The fascinating city of Florence is one of the most popular cities in all of Italy. Florence offers a wide variety of attractions for tourists of all ages.

Florence is truly a Renaissance city in the heart of the Tuscany region. It includes many of Italy’s best museums, spectacular churches and cathedrals, as well as intriguing streets and squares with elegant buildings and quaint shops.

There is almost no time of year one cannot find events somewhere in Florence Italy. There are parades, parties, festivals, exhibits, and fun almost every week. Many of the city’s events last for several months. People can enjoy the festive environment and sincere love of the Italian people for a fun and entertaining time.

The year starts off with fireworks, parades, and parties with the New Year’s Eve celebrations which take place throughout Florence. This party and several fashion shows are held throughout the month of January. This time creates an exciting place for visitor to enjoy the excitement of fashion and the great food that Florence offers.

February brings Italy’s largest carnival which lasts throughout the month. This carnival includes street festivals, dancing, street acrobats, and festivities throughout the city. A person can spend time in the plaza with the actors and performers and talk about the history and tradition of the carnival in Italy.

The month of April is another that will take a visitor on an adventure in both the culture and love of life shared by the Italian people. One begins the month with the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart). This parade and party begins on Easter Sunday and includes a huge fireworks display on a cart that is set ablaze by a dove that comes from the cathedral on a wire.

In May, the Festa del Grillo/Cricket Festival is held and crickets in woven cages are released by their owners for good luck. This festival includes parades, food, wine, and dancing. Through the rest of May and early June the Maggio Musicale is held celebrating the city’s major arts festival. This event in Florence Italy include concerts, dancing, outdoor theatre, and ballet performances.

Also in June one can participate in the Calcio in Costume/Football in Costume which is held in the Piazza di Santa Croce. There are parades, parties, food, wine, and a game that combines football and rugby is played by regional champions. The Estate Fiesolana/Fiesole Summer held right after this festival celebrates music, arts, drama, dance and film.

Through the months of June to December there are regular parades, parties, festivals, dancing, and exhibits. The Festival Puccianiano performs the composer’s operas in an open air theater by the lake near his home through the early winter.

The Giostra del Saraceno is a huge event that starts with a parade through Florence with participants in costumes. It ends with a party in the Piazza Grande. This medieval-style joust is something that one shouldn’t miss.

A trip to Italy is simply amazing. Italy is simply an unforgettable and beautiful country, with wonderful landmarks, museums filled with priceless works of art, and a rich culture that goes back thousands of years.

Due to the long list of sites to see, you can visit the large cities of Rome, Venice or Florence or just relax and soak up on the sun on a beautiful Italian sandy beach.

Here is a list of some of the very best locations to visit in all of Italy ….

Rome – The Ancient Capital of the Roman Empire, the focus of Christianity and the present capital of Italy is Rome. The city of Rome has so much to offer visitors that you can’t begin to last everything here. Visitors will marvel at the majestic sight of the Colosseum and at the massive, but perfectly proportionate, size of St. Peters. You will find the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Bocca della Verita just as fascinating, each in its own delightful way. Rome is a city that will steal your heart forever!

Florence – If you speak of the renaissance city Florence,your mind immediately associates its name with history and elegant design. This is because Florence is the direct result of the Renaissance era, which was born and developed here. Walking around Piazza della Signoria in Florence, you cannot help but admire the wonderful buildings enclosing it and the many monuments and statues that decorate it. Nearby are two museums – Galleria dell’Accademia and Uffizi. These museums have worldwide renown for the quality and quantity of their exhibits.

Amalfi Coast – Do you wish to see a lovely coastline with a sprinkling of picturesque villages and houses along the slopes of hills overlooking the sea? Then your choice has to be the Amalfi Coast. Between the see, the hills facing it and the colorful dwellings characteristic of the local countryside, you are sure to be enchanted by the beauty of it all. The larger towns, such as Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and Sorrento, provide that additional charm which makes the area so unique.

Pisa – Its seafaring merchants rivaled those of Venice, Genoa and Amalfi in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, its Leaning Tower has put Pisa on the map throughout the world. But, as you arrive in Piazza dei Miracoli, or Miracle Square, you cannot help standing in wonder at the sight before you: in addition to the Leaning Tower, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the old Cemetery are grouped together to form an enchanting spectacle.

