like 8 in the morning.<br /><br /> I highly recommend this for anyone looking to have some fun in another country with some great people. Head over to Mira Flores the major tourist hub in Lima and check out Aura and Gotica Nightclubs. These two of the larger and more trendy nightclubs in the area.<br /><br />09. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.6944444444,-88.0430555556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=30.6944444444,-88.0430555556%20(Mobile%2C%20Alabama)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Mobile, Alabama">Mobile Alabama</a> - Most people don't know this, but this is the home of the original Mardi Gras, it started back in 1703 and is the oldest Carnival Celebration in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=38.8833333333,-77.0166666667%20(United%20States)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="United States">United States</a>. There are plenty of tanned bodies on the Gulf coast always looking to have a good time. Downtown Mobile has a ton of character, and you get tons of young par-tiers coming Pensacola Florida (Another Hot Spot). <br /><br />And more from Gulf Shores Mississippi, this whole area is one big party really. Head on down to Mobile during the first week of October for BayFest Music Festival. Its largest music festival in Alabama, upwards of 125 bands over a three day period. Good times good food, and good people.<br /><br />08. Santa Barbara California - This place has it all, a beautiful downtown, and State Street is off the chain. Buy Designer clothes by day and party by night. I've spent a lot of time partying here, and granted its been a while. Things haven't changed.<br /><br />If you're looking for more of a house party and college party type scene head to I.V. or Isla Vista for the younger crowd and streets packed with par-tiers until the wee hours of the morning.<br /><br />07. Hollywood California - Alright I couldn't leave this off, land of the beautiful people. Rock Stars, Celebrities, and famous people of all sorts. Hollywood is famous for a reason. There are endless clubs and bars, whatever you're looking for.<br /><br />Head over to the Whiskey for some live music, or check out some burlesque dance at the Pussycat Doll Lounge. Or you prefer to get straight to clubbing check out Johnny Deps Viper Room. Whatever you're looking for Hollywood has it all<br /><br />06. Juneau Alaska - Believe it this place is out of control, I had to throw this on here to encourage people to head to Alaska. The capital city has an unbelievable party scene. Especially in the summer time, during the peak of summer its not uncommon to have an extra 30,000 people in town from the cruise ships.<br /><br />And Alaskans in general love to party, the beauty of Juneau is that everything is conveniently located in about three or four square blocks. I know this down sound like much, but there are more than enough establishments in this area. And when done partying for the night, head over to Pel Minis for some Russian dumplings.<br /><br />05. San Francisco California - This is probably my favorite city in the world. Broadway is out of control and Chinatown is just crazy. Remember <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Trouble-Little-China-Special/dp/B00005A3KU%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dvicovi-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB00005A3KU" rel="amazon" title="Big Trouble in Little China (Special Edition)">Big Trouble in Little China</a> with old Jack Burton? Well its not quite the same as it used to be, but its still wild. And <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.7833333333,-122.416666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=37.7833333333,-122.416666667%20(San%20Francisco)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="San Francisco">SF</a> is just a fun city to visit, the culture, the music, and food, everything about it.<br /><br />And yes the clubs and nightlife. Being from California and haven't spent a good amount of time all over the state, my hat go offs to SF for being so unique. Don't get me wrong So Cal is great too, but there's something about the whole Bay atmosphere that hits home. <br /><br />Maybe its because I was born right next to SF, but I cant think of anyone who would ever disagree about SF. Make sure while you're there you see Broadway at night, and if you're a little seedier action there's always the Tenderloin But I don't recommend that area for the faint of heart or just anyone.<br /><br />04. Portland Oregon - Gotta love this city, land of the free spirits and flower children. Portland is definitely a young new wave town. Very modern, and extremely liberal, its got a great nightlife and very good food. On a side note, Portland is takes the reins for the most exotic <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightclub" rel="wikipedia" title="Nightclub">Dance Clubs</a> within a city limits in the entire United States. Yes lots and lots of Strippers, its a fun city though than that.<br /><br />You a Fan of Whiskey? Check out the Multnomah Whiskey Library. And after a big night of partying have some steak and eggs while watching the lovely woman of the Acropolis Club in Southeast Portland. Well they could be lovely at nine in the morning after a night of drinking.<br /><br />03. Gothenburg Sweden - This is where I actually call home right now. And let me tell you that if you're looking to party with the seriously beautiful people, then Sweden is for you. Swedish people are just beautiful in general. And they know how to have fun; they are a bit more reserved at first. But once they open up, its game over.<br /><br />Gothenburg is second to Stockholm in size, and while I haven't been to Stockholm yet to compare. Gothenburg will always hold a place in my heart. If you're looking for some good live rock there's always Stick Fingers. And if you're covered in tats like me, theres the rock bar which is right up your alley. On the other hand if you're looking for a more club scene type thing go except, you wont be disappointed.<br /><br />02. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=30.25,-97.75&spn=0.1,0.1&q=30.25,-97.75%20(Austin%2C%20Texas)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Austin, Texas">Austin Texas</a> - I was very surprised by the downtown area of Austin. Wow, this place had a great nightlife, and tons and tons of clubs and bars. Fridays and Saturdays they shut down all of Sixth Street and the place is packed with par-tiers for blocks and blocks.<br /><br />If you're looking to some ladies dancing on the bars, check out the world famous Coyote Ugly. This place is great fun, good drinks, and wild as ever. I actually got hand cuffed there and took body shots off of a bartender, it was pretty funny.<br /><br />01. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5072222222,-0.1275&spn=0.1,0.1&q=51.5072222222,-0.1275%20(London)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="London">London England</a> - OK, this is the height of it all for pretty much everything. London is like San Francisco jacked up on juice. No joke, there are too many places to name here, but you gotta make sure and go to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.51,-0.134444444444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=51.51,-0.134444444444%20(Piccadilly%20Circus)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Piccadilly Circus">Piccadilly Circus</a>. Whatever you're looking for London has it, I've never seen a more culturally diverse city. There are people from everywhere in this city, and during the day there is so much to see.<br /><br />I suggest before you go out partying check out the open market at the Camden Lock. This market had everything and awesome street food. I could imagine what the open markets must have been like 2000 years ago. It was kind of like the troll market from Hellboy 2, minus the trolls.<br /><br />So These are the top 10 cities for partying in the world in my opinion.<br /><br />I'm sure everyone has their own. And I cant say anything about Asia or Australia as I haven't been there yet. Bali is next on my list; Ive grown into some different interest these days. But I still love a good party.<br /><br />OK so I cant leave out my personal favorite party city. Chico California, its my hometown. It may not be the biggest in the world, but it packs a punch. And can contend with the best of them. Halloween and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Day" rel="wikipedia" title="Saint Patrick's Day">St. Patricks day</a> are by far the wildest in Chico. Or if you're looking to flat the river with about 15,000 college students, don't miss Labor and Memorial Day. [http://www.Facebook.com/tattooedtravel]Connect with me on Facebook - Tattooed Traveler<br /><br />Are you a traveler?<br /><br />Always looking for that next big party? But cant seem to fund your next adventure? I used to have that same problem. And then I started blogging and working online. Now I get paid to blog and work online.<br /><br />Its really a great life, especially if you're into Traveling. I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a job that you can take with you around the world, you can learn more about how you can work from your laptop and get paid to blog when you enter your e-mail on the next page by following the link below. [http://www.tattooedtraveler.com/blog/category/destinations-and-toplist]More Articles<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Top-10-Party-Cities-in-the-World&id=8137959] Top 10 Party Cities in the World<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-18165672762778720512013-12-28T08:05:00.003-06:002013-12-28T08:05:48.717-06:00Southern Italy - Campania Region<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Salerno_city_and_castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Salerno, city of Campania (southern I..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Salerno_city_and_castle.jpg/300px-Salerno_city_and_castle.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Salerno, city of Campania (southern Italy), with it's castle at the background Español: Salerno, ciudad de la Campania (en el sur de Italia), con su castillo al fondo (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Salerno_city_and_castle.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naples-Castel_Nuovo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Castel Nuovo, Naples: initiated by the Anjou, ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="171" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Naples-Castel_Nuovo.jpg/300px-Naples-Castel_Nuovo.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Castel Nuovo, Naples: initiated by the Anjou, it was heavily altered as it served as Spanish headquarters until 1700s. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Naples-Castel_Nuovo.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Looking_back_to_Vesuvius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Italy, Region Campania - In the foreground the..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Looking_back_to_Vesuvius.jpg/300px-Looking_back_to_Vesuvius.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Italy, Region Campania - In the foreground the excavation of Herculaneum; in the background the Mount Vesuvius. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Looking_back_to_Vesuvius.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Yamila_Fonseca_Rosale">By [s]Yamila Fonseca Rosales </a><br />
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Campania is a region in southern Italy. The capital is Napoli also known as Naples. It is considered the second <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">capital of Italy</a>. Its geographic position makes it one of the best destinations for tourist, not to mention the archeological treasures it holds. <br />
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Most parts of this region are characterized by the presence of many mountains. Masses of volcanic origin can be found on the coastline. The archipelago is composed of the major islands of Capri, Ischia and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.7583333333,14.0166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.7583333333,14.0166666667%20(Procida)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Procida">Procida</a>. There are other minor isles which are <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.7444444444,13.9936111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.7444444444,13.9936111111%20(Vivara)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Vivara">Vivara</a> and Nisida connecting between each other and to the mainland. <br />
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Along the coast are the charming towns of Sorrento, Amalfi and Positano. Ravello is 350 meters high on the Amalfitana coast featuring an exclusive destination of interest worth visiting due to its elevated position which offers clean environment, accommodation and hospitality facilities.<br />
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You can visit the excavation sites of Ercolano and Pompei which are of great historic importance due to their archeological patrimony. Visit Vesuvius and admire its National Park. <br />
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Foods And Drinks<br />
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The cuisine is well bound to the products and traditions of the region. The origin of many dishes from this area is Greek. The exceptionally good taste of food is owned to the fertile volcanic soil of the region. In fact, all fruits and vegetables from this region are highly demanded in other regions for their good quality. This can be considered the home of Italian Pizza. The symbol of the cuisine is without doubts the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pizza" rel="wikipedia" title="Pizza">Pizza Margherita</a>, prepared with tomato, mozzarella and basil. Other dishes include Cervella alla Vesuviana (veal), Minestra di Riso Napoletana (soup with caciocavallo cheese), Calamaretti all'Amalfitana and many other dishes prepared with cuttlefish, clams and local octopus. Outstanding red wines include Vesuvio, Taurasi and for white, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco_%28grape%29" rel="wikipedia" title="Greco (grape)">Greco di Tufo</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.snooth.com/wines/Fiano" rel="snooth" title="Fiano">Fiano di Avellino</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lacryma_Christi" rel="wikipedia" title="Lacryma Christi">Lacryma Christi</a>.<br />
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Thanks for reading.<br />
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Read other related articles about <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" rel="wikipedia" title="Tourism">Travel and Tourism</a> at: [http://www.cybertrony.com/southern-italy-campania-region.html]<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Southern-Italy---Campania-Region&id=3418498] <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Italy" rel="wikipedia" title="Southern Italy">Southern Italy</a> - <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.regione.campania.it/" rel="homepage" title="Campania">Campania Region</a><br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-64908263618022660762013-12-28T08:01:00.000-06:002013-12-28T08:01:17.117-06:00An Itinerary to Discover Procida Island, on the Bay of Naples, Italy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campania_Capri4_tango7174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Marina Grande, Capri, Campania, Italy..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="113" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Campania_Capri4_tango7174.jpg/300px-Campania_Capri4_tango7174.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Marina Grande, Capri, Campania, Italy. On the horizon, the islands of Ischia and Procida, and the Gulf of Naples. Français : Marina Grande, Capri, Campanie, Italie. À l'horizon, les îles d'Ischia et Procida, et la baie de Naples. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Campania_Capri4_tango7174.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Procida2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Procida2.jpg/300px-Procida2.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of Corricella. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Procida2.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Procida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Procida.jpg/300px-Procida.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Italy - island of Procida - Little harbour of Corricella. View from Cape Pizzaco. Taken by User:Nathan Hamblen on April 11, 2004. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Procida.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Capri_and_Ischia_map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Location of Procida in the Tyrrhenian Sea" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="196" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Capri_and_Ischia_map.png/300px-Capri_and_Ischia_map.