Fashion and Your Italy Vacation

Along with London, Paris and New York, Milan and Rome are on the list of the famous fashion centers of the world. When you are on your Italy vacation you may not be able to help yourself but to indulge a little in this aspect of Italian culture. By all means make sure you visit the rolling hills of Florence, take a gondola trip through Venice and visit a vineyard in Tuscany. But don't forget that you are in the country of the likes of Armani, Versace, Fendi, Prada and Valentino. If this at all interests you do find out if your visit coincides with any fashion exhibits or public fashion shows in Rome or Milan.

When you are in Rome make sure you visit the Vatican City but you must go to the original stores of all the Italian designers. You will not only see little old ladies in Italian villages while on vacation in Italy but when you arrive you will quickly realize that Italians have a very high fashion sense, care very much about their looks and are very sophisticated especially in Rome and Milan. You must visit the famous shopping strip Via Montenapoleone in Milan. Here you will find boutiques for Chanel, Dolce e Gabbana and Fendi along with numerous others. Even if your budget does not allow you to purchase anything, this will make for an unbelievable window shopping experience during your vacation in Italy. Many of these boutiques are open from 10 am till 7 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays with shorter hours on Mondays and are closed on Sundays.

Italy is especially known for its high fashion industry or "haute couture" and the runway fashion shows that the designers use to debut their new collections each season. The houses of Valentino and Fendi originated in Rome while the houses of Prada, Versace and Armani originated in Milan. With near perfect craftsmanship, Italian fashions are said to rival those of France and many people even feel the Italian fashions are superior.

During your Italy vacation you may hear of AltaRoma, an organization that has been responsible for putting Italian designers on the map over the years through its yearly fashion shows. These fashion shows feature established designers as well as new designers. They are closed to the general public but AltaRoma also organizes another event that is open to everyone. If your Italy vacation is in mid July the Donna Sotto del Stelle is worth catching. It means "Woman under the Stars." It is an open air fashion event that takes place at the Piazza de Spagna in Rome and features several newer designers.

To further take in the couture culture during your vacation in Italy, you should also visit the most prominent fashion school in Rome. This school has produced some very talented new designers and usually has fashion exhibits and shows open to the public. Valentino also opened a fashion school in 1990 which also hosts some fashion and art shows open to the general public.

Going on an Italy Vacation to Milan

Milan is one of the largest cities in Italy and one of the most highly developed areas of all of Europe. If you like to be in a city when you go on vacation then you must visit Milan when you are in Italy. It makes for a great combination of a city vacation amidst cultural and historic relevance. There are over one million people living in Milan. Not only is this where you will find Da Vinci's famous painting "The Last Supper" but this city is also one of the best shopping centers of the world. Many fashion designers have their houses here and you will find opportunity for a lot of window shopping or real shopping while in Milan for your Italy vacation.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II is said to be the oldest shopping mall in the world. It was designed and built in the 1800s and features a huge glass and steel arch covering a long street. At its center is a large glass dome and to this day the oldest shopping mall in the world continues to be a bustling retail center with shops selling everything from books to haute couture and numerous restaurants serving tourists and residents of Milan. During your Italy vacation in Milan you will find that the Galleria Vittorio Emanuel II connects 2 of Milan's most popular attractions. These are the Duomo and the Teatro Ala Scalla. 

The Duomo is the cathedral of Milan that you may visit while on vacation in Italy. This is where the Archbishop of Milan resides. With its amazing gothic architecture this cathedral played an important role in establishing Catholic traditions and spreading the Catholic faith. In Italy, the only church that is larger than the Duomo is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City in Rome. Most guided tours of Milan will feature a visit to the Duomo and you will get a chance to see this beautiful feat of Italian history.

The Teatro Alla Scala is a world famous opera house in Milan that you must visit on your Italy vacation. It was built in the late 1700s after a carnival fire destroyed the previous opera house. It was known to be the gathering place of the rich in Milan and had a gallery area above the boxes where the less wealthy were allowed to come to also enjoy the opera performances. After much controversy the theatre was renovated a few years ago. Most of the controversy was regarding a concern with whether the historical details would be lost. But during your Italy vacation here if you see the Teatro Alla Scala you will find that an excellent job was done in preserving the history of this great opera house.

When in Milan on your Italy vacation, you must also visit the Sforza Castle. It took 10 years to build this in the 1300s. It was built to be a defensive fortress and has undergone several reconstructions, additions and transformations over the centuries. There are several museums here that you can visit on your Italy vacation and most of them feature castle art such as defensive armor and furniture from its royal inhabitants. This castle also holds Michelangelo's final work of art, a marble sculpture known as the Rondanini Pieta.