Pompeii – Just imagine: its late in the evening, people are either going to sleep or doing their ordinary chores at home and all of a sudden there is a terrible noise, ashes and gas invade streets and houses; in a matter of minutes the whole city is dead. People have been caught unprepared and their bodies will remain forever in exactly their position at that time. This is what happened in Pompeii about 2000 years ago and now you can see casts that have been made of both men and animals, in addition to whole streets with buildings particularly well preserved.

Siena – Siena and its famous Palio, or Horse Race, are one and the same thing in peoples minds. Its true, the Palio is so important for Siena that the people from the various contrade, or wards, support their horses and jockeys to the extent that sometimes a wife and a husband will have disputes over their reciprocal representatives. However, there is much more to Siena than just the Palio. Its layout and the style of its buildings are typically Medieval. So, if you wish to see a city that is as close as possible to what it was like centuries ago, simply go to Siena.

Chianti Region – Are you a wine connoisseur or do you like wine, in any case? Then you cant miss a tour of the Chianti area. The countryside is covered with beautiful vineyards and the soft colors of the landscape add charm to extremely enjoyable trip. Obviously wine-tasting must be part of the tour, as will a stop at a farm to be introduced to the secrets of the art of wine-production by experts on the field.

And possibly the very best locations in all of Italy, is saved for last -

Venice - Hordes of tourists pour into Venice all the time to visit this unique city. Its canals constantly crossed by picturesque gondolas are a pole of attraction for everyone since they provide the unusual view of houses lapped directly by water and of boats going past day and night. The architecture of the city is necessarily particular, but the style of the buildings is always elegant and in harmony with the environment. Take, for instance, St. Mark’s Basilica and the Clock-tower and Bell-tower nearby.

It’s an impressively large structure at twenty one meters high, seven and a half deep, and twenty-five and a half meters wide, with three distinctive archways. The central arch is the largest at eleven and a half meters wide, and it’s flanked by two smaller archways.

The design of the Arch of Constantine is similar to that used in the Arch of Septimus Severus, which is located at the Roman Forum. Both of them have main sections that sport detached columns, and have an upper portion called an attic that bears a main inscription.

Visiting the Arch of Constantine is easy to do if you’re in Rome, as it spans the ancient Via Triumphalis, or the road emperors used when returning to Rome in triumph. Locating the triumphal arch here says a lot about what Constantine though of himself, as well as about the message he wanted to send both to his rivals and to later people.

You’ll find the arch located extremely close to the Colosseum, and if you want to visit it, just take the Metro there. Of course, it’s also easy to add to a tour of Rome’s ancient ruins – there are plenty of them in this part of the city.

Depending on the light when you view the arch, you may notice a few things about it. First, not all parts of it seem to be made from the same stone, and some are even a slightly different color.

That’s because other monuments were used in the construction of the Arch of Constantine, including pieces used almost in their entirety of the lower part of the arch. The finished piece was made up of other architecture.

The lower portion of the arch is solid marble blocks, with a staircase located high up in the thickness of the arch and hard to access from the ground. The attic is brick with a marble facing.

Some people have said that this kind of borrowing was done in order to make construction go faster or to make up for the lack of skill of builders. It’s hard to say exactly why the arch was made this way, but it provides another interesting historical detail.

The arch itself was incorporated into a Medieval family stronghold, becoming part of another structure. It wasn’t until the eighteenth century that excavation and restoration started, and it was kept up until the late 1990s.

On your trip to Rome, you’ll probably be stopping to see a number of ancient monuments. Don’t forget to spend a few minutes appreciating the Arch of Constantine while you’re near the Colosseum. It’s really something to see.

Author: Luigi Effronicio

There is little dispute that Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and contains canals, gondolas and amazing architecture.

If you are planning a visit to this romantic Italian city, try and visit it in spring or fall to avoid the heat and tourist crowds.

While in Venice Italy, there are many sightseeing activities such as going to churches, museums, and other tourist attractions. You can also attend many events and other activities that are unique to this city built on the sea.

The Voga Longa is a local rowing competition which is held annually on the last day of May. This particular rowing race originated as a protest against the power boats that were once taking over the Venice canals. Now this rowing event has turned into a water festival. The racetrack passes through most of Venice, and crowds of people gather along the canals to cheer up the participants.

The Regata ‘Storica takes place in September on the first Sunday of the month. This event celebrates an occasion that took place in 1489. It’s an exhibit displaying almost one hundred types of Venetian boats.

While in Venice, do not forget to take a ride on the Water Bus called Vaporetto during sunset. The gorgeous sight is filled with the soft sunset light providing a mesmerizing picture. It is one of the best ways to remember Venice.