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Location of Procida in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Capri_and_Ischia_map.png">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29793175@N07/2934252552" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Procida" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="50" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2934252552_d5888d8762_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Procida (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/29793175@N07/2934252552">PhotoAgo</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nico_Muro">By []Nico Muro </a><br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.7583333333,14.0166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.7583333333,14.0166666667%20(Procida)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Procida">Procida</a> Island, with its 4.1 square kilometers, is the smallest of the islands in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.7352777778,14.2752777778&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.7352777778,14.2752777778%20(Gulf%20of%20Naples)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Gulf of Naples">Gulf of Naples</a>. It is the ideal place to spend a relaxing holiday. Coming from the ports of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.8333333333,14.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.8333333333,14.25%20(Naples)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Naples">Naples</a> or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.8166666667,14.1166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.8166666667,14.1166666667%20(Pozzuoli)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Pozzuoli">Pozzuoli</a>, the maximum time spent on a ferry is no more than an hour. The arrival at the island, with its colorful houses overlooking the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.5552777778,14.2405555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.5552777778,14.2405555556%20(Marina%20Grande%2C%20Capri)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Marina Grande, Capri">Marina Grande</a>, attracts the sight and the mind of tourists immediately. On the waterfront there are bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and in the evening it becomes a destination for the islands' nightlife.<br /><br />The flat morphology and spontaneous architecture make Procida Island a natural movie set. It has hosted famous movies such as "The Postman", "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.amazon.com/Talented-Mr-Ripley-Matt-Damon/dp/0792165020%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Dvicovi-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0792165020" rel="amazon" title="The Talented Mr. Ripley">The Talented Mr. Ripley</a>" and "Francesca and Nunziata". The highest part of the island is dominated by Avalos Palace. It dates back to 1563. It's citadel is surrounded by fortified walls to defend it from the Saracens. The Royal Palace of the Borboni with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_II%2C_Duke_of_Savoy" rel="wikipedia" title="Charles II, Duke of Savoy">Carlo III</a> has been transformed into the prison of Ferdinando II and then into a maximum security prison which eventually closed in the late 80's. The cultural and religious center is the Abbey of "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_%28archangel%29" rel="wikipedia" title="Michael (archangel)">San Michele Arcangelo</a>", a Benedictine foundation which dates back to the 11th century. Inside the Abbey there are alters, paintings and statues. On the lower floors, there is a secret library that contains 8000 books and ancient manuscripts.<br /><br />The quaint and picturesque fishing village of Marina Corricella is the oldest port of Procida. It can only be reached by going through the houses that are on it. The harbor has been inhabited by fishermen and their families for generations. It is very pedestrian-friendly, as the port is exposed to the sun for several hours a day which makes it a nice walk in the winter and autumn. There are some excellent restaurants that have menus offering their catch of the day, along with seasonal local produce. This is all a stone's throw away from the sea.<br /><br />Procida is a volcanic island so its beaches contains dark sand. The west coast, from Ciraccio to Ciracciello, is plenty of beaches and restaurants. From this area, you can watch spectacular sunsets. In the afternoon if the Maestrale wind blows, you will see surfers and sailors. You can also see Vivara, which is a natural oasis which is connected by a bridge to Santa Margherita. Ischia can be seen in the background as well.<br /><br />The inland areas of the island are less known because it is simply inhabited by residents. There you can find the lighthouse, the Cottimo and the Starza. It is mainly a rural area which used to be covered in vineyards. Via Vittorio Emanuele, the ancient road from the port to the inner part of the island, connects to Via <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavio_Gioja" rel="wikipedia" title="Flavio Gioja">Flavio Gioia</a> which comes from the heart of the island to Piazza Olmo.<br /><br />On this area, you can find some Apartments in Procida. The location of this area is perfect as you can walk for less than 5 minutes to the village of Coricella, Chiaia Beach, and Ciraccio Beach. <br /><br />Piazza Olmo, which is in walking distance, is a popular area of the island. It is accessible by all bus lines.<br /><br />On this area, you can find some [http://www.visitprocida.co.uk]Accommodation in Procida. The location of this area is perfect as you can walk for less than 5 minutes to the village of Coricella, Chiaia Beach, and Ciraccio Beach. <br /><br />Piazza Olmo, which is in walking distance, is a popular area of the island. It is accessible by all bus lines.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?An-Itinerary-to-Discover-Procida-Island,-on-the-Bay-of-Naples,-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a>&id=8164542] An Itinerary to Discover Procida Island, on the Bay of Naples, Italy<br />
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<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=vicov1-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0982613466&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="padding-top: 5px; width: 131px; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" align="left" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-86498758026166912652013-12-28T07:57:00.001-06:002013-12-28T07:57:48.370-06:00Festivals Celebrated in Rome<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30801973@N04/5709610999" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Rome" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="151" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/5709610999_ccf0504e76_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Rome (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30801973@N04/5709610999">tejvanphotos</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roma-piazza_spagna_di_notte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Roma-piazza_spagna_di_notte.jpg/300px-Roma-piazza_spagna_di_notte.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Roma-piazza_spagna_di_notte.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tiber_St_Peters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The River Tiber in winter with St Pet..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="210" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9d/Tiber_St_Peters.jpg/300px-Tiber_St_Peters.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: The River Tiber in winter with St Peter's and Castel Sant'Angelo Rome (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tiber_St_Peters.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish.steps.arp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="224" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Spanish.steps.arp.jpg/300px-Spanish.steps.arp.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spanish.steps.arp.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100802303@N04/9595255399" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Rome" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="135" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7332/9595255399_daa4174600_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Rome (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/100802303@N04/9595255399">Elescir</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8623220@N02/4755213392" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC)" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="179" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4755213392_25ddce1a60_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">[Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy] (LOC) (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/8623220@N02/4755213392">The Library of Congress</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=M._Patrick_Quinn">By []M. Patrick Quinn </a><br /><br />The Romans have been a festive lot since ancient times, when the Eternal City's marble-lined streets played stage to triumphant processions, colorful religious rituals and ceremonial feasts, held by a people whose sacred calendar was heavily dotted with celebratory occasions. In fact, the very word festival comes to us from the Latin word "festum", meaning holiday or banquet. The Romans of today continue the revelries with a vibrant variety of festivals, some unquestionably modern and others still very much rooted in tradition. For those studying abroad in Italy, Roma offers festivals of all kinds, not to be missed by students sojourning in the city.<br /><br />Festa di Primavera -- The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year" rel="wikipedia" title="Chinese New Year">Spring Festival</a><br /><br />From the end of March through the beginning of April, Romans welcome the arrival of spring with a range of cultural events. Guided tours of many of Rome's seemingly countless historical sites, including monuments and churches, are organized and made available for free, and a series of concerts take place on the famous Spanish Steps, an enormous staircase which surmounts the steep slope between the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.90599,12.483183&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.90599,12.483183%20(Spanish%20Steps)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Spanish Steps">Piazza di Spagna</a> and the Piazza Trinit� dei Monti, and which once linked the Bourbon Spanish Embassy with a church under the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Bourbon" rel="wikipedia" title="House of Bourbon">Bourbon family</a>'s patronage. It is this stairway which makes the centerpiece of the Festa di Primavera, for which it is adorned with a pink sea of azalea-filled vases. No springtime study abroad experience would be complete without witnessing this legendary sight.<br /><br />Natale di Roma -- Birth of Rome<br /><br />If you're spending a semester at a university in Rome, chances are you're interested in the city's incomparable history. This makes the Natale di Roma, or Birth of Rome festival, a must-do for the visiting student. Held on the 21st of April, Natale di Roma celebrates the birth of a little city-state on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiber" rel="wikipedia" title="Tiber">Tiber River</a> that would grow up to rule the known world. On this date in the year 753 B.C., Romulus founded the city of Rome. The occasion was marked in ancient times and is celebrated nowadays with fireworks, dancing and parades around Rome's ancient historical sites, while the city hall as well as many of the city's palazzi, or palaces, are illuminated during the night.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.romacinemafest.it/" rel="homepage" title="Rome Film Festival">Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma</a> -- Rome International Film Festival<br /><br />So many iconic films have been shot against the one-of-a-kind backdrop of Rome -- think Roman Holiday or The Bicycle Thief -- that the fairly recent creation of the Rome International Film Festival seemed long overdue. Held in October, the high-profile festival now plays host to international films in several different categories. The award statue is shaped like the famous mounted sculpture of the ancient philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius.<br /><br />Roma Europa<br /><br />There would be no Europe as we know it today were it not for the Roman Empire, so it's only fitting that the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">City of the Seven Hills</a> play cultural capitol with a preeminent festival titled "Roma Europa" through the months of October and November. Attracting artists, dancers, writers, filmmakers and digital innovators from across the world, Roma Europa was named one of the top four festivals in Europe by the Wall Street Journal. If you happen to be enrolled at a rel=nofollow [http://www.johncabot.edu/about_jcu/default.aspx]university in Rome for the fall, give the books a rest for a bit and learn the arts at the Roma Europa festival instead.<br /><br />Visit [http://www.johncabot.edu/]<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.johncabot.edu/" rel="homepage" title="John Cabot University">John Cabot University</a> for more information about study abroad opportunities in Rome.<br /><br />Patrick Quinn is a Copywriter at Higher Education Marketing, a leading web marketing firm specializing in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.google.com/analytics" rel="homepage" title="Google Analytics">Google Analytics</a>, Education Lead Generation, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.zemanta.com/related-blog-posts/" rel="zemantacom" title="related articles">Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</a>, Social Media Marketing, and Pay Per Click Marketing, among other web marketing services and tools.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival" rel="wikipedia" title="Festival">Festivals</a>-Celebrated-in-Rome&id=8182097] Festivals Celebrated in Rome<br />
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<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=vicov1-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0982613423&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="padding-top: 5px; width: 131px; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" align="left" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-60407807625296004152013-12-24T06:40:00.004-06:002013-12-24T06:40:59.986-06:00Christmas in Europe<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clifton_Mill_Christmas_2005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of t..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Clifton_Mill_Christmas_2005.JPG/300px-Clifton_Mill_Christmas_2005.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio is the site of this Christmas display with over 3.5 million lights. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Clifton_Mill_Christmas_2005.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Erfurter_Weihnachtsmarkt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Der Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt bei Nacht von der..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Erfurter_Weihnachtsmarkt.JPG/300px-Erfurter_Weihnachtsmarkt.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Der Erfurter Weihnachtsmarkt bei Nacht von der Zitadelle Petersberg aus gesehen. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Erfurter_Weihnachtsmarkt.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:South_Molton_Street_at_night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Christmas lights on South Molton Stre..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="375" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/South_Molton_Street_at_night.jpg/300px-South_Molton_Street_at_night.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Christmas lights on South Molton Street, Central London, UK. Christmas season 2010. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:South_Molton_Street_at_night.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trafalgar_Square_Christmas_Carols_-_Dec_2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="A gathering of Carol Singers in front of the C..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="193" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Trafalgar_Square_Christmas_Carols_-_Dec_2006.jpg/300px-Trafalgar_Square_Christmas_Carols_-_Dec_2006.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">A gathering of Carol Singers in front of the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square, London England. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trafalgar_Square_Christmas_Carols_-_Dec_2006.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hyde_Park_Christmas_Market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Picture of the Ferris Wheel at the Hy..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Hyde_Park_Christmas_Market.JPG/300px-Hyde_Park_Christmas_Market.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Picture of the Ferris Wheel at the Hyde Park Christmas Market (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hyde_Park_Christmas_Market.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colognechristmasmarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Cologne Christmas market lit up durin..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="212" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Colognechristmasmarket.jpg/300px-Colognechristmasmarket.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Cologne Christmas market lit up during the evening (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colognechristmasmarket.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_lights_trees_and_snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Christmas lights Nederlands: Kerstver..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="450" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Christmas_lights_trees_and_snowman.jpg/300px-Christmas_lights_trees_and_snowman.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Christmas lights Nederlands: Kerstverlichting (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_lights_trees_and_snowman.