You’ve just arrived in Rome with a couple of days to kill. How is it possible to see all there is to see in such a short time? This is the guide to get the most out of Rome in the shortest amount of time.

19:00

Hopefully check in at the hotel has been fairly straightforward so now it is to venture out in search of a good meal. A meal in the old Trastevere part of the city has several benefits. Firstly there is a multitude of touristy type sidewalk restaurants and pizzerias to choose from and secondly they are within gentle strolling distance of several significant landmarks, including the well preserved Pantheon.

Rome is just as appealing by night as by day, with the heat of a Roman summer, night time walks may just save a few hours of excessive sweating during the day. Any of the little back streets between the Pantheon and the Spanish steps are perfectly placed to allow a generous meal of pasta and a good carafe of wine to be walked off quite easily.

21:00

Make your way to the Spanish steps to sit and hang out with the locals, while the view from the top of the steps in front of the church Trinita dei Monti offers a great view out over the city. Wander through to the Trevi Fountain and buy dessert in the form of a gelato and try your luck with the change. Throw one coin over your shoulder to come back, two coins to come back and get kissed or three coins to come back and be married.

22:00

Keep on walking through the streets until you reach Piazza Venezia, so named because of the Palazzo overlooking the piazza that resembles the Doges Palace in Venice. The balcony on the second floor may look familiar, it was the podium from which the dictator ‘il duce’ Mussolini delivered his fascist speeches. The other landmark overlooking the piazza is the unmistakable monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.

This has earned several nicknames over the years including the Wedding Cake and the Typewriter. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies here under armed guard along with the eternal flame. If the monument is open there is a fantastic view over the Rome rooftops, a glimpse into the Roman Forum and the Colosseum behind it. This is closed at dusk but many of the ruins are lit up at night.

23:00.

If the night air has revived you there is the option of checking out the local night life as there are plenty of bars and clubs open around the central city area. Also there are some in other piazzas such as Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori that stay open until the early hours. Otherwise it’s back to the hotel to get ready for tomorrow.

08:00

It pays to start early, particularly in the summer to beat the crowds and the temperatures but luckily the city is not too spread out to get from one sight to the next. The metro system is basic to use to say the least, there are only two metro lines that criss-cross the city and the buses are clearly marked with destinations. Termini is the central bus and metro terminal. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated in the yellow machines, starting from EUR1 for one journey.

No visit to Rome is complete without a trip to the Vatican. San Pietro is on the western side of the river Tiber with the dome of St Peter’s visible from most parts of the city. The Vatican museum rooms are open from 8.45 in the morning until 4pm, with the last entry just before 3.30pm, during the busy summer months. It is open until 1pm on Saturdays and low season, while it is closed on Sundays and religious observances. You need plenty of time to walk through the 7km of museum rooms to reach the Sistine chapel where you can admire the detail and wonder at the creation on the ceiling by Michelangelo. It pays to have some sort of description of the frescoes handy to explain what you are looking at. The Pope gives his public address on Wednesday mornings at 11am.

13:00

If you are still hungry for more there is the vast interior of the Basilica itself, the crypt below and the view from the dome above down into the square. Now is probably a good time to find some lunch before taking on the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Take plenty of water with you in the summer months as wily vendors will sell small bottles at exorbitant prices. Along lunch also gets you out of the hottest part of the day.

15:00

Entry tickets to the Colosseum can be bought at the gate but if the line is too long you can go to the ticket window at the base of the Palatine hill and buy them there. The line here is generally much shorter as not many tourists go up the hill. The remains of the Emperors palace stands at the top overlooking the forum and quite stretegically down on the Temple of the Vestal Virgins. This hill is also said to be where Romulus founded Rome.

Beside the Colosseum stands the Arch of Constantine, which was an exercise in recycling of old monuments by Emperor Constantine to reward himself for beating Maxentius. The Colosseum has been damaged over the last 1800 years by earthquakes, invaders and marble merchants but the recent restoration projects has seen parts of it restored to give a good idea of its original state.

