Tuscany, with its spectacular hill towns and scenery, is one of Italy’s top vacation destinations.

Tuscany’s travel attractions include historic cities and art, great wine and food, medieval hill towns, beaches, and beautiful countryside.

Florence

Florence is one of the most important Renaissance architectural and art centers.

Just a tip…if you haven’t enough time, after a visit to the most famous and important museums, take the rest of time to LIVE Florence and visit the city off the common tourist routes, simply strolling through the streets and admiring glimpses in different parts of the city.

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The other day a friend suggested we hook up one night to catch up and he added in tanto ora comincia il periodo delle sagre. So, the season of the sagre or feste popolari starts… After nine years in Italy, I know what they are, local festivals spun around a theme, derived from old country fairs or simply recently created to push local tourism.

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The archaeological tour that I’d like to let you know today is on the biggest island of Italy, Sicily. I’m talking exactly about Agrigento, an historical and archaeological city, where we find the famous “Valle dei Templi” (in english called Valley of the Temples). This Valley represents the most wonderful examples of art and architecture of Greater Greece! Moreover this area is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the main attractions of Sicily, one of the best known, an incredible trip in the evocative remains of the glorious civilizations of the past!

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If you like architecture, the Coppedè quarter, designed in 1915 by Gino Coppedè, is an absolute must when you visit Rome. The quarter is situated around Piazza Mincio, between Piazza Buonos Aires and Via Tagliamento, not too far from the Termini train station.

You will find interesting examples of the Liberty and Art Déco styles that were in fashion at the time and most likely wonder who lives in the fairy tale houses – and start dreaming about living in one of them!

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When I still lived in the Netherlands, I never took a holiday at home into consideration; at least once a year I had to be abroad for a week or two. Even if just in Germany or Belgium, I always made sure I crossed the border. I know there are lots of places worthwhile that I never visited, but holidaying at home just lacks something…

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In the early 90s, when I started travelling on my own, I used to go to Italy by train. I’d change in Maastricht, Liege, Luxemburg, Basle, Milan and Bologna to reach my final destination, Ferrara. These trips took about 24 hours in packed carriages and I usually ended up sharing my provisions with others (and vice versa) and spending the night gibbering and having fun with fellow travellers from all over the world. It’s a shame train tickets can’t compete with flight prices…

In Ferrara I used to stay with close friends or (in-law) family, who would show me their beautiful town from a local’s perspective. Eye-catchers are without any doubt the medieval walls, the Estense castle and the Cathedral. Other masterpieces are the Palazzo dei Diamanti, the Palazzo Schifanoia and the Jewish cemetery. Read more »

Last week I promised to write about Borghetto, a picturesque hamlet on the Mincio river south of the Lake. With its buildings lying directly on the river bank, its numerous water mills, the castle and a medieval bridge, it is considered one of the most beautiful locations in Italy.

No visit to Lake Garda is complete without a trip to Borghetto sul Mincio. Lets start with its spectacular position: somehow, the village seems “integrated” in the river, because the level of most buildings is at par with the water level. And because it is situated in a bend, it actually seems like a town emerging from a lake!

Since roman times the locality served as a defense position to protect the interests of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, the Duke of Milan, whose territory ended here. To fortify the border, he ordered the long bridge (pontelongo in dialect), built between 1393 and 1395 and originally 650 metres long, 65 of which are still present. The Scala castle became even more protected by it. Although only part of the bridge and its towers survived, it is still a highly impressive structure.

In 1954 his namesake Luchino Visconti (does anyone know if they are actually related?) used the bridge in his film Senso, a tragic love story from the time just after Italy’s unification, when the northern regions were trying to stop the Austrian occupation of their lands.

The water mills have most stopped working a long time ago, but three of them have been restored and are currently in use. Interesting and educational for us tourists, handy for the locals. You will find several bars and restaurants were you can enjoy a medieval atmosphere and local produce and custom while you rejoice in the astounding view…

by Hans

Lake Garda is perfect for tourism throughout the year. Around the shores one finds a series of enchanting villages and fantastic cities: Malcesine, Gargnano, Portese, Bogliaco, Desenzano, Manerba, Campione, Gardone, Salò, Riva, Torbole, Peschiera, Fasano, Assenza, Porto di Brenzone, Maderno, Cisano, Lazise, Pai, Bardolino, Castelnuovo, Torri and Castelletto.

There is a host of opportunities for sporting enthusiasts, such as windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, scuba diving, trekking, tennis and golf.

The mild climate of Lake Garda and the gorgeous surrounding countryside form an attractive invitation to have moments of complete relaxation. Not to be missed, the trip to Sirmione, a town much loved by Catullus, Carducci, Foscolo and Joyce. In 1889 a pipeline was built to the Boiola Spring, 20 meters below the surface, the waters of which (rich in sulphur, sodium, bromine, iodine, potassium and iron) are particularly useful in the treatment of respiratory illnesses.

Just a few kilometers from Garda Lake, in the little village of Valeggio sul Mincio, lies an earthly paradise: the Parco Giardino Sigurtà, considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

The five great seasonal flowers (Tulips, Irises, Roses, Lilies and Asters), the Great Oak, the 18 flowering ornamental lakes, the Hermitage, the Great Lawn, the Water Gardens and the Medicinal Herb Garden are just some of the attractions to be found within this 560.000 square meters natural oasis.

The park originates from the 17th century garden of Villa Maffei, purchased in 1941 by Carlo Sigurtà. Over forty years of loving care, he took advantage of the water-drawing rights from the river Mincio to achieve the “prodigious” feat of turning an arid hill into a flourishing green garden. Subsequently, his grandson Enzo established the essential features of the Park-Garden. After its opening to the public in 1978, the conservation of ecological complex has been due in great part to its visitors, who have found it to be a unique wonder of the world, such that today the Garden Park is regarded as one of the most extraordinary of its kind anywhere in the world.

In the month of April, visitors flock to admire the magnificent display offered by the hundreds of thousands of tulips in flower. As of spring 2009, members of the public will be able to visit the Park’s farm, recently transformed in educational centre for children and families.

The park can be visited on foot, by bike or aboard the panoramic train which transports passengers along the 7km long “Itinerario degli Incanti” route.

Daily opening hours:
From April to September: from 9 to 18
March, October, November: from 9 to 17

by Giulia