Although a ride on a Gondola is costly, you can save money by negotiating with the gondola operator to bring your price down. Taking a gondola ride down the majestic canals is a true Venetian experience. It doesn’t hurt to ask but the discounted rate might get you less time, and fewer sights. Work this out with your gondolier before you begin your trip.

If a gondola ride isn’t for you, then you try crossing the Grand Canal via traghetto. These are very cheap and are essentially gondolas that are too old to be used for that purpose. You can also visit the Rialto Bridge and the open air markets near it along with the Pescheria (fish market).

Another memorable experience, is spending a day on one of the nearby Venetian islands (like Murano or Burano) which you can reach via the many boat services. The Glass Museum in Murano offers a terrific visitor experience as well as the Lace Museum in Burano.

Venice is a such a beautiful city.A place that everybody should experience at least once in their lifetime.

Jewelry is an incredibly subtle accent for any ensemble. What you choose to wear and how dramatically effect the way you see yourself and the way that others see you. A special piece of jewelry can either make or break your outfit. It can add the precise accent you need to compliment your attire. Your jewelry is timeless.

The timelessness of jewelry perfectly defines the very character of Murano glass jewelry. Its color, detail, designs and uniqueness surpasses the dictation of fashion trends. In a list where diamonds, emerald, and gold is included; there surely is a fine Murano glass jewelry to complete the list with.

Murano glass is more popularly known for its high-end glassware, which never fails to leave an impression of fine artistry and craftsmanship.

Murano glass was originally used to make chandeliers, wine goblets, which is why jewelries made from such material is not yet popular. However, it gives the sparkle and luminosity that it gives to exquisite glassware to its glass jewelries.

Very few people are familiar with Murano glass jewelry. All these people are drawn to its sophistication and uniquely beautiful colors and design. Hence, every piece of such jewelry will surely make a fine addition to any jewelry or accessory collection.

Murano glass is actually made using raw materials such as flux or melting agents, sodium oxide, sodium, nitrate and arsenic. It is blown at low temperatures, using the flux and other melting agents. The sodium oxide content of the glass mixture then determines how fast or how slow the glass solidifies; the more sodium oxide content the slower the glass solidifies. In the creation of the glass, nitrate and arsenic may be added to the glass mixture to make the glass surface opaque and to eliminate bubbles.

Coloring and opacifying substances are commonly used particularly in materials used for making special pieces of Murano glass jewelry such as beads and pendants. Also, the glass is specifically hand made and blown by an artisan. That explains for its uniqueness and high regards for craftsmanship. Add up the details such as enamel painting, engraving and submersion that artisans bring to every piece of jewelry and a beautiful piece of jewelry comes to life.

The colors, technique of creation and design of each piece of this jewelry created from Murano glass redefines what delicate and exquisite in jewelry is. It simply recreates the awe-effect that diamonds normally posses. On the other hand, simpler yet chic designs of Murano glass necklaces, rings and bracelets also goes well with everyday wear. Hence, the look of these glass jewelries brings style versatility and wearability under its fine list of features.

Murano glass jewelry is slowly reaching its pinnacle of production. So many designers and celebrities have grown fond to the distinct, exclusive, bracelets, pendants, rings and necklaces. See for yourself, and add a touch of elegance to your life with a noteworthy piece of Murano glass jewelry.

Most of us have heard about Rome’s catacombs at some point in our lives. These are ancient underground burials, dug into the rock under the city of Rome itself. There are more than forty of these catacombs, some of which have only come to light in recent years.

These catacombs are known best as burial places for Christians, but they have also hosted pagan burials as well as Jewish tombs. The catacombs came about around the second century, since there was a minimum of available land for burial and cemeteries were growing overcrowded.

The land in the general vicinity of Rome isn’t enough for regular burials, but the soft volcanic rock the city is located on is easy to tunnel in. It’s softer before the air touches it, hardening later. The city has many kilometers of tunnels, and in some places, they’re up to four stories deep.

Anyone with an interest in early Jewish or Christian art should take a trip to the catacombs. The incredible frescoes and sculptures located here represent the majority of artistic examples of the cultures prior to the fourth century.

Romans originally cremated their dead. However, at around the second century, it became popular to bury the burnt or unburnt remains of loved ones instead. In addition, Christians preferred this method, as burial was considered important for bodily resurrection.

The first big catacombs were carved through the rock outside the city, since laws at the time forbade burials inside the city limits. These were originally used not just for burial, but for memorials and religious celebrations of Christian martyrs, although they were never used for other regular worship.

