Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

If you are visiting Venice in the early days of March, you can enjoy a major wine event.

A three day of tastings of great wines and delicacies from all over Italy will be held on the Giudecca island, in Venice. Molino Stucky Hilton Venice hotel will be hosting the event, named “Gusto in Scena“, from March 3 through 5.

The quality wines selected for the event, divided into four grape-growing areas, mountain, hill, plain, and sea will be paired with proper regional dishes.

When: March 3 until 5.
Where: Molino Stucky Hilton - Venice (Giudecca island)
Getting there: Venice airport is 10 km away (40 min.ride with Vaporetto); from Venice train station Santa Lucia 20 min.ride with Vaporetto. Molino Stucky Hilton Venice offers free waterbus from/to Piazza San Marco from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Event details at http://www.gustoinscena.it .

The Umbria’s town of Norcia is hosting its annual black truffle fair next week-end.

Despite the black truffle is considered inferior to the white variety, it remains one of the Italian delicacies most appreciated by gourmets. The fair is an occasion to taste the many local recipes using black truffle.

Also, the town of Norcia is well-known for its Castelluccio lentil as well as for the treating of pork meat. Norcinerie is the name given to prosciutto, sausages and spiced salamis from there.

Situated in Valnerina, close to National Park of Sibillini Mountains, Norcia offers also the possibility for an excursion to one of the wildest and most beautiful areas of Italy.

when: Feb. 29 through Mar. 2, 2008
Where: Norcia (Umbria) (on the interactive map).
- Getting there
Norcia is not served by rail; you can get there from Rome traveling by train up to Spoleto station, and then from there continuing by bus. The same from Perugia: train up to Spoleto and then bus.

For chocolate lovers who are visiting Piedmont this week, CioccolaTO’ is an event to not be missed.

From Friday, February 22 through Sunday, March 2, this annual chocolate festival held in Turin will feature endless tastings, laboratories with master pastry chefs of international renown, visits to chocolate factories, shows and also even chocolate classes.

CioccolaTÒ 2008 is not only a celebration of the palate, it is also many other activities, including design (Turin is World Design Capital for 2008), music, literature and theatrical presentations, all based on the theme of cocoa. Details of the event at http://www.cioccola-to.com/english/.
When: from February 22 to Sunday, March 2;
Where: Turin.

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is one the sights countless-times photographed.
However the following seems a really great shot (view enlarged photo).

The contrast between grey water and bright colourful buildings is incredible. The dark sky helps create an atmospheric scene, somewhat sinister.
Definitely a great capture! (Photo by angelocesare)

Wine lovers who are visiting Rome the last week-end of February have the occasion to attend an important event. It’s “Roma Wine Festival“.

Not just a wine fair, Roma Wine Festival is an event designed to promote a better understanding and knowledge of Italy’s wines. Not only For the wine professionals, the event is for all those who love wine and whom are fascinated by its history, its smells, and tastes.

Recommended the tasting “The Grand Tour od Italy’s Wines“, held in a section of the festival which offers you the chance to sample the wines and get to know the many products of specific Italian regions, wine areas and cities. The Grand Tour od Italy’s Wines is based on the famous Grand Tour of the XVIIIth century, when the young men and women of Europe came down to Italy to study its numerous artistic treasures.

An opportunity to learn about new wines and wine estates, as well as getting to know a specific part of Italy that may well become your next vacation destination.

When: Feb 29 - Mar 2, 2008 (annual)
Entrance: €20
Opening Hours: Fri 3pm-10pm; Sat 1pm-10pm; Sun 1pm-9pm
Details of the event at http://www.romawinefestival.it .