cqsttc.org

I Love Italian Travel - Northern Italian February Attractions

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:26:56 -0500

So you want to visit northern Italy in February, but you're not sure what to see and what to do. Don't you despair; there are lots and lots of special events that simply aren't available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; the month of February is almost upon us. We start our virtual counterclockwise tour in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the northeast corner of Italy. Then it's east to Lombardy, south to Liguria, and west to Emilia-Romagna.Every February the town of Pordenone is host to a Costumed Kangaroo Court. I would try to avoid any traffic tickets in this period. Pracchiuso is well known for its St. Valentine's Day celebration. The Italian Winter Triathalon including foot racing, mountain biking and skiing starts in Friuli ski resort of Piancavallo. This competition, also known as SnowForTri, continues into March.Our second region is Lombardy where the town of Berbenno di Valtellina hosts a medieval festival in honor of Saint Benigno De' Medi...

Travel To South India

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:26:56 -0500

Indian sub-continent is a beautiful with varied landscapes and monuments. The southern part of the country has some well known states namely Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. There are beautiful temples in South India. South Indians are assumed to be of the Dravidan's race. The South Indians have lots of interest in music and dance. The land is blessed with the beauty there are striking beaches like Kovalam beach which mesmerizes its viewers. Mostly people here take coffee therefore the production of coffee in this region is very high. Cashew nuts are also produced on high scale over here. The South Indian StatesKarnataka Karnataka is considered to be the land of fragrance. Here one can have the fragrance of sandal and agarbathis, the smell of roasted coffee beans just leave the people captivated. Kannada is the common language spoken in Karnataka, initially this state was known as Mysore. This place is the perfect combination of natural attractions and historic monume...

I Love Italian Travel - Southern Italy's January Attractions

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:34:19 -0500

So you are hankering to visit southern Italy in January, but just aren't sure what to see and what to do. Don't despair; you can find many, many special events that simply aren't available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; Janaury is almost upon us. A Palio is a horse race that pits neighborhoods against one another. Pignola, Basilicata hosts the Palio of S. Antonio Abate in mid-January. Villa d'Agri, Basilicata celebrates Befana Canterina. You might know that Befana is an old woman dressed as a witch who gives sweets to the good kiddies and coal to the bad ones. In mid-January Rotondella, Basilicata hosts the Feast of Sant'Antonio Abate and Feast of Fire Festival on the following day. Corigliano Calabro hosts the Calabria Orange Festival and Procession.If you want good luck in the New Year give kiddies some money or candies. This tradition is kept more in the small towns near Napoli than in Naples itself. Caserta holds its Festival of St. Sebastian in Ja...

I Love Italian Travel - January Attractions of Central Italy

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 06:37:40 -0500

So you are thinking of visiting central Italy in January, but you just aren't sure what to see and what to do. Don't despair; you may find many special events that simply are not available in the good old summertime. Here are a few of them. Get rolling; January is not very far away. We start our virtual tour in Tuscany on the western coast and then travel east to the Marches and Abruzzi on the Adriatic Sea. Then we almost complete the circle by visiting the Vatican City in Rome.A major attraction of Tuscany in January is Il Palio di Sant'antonio Abate in Buti near Pisa which is held on the first Sunday after January . The festivities begin with a procession of people proudly wearing the colors of their neighborhood. In the afternoon a horse race pits local neighborhoods against each other. The winner receives a special banner, which is known as the Palio.According to Italian tradition that is honored in the Marches and elsewhere, Befana is a good witch who rewards good children with ...

Top travel trends in 2010

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 05:05:35 -0500

The holidays next year will be to a great extent affected by the economic recession most countries suffered this year. That however does not mean that people will not go on holiday, but that instead they will be more careful with how and on what they spend their money. Holiday makers will spend more time searching for great deals, such as exploring new travel destinations to find the best bargains and joining Online Travel Agencies OTA to gain good discounts. Below are some of the predicted top travel trends for the year . ' Looking for budget optionsEconomical holidays will the key deciding factor this year, with holiday makers searching out the best budget details and discounts. Make sure when you plan your holiday this year, not to just go for what looks like the best rate, but hunt deeper for complementary give-aways, such as a free night's stay on a multiple night stay, gift cards, spa credits, coupons and free dining etc. ' Eco TravelHumans are slowly but steadily becomi...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Latium Winter Attractions and Events