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_tree_in_marunouchi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="the sexy santa assistants were there to take a..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Christmas_tree_in_marunouchi.jpg/300px-Christmas_tree_in_marunouchi.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">the sexy santa assistants were there to take a photo of you in front of the xmas tree or you could just ask them to take a photo with you and pretend that your girlfriend is a sexy santa assistant See where this picture was taken. [?] (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christmas_tree_in_marunouchi.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Christopher_Walters">By []Christopher Walters </a><br /><br />The ancient and historic lands of Europe have town, villages, and cities where some of them date back to the day of the first historic Christmas. Other mostly established in the centuries that followed but their long histories are closely tied to the holiday of Christmas. Some of have dramatic festivals and snow covered scenery straight out of a storybook. No matter what you're particular religion, spending the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_and_holiday_season" rel="wikipedia" title="Christmas and holiday season">Christmas season</a> with your family in the fabled lands of Europe can be a one of kind and all together magical experience. Here are a few of the towns and villages with some of the best Christmas celebrations anywhere in the world. <br /><br />1. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/784" rel="unesco" title="Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg">Salzburg, Austria</a> <br /><br />The town of Salzburg is not only the birthplace of the legendary composer Mozart and the setting for the iconic "Sound of Music", it has one of the largest <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market" rel="wikipedia" title="Christmas market">Christmas markets</a> in Europe. It attracts millions of visitors every season to shop the hundreds of stalls, shops, and celebrations as the air fills with the amazing sounds of the season. There are children's puppet shows and choir singing songs, making this place a magical Christmas setting high in the stunning snowy mountains of the Alps. The town is light with million of lights and horse drawn sleighs trot along the cobblestones. There are countless places to find one of kind Christmas treasures, toys, treats, and ornaments. Step into a quiet caf� and warm yourself with a hot cup of cocoa or a glass of wine.<br /><br />2. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothenburg_ob_der_Tauber" rel="wikipedia" title="Rothenburg ob der Tauber">Rothenburg ob der Tauber</a>, Germany <br /><br />This historic medieval town nestled deep in the Black Forest of Germany is probably one of the most magical and enchanting places to visit around Christmas time. Christmas is so important here that they even have a massive Christmas market that is open all year around. The city is transformed into a winter wonderland and the market, known as Reiterlesmarkt, dates back to the 15th century. Aside from the fantastic shopping where shops and stalled are filled with toys, ornaments, and heavenly treats, the town itself will have you swearing Santa's workshop might be just around the corner. The buildings are hundreds of years old and the cobblestone streets give the entire town a very romantic feel. Make sure to stop by and nibble on their signature treat, the Schneeball or snowball, which is essentially sweet fried dough, rolled in sugar. It's truly a winter fairyland. <br /><br />3. Dresden, Germany <br /><br />The Christmas market began in here in 1434 and is the oldest and most popular in Germany. The entire city is alight with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_lights" rel="wikipedia" title="Christmas lights">Christmas lights</a> and there is no shortage of holiday fun to have. From the Gingerbread Festival in early December to the Stollenfest to the Christmas Arch Festival, the holiday events last all month long. Each one brings to life the history, traditions, and customs through carols and dances and the entire city delights in the cheer of the Christmas season. The children are front and center for the season too. Santa and his elves meet with the little ones and there are enchanting storybook cottages that will have the kids sure they have stepped into one of their fairytales. There is also a children's railway and merry-go-round in the children's adventure land. Kids can enjoy puppet sows, story telling or simply sinking their teeth in delicious treats and chocolates. Enjoy authentic gingerbread in the very land where it originated or stop in and a local pub or restaurant to warm your toes. <br /><br />4. Prague, Czech Republic <br /><br />The Christmas season lasts all month long in the Czech Republic and the capital <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=50.0833333333,14.4166666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=50.0833333333,14.4166666667%20(Prague)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Prague">city of Prague</a> hosts one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. The city is wrapped in Christmas lights and the air is filled with the sounds of Christmas carols emanated from both the streets and any one of the gothic churches. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=50.0872222222,14.4213888889&spn=0.01,0.01&q=50.0872222222,14.4213888889%20(Old%20Town%20Square%20%28Prague%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Old Town Square (Prague)">Old Town Square</a> and the Wenceslas Square host the main Christmas markets where you can not only buy ornaments, winter gear, jewelry, traditional souvenirs or toys, but also hearty food and hot wine on a chilly winter evening. Enjoy some traditional seasonal food such as roasted ham, sausage, or Trdelnik, which is a delicious sugary pastry. The pubs are a place where you can relax, socialize and enjoy some of the local beer. The children will enjoy the Nativity scene and a chance to pet the goats and sheep or awe at the massive Christmas tree in Old Town Square. You can also enjoy phenomenal operas and symphonies as well. All month long, the city becomes even more spectacular than usual. <br /><br />5. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5072222222,-0.1275&spn=0.1,0.1&q=51.5072222222,-0.1275%20(London)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="London">London, England</a> <br /><br />In the land of Charles Dickens, the classic Christmas tales come to life in front of your eyes. Seems as though every inch of the city is covered in Christmas lights. During the holiday season you can enjoy ice-skating and Christmas choirs singing into the chilly night air. A visit to the annual Winter Wonderland and you can see ice sculptures and shop until you drop. There are several Christmas markets that offer all kind of treats, toys, souvenirs, clothing, ornaments, etc, There are shows, plays, and symphonies to get yourself in the mood for the season. There are sleigh rides and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa%27s_workshop" rel="wikipedia" title="Santa's workshop">Santa's Grotto</a> along with a stroll through the 105-acre wildlife oasis. You can hear the story of Scrooge in London's Wetland Centre. The famous store Harrods also gets a visit from Santa giving the family a chance for shopping, photos with Santa, and even real-life reindeer. You can also see real reindeer at the London Zoo along with Santa and his elves as well. The list is endless and you are sure to stay in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" rel="wikipedia" title="Christmas">Christmas spirit</a> for a long time.<br /><br />For more information on traveling to Europe please visit http://www.destinationeuropeonline.com/blog/?page_id=510<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Christmas-in-Europe&id=7946826] Christmas in Europe<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-73930725713047843592013-12-23T07:36:00.000-06:002013-12-23T07:36:08.403-06:007 Travel Beauty Tips<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Blackmore">By []Michelle Blackmore </a><br /><br />Everyone wants to feel and look good on holiday but travelling, and the sun, can take its toll on our <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair" rel="wikipedia" title="Hair">hair</a> and skin.<br /><br />Just as you plan your itinerary on holiday, so should you plan to take care of your hair and skin, so here are some helpful travel <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.beautyctr.com/" rel="homepage" title="beauty tips">beauty tips</a> for when you next jet off on your next trip, be it for business or pleasure!<br /><br />Moisturise Before You Fly<br /><br />Keep your skin <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrate" rel="wikipedia" title="Hydrate">hydrated</a> - the night before you fly, apply a heavier-than-normal <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moisturizer" rel="wikipedia" title="Moisturizer">moisturiser</a> and apply again in the morning. This will help your skin combat the dehydrating effects of being in the cabin, leaving you more 'fresh faced' when you disembark.<br /><br />Forget the Foundation<br /><br />If you can, be prepared to ditch your usual foundation and instead just travel wearing moisturiser. Trying to wear sunscreen and foundation isn't easy. If you don't like going without foundation, one option is to take your make-up off just before you board, putting on your moisturiser, and then reapplying once you've landed if you really can't travel without a full face. Alternatively, consider a tinted moisturiser.<br /><br />Blotting Paper<br /><br />If you're going somewhere hot then you will be applying suntan lotion to your face. This can sometimes make even usually normal skin become greasy and oily. So travel with some facial blotting papers and gently dab your T-bar area to lift off the oil and eliminate blocked pores.<br /><br />Luscious Lashes<br /><br />Thick, black, luscious lashes make you <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_and_feel" rel="wikipedia" title="Look and feel">look and feel</a> amazing regardless of make-up. So wave goodbye to mascara and have individual lashes applied at a salon before you go so you look a million dollars by the pool. You'll never have to worry about mascara running down your face either.<br /><br />Leave In Conditioner<br /><br />If possible, use a leave-in conditioner in your hair during the day time when you're out in the hot sun, it will protect your hair from drying out and becoming brittle.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_water" rel="wikipedia" title="Drinking water">Drink Water</a><br /><br />In hot climates you need to stay hydrated so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout your travels - whilst flying, on the beach all day and also in the evening too.<br /><br />Sore, Tired Feet<br /><br />To help you recover from sore and tired feet, lay down against a wall and lift your legs right up into the air, placing your bottom flush with the wall. You'll be amazed at the near instant effect this has on reviving sore and tired feet.<br /><br />Michelle is a frequent traveller and contributor to http://www.help-me-park.co.uk - the meet and greet parking company at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.1480555556,-0.190277777778&spn=0.03,0.03&q=51.1480555556,-0.190277777778%20(Gatwick%20Airport)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Gatwick Airport">London Gatwick Airport</a>.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?7-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel" rel="wikipedia" title="Travel">Travel</a>-Beauty-Tips&id=7817697] 7 Travel Beauty Tips<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-55629685986152792962013-12-23T07:21:00.000-06:002013-12-23T07:21:06.999-06:00The Pompidou Centre and the Musee D'Art Moderne Museum in Paris<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72746018@N00/7233320704" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Nuit des musées (Musée d'art moderne de la vil..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="160" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7102/7233320704_50cbf5e2fd_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Nuit des musées (Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris) (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/72746018@N00/7233320704">dalbera</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pompidou_center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Centre Georges Pompidou" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/95/Pompidou_center.jpg/300px-Pompidou_center.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Centre Georges Pompidou (Photo credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pompidou_center.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53854736@N08/5432099193" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Pompidou" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="240" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5136/5432099193_c2fd166f58_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Pompidou (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/53854736@N08/5432099193">Positive / Negative</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Centre_Pompidou_Artlibre_jnl_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="view from The Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Centre_Pompidou_Artlibre_jnl_4.jpg/300px-Centre_Pompidou_Artlibre_jnl_4.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">view from The Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Centre_Pompidou_Artlibre_jnl_4.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kate_J_Davis">By []Kate J Davis </a><br /><br />The Pompidou Centre, or the official name of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.860653,2.352411&spn=0.01,0.01&q=48.860653,2.352411%20(Centre%20Georges%20Pompidou)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Centre Georges Pompidou">Centre Georges Pompidou</a>, or the other name of Beaubourg due to where it is constructed, or if you prefer its nickname of "the inside out building" due to how the building techniques which were used to provide much space, has much to offer for all of the family.<br /><br />Although the history of the Pompidou Centre shares some light onto why it is here. With the initiative of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.elysee.fr/" rel="homepage" title="President of France">French President</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_Pompidou" rel="wikipedia" title="Georges Pompidou">Georges Pompidou</a> who longed for a free public library to gain information but also a multi-cultural centre that would become home to Musee d'<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streamline_Moderne" rel="wikipedia" title="Streamline Moderne">Art Moderne</a> and more.<br /><br />The opinion of the Pompidou centre can vary from being hideous to some and for others being an interesting tourist attraction in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/600" rel="unesco" title="Paris, Banks of the Seine">Paris</a>, which has picked up popularity over the years. With millions of visitors from around the globe who visit the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museums_of_modern_art" rel="wikipedia" title="Museums of modern art">Modern Art Museum</a> and the Pompidou itself, it has become one of the top places to visit while on holiday in Paris, suitable for all ages.<br /><br />Within the middle you can find Biblioteque Publique d'Information, or for short, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.bpi.co.uk/" rel="homepage" title="British Phonographic Industry">BPI</a>, and it is a free to use informational library which provides many documents - both visual and audio, materials and much more which are up to date. On the same floor you can also find the Mezzanine cafe.<br /><br />In the centre also there is the Musee d'Art Moderne museum which showcases many different arts which over the years have accumulated to over 60,000 different pieces of work to make it the largest collection in Europe which covers both the 20th and 21st century.<br /><br />Obviously as you can imagine the building is very large, but even so it cannot display all of the artworks at once so there are different exhibitions over the year. With another part of the museum found on level 4 dedicated to contemporary art and a modern art section one level higher on level 5.<br /><br />This tourist attraction has an unusual construction as we mentioned it is known as the inside out building and it makes the construction of the Pompidou centre rather unique due to having all ducting, escalators etc on the outside. But in addition to the museum and library, there are also two cinemas found at the Pompidou Centre, where one is on the 1st floor and the other is in the basement level where you can go and watch a film of your choice.<br /><br />Also there is an area made for children for ages twelve and below, known as the Galerie des Enfents where workshops are available. As well at the 13/16 Studio which is designed specifically for teenagers with interactive workshops and it is available for free.