Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

Ryanair has launched its post-Christmas fare sale for travel between December 28, 2007 and March 12, 2008. Booking must be done by Thursday, January 10 and tickets must be bought seven days in advance (travel any day of the week, subject to availability; a blackout period runs from February 8 to February 18).

Below a sampling of fares, for the routes to Italy on offer (tickets are one-way, fares include taxes and charges)
From London (Luton)
- GBP 10.00: Milan (Bergamo)
- GBP 20.41: Rome (Ciampino)
From London (Stansted)
- GBP 10.00: Alghero (Sardinia), Ancona, Bologna (Forli), Genoa, Milan (Bergamo), Parma, Perugia, Rome (Ciampino), Trieste, Turin, Venice (Treviso), Verona (Brescia)
- GBP 25.21: Bari, Brindisi, Lamezia, Palermo, Pescara, Pisa (Florence)
From East Midlands
- GBP 10.00: Alghero (Sardinia), Milan (Bergamo), Pisa (Florence), Rimini, Rome (Ciampino)
From Liverpool
- GBP 10.00: Alghero (Sardinia), Milan (Bergamo), Pisa (Florence), Rome (Ciampino), Venice (Treviso)
From Glasgow (Prestwick)
- GBP 10.00: Milan (Bergamo), Pisa (Florence)
- GBP 17.81: Rome (Ciampino)
From Newcastle
- GBP 10.00: Milan (Bergamo)
From Bournemouth
- GBP 10.00: Milan (Bergamo), Pisa (Florence)

Offer details at ryanair.com.

Budget airline Jet2.com has begun selling tickets for flights from Manchester (UK) next summer to Rome. From Manchester to Rome one-way prices start at £29.99 (GBP 29.99) including charges.

Among the other Jet2.com’s routes from UK to Italy are also: from Leeds Bradford (to: Pisa, Venice, Milan-Bergamo, Roma-FCO, and Sardinia-Olbia), Newcastle (to Pisa), Belfast (to Pisa) and Edinburgh (to Pisa). Prices start at as low as £19.99 (GBP 19.99) including charges*.
* Payment card fees apply. Also individual bag charges (if you are travelling with checked/hold baggage) .

Among the events and the initiatives held in Rome during the festivities we suggest not to miss: the Christmas tree in Piazza Venezia, the Christmas market in Piazza Navona, the Presepe di Piazza San Pietro.
The Presepe di Piazza San Pietro, — the representation of Nativity Scene held in Vaticano, is being displayed on the St. Peter Basilica parvis, in front of the obelisk.
You can also enjoy more representations of Nativity Scene in Rome, at “One Hundred Nativity Scenes”, the annual Christmas crib exhibition, held at the Sala del Bramante within the Piazza del Popolo.

Piazza Navona’s Christmas markets offers the best chance to experience the flavour of the festivities in Rome; it runs through January 6. Various events are taking place in and around the square throughout the holiday season. And of course, visiting the market also provides you with the opportunity to see one of the most spectacular squares and some of Rome’s famous fountains.

Every Christmas Eve, the Pope gives Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Square. Invitations to attend the service are issued by the Vatican and cost nothing. Apply to the Vatican directly for access.

Naples offers a huge variety of events and traditions rich in Neapolitan flavour during the Christmas festivities.

The Chiaia district, the area between Posillipo and Piazza del Plebiscito, is at the heart of the festivities.
Live music shows take place at various venues throughout the city, theatres stage performances and art galleries offer a selection of exhibitions Christmas themed.

“Dolce Napoli - Sweet Naples“, that will be held in Viale Campi Flegrei 59, on December 20 (h. 8.30 PM), is a night dedicated to tastings of Christmas Neapolitan delicacies.

And of course, there is a Christmas Village, where local artisans and craftsmen display their craft-making skills to visitors.

Among the most picturesque Christmas markets we suggest there is the one held in the Alpine city of Trento. Dozens of wooden huts in Piazza Fiera display traditional crafts, food and mulled wine.

A visit to Trento’s Christmas market, is the is not only an opportunity for Christmas shopping, but also the opportunity to immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere complemented by classical concerts, exhibitions at local churches, theatres and museums. Discover more details on http://www.mercatinodinatale.tn.it
When: Nov 24 - Dec 24 2007 (annual)
Where: Trento (Piazza Fiera)