Italy Amongst Best Holiday Destinations in Europe

Italy is a truly beautiful country to visit and offers a range of unforgettable holiday destinations -whether you are travelling to see the fantastic historical buildings you would find in the country’s capital Rome, the great shopping experiences available in modern Milan, the unique canals and side streets found in Venice or the outstanding natural rural beauty that typifies the region of Tuscany. Put together, all of these places make Italy one of the best holiday destinations in all of Europe.

     The country draws in visitors from all over the world for a wide variety of reasons – some will travel to Italy on backpacking trips, some on romantic breaks and others will visit Italy on family holidays. However, regardless of the type of holiday on which you are travelling, you are always going to need somewhere to stay.

     While backpackers may choose to find more budget accommodation such as a youth hostel, others may seek to stay in one of the stunning old hotels. If you are looking for accommodation in Italy, the best way of finding it is by searching online as this can result in great discounts and save a lot of time searching travel agents in the high street.

Does My Breakdown Cover Policy Cover Me in Europe?

To do true justice to many of Europe’s more scenic and rural holiday destinations, either taking your own car (and thereby being all but bound to the consequences and limitations of travelling by ferry) or alternatively taking up the option to hire a car upon arrival at your destination is all but essential if you are to get the maximum enjoyment out of your trip. I would suggest that it is all but impossible to fully enjoy all the stunning natural beauty of some of the greatest European holiday destinations such as for example Tuscany, The Greek Islands, Ireland etc. without the freedom to drive off and explore these brilliant places and their unspoilt natural scenery without having a car at your disposal.

    

But what happens if the worst comes to the worst and you have a breakdown or mechanical fault with your vehicle? If you are based living in the UK, does your current breakdown cover policy cover you for travel overseas and in Europe? Are there any limitations to the length of period of which you are covered in such territories?  Such factors are key things to consider if you are planning on using your own car or hiring a car in Europe. If in doubt, it is highly recommended that you take the time to study your existing policy documents or contact your insurer directly to establish the limitations and terms of your breakdown cover.

    

There is nothing worse than having a dream holiday ruined by unforeseen problems, and unfortunately such things can happen to any of us. By establishing whether or not you are covered prior to departure you may save yourself a whole heap of hassle in the long-term. Even if your current policy does not cover you for breakdowns outside of your country of residence, there are now short term breakdown policies available that can for example, cover you for short holiday periods ranging from 1 to 30 days, based on which region of Europe to which you are driving. Investing in such as policy will give you greater peace of mind and freedom to enjoy your holiday and explore the rural reaches of Europe without the fear of being stranded should your car break down.

Umbria or Tuscany for your Next Italy Holiday?

When planning a holiday to Italy, one of the places you should ensure that you spend some time in is Umbria. This region is known as the “Green Heart” of Italy because of the vast rolling hills and it is this beautiful vista which has contributed to Umbria becoming one of the top holiday destinations in Italy.

While in Umbria, make sure to pay a visit to Perugia, an ancient capital of the region. This town has a lot of history much of which is still apparent from the ancient buildings and these now sit comfortably alongside many modern buildings including a University.  The city is also home to an internationally known Jazz Festival and a Chocolate Festival both of which should definitely not be missed.

Assisi is another ‘must see’ destination on an Umbrian holiday. Once a Roman colony, Assisi is known for being the home of Saint Francis and the tomb of the Saint can be visited at the Saint Francis Basilica which is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy.

If you are looking for a quiet and romantic Italian holiday, consider Tuscany. This is a region full of breathtaking architecture, beautiful landscapes and amazing Italian cuisine all of which make Tuscany a popular destination for newlyweds.  The romance of the area can be felt throughout the region and with the option of renting luxury Tuscany villas and farmhouses, you will surely find the perfect romantic getaway in Tuscany.

Italian holidays are becoming more and more popular every year and Umbria and Tuscany are likely to remain at top of the list for popular destinations for some time. Both have great qualities that make them amongst the best holiday destinations in Europe.