In and around Rome, there are forty known catacombs, all built along roads such as the Via Ostiense and Via Appia. The catacombs often are named after saints such as Sebastian and Calixtus, who are believed to be buried in them by some.

Enormous systems of passages were built by these early Christian excavators, all between seven and twenty meters below the earth’s surface, taking up an area of about two and a half kilometers square. The levels are joined using narrow stairways, with passages about three feet wide and eight feet tall. Burial niches are located in the walls of the catacombs.

These relatively small niches contained bodies. Special burial chambers were also built for wealthier Christians. Frescoes and carvings in these tombs made them look much like mainstream Roman ones.

With the rise of Christianity to a status as a state religion, the practice of burial in catacombs declined, though this did not happen right away. As the dead were buried increasingly in churchyards, the catacombs became used only to celebrate the martyrs.

When Rome was sacked by northern invaders, these catacombs were ransacked, and by the tenth century, they were scarcely used, and all holy relics had been moved above ground. After this point, the catacombs were forgotten until the late sixteenth century, when they were rediscovered.

Over the centuries, these excavations were intermittently explored, though professional studies weren’t published until the nineteenth century. They now act as an important early Christian monument, and are maintained by the Vatican.  Author: Larry Pocobor

There is only one city like Venice in the world. Venice Italy is consistently a top destination for travelers around the world. Its narrow alley streets and water canals, adheres love and romance!

1) Piazza San Marco, St Mark’s Square: Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) is the principal square of Venice, Italy. It is one of the few beautiful spots in Europe where you can hear yourself speak without being overpowered by the sounds of motorized city traffic.

The district of San Marco is pretty much a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and canals.The Piazza originated in the 9th century as a small area in front of the original St Mark’s Basilica. It was enlarged to its present form in 1177.

In the evening hours, the square takes on a different character as the cafe orchestras fill the night air with Jazz/Classical music. Pull up a chair, have a cocktail and absorb the great unique atmosphere that surrounds you. It’s also the focus for many of Venice’s festivals. A great popular place in Italy today.

The Piazza you see today was paved in the late 13th century with bricks laid in a herringbone pattern. It is believed the light-colored stones were probably used setting up market stalls and organizing frequent ceremonial processions.

2) Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal: This bridge crossing the Grand Canal was constructed in 1181 by Mr.Barattieri. It was called the “Ponte della Moneta” before being replaced 3 more times until the final model we see today and called “Rialto Bridge”. The Rialto Bridge in Venice, designed by Antonio da Ponte and finally completed in 1591, was at that time the only of its kind (made of limestone) to cross the Grand Canal. This is how the Rialto market born…

Rialto turned into one of the main centres for trade in the city. The bridge has beaten all odds and is nowadays one of the architectural masterpiece of Venice and an icon for this city. Each day at sunset people gather here to take in the sight of Venice as the sun falls down into the far distance. This is also a perfect spot for admiring the gondoliers as they make their way slowly down the Grand Canal. Rialto Bridge is largely considered one of the most beautiful sites in the world.

3) Castello Area, Biennial Gardens: The Castello area is the most easterly and largest of the 6 areas of Venice and among the oldest areas of Venice. It grew up from the thirteenth century around a naval dockyard. Napoleon changed it to what is now the Biennial Gardens, and still more recently the island of Sant’Elena has been created along with other parts of land drained at other areas of the quarter.

It’s full of fascinating things to see. One in particular is Venice’s Arsenal Naval History museum (Museo Storico Navale) and the former military shipyard of the Republic at Arsenal. In its glory days, was the core of the city’s prosperous shipping industry. Visit the Public Gardens, the largest of their kind in Venice.

4) Accademia Area, Museum Gallery: Located on the south bank of the Grand Canal, it gives its name to one of the 3 bridges crossing the canal, the “Accademia Bridge”. This area is best known for its museum gallery of pre-1800s art, famous architects, art paintings and sculptures in Venice, Italy.

It is believed that Venice’s most respected ancient artists studied here, thus attracting other finest artists in Italy to study in this area. The Galleria dell’Accademia contains masterpieces of Venetian paintings and history.

5) Cannaregio Area, First Jewish Ghetto in Venice: The Cannaregio district of Venice is still inhabited largely by Venetians. It’s the northernmost of the six areas of Venice and the second largest in terms of inhabitants, about 20 thousands people. Canneregio was the main route into the city until the construction of a railway to the mainland, which gave the district its name.

