Cruising Italy

When thinking about holiday ideas, individuals should consider the vast amount of options for travelling in and around Italy. Cruises are a great option for seeing many of the sites around the coast line of Italy, as well as inland through day trips. It is possible to stay at Italian villas before or after a cruise to see more of the Italian countryside. Imagine being able to see the Mediterranean, Adriatic, Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, as well as the beautiful Italian coast line, from the balcony of a cruise ship.

There are many cruises around Italy that travellers might be interested in enjoying. Venice and Rome are major ports of call in the country of Italy, so expect many cruises to either begin or end in these locations. Once you are in Venice or Rome, you can begin cruising to a number of destinations in Italy.

There are short cruises, generally lasting two to three days, down each vertical coast of Italy. From Venice you can cruise down the Eastern coast to such locations as Ancona and Pescara. Ancona is a port town that has many restaurants and an easily navigable downtown area for dining and shopping. Pescara is Abruzzo's largest city and is known for its beautiful beaches. Many of these shorter cruises end up at the tip of Italy or in Sicily, which attracts visitors due to its rich history and cuisine.

Short cruises on the Western coast of Italy, departing from Rome, stop in such destinations as Palermo, Naples and Portofino. As Rome is located in the middle of the coast line, many cruises circle up around the city when travelling around Italy. Day trips in Palermo include such activities as touring ancient palaces, churches, and castles. Naples is a beautiful destination known for shopping and dining. In Portofino visitors can visit fine dining establishments and take scenic walks in the protected natural areas around the city.

Travellers can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for a short Italian cruise (2-3 days). This depends on the type of accommodations desired, as they range from budget to luxurious, as well as the current deals available through cruise lines. There are many cruises that stop at many different locations, so it is recommended that travellers talk to travel agents and do research before purchasing tickets for this type of holiday.

In addition, there are also longer cruises that visitors can enjoy while holidaying. Longer cruises circle the entire coast line of Italy, even sometimes extending into neighbouring countries such as Greece, Turkey and Croatia. Longer cruises last anywhere from 5 to 20 days and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to over $20,000, depending on the type of travel and itinerary desired.

A common stop includes Sicily, where visitors can take in the rich history, art work, and delicious cuisine. Other stops in Italy can involve day trips through the Tuscan countryside, visits to specialists in cured meats in Salermo, and the Leaning Tower in Pisa. Examples of stops in other countries include Dubrovnik, Croatia, which has marble walls, streets, and a glowing presence, while Santorini, Greece offers surreal cliffs, white buildings, and spectacular sunsets.

No matter which type of cruise travellers choose to partake in Italy, they are likely to have a lovely holiday adventure. Italy is known for being a romantic country, so many honeymooners choose cruise options for their special trip. Travelling around the coast of Italy provides a unique perspective of the regional differences and variety of experiences available in Italy.

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A Traveler's Guide to Palermo

Tucked into Sicily's northern coast on the Tyrrhenian Sea, the capital city of Palermo is an enticing jewel in Sicily's crown. The look of this exotic city combines European and Asian flavours, as ornate Arabic and Baroque styles contribute to the impressive architecture.

To get to the genesis of Palermo's history, reach back to the 8th century B.C., when it was settled as a port. In fact, its original name, coined by the Greeks, was "Panormos," which means "all port." Control of Palermo shifted from the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians to the Greeks, then the Arabs to the Normans. The history of many of these controlling civilizations can still be seen in its buildings; sometimes, many coexist on the same structure.

While organized crime is, unfortunately, entrenched in Palermo's history, it has been on a downswing since the turn of the 21st century. After key Mafia leaders and players were either arrested or otherwise deposed, the influence of the organization has experienced a significant change.

Palermo residents unite every year in early July to celebrate the feast of their patron saint, Saint Rosalia, a 12th century hermit credited with easing Palermo's terrible plague of 1624. The faithful process a statue of the saint through the streets while celebrations of food and music consume the area.

The city's Arabic past comes to life in the Vucciria. A market reminiscent of the casbah, it is the busiest market in Palermo. The buzz of the shoppers blends with the scent of spices and fruits in the scorching heat to make a truly unique treasure-hunting experience in the ruins of the Loggia district.