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:03:39 -0500

Latium is on the Tyrrhenian coast of central Italy. Its capital is Rome, the capital of Italy, and, and, and. I said it before, I'll say it again. Or more precisely, I quoted before, and I'll quote again because I did not coin this phrase Roma, non basta una vita. Rome, one lifetime is not enough. I just read that you can expect four hours of sunshine a day in the Roman winter. Maybe. But you're in Rome. Romaeuropa Festival is Rome's big festival of theater, music, and dance held in venues throughout Rome for more than a month starting in early November. This is Italy's top contemporary art festival, and one of the major European art festivals. It includes dozens and dozens of shows, many of which are national premieres.The Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception on December is an Italian national holiday. There are celebrations throughout Italy and churches hold special masses. You'll find parades, feasts, and music here, there, and almost everywhere. Rome celebrates with floral wr...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Mezzogiorno Winter Attractions and Events

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:03:24 -0500

The Mezzogiorno midday refers to Italy's southernmost mainland regions. If we consider Italy to be a boot Apulia on the Adriatic Sea forms the heel, Basilicata with small coastlines on the Gulf of Taranto and the Tyrrhenian Sea forms the instep, and Calabria with its large coastlines on the Gulf of Taranto, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and the Ionian Sea forms the toe. These regions tend to be quite traditional and don't get all that many tourists. So much the better for you. Because they are far south winter tends to be rather mild, but I won't tell you that you can sip a drink in an outdoor cafe for hours in mid-January. But you still can enjoy yourself, whether or not you are into winter sports. San Cesarea Terme, Apulia is a seaside town on the rocky coast of the Ionian Sea. It boasts unique Islamic architecture and every November holds a Historical Regatta.December in Italy means Living Nativity Scenes. The Mezzogiorno is no exception. Some of the most interesting are found in Celico Ca...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Trentino-Alto Adige Winter Attractions and Events

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:37:58 -0500

The Trentino-Alto Adige region of northern Italy borders on Switzerland and Austria. Its numerous tourist attractions include the Dolomite Mountains, which the famous architect Le Corbusier called "The most beautiful work of architecture even seen," glacier lakes, and Alpine forests. Needless to say, skiing and other winter sports are a major attraction here, but you can't really count on the snow until late February.This lovely region is composed of two parts, Trentino in the south and the largely German speaking Alto Adige in the north. Alto Adige, sometimes known as South Tyrol, really seems like part of Austria. Its second largest city, Merano Meran in German, plays host to an International Wine and Culinara during the second weekend of November. There is quite a focus on biodynamic and organic wine as well as Asian food. What multiculturalism, Asian food in a Germanic speaking part of Italy.The first Saturday in December Passo dello Stelvio, the highest paved mountain pass in th...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Sicily Winter Attractions and Events

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:06:49 -0500

Sicily is a Mediterranean island situated to the southwest of southern Italy. Its winters are relatively mild. The almonds start to bloom in mid-February. But don't go there only for the weather; if you do so, you might be disappointed. You will enjoy the variety of winter festivals. Sicily celebrates All Saints' Day on November followed by All Souls' Day also known as the Feast of the Dead. Families visit the cemeteries and eat special cookies known as "Bones of the Dead."December , Saint Barbara Day, is celebrated in the Sicilian town of Paterno on the slopes of Mount Etna volcano. After the parade citizens set up a nativity scene. Santa Lucia Day, December , is celebrated in many Italian localities including the city of Siracusa whose huge parade includes a golden coffin carrying the saint to the Church of Santa Lucia. There is a week of festivities culminating with a big fireworks display over the harbor and another parade that brings the coffin back to the crypt. Among the ma...

A Quick Introduction to Tipping Etiquette in Restaurants and Taxis in Italy

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 06:23:27 -0500

It is not very common for Italians to give huge tips. In fact, Italians don't give tips at all. There have been stories of tourists leaving tips on the table only to be followed by a waiter with the money: "Excuse me Mister, you left this!" That is why there is an option to not give tips. They already include the service charge in the bill. This is of the amount. <b>Tipping in restaurants<b>This is called the 'coperto' or the cover charge. It depends on what kind of restaurant you are in. The coperto ranges between to euros. This amount is automatically added. The common understanding is that this goes to the waiter or waitress who served you. That is not the case. This goes to the owner of the restaurant. Now if you find the service outstanding, then you can round up your total bill. If it is really excellent, a good tip is euros. This will definitely make the staff happy. By doing this, you are giving the tip to the waiter or waitress. However, you must know t...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Abruzzi/Molise Winter Attractions and Events

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:32:49 -0500

Abruzzi and Molise are small, traditional Italian regions on the Adriatic Sea. They were united until Molise was named as a separate region in . These regions get pretty cold in the winter, but you still can enjoy yourself even if you aren't into winter sports. Here you can see the real Italy, which is virtually unspoiled by tourists. I first heard of this area decades ago, when I learned that according to Craig Claiborne, at the time Food Editor of the New York Times, Italy's best food was found in Abruzzi. Why don't you see if his considered food evaluations still hold?Saint Martino's day, November , is said to signal the end of the agricultural year. The harvest is in and prepared for the winter. Scanno, Abruzzi celebrates this special day with enormous bonfires on the surrounding hillsides. Valle Castellana, Abruzzi holds a Chestnut and Potato Festival in November.December marks the San Nicolo Feast Day which is often celebrated with traditional loaves of bread and taralli,...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Winter Attractions and Events in Emilia-Romagna

