For those of you who are planning an exciting vacation to beautiful Italy, here's a tip - think about renting a timeshare from an owner. Maybe you'll be visiting Rome, or Tuscany - whatever your travel plans, check out timeshare rentals that have been listed by their owners on RedWeek.com.

Why a timeshare instead of a hotel? First, a timeshare rental is often up to 50% cheaper than a hotel, on a per person basis. So, immediately you'll notice that it's a great deal for any budget-minded traveler, and in this day and age who isn't?

Even in a city like Florence, timeshares are available

Second is the issue of space. You can stay in a small, cramped hotel room, or you can relax in spacious accommodations that include real bedrooms, a living room, a dining area, and a fully-equipped kitchen. If you're traveling with children, having a separate bedroom allows you to put them to bed while the rest of you stay up to watch television, play games or visit.

Also with separate bedrooms, if you are traveling with another couple (a great way to split the cost and save even more on your accommodations), everyone is free to retire for the night or stay up, knowing no one else will be disturbed.

The kitchen is a major money saver. You won't have to budget for eating every meal out in a cafe or restaurant. If you have children, the kitchen makes it convenient to feed those constantly hungry youngsters. It's easy to prepare as many meals as you want in your timeshare, especially with the abundance of fresh produce, fish, breads, and delicious cheeses available at the many outdoor markets throughout Italy. Then treat yourselves to a special meal at a special restaurant, knowing you can really afford it.

Staying in a timeshare rental is budget-friendly, convenient, and allows you all to relax in a home-like atmosphere, while you still get all of the services of a hotel such as management on duty, maintenance available, housekeeping and a concierge. You can't beat timeshare rentals as the best way to vacation, and once you try it you'll be hooked!

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This is a guest post by Joann Whetstine, who showed me just how many timeshare options there are available in Italy.  If you've got a travel tip for Italy you'd like to share with our readers, please contact us to discuss guest blogging opportunities.
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As one of the world's most sacred sites and colossal architectural monuments, visiting St. Peter's Basilica is an awesome experience. It can also be an overwhelming one. What are the most unmissable sights? How do you find your way around? How do you navigate through the crowds of other visitors who flock here every day? Hopefully, this quick guide to visiting St. Peter's will at least give you a start to what will no doubt be an amazing journey.

St. Peter's - The Grand Exterior and Piazza

If you want to avoid the crowds, get to St. Peter's as early in the morning as possible, preferably just before 7am, when the Basilica opens. You want to view the colossal Dome of St. Peter's with as few distractions as possible, because it is an overwhelming construction. Designed by Michelangelo and completed by Giacomo della Porta, the Dome is over 40 meters (130 feet) in diameter and rises to 120 meters (nearly 400 feet) off the floor.

You arrive first at St. Peter's Square, the grand piazza in front of the basilica. In the center of the piazza stands the 25.5 meter (80 feet) tall obelisk. This is the oldest artifact on the grounds and dates from 13th Century BC. Egypt. It was originally brought to Rome in the 1st Century and stood in Nero's Circus until it was moved to St. Peter's Square in 1585.

Front of St. Peter's, seen from the Piazza

After exploring the piazza, and taking pictures of the facade of St. Peters, you'll be ready to head inside. Be prepared to go through a security line before you get to the front doors, though - it's almost like being at the airport. Once you've cleared security, you can proceed past the enormous statues of St. Peter and St. Paul that stand in front of the stairs, and enter the Basilica. The church looks big from the outside, but once you get inside, it's almost overwhelming!

St. Peter's - The Art-Filled Interior

Inside St. Peter's Basilica

Proceeding into the interior, you will be treated to some of the most magnificent sculptures in history. As you walk towards the right aisle, look for the statue of St. Peter. Until recently, its sculptor was disputed, but it is now generally accepted that Arnolfo di Cambio created this magnificent sculpture in the 13th century. Some still believe that it has much earlier origins, though - as early as the 5th Century.

