Rent Villas in Italy for a Relaxing Holiday Experience

Although as you’ve probably read here on my travel guide blog, I’ve spent a great deal of my time backpacking in many fantastic places in Europe - traveling around by train and visiting the many great city destinations that the continent has to offer - I’ve also spent some great holidays here with friends and family. One great holiday experience in Europe that I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to relax and put their feet up in order to get away from the stress of the day job is renting a villa somewhere in the beautiful Italian countryside.

Villas in Italy are a great way to unwind and spend time with your closest friends in a superb authentic Italian environment. Taking a holiday in Europe in this way gives you a chance to explore your surrounding area, go for walks, take in some fresh air and enjoy some truly beautiful natural surroundings that we often forget about when stuck in the office. If you rent an Italian villa by the coast you'll also have the benefit of some great sea views and the possibility of unwinding with a bit of fishing. Sometimes I feel its nice to travel to a holiday destination that is a little less intense than many of the great cities I’ve visited in Europe to party such as Krakow and Prague. So if you feel like this is something you would like to get out of your holiday in Europe then why not give it a try.

Backpacking in the Best Holiday Destination in Spain: Barcelona

Based on my personal experiences, the city of Barcelona is clearly one of the best holiday destinations you could ever hope to visit in all of Europe. The capital of the Spanish region of Catalonia, Barcelona is for me one of the best all round cities you can visit, as it offers a little bit of everything for tourists, backpackers, holidaymakers and other visitors alike who may travel to the city. Whether you are interested in art, architecture, sport, beaches, food, or nightlife from your favoured city holiday destination - there is little doubt that Barcelona can proudly offer each of these aspects in one form or another, all wrapped up in to one top holiday destination. Why not check out my travel guide to Barcelona to find out the best places to visit on your backpacking holiday in Barcelona. If you ever get bored of the city itself and wish to travel further affield in the surrounding area, then why not check out the local options for cheap car hire in Spain either from local rental services or by checking the latest prices online.

If you are travelling to the city from overseas, you will know doubt be pleased to hear that the city of Barcelona is easily accessed via several different airports in the region, with frequent and affordable budget flights taking off from the UK often flying to the nearby Reus Tarragona Airport. Although 30 miles from the centre of Barcelona, it is still very easy to reach the city by either public transport such as the frequent bus services or airport taxis, or there is also the alternative of car hire Reus Tarragona Airport if you feel you may want to go on beyond the city of Barcelona and explore the coastal region of Catalonia.

Forza Italia -Defending Word Cup Champs Italy Ties Paraguay

Forza Italia -Defending Word Cup Champs Italy Ties Paraguay

Cape Town South Africa hosted 2006 World Cup Champions Italian National Team in its opening game against Paraguay. Despite ESPN commentators and the rest of the world secretly wishing Italy would lose its World Cup 2010 opening match, Italy managed an unimpressive 1-1 tie against an aggressive Paraguay.















Next up in the 2010 World Cup for the Italy's national team is New Zealand, who tied Slovakia earlier today, on June 20 at 10A ET.















Click for video of Italy's goals on the road to 2010 World Cup.

World Cup 2010: italy Defending Champion Takes Field Today

Italy's World Cup team, the World Cup 2010 defending champion and the four-time World Cup Soccer champions of the world come into the 2010 World Cup with a target on their back as defending champions, while simultaneously being viewed as weak by almost the entire world, including Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles (1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006) just one fewer than Brazil

Italy's World Cup 2010 team includes many of the same core players on the 2006 Italy World Cup champion team, returning for a second go at winning the ultimate World Cup 2010 trophy.

Italy's blue, azzurro, in Italian due to the "Azzurro Savoia" (Savoy Blue), the color traditionally linked to the royal dynasty which unified Italy in 1861, and maintained in the official standard of the President of the Italian Republic.

In 2006, Italy's Serie A was embroiled in scandal and Italy was expected to be dumped out of the competition quickly. The midfield were derided as having no creativity and the strikers were aging. Italy, of course, went on to top their group, beat a sensational Germany, and put on a defensive clinic against France to win the Cup on penalties.

Italy seems old and weak. They haven't impressed in warm-ups against Mexico or Switzerland, and play maker Andrea Pirlo (calf injury) could miss quite a few games. But, in the end, the Italians are the defending champions, and while they do have a penchant for giving lazy performances when the title isn't on the line, they also make it a habit of proving people wrong.

Italy 's first World Cup 2010 game is today 2:30 ET against Paraguay. For more on travel to Italy visit Italian Tourism and Italy Cruise.

Meet the Italy 2010 World Cup Squad - VIDEO

Current squad

23 players called up for 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Caps and goals as of 5 June 2010.