<br /><br />In other nearby areas you can find other sections including a graphic design studio, graphic arts galleries and other sections dedicated to media and film as well as a bookshop, cafe and much more. <br /><br />Centre Georges Pompidou also has a visitors lounge and various information areas for the Musee d'Art Moderne, which generally translates to the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.761484,-73.977664&spn=0.01,0.01&q=40.761484,-73.977664%20(Museum%20of%20Modern%20Art)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Museum of Modern Art">Museum of Modern Art</a>, as well as terraces on the 5th floor and not forgetting the restaurant named Le Georges on the 6th floor which proves fantastic views across Paris.<br /><br />The centre is open every day except for Tuesdays and on the 1st May. From 11am it opens through to 10pm, although on a Thursday it stayed open an hour longer for exhibitions on the 6th floor.<br /><br />The Musee d'Art Moderne is open from 11am to 9pm and has the same day closings as the Pompidou centre, whereas the BPI is open from midday to 10pm on weekdays and 11am until 10pm at weekends.<br /><br />The centre is also accessible for those with disabilities with the entrance for them being on Rue du Renard is needed to be used, instead of the main entrance the piazza on Place Georges Pompidou.<br /><br />Although there are also themed visits which are held here throughout the year in accordance to the different temporary exhibitions which are on display at the time as well as different workshops available.<br /><br />Additionally there are also documentaries and films about the artists available in the lounge of the Museum of Modern Art on the fourth floor.<br /><br />Also if you wish for an audio guide you can get one at the stand beside the bookshop in either <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5,-0.116666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=51.5,-0.116666666667%20(England)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="England">English</a>, French, German, Spanish or Italian.<br /><br />Access to the centre for all the exhibitions and museums is valid for a whole day as well as giving you access to the panoramic views of the 6th floor. And for under 18s the permanent exhibitions of them museum are free, as well as being free for everyone on the first Sunday of every month.<br /><br />There is also a panorama ticket you can buy if you are more interested in the view which can be seen, although for people under 18 it is free and those under the age of 26 who are a resident of the EU are also free, and only being €3 for those who do not fall into those categories make for a great way to see out over the rooftops of Paris and possible see some of the rel=nofollow [http://www.eutouring.com/tourist_attractions_in_paris.html]tourist attractions in Paris.<br /><br />So if you are visiting for a holiday in Paris the Pompidou Centre is a great place to visit with just one of the many museums in Paris and other tourist attractions in Paris for you to visit, great for any age. [http://www.eutouring.com]www.eutouring.com - Published by Kate Davis - European traveller and author of travel to guides to Paris holidays along with research for French monuments, tourist attractions, museums and much more by helping people to get the most out of a holiday in Paris.<br /><br />Article <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Open_Source" rel="wikinvest" title="Open Source">Source</a>: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Pompidou-Centre-and-the-Musee-DArt-Moderne-Museum-in-Paris&id=7781885] The Pompidou Centre and the Musee D'Art Moderne Museum in Paris<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-49621142356232593342013-12-23T07:15:00.000-06:002013-12-23T07:15:13.778-06:008 Unique London Venues<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30409117@N07/6424741497" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Clare College" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="160" src="http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7157/6424741497_d08a242758_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Clare College (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30409117@N07/6424741497">Paul Stainthorp</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Willis_building_skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The City of London skyline, including..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="159" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/Willis_building_skyline.jpg/300px-Willis_building_skyline.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: The City of London skyline, including the Willis Building and the Broadgate Tower. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Willis_building_skyline.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canary_Wharf_and_Gherkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: London - The Gherkin & Canary Wharf T..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Canary_Wharf_and_Gherkin.jpg/300px-Canary_Wharf_and_Gherkin.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: London - The Gherkin & Canary Wharf Taken from Tower 42 (formerly NatWest Tower) (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Canary_Wharf_and_Gherkin.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:30_St_Mary_Axe_from_Leadenhall_Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="30 St Mary Axe" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="450" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/30_St_Mary_Axe_from_Leadenhall_Street.jpg/300px-30_St_Mary_Axe_from_Leadenhall_Street.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">30 St Mary Axe (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:30_St_Mary_Axe_from_Leadenhall_Street.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Izzy_Evans">By []Izzy Evans</a> <br /><br />London, as <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5,-0.116666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=51.5,-0.116666666667%20(England)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="England">England</a>'s capital city, has so much heritage and culture on offer it is not surprising that it is home to some of the best conference and dining venues in the country. From the huge and grand to the small and cosy, there will be something on offer that suits you. However, London is also home to a wide selection of venues that cannot be found anywhere else, to venues that have historical significance, a unique-selling point or are just something fresh and different. Here are a selection of 10 unique venues for those looking for a more unusual venue or for those who simply like to peruse and imagine what kind of event they would hold.<br /><br />The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5257861111,-0.144969444444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=51.5257861111,-0.144969444444%20(Royal%20College%20of%20Physicians)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Royal College of Physicians">Royal College of Physicians</a><br /><br />The Royal College of Physicians is England's oldest medical foundation and is well known for its high standards of medical practice. However, a lesser known facet of the College is its conference and dining facilities. The building itself is in the modernist style but the rooms on offer vary in d�cor and style. The Censors' Room features a much more classic style with wood panelling while the Council Chamber is a modern circular hall with an impressive ceiling. The decoration is not the only draw, the College also has a collection of artefacts, portraits and manuscripts on display throughout the building making it a stand out venue. Events can also be held in the Medicinal Garden which is home to over 1,300 plants from the history of medicine.<br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5144444444,-0.0802777777778&spn=0.01,0.01&q=51.5144444444,-0.0802777777778%20(30%20St%20Mary%20Axe)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="30 St Mary Axe">30 St Mary Axe</a> - 'The Gherkin'<br /><br />30 St Mary Axe is a skyscraper in the financial district of London that has been nicknamed 'the Gherkin' by <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5072222222,-0.1275&spn=0.1,0.1&q=51.5072222222,-0.1275%20(London)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="London">Londoners</a> in a reference to the building's distinctive shape. The Gherkin is 180 metres tall, was opened in 2004 and has since won a number of awards for architecture. For those that want a spectacular view the Gherkin is the right choice. Searcys Restaurant and Bar covers the top floor of the building and offers fantastic 360 degree views of the London skyline. The venue is only available to members and tenants during the day but is available for hire in the evenings and at the weekends. <br /><br />The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roof_garden" rel="wikipedia" title="Roof garden">Roof Gardens</a>, Kensington<br /><br />The name of this venue is not just a misleading misnomer, the venue is actually comprised of a roof garden that covers 6,000 square metres on top of the former <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5012,-0.1921&spn=0.01,0.01&q=51.5012,-0.1921%20(Derry%20%26%20Toms)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Derry & Toms">Derry and Toms</a> building in Kensington. The gardens are <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building" rel="wikipedia" title="Listed building">Grade II listed</a> and are divided into three themed gardens; Spanish, Tudor and English Woodland. There are not just a vast variety of plants to see but the Gardens are home to fish and wildlife, including four resident flamingos. The Roof Gardens are open to the public but can be hired out for private events in the daytime or the evening all week excluding Saturdays which are only available during the day.<br /><br /> Ladur�e<br /><br />Ladur�e are a French patisserie company that specialise in making luxury cakes and pastries and are famous for their macarons. The Ladur�e premises in Covent Garden are designed to look like a vintage Parisian tea house and are available for private hire. This venue is the perfect choice for those with a sweet tooth and a love for pastels, but savoury items are also available.<br /><br />IceBar<br /><br />If you are looking for somewhere cool for your event, look no further than the ICEBAR. The very unique selling point of this venue is the fact that everything is made from Swedish <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=65.8333333333,24.15&spn=0.1,0.1&q=65.8333333333,24.15%20(Torne%20River)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Torne River">Torne River</a> ice. The bar is kept at -5 degrees Celsius and everything, from the glasses to the tables and the bar itself, are made from ice. Sessions in the ICEBAR last for forty minutes and each guest is given a designer cape and gloves. The venue is completely redesigned with a new theme every year. The venue also hires out heated, and less icy, dining rooms and lounges. <br /><br />The Folly<br /><br />The Folly is an aesthetically unique venue that brings a feeling of the outdoors to London. It describes itself as London's secret garden and has a six foot Norwegian tree trunk as a focal point. The Folly offers food and drinks but also has flower arranging classes in its flower shop and butchery classes in its deli. The Folly has a distinctive bar styled like a beehive and is decorated with a variety of plants and flowers.<br /><br />Tower of London<br /><br />For those looking for something different for their event or party the Tower of London may be the perfect choice. Although hundreds of years ago the Tower was a place that many people feared to go, now it is a historically fascinating and wholly unique venue. The Tower has six function rooms available for hire, these include the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/488" rel="unesco" title="Tower of London">Martin Tower</a> - home of the Crown Jewels - and the New Armouries. As well as having an exciting place setting for events, you can also choose to have a private viewing of the Crown Jewels or a <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeomen_Warders" rel="wikipedia" title="Yeomen Warders">Yeoman Warder</a> tour as an extra. <br /><br />The Cutty Sark<br /><br />The Cutty Sark is probably one of the most famous, and sole surviving, clipper ships in Britain. It was built in 1869 and was used in the tea trade. The ship was badly damaged by fire in 2007 and has only recently reopened to the public after a huge restoration project. The ship has been suspended from the ground, allowing visitors and guests to walk around the ship and get the full effect of its brass hull. The huge space around the ship can be hired out for events, but spaces on board the ship, the Tween Deck and the Master's Saloon, are also available for smaller parties and events.<br /><br />© Izzy Evans 2013<br /><br />If you are interested in finding a venue in London for an event then you can visit [http://www.rcpevents.co.uk/]RCP Events.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?8-Unique-London-Venues&id=7806705] 8 Unique London Venues<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-11223337596593149582013-12-23T07:09:00.002-06:002013-12-23T07:09:53.460-06:00The UK's Top 5 Tourist Destinations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Necropolis_016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Glasgow Necropolis; view of the city ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Glasgow_Necropolis_016.jpg/300px-Glasgow_Necropolis_016.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Glasgow Necropolis; view of the city beyond. Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Necropolis_016.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70121902@N00/273732872" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Downtown Edinburgh" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="286" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/113/273732872_25f5773de6_m.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Downtown Edinburgh (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70121902@N00/273732872">Extra Medium</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Necropolis_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Glasgow Necropolis; view of the city ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Glasgow_Necropolis_021.jpg/300px-Glasgow_Necropolis_021.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Glasgow Necropolis; view of the city beyond. Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Necropolis_021.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:City_of_London_skyline_from_London_City_Hall_-_Oct_2008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The City of London skyline as viewed ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="157" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/City_of_London_skyline_from_London_City_Hall_-_Oct_2008.jpg/300px-City_of_London_skyline_from_London_City_Hall_-_Oct_2008.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: The City of London skyline as viewed toward the north-west from the top floor viewing platform of London City Hall on the southern side of the Thames. In the foreground: Dixie Queen and Millennium Time at Tower Millennium Pier. This is a 5 segment panoramic image taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:City_of_London_skyline_from_London_City_Hall_-_Oct_2008.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Tolbooth_Steeple%2C_Glasgow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Glasgow Tolbooth Steeple, Trongate, G..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Glasgow_Tolbooth_Steeple%2C_Glasgow.jpg/300px-Glasgow_Tolbooth_Steeple%2C_Glasgow.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Glasgow Tolbooth Steeple, Trongate, Glasgow Cross, City of Glasgow, Scotland (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Glasgow_Tolbooth_Steeple%2C_Glasgow.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Linda_Hurren">By []Linda Hurren </a><br /><br />The UK is one of the most popular destinations for the world's <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" rel="wikipedia" title="Tourism">tourists</a> and within this small island are many great towns and cities that prove massively enriching for all those who travel here.<br /><br />We cover here the top five most popular cities with tourists and at number one there is no real surprise. <br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5,-0.116666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=51.5,-0.116666666667%20(England)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="England">England</a>'s capital city, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5072222222,-0.1275&spn=0.1,0.1&q=51.5072222222,-0.1275%20(London)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="London">London</a>, is the most visited by a great distance. It is in fact one of the world's most popular places with tourists, not least because of the huge and diverse mix of culture, history and entertainment on display. It is a world leader in the arts and has an abundance of different destinations. One cannot begin to list the various places as they are simply too vast. <br /><br />London offers tourists so much from markets to green parks, classical architecture, modern bars and clubs and so much more. Holding nearly 8 million people, the capital is a rich tapestry of different cultures and will appeal to all who travel there. It is a wealthy place, a friendly place and somewhere where there is always something new to explore and do.<br /><br />Number two in the list is the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.9530555556,-3.18888888889&spn=0.1,0.1&q=55.9530555556,-3.18888888889%20(Edinburgh)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Edinburgh">capital of Scotland</a>: Edinburgh. An ancient and fascinating city, Edinburgh is now truly cosmopolitan and encompasses everything a great city should have. From its beautiful castle to the world famous comedy festival, Edinburgh has an atmosphere all of its own. The people who live there are famously friendly and the street parties they hold are the stuff of legend. Being a university city, Edinburgh is always lively and buzzing with a toxic energy.