You will then continue down the right aisle, where you will see one of the most celebrated sculptures ever created - Michelangelo's Pieta. You will certainly have seen photographs of it in the past, but the real thing is breathtaking.

Amongst all the statues of the saints and apostles, there is one relic that is not a work of art, but the actual remains of Pope John XXIII. The Pope died in 1963, but when his body was exhumed in 2001, it was discovered that his remains had not decayed. They were placed in a glass case and can be viewed in the right transept, beneath the altar of St. Jerome.

You will then come to Bernini's Baldacchino. This magnificent structure made of 927 tons of bronze is the canopy covering the Papal altar and St. Peter's relics. There are so many stunning examples of art and architecture in here that it is hard to single out just one, but the Cathedra of St. Peter, designed by Bernini in 1666 is particularly impressive. You will then progress down the left transept and the left aisle before exiting the Basilica.

St. Peter's - The View from the Dome

Before you leave St. Peters, though, you'll definitely want to head up to the roof. Some visitors do this first, but it is a wonderful way to finish off your tour. You can either climb the stairs or take an elevator to the first level roof, where you can stand with the statues of saints, and look out over Piazza San Pietro. Then the adventurous can climb the stairs around and around inside the curving dome, to the cupola right at the top. From here, all of Rome is spread out in front of you, and you can also look down into the manicured grounds of the Vatican.

View of the Piazza, the Obelisk, and Rome

You can also walk around part of the inside of the dome, looking down at the tiny visitors in the church below - this gives you a new appreciation for the size of this enormous basilica. Take a moment to try to absorb all the treasures you have just seen.

St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most visited tourist sites in the world. With over 5 acres of floor space, it doesn't lose its sense of spaciousness even when there are thousands of visitors inside. However, making that extra effort to visit it early in the morning pays off. You won't be the only one there, but the lines will be shorter and you will be able to appreciate its wonders more fully.

Related posts:

1. Rome, Italy: Some favorite things about Rome
2. Rome - Fun with antique photos
3. Eternal memories of Rome

If you're planning a trip to Florence, you're probably wondering when is be the best time to go. After all, you don't want to arrive there when it's cold and raining, if you were hoping to spend your time lingering outside at the sidewalk cafes. So here's a guide to when it's the best time to visit Florence!

Summer

A lot of tourists choose summer (June-August) for their vacation trip to Florence, and if you have to plan around school vacation schedules, you might not have much leeway in this choice. If your time is more flexible, though, there are some downsides to summer that you'll want to consider. Weather-wise this time of year can be hot (up in the 90s Fahrenheit), and it often gets quite humid in Florence, too. Florence is also the most crowded with tourists in the summer. So if you love hot weather, and don't mind crowds, going to Florence in the summer may be right for you.

Summer crowd outside the duomo in Florence

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Autumn

Autumn (September-October) is a very pleasant time to visit Florence. There are less crowds than in the summer, and the weather isn't too cold (think 68F in mid-October). Autumn is a great time to see the deciduous trees turning color, so if you love nature's different seasons and fall color, then autumn may be one of the best times for you to visit Florence. If you're interested in wine and plan to tour the Chianti wine area around Florence, you might be able to see some harvesting in the fall, too.

Winter

Winter (November-February) can be chilly. It's often rainy, and there is an occasional chance of snow (unlikely but possible). Winter temperatures average about 50F in January. If you're mostly interested in indoor pursuits, however, you'll find the museums nicely uncrowded this time of year - a world of difference from the summertime! Because there are so few tourists, you'll also get to feel a bit more of the real local scene, rather than finding all the streets and restaurants crowded with international vacationers.

Spring

Spring (March-May) is a lovely season to visit. The weather is nice, but not too hot - averaging around 70F in April. Quite a few other people are catching on to the spring option, so the tourists are starting to arrive, though it won't be quite as crowded as it is in summer. It's a good time if you want to see flowers blooming, perhaps taking a stroll in the Boboli Garden.