16:00

The Via Sacre leads from the Colosseum up into the Foro Romano, the centre of the ancient Roman trading world. The ruins include the original forum, Julius Caesar’s funeral pyre, his Senate building, the Temple of the Vestal Virgins and the arch of Septimus Severus. The forum was buried over several hundreds of years of flooding, each layer has been stripped back to reveal another Roman era, and in some cases where two eras have merged, as in the case of the Temple of Antonino and Faustina. The door that stands halfway up the exposed wall shows where the ground level was during the 8th Century when the 2nd Century temple was converted to church.

There are plenty of tour guides available as history students and licensed guides offer their services with tours of the forum and the coliseum. The stories they tell really help the ruins to come alive. Across the road is Trajan’s Forum with the very conspicuous Trajan’s column. This marks the edge of ancient Rome and the continuation of the modern city. Unfortunately most of ancient Rome lies beneath the Via dei Fiori Imperiali, the road built by Mussolini to parade his troops up and down before going off to battle.

17:00

The rest of the day can be spent either indulging in some people watching at any of the cafes in Piazza Navona and admiring the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi sculptured by Bernini, or relaxing in the shade in the park at the 17thC Villa Borghese. Then its back to those clubs you missed last night.

08:00

This really depends on when you decide to leave. An early evening departure may enable you to take in one of three options provided you start early. The baths of Caracalla is a 10 hectare space that once held 1600 people there to take advantage of the bathing, shops, libraries, gardens and public entertainment. These open at 9am closing 1 hour before sunset and 2pm on a Monday. You would need around 3-4 hours including travel time to view these.

The other option is to visit one of the vast catacombs that are buried beneath the city. These are miles and miles of tunnels, burial vaults and Churches dug by the early Christians to escape persecution by the Romans. The burial vaults are countless metres tall and the tunnels run down over several levels. The resulting rabbit warren requires a guide to take you through and out again safely. You can choose from the ones on the Via Appia Antica, which are the largest, or the Catacombs of San Callisto which are next door to the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. They open at 8.30am closing at noon, reopening in the afternoon from 2.30pm until 5pm. Again you would need 3-4 hours to take one site in.

10:00

The third and final choice is to leave the whole touristy thing out and indulge in some authentic food experiences. The food markets north of the Vatican are held just off Viale dele Millizie and the ones in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele near Termini offer a selection of fresh and locally made produce.

There you have it, all the major attractions of Rome achievable in just 2 days. The choice now is, do I really want to leave just yet?

Rob confided after arriving in Amsterdam that he didn’t feel like he was in a foreign country, yet. That was how I felt until just a short time later on the second leg of our flight. I raised the plastic curtain at my window seat, which revealed the snowy Alps below. I saw peaks and glaciers as well as peaceful river valleys. In one I thought I saw Heidi and her grandfather as they waved.

Arriving in Rome our five couples took two cabs to two different hotels. Our van driver spoke a little English and pointed out some of the sights as we passed classical Roman ruins and sights within the city.

Soon we were in our rooms at the Cambridge Hotel, unpacked and asleep. As Americans we were all used to a hotel being a building with overnight rooms for rent at a certain location. In Rome we were introduced to Eurorooms where a hotel could mean just one floor of hotel rooms at a certain location, which means several hotels could share the same location with each floor being a different hotel.

Our rooms were all on the third floor. There was a continental breakfast on the first floor, and across from the office on the ground floor was a small business office for guests with a printer, a computer and connection to the internet.

Everyone at the different hotels shared the services including a very, very small elevator, which served us all. With either Rob or myself at the narrow end of the elevator, our shoulders touched the two outside walls. You would think that two people and a bag would be pretty much of an overload, but we never had any mechanical problems. It worked perfectly.

For eighty Euros a night each couple had a room with a lavatory and a shower combination. The bathroom was down the hall offering two toilets that also served as shower stalls. Our shower didn’t work and the “down the hall” option didn’t appeal to us, so we waited a couple of days for a shower.