<br /><br />Third most popular with tourists on the list is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=53.4666666667,-2.23333333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=53.4666666667,-2.23333333333%20(Manchester)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Manchester">Manchester</a>. Again, it classically juxtaposes the old with the contemporary and this makes it fascinating for any visitor. With stunning architecture, great shops, libraries and theatres, Manchester is a truly global city. Manchester has seen a great deal of restructuring since the mid 1990's and as such, is a place that feels current and exciting. Tourists are spoilt for choice, and given its far more compact size to London; it doesn't feel as overwhelming to the visitor.<br /><br />Often cited as Britain's second city, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=52.4830555556,-1.89361111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=52.4830555556,-1.89361111111%20(Birmingham)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Birmingham">Birmingham</a> is the fourth most popular tourist destination. It is a truly multi-ethnic city and boasts numerous world class arts centres and top of the range shopping facilities. Birmingham is rich with music and fun and appeals to all age groups.<br /><br />The fifth most popular city is <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.858,-4.259&spn=0.1,0.1&q=55.858,-4.259%20(Glasgow)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Glasgow">Glasgow, Scotland</a>'s largest. The former <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Capital_of_Culture" rel="wikipedia" title="European Capital of Culture">European Capital of Culture</a>, Glasgow is a place of awesome beauty, and contains so much to see and do. Noted for its music scene, clubs and comedy, Glasgow will always be a great place to visit. http://www.efaa.co.uk/ http://www.efaa.co.uk/locat.html<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-UKs-Top-5-Tourist-Destinations&id=7797071] The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.5,-0.116666666667&spn=10.0,10.0&q=51.5,-0.116666666667%20(United%20Kingdom)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="United Kingdom">UK's</a> <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_40" rel="wikipedia" title="Top 40">Top 5</a> Tourist Destinations<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-14390704658804876602013-12-22T10:53:00.001-06:002013-12-22T10:53:22.210-06:00Can a Holiday Improve Your Life? If the Destination is Florence Italy, You Bet!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_at_Night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Florenace, Italy at night, seen from ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="201" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/Florence_at_Night.JPG/300px-Florence_at_Night.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Florenace, Italy at night, seen from Michelangelo's Piazza. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_at_Night.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cosimo_Medici_Piazza_signoria_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="The equestrian statue to Cosimo I de' Medici, ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="232" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Cosimo_Medici_Piazza_signoria_Florence.jpg/300px-Cosimo_Medici_Piazza_signoria_Florence.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">The equestrian statue to Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, by Giambologna, Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cosimo_Medici_Piazza_signoria_Florence.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benvenuto_Cellini_Florence_Uffizi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Statue of Benvenuto Cellini, Piazzale degli Uf..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="514" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Benvenuto_Cellini_Florence_Uffizi.jpg/300px-Benvenuto_Cellini_Florence_Uffizi.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Statue of Benvenuto Cellini, Piazzale degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benvenuto_Cellini_Florence_Uffizi.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_-_David_by_Donatello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Donatello's genius made him an import..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="450" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Florence_-_David_by_Donatello.jpg/300px-Florence_-_David_by_Donatello.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Donatello's genius made him an important figure in the early Italian Renaissance period. His works include St John the Baptist as a Youth, his Marzocco (the Florentine heraldic lion) and his famous mature work of the bronze David. This is located in the Bargello Palace and Museum. Français : Sculpture de David en bronze, réalisée par Donatello entre 1430 et 1432. Elle est conservée au palais du Bargello de Florence. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence_-_David_by_Donatello.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Aitelli">By []Glenn Aitelli </a><br />
Florence <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a> is in the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.regione.toscana.it/" rel="homepage" title="Tuscany">Tuscany</a> region about midway between Milan to the north and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">Rome</a> to the South. Florence is much more than a tourist attraction. It has been Italy's center of art and politics dating back to the renaissance period and continues to make an important contribution to global culture.<br />
<br />
Florence Italy is our favorite European city to relax and enjoy the beauty of a special city. It is a city with a combination of qualities that allows you to do everything or nothing. You will have as much fun enjoying an espresso and people watching at a Trattoria in Piazza della Republicca as you would strolling through the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7703722222,11.25835&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7703722222,11.25835%20(Bargello)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Bargello">Bargello museum</a>!<br />
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Travelers can enjoy all of Tuscany while staying in one place. Florence is perfectly located to be your home base while traveling to multiple towns. You are just two short hours from Rome and 1 1/2 hours from beautiful Siena. With the large number of small towns near Florence, you could easily fill up a month vacation without ever going to the same place twice!<br />
<br />
The best time to visit Florence:<br />
<br />
*Spring or Fall which are called the "shoulder" seasons. April and May and October and November will not only give you great weather but will also be easier on your wallet.<br />
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*The weather in the Summer months is extremely hot and the lines for all the attractions are gigantic. <br />
<br />
*Try to avoid traveling to Florence in August, most Italians take their vacations in August and who wants to go to Italy to be surrounded by Americans?<br />
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Walking in Florence Italy enables you to see the city on a more personal level and it's also a good way to work off the excellent Florentine food! Walking through the lesser known and spooky areas of the city may be enough to make your hair stand on its end. How brave are you? Walk daily though the narrow, cobble-stoned streets lined with palaces and churches built by the architectural geniuses of the Middle ages and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance" rel="wikipedia" title="Renaissance">Renaissance</a>. View sculptures adorning outdoor walls and standing in the loggias of the grand piazzas.<br />
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Florence Italy is unique in that even small alleyways and courtyards are like museums with statues and frescos. Sometimes the best thing to do is put down the guide book for a day and just start walking. Just when you realize you're lost, you will discover some new piazza or neighborhood that you would never have found in a tour guide. I always ask locals where they go to eat or where they go to hear music to see how the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7833333333,11.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.7833333333,11.25%20(Florence)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Florence">Florentines</a> live<br />
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Soggiorno Battistero is a charming <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel" rel="wikipedia" title="Hotel">Hotel</a> in the heart of Florence, directly across from the Baptistery and Duomo. The hotel has simple, comfortable and large rooms at a price that even your accountant would approve of. You will get breakfast daily with the price of your room and the staff is very helpful and can assist you with restaurant reservations and advice on things to see. Hotels just next door are three times the price and don't offer the view or service that Soggiorno Battistero does. Florence is one of the greatest cities in the world and you will fall in love and long to come back again and again! http://www.Travel-To-Florence.com is owned and operated by Glenn and Jeanne Aitelli. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe but our passion is Italy. Both of us are graduates of the International Tour Management Institute in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=37.7833333333,-122.416666667&spn=0.1,0.1&q=37.7833333333,-122.416666667%20(San%20Francisco)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="San Francisco">San Francisco</a> and we are both certified Tour Directors. It is our hope that this site will not only help you plan your trip but enhance it.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-a-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" rel="wikipedia" title="Tourism">Holiday</a>-Improve-Your-Life?-If-the-Destination-is-Florence-Italy,-You-Bet!&id=2675916] Can a Holiday Improve Your Life? If the Destination is Florence Italy, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Bet%21" rel="wikipedia" title="You Bet!">You Bet!</a><br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-72233193020967994142013-12-22T10:53:00.000-06:002013-12-22T10:53:05.975-06:00Romantic Rome Vacations<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trevinight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Panorama of the Trevi fountain at night." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="190" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Trevinight.jpg/300px-Trevinight.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Panorama of the Trevi fountain at night. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Trevinight.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rzym_Fontanna_Czterech_Rzek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="The "Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi" (Fou..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="445" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Rzym_Fontanna_Czterech_Rzek.jpg/300px-Rzym_Fontanna_Czterech_Rzek.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">The "Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi" (Fountain of the four rivers) by Gianlorenzo Bernini in piazza Navona in Rome, Italy, topped by the "obelisk of Domitian". Picture by Radomil 28.09.2004. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rzym_Fontanna_Czterech_Rzek.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseu..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="176" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg/300px-Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: A 4x4 segment panorama of the Coliseum at dusk. Taken by myself with a Canon 5D and 50mm f/1.8 lens at f/5.6 (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Colosseum_in_Rome%2C_Italy_-_April_2007.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spagna_Spanische_Treppe_Rom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Spagna, Spanish Steps, Spanische Treppe in Rom" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="447" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Spagna_Spanische_Treppe_Rom.jpg/300px-Spagna_Spanische_Treppe_Rom.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Spagna, Spanish Steps, Spanische Treppe in Rom (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Spagna_Spanische_Treppe_Rom.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30801973@N04/5709610999" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Rome" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="151" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2327/5709610999_ccf0504e76_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Rome (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30801973@N04/5709610999">tejvanphotos</a>)</td></tr>
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<br /><a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Asma_Rofik">By []Asma Rofik </a><br /><br /><a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.5&spn=0.1,0.1&q=41.9,12.5%20(Rome)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rome">Rome</a> - the undying town! splendid, celebrated, significant, idealistic! Discuss a Rome vacation and romance strikes you immediately. To be on an Italian holiday and not to take a vacation in Rome is actually, seeing <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a> without its heart. It is not easy to describe Rome in words - it is simply overwhelming has architectural wonders are obvious in the haughty Vatican, the huge Coliseum, the enduring Roman Forum, majestic shrines, Renaissance palaces and decorative and elaborate churches, and its ancient bell towers. Not astonishingly, our Rome vacation packages make certain that you get to walk around all the magnificent delights this mysterious and treasured city provides - the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8988888889,12.4730555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.8988888889,12.4730555556%20(Piazza%20Navona)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Piazza Navona">Piazza Navona</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.8859,12.4857&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.8859,12.4857%20(Circus%20Maximus)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Circus Maximus">Circus Maximus</a>, the Pantheon, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.900875,12.4831666667&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.900875,12.4831666667%20(Trevi%20Fountain)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Trevi Fountain">Trevi Fountain</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.90599,12.483183&spn=0.01,0.01&q=41.90599,12.483183%20(Spanish%20Steps)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Spanish Steps">Spanish Steps</a>. Consequently, for a Rome holiday, there are a large number of packages, each tailored for utmost satisfaction and pleasure.<br /> <br /> Perfect Packages<br /> One package that is Rome Special package lets you exist every second of la dolce vita in the undying City. Take pleasure in Christmas and the New Year Italian-style with the Rome Christmas Special or Rome New Year's Special vacation tours. If you are hunting for economical vacation, there are just the kinds of Rome holiday packages you desire for. Go for the Rome break in your journey, Rome Escape, Express Rome, or Rome Getaway -- actually great vacations and hard to resist prices!<br /> <br /> Rome combo vacations<br /> One can even unite a Rome vacation with other great <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_in_Italy" rel="wikipedia" title="List of cities in Italy">Italian cities</a> such as Milan, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394" rel="unesco" title="Venice and its Lagoon">Venice</a> and Florence. There is a selection of Italian vacation packages where you can mingle two or three great Roman towns together. You can go for Rome & Florence or Rome & Venice or Florence & Venice tour. You are improbable to find enhanced value for money than these inexpensive vacation packages!<br /><br /> To get pleasure from Venice in its right fortitude, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.4130555556,12.2972222222&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.4130555556,12.2972222222%20(Venetian%20Lagoon)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Venetian Lagoon">Venetian Lagoon</a> Cruise where you discover Venice and its adjoining islands in an exhilarating and reinvigorating six nights cruise that gives you lifelong memories.<br /> <br /> Historic Capitals<br /> If you keen to see two of the most talked-about capitals of Europe in one vacation package, we let you get an excellent combo tour of the Historic Capitals - Rome, London, and Paris jointly by Eurostar and rail.<br /> The holiday Packages have also been planned and tailored for the convenience of the travelers. Italy vacation packages help you discover the country at your own speed.