Visitors who love churches and cathedrals are spoiled for choice in Palermo. Palermo Cathedral, officially known as Saint Mary of the Assumption, is a grand marriage of Norman, Byzantine, Arab, Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architectural styles. Its tombs are the final resting place for Saint Nicodemus, Frederick II of Sicily, and Holy Roman Emperor Henry VI, among many others. The frescos on the ceiling of Santa Caterina are illusionistic, to go along with the rest of this visually impressive church. The Basilica of the Holy Trinity, commonly called the Magione, has a heavy Norman exterior which is softened by surrounding palm trees.

San Giovanni degli Eremiti was built on the grounds of a mosque in the 12th century. Easily recognizable by its red domes, "Saint John of the Hermits" features a Latin cross plan and a lush garden in its elegant cloister.

The Capuchin Catacombs make for an eerily fascinating diversion. The 8000 mummies inside range from monks to friars to surgeons to sculptors.

Palermo's famous opera house is Teatro Massimo, on the Piazza Verdi. It boasts perfect acoustics and holds the honour of being Italy's largest opera house. If you have seen the movie "The Godfather III," you have seen a bit of its interior as the movie's operatic climax was shot inside.

Even the city's everyday streets, where residents live stacked many stories high in apartments with laundry-draped balconies, are a feast for the senses. The constant hum of vibrant people living their lives under the Sicilian sun is an unforgettable experience for the traveller who enjoys seeing host countries off the beaten path.

Getting to know Palermo at a leisurely pace is easy if you choose to stay in one of the cheap villas nearby. Palermo villas offer the comfort of a hotel with the casual familiarity of a country cottage. When you stay in Palermo like a local, you can fully enjoy the character and history of this ancient and intriguing Sicilian city.

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The Little Red Train On The Alps

Livigno is a spectacular mountain locality, especially dedicated to skiers. But that is not the only attraction of this Alpine resort. The surrounding area is full of spectacular landscapes to explore and activities to experience. Such as the romantic mountain train bringing you through out-of-this-world landscapes, glaciers and gorges. The train is friendly called the "Little Red Train".

For the Valtellina people, to talk about the "red train" is like talking about a dear friend.

This is because the Bernina Express departs from the center of the Valtellina, the town of Tirano, and because it is tireless with his slow pilgrimage through gentle valleys and high mountain passes to reach its destination in the heart of upper Engadina.

Tourists are fascinated by this train, and for many it is the most beautiful in the world. Getting on the Bernina Express Railway is equivalent to entering a theater with the landscape unfolding before your eyes. The stage offers a constantly changing spectacle. You can admire not only natural beauties, but also the spectacular railroad structure itself, with its bridges and loop tunnels, reaching at times impressive inclinations. Surely, the route contributes to the charm of this line, going from the Valtellina valley to the Val Poschiavo and then on to climb up among the glaciers and peaks of the Bernina, finally descending to ever-charming Engadina until Pontresina and St. Moritz.

This spectacular and unforgettable rail journey begins in Tirano, the terminus of the Milan-Sondrio-Tirano Italian railways track. The train consists of modern and comfortable coaches. It leaves this lovely city to begin a breathtaking journey, in winter just as in summer, on slopes of 70 per thousand (without rack) up to an altitude of 2253 meters above sea level, which is unique in Europe. After a few kilometers from departure a marvel suddenly strikes your eyes: it's the Brusio viaduct, an outdoor helical ramp. Beyond Poschiavo, the capital of the valley with its beautiful patrician houses, the traveler reaches Alp Grüm, a unique panoramic point on the Palu glacier.

After crossing the pass at an altitude of 2253 meters above sea level, Montebello offers the observer an impressive view of the Monteratsch glacier and the Bernina chain, 4 thousand meters high and covered with glittering eternal snows.

In Pontresina, a popular tourist resort and winter sports center, the line branches off to Samaden-Chur, which allows travelers to reach Central Switzerland and Northern Europe. A few more kilometers and you will come across the enchanting landscape of the Upper Engadine and reach the beautiful St. Moritz.

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Sardinia and The Fantastic Beach of Orri

Italy has some of the most wonderful beaches in the Mediterranean and the world. And Sardinia has some of the most wonderful beaches of Italy. Therefore you can trust that your holiday in Italy will bring you to the most prized seaside localities with the best shores you have ever dreamed of. Orri is one if these beaches.

Set on the side of Sardinia that looks Italy, it can be found on the southern coast of Arbatax, from where it is about 8 km, while from Tortolì it is just 2 Km away.