The rooms had fifteen-foot ceilings and hand painted doors and armoirs. The floors were marble. We were lucky to get rooms at the Cambridge. The staff were helpful and the rooms were clean.

We didn’t book the rooms because of their brochure, otherwise we would have been disappointed. The brochure has great photographs and from appearances, you would assume you were booking accommodations in a four or five star hotel. The Cambridge is nowhere in those categories. Nothing came out crawling or scurrying during the night, so I was happy.

A window in the hallway looked out into a shaft where people dried their laundry on clotheslines. We thought this was quaint at first, but this is more universal. People everywhere in Italy dry their clothes outside, besides saving electricity, the warm air dries clothes quickly. It is very convenient. Out in the countryside the clothes pick up a fresh smell . . . perhaps, not so much in the city.

For us the climate was warm. A constantly running radiator in our room was a thorn in our side. I kept our window open, which was pleasant, but a little loud. In the late evening we could hear constant crowds having a great time, but we couldn’t see them. Peg and I would hang out the window and look onto a mostly deserted street. Just a few meters down the block there was a private courtyard or garden. Perhaps, there was unseen partying going on there, although Pegs says it belonged to a convent. If so they were having a great time after vespers. The garden provided a wake up call for Peg. She was awakened by birds singing, which is not a bad way to start the day.

After settling in I took a short trip around the block to scout out the area. I left a note and took a walk. I think I was looking for a friendly place to have a glass of wine or beer like Cheers in Boston. After walking a very short distance and turning a few corners I found what I was looking for. I chose the second bar on the block. I chose a seat outside on the street at the Amici Bar (we translated this to mean The Friendly Bar . . . and it was.).

I had hardly a chance to get comfortable when our group arrived. Jan and Mike must have turned the block to the Cambridge and I turned the block going the other way. Our mood and outlook changed from jetlag to adventure.

With a cigarette and a beer Randy’s eyes popped open and a smile spread across his face. A giggling Sue looked out at the occasional scooter darting past parked cars and confided between toasts, “This is what I dreamed Rome would be like.”

The staff at the Amici joked with us and plied us with a free taste of some kind of lemon liquor and excused our lack of Italian language skills.

Unlike America, almost any kind of store or shop is a drinking establishment in Italy. If you visit a Gelateria (an Italian ice cream store), you can order hard liqour. Randy is mostly a beer drinker, but is willing to try just about anything when he is on an adventure. A few days later in Tuscany we bought something similar to the Lemonchello, but it wasn’t the same. Perhaps, we should have taken notes.

Upon leaving the restaurant, we gave our waiter a Mountain Bar (produced by Brown & Haley in Tacoma, Washington. The candy bar is shaped like our own Mt. Rainier, which dominates the skyline of the Puget Sound area of home.). We knew the bar stayed open until 8:30 pm and opened again at 6:00 am. This gave us a restaurant we knew we could come back to if we couldn’t find another one that evening and also gave us a place for coffee in the morning.

We headed out to a “hop on hop off” tour bus of central Rome. I fell asleep during the tour and I don’t think any of us ever hopped off. The tickets were good for twenty-four hours, however. Keep your receipts. When visiting other cities in Italy (like Florence) you can buy discounted tickets from the same company there by showing your tickets from Rome.

After riding the bus, we were ready for dinner. Although it was still early for Italians to eat, we were starving. We stopped into the strangest place: The Living Room Bar Café (www.livingroomroma.com). We stumbled into what looked like a typical bar, and the waiter poured us each a glass of sparkling white wine. While we drank, the waiter stepped into the dining room and arranged a table for ten. Soon the music changed from techno-pop to geezer music and Frank Sinatra was crooning some of his worst songs as we all laughed and sang along. “So, here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson . . . whoa, whoa, whoaaaaaaaa.”

The bathroom featured swinging doors and toilets and lavatories that didn’t really work, but we had a nice time. The carbonara was excellent and the antipasti feautred parmasean cheese slivers, tomatoe slices, salami and rocket. The food was good and the wine went down easily.