Italian People and your Italy Vacation

One good reason to go to Italy for your vacation is the people. With over 58 million people in an area about the size of the state of Arizona, Italians are said to be some of the friendliest people in the world. Their love of life, food, people, art and their great culture steeped in thousands of years of history makes an Italy vacation a great choice for leisure travel. You will find that the people are charming and charismatic. They love family life and music and tend to be freely giving of their affection. During your Italy vacation you will notice that Italians are proud of their heritage and are passionate about everything they do. They are very welcoming to strangers and quick to share their food and offer their wine or even a joke or a story. So who are some of the famous Italian people that may be featured at some of the sites you may visit on your Italy vacation?

One of the most famous Italian people is Leonardo da Vinci. Not only did he paint perhaps the most recognizable picture of all time "The Mona Lisa" but most people around the world have heard of him because of his painting "The Last Supper." This has become the source of several controversies such as the one portrayed in the book and the movie "The DaVinci Code." During your Italy vacation you will undoubtedly come across several places that are tied to the name of this famous Italian. For example he was born and spent much on his youth around Florence in the Tuscany region and later on moved to Milan. Unfortunately you will not find the Mona Lisa on your Italy vacation but the Last Supper is found in a famous church called Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan. 

Galileo is another famous Italian also from the Florence area known for his contributions to math, physics and astronomy. You can visit the University of Pisa during your Italy vacation if you are curious to know where things began for Galileo. You can also visit the bronze chandelier in the Cathedral of Pisa that is said to be where Galileo first started thinking about his swinging pendulum theories. He is said to have timed the swings with his pulse while sitting in this cathedral.

Marco Polo is another famous Italian. He was a Venetian who traveled and explored the world. He was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo in Venice and the house that is said to be his actual birthplace in Venice also exists and is frequented by people on vacation in Italy.

Michelangelo is also a famous Italian whose name will come up during your Italy vacation. As a painter and sculptor he was said to be a rival of Leonardo da Vinci's. "The Last Judgment" is a huge mural he took 6 years to paint that is on a wall at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City. It describes the apocalypse or second coming of Christ. Michelangelo also designed the dome of the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City which you will be able to see on your vacation in Italy.

Italian Wine and your Italy vacation

During your Italy vacation you will find that wine is very important to the country. It has some of the oldest vineyards in the world and some of the best wines are produced here. About 20% of wine in the world is produced in Italy. While you are on your Italy vacation you will find that wine is drunk with every meal and sometimes in-between meals. It will be offered to you almost everywhere you go because grapes are grown all over Italy and wine is made by everyone from the villagers to the large commercial wineries. It is said that there are one million vineyards in Italy!

So what are some of the wineries you should visit on your Italian vacation? The Enthusiastic Traveler offers winery tours in May, September and October. This tour is in the Tuscan region which is the home of the Super Tuscan.  Super Tuscan wines do not follow the rules of wine making. Blends are made using non-traditional methods of combining certain grapes which are not normally combined. The tour will take you to a farm called Castel Pietraio in a beautiful hillside town near Siena for a simple wine tasting of wines made by squeezing grapes in barrels. Other vineyards are visited and many people on an Italy vacation that come here say they smell the wine in the air. There is also a visit to an ancient castle complete with a wine making baron who has discovered some very rare grapes to use in his wines. For your vacation in Italy "The Enthusiastic Traveler" may be contacted through its website at www.theenthusiastictraveler.com

Ca'Bruzzo Italian Winery is found in Northern Italy close to Venice. They grow 5 varieties of grapes here and produce about 20,000 bottles a year. This is a small family owned winery and they believe their close physical contact with the vines make for their especially tasty wines. During your Italy vacation you may want to take this tour because not only do you get to taste wine at its different stages of development and see the wine cellar but the family will also teach you how to make wine and care for a vineyard. There is a lot of focus here on the benefits of organically grown grapes for wine. If you enjoy this vineyard during your vacation in Italy, the Bruzzos can even ship their wine to you so you can continue to experience the amazing taste. This winery can be contacted through its website at www.cabruzzo.com

One of the most memorable wines that you may come across during your Italy vacation is called "Est! Est! Est!" It is a semi-sweet white wine from Montefiascone. It has some effervescence and a mildly fruity flavor. It is said that this wine got its name from the story of a German bishop who needed to go to Rome and sent someone ahead of him to mark on the doors of inns serving the best wines along the way. He marked the doors with the word "Est!" in chalk and when he got to Montefiascone he liked the wine so much that he marked the inn door with "Est! Est! Est!"