No.	Name	Date of birth	Club	Caps (goals)	Debut
Goalkeepers
1	Gianluigi Buffon	28 January 1978 (age 32)(1978-01-28)	Juventus	101 (0)	v. Russia, 29 October 1997
12	Federico Marchetti	7 February 1983 (age 27)(1983-02-07)	Cagliari	5 (0)	v. Northern Ireland, 6 June 2009
14	Morgan De Sanctis	27 March 1977 (age 33)(1977-03-27)	Napoli	3 (0)	v. Iceland, 30 March 2005
Defenders
5	Fabio Cannavaro	13 September 1973 (age 36)(1973-09-13)	Al-Ahli	133 (2)	v. Northern Ireland, 22 January 1997
19	Gianluca Zambrotta	19 February 1977 (age 33)(1977-02-19)	Milan	94 (2)	v. Norway, 10 February 1999
4	Giorgio Chiellini	14 August 1984 (age 25)(1984-08-14)	Juventus	29 (2)	v. Finland, 17 November 2004
3	Domenico Criscito	30 December 1986 (age 23)(1986-12-30)	Genoa	7 (0)	v. Switzerland, 12 August 2009
2	Christian Maggio	11 February 1982 (age 28)(1982-02-11)	Napoli	5 (0)	v. Greece, 19 November 2008
13	Salvatore Bocchetti	30 November 1986 (age 23)(1986-11-30)	Genoa	5 (0)	v. Republic of Ireland, 10 October 2009
23	Leonardo Bonucci	1 May 1987 (age 23)(1987-05-01)	Bari	2 (1)	v. Cameroon, 3 March 2010
Midfielders
8	Gennaro Gattuso	9 January 1978 (age 32)(1978-01-09)	Milan	72 (1)	v. Sweden, 23 February 2000
21	Andrea Pirlo	19 May 1979 (age 31)(1979-05-19)	Milan	66 (8)	v. Azerbaijan, 7 September 2002
6	Daniele De Rossi	24 July 1983 (age 26)(1983-07-24)	Roma	54 (8)	v. Norway, 4 September 2004
16	Mauro Camoranesi	4 October 1976 (age 33)(1976-10-04)	Juventus	53 (5)	v. Portugal, 12 February 2003
17	Angelo Palombo	25 September 1981 (age 28)(1981-09-25)	Sampdoria	17 (0)	v. Croatia, 16 August 2006
7	Simone Pepe	30 August 1983 (age 26)(1983-08-30)	Juventus	15 (0)	v. Bulgaria, 11 October 2008
22	Riccardo Montolivo	18 January 1985 (age 25)(1985-01-18)	Fiorentina	13 (0)	v. South Africa, 17 October 2007
15	Claudio Marchisio	19 January 1986 (age 24)(1986-01-19)	Juventus	4 (0)	v. Switzerland, 12 August 2009
Strikers
11	Alberto Gilardino	5 July 1982 (age 27)(1982-07-05)	Fiorentina	41 (16)	v. Norway, 4 September 2004
9	Vincenzo Iaquinta	21 November 1979 (age 30)(1979-11-21)	Juventus	37 (5)	v. Iceland, 30 March 2005
10	Antonio Di Natale	13 October 1977 (age 32)(1977-10-13)	Udinese	33 (9)	v. Turkey, 20 November 2002
18	Fabio Quagliarella	31 January 1983 (age 27)(1983-01-31)	Napoli	20 (4)	v. Scotland, 29 March 2007
20	Giampaolo Pazzini	2 August 1984 (age 25)(1984-08-02)	Sampdoria	8 (1)	v. Montenegro, 28 March 2009

For more about Italy travel visit Amalfi Coast holidays, Sicily tours, and cruises around Italy for the best Italy travel deals.

ROME - Golden Gala 2010

This year’s Golden Gala, held on June 10th, marked the 30th anniversary of the major athletics event.

Asafa Powell won the 100 meters for Jamaica with a time of 9.82 seconds. Two Frenchmen, Christophe Lemaitre and Martial Mbandjock, took second and third place in a photo finish in 10.09 seconds.

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Jeremy Wariner claimed victory in the 400 metres. The American finished in 44.73 seconds. Angelo Taylor (USA) finished second in 44.74 seconds and Christopher Brown (BAH) placed third with 45.05 seconds.


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In the women’s 800 metre race, 21 year old Halima Hachlaf (MAR) placed first with a world leading time of 1:58.40. Second place went to Janeth Jepkosgel for her time of 1:58:85. Jenny Meadows (GBR) finished in third position with 1:58:89.


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Results and statistics for all track and field events at this year's Golden Gala can be found on the Golden Gala official web page at
http://www.diamondleague-rome.com/en/Live-StartlistsResults/Overview/

Tickets to this year's Golden Gala, held at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, ranged from 5 to 25 Euros. To buy tickets for 2011, log onto the official website in May and book your tickets directly through the website.

The Cancun Mexico - Excelent Stress Therapy

The Cancun Mexico - Excelent Stress Therapy

...sleep tight... and welcome to the dream world..

Find the Best Holiday Accommodation in Helsinki, Finland

If you are thinking of being a bit different and taking the plunge by looking for a somewhat alternative holiday destination or city location to visit on your backpacking trip in Europe - then please consider taking the time to have a visit to the beautiful city of Helsinki, Finland. The city is surely one of the best city destinations to visit in all of Scandinavia if not Europe itself, and indeed has a host of great places to see.

Amongst the most popular tourist attractions in the city of Helsinki is the National Museum of Finland which is a stunning piece of architecture to behold in itself, with its so called “national romantic” building style giving it a unique and distinguished appearance. The city’s cathedral and maritime attractions are also popular draws for tourists visiting Helsinki, but the city also has the very pretty Esplanade Park in which visitors often like to have a romantic stroll, which is situated in the very heart of the city itself.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Helsinki then you can check out the many “hotelli helsinki” that are dotted across numerous great locations across the length and breadth of the city. One of the best known hotels in Helsinki is the Best Western which is great place for holidaymakers to stay either as a couple or with their family and kids. Wherever you stay, you are sure to find a great holiday experience that few places in Northern Europe can match.