When in Rome, Travel Safe

Posted by on August 16, 2012 No comments

Some say that all roads lead to Rome and in many ways this is true. Home to the great Roman poet Virgil, Latin based languages, and many of the forms of architecture that we still see today. While you can turn on your computer and learn about the many contributions, from politics and science to theology and art, that this bountiful and culturally rich city has offered the world, it is a more fulfilling and enjoyable experience to visit Rome and all of its surrounding cities. Whether your purpose for visiting is for business, pleasure or educational purposes, it is important to plan ahead and focus on maintaining safety as a priority, as well as having fun and taking in all of the sights. Here are a few tips on what to do and perhaps what not to do if you hope to enjoy a safe and meaningful trip to this great and memorable city.

Take Safety Precautions

Before you’ve packed your bags, bought the required three fluid ounce bottles to carry your lotion and other special hair care products or colognes, you will want to make sure that you safeguard your finances and personal records from being hacked, stolen or tampered with in any way. Many who go on vacation are startled when they realize that while traveling is a great experience, it doesn’t mean that you have somehow entered a world that is void of reality. Even though you are in a new and exciting city that can seem magical, you are not immune from being a victim of criminal activity. There are many services and products, like Lifelock, that you can look into to help prevent you or your loved ones from becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud while on vacation or while at home.

Of course, you don’t have to walk through Rome afraid for your life, but you may want to take some precautionary measures like don’t tell all of your friends on Facebook or Twitter that you are on vacation and when you are returning; It’s best to post your vacation pictures of the sites and towns you visited when you return. Pack your medications and essentials in your carry-on, that way, if you do have to check in a bag, your ability to be healthy or comfortable won’t be compromised.

Transportation

When American chef, author and television personality, Anthony Bourdain had 30 hours to take in everything he could in the “Eternal City,” he recommended traveling on a Vespa to weave in and out of traffic and gridlock. If you don’t have the extra bucks to rent a Vespa or a Fiat car, but still would like to get around the city and take in the sights around, you may find yourself on either of the two metro lines that meet at the main station in the center and it likely won’t be paradise, but there are always walking tours and at least then you can get your exercise.

Do As the Romans Do

Knowing the customs and how natives live their day to day lives can help a visitor or tourist immensely. If you wish to have a trouble free trip navigating through Rome and much of the countryside in Europe it’s important to understand that while punctuality is important in many ways, there are times when you might observe this priority to be more relaxed. Try to not get too frustrated and adopt a more open approach, maybe go for a short walk and take in some sights that you might otherwise miss.

If you do schedule a meeting and you want everyone to show up, it’s best to set the time for early morning or later in the day. The time to avoid scheduling a meeting at is between 1:00 and 4:00 pm; this is a time reserved for lunch and siesta for many of the natives. So, reserve that time for yourself to take a rest or do some things that don’t involve business or work.

Take in the Magic

With so much variety in culture, politics, art and delicious food, it is no wonder why so many visit this great city every year and continue to return. To get the most of out of your experience in Rome, try staying at a hostel, be frugal and maybe dine where the natives go. Check out the tourist sites like Vatican City, sure, but don’t forget to see the Colesseum and the Piazza Novanna, a famous stadium that was once built for Olympic contests and is now home to three Baroque fountains. Consider signing up for an identity theft prevention security package with LifeLock at a discounted price. You can save money and prevent a criminal from stealing your finances at the same time and have extra flier miles to spend, so you can return to Rome whenever you like.

Start Your New Life in Italy Before You Even Leave Home

Posted by on December 28, 2011 No comments

Moving abroad to start a new life is one of the most exciting things which any of us can do.  It opens up a whole world of possibilities to the adventurous among us. In fact, probably the only problem is in trying to be patient while you wait for the big move to happen. Let’s see if we can do something about that though.

Explore the Area

One of the great things about the internet is that you don’t need to be somewhere in order to explore it anymore. If you are wondering what your new home town in Italy looks like then you can check it out anytime you want to online. This takes a lot of the risk element out of the move and means that you can get familiar with the place before you even set foot in it.

Get Used to the Food

A common problem for adventurous souls who move abroad is that of trying to get used to new food. This doesn’t seem like it should be too big a problem in a country like Italy, does it? In fact, the delicious Italian cuisine might be one of your top reasons for planning on going there. However, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t going to run into some surprises once you get there.  As well as the classic dishes you are so used to you might also come across popular meals such as uncooked octopus and maggot filled cheese. A little bit of online investigation will let you discover what to expect once you get there. Maybe you will also have a go at cooking some of the recipes before you head off, although getting hold of the maggots could be a problem.

Learn and Use the Language

Isn’t it an exciting thought to imagine how you will soon be living in a county where they speak a different language? Of course, you will want to be prepared and this means looking for the best Italian lessons London or wherever you live offers. As well as learning the basics you should also try to find a way of using the tongue. Maybe you could join some online forums or look for local events in the Italian immigrant community. No matter where you plan to go in the world this is a good idea. Where you are interested in the Spanish, German or Chinese courses London has on the go you should look to learn as much as you can before you leave home.

