Oct 06

Enticing Italy | Travel Italy at Your Own Pace

By ItalyTravelista Florence, Italy, Rome, Shopping in Italy, Travel Italy, Vatican No Comments »

pantheon in rome nancyaiellotours Enticing Italy | Travel Italy at Your Own Pace

Whatever type of vacation you’re looking for, anything from a beach holiday to a city break, Italy is a fantastic destination that caters for all needs. Flying to Italy from the UK is no problem at all, with regular routes from Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Edinburgh and London airports. If you’re someone who plans ahead, booking flights to Italy a few months in advance can save you lots of money.

Rome is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Europe, if not the world. Italy’s capital is home to some great architectural wonders such as the Great Colosseum, the Piazza della Repubblica, the Trevi Fountain, and the Sistine Chapel. Located in the heart of the capital is the Vatican City, and St Peter’s square is something you simply have to visit when in the vicinity. The sheer beauty of the city makes it an ideal place for a romantic break abroad.

In addition to Rome, Italy is full of other vibrant and must-see cities. There is Milan with its beautiful cathedrals, Naples with its unique architecture, Venice with its network of waterways, and the Roman edifices of Verona. . Nearly all of Italy’s cities boast a rich historic heritage and are distinctive in one way or other, take Pisa, for example, with its Leaning Tower.  You can get cheap flights to Verona and all of Italy’s other major cities from the links below.

dolomites Enticing Italy | Travel Italy at Your Own Pace

What’s so fantastic about Italy is that there is also so much to do outside of the country’s great cities. With the Alps to the North and the Appennine Mountains forming the peninsula’s backbone, the country houses some astounding places of natural beauty. Throughout the country there are some scenic lakes, of which Lake Garda is perhaps the most well known, as well as some quintessential small towns and villages.

The country’s mountainous region also makes it a great location for all kinds of outdoor sports and activities. Whether you’re keen to go bungee jumping, rock-climbing or kayaking, there will plenty of opportunities for you. Keen on Skiing? Italy has some fabulous skiing resorts, such as those at Alagna Valsesia and Courmayeur, that offer some amazing pistes.

ancient rome for kids nancyaielotours Enticing Italy | Travel Italy at Your Own Pace

While you’re in the country it’s definitely worth taking a trip to the iconic ruins at Pompeii. Having been buried under the ash an eruption at Mount Vesuvius, the city is near-perfectly preserved to present the best depiction ever of life in the Roman Empire.

If you’re someone who enjoys more of a quieter holiday, then Italy has a coastline that stretches some 7,600 kilometers that is strewn with secluded golden beaches. If you’re enjoying a family holiday, then there are plenty of beach resorts such as San Remo that cater for adults and children alike.

Whatever you’re after, Italy has it. It’s a fantastic country that boasts a friendly and accommodating atmosphere as well as some of the most beautiful buildings and landscapes anywhere in the world. And what’s more, there are plenty of budget airlines that will take you there for a very reasonable price.

Guest post by cheapflights.co.uk

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in providing personalized Italy travel services designed for the independent traveler visiting Italy with family and children, with his/her business partners or simply on his/her own! Based in Rome, Italy Nancy Aiello Tours offers a wide range of top quality Italy travel services for the demanding Italy visitor who wants to enjoy Italy art and history, Italian food and made in Italy shopping in comfort and style. We are glad to offer our privileged guests private Italy transfers by fully insured a/c Mercedes Benz limo and minivans, Italy V.I.P. concierge services, Italy accommodation tips, Italy tour planning services, private guided skip the line Italy museum private guided visits, and more.

Italy Private Guided Tours Tour Italy at your family pace with Nancy Aiello Tours of Italy

Ciao from Italy

Nancy Aiello @ ItalyTravelista.com

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Oct 19

Travel to Rome | A Day at the Vatican | Vatican Tips

By ItalyTravelista Italy, Rome Museums, Rome Travel Tips, Travel Italy, Vatican, Vatican Museums 2 Comments »

Travel to Rome | A Day at the Vatican | Vatican Tips

A Day at the Vatican | Tour Saint Peter 's Square

A tour of Rome is not complete without a day at the Vatican to visit the Holy See, explore St. Peter’s Basilica the world largest Christian church and tour the Vatican Museums the most impressive collection of fine art.


