The Traveler Guide

There is no dearth of places tourists can travel to in this small country, which has a rich cultural heritage. Apart from the great cities of Rome, Milan and Venice, tourists often travel to the majestic Alps in the northern part of the country. One of the most famous spots in Italy is the Bay of Naples. Italian culture is so diversified that every region in the country has a different culture. So if you are planning to travel to Italy and would like to know the country well, you need to plan a long vacation. You can travel by sea, road or air within Italy. The transport facilities are excellent.

Italy, located in southern Europe, is one of the most favored destinations for tourists from all over the world. It is also popularly called "the boot" due to its geographical shape. Perhaps you’ve heard of it? It goes without saying that Rome has a rather prominent past. Lets see, in Rome you will find…[deep breath]…the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Church of Saint Agnese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and a guy name Allassandro. Just making sure you’re paying attention.

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. 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. Indeed, Rome is filthy with historically significant attractions. It seems you can’t turn around without bumping into something an Emperor built, captured or destroyed. When your mind and heart are on complete cultural overload, there is always the Italian Countryside to soothe your senses. Rent a villa in a charming Tuscan hill town like Siena, San Giminiano or Montepulciano. Relax, take time to explore the beautiful vineyards and old medieval town centers in the region.

The historic city of Turin is in the northwest part of Italy. Snow-capped mountains surround it and the Pro River runs close by. Not known for tourism, the city of Turin is shedding that image—thanks in part to the 2006 Winter Olympics. Shopping in Turin is also your opportunity to purchase many handmade Italian items to bring back home. It's easy to find and purchase locally made apparel, jewelry, chocolates and more.

Probably the most recognizable feature on Europe's map, Italy's ever-stylish boot stretches from the Alps in the north, 760 miles south to the Mediterranean. Off the west coast of Italy lies the Tyrrhenian Sea, while the east coast is kissed by the Adriatic. With a population over 58 million, and land mass of 300,000 square kilometers, Italy is the fourth largest country in western Europe and has so much to offer tourists and vacationers you will be spoiled for choice.

Eating out in Venice can be a very unsatisfying experience for the casual traveler. With a local population of only 60.000 people and several millions tourists to feed each year, most restaurant owners in Venice couldn't care less if you feel ripped-off when it comes the time to pay the bill. Fortunately this attitude, while not uncommon, is not generalized. There are still some 'local' places to eat, and it is possible to eat a good meal while paying prices that are only slightly higher than elsewhere in Italy.

To get a truly Italian experience it is always best to eat where locals eat. This means that the menu will be written only in Italian and you are expected to know what all of the items on the menu are. You should also keep in mind that Venice is a popular destination for Italians as well as foreigners. If you see a crowd of Italian speaking people seating outside of a restaurant, do not assume they are 'locals'. Chances are they are tourists just like you.

As a quick rule of thumb: you should avoid all the places where a 'tourist menu' is advertised as well as those with pictures of the food on the outside. Waiters in bow ties or who tout for customers outside the door are also warning signs. Wine prices are another useful indicator. In an average restaurant you'd expect to find house wine (vino della casa) listed by the quarter and half-liter. Half of a liter should only cost something like 5 Euros. Watch out if they only serve bottles of wine at 20 Euros and above.

Although Venice is not considered to be one of the capitals of the Italian cuisine, it is nearly impossible for a traveler to miss one of the most rewarding holiday experiences: enjoying a good meal in a truly unique surrounding. At the very least, an evening meal represents an opportunity to refuel after a day full of activities. Being in Venice, you have to do your homework. Search the Internet for comments coming from people that has already been in Venice or ask a local contact if you know someone you can trust. Booking ahead is always a good idea, especially for evening meals, at busy times like summer weekends, and if you want a special table.

As for the various kind of food establishments, Venice is no different from the rest of Italy. A 'ristorante' generally indicates an upscale establishment, while a 'trattoria' is a more humble, traditional eatery, serving simple filling dishes. A pizzeria is a place where you can eat pizza; not really a specialty in Venice although there are a couple of decent pizza places. An 'osteria' (or ostaria) is similar to a trattoria, but with a slant towards drinking: instead of a full meal, you might have some wine along with a plate of food or a lighter snack. Like the osteria, a Venetian 'bacaro' offers a chance to eat some food in a less formal context. The busy Venetians frequently eat quickly and lightly, selecting snacks called 'cicchetti' from a display at the counter, then eating them standing or seated on stools.

In Venice restaurants (but this is true for the rest of Italy as well) you should expect to pay as much as 2 Euros per person on top of the price of what you have ordered. This is called 'coperto' and it accounts for the table dressing and the small basket of bread you will be provided. A few restaurants also add on up to 12% as an additional service charge although this is unusual and should be stated in the price list. Italians tend to tip a few euros rather than the 10% or more which is common elsewhere: However, there is no strict rule about tipping and in family-run restaurants where you are served by the proprietors it is common not to tip at all.