Music and your Italy Vacation

If you are musically inclined or just simply interested in Italian music, a vacation to Italy may be just the perfect vacation choice for you. Italy is famous for opera and classical music but has various other types of music to include traditional music, religious music and popular music which is both native and imported. The culture of Italy is deeply rooted in music and it is very important to the people. Therefore it would be impossible to go on an Italy vacation and not come across some great musical performances if that is what you are interested in. Over the centuries Italian music has taken on elements from foreign sources that may have ruled or influenced the people. Classical music is especially important in Italy and it has taken forms in opera and sacred music. Opera music began in Italy in the late 1500s and sacred music is of course a dominant presence due to the base of the Catholic Church being in Italy specifically in Rome. 

So if you are on an Italy vacation, and you are interested in exploring this rich aspect of Italian culture you are most definitely looking for places to go to for concerts. Italy has many music conservatories that hold concerts in virtually every city you visit. There are also several opera houses and symphony halls to choose from where you could see well-known orchestras from Italy and other parts of the world. Open air operas are also held in amphitheatres across Italy. If you are looking for something a little less formal you may want to try going to an international music festival during your Italian vacation. There are several that are organized each year for classical and opera lovers. The most well known include the Festival of Spoleto and the Wagner Festival in Ravello. You will find that some of these international music festivals offer you a chance to enter and win music competitions during your Italy vacation. Some of these competitions are geared towards young composers and allow them to produce and stage their entries. Not only could you win money but your music would be performed at the festival. 

For people looking for more modern forms of music specifically pop and rock fans, an Italy vacation also provides for several concerts that occur throughout the year. Some theatres also hold Italian translations of American musicals but for a true experience, try an Italian musical comedy. If you only know a few Italian words, these are still great if you want to immerse yourself in the culture. 

Since Italy is the home of the Roman Catholic Church, religious music will show up in many ways during your Italian vacation. There are several parish bands all over the country and they can range in size from 4 to 30 members. They are found performing in religious festivals in honor of patron saints of different towns. Religious music is also found in Italian Christmas carols so if you go on your vacation to Italy during that time of year you may find yourself learning the Italian versions of "Jingle Bells" and "White Christmas."

Sightseeing on your Italy Vacation

You cannot go on an Italy vacation without doing some sightseeing. In fact this is one of the most cited reasons for visiting Italy. The country has a rich culture and a rich history. All over Italy are historic buildings, monuments, museums and all kinds of places to visit that will make your Italy vacation truly eventful. Italy is also a center for high fashion and along with the great food, friendly people, wine and the Catholic Church this may be one of the best sightseeing vacations you have ever been on. It is important to make sure you see the most important sights before you leave. So where do most people go to when they are on an Italian Vacation?

When you go to Italy you must visit Rome. There are several popular places here for sightseers. The Colosseum is a very famous landmark in Rome. It is a huge open air theatre that was built by Emperor Titus in AD80 for games and gladiatorial battles. When many people see the Colosseum the movie "Gladiator" comes to mind. Another magnificent sight is the Pantheon in Rome. It is a huge temple built in AD120 and up until 1960 it had the largest dome in the world. Rome is also the home of the Pope in Vatican City, another popular destination for sightseeing on an Italian Vacation. Other cities in Italy that are popular for sightseers include Milan, Venice, Naples and Sicily.

Pisa is a smaller city but it is world famous due to the Leaning Tower. It is a bell tower in the Pisa Cathedral that is made up of a group of 4 beautiful white marble buildings. Construction on this started in 1173 and went on for 200 years because of a lot of interruptions. Since the construction took so long, the bell tower started to lean hence the name.

If you are a savvy sightseer or traveler and know some Italian you may be able to arrange to see all these sights for yourself. But you may want to consider having everything arranged by someone else because you don't want to miss any of the important places and you will benefit greatly from a guided tour. There are several sightseeing companies that offer tours for visitors. Guided tours will usually follow a pre-set route through a city or town during your Italy vacation. Not only are the guides fluent in English but they also have a wealth of information on the historical sights and there are opportunities to ask questions. Some tours on your Italian vacation will allow you to get off the tour vehicle to explore and then catch another tour vehicle from the same company later on.