Flowers in the Boboli Gardens, Florence

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Attractions

One of the most important tips for any tourist is to do your research in advance, and decide what attractions are on your must see list. Then you can check the website for those attractions. Find out the schedule for your "must see sights", and make sure whether they are closed at some times of year. It's possible for museums or restaurants to close down in January, or over Christmas, Easter, or other major holidays. By identifying the places most important to you, you can make sure you don't run into this disappointment. Spending Christmas in Italy could be a memorable and wonderful vacation, indeed! Just make sure you know what will or won't be open for you before you book the tickets.

Festivals

If you're interested in seeing something special, beyond the typical attractions that are there all year, you might want to consider visiting Florence during one of the festivals. A few of the main festivals are:

- Festival of St. John - June 24
- Explosion of the Cart festival - Easter Sunday
- Florence music festival - Spread over 2 months in the summer
- Paper lantern festival - First week in September
- Florence antique festival - Sept-Oct, every other year

If you want to venture out of town a bit, there are also some very cool festivals in smaller towns near Florence, like the Infiorata (Flower Festival) in Pienza.

Planning your trip to Florence

Here's our recommended plan of attack for figuring out when is the best time to go to Florence:

- Is a particular festival very important to you? If so, plan around that.
- Are you tied to a particular season for school or work schedule reasons? If not, use the season overviews above to narrow down to an approximate window.
- Fine tune your trip dates based on knowing any closure dates for attractions you really care about, and any less important festivals that would be fun to see.

Of course, if you're visiting other cities on the same Italian vacation, then you'll want to do the same kind of process for them, so you can optimize all the locations you'll visit.

And now, you're ready to start planning your trip to Florence, Italy!

Related posts:

1. Florence, Italy: Favorite things about Florence
2. Italy Weather - Pick your Season
3. Florence, beyond the Duomo - escape to Fiesole

If you're planning a trip to Tuscany, then congratulations on making a good choice!  Located towards the middle of the country, Tuscany is a gorgeous area of Italy with olive groves and magnificent wild beauty.  It also has outstanding ancient towns filled with Renaissance art for you to admire.  So what are our top ten things to do in Tuscany?

1.  See the Masters In Florence Museums

The Uffizi Gallery is a world famous art museum.  Here you can feast your eyes on hundreds of paintings by Renaissance masters.  Artists include Giotto, Botticelli, Raphael, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Then head over to the Accademia where you'll find Michelangelo's statue of David - one of the most famous sculptures in the world.

2. Go Wine Tasting In Chianti

Just about everyone has heard of Chianti wine, and now you can taste the red wine for yourself from the local vineyards in the region. If you don't want to drive from vineyard to vineyard, you could go on an organized wine tasting tour.  Even if you're not so keen on wine, it's a gorgeous area to explore.

Rolling vineyards of the Chianti region

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3.  Stroll Around Siena

Siena is a well known town dating from medieval times.  One of its most popular piazzas is the Piazza del Campo where you can sit down, relax, and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee and indulge in people watching.  If you feel energetic, you can climb to the top of the bell tower for breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

4.  Visit Lucca

Lucca is a Tuscan town dating from 180BC.  Founded by the Romans, there's a 1900 year old amphitheater to explore and a sixteenth century brick wall that encloses the city center.  If you need some exercises, you can walk along the four kilometer long brick wall.

5.  Take A Tuscan Cooking Class

If you'd like to know how to make authentic Tuscan dishes, then why not take a cooking class in Tuscany?  There are quite a few different cooking schools in the region that offer anything from one day courses to intense week long courses with accommodation included.

6.  Count The Tower Houses At San Gimignano

This town is 1,000 years old and is perched on a hill.  Only 14 tower houses are left standing today which were a sign of wealth in ancient times.  San Gimignano features churches and museums, as well as the Fortress of Montestaffoli.

Leaning tower - famous for its failings

7. Visit The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

You can see for yourself the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The town of Pisa is approximately 50 miles from Florence and is easily reached by train if you don't have a car. In recent years the tower has undergone restoration work to reduce its lean as it was becoming too pronounced, but you can still see the lean it is famous for.