Terrific Tuscany - Birthplace of Modern Europe

Few existing regions of Europe can surely paint such a romantic and idealistic picture in ones mind than those that are drummed up by the sheer imagery of Tuscany and its stunning historical capital Florence. Famed the world over for its rich and immeasurably important historical contribution to the fields of European arts, music, the sciences and high culture - the region that has over the years remained synonymous with the birth of the Italian Renaissance offers holidaymakers and backpackers from across the globe a unique flavour of Europe that is quite unique and apart from any other area of Italy, Europe or any other place in the world.

     Famed for its museums and galleries including the Uffizi and Chianciano art museums that offer intriguing and stimulating insights into Europe's artistic traditions and history, Tuscany gives the visitor a sense of true awe - and if you can take the time to soak up the information and stunning visuals on offer here, hopefully an enhanced understanding of the region's lasting influence and legacy on modern Europe. Alongside the great Renaissance works that are housed in the museums of Florence (including such famous paintings such as The Birth of Venus by Botticelli), the entire region of Tuscany is dotted with beautiful churches and cathedrals each with their own beautiful and attractive interiors and ornate decorations.

     When looking at the various accommodation available in Tuscany you will tend to find that it is incredibly varied and is largely dependent on which area of the expansive 8,800 square mile region in which you find yourself in. With places to stay ranging from high priced but exceptional hotels to some equally fantastic villas in Tuscany with pool in some of the more rural areas. Hiring out a villa in Tuscany can be a great and relaxing way of spending a holiday with your partner in beautiful surroundings and rich history and culture.   

Stay in Tuscany in Style: Rent a Tuscany Villa

Italy is surely one of the finest and most varied holiday destinations in all of Europe, with its many different cities and regions offering something unique and fresh – with characteristics all of its own. Whether you enjoy a ski or snowboard trip in the north of the country, the numerous fantastic ancient historical attractions of Rome, or are more interested in checking out the many brilliant designer boutiques in Milan its easy to understand and recognise just how much Italy has to offer as a holiday destination.

If you are however looking to get away from all the mad traffic, endless hussle and bustle and congestion of Italy’s big cities but still fancy a holiday to this great European country then you may prefer to take up the option of renting a villa in the Tuscany region of Italy. Whether traveling to Italy with a group of friends or family, many holidaymakers choose to rent Tuscany villa to get a much more authentic experience of rural Italy and the local Italian way of life.
If you do somehow tire of the beautiful countryside in the region there are also some great nearby cities you can visit such as Florence, Siena and Pisa – each with their own unique charm and great visitor attractions, restaurant, bards and cafes. With so much to do in the region and with a great degree of freedom to experience it in – you’ll find that renting a villa in Tuscany can be a very different and exciting way to experience Italy.

Italy Arts Guide: May-June 2009, Tuscany, Rome, Florence etc.

The following is a city-by-city guide to some of Italy's art exhibitions:

AREZZO - Museo Statale d'Arte Medievale e Moderna: 130 works by Della Robbia family and contemporaries like Donatello and Ghiberti; plus tours around Arezzo province taking in 25 towns and 168 works; until June 7.

ASCOLI - Galleria d'Arte Contemporanea: 'Sedendo e Mirando', 130 landscapes by cartoonist Tullio Pericoli; until September 13.

BARLETTA - Palazzo della Marra: 90 land and sea paintings by Fattori, De Nittis and other 19th-century southern Italian landscape masters; until August 2.

BOLZANO - Museo Archeologico dell'Alto Adige: Iceman joined by more than 60 mummies from Ancient Egypt, Asia, South America and Oceania; until October 25.

CAVA DEI TIRRENI (SALERNO) - Galleria Civica d'Arte: Los Desastres de la Guerra, 80 etchings collected by Goya in his later years on horrors of war; until September 6.

COMO - Villa Olmo: Chagall, Kandinsky, Malevich: Masters of the Russian Avant-Garde; until July 26.

FERRARA - Palazzo dei Diamanti: Giorgio Morandi; 130 etchings demonstrate Bolognese artist's lesser-known lifelong passion; until June 5.

FLORENCE
- Bargello: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, The Living Marbles; until July 12.

- Palazzo Strozzi: Galileo show marking 400th anniversary of his first observations of the night sky; 250 exhibits including the middle finger from Galileo's right hand; until August 30.

- Palazzo Pitti: Memories of Antiquity in 20th-Century Art; 130 paintings and sculptures from Etruscan, classical and Renaissance times and 20th-century works by Dali', Picasso, Modigliani, de Chirico and others; until July 12.