Or if you prefer not to walk, you can just sit back and enjoy the ride without leaving the bus. Sightseeing tours on your Italian vacation range in price. There are luxury tour coaches, full day tours, night tours and also several tours for vacationers on a budget.

Health and Safety Tips for Traveling Abroad for your Italy vacation

When traveling abroad for your Italian vacation there are some tips that you should be aware of. First of all you must familiarize yourself with all the locations you will be visiting. Read as much as possible about the cities and towns you plan on visiting. If you are taking a vacation off the beaten path in Italy it is best to try to limit yourself to places that friends or families have recommended especially if this is your first time out of the country. 

The US Department of State strongly suggests that you register your travel before you leave. This applies to your vacation to Italy. Registering your travel will allow you to be contacted by family members and friends in case of an emergency. This is also especially important in case of a crisis in the country that you may be visiting. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services maintains a database of registered Americans out of the country so that you can be contacted if necessary. It is also strongly recommended that you leave a copy of your travel itinerary and copy of your passport photo page with a relative in the US before you leave for your vacation in Italy.

Many countries have regulations as to what can be brought in or taken out of the country with regards to food, pets, medications and other items. You will need to check the website of the Italian embassy for an updated list before you leave for your vacation to Italy. You may visit their website at www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it 

Many people planning a vacation to Italy may be concerned about what they can do if they get sick. Remember your US health insurance will be useless abroad and if you decide to have yourself evacuated back here for medical treatment it could cost you about $50,000. It is good to know that there are several insurance companies that provide insurance for short term travel abroad. This will probably suffice for your Italy vacation and will provide you with the peace of mind you need to enjoy your travel. Such policies are usually offered through travel agents so that may be a good place to start if you are interested in this type of coverage. At the very least you should be able to get information on what to do at the US embassy in Italy if you need to during a health emergency. They keep updated lists of doctors and hospitals in Italy. If you have a pre-existing condition be sure to carry a letter from your doctor describing your condition and history as well as any advice he may be able to provide Italian doctors if you should find yourself in such a situation. Your doctor's letter should also include a description of any medications you are on as well as the generic names of your medications. 

Many people going on a visit to Italy will be glad to know that there are no specific vaccinations required for your Italy vacation but be sure to check on the embassy's website in case anything has changed before you leave. 

Transportation for Your Italy Vacation

When most people travel, transportation is a primary concern. How do you get from the airport to your hotel? How do you see all the sights that Italy has to offer? What if you are traveling in a large group? What about public transportation? On your Italy vacation there are several options for transportation. 

Many international flights arrive in Rome so in planning your transportation needs you need to start from there. When you arrive at the airport you can rent a car from one of the several car rental companies. In addition to local companies there are the international names such as Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car so you should be able to reserve your vehicle online in advance and have it waiting for you at the airport. There are 2 airports in Rome and they are called the Fiumicino and the Ciampino Airports. Buses and shuttles depart from the airports' arrivals areas about every hour and can take you to the Termini Station which is the central train station. From there you should be able to connect to all other parts of Italy. Public transportation although it requires some advance planning, is always the cheapest option for your Italy vacation. You may also want to learn some Italian words in case you get lost and need directions or need help.

If your hotel is near the airport or is in Rome, you may also consider taking a cab. They are known as "taxis" here and most drivers speak English and can even serve as your tour guide if you choose. You may take a taxi out of Rome if your Italian vacation is starting outside the city. If your budget allows there are limo services at the airports that can serve your transportation needs when you arrive. If you are traveling in a large group you probably want to rent a van at least to get to your hotel from the airport. After that you can plan to join a guided tour as a group but its best to reserve tickets or space in advance if you want your group to stay together. 

To see all the sights that Italy has to offer, you will do best by signing up for a guided tour. With very knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, your Italian vacation can be greatly enhanced by choosing this option. There are walking tours, full day tours and night tours. Budget tours and luxury tours. If you are in Italy for a very specific sight you would probably want to do a walking tour. The tour guides on those tours give a more detailed presentation as you walk through the sight and some of them know little-known facts that are hard to find or read anywhere else. Non-Italian speakers will be happy to that the tour guides speak English. 

Also becoming famous are "transportation-included" visits to Italy. For your Italy vacation you may choose to visit a small village if you want to see Italy without the crowds. Many inns and bed and breakfasts provide options that include transportation around the village. 