The Vatican City is one of most fascinating areas in Rome with an appeal that is quite unique. In the very small Vatican State visitors and devoted Catholics will appreciate an impressive collection of artistic and cultural treasures starting from St. Peter’s Square, one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of all time, one of the many open-air museums in Rome!

Designed by Bernini and built between 1656 and 1667, Saint Peter’s Square features two gigantic semicircles each comprising four rows of Doric columns totaling 284 columns adorned by 140 statues of Saints. In the middle of St. Peter’s Square is the famous Egyptian obelisk brought to Rome to grace Nero’s circus and erected in its current location by Pope Sixtus V in 1586. There are also two beautiful 17th century fountains adorning each side of the Holy Square. Between the obelisk and each fountain you’ll see a circular stone that marks the focal points of an ellipse and standing on one of these points, it appears to comprise a single row of columns. The backdrop to all this is St. Peter’s Basilica one of the most visited Rome’s landmarks.

Travel to Rome | A Day at the Vatican | Vatican Tips

Bernini's Saint Peter's Square | Vatican City a Must See When in Rome

The construction of the Basilica of Saint Peter began under Pope Julius II in 1506 and was completed in 1612. The imposing Church was built on top of a former 4th century basilica erected by the Emperor Constantine on the spot where the legend says the apostle Peter was crucified and buried. The dome was designed by Michelangelo and the church, the largest church in the world, covers an area of 23,000 m² (5.7 acres).


St. Peter’s Basilica is a magnet for art lovers featuring Bernini’s majestic canopy in the nave, Maderno’s magnificent Chapel of the Confession, the Pieta by Michelangelo, the Clementine Chapel by della Porta and the stunning tomb of Clement XIII by Canova, just to name a few of the famous masterpieces on display.


But a Vatican tour would not be complete without a tour of the Vatican Museums and the breathtaking Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo.

Visitors will be impressed by the Egyptian and the Etruscan Museums, the Papal Apartments painted by Raphael and the Pinacoteca gallery that houses masterpieces by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio and more Raphael. A visit to Saint Angel’s Castle, built by Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD, is a great way to round off a tour of the Vatican City.

Travel to Rome | A Day at the Vatican | Vatican Tips

Saint Angel's Castle | A nice walk from the Vatican

Vatican Travel Tips:

  • Vatican Museums Tickets can be purchased online at the Official Vatican Website
  • Vatican Dress Code For both ladies and men, knees and shoulders must be covered. No shorts of any kind are allowed
  • Wear comfy shoes. Sensible shoes are essential if you are to attempt the ascent of the Dome, as the 320 marble stairs after you emerge from the lift are very slippery
  • Days closed The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month when entrance is free of charge. Expect large crowds then. St. Peter’s Basilica is also closed every Wednesday morning when the Papal Audience is scheduled
  • Papal Audience Papal Audience is held every Wednesday and the free of charge Papal Audience Tickets should be booked well in advance
  • Dear Visitor Please Note: Don’t set your expectations to high! It’s a public ceremony and you won’t be able to talk to His Holiness, take pictures of your kids with the Pope or handshake with the Holy Father
  • More Vatican Tips and info can be found at my previous Vatican post here

Pizzeria and Restaurants near the Vatican

Trattoria Micci | Euro 30 |

Pizzeria la Pratolina | Euro 25 |

Pizzeria Giacomelli | Euro 25 | Via Faà di Bruno 25 Prati |

Osteria dell’Angelo | Euro 25 | Via Giovanni Bettolo 24 Prati |

Osteria Centouno | Euro 28 |

Cafes, Pizza to Go and Bars near the Vatican

Mondo Arancina | Pizza and arancini rice balls |

Pizzarium | Excellent Pizza to go |

Caffè Antonini | Good sandwiches and excellent Cappuccino | Via Sabotino 25 | Prati |

Franchi | Delicious deli very close to the Vatican City | Take Away |

Piacere e Passione | Excellent coffeeshop with food |

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it! Buon Viaggio!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

Join me on Twitter!

© Copyright 2009, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours, based in Rome, specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article on your website please contact us for consent and further info.