Thinking of moving to Venice?

Posted by on November 17, 2011 No comments

If you’re thinking of heading to Italy, you’ll certainly want to consider Venice. And this is especially true if you’re looking to take life a little slower. Venice also has the advantage of a combination of culture – historical monuments, architecture and great art museums – with quiet streets and canals that are populated purely by the locals. A key reason for moving long-term to Venice, then, is that it’s impossible to really experience its uniqueness without being there long enough to get to know it.

For Venice’s attractions, one would have to start with St Mark’s Square, which you can access after taking the vaporetto down the length of the Grand Canal. The beautiful Basilica San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale and the Rialto bridge are other favourites. Be warned though; these are what can make Venice full of crowds, tipped off the cruise liners each morning, and especially during the summer months.

Just by walking 30 metres from the Rialto, you’ll see that Venice is much more than these famous sites. This Venice is one where there are residents going quietly about their business on pretty, narrow un-crowded alleyways. You’ll also find in these remoter areas of the city charmingly intimate piazzas, local shops and cafes and small, cosy restaurants at every turn and corner. In a city where it’s sometimes possible to feel overwhelmed by people, it’s also possible to wander empty streets lost in thought.

Finally, by taking the vaporetto over to San Georigio Maggiore, you’ll have a fine view of Venice from the camponile. From here, you can also visit the islands just outside Venice, such as the Murano, famous for its glass, or Burano, on the edge of the lagoon, which has a history of fishing and lace making as well as pretty multi-coloured houses. And if it’s a quieter kind of life you want, the evenings in this part of Venice will certainly satisfy. There are not as many people around as during the day and you can find spots where you can join Venetians as they enjoy local food in a traditional restaurant, before heading to a local Church for a free classical concert.

Before you travel, check that you are equipped with the right insurance package. Direct Travel Insurance offer both an easy and efficient travel insurance package, which lasts for up to 12 months. It will offer peace of mind during your stay and for those upcoming return trips to this unique Italian city.

Plan Your City Break to Rome

Posted by on October 27, 2011 No comments

Plan a weekend in Rome

With long working hours and long commutes working can be stressful. Taking a weekend break to Rome once in a while has been proved healthy, especially for relaxation. Their food is great, porchetta, rice croquettes and sea foods among other specialties. If you are planning to take a holiday vacation and do not have a destination in mind as of yet, think of planning your city break to Rome.

The vibrant city of Rome lies in the heart of Italy. This ancient town is very rich in terms of beautiful city breaks to Rome sites and its original ethnicity. If you have ever been there before, you will agree that it is one of the most attractive cities, in every sense of the word. Weekend breaks to Rome are a great idea for you and your family. The many Rome city breaks have left a lot to be desired. While on your vacation, whether long or short, there are some distinct places considered as must visits you have to go to.

Some of these areas are as follows;

Vatican City For a religious town as this, your weekend breaks to Rome will not be complete without a tour of the Vatican City. With top attraction sites as the Vatican museums, the Sistine chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, you are certainly going to be dazed! You could decide to visit the museum when the general public is not allowed in. This will erase all your doubts as to whether the city breaks to Rome will be fun.

Roman Colosseum A Rome break would not be complete without a tour of this magnificent site. The Colle Oppio provides you with a breath taking view of some of the ancient Rome city breaks inclusive of the patheon and forum.

Capitoline Museum Is a must see!! Located right on top of the Capitoline hill. It is one of the greatest highlights of all the Rome city breaks available. Many of its structures are old and ancient. The museum was initially a stadium where chariot races were held.

Baths of Diocletian On your tour of Rome, do not forget to stop over at this site. This site originally stood over 30acres. Today, most of it has been destroyed. The only remain piece is what is now the national museum.

A Travel Blog is a great way to find information on UK and Europe, why not google travel like a brit for more information on European city breaks.

Learn Italian, the language of Romance

Posted by on October 3, 2011 No comments

When it comes to languages, everyone has a favorite. This happens because each language is more than just a means of communication, each one has its own atmosphere and conveys more than just words. Perhaps we are talking about the culture that underlies the language itself, or perhaps we mean something else. For example, when thinking of Japanese the following words come to my mind ‘polite’ and ‘wisdom’. When I think of Portuguese I come up with ‘fun’ and ‘good-vibe’. German strikes me as ‘strict’ and Russian as ‘smart’. However, of all the languages I know my favorite one is that which I associate with Romance….Italian.

When taking Italian courses Edinburgh explain they do it out of their love for the language rather than out of practical reasons. Italian is generally learnt for travelling, family reasons or interest in art history. It is perhaps the most beautiful sounding language in the world and it enjoys a chic factor, for being the language of gastronomy and arts. In many countries, it is regarded as the language of upper class, perhaps because people can afford to spend time learning a beautiful and culturally rich language with no direct economic benefits.

In spite of what we already said, Italy does have one of the biggest economies in the world. In the construction, design and furniture industry, Italian plays a major role, and speaking the language can be an asset. Remember that most Italian companies are small to medium, with no more than 100 people. Speaking Italian will allow you to directly deal with the owner or his relatives.