8. Explore the Maremma Region

The Maremma region is located in south-western Tuscany. This region boasts hills, mountains and the ocean. You can indulge in pleasures such as eating simple Italian food and tasting the wines of this region. Or if you feel like taking a dip, why not go to the thermal baths of Saturnia?

9.  Take An Art Class

Be inspired by the same landscape as the Italian masters were when you take a Tuscan art class.  Not only can you take a class in painting, but lessons in pottery, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and mosaics are also offered at the various art schools in the region.  If you want to be pampered while you learn, you can book an all-inclusive course where meals, activities (as well as lessons) and accommodation are all included.

10.  Explore Cortona

If you've read Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes, then you may be familiar with Cortona.  The Etruscans first lived here centuries ago and today it's a town that offers visitors a feast of history and art.

Tuscany is wonderful, and after you visit, you'll see why Frances Mayes went through all that work to stay here.  Enjoy your trip to Tuscany!

Venice is more than surrounded by water -- it has the water of the Adriatic running in its veins. One unfortunate effect of this is that high tides or heavy rains can cause flooding in the city.

In December 2008, one of the highest tides in its history hit Venice. People waded through the streets in high boots, or walked on the boardwalks above the flood waters. See how the 4th highest tide in recorded history (records there have been kept since 1872) affected the city.

(If video doesn't show for you, watch on YouTube)

That was last year. What will this winter bring?

Whatever happens, the Venetians and their visitors will find ways to deal with it. But what permanent damage is such flooding doing to the city and its treasures?

Related posts:

1. Venice in the morning
2. Venice, Italy - Planning your trip to Venice
3. Venice gondoliers for Obama

The national sport of Italy is soccer, and the country is crazy for it. If you're there during the World Cup, you'll find televisions everywhere tuned in, with crowds standing around watching.

That includes tourists!  Cafes post signs outside with the times different teams are playing, so that fans of the German, US, Korean, or any other team know when to show up to cheer on their favorites.

But the biggest crowds are for the Italians, and the excitement was never so high as it was in 2006 -- a year when the Italian team went on to victory, claiming the World Cup in a thrilling finish.

This video tribute to the 2006 Italian team captures the passion and enthusiasm that Italians have for their favorite sport.
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Share and Enjoy:

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Zooming around the streets of Rome on your scooter... That would make me nervous, but the Italians sure do it! (Of course driving a car in Rome makes me nervous too, as does being a passenger in a Roman taxicab!)

Danger aside, the scooters do make a lot of sense. It saves on gas (expensive in Europe), and it's a whole lot easier to find room to park than a car!

The famous maker of Italian scooters is Vespa, and they have a Vespa Museum in Pontedera, Italy, not far from Pisa. If you're ever in the area, check out the museum. And if you're not in the area, you can check out this video instead!
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What would it be like to wake up in Venice in the morning?

This lovely, atmospheric video gives you the feeling of a different side of Venice, away from the hectic crowds of San Marco. This is a peaceful, calm, lovely Venice. One that makes you want to stroll aimlessly through the back streets, just enjoying the scenery, and listening to the ever-present sounds of lapping water.

Watch as the city comes alive in the morning, and the locals go about their daily lives.  Most of all, this makes me  want to wake up in Venice in the morning! 
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Related posts:

1. High tide floods Venice
2. Venice, Italy - Planning your trip to Venice
3. Venice gondoliers for Obama

Rome has long been recognized as one of the "culinary capitals" of the world. The city boasts too many restaurants to keep track of, and the majority of them are very good. Rome is a cosmopolitan city, with many different types of cuisine available. However, each region in Italy has its own distinctive style of cuisine, and Rome is no exception. No visit to Rome is truly complete without sampling some of the regional delicacies. So, instead of settling for generic "Italian" food, try some of these enticing local specialties!

Artichokes -- yumm!