We arrived back at the hotels early in the evening and laid down for a little nap. We were tired and happy to be in Rome.

In Italy, to offer food is to show hospitality and love; by this standard we certainly felt welcomed and loved it’s not that we didn’t expect it. We did. But the idea of an experience is rarely the same as the reality. Our last day in Italy last September proved this to be true.

We knew we were in trouble when my cousin, Enrica, called us up and invited us to her house for “lunch” on our last day visiting the town in Italy where my grandparents were born. Normally, lunch would not be a source of concern, but this was Italy where food and the experience of sharing it are sacred and taken very seriously.

Enrica had requested the day off from work to cook for us, a fact that told us this meal would most likely consume several hours. We, as family returning to the homeland from across “the big pond,” were the guests of honor. Despite this, we also knew we were in for torture, wonderful as it may seem. Another set of cousins a few towns away had also invited us to “dinner” on this last day. The problem was how to pace ourselves, yet sample everything and shower our hosts with appropriate compliments for every morsel. How could we avoid becoming agonizingly full before arriving at our next multi-coursed meal with the next set of cousins? To not eat heartily would be insulting and we certainly did not want to make “una brutta figura” (a bad impression).

Bracing ourselves for a marathon day of eating, we arrived at Enrica’s house already filled with delicious smells and smiling cousins. My cousin, Carlo, commanded “MANGIA!” and we were off to the table. The meal began innocently enough with the usual antipasti: various salamis, cheeses, olives, and breads. Then two huge steaming pots of different kinds of polenta were brought forth; of course, one was expected to sample both. Next a large plate of cinghiale appeared, the wild boar my cousin, Serafino, had caught. No getting around tasting that, vegetarians notwithstanding. Assorted vegetable dishes, homemade ricotta cheese with local wild mountain honey, fruit…the dishes kept rolling out. Just when we thought we were home free, the dessert arrived. Since elderly cousin Angelina had stayed up late the night before making it by hand, we of course had to indulge. Everything was swooningly delicious. A champagne toast, more homemade wine, and a final swig of throat-searing grappa to finish it all off, and we were done.

We said our goodbyes and rolled out, making our way back to our hotel to endure our over-stuffed misery in private. We had two hours to digest before the next round. My parents took a nap, while my husband and I tried to walk off the food (it didn’t work). Much too soon it was time to drive to cousin Adriana’s house, where we were immediately plied with hors d’oeuvres and wine. Then we moved inside for the “real” meal: plates of vegetables under oil and vinegar, savory meats, fragrant cheeses, bread, fruit, delicate pastries…by the time we said goodbye, we could barely move. We never wanted to hear the word “MANGIA!” again.

In keeping with their love affair with food, Italians strictly abide by several “food rules” such as: never drink cappuccino after noon (the milk will spoil your stomach), don’t put ice in your drink (causes stomach cramps), serve coffee after a meal, never during, do not butter your bread (too filling). Italians actually prefer to eat at home rather than going out; they know the food will be more delicious and home grown. Many times we have invited our cousins and friends to come visit us in the United States. The response is always the same: “But, whatever would we eat?”

Can you believe that an independent Sicily would rank seventh in the world for wine production? Again and again I had to strike suggested wines off the list because they aren’t available in North America, at least not yet. So maybe you should plan a trip to this lovely, distinctive island and get local treats that just don’t make it to North America such as Sicilian ices made from the snows of Mount Etna. Sicilian wine is meant for food. I remember bringing a $40 bottle to my wine class. Nobody, including me, was impressed. They didn’t even finish the bottle, leaving me a single serving. I paired it with brought home just enough for one meal, slow-cooked beef ribs. How do you say ooh-la-la in Italian?