As you may expect, in Venice you will find a lot of seafood and lagoon fish on offer. 'Polenta', a coarse ground cornmeal generally made into a mush-like porridge, is a regional specialty, often served with fish, meat, mushrooms or 'gorgonzola' cheese. Seasonal specialties include peas and 'radicchio', both of which used in the preparation of rice based dishes ('risotto'). Pasta is not as widely used as it is in other Italian regions but there are a few typical recipes like 'bigoli in salsa' (thick homemade spaghetti in anchovy sauce). Other local dishes you might see on a menu include 'sarde in saor' (marinated sweet and sour sardines), 'castraure' (baby artichokes), 'seppie in nero' (cuttlefish in its ink), 'granseola' (spider-crab), 'fegato alla veneziana' (calf's liver with onions) and 'carpaccio' (thin-sliced raw beef). Desserts are not usually terribly good in Venice - typically the choice is something like dry local Burano cookies, panna cotta or tiramis?r />

The area around Rialto is chock full of eating places and the most popular food shops and bars are here as well. Needless to say, this is also the area where most tourists use to gather. If you are adventurous enough to wander around, you may be rewarded. Venice lies on an a small island so you really can't get lost and chances are you will bump into the thriving little 'baccaro' where you can get a plate of assorted appetizers for less than 10 euros. Quite often you won't find tables in there and no waiter service as well, so simply go to the counter, have some snacks and a glass of wine, and enjoy the taste of the hidden Venice.

To say that Italy is the country of oxymoron would hardly be an exaggeration. It is a modern, industrialized nation, yet a large part of its land is agricultural. It is the harbinger of style, with its designer brands leading the pack all over the world, yet, at the same level, it is a typical Mediterranean country. Italians like to live modern lifestyle, yet they lay an emphasis on the traditions and rituals of the Catholic Church. It is known for its exotic wines, yet you would find many in Italy denouncing wine culture. As said, Italy is the country of oxymoron.

You would get see Italian oxymoron in its towns, both large and small. These are five Italian towns most visited by the globetrotters:

Rome

Rome hosts glorious remnants of erstwhile Roman empire. The city has an array of ancient monuments, interesting medieval churches, beautiful fountains, museums, and Renaissance palaces. Even a week's time would be less to visit all historical assets of Rome. Modern Rome is a lively city with excellent restaurants and nightlife. The Vatican City, the seat of Pope, consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. St. Peter's Basilica is a famous attraction within Vatican City. The most impressive features in Rome comprehend the Trevi fountain and the Spanish Steps, the Roman heritage sights such as the Pantheon, the Colloseum and the Forum Romanum, the museums and the world famous churches like Giovanni and Saint Maria Maggiore.

Milan

Milan is the laboratory of artistic experiments. The Duomo, the second largest cathedral of the world and the world's largest collection of marble statues, is the most popular attraction in Milan. Other major attractions are the Castello Sforzesco, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, the Palaeo-Christian Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, containing drawings and notebooks by Leonardo da Vinci and is one of the main repositories of European culture. The town is the home of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts. The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, houses the Last Supper, one of the most famous paintings of Leonardo da Vinci.

Venice

Venice is an urban masterpiece that has canals instead of streets. In Venice, all defining moments of life like weddings, funerals, carnivals and regattas are performed on water avenues, which is an unforgettable experience off visitors. The classic gondola ride with the opera-warbling operator is on must-do list. For cheerful bars and restaurants, visit the area surrounding Campo di Santa Margarita in San Polo. Saunter through the romantic back streets to see the personal side of Venice.

Naples

Naples is an extraordinarily vibrant town with geographically blessed surroundings. The giant of Mount Visuvius always keeps the city under its shadow. Sitting between a volcano and the deep blue sea, it offers contrasting scenic views. The food (especially pizza) is great, something not to be missed. Opera, classical music and jazz are ingrained in the town's culture. The city's culture is influenced by Spanish and French influences to large extent.

Florence

Florence is the Renaissance capital of the world. Its world-renowned sons are Leonardo Da Vinci, Dante Alighieri, Machiavelli, Fra Angelico and Michelangelo. During the Italian Renaissance period, Florence constructed its renaissance palaces and squares, making the town a live museum. It is a town of incomparable indoor pleasures. Spirit of Renaissance can be seen in full glory in its chapels, galleries and museums.

Take out sufficient time for Italy travel if you wish to understand the country properly. Italy has so many variants of itself that you would just feel short of time when touring the country.