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Jul 29

Rome Shopping Guide between Art and History | Tour Rome

By ItalyTravelista Food & Wine, Free in Rome, Italy, Rome, Rome Day Trips, Rome Entertainment, Rome Walking Tours, Shopping in Italy, Travel Italy No Comments »

Rome Shopping Guide between Art and History | Tour Rome

Rome Shopping between Art and History

Shopping in Rome is a must on your visit! Rome is a tremendous place for shopping and all non-EU residents can claim a tax refund (Approx. 14% Net) on VAT Tax Refund if they spend over € 154, 94 in any one day in one shop, and if they live outside the EU for more than six months in the year. You just need to bring a copy of your passport when shopping since you will be asked to fill out a form with your personal data as well as your passport number.

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Rome Al Fresco Lunch

Most stores are open from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm except Mondays when they open at 3:30 pm and close at 7:30 pm. A lot of shops close for a couple of hours at lunch time and that gives the perfect excuse for a long meal in one of the many delightful restaurants located along ancient streets transformed nowadays into trendy shopping areas.

Rome’s historic centre offers more than 2,000 years of history, hosting treasure-filled museums, architectural wonders, stunning landmarks and enchanting squares together with exclusive boutiques, innovative gourmet restaurants and lively wine bars to enjoy shopping while living the most cosmopolitan side of the Eternal City of Rome!

Most of Rome’s fashion shopping is crammed into the Spanish Steps area from Via dei Condotti, the Madison Avenue of Rome, to Via Borgognona filled by elegant boutiques, several adorned with neoclassical facades, selling high style Italian clothes, where shoppers can purchase the latest collections s by famous brands such as Gucci, Prada, Ferragamo, Valentino, Armani and Versace. But the streets worth a visit even if you do not want to buy anything as are also a great place for some serious window-   shopping and people-watching!

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Early Baroque Fountain of the Old Boat

To the right of the Spanish Steps are two of the major street for antiques in Rome, Via Margutta today rich of art galleries and fashionable restaurants, starting from the Renaissance centre of life for craftsmen workshops, including the neoclassical artist Canova who had his workshop here, and the fine Via del Babuino lined with antique shops, some with a long history as the print shop at number 110 where both Wagner and Poussin used to live.

Many other streets intersect this trendy city-centre street filled with a variety of exclusive boutiques cafes and al fresco restaurants.

Rome Spanish Steps elegant shopping area has ancient Roman origins.

Via dei Condotti originally must have been the entrance to Lucullo’s Villa and remained during the Medieval times a country road. Since the 18th century became common and trendy to meet in Via Condotti’s cafes and at the Spanish Steps, and that has not changed much! Yesterday were Stendhal, Byron, Shelley, Goethe and D’Annunzio while today politicians, artists and movie stars keep meeting at the Caffé Greco in Via dei Condotti, 81, perhaps the most famous café in Rome.

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Antico Caffé Greco, established in 1760.

From 1870 the street has pretty much remained the same as it was originally designed, when Rome became the capital of Italy and this area was designed to be occupied by banks and state administrative offices.  Bulgari opened here in 1905 its atelier and Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of the radio, lived at Via dei Condotti 11, until his death in 1937.

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Shopping in Rome

Via del Babuino, rich in 17-18th-century palaces was the artists’ street. In the 17th century, a colony of Dutch and Flemish painters came to live here and in the adjacent Via Margutta and therefore becoming the antiquarians’ street.
Today, prestigious antiquarians still have their shops here together with jewelers’ like Tiffany, Chopard, and Pomellato and icon fashion stores like Emporio Armani, Kenzo, Etro and Chanel.

The close Via Margutta, where Gregory Peck’s character lived in the classic movie Roman Holidays  became in the 1950s an exclusive address and home to  famous people, like film director Federico Fellini, and as result became one of the most cultural and lively areas in Rome.

Today this vivacious ancient area of Rome is one of the most important high-level shopping areas offering a wide choice of shops: antiques, jewelers, boutiques and fashion ateliers that keep the tradition and charm of one of the most beautiful old streets in Rome.

Rome Shopping Guide between Art and History | Tour Rome

Via dei Condotti home to many of Italian's Designer Shops

Enjoy your Rome Shopping Stroll!

Ciao from Rome
Nancy Aiello
NancyAielloTours.com
Twitter.com/ItalyTravelista

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