Thursday, November 22, 2007

Vacationing In Italy

Vacationing In Italy Submitted By: Jennifer Weiss

Italy is a country filled with lush, vibrant landscapes and stirring regions that remind one of the rich historical relevance of this diverse country. From the stunning architecture of Florence to the fashion of Milan to the ruins of Rome, you can find an abundance of sights that will take your breath away upon first glance and draw you in with their sheer magnificence. Travel through the regions of Italy for your next vacation and experience all this glorious country offers to its visitors.

A journey to Tuscany is well worth the adventure for any traveler who can appreciate fine wine, exquisite cuisine, and a beautiful rolling countryside that appears to have jumped right off the canvas. Florence, the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance, is a must-see for its famous museums and galleries such as the Uffizi, which houses a wealth of Renaissance art, and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo’s David. In Pisa, known for the recognizable leaning tower, visitors can enjoy the impressive medieval architecture and soak in the lively atmosphere by strolling the busy streets and the grassy square.

In the northern region of Lombardy, visitors can enjoy the capital city of Milan with its upscale fashion and exceptional cultural attractions. Milan is well known for its place atop the fashion industry and here visitors will find the flagship stores for designers such as Prada, Armani, and Dolce and Gabbana. In addition to shopping, visitors will want to head to the historical opera house La Scoula and enjoy one of the regularly staged operas, ballets, or concerts in the most acoustically perfect theatre in the world.

The center of commerce and culture, Rome sits in the Latium region and boasts strong and resilient historical sights that no visitor should miss. Home to the Pantheon and Colosseum, visitors can take in these incredible pieces of architecture that have withstood the test of time and hark back to far different eras. In the center of Rome lies the sovereign Vatican state, which is the symbolic home of Catholics around the world and the residence of the Pope. For views of two of the most breathtaking religious buildings, head over to St. Pete’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel, which Michelangelo meticulously painted in a span of four years.

Located about six miles east of Naples, a journey to Mount Vesuvius is a worthwhile excursion for those who are intrigued by the rich and volatile history of the only active volcano on the European mainland. The area around the mountain is now a national park and visitors can explore the small network of paths that travel around the mountain for a glimpse of this towering monstrosity. For those with more than a passing interest, visitors are also allowed to reach the summit by foot (after driving within 200 feet) or they can make their way to the crater from the spiral walkway that leads off the road.

In the southern portion of Italy, Naples is perched along the Bay of Naples, providing the most beautiful water views in all of Italy. When searching for food to satisfy your appetite, Naples is the perfect place to try pizza in Italy since this is the birthplace of the pizza pie. After a filling meal, visitors can make their way to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples to view one of the most complete collections of Greek and Roman relics and afterwards, wander the winding, narrow streets of the Spaccanapoli and stop by any of the numerous churches and shops.

Whether you plan on traveling throughout the country or planting yourself in your favorite region, you can find the perfect accommodations for your adventure by staying in Italy vacation rentals. There is a wide selection of apartments, villas, and houses located throughout Italy that make it easy to enjoy the rich history and beautiful landscapes of this country. Begin your search for the perfect rental today so you can experience the amazingly diverse Italian vacation of your dreams.

About the Author:http://www.GreatRentals.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, consider Italy vacation rentals for your next trip to Europe.

Seeing The Sights Of Austria

Seeing The Sights Of Austria Submitted By: G. Chadwick

Austria has a rich history and has managed to maintain many of the old buildings and architecture that go along with it. The country is small and nestled between Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. The largest city is Vienna, which has a rich cultural history, restaurants, and a diverse cultural mix that resulted from different wars and from the immigration of people from nearby countries.

When planning a trip to Vienna, you should consider visiting the city's Museum Quarter, which offers art museums, history museums, and the Sigmund Freud Museum. You can also visit Schonbrunn Palace, which is outside the city, but accessible by the metro system. While most people stay in Vienna, there are many other cities including Salzburg, Gratz, and Innsbruck.

Each have their own vibrant history as well.

There have been many famous authors, musicians, and scientists that lived and worked in Austria. You will be able to visit their birthplaces, and places they loved to go when not working. Walking tours are available. If staying in Salzburg, you will be able to take the 'Sound of Music Tour', which is a walking tour that has themes from the movie. The Mirabell Palace and Gardens is another popular tourist attraction for those who visit Salzburg.

With an active winter season, there are many places to ski in the Austrian Alps and enjoy the outdoors. You can stay at a lodge or just go skiing for the day. Other pastimes in Austria include ice skating, soccer, and ice hockey. You will be able to attend matches depending on the time of year that you visit. For those who enjoy sports, especially winter sports, there is much do to in Austria.

Austrian cuisine is considered some of the best food in the world. There are many styles that have melded together to create this cuisine. You should try wiener schnitzel, erdapfel salat, a potato dish, tafelspitz, a beef dish, cheese Danish, and kaiserschmarrn, which is a traditional Austrian dessert during your stay. You will be able to choose between small cafes, fine dining, or larger family style dining. After a long day of sightseeing, having a good, hearty meal is very comforting.

As you can see, there is plenty to see, do, and eat during your stay in Austria. You will be able to see a lot of historical buildings and get a better understanding of how Austria changed after WWI and WWII. There have been many political and religious changes that have happened during Austria’s history. You will be able to see evidence of these changes in the building and in the people themselves. With walking tours, palaces, museums, outdoor activities including skiing and horseback riding, you will have a wonderful trip to Austria.

About the Author:Greg Chadwick owns and operates the Austria Hotel Finder website. Please visit our website to find great deals on Austria Hotels.