Travel Italy: Vacation Packages, Tips, Tours of Italy

In Italy August 15, the Ferragosto Day, is the major feast of the Summer holiday season. The day is celebrated in the sea resorts accross the Peninsula with games in water and on the beach, fireworks, and various events.

The town of Positano on the Amalfi Coast celebrates August 15, with a historic festival, the re-enactment of the landing of the Saracens. A battle dating back to 1558, on the night of August 15, when a pirate attack took place on the beach of Positano.
To remember this day, Positano offers events involving actors in historic costume, music, and great seafood.

A festival to not be missed for those who are vacationing on the Amalfi Coast or in the surroundings of Positano.

With Valentine’s Day just days away, may be the most appropriate week’s photo would be the “Balcony of Juliet“. However we have already picked it for the previous post (”Valentine’s Festival in the City of Romeo and Juliet“).

The photo we have selected today is displaying a corner in the historic center of Sperlonga. Sperlonga is a town on the Latium coastline (see on the interactive map), about half way between Rome and Naples. As it is close to Rome, this picture could suggest that it is worth a visit there while staying in the eternal city. (photo by MM).

-Browse Italy’s photo gallery and send e-Greetings with a selection of eCards showing outstanding pictures of The Bel Paese.

If you are visiting Italy early February and are looking for a place to celebrate Valentine’s day, Camogli, a small town located on the Italian Riviera, is the right place for you.
Just a few km away from the Cinque Terre area, located between Portofino Mountain and the Ligurian Sea, Camogli is a tourist resort with narrow streets which are lined by tall columns of pastel colored homes. It offers an ideal setting for romance.

Furthermore, from Feb. 3 through 18, Camogli will be hosting a Valentine festival.

For two weeks, many Valentine themed events are held in the town. Restaurants and pasticcerie offer dinners and cakes related to Valentine themes. A special Valentine market sells luxurious gifts on the promenade.
If you choose to dine at any Camogli’s restaurant, try local delicacies such as handmade pasta with pesto sauce, seafood, and the local dessert specialty, chocolate-rum Camogliesi.

When: Feb 3 -18
Where: Camogli (see on the interactive map)
Getting there: the best way is by train; it’s just a 20-minute train ride from Genoa.
Find accommodations in Camogli and Liguria.

Advice for transfers from Catania airport to Taormina and Giardini Naxos.
You have the following options:

- Hotels arranging transfers
Most hotels offer transfers from Catania airport for about 60-80 euros per car load.

-Taxi
Taxis are not cheap; you can expect to pay between 80 and 110 euros each way for a transfer from Catania Fontanarossa airport to Taormina

- Bus
There is an public coach service from Catania Fontanarossa airport direct to Taormina town operated by ‘Interbus’ coach company.  
This service runs at forty minute intervals. It takes about an hour and twenty minutes from the airport to Taormina. The station is outside the arrivals exit of Catania airport.
This bus also stops at Giardini Naxos which is the beach below Taormina.
Check time-tables on their website www.interbus.it  (click link ‘Ricerca Orari’).

- Train
The train is not very convenient, since the Taormina-Giardini-Naxos station is about 5 km away from the center. From Taormina’s train station, you can take an Interbus up to town. The buses run about every 30 to 90 minutes.

Below a video about Cinque Terre, showing the images of the five villages — Monterosso, Manarola, Corniglia, Riomaggiore, and Vernazza, including the several hiking trails linking them, always having a fantastic view from the mountainous foot path to the sea.

(via YouTube).

- See Cinque Terre on the interactive map.