Caponata Siciliana (Eggplant and Tomato Stew) is a great appetizer or side dish. My local supermarket sells a passable version, but obviously homemade is the best. I haven’t tried the sweet and sour version that often includes raisins. That’s not my way of consuming grapes. The wines that are recommended for caponata are rarely available here, but one matches I liked was with the Novio Mezzacorona produced from Teroldego and Lagrein grapes native to the Trentino-Alto Adige region in northeastern Italy. It’s a new wine, similar to the French Beaujolais Nouveau and is available for a few weeks after mid-November. Don’t make a special purchase, after all we’re not talking about a main dish.

Falsomagro (Stuffed Beef Roll) is made from ground beef, steak, and several cuts of pork including Italian ham and Italian bacon. You may find it hard to get the ingredients as is the case for many recommended wines. You should be able to find a Valtellina Superiore DOCG which comes from Lombardy.

Bollito Misto (Mixed Boiled Meats) is popular in many parts of Italy including Sicily. Every traditional cook and chef has his or her own recipe. This is one case where we can say the more the merrier. One of the many suggested sauces is mostarda di frutta (preserved spiced fruit), and the leftovers are delicious. Among the wine pairings are Barbera D’Alba (Piedmont) and Rosso Piceno (The Marches).

Like in so many parts of Italy and frankly just about everywhere else, spaghetti and pizza are popular. Among the many local versions alla Norma (tomato, fried eggplant, ricotta cheese, and basil) is a real favorite. Variations abound, for example, the ricotta may be raw or baked. Serve them with a Chianti Classico from Tuscany or with a wine based on what is becoming Sicily’s signature grape, Nero d’Avola.

The Piedmont region of northwestern Italy bordering on France to the west and Switzerland to the north is particularly known for its wines. So you have one more reason to enjoy Carnevale in this lovely region. Piedmont hosts several Carnevales but only one is known as the Piedmont Carnival. It is held in the town of Ivrea, population about 25 thousand, located some 28 miles (about 45 kilometers) northeast of the regional capital Turin and (if you were a participant in the Turin Winter Olympics of 2006) only a hop, skip, and a jump away from the French speaking enclave of Val d’Aosta.

The Ivrea Carnevale is unique; its central attraction is a food fight. Every year more than 400 tons of oranges are launched at the participants who of course include the onlookers. But if you don’t mind the occasional bruise you’ll love this Carnevale. Its history goes way back to the Twelfth Century when a newly wed miller’s daughter beheaded an evil count who tried to abuse her. So each year the Piedmont Carnevale is opened by a newly wed who symbolizes that brave young woman of days gone by. She is not alone; she is accompanied and defended by more than one thousand masked townspeople and soldiers.

Then forty decorated horses carry festooned, orange throwing riders through the town piazzas, each defended by rebelling commoners armed with oranges. This is the mother of all food fights. Once upon a time instead of oranges the missiles were beans. It seems the local gentry gave the populace beans and the dissatisfied people threw them back. Maybe they wanted oranges, or simply more respect.

Beans still play a role in this Carnevale. The Piedmont specialty, fagioli grassi, made from beans, sausages, and bacon rind is prepared in industrial quantities and freely distributed. And this food does not go to waste. Be sure to enjoy other great Piedmont dishes such as salam duja (a pork shoulder salami made with Barbera wine), capunet (deep fried cabbage leaves stuffed with beef), Toma cheese, and pastries such as the local bugie, whose ingredients include white wine. Don’t forget to savor these delicacies with Piedmont wine. You don’t have to empty your pockets to find one that’s fairly good. And the sometimes fabulous and always pricey Barolo DOCG is not really meant for Carnevale food.

Piedmont is home to several other Carnevales, none of which feature food fights. Here are some of the additional sites. Castellamonte, can you guess what it’s name means?, is a town of about 10,000 located about 55 miles (35 kilometers) north of Turin. Chivasso is a city of approximately 25,000 situated approximately 12 miles (20 kilometers) northeast of Turin. Domodossola is a city of about 20,000 at the foot of the Italian Alps. During World War II this proud city rose up against the Nazis and their Italian collaborators and was the heart of a short-lived republic.