- Palazzo Medici: 29 outfits from Court of Lorenzo il Magnifico recreated in paper from contemporary paintings by Belgian artist Isabelle de Borchgrave; until June 14.

FORLI' - Musei di San Domenico: Canova, The Classical Ideal, Sculpture and Painting; 200 sculptures and paintings from world's galleries; until June 21.

ILLEGGIO (near Udine) - Casa delle Esposizioni: Art inspired by Biblical Apocrypha including Caravaggio's Rest During the Flight into Egypt, loaned by Rome's Doria Pamphili Gallery, Guercino, Durer, Andrea Pozzo, Byzantine and Russian icons; over 80 works, until October 4.

MAMIANO DI TRAVERSETOLO - Fondazione Mamiani Rocca: 55 Rembrandt etchings from Petit Palais in Paris; until June 25.


- Palazzo Reale: 20 Monet water lily works from Musee' Marmottan in Paris; until September 27. - same venue: First show in Italy on the samurai; helmets, weaponry and armour for warriors and horses from the Azuchi Momoyama (1575-1603) and Edo (1603-1867) periods; 100 items gathered from Milan's Castello Sforzesco and Koelliker collections; until June 2.

- same venue: Italy's biggest show marking 100th anniversary of Futurism; 500 works including Marinetti, Boccioni, Balla, Carra', Severini, Russolo; until June 7.

NAPLES - Museo Archeologico Nazionale: 400 Pompeii frescos return after 10-year restoration.

PADUA - Civici Musei agli Eremitani: 100 Years of Portrait Painting In The Age of Galileo, 1550-1650; 70 works including Titians and Tintorettos; until July 15.

PONTASSIEVE - Sala delle Colonne: 49 paintings and sculptures by Antonio Ligabue including celebrated Self Portrait With Dog; until June 7.

ROME
- Capitoline Museums: Fra Angelico: The Dawn of the Renaissance; 49 works by the early Renaissance master and friar; until July 5.

- Colosseum: 'Divus Vespasanius', celebration of Emperor Vespasian, general who took throne from Nero in 69 AD and transformed Rome, founding Flavian dynasty which built Colosseum; until January 10.

- Vittoriano: Giotto and the Trecento; 150 works from world's museums including 20 by pre-Renaissance master himself; until June 29.

- Palazzo Venezia: The Mind of Leonardo, The Universal Genius at Work; acclaimed exhibit already seen at Uffizi and in Tokyo; until August 30.

- Museo Fondazione Roma: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), lyrical Japanese landscape artist who influenced Van Gogh and Monet; 200 woodblock prints on show for first time in Italy; until June 7.

ROME - Palazzo della Cancelleria: Leonardo da Vinci, Genius and Invention; interactive show featuring recreations of most famous machines; until April 30, 2010. *** Motorino Man Favorite

ROVERETO - MART Gallery: Futurism 100: Avant-Gardes Compared, Italy, Germany And Russia: marking 100th anniversary of Futurism; Marinetti, Kandinsky, Der Sturm, Chagall, Klee, August Macke, Franz Marc; until June 7.

ROVIGO - Palazzo Roverella: Art Deco in Italy 1919-1939; until June 28.

TRENTO - Palazzo delle Albere: Hayez, Prati, Bezzi, Segantini and other 19th-century Trento painters; until November 22.

URBINO - Ducal Palace: Raphael and Urbino, 20 mostly youthful works plus influence of Perugino and Signorelli; until July 12.

Where do the Italians Live in Italy?

Italians are gravitating towards 14 urban areas in the country to make their homes, Censis observed in its study on lifestyle trends.

According to the report, six out of ten Italians, or 36.4 million people, now live in these areas, which make up 17% of the country's surface area. Censis identified the mosty popular areas:

• Lombardy and Veneto,
• six cities (Turin, Rome, Verona, Naples, Palermo and Cagliari),
• four coastal strips (Liguria, the upper and lower Adriatic coasts and the eastern coast of Sicily) and
• two other 'territorial belts' in Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany.

Italy Travel: Best Deal to Rome

Good morning Web Vision Italy subscribers!

