Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

Hikers who love historic sights can find in the Umbria countryside one of the most scenic and major historic trails: the Franciscan Trail of Peace — Sentiero Francescano della Pace. Named after St. Francis — because the Saint used to walk there in the 13th century — the Franciscan Peace Trail was the ancient road linking two of the major medieval centers in Umbria, Assisi (view a video of Assisi; find out things to see in Assisi) and Gubbio.

Just less than 50 Km long, the trail goes trough the countryside of Umbria offering unique landscapes and a number of historic sights. It offers the possibility to visit castles, churches, abbeys, and ruins of medieval settlements mainly dating back between 12th and 13th century.

Most of visitors are used to break the tour into two or more days. Along the route there are many farmhouse, agritourism, B&B and other accommodation options.

The town of Assisi, is the sarting point of (more…)

From Pantheon to Piazza Navona to Ara Pacis, this short walk offers you major sights of Rome ranging from the pre-Christian to Baroque times.

- Pantheon
You can start this itinerary with a visit to the Pantheon. Originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, destroyed in a huge fire in 80 AD, the Pantheon was rebuilt in 125 AD. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. It is currently the oldest standing domed structure in Rome.

- In Piazza della Minerva a stop is suggested to pay a visit at the Church della Minerva.

- Piazza Navona  
One of the most beautiful squares and finest example of Baroque in Rome, Piazza Navona was an ancient Roman circus. In the 1st century it was known as Stadium of Domitian, a place where the Romans came to watch the games. Among the famous monuments the square includes: Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (dates back 1651), Fountain of Nettuno (1574, located at the northern area of the square), Fountain of Moro (1576, located at the southern end of the square), the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, the Pamphili palace (1630), Palazzo Braschi.

- In Via della Pace a stop at the Church of Santa Maria della Pace.

- In Piazza di S.Apollinare: Palazzo Altemps, house of National Roman Museum.

- Finally, Ara Pacis, important monument built in between 13 and 9 B.C to celebrate the peace established in the Roman Empire after Augustus’s victories.
View map of the tour.

The archaeological site of Ostia Antica is located just few km from the city center of Rome. It’s an ideal destination to combine an archaeological excursion with seaside activities (the beach of Ostia Lido is just few minutes away).

Located at the mouth of the Tiber river, Ostia was the port of ancient Rome. The most ancient archaeological remains currently visible in Ostia Antica date back to the third century B.C. (View photos of Ostia Antica).

- Getting there
The best way to get there is by taking one of the train running on the Roma - Ostia Lido railway. At the Piramide station (line B) take the train to Ostia Lido. Stop at Ostia Antica station. Then walk on the bridge located in front at the station and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the archaeological site.
View itinerary from Rome to Ostia Antica on the interactive map

Opening hours of the archaeological site: 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM (from March until October); 8.30 AM to 4.00 PM (from November until February).

By continuing about things to do in Florence with a two day stay, you could reserve the second day to activities like visits to museums and shopping.

- Museums -
- With just two days, you could not afford to visit most of the many art museums of Florence. However you can’t leave out the Galleria degli Uffizi.

The gallery houses countless masterpieces of Italian and European paintings from a period between the 12th and 18th centuries, exhibited in 45 rooms. Works by Cimabue, Giotto, Duccio da Buoninsegna, Gentile da Fabriano, Beato Angelico, Paolo Uccello, Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Perugino, Vasari, Michelangelo are among the countless masterpieces you can admire there.
To reserve tickets, you can ask the hotel where you are staying to make these reservations for you. Also you can try these websites: http://www.florence-museum.com/ and http://www.firenzemusei.it/home.html

- Shopping -
Have a look to the many street and markets in the city center, around San Lorenzo or the smaller ones on the way to the Uffizi. You have opportunities to grab some great deals there, especially with leather or silk items. Check the items, you can find quality goods at good prices, along with tourist junk.
If you are looking for designer items at discounted prices, you need to visit any designer outlets malls. A large outlets mall is located outside the city center, about 20 miles north of Florence, in Barberino del Mugello. There is where the designer stores offering discounted items are. You can save 30% to 60% off the regular price. Obviously your shopping there will be more expensive than at the street markets in the city center, but consider you are going there to buy designer and higher quality items.

- Dining -
Hopefully, in these two days in Florence, you’ll take your time to enjoy also fine dining at restaurants. You definitely have to taste the “Bistecca alla Fiorentina“. It’s the Florence’s culinary specialty. This tasty dish consists of a t-bone or porterhouse steak grilled over a wood or charcoal fire, and seasoned with salt, black pepper, and olive oil. With good red Tuscan wines is the best pairing.

Find accommodations in Florence and Tuscany.

by PrimeItaly.com - This week-end, in Umbria, it will be taking place a festival dedicated to one of the many appreciated wines from this area, the Sagrantino.

The event, held in Montefalco, a fine town 40 km away from Perugia, is more than a simple wine festival. It gives the opportunity of touring one of the finest zones of Umbria.

Tours tailored on the itinerary ‘Strada del Sagrantino’ (Sagrantino’s road), will include lunch in the vineyards, wine tastings and visits to cellars in Montefalco and in the surroundings.
Giano, Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo are among the others centers visited on the ‘Strada del Sagrantino’ itinerary.

- To get in Montefalco by train: Foligno station, then take the bus, Montefalco is 10 km.

- Accommodation
Accommodations in Umbria