<br /><br />Author is an associate editor for [http://www.makemytrip.com/holiday-packages/]Holiday Packages. Get all possible information about [http://www.makemytrip.com/holidays-international/tour-rome-all_packages.html]Rome travel Packages and Holiday Pakcages India.We also provide nformation about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Romantic-Rome-<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" rel="wikipedia" title="Tourism">Vacations</a>&id=3999733] Romantic Rome Vacations<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-55418397182450552252013-12-22T10:49:00.000-06:002013-12-22T10:50:03.453-06:00Travel Guide of Modena, Italy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%27Nativity_with_the_Two_Midwives%27%2C_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Pellegrino_Aretusi%2C_Estense_Gallery%2C_Modena%2C_Italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="'Nativity with the Two Midwives', oil on canva..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="527" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6f/%27Nativity_with_the_Two_Midwives%27%2C_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Pellegrino_Aretusi%2C_Estense_Gallery%2C_Modena%2C_Italy.jpg/300px-%27Nativity_with_the_Two_Midwives%27%2C_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Pellegrino_Aretusi%2C_Estense_Gallery%2C_Modena%2C_Italy.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">'Nativity with the Two Midwives', oil on canvas painting by Pellegrino Aretusi, Galleria Estense, Modena, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:%27Nativity_with_the_Two_Midwives%27%2C_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Pellegrino_Aretusi%2C_Estense_Gallery%2C_Modena%2C_Italy.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luciano_Pavarotti_15.06.02_cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Luciano Pavarotti in Vélodrome Stadiu..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Luciano_Pavarotti_15.06.02_cropped.jpg" style="border: medium none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="311" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 205px;">English: Luciano Pavarotti in Vélodrome Stadium, 15/06/02. Cropped version. Français : Luciano Pavarotti au Stade Vélodrome de Marseille, France, le 15 juin 2002. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Luciano_Pavarotti_15.06.02_cropped.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parmigiano_reggiano_factory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="A factory of Parmigiano-Reggiano. There are tw..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="226" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Parmigiano_reggiano_factory.jpg/300px-Parmigiano_reggiano_factory.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">A factory of Parmigiano-Reggiano. There are two storerooms, both with 20 of these shelves. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parmigiano_reggiano_factory.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84071414@N00/189302206" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Modena" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/69/189302206_c3c416e2f2_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="180" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Modena (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/84071414@N00/189302206">Axel V</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parmigiano_reggiano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Parmigiano Reggiano festival, Modena,..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="226" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Parmigiano_reggiano.jpg/300px-Parmigiano_reggiano.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Parmigiano Reggiano festival, Modena, Italy. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parmigiano_reggiano.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinegar_and_cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Balsamic vinegar drizzled over chunks..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Vinegar_and_cheese.jpg/300px-Vinegar_and_cheese.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Balsamic vinegar drizzled over chunks of parmesan cheese, Modena, Italy. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinegar_and_cheese.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Asma_Rofik">By []Asma Rofik </a><br />
<br />
Famous across the world for such representations as Enzo, Ferrari and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.lucianopavarotti.com/" rel="homepage" title="Luciano Pavarotti">Luciano Pavarotti</a>, and gastronomical foodstuffs such as tortellini, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambrusco" rel="wikipedia" title="Lambrusco">Lambrusco</a> wine, and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balsamic_vinegar" rel="wikipedia" title="Balsamic vinegar">balsamic vinegar</a>, Modena is today one of the most affluent and highly developed town in the continent of Europe.<br />
<br />
To be found in the middle of the Po valley, in one of the mainly urbanized region in the entire continent, all along the most important routes of the trading passage between Northern Europe and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=35.0,18.0&spn=0.1,0.1&q=35.0,18.0%20(Mediterranean%20Sea)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Mediterranean Sea">Mediterranean Sea</a>, Modena is to be found at the intersection flanked between the Brenner motorway and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autostrada_A1_%28Italy%29" rel="wikipedia" title="Autostrada A1 (Italy)">Autostrada del Sole</a>, just a few miles from the significant railway and airport junction in Bologna.<br />
<br />
Modena is very famous for its creative and enlightening treasures such as the church, the Palace of Museums, the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.6484,10.9294&spn=1.0,1.0&q=44.6484,10.9294%20(Ducal%20Palace%20of%20Modena)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Ducal Palace of Modena">Ducal Palace</a>, and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.museimodenesi.it/musei/pag13.aspx" rel="homepage" title="Galleria Estense">Este Gallery</a>. You can in addition find theaters, amusements, concerts, traditional markets and exhibitions, take pleasure in the classic and well-known local food, and have a high regard for the astonishing and unusual racing cars.<br />
<br />
Modena's past town center, with its shopping arcades, cathedral, and palaces, presents desirability for travelers and lovers of Italian art in a similar way. Its restaurants have exceptional menus with distinctive Modena dishes, and its shops provide the most excellent of Italian and foreign products.<br />
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At the present moment, Modena is set apart by a very imperative focus on auto industry like Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, etc. and earthenware industry with approximately 348 factories, as well as world renowned foodstuffs of culinary art like balsamic vinegar, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parmigiano-Reggiano" rel="wikipedia" title="Parmigiano-Reggiano">Parmigiano-Reggiano</a>, and Lambrusco, and culture Opera and Este Gallery, Prosaic Theater and Library.<br />
<br />
Planning your exceptional Honeymoon in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.9,12.4833333333&spn=10.0,10.0&q=41.9,12.4833333333%20(Italy)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Italy">Italy</a> 2010<br />
Italy is the dream place for lovers. Ideal for honeymoons and to celebrate an anniversary, you will certainly spend in Italy one of the most passionate and loving holidays in your life.<br />
<br />
With the beginning of new life together and the couple require to celebrate it in the most perfect and ideal way. Trips to Italy want you to feel extraordinary throughout the trip,the tour that would remember the rest of your life. The people over there greet you with lot of warmth and generosity and your loved one deserve as the sites online assist you in planning an wonderful and incredible travelling experience in Italy and you will be pleased to visit an exclusive and etched in your mind Italian Honeymoon.<br />
<br />
Author is an associate editor for [http://www.makemytrip.com/holiday-packages/]Holiday Packages. Get all possible information about Italy Tour Packages and [http://www.makemytrip.com/holiday-packages/]Holiday Packages India. We also provide information about online hotel reservation, Holiday Packages in India and Flights Booking in India.<br />
<br />
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Travel-Guide-of-Modena,-Italy&id=3999917] Travel Guide of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=44.65,10.9333333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=44.65,10.9333333333%20(Modena)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Modena">Modena, Italy</a><br />
Florence
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-61359033104415267412013-12-09T08:06:00.001-06:002013-12-09T08:06:51.655-06:00Florence, Italy- Historic, Romantic and Timeless<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Firenze.Arno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Banks of the Arno, seen from the Ponte Vecchio..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Firenze.Arno.jpg/300px-Firenze.Arno.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Banks of the Arno, seen from the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), Florence (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Firenze.Arno.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piazza_Santa_Croce_top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Santa Croce" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="212" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Piazza_Santa_Croce_top.JPG/300px-Piazza_Santa_Croce_top.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Santa Croce (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Piazza_Santa_Croce_top.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maisons_Arno_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Typical houses by the river of the Arno, Flore..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="199" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Maisons_Arno_Florence.jpg/300px-Maisons_Arno_Florence.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Typical houses by the river of the Arno, Florence, Italy (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Maisons_Arno_Florence.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gianoboboliporcelaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Garden Folly in the Boboli Gardens, Florence. ..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="186" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Gianoboboliporcelaine.jpg/300px-Gianoboboliporcelaine.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Garden Folly in the Boboli Gardens, Florence. Now the Pitti Palace porcelaine Museum. Photographed by Giano who releases all rights into the public domain (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gianoboboliporcelaine.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FlorenceCoA.svg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Coat of Arms of Florence, Italy, trac..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="391" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/FlorenceCoA.svg/300px-FlorenceCoA.svg.png" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Coat of Arms of Florence, Italy, traced off of File:Firenze-Stemma.png (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FlorenceCoA.svg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: View of Florence from Piazzale Michel..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="116" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/31/View_of_Florence.jpg/300px-View_of_Florence.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo: Arno River, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria del Fiore, Ponte Vecchio. (Photo credit: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View_of_Florence.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><br />By []Glenn Aitelli </a><br />If you haven't been to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7833333333,11.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.7833333333,11.25%20(Florence)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Florence">Florence, Italy</a>, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful masterpieces in the world, quite literally. Florence was home to many famous artists like <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo" rel="wikipedia" title="Michelangelo">Michelangelo</a> and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_da_Vinci" rel="wikipedia" title="Leonardo da Vinci">Leonardo Da Vinci</a> and contains some of the world's most beautifully designed buildings and landmarks.<br /><br />The panoramic views from <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.76254,11.248198&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.76254,11.248198%20(Boboli%20Gardens)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Boboli Gardens">Boboli Gardens</a> or <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7629166667,11.2651555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7629166667,11.2651555556%20(Piazzale%20Michelangelo)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Piazzale Michelangelo">Piazzale Michelangelo</a> offer breathtaking views of the city of Florence and the mountainous surrounding landscape. Piazzale Michelangelo is a tribute to Florence's favorite son and has a copy of the David in the center of the Piazza. You can take a picnic lunch and enjoy the serene beauty of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.6833333333,10.2833333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.6833333333,10.2833333333%20(Arno)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Arno">River Arno</a> and the four bridges that cross it.<br /><br />Tuscany is famous for its wonderful wines and cuisine. The restaurants, markets and bars of Florence will showcase all that is unique to this area in a delicious smorgasbord of flavors, aromas and complexity.<br /><br />Florence is also known for Cathedrals, Basilicas and Museums, which house some of the most famous works of the Renaissance period and everything through modern day. <br /><br />Michelangelo's tomb is in Santa Croce basilica, the Medici Chapel houses the Medici royal family tombs and many of the other cathedrals also hold the tombs of some of the most famous Florentine artists and royalty. The Duomo and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.772895,11.255235&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.772895,11.255235%20(Giotto%27s%20Campanile)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Giotto's Campanile">Giotto Bell Tower</a> are famous landmarks of Florence that you can see from almost anywhere in town.<br /><br />You can climb to the top of the Giotto Bell tower and stare straight across at the red dome of the Duomo, another famous landmark. You must visit the Piazzas, which host some fun events such as the Chocolatiers Fair or the Calcio Storico which is a wild, almost modern day gladiatorial contest between two teams combining rugby, soccer and wrestling. It is held annually at the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.76885,11.2614805556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.76885,11.2614805556%20(Piazza%20Santa%20Croce)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Piazza Santa Croce">Piazza Santa Croce</a> between June 24-28. Also located in Piazza Santa Croce are leather shops that offer fine authentic Italian leather goods.<br /><br />You can tour the Accademia, The Uffizi, and Bargello or some of the palaces that also house museums such as the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei/palazzopitti/" rel="homepage" title="Palazzo Pitti">Pitti Palace</a>, which has several different galleries.<br /><br />The Boboli Gardens which were originally built for royalty, have fascinating fountains and statuary, along with Grottos and an amphitheatre. You can stroll the trails that wind along the bluffs of the River Arno and get away from the crowds.<br /><br />Many people visit multiple historic landmarks in a day but you will get much more out of your trip if you take your time and do just one per day. The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a historic landmark that is lined with shops, and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7682027778,11.2540472222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7682027778,11.2540472222%20(Vasari%20Corridor)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Vasari Corridor">Vasari corridor</a> goes across the River Arno on the upper level of the bridge. The bridge connects the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens to the town center of Florence.<br /><br />You will be able to feel the greatness of its past citizens as you marvel at the detail of the original sculptures that are everywhere you go. Besides containing some of the world's most treasured works of art and architecture, Florence is truly a magical place that stands the test of time with its ambiance and beauty. http://www.Travel-To-Florence.com is owned and operated by Glenn and Jeanne Aitelli. We have traveled extensively throughout Europe but our passion is Italy. Both of us are graduates of the International Tour Management Institute in San Francisco and we are both certified Tour Directors. It is our hope that our site will not only help you plan your trip but enhance it.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Florence,-Italy--Historic,-Romantic-and-Timeless&id=1989294] Florence, Italy- Historic, Romantic and Timeless<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-77351983085595268632013-12-09T08:01:00.000-06:002013-12-09T08:01:54.417-06:00<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40435684@N00/6235938545" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="156" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6104/6235938545_77602136f5_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center;">Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40435684@N00/6235938545">jivedanson</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rialto_Bridge_Grand_Canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: The Rialto Bridge over Venice's Grand..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="214" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/Rialto_Bridge_Grand_Canal.jpg/300px-Rialto_Bridge_Grand_Canal.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: The Rialto Bridge over Venice's Grand Canal. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rialto_Bridge_Grand_Canal.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_of_the_Doges_Palace_in_Venice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="This is a photograph of the Doge's Palace in V..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="214" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Photograph_of_of_the_Doges_Palace_in_Venice.jpg/300px-Photograph_of_of_the_Doges_Palace_in_Venice.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">This is a photograph of the Doge's Palace in Venice. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Photograph_of_of_the_Doges_Palace_in_Venice.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_-_Doge_Palace_Entrance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Entrance of Doge's Palace in Venice" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="192" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Venice_-_Doge_Palace_Entrance.jpg/300px-Venice_-_Doge_Palace_Entrance.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Entrance of Doge's Palace in Venice (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Venice_-_Doge_Palace_Entrance.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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5 Things You Must Do in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394" rel="unesco" title="Venice and its Lagoon">Venice</a><br />