When taking Italian courses London students explain that their aim is to better enjoy the Roman history when travelling to Rome. Italian students generally have an artistic intellectual profile and as such, they are very serious about Art history. The Renaissance era can be much better appreciated once you understand Italian. This selected group of people generally takes Latin as a subject at Arts school as well in order to better enjoy the Roman culture and history in general. In fact Latin and Italian are very similar (Italian originated from Latin).

Fortunately, students can choose to take lessons any day of the week at any time of the day with qualified native speaking Italian teachers. Learning by native speakers gives you advantages like acquiring a better pronunciation and being provided with the cultural backgrounds of the language. Italian: what an amazing language.

Staying cheaply in Rome

Posted by on September 20, 2011 No comments

You don’t have to be a millionaire to visit Rome – if you’re on a budget you can stay in a tent in one of the nearby campsites.
If you’re not used to staying in tents, and if your image of camping is setting up a canvas structure in the middle of a farmer’s field, then the available options around Rome will come as a pleasant surprise.
One thing you need to bear in mind is that Rome is a built-up city, so you won’t be able to pitch your tent within spitting distance of the Cistine Chapel.
But if you’re prepared to travel half an hour out of the city, you’ll find a good range of camping options that are both affordable and comfortable.
It’s always a good idea to go online and read the views of travelers, before you decide where you’re going to stay. If you went back 20 years or so, most people would have read a campsite’s brochure before booking, but since the brochure was written by the site’s owners there was no way of knowing how accurate the descriptions were.
Now, you can visit a travel review site and see what has been written by people who have actually stayed there. They will tell you the good and the bad things about a particular place.
Somewhere among the positive and negative reviews you’ll be able to glean enough about a particular site to decide whether it’s for you or not. The difficult part is sometimes making that assessment while taking into consideration the type of people who might write the reviews.
For example, someone who is used to staying in four-star hotels might write that the site is too basic. Another traveler, who is a camping veteran and who stayed in the tent next door at the same time, might say that the site was very well-equipped and comfortable.

Visit the breathtaking Amalfi coast when in Italy

Posted by on August 31, 2011 No comments

The Amalfi coast, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites, is one of the most beautiful places you can head when you’re in Italy.
It boasts an unbeatable combination between the mountains and the sea, adding an impressive and stunning background to its gorgeous beaches, which stretch around 50km along the southern side of Italy.
Sorrento is arguably the most well known town along the coast, but there are plenty of other places to visit, including Amalfi itself, as well as Ravello and Positano.
Beautiful winding medieval streets with greet those who venture to the area, as will sparkling seas and cliffs adorned with lemon groves.
There are a number of campsites located along the Amalfi coastline, offering those who have looked for tents for sale some great places to pitch up their canvas.
With plenty of great facilities on offer, and sites situated in the stunning countryside close to the beach along the coast, those with tents will be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to stay.
The Amalfi coast is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy, with the area attracting couples on romantic breaks, as well as people looking for a decent family-holiday destination.
With hidden coves, steep cliffs and secluded bays, it’s possible for people to steer clear of all other humans if they wish to.
There are some extremely picturesque sites to be explored in the area, aside from the beaches, which are provided with a beautiful backdrop of pastel-coloured hillside houses and vineyards.
It’s best to head to Amalfi at this time of year – the end of summer and early autumn – as the prices for accommodation tend to drop, as do the temperatures slightly. Spring is also a prime time to visit, but it’s best avoided in the winter months, as most vendors shut up shop, so you’ll be stuck for places to head for dinner.

What you must do in Rome

Posted by on August 31, 2011 No comments

When you head to Rome, you’ll find there are some attractions which will definitely feature on your to-do list, such as visiting the Colosseum and Vatican City.
But there are also some things that you should try to do, which won’t necessary appear in every guide book on Italy.
As the adage goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, so bearing this in mind, a cooking class in the city could be a great option.
If you’re on a city break in Rome, you might want to take some time out to learn some new skills in the kitchen, exploring the diverse and interesting array of cuisine Italy has to offer.
Whether you’re staying in budget tents on your trip, or you’re in the most expensive hotel on offer, you’re bound to learn a thing or two if you head to a cooking class in Rome.
If you’d rather be a wine than food buff, you might want to try Vino Roma instead. You’ll definitely learn a huge amount about your favourite tipple from an experienced sommelier if you choose to do this, as well as sampling a fair few wines along the way – which is bound to add to the experience!
Culture vultures will love Galleria Borghese, with its huge selection of 15th to 18th-century art works, including everything from paintings and sculptures to mosaics.
You’ll also bound to find plenty of interesting things to see at the Pantheon and Basilica di San Clemente if you’re hunting for cultural activities within Rome on your trip there.
To ensure you head back to the city, you might want to engage in a local tradition of throwing a coin into Fontana di Trevi. Legend suggests whoever does this will one day return to Rome. So if you’ve loved your stay – either in luxurious comfort or camping out in a tent in the countryside – you should pay a visit to one of the most photographed fountains in Italy.