If you are dreaming of Italy then Web Vision Italy has very good travel news for you:

$699 Rome round trip airfare and that includes 6 nights hotel!

That is correct - Dooley Vacations is offering round trip airfare and 6 nights hotel in Rome for $699 total.

But offer expires November 14, 2008. Visit Dooley's website and book now. This offer expires November 14.

Want to stay in Italy for longer than 6 nights? Ciao Italy Travel, Web Vision Italy's sponsor for years, will be happy to help you. Guido D'Ugo and his team will arrange a wonderful Italy vacation for you, your favorite people, and groups.

If you haven't been to Web Vision Italy's website recently now is a great time to see some new shows.

Isabella Dusi, author of Vanilla Beans and Brodo and Montalcino resident, launched on Web Vision Italy her new Italy travel television series On Tour with Isabella Dusi.

Isabella brings Web Vision Italy's viewers to Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto to meet the people, taste their food and enjoy the history of Italy.

For more information about Web Vision Italy's and Isabella's 2009 group tours in Italy send an email to:

Motorino@WebVisionItaly.com and type "Dusi 2009" in subject.

Buon Viaggio,
Web Vision Italy Editors

Montalcino - Brunello di Montalcino

Wine producers in Montalcino who produce the Brunello di Montalcino have voted overwhelmingly in favour of keeping Sangiovese as the only grape variety allowed in their bottles.

Click here for video of Montalcino.

For more video about Italy travel and your Italy vacation click Web Vision Italy, the only Internet television network about Italy.

Montalcino: A travel back in time

In this hilltop village there lies history and culture that can be dated back to 9 A.D. This village is situated in the province of Siena a little west of Pienza. This picturesque village creates an ambiance of a simpler time. The meandering network of roads and alleys add to the rustic atmosphere. The medieval castle adds to the aesthetic beauty of the city. From atop the castle a view of the city and countryside is nothing less than breathtaking. The wine coming out of this quaint village is another amazing aspect. This Tuscan wine is nothing short of superb. The nutrients and environment of the Tuscan landscape creates a wine that pleases the mind, body and soul.

If you want more information about the province of Siena or Montalcino visit Web Vision Italy.

Nathaniel

Pietrasanta Tuscany: Artist's Sanctuary

Pietrasanta Tuscany, the city of marble, is located in northern Tuscany on the coastal plains, at the base of the Tuscany mountains. In the province of Lucca, it is the home of the great sculptors who love to work with the nearby Carrara stone, famous for the white or blue-gray marble quarried there.

We traveled south by train from the Cinque Terre in Liguria, Italy to coastal Tuscany to visit the city where, during the last 600 years, all the masters of sculpture have called Pietrasanta home at one time during their life, including Michelangelo, Henry Moore and Botero.

See more about Pietrasanta to plan your next holiday to Italy.

Click here -- Pietrasanta -- to visit Web Vision Italy in Pietrasanta, Tuscany, the only telly Italy TV about Italy in English. Enjoy Italy video.

A Tuscan Gem

Siena has the unique Tuscan quality of being a walled city. Upon entering the stone roads and tiny streets transport you to a place hundreds of years before. This precious city is untouched by the corporate hustle and bustle of a large city. The eye catching shops and meandering streets give you a surprise around every corner. These streets funnel you into the spectacular Piazza del Campo where the amazing facade of the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia soar into the heavens. The view from this tower is nothing short of earth shattering. The viewers eye become engulfed in the maze of streets, buildings, and rolling landscape of Tuscany. The experience of Siena is truly a travel back in time.

For more information visit Siena on www.webvisionitaly.com


Nathaniel

Italy Travel: Christmas Markets and Celebrations in Italy

During the Christmas season in Florence there is an eruption of lights, colors, culture, and the always present Italian hospitality. Throughout the city, lights are strewn up and down avenues illuminating the beautiful architecture of Florence. Under the cover of darkness, the parade of lights that interconnect the Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo is a sight that will forever be imprinted in your mind. The Christmas fair in front of the Church of Santa Croce lets the mind, soul, and stomach indulge in all that Florence has to offer; with a little help from its european neighbors. Florence celebrates the birth of Christ in a way that exemplifies its status as The City of Enlightenment.

For more information visit Tuscany at a Glance on www.Webvisionitaly.com

Nathaniel