By Michael Thomson

Beautifully historic yet so fashionably up to date, Italy has all the components of the Dolce Vita in good measure – good food, good wine and beautiful people impeccably attired in the latest fashions.

Weather
Italy is a long country running from the mountainous north down to the sunny south kissed by the Mediterranean. So there are wide regional differences in climate. Generally the most pleasant time to visit Italy is during autumn and spring.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Italy hotels.

Rome: the home of renaissance
Rome, the capital city of Italy, is world famous for its history and monuments – the Colosseum, the Vatican City to name a few. With so much art, culture, history and religion, Rome is an unforgettable destination.

Transport: how to get there and around
The international airport is situated 16 miles out of the city centre and is served by a regular train service which runs every hour into town. Many of the bus services run from the main station near Stazione Termini. The Metro service also connects with Termini.

Weather
The weather does vary according to the time of year. The summer can be extremely hot and the Winter brings a chill. During the rest of the year temperatures are pleasant with a mild climate.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Hotels in Rome.

Attractions & Events
*During the Holy Week at Easter time, the city is crowded with Catholic pilgrims visiting the churches and the Vatican to see the Pope. There is also a procession on Good Friday from the Colosseum to Capitoline Hill.

*The streets come alive from June to September when the Romans celebrate Estate Romana (Roman Summer) with outdoor theatre, concerts and cinema

*Late night shoppers should head to Rome during September for Notte Bianca (white night). Stores, galleries and museums stay open through the night until 8am in the morning!

Milan: city of design and innovation
Milan is all about lifestyle. Who needs beautiful buildings if you’re going to shop all day or spend you hours in a theatre, cinema, night club or restaurant?

Transport: how to get there and around
There are two airports serving Milan, for international flights there is Malpensa airport and domestic is Linate airport. You can also get to Linate airport from some European destinations.

The train station known as Stazione Central connects to an extensive network to get you in and around Milan. The city also boasts underground trains, trams and buses.

Weather
The weather in Milan can be described as temperate most of the time, with the exception of the occasion heat wave.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Hotels in Milan.

Attractions & Events
*The Festa del Naviglio starts at the beginning of June and brings ten days of performances, music and parades.

*Enjoy live music in November with The Milan Jazz Festival.

*There are celebrations on 7 December with the Festa di Sant’Ambrogio. Milan`s La Scala opera house also opens its season on this day.

Cheaper than Hotels offers cheap Italy hotels. Check out the hotels in Rome
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More about Rome:
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by TJ Tierney

Milan is the business hub of Italy and a very busy city to visit at any time of year.

Home to the Last Supper, by Leonardo da Vinci, Milan has a rich history in art and has some of the most priceless works of art on display in its galleries. The art galleries of Milan also reflect the history of the city, but be advised, if you do plan to visit some of the galleries book in advance.

Photograph by Trey Ratcliff

Milan`s main attraction, The Duomo is the third largest church in the world, and took nearly 450 years to build. The construction of the Duomo began in 1386 and was completed in 1805 by Napoleon. This fabulous Gothic style church is a must see for any tourist.

Built in 1386 the Castello Sforzesco is a massive fortress located in the centre of Milan. The Sforza has many great museums and hosts the work of many great artists including Michelangelo.

For the sporting fans a visit to the Meazza Stadium, better known as the San Siro should be rewarding. This is one of the best football stadiums in Italy. Daily visits to the San Siro are available with access to the stadium and changing rooms.

The winter months in Milan can be extremely cold, while the summers are very hot and humid.

A trip north to the Alps or to the lake region is very advisable, and should be most memorable. The Italian rail system is excellent, and daily trips to the lakes should not take too long. Hotel prices vary during the year – winter being an excellent time to visit.

Also known as one of the main fashion capitals of Italy, Milan hosts some of the best fashion designers in the world. Most of the main shopping outlets are located near the city centre. Expect very large crowds during the sales, which attract people from all over Europe.

Milan is well suited to cater for the needs of travellers. From the moment you arrive you will be met with an excellent transport system, both efficient and economical. Avoid travelling through the streets of Milan by car if possible – traffic can be chaotic.

Where possible it`s best to use the public transport system. If you must use a taxi be very careful , use official taxis, which are white or yellow in colour. These are a lot cheaper than the private cab who will charge you double the price.

Milan is a cosmopolitan city and offers a wide range of restaurants. Prices vary considerably from place to place. Restaurants are very crowded at weekends so book in advance where possible. Menus and prices are usually posted outside restaurants – its also standard to leave a small tip.

The main tourist season starts in Milan during the summer months, but this doesn`t mean that cheap accommodation is available during the off-season. Milan is a very busy city all year round and hotel prices can be expensive.

About the author: TJ Tierney is an award winning Irish Landscape photographer. For more tips you can visit his photography site. To view his images visit his on-line gallery of pictures of Ireland or see his travel site.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

by Christina Vlahova

When you go to Italy for the first time there is so much to see, so much to visit that you rarely find time for shopping. And I don`t mean souvenirs, but the typical shopping and that of stylish and high quality goods Italy is famous for. And you always have a choice to hop into any of the shops lining the small streets leading to any of the famous moments in any Italian city. And at least from experience, I can say, that even there where it is packed with tourist and you still can find things to buy you would be rarely disappointed with.