Development began in the eleventh century as the area was drained and parallel canals were dredged. It’s the home to the beautiful church of Madonna dell’Orto, Palace of Ca’ d’Oro and Tintoretto’s masterpieces. The Ghetto’s Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico), introduces the history of the first Jewish ghetto in history. Many restaurants offer some of the best cuisine in Venice at reasonable prices.

6) Santa Croce Area, Piazzale Roma: Santa Croce is where Venice’s central bus station and car parks are. This is the only area of Venice in which cars can travel, called “Terra Firma”. The area was once part of the Luprio swamp, but slowly claiming land. This district it’s an extension of San Polo and lies on the opposite side of the Grand Canal towards the main railway station of Venice, Piazzale Roma and it’s the most affected by the opening of the Lagoon Road 1933 due its steady grounds.

A location where you can grasp the authentic Venetian neighbourhood atmosphere. It’s however very close to the city’s main attractions. It’s a very pleasant area to take an evening stroll! Campo San Giacomo dell’Orio is a lively square full of people and music where sometimes couples can dance.

7) Giudecca Island, Exclusive Residential area and Beautiful Gardens: The Island of Giudecca was originally called “Spinalunga” – Long Thorn – because of its shape. Giudecca was historically an area of large palaces with amazing gardens, gaining back its once most regarded reputation as luxury residential area. It is known for its long dock and its beautiful churches, including Il Redentore.

Impressive views of the mainland stretching across the Giudecca Canal where the sun gorgeously sets. The celebration of “Festival of Redeemer” (the end of the plague in 1526), takes place every 3rd weekend of July every year, the Venetians gather a bridge of boats across the Giudecca canal with a display of fireworks. This spectacular sight can be seen from every corner in Venice.

The Trastevere area of Rome Italy, is well known for its restaurants, clubs, theaters, arts and its famous narrow cobbled alleyways.

In the evening, all of the cafes and restaurants tables spill out over to the pavement, especially in the area of Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere. The morning is better to appreciate the antique charm of Trastevere’s characteristic narrow alleyways.

Trastevere is the district that lays on the right bank of the Tiber. It was called “Trans Tiberem” (across the Tiber) and it was considered a precarious region.

It belonged to the Etruscans until Rome conquered it again and get back in control of both banks of the river. “Pons Sublicius” bridge (from Latin: “bridge built on piles”) was the only one way from Trastevere to the city (Rome). With the Emperor Augustus this area soon began to be considered part of the city.

During the Republic era in 509, the number of sailors and fishermen making a living from the river had increased, and many had taken up residence in Trastevere.

Later, with the wealth of the Imperial Age, luxury villas and gardens were constructed on the hillside of Trastevere. To name a few: Clodia, (Catullus’ “friend”) and Julius Caesar (his garden villa, the Horti Caesaris). The flat land below was occupied by the houses of the poor and small shops. Some of which are still there today!

Trastevere grew in a network of small, curly streets in the Middle Age because of structures on the front of buildings that left no space for carriages to pass.This is why a strong contrast between large houses for rich people and small houses for poor people are still creating such a contrast.

Until the 15th century Trastevere streets had no pavement. Bricks were used first replaced by sampietrini (cobble stones) in a second time.

The church of Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest churches in Rome, perhaps the first to ever host an open ceremony. This is the queen of all churches in Trastevere. This basilica became the focus of devotion to the Virgin Mary by its people. It is believed that perhaps it was in this church Mother of God was worshiped in Rome. In the piazza, one can admire the Octagonal fountain which has now become a meeting point. Along the years the church has been altered with modifications, but despite of the 18th century additions, Santa Maria has retained its medieval character.

Today this area still has its own style due to the narrow cobbled streets built in the medieval era. At night, both italians and tourists gather together around its many restaurants and pubs. Trastevere is attracting tourists, locals, artists, foreign expats, and many famous people and it is incredibly charming.

The area is home to John Cabot University, a private American University. Also to the American Academy in Rome, and the Rome campus of the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. The Canadian University of Waterloo School of Architecture (between the months of September and December), and the American Pratt Institute School of Architecture therefore serving as a temporary home to an International student body.

In the sixties and seventies, the American musicians/composers Frederic Rzewski and Richard Teitelbaum, of the group Musica Elettronica Viva, lived in Via della Luce. Sergio Leone, the director of Spaghetti Westerns, grew up in Viale Glorioso (there is a marble plaque to his memory on the wall of the apartment building), and went to a Catholic private school in the neighborhood.

As you can see Trastevere is the real heart of Rome!