What you must know about Italian Language for your Italian Vacation

When most people are planning a vacation to a different country, language barriers that may exist are a big concern. Some people even shy away from going to a foreign country for that very reason even if they can afford it. Going on an Italian vacation does not mean you need to learn to speak Italian first. However, you will need some basic vocabulary to help you get around and make sense of signs or even to ask for help or directions.

If the person you ask for help does not speak English at least they may be able to point you in the right direction if you can say "bus stop" in Italian. Another reason to learn some of the language is to enhance your experience. The words you know before you leave for your Italian vacation will serve as a basis for you to learn more words when you get there and expand your vocabulary.

Italian is considered a "Romance Language" because it is derived from Latin. It is said to be one of the closest to Latin and uses the Latin alphabet. Italian language is characterized by the stressing of certain syllables. There are formal ways to say things and informal versions. For your needs when traveling, the informal versions would probably be most appropriate.

One of the most important reasons to learn a few Italian words is if you plan on using public transportation. Many guides, taxi drivers and hotel employees are fluent in English and most speak at least some English. But there are a few scenarios where you may need specific words during your Italian vacation. There are some basic words that you need to know. These are all the informal versions. Most people are familiar with the Italian word for "Yes." It is Si. No is simply No.  If you need to say "Hello" it is Ciao. The word Ciao can also be used for "Goodbye."  "How are you?" is Come stai?

During your Italian vacation, everyone will agree that you need to know how to greet. Italians are very friendly people and to immerse yourself in the culture you must be able to respond when you are greeted or offer a greeting first. "Good morning" is Buon giorno!  "Good afternoon" is Buona sera! "Good evening" is Buona sera!  "Good night" is Buona notte! And that is in reference to sleeping well. For your Italian vacation it is important to learn how to say "please" and "thank you" These are Per favore and Grazie! Italian words that you will need to help you get directions include "Where...?" which is Dove...? This is a great word to know because it will help you make all kinds of sentences such as dove la toeletta? Where is the bathroom? 

If you plan on using public transportation at the very least make sure you carry around with you a card with words for "left, right, north, south, east, west, bus stop, train" etc. Or if you can, carry along an Italian dictionary. That will also be a big help on your Italian vacation.

Cooking Italy Vacation

When we think of going on vacation most of us see ourselves lying on a beach somewhere or gazing into a sunset. Most of us do not think about going on a cooking vacation. But if you are looking for something different to do this year when you travel this may be just the thing for you to try. There are several places in Italy where you can learn how to cook on a cooking Italy vacation. Who knows you may even be the next Rachel Ray when you return home!

La Locanda del Prete

A place you should know about if you want to try a cooking Italian vacation is a small family owned bed and breakfast called La Locanda del Prete. It is found high on the hills of Monte Amiata in a place called Arcidosso in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany. Arcidosso is found outside a small medieval village and is two and a half hours away from Rome. This family owned operation has welcomed visitors from all over the world. The owner's name is Carlo Innocenti and he is also the master chef. La Locanda Del Prete will provide a genuine Tuscan experience for you on your Italian vacation. It is far away from the normally busy and sometimes congested popular tourist destinations so this cozy little bed and breakfast on the hills promises a wonderful experience. Over the years the owner has operated or managed several Italian restaurants and has also been teaching Tuscan cooking. Some of his students have even included other chefs from all over the world who wanted to learn traditional Italian recipes handed down through the generations. Carlo and his family will teach you authentic Tuscan cooking in an authentic Tuscan environment.

La Locanda del Prete

Carlo is also helped by his son Romeo who is also a great Italian chef with a vast knowledge of Italian seafood recipes and the pairing of food with specific wines. If you need help Romeo is also a great tour guide who is fluent in English. Romeo handles their Tuscany Wine Tasting and Vacation Tours. These tours are a fantastic addition to your Cooking Italian Vacation because Romeo will take you through Brunello wine country. You will also be wined and dined while you learn about the culture. They also allow time for you to tour the area and perhaps re-visit some sights that were particularly interesting to you.

This bed and breakfast is open from mid-May and has 2 packages to choose from. You can stay for a week or for half a week (3 nights). The one week cooking Italian vacation is perfect for small groups of four to ten. You will stay with Carlo and his family for 6 nights and all transportation is included. For those of you who do not see themselves on vacation without the sea, this package even includes a visit to an old seaside fishing village. As part of this Italy vacation, you will receive an apron and recipe book and spend a morning learning how to cook Tuscan food and then you get to enjoy your own cooking for lunch. La Loconda Del Prete has a website to help you plane your cooking Italian Vacation at www.lalocandadelprete.com.