Photograph by RayDS

As for those travellers who prefer to shop the way Italians themselves do, to discover Italy though shopping as an experience and here are some tips and spots you might consider next time you are there:

Rome and Piazza del Risorgimento and via Cola di Rienzo:
Located in the vicinity of the Vatican and St Peter`s Cathedral and you can spend some hours wondering though the stores on both sides of via Cola di Rienzo, starting from Piazza del Risorgimento. Don`t shy away from looking at the stalls of the “marocchini“ and the Moroccans, who sell “original“ looking but still high quality hand bags, belts and sunglasses. Last time I checked they had started selling “brand-name“ shoes as well. And don`t forget to bargain and especially if you are talking to them in a language different than Italian. Half way through via Cola di Rienzo and if you feel like taking a sip of a real Italian cappuccino and do go into Castroni, which is both a shop for food articles from around the world and they serve coffee at the bar. Drink it the Italian way standing at the bar, anyway you don`t have another option there since the space is limited and often packed with Italians, which offers an unforgettable athmosphere.

Milano and via Monte Napoleone and via della Spiga
Now this definitely is not a typical place where Italians shop, at least not the average Italians and still it is an experience in itself. If you happen to be in Milan, do dedicate an hour or so to linger among the shop windows of via Monte Napoleone and the parallel via della Spiga. Even if you have no intention of buying anything at that price-range only looking at the shop windows is a meditation in itself and on the creativity, the colour combinations and the luxury in the world. And outside on the street you can catch a glimpse of those who do shop there and a different world and an amazing experience.

Bologna and the weekend market off via dell Indipendenza:
Unlike the shopping experience on via Monte Napoleone in Milan, if you happen to be in Bologna on a Friday or Saturday and you have some time to spend, do linger among the stalls of the big market off via dell Indipendenza. You can find anything there and from China produced sport shoes to high quality leather Italian shoes, from blouses from USD 2 to real fur coats, but all is a bargain. And you will mix up both with foreigners from all over the world who live in Bologna, as well as with Italians, who would always appreciate a bargain and do enjoy the marketplace shopping experience with its noise and colours and great deals.

Florence and the market of Florence
There is probably no better place to experience the colours of Italy and its shawls and scarves and the aroma of well-worked leather bags – than the market of Florence. You can find it a bit off the beaten tourist track, by reaching the piazza del Duomo and turning left on Borgo San Lorenzo. Then left again and you have arrived. Do try to resist the temptation to buy immediately and go to the end of the market, because the more you go to its end, the better the prices become. And again and do bargain and you will be surprised how willing sellers would be to give you a discount especially if you buy more than one item from them. I also find the Florence marketplace one of the best places if you are in for those typical Tuscan wine bottle cork caps with painted terracotta on top and beautiful, and they make a great gift to take to friends home.

You can`t really go wrong shopping in Italy, rather make sure you have enough time and some free space in your luggage!

More about Italy:
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MICHIEL VAN KETS

Steeped in antiquity yet bursting with all that’s fashionably modern, Italy is the birthplace of La Dolce Vita – the sweet life that celebrates beauty and happiness.

Photograph by Trey Ratcliff – From Stuck In Customs

Climate Winters are long and cold in the northern alps; the summers can be rainy with frequent storms. The far south is warm but often lashed by the sirocco – the hot and humid African wind that brings weeks of stifling heat to the areas south of Rome. Pleasant temperatures make spring and autumn the best times to visit Italy.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts
Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of hotels in Italy

Milan:cutting edge design and fine shopping

Milan’s drab facade belies the fact that it’s the innovation capital of Europe.

transport: getting there and getting around

Malpensa airport, located about 31 miles northwest of Milan, handles most international flights. For domestic and some European flights, Linate airport is used. Stazione Central, which as the name suggests is in the city centre offers an extensive rail network.

Milan has an efficient public transport system is efficient. It includes four underground lines, buses and trams.

climate

Other than the odd heat wave, the climate in Milan is mostly temperate.

accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Milan hotels

events:what’s on and what’s hot

For all its consumer-driven culture, Milan celebrates the spiritual as well as the worldly.

*The first ten days of June celebrate the Festa del Naviglio, a potpourri of parades, music and various performances.

*The Milan Jazz Festival gets the city swinging in November.

*The Festa di Sant’Ambrogio, on 7 December is celebrated with services, offerings and fairs around the Fiera di Milano. This is also the day that Milan’s renowned opera house La Scala opens its season.

Rome:the eternal city

Drenched in history and weighted with monuments famous the world over – the Vatican and the Colosseum, Rome stands as the epitome of history and culture.

transport:getting there and getting away

Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) airport is 16 miles southwest of the city with the Stazione Termini direct train running hourly into the city. The main bus station is located outside the Stazione Termini. The Rome Metro service has two lines, both of which go through Termini. It runs from 5:30 a.m to 11.30 p.m. and 0:30 on Saturdays.

climate

The climate is mild with sunny skies and pleasant temperatures. However July and August can be oppressively hot, November is often rainy, and December to February can be chill.

accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts Check on the internet for the range, location and cost of Rome hotels

Events: what’s on and what’s hot

*Holy Week (Easter) is time when Catholics from all over the world arrive on pilgrimages to visit the city’s churches and to hear the Pope at the Vatican. On Good Friday a procession of the Cross goes from the Colosseum to Capitoline Hill.

The Estate Romana (Roman Summer), is at the heart of Roman social life from June to September. It’s a time when the city reverberates to free concerts, street theatre and outdoor cinema.

In September museums, galleries and shops stay open all night from 20:00-08:00 on the occasion called Notte Bianca (white night). It’s also a time of free concerts and other happenings all over the city.

More about Rome & Milan:
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http://www.italytravelnotes.com/category/lazio/rome/