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• Pasta amatriciana - There are several different regional variations on this dish, with each region claiming its own version is the "authentic" one. However, all pasta amatriciana dishes start with one key ingredient: guanciale, pig jowl that has been cured without smoke. American versions of this dish tend to substitute something else (bacon, ham, or pancetta) for the guanciale, as it is very difficult to obtain on this side of the pond. However, it's the flavor of this particular cut of meat, with its rich, silky texture and succulent flavor, that makes the dish what it is. The "Roman" version of the dish includes tomatoes, pasta (usually spaghetti or bucatini), onions, and Pecorino cheese. The rich flavor of the pork combines with the tomatoes and the sharp, salty cheese to create a symphony of flavor.

• Veal Saltimbocca alla Romana - Roughly translated, the name of this classic Roman dish means “jumps in the mouth.” Try it, and you’ll see why!  Tender veal slices are topped with slices of salty prosciutto, a type of Italian ham, and pungent, earthy fresh sage. Then, the veal is sautéed in butter and served topped with wine sauce.  One of my personal favorites!

• Stracciatella - This Italian version of egg-drop soup is popular in other regions of Italy, but it usually referred to outside of Rome as Stracciatella alla Romana to indicate its Roman origins. Stracciatella is a light and refreshing soup that consists of eggs beaten to a golden froth with either parmesan or pecorino cheese, and seasoned with salt, pepper and nutmeg. The eggs are poured into bubbling chicken broth and stirred, producing delicate swirls of cooked egg. The strands of egg resemble old rags floating in the broth. Since the Italian word for rags is straccetti (and the earlier root is from Italian stracciato, “torn apart”), this resemblence is what gives the dish its name.

• Pasta Carbonara - The type of pasta used in this dish can vary-sometimes spaghetti, sometimes linguini, sometimes bucatini. However, the sauce is always the same-a heavenly mixture of guanciale, eggs, an aged cheese such as pecorino or parmesan, butter, and garlic. This dish is relatively simple to make-the pork is fried first, and then it is tossed along with the other ingredients into piping hot pasta, melting the cheese and cooking the eggs so that they coat the noodles. Partially because of its simplicity, it is thought to have been created by foresters working in the Apennine Mountains -- the recipe could be easily cooked over charcoal fires, or carbonara. Another local legend states that it was invented for American soldiers after World War II, who puzzled local chefs by ordering eggs, bacon and spaghetti. Still another theory is that it got its name because the specks of bacon and pepper look like bits of charcoal. Whatever its origins, it’s great! And it proves that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be good.  Another of my all-time favorites -- I try variations wherever I go!

• Carciofi alla giudea - Romans love fresh artichokes, and this is one of the preferred ways of preparing them, a name that translates as “artichokes Jewish style”. The artichoke is first trimmed of all its spikes and tough outer leaves, then flattened between two bricks, battered and fried. The result? A tasty confection that resembles a deep-fried sunflower! The outer leaves are deliciously crispy, and the heart is soft, smooth, and flavorful.

Want to try these Roman dishes at home? Cooking the Roman Way: Authentic Recipes from the Home Cooks and Trattorias of Rome will have you cooking like a Roman in no time. (Of course, you still need to visit Rome, if only to make sure you've got those flavors exactly right!)

Related posts:

1. Rome, Italy: Some favorite things about Rome
2. Rome - Fun with antique photos
3. Rome, Italy - Quick Guide to Visiting St. Peter's Basilica

On my honeymoon, my new husband and I stayed in a tiny mountain town about 40 minutes north of Florence by train. We were enchanted with the town-we would have liked to stay permanently! However, one of the wonderful people we met there was a native of Florence, and to her, the little mountain town could never compare to the city she was born in. She told us she cried when she had to move away, even though she didn’t move very far.

As much as we loved the mountain scenery, I can definitely see why she felt that way. Florence is magical -- a jewel of a city. Even when it’s is crowded with tourists, the blend of Italian Renaissance beauty, modern conveniences, excellent food and friendly people is something you have to experience to understand. There is so much to see and do in the city that it can be hard to pin down a doable itinerary. With that in mind, here are 10 places you absolutely must visit while you are there!