<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Marie_Ryan">By []Marie Ryan </a><br />
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How to Get Around <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.6641666667,-73.9386111111&spn=0.1,0.1&q=40.6641666667,-73.9386111111%20(New%20York%20City)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="New York City">the City</a><br />
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The city of Venice is a pedestrian city made up of canals and bridges. The best way to travel along the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.4366666667,12.3330555556&spn=0.1,0.1&q=45.4366666667,12.3330555556%20(Grand%20Canal%20%28Venice%29)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Grand Canal (Venice)">Grand Canal</a> in Venice is by 'vaporetto' (water-bus) to the nearest pier and then on foot to your destination. There are no cars or buses in Venice. All transport is by water, in 'vaporettos' (public <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_taxi" rel="wikipedia" title="Water taxi">water-buses</a>), 'traghettos' (small boats for crossing the Grand Canal), 'g�endolas' (traditional Venetian long-boats) or water-taxi for private hire.<br />
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1. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.434,12.338&spn=1.0,1.0&q=45.434,12.338%20(Piazza%20San%20Marco)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Piazza San Marco">Saint Mark's Square</a><br />
Wander around the magnificent Saint Mark's Square and people watch. You can listen in to the chamber music being performed at the stylish caf�s on the square. The three different caf�s all have a chamber orchestra, but to avoid a cacophony of music, as would occur if they all played together, they each 'take turn' and respectfully wait until each is instrumental is finished.<br />
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2. Saint Mark's Basilica<br />
If you don't mind joining the queue of hundreds of other tourists, you can enter the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.4345,12.3396&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.4345,12.3396%20(St%20Mark%27s%20Basilica)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="St Mark's Basilica">Basilica di San Marco</a> at no charge. The exterior has beautiful frescoes above the main doorway and the interior is, naturally, packed with artwork, paintings, and colourful murals. If you are feeling energetic, you can ascend to the roof terrace and contemplate the Square from above. There is also a very informative museum/gallery where you can delve more into the history of the basilica.<br />
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3. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.4339,12.34&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.4339,12.34%20(Doge%27s%20Palace%2C%20Venice)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Doge's Palace, Venice">Doge's Palace</a> and Bridge of Sighs<br />
The Doge's Palace is a vestige of medieval Venice and was for centuries the seat of power of Venice, during its 'Golden Age', when Venice was a hub for the silk, and spice trade from the East and a formidable political and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.break.com/c/military-videos/" rel="break" title="Military">military force</a> in the area. The Bridge of Sighs was the bridge which prisoners would cross on their way from the courts at the Doge's palace, after sentence had been passed, to the dungeons of Venice.<br />
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4. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=45.438037,12.335895&spn=0.01,0.01&q=45.438037,12.335895%20(Rialto%20Bridge)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Rialto Bridge">Rialto Bridge</a><br />
The Rialto Bridge is one of four bridges crossing the canal and is one of the top tourist attractions in Venice. It is unusual in that it has two lines of shops on the bridge itself, in continuation of the Rialto Market nearby. Thousands of tourists flock there daily to view Venice from the steps of the bridge and to feel the excitement of being in one of the most beautiful cities of the world.<br />
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5. Relax with Vivaldi <br />
<a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.last.fm/music/Antonio%2BVivaldi" rel="lastfm" title="Antonio Vivaldi">Antonio Vivaldi</a> was born in 1678 in Venice and as a tribute to him there are many performances of Vivaldi's music being held daily in the city. "The Four Seasons" concert is one of the most popular pieces offered but other works by Vivaldi and other composers such as Mozart are also popular.<br />
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Find out more about Venice and read about a four-day trip I made to this beautiful place. Then start planning your own holiday to Venice! Visit me on Hubpages at: http://hub.me/afynj<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Things-You-Must-Do-in-Venice&id=7825407] 5 Things You Must Do in Venice<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-51369885555080919832013-12-05T05:56:00.000-06:002013-12-05T05:57:49.947-06:00The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy - A Tourist Study of the Masters<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="A statue of Leonardo outside the Uffizi Galler..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="473" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Leonardo_da_Vinci01.jpg/300px-Leonardo_da_Vinci01.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">A statue of Leonardo outside the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, based upon contemporary descriptions. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_da_Vinci01.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Cardinal_Leopoldo_de_Medici.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Portrait of Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici (1617..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="382" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Portrait_of_Cardinal_Leopoldo_de_Medici.jpg/300px-Portrait_of_Cardinal_Leopoldo_de_Medici.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Portrait of Cardinal Leopoldo de' Medici (1617-1675) (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_of_Cardinal_Leopoldo_de_Medici.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cardinal_Giovanni_de%27_Medici.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Detail of: Portrait of Pope Leo X and his cous..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="417" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Cardinal_Giovanni_de%27_Medici.jpg/300px-Cardinal_Giovanni_de%27_Medici.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Detail of: Portrait of Pope Leo X and his cousins, cardinals Giulio de' Medici and Luigi de' Rossi. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cardinal_Giovanni_de%27_Medici.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pietro_de%27_Medici.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Pietro de' Medici. Uffizi Gallery, Florence. D..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="383" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Pietro_de%27_Medici.jpg/300px-Pietro_de%27_Medici.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Pietro de' Medici. Uffizi Gallery, Florence. Don Pietro de' Medici (1554–1604) was a son of Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and Eleonora di Toledo. He married Eleonora di Garzia di Toledo, whom he strangled in 1576 for adultery. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pietro_de%27_Medici.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinci_self_portrait_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Statue of Leonardo da Vinci ...by himself ? In..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="757" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Vinci_self_portrait_Florence.jpg/300px-Vinci_self_portrait_Florence.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Statue of Leonardo da Vinci ...by himself ? In front of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vinci_self_portrait_Florence.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Uffizi_Gallery%2C_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Uffizi Gallery, Florence" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Uffizi_Gallery%2C_Florence.jpg/300px-Uffizi_Gallery%2C_Florence.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Uffizi Gallery, Florence (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Uffizi_Gallery%2C_Florence.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/99785739@N00/42877218" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Florence" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="160" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/24/42877218_3eb71f6bb3_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 240px;">Florence (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/99785739@N00/42877218">ChrisYunker</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Titelius">By []Jeff Titelius </a><br />
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Care to journey back to the 13th century to study the master artists of Florence in one of the most famous art collections in the world? How would you like to get up close and personal with Giotto, Raphael, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo" rel="wikipedia" title="Michelangelo">Michelangelo</a>, Bernini, Caravaggio and the Medici? What about traveling through time from the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_art" rel="wikipedia" title="Gothic art">Gothic era</a>, to the Renaissance, to the High Renaissance and finally to the Baroque? Well, read on to see how we spent our first day in the Renaissance City of Florence! And if Florence is in your travel plans, be sure to read this article for it not only provides a lesson in art history, it features helpful planning tips to help make the most of every vacation moment. <br />
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We started out the first day in Florence at the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.768639,11.255214&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.768639,11.255214%20(Uffizi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Uffizi">Uffizi Gallery</a> at 8:30am, the time of our reservation. What do I mean by reservation? After reading this, you will understand fully. When we arrived at the Uffizi courtyard, the center of a giant "U" which is surrounded by the three wings of the museum, we found the entrance line stretching from Entrance #1 on one side of the street, winding down toward the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.6833333333,10.2833333333&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.6833333333,10.2833333333%20(Arno)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Arno">Arno River</a> and then back up the other side of the street to Entrance #3 where you actually enter the museum to begin your tour. If you don't have a reservation in hand or are not part of a group, this line will eat up 2-3 hours of your day. This is precisely why we had ours. And to help you, I will explain how to get your reservations later. Needless to say, we bypassed the line and arrived at Entrance #3 where we picked up our actual tickets and proceeded to the museum entrance. We were inside in less than five minutes. <br />
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Before we begin our journey through the museum, let me share a short history lesson on the Uffizi Gallery. Established by the Medici in 1581, this world famous museum was originally commissioned by Cosimo I in 1560, the patriarch of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Medici" rel="wikipedia" title="House of Medici">Medici family</a>, and designed by Georgio Vasari, a very well known artist of the day and one of Cosimo's favorites. The edifice was intended to serve as offices or uffizis for the high-ranking magistrates of Florence. Over time, the Medici amassed a large collection of artwork; either purchased or commissioned, and stored them here, some in especially elaborate rooms such as the Tribuna, the red walled octagonal shaped room that houses some of the Medici's most prized collections. When the Medici fell out of power, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.774991,11.253659&spn=1.0,1.0&q=43.774991,11.253659%20(Anna%20Maria%20Luisa%20de%27%20Medici)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici">Anna Maria Luisa</a>, the last Medici heiress, established the museum through a family pact that stated all of her possessions were never to leave Florence and then opened up the museum to the public in 1765. The rest, as they say, is history. <br />
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We began our journey a little winded after ascending three very long staircases to the top landing where you are greeted by the "family", busts of the prominent members of the Medici Family. And there is very good reason because as you tour the museum, you begin to understand just how influential this family was throughout their "reign" of Florence, so to speak, and the legacy they left behind. <br />
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After surrendering your ticket, you begin in the 13th century Gothic art rooms. Like the Vatican, the Uffizi too has quite a collection of this fascinating two-dimensional artistic style of painting that features prolific amounts of gold throughout the works. Lacking in most of the art of this time was perspective, an idea born of a Renaissance man some 300 years later -- Brunelleschi in the 15th century and demonstrated later by Masaccio in his Holy Trinity, a fresco on the inside western wall of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7746,11.2493&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7746,11.2493%20(Basilica%20of%20Santa%20Maria%20Novella)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Basilica of Santa Maria Novella">Santa Maria Novella</a>. <br />
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From here, the rooms travel through the centuries and you will discover Botticelli's "Primavera" and "Birth of Venus." Strikingly beautiful, the "Birth of Venus" is rich in color and tells the story of Venus who arrives on the first day of creation, floating in a shell with the winds, Zephyr and Aura blowing her ashore. To her right, is one of the Three Graces, who is ready to offer her capes to provide her cover in her modest state. <br />
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As you continue your journey, you will come upon Michelangelo's "Doni Tondo", a painting of the Holy Family completed in the early 16th century and during the transitional phase from the "Renaissance" period to that of "Mannerism", around 1520. Giotto, Lippi, Carravagio, Raphael (Self Portrait), Leonardo (the unfinished Adoration of the Magi, Annunciation), Titian (Venus d'Urbino) Piero Della Francesca (Duke of Urbino), Parmigianino (The Madonna of the Long Neck) and countless others are all here and you'll discover them too throughout your tour. There are also rooms of Italian sculptures where you'll find Bernini's statue of The Martyred St. Lawrence. And you'll happen upon the Tribuna Room that I mentioned before, an octagonal shaped room with vivid red walls that houses the Medici's most treasured and valuable pieces. With so much to explore, the museum offers hours of contemplation for those who appreciate the fine artistry on display here. <br />