Deep in the heel of the boot of Italy, lays a picturesque little town with miles of olive groves that stretch straight to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Ruvo di Puglia is the heart and soul of some of the most antique and noble olive groves in all of Italy. For extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality, few beat this variety for its flavor and finish.

The province of Puglia in the south of Italy features the Coratina olive. It is this particular variety which has been cultivated for centuries by families of olive growers who respect and perpetuate the traditions of those before them. To understand the uniqueness and integrity of this select specimen, a short tutorial on olive oil seems appropriate.

The olive is a drupe, or stone fruit, much like the cherry or the plum. There are about 700 varieties of olives which each express distinctive tastes and aromas, much like grapes which are processed for wine. You may be more familiar with the green or the black types which can be the same olive, just a different degree of ripeness. For oil, they are harvested just as they begin to turn from green to black and preserved and milled quickly in well-aired spaces to minimize the oxidation and enzymatic reactions which can leave unwanted odors and tastes in the oil.

The olives are washed free of any clinging soil before the crushing or “pressing” is begun. One olive contains from 20 – 25% oil, 35 – 50% water and carbohydrates, proteins, organic acids and enzymes. The pressing is done either with millstones or hammers to obtain the paste which is then stirred, pressed or centrifuged to release the juice. This juice is then centrifuged again to separate the actual oil from the water. There are three categories of oil which come from the pressing process: extra virgin, virgin and lampante virgin olive oil. Lampante can only be used after it has been refined. The residue of olive paste or “olive pomace” is left behind at the mill.

Olive oils are given a sensory score which is influenced by the pressing procedure and the times and temperature at which the oil is clarified. To be classified as extra virgin, the olive oil must have an acidity percentage below 1% and receive a trained tester score above or equal to 6.5 out of 9 according to European Union law. The simple processes of pressing, washing, settling, centrifugation and filtration make the oil immediately edible because its sensory, chemical and physical characteristics are perfect.

Once again, extra virgin olive oil can have much the same tastes and bouquets as fine wines. These flavors can be anything from fruity to sweet, bitter, lively or delicate and can emulate almonds or artichokes depending on its origins. Extra virgin olive oil from the Puglia region features a pleasant olive flavor due to the Coratina olive species. This extra virgin olive oil undergoes no chemical treatment, refining or blending but is 100% pure. Unlike some olive oils, this region’s extra virgin olive oil is not overpowering but rich and buttery with hints of fruit and almond flavor and a fine peppery finish. The acidity level of the oil never exceeds 0.5%, the same acidity of mother’s milk.

Most of all, one should consider the health benefits of olive oil, including aiding the growth process, regulation of our metabolism and reducing bad cholesterol. This particular extra virgin olive oil also comes infused with fresh lemons or orange to complement salads, seafood, sauces or even fried foods. There are even advantages to using olive oil to fry food. Because it forms a crust or shell around the food, the oil does not penetrate the inside of the food, allowing it to retain its flavor and texture. In a study at Ankara University in Turkey, investigators found that among oils tested, olive oil fared best over sunflower and soy by retaining nearly 100% of its natural antioxidant defense potential and forming the fewest potentially hazardous by-products.

So when you think about cooking oil, think extra virgin olive oil and reap what you sow!

Life as a single is incredibly enjoyable for many reasons, but last month, the benefits of marriage were made crystal clear to me……Or maybe it was just the emotion evoked by what is no doubt the best wedding I’ve ever attended.

Ignoring all the elements of a wedding that should be present, obvious, apparent, the experience itself was on another level. I now understand why for some their local comune or city hall with pub reception afterwords may not cut it and why one may strive for something beyond the general church/bland catering circuit.

This villa in Tuscany was really the ideal backdrop to a marriage long in the making, and as happy as I was for my friend, I was even happier in attendance.

She really had the right idea, and I’ve noted the growing popularity in renting fabulous Tuscan villas for any occasion, romantic, touristic, or any other reason. Especially starting last spring one can find fabulous deals, often rivaling big name hotels and delivering more in freedom than any other