• Galleria dell'Accademia- Although you will find replicas of Michelangelo’s David in other places around town, this is the home of the one and only original sculpture. The statue depicts David holding the stone, contemplating his move against the giant Goliath. Every muscle is carved with such fluid grace that you almost expect the statue to start moving. His calm, thoughtful expression and Olympian physique embodies the Renaissance belief in human potential. The Galleria dell’Accademia always has a line to get inside. Although it generally moves much faster than the line for the Uffizi, it’s still best to get tickets in advance if possible.  Find museum tickets here...

• Duomo- The Duomo is on every Florentine visitor’s itinerary for several reasons. The building itself is simply beautiful-the facade is embellished with alternating colors of local limestone. The baptistery outside features the "Gates of Paradise" by Ghiberti-a fabulous example of bronze relief sculpture. Then, of course, there is the dome-a feat of engineering that helped put Florence on the map during the Renaissance. Brave the long lines and the steep steps to climb the stairs to the top-you'll be glad you did! The views of the city are breathtaking. While you climb, make sure to check out the fresco of the last judgment-the demons of hell have some very interesting punishments for sinners that involve flaming sticks…I won’t go into anymore detail than that in order to keep this post rated PG!

Ponte Vecchio, with shops along the sides

• Ponte Vecchio- This charming bridge across the Arno dates to 1345. The shops along the bridge have housed goldsmiths and jewelers ever since 1593, when Ferdinand di Medici threw out the more “common” vendors. As you would expect from such a long tradition, these shops are home to some incredible artisans who produce some amazing jewelry. Even if you can’t afford to buy, window shopping is definitely worth it! Cost: Free

• Uffizi- The Palazzo degli Uffizi houses a superb collection of paintings, featuring work by artists such as Michelangelo, Botticelli, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, della Francesca, and many others. Also, unless you really, really like the idea of spending half of a vacation day in line, buy tickets ahead of time! What appears to be a relatively short line from outside can and will end up taking hours to go through. It costs a few Euro more to book in advance, but it's well worth it! Find museum tickets here...

• Piazza della Republica- This piazza marks the site of an old Roman forum, but the current neoclassical construction dates back to 1865. Studded with caffes, it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat. Also, it borders the Mercato Nuovo, home of the “Porcellino.” Put in a coin in this statue’s mouth, and if it falls through the grate below, the legend says you will have good luck.

• Bargello- The David may be the most famous Renaissance sculpture in Florence, but it’s certainly not the only one. The Bargello has work by Donatello, Michelangelo and Cellini, among others.

• Brancacci Chapel- Located in the cathedral of Santa Maria del Carmine, this chapel features frescoes by Giotto and Masaccio that demonstrate the new techniques of the Italian Renaissance: perspective and chiaroscuro, or shading. To see the difference, compare the work by Giotto and Masaccio to older work by Cimabue.

• Vivoli- You’ve never truly experienced ice cream until you've had gelato! Gelato is richer, thicker, and simply better than its American counterpart. If you've climbed to the top of the Duomo, you can even indulge guilt-free! Address: Via Isole delle Stinche 7r.  This shop is considered by many to have the best gelato in Florence. Why not go and judge for yourself?

There's a lot more in Florence, too.  So much that you'll never have time to see it all!  Even so, you might want to take a break from the city and visit the nearby hill town of Fiesole.  It makes a nice variation from the city hustle and bustle.

You can also visit Florence as part of a larger trip through Tuscany. One advantage is that a tour can get you out to see the countryside and small towns in addition to Florence itself, like this women's trip to Tuscany. You'll find plenty of options for visiting this scenic area - it's beautiful!

Above all, whatever else you do...  Make sure to leave yourself some time for just strolling along the banks of the Arno, and relaxing at sidewalk caffes. Those leisurely relaxing moments can be the most enjoyable of all!

Related posts:

1. When Is The Best Time to Go to Florence, Italy?
2. Florence, beyond the Duomo - escape to Fiesole
3. Rome, Italy: Some favorite things about Rome