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As you weave in and out of all of the connecting rooms, be sure to notice the ceilings in the outer hallways. What are known in the artistic world as "grotesques", not because of the subject matter but of the origin of the art form itself, are frescos painted in the 16th and 17th centuries. This style of painting derives its name from where they were first discovered, on the ceilings of grottos, hence "grotesques". <br />
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At last, we have almost completed our tour and here we are in the 18th Century. But, before we leave the centuries behind, there is one fascinating element of this museum that I want to share with you, a spectacular walkway known as the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7682027778,11.2540472222&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.7682027778,11.2540472222%20(Vasari%20Corridor)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Vasari Corridor">Vasari Corridor</a>, which was designed by the artist in 1565 as a wedding present to Francesco I de Medici and Joan of Austria. This "secret passageway" stretches from the Uffizi Gallery, down along the Arno River, across via the Ponte Vecchio, and finally adjoins the Pitti Palace and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.76254,11.248198&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.76254,11.248198%20(Boboli%20Gardens)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Boboli Gardens">Boboli Gardens</a> in Oltrarno (other side of Arno). It was reserved exclusively for the Medici who traveled this kilometer long passageway by pulling themselves by hand along its entire length. Dismaying as it may be, this clandestine corridor is not open to general public. However, if your one of the lucky ones who may traverse its path as part of a special group or school tour, you're in for a real treat. <br />
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Now that we are at the end of our first tour in Florence, allow me to impart a few essential planning tips. Before you leave, investigate the places you plan to visit via online and printed resources. Also, check out the many tour websites that feature group and private tours of the city, the churches, the museums and other popular sights. Although a few hours in length, these tours are a great introduction for the first time visitor. <br />
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We booked our tour, almost a full day, through rel=nofollow [http://www.tours-italy.com/florence-city_tours-day_tour_florence.htm#/]Avventure Bellissime. One of their most popular, this tour features a guided city walk in the morning to learn about the architecture, the historical sights, the Medici, Dante and the role that Florence played in one of the most influential and reawakening periods in history, the Renaissance! Following the morning walk, there is a guided tour of the Accademia Museum to see Michelangelo's David. And, later in the afternoon, a tour of the Uffizi Gallery. I strongly recommend this tour and it's well worth the price because not only do you get a great introduction to the city and learn the significance of the architecture, the popular sights, etc, you don't have to worry about the price of museums nor the strongly recommended advanced reservations. If a whole day tour doesn't appeal to you, then book a scaled down tour of just one museum. The site offers a variety so explore! <br />
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If touring doesn't appeal to you, I strongly urge you to make reservations for the museums at the very least. You can do this online or by calling the museums and although a nominal fee is charged, it's well worth it! And be sure to rent an audio guide so you don't miss a thing. I do have one last tip to share but be sure you don't tell anyone! Ask your hotel to make the reservations for you. Since you are a paying customer, you will find they are most amenable. Our friend at the hotel we stayed in Florence was only too happy to oblige when we asked her to book the Uffizi and Academia. Finally, leave your cameras in your rooms because no pictures allowed. However, if you want to see photos of the museum and of the famous paintings mentioned, visit my travel blog at the address below. Arrivederci!<br />
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For more exciting stories, pictures and planning advice for touring the sites, sounds and tastes in Italy and France, be sure to visit [http://theeurotraveler.com] often!<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Uffizi-Gallery-in-Florence,-Italy---A-Tourist-Study-of-the-Masters&id=1895557] The Uffizi Gallery in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7833333333,11.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.7833333333,11.25%20(Florence)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Florence">Florence, Italy</a> - A Tourist Study of the Masters<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-64633136498200238482013-12-05T05:51:00.001-06:002013-12-05T05:51:19.185-06:00The Most Mysteriouse Place In Italy - Pitti Palace<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7669837@N08/442194367" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Palazzo Pitti@Firenze" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/442194367_f476befeb0_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="160" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 160px;">Palazzo Pitti@Firenze (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/7669837@N08/442194367">shok</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View-of-Florence-from-the-Pitti-Palace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="English: Florence, viewed from the Pitti Palac..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="283" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/View-of-Florence-from-the-Pitti-Palace.JPG/300px-View-of-Florence-from-the-Pitti-Palace.JPG" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">English: Florence, viewed from the Pitti Palace. Norsk (nynorsk): Firenze sett frå Palazzo Pitti. (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:View-of-Florence-from-the-Pitti-Palace.JPG">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence-PalaisPitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Palais Pitti, Florence" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Florence-PalaisPitti.jpg/300px-Florence-PalaisPitti.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Palais Pitti, Florence (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florence-PalaisPitti.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florenz-PalazzoPitti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy File:Brogi, G..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="225" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Florenz-PalazzoPitti.jpg/300px-Florenz-PalazzoPitti.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">Palazzo Pitti in Florence, Italy File:Brogi, Giacomo (1822-1881) - n. 3039 - Firenze - Palazzo Pitti (lato di Boboli).jpg (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Florenz-PalazzoPitti.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PittiPalaceFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="front of Pitti Palace" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="184" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/PittiPalaceFront.jpg/300px-PittiPalaceFront.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">front of Pitti Palace (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PittiPalaceFront.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ishfaq_Ahmed">By []Ishfaq Ahmed </a><br />
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The Palazzo Pitti is also called the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/english/musei/palazzopitti/" rel="homepage" title="Palazzo Pitti">Pitti Palace</a> which is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.7833333333,11.25&spn=0.1,0.1&q=43.7833333333,11.25%20(Florence)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Florence">Florence, Italy</a>. It is located on the south side of the river Arno, which has the short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. By the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Medici" rel="wikipedia" title="House of Medici">Medici family</a> this palace was buy in 1549 and after that became the chief residence of the ruling families of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchy_of_Tuscany" rel="wikipedia" title="Grand Duchy of Tuscany">Grand Duchy of Tuscany</a>. To the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italians" rel="wikipedia" title="Italians">Italian people</a> by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Emmanuel_III_of_Italy" rel="wikipedia" title="Victor Emmanuel III of Italy">King Victor Emmanuel III</a> this palace and its contents were donated in the year 1919. For the largest art galleries its doors were opened. Its houses have several minor collections because of the addition of the Medici family, and it is fully open to the public. It is a large 15th century palace.<br />
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The Florentine banker Luca Pitti sought to build a palace in the year 1458. This palace design attributed to Flippo Brunelleschi, but he died 12 years before the construction started his assistant Luca Fan celli was the architect. The construction continued till 1465. Due to the expansion of the Palazzo Pitti Medici commissioned Ammanati. He worked on the palace from 1558 till 1570 which is responsible for the inner courtyard. On the terrace bordering the courtyard the Artichoke Fountain was created in the year 1641 by the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Francesco_Susini" rel="wikipedia" title="Giovanni Francesco Susini">Giovanni Francesco Susini</a>. The creation of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.76254,11.248198&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.76254,11.248198%20(Boboli%20Gardens)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Boboli Gardens">Boboli garden</a> behind the palace was created by the Cosimo I.<br />
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Later this palace was owned by the House of Savoy, the Bourbons and even the Napoleons. The last owner of this palace was Italian King Vitoria Emmanuelle III who has given the permission and opened this palace for the public.<br />
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This palazzo has the number of museums. You can buy the tickets by the combination with the tickets of the Boboli garden. The interior of this palazzo provides the magnificent setting for the museum in the royal apartments. It has the Galleria Palatine which is the gallery and the important collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings. Other museums are the Galleria del Costume which has collection of clothes from the House of Lorraine Era and the Medici; another is the Museo dell Carozze where the royal carriages are displayed and also contains the Galleria d' <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.5938,7.7662&spn=0.01,0.01&q=48.5938,7.7662%20(Arte)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Arte">Arte</a> Modern which is a gallery with 18th to 20th century art. Overall this is the very good place to visit in Italy. You will found yourself as in Holywood historical movies, so its worth to give a visit.<br />
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I love traveling and I want to visit each place I mention and write on my travel blog [http://shedexpedition.com]Shed Expedition. Recently I start a new project [http://hotelsontheway.com]Hotels On The Way where I aim to make a direct link between hotels and travelers. If you like this article you will also enjoy my travel blog. My aims to bring out the most loveable places from all around the world and provide the most accurate and research based information.<br />
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Most-Mysteriouse-Place-In-Italy---Pitti-Palace&id=7812455] The Most Mysteriouse Place In Italy - Pitti Palace<br />
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Vino Con Vistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17645040101298139883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1494322123796563965.post-26196958838479950162013-11-30T11:23:00.001-06:002013-11-30T11:23:21.046-06:00Umbria, The Land Of Saints<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 300px;">St. Francis of Assisi (circa 1182-1220) (Photo credit: <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saint_Francis_of_Assisi_by_Jusepe_de_Ribera.jpg">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Giovanni_Balboni">By []Giovanni Balboni </a><br /><br />In <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.regione.umbria.it/" rel="homepage" title="Umbria">Umbria</a>, villas are beginning to gain stock among international tourists as the preferred choice of accommodation. While people are slowly discovering the quaint, rural charms the region has to offer, what many may not be aware of is this <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regions_of_Italy" rel="wikipedia" title="Regions of Italy">region of Italy</a> is best renowned, internally, for being the birthplace of an uncommon number of saints.<br /><br />In fact, one of the monikers the region often goes by among Italians is precisely translated as 'The Land of Saints'. Tourist officials and providers of Umbria villas are also quick to point out this connection, usually following it up with a list of the many interesting mediaeval sites one can visit in the region. However, while this may be seen by some as just a cheap marketing ploy, the fact is the region does offer a number of interesting spots of both religious and historical interest.<br /><br />The saints<br /><br />Perhaps the most famous saint to be born in this part of Italy was St Benedict, founder of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.osb-international.info/index/en.html" rel="homepage" title="Order of Saint Benedict">Benedictine order</a> of monks and main responsible for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_monasticism" rel="wikipedia" title="Christian monasticism">Western monasticism</a>. Visitors who have an interest in exploring some religious history when renting Umbria villas should visit the nearby monasteries, including Saint Peter in Perugia, Santa Maria of Valdiponte in Montelabbate (near Perugia), <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benedict_of_Nursia" rel="wikipedia" title="Benedict of Nursia">Saint Benedict</a> at <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.0641666667,12.6625&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.0641666667,12.6625%20(Monte%20Subasio)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Monte Subasio">Monte Subasio</a>, close to Assisi, Saint Salvatore of Monte Corona and the abbeys of Petroia, near Citt� di Castello, and <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.9566666667,12.7619444444&spn=0.01,0.01&q=42.9566666667,12.7619444444%20(Abbazia%20di%20Sassovivo)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Abbazia di Sassovivo">Sassovivo</a>, near Foligno. A trip to St Benedict's birth village of Norcia is also mandatory, if only to appreciate the recently rebuilt Benedictine monastery - the work of a group of American monks invested in bringing the order back to its birthplace, after Napoleonic laws had banished them over two centuries previously.<br /><br />Another relevant saint to hail from the region in a time long ago was <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_of_Assisi" rel="wikipedia" title="Francis of Assisi">St Francis of Assisi</a>, founder of the famed <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.ofm.org/" rel="homepage" title="Franciscan">Franciscan order</a>. The <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.0747222222,12.6055555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=43.0747222222,12.6055555556%20(Basilica%20of%20San%20Francesco%20d%27Assisi)&t=h" rel="geolocation" title="Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi">basilica of Assisi</a> is a compulsory stop for people wanting to find out more about this saint, whilst the church of Saint Fortunate contains the remainders of Jacopone, a devout follower of the saint who was also one of the first poets to compose in 'common' ancient Italian dialect.<br /><br />Other major places of interest for tourists renting Umbria villas and interested in the lives of saints are the basilica and monastery of Santa Rita, in Cascia, and the basilica of Saint Valentine, who was beheaded in Rome and whose name is synonymous with the day dedicated to celebrating love. However, religious history aficionados will find saint-related monuments and locales in almost any nook and cranny in Umbria. Villas will never be far from these magnificent religious works of art.<br /><br />It is clear to see, then, why the region fully deserves its unofficial title of 'The Land of Saints'. Those interested in history or religion that are planning a stay in Umbria villas will be in for a treat.<br /><br />Giovanni Balboni works for To Tuscany, who specialise in finding the perfect [http://www.to-tuscany.com/]Umbria villas as well as those in Tuscany and Puglia. With an excellent reputation, all our properties are personally selected and visited by our representatives to ensure we offer only the best in the regions.<br /><br />Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Umbria,-The-Land-Of-Saints&id=8113849] Umbria, The Land Of Saints<br />
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