Getting there
Go from Olbia to Siniscola through the SP125 or the new expressway to Nuoro and follow the indications for Lanusei and Tortoli. At the junction turn right towards the Lido Orrì and follow the road for a couple of miles along the beach.

The Beach
It is a famous and enchanting place. It is rich of many inlets each leading to delicious deserted beaches. Orrì is considered one of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches in Sardinia. The beach is very long and wide, nearly 16 km of coastline, characterized by fine white sand and shallow waters for about three hundred meters from the shore and a light blue color. The beach has a sandy bottom with white rocks polished by the time that can be found both on the beach and submerged by the water. The water has a characteristic iridescent blue color due to the sun light reflecting on the sea bottom.

Services
This is the usual meeting point for holidays in Ogliastra, and today this is the crown jewel of the town of Tortoli. The services are numerous and of any kind, from various rentals, kiosks, bars, street vending, and games for children. During lively summer evenings on the road that runs along the main beach there are street vendors, music and various entertainments. A visit to this beach is not to be missed!

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Salento, The Heart of Apulia (Puglia)

Prehistoric monuments as a Dolmen and Menhir testify a thousand years of history. The natural environment is as diverse as it is beautiful, the green countryside and bare hills are covered with wheat, tobacco crops and olive groves, while the sea is the highlight of it all. The coast is high, rocky, rugged, dotted with caves and bays, while waters are rich in flora and fauna. All this is Salento. Perhaps most important of all is the story of its people who overcome famines and persistent poverty and now can offer their land to tourists with love and kindness.

The Territory
Once the Salento peninsula included the territory occupied by the provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto, but today this term has been used to include the geographical area of ​​Lecce, which is much smaller. The Salento stretches from the so-called "Messapian threshold" between Casalabate, north of Lecce, and Punta Prosciutto, north-west of Porto Cesareo, goes down to the Cape of Santa Maria di Leuca, and is limited by 220 kilometers of coastline overlooking the Adriatic and lonio Seas.

The Heart of Salento
Like any land, Salento has a heart, which is called Salento Greece. Its sunny villages, the dialect rich of Hellenic words, the spirit and tradition characterize this area.
Palmieri, Castrigiano of the Greeks, Corigliano d'Otranto, Lecce, Melpignano, Soleto, Sternatia and Zollino are a world apart, or rather what remains of a larger area known as the ancient Land of Otranto. This area was made Greek starting from the sixth century. It remained impenetrable to Latinization up to the eleventh century. The priests of this area continued to celebrate their Greek Orthodox rites up until the first half of the seventeenth century.

Suggested Tour
Take two or three days to dedicate to this part of Salento. The small villages made of white houses and beautiful sunny countryside open lands invite you to get lost in them while eavesdropping the so-called Griko dialect.
Then you can enjoy the Greek roots at the table with typical dishes of Greek derivation with Mediterranean aftertaste.
This is the most unexpected corner of Italy's heel. It's exotic and archaic character forces time to flow more slowly than elsewhere. The tour winds from Calimera to Soleto and you can travel it by car stopping every few kilometers at one interesting town or site.

The Climate
The climate of Salento is typically Mediterranean. Obviously a result of the mitigating effect of the sea, the peninsula provides exceptionally long summers, dry and sunny days overall for and average of 2600 hours of sunshine per year. The colder weather is mild and brief, and is felt differently depending on the area you are in, as there are several micro-climatic zones. The high Adriatic coast, between Otranto and Leuca, receives more rain than the one on the Ionian coast up to Gallipoli, where warm winds from North Africa prevail. The area north of Otranto receives Balkan influences that determine slightly lower temperatures.

Villas and Farmhouses
The Lecce Baroque period saw its prelude with cities being reborn, large countryside farms being built, bishops and local aristocrats promoting local building activity, church and castle artworks being produced in Castro, Cupertino, Gallipoli and Otranto. In the seventeenth century architects and master builders transformed urban spaces and created new sceneries where to place squares, churches and palaces.
The Baroque of Lecce is still elegantly shaping the capital and cities such as Alessi, Cupertino, Gallipoli, Leverano, Minervino, Morciano di Leuca, Muro Leccese and Presicce. Elegance and imagination remained during the following centuries, as many homes in Liberty style in Santa Cesarea Terme and Marina di Leuca testify. Moorish villas reaffirm the memory of the link with Middle East.

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