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:02:37 -0500

Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy is internationally known for its fine cuisine that many claim is the finest in Italy. On the other hand, this region is not known for its mild winters. But you can still have a fine winter holiday there. You may want to start in the Savigno Sagra del Tartufo Savigno Truffle Festival which is held on the first three Sundays in November or a similar festival held the first weekend of November in Sasso Marconi. The regional capital of Bologna hosts a Jazz Festival for about a week in early November. The third weekend of every month the city of Ravenna offers an antique market. The following weekend is Modena's turn. Why not go to both and compare these two offerings?There are lots and lots of Christmas markets in Emilia-Romagna during the month of December. Make sure to check the dates carefully. Given the region's reputation, it should come as no surprise that many of this Christmas markets focus on gastronomy as well as handicrafts. As an extra added a...

History of Lomellina, Italy

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:40:36 -0500

The Lomellina region is found to the west of Milan and is best known for being a large region of flat plains and Italy's centre of rice production. The region also contains some interesting historical towns such as Vigevano and is interesting to tourists looking to discover somewhere off the beaten track. A visit will be more interesting with some knowledge of the history of the Lomellina. The earliest traces of human settlement here date back to prehistoric times ' to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Vigevano itself also has very ancient origins, being inhabited first by the Ligurians and then by the Gauls. Due to its geographical position Vigevano has long been a flourishing market trade town, and the Romans themselves built a fortress here for the defence of their warehouses stocked with exotic products. As the Romans were defeated by invading tribes, in the Middle Ages the Lomellina was contended by some powerful local feudal families, including the family of the Da Besate that took ...

Visit the Amalfi Coast

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:35:57 -0500

The Amalfi Coast is situated on the western side of Italy, just south of Sorrento and facing the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the great scenic routes of Europe, with dramatic cliffs and mountains plunging into the turquoise waters below, backed by the tree covered mountains of the Sorrentine Peninsula. A road winds its way for fifty kilometres along this spectacular coastline from Positano in the east and almost to Salerno on the west, offering magnificent panoramas around every corner. As well as the scenery there are also several attractive harbour towns to discover along the route. Among the most popular of these are Positano, Amalfi and Ravello although many of the others also deserve exploration. Positano is well known for its luxury villas, quaint pastel coloured houses. The town clings perilously to the side of a very steep hillside, leading eventually down to a small beach below. It is a favourite with the jet-set and is quite an upmarket small town. Amalfi town is larger an...

I Love Sightseeing Tours of Italy - Winter Attractions and Events In Umbria

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:42:49 -0500

Umbria is a landlocked region of central Italy whose winters are relatively mild. Of course, the higher the elevation, the more snow and wind. The Perugia Antique Trade Fair runs for approximately one week from the end of October in Umbria's capital. Then go to the Citta di Castello Truffle and Forest Products Fair on the weekend that starts on the first Friday of November. In addition to peerless white truffles you'll find delicious foods such as mushrooms, chestnuts, honey, wild-berry jams and some great oil, wine and cheeses. Towards the end of November visit the Torgiano Tasting of Italian Wines which focuses on Umbrian wine. Don't miss the local wine museum.Perugia's Christmas market starts in early December and runs for approximately one month. It includes crafts, movies, music, family shows and food. The Soul Christmas festival of gospel music starts a few days later in the theaters and churches of Lake Trasimeno. Mount Ingino, perched above the small town of Gubbio, Umbria, boa...

Italy – Popular Tourist Attractions and Hotels in Italy

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:57:19 -0500

Italy ' Popular Tourist Attractions and Hotels in Italy Italy is a popular travel destination with many historic monuments and cities, beautiful scenery, and fabulous food and wine. Here are suggestions for where to go in Italy including Italy's top travel destinations, specialty travel vacations and popular hotels. Popular Tourist Attractions in Italy:- The Vatican City:- The Vatican city is located within the city of Rome, over a hill west of River Tiber , whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city. The major attractions of Vatican City are St.Peter's Basilica, St.Peter's Square, Vatican Gardens, Vatican Palace and Vatican Museum. The Colosseum in Rome:- The roman coliseum is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Italy. This greatest land mark was built in st Century AD and could seat spectators. It was a place for gladiatorial combats, spectacles with wild beasts and exec...