3 Key Elements of Slow Travel - The New Way to Tour Italy

Slow travel is the new way to travel the world. It gives you the opportunity to become part of the local life, connect to a place, its people and its culture.

Movie sensations like Under the Tuscan Sun and books like Eat, Pray, Love have sparked the new desire to experience the culture of a place and really get the sense of what life is about, whether you are visiting the Tuscan country side, or the small village on Spanish coast.

The Delights of Italy

Italy's development and history is as colourful and varied as its cuisine. Over time, Italy has made significant contributions to the cultural and social development of the entire Mediterranean area.

Italy is located in southern Europe and comprises the long, boot-shaped Italian Peninsula, the land between the peninsula and the Alps, and a number of islands including Sicily and Sardinia.

Florence, a Renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany, is home to some of the country's best museums, cathedrals and churches, and therefore perfect for a luxury holiday.

Top of the to-do list is the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio. The Piazza della Signoria is Florence's most famous square, having served as the city's political and cultural centre since the Middle Ages. It also houses a free open-air sculpture exhibit.

Hints and Tips For Traveling in Italy

Traveling anywhere these days is not very difficult. Technology has allowed traveling to become easier and cheaper than it has been before, the price of fuel at the moment aside. 

The world has become more accessible to everyone and you should rightly make the most of it. One experience that I thoroughly recommend is traveling in Italy. The country is beautiful, the climate is warm and you will never be bored, but there are certain things you can do to make your trip even better:

Romantic Destinations in Italy

Even if you've visited ritzy London, fashionable Paris or culture-rich Vienna, a European holiday simply isn't complete if you haven't been to Italy. Each city in Europe prides itself in unique, spectacular attractions it offers, and the cities of Italy, among them Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan, are no different. 

The magnificent Roman buildings in the Eternal City, the canals and gondolas of Venice,  the medieval architectural wonders of Florence, and the fashion houses in Milan all are distinctly Italian destinations that one cannot experience anywhere else.

But one of the best journeys one can have is a couple's romantic trip through Italy. Romance will surely bloom in Rome under the shadows of splendid cathedrals and abbeys, when marvelling at ancient artworks such as the Ara Pacis Augustae or altar to Peace, and architectural wonders such as the Colosseum. Quiet moments at cafes, strolls down Via Venetto, walks in the gardens of the Villa Torrlonia, or visiting the Mouth of Truth to assure that each one is truthful in love for the other. A side-trip to the Vatican, which is within the metropolitan area of Rome, would add spiritual dimension to your journey.

The Italian Way of Life and Italy Travel

When in Rome you should always do as the Romans do. This may be a cliché of sorts but it also applies to any Italy travel that you may undertake n the near future. Italy is not situated in the Arab states where they are extremely strict on what outsiders coming in do, but they will not thank you for any disruption to their customs or way of life either! This is why it is important to do a little research before you go!

Italy travel can be a whole lot of fun, but not if you flaunt your own beliefs if they are completely different to the Italian way of life. Italians are extremely proud people and will not tolerate any form of outside interference. For example, family is extremely important to them and if you show disrespect they will protect their own interests and call you on it. Always be respectful, no matter what. If you do have a problem then bring it up with the male in the family. Italy is a very traditional country and the man is still responsible for the household. This will become apparent in restaurants if you dine as a couple. The waiter will always speak to the man and not the woman!

You will find that Italy has an extremely laid back way of life, which is perfect for a holiday but bear in mind that there is a siesta time. Although you can still be out and about at that time during your Italy travel, do not expect any help from people until it ends. This is more in the south than the north because of the heat. However, no matter where you go, there are little customs that you should be aware of so do your research in advance!

Travel to Italy - Rome and Venice

Where does one begin to start when discussing Italy. Well, if you intend to travel there, Rome and Venice are good places to start.

Rome

Perhaps you've heard of it? It goes without saying that Rome has a rather prominent past. Lets see, in Rome you will find...[deep breath]...the Vatican, Coliseum, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Church of Saint Agnese, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and a guy name Allassandro. Just making sure you're paying attention. Indeed, Rome is filthy with historically significant attractions. It seems you can't turn around without bumping into something an Emperor built, captured or destroyed. For those willing to risk potential wrath, there are also the new Divinci Code tours, which take you to the locations found in the book.

Eating Out in Italy - Venice and Its Cuisine

Eating out in Venice can be a very unsatisfying experience for the casual traveler. With a local population of only 60.000 people and several millions tourists to feed each year, most restaurant owners in Venice couldn't care less if you leave feelink like you have been ripped-off. Nevertheless, this attitude, while not uncommon, is not generalized and, if you do your homework, you may still find some 'local' places to eat a good meal while paying prices only slightly higher than elsewhere in Italy.

To get a truly Italian experience it is always best to eat where locals eat. This means that the menu will be written only in Italian and you are expected to know what all of the items on the menu are. You should also keep in mind that Venice is a popular destination for Italians as well as foreigners. If you see a crowd of Italian speaking people seating outside of a restaurant, do not assume they are 'locals'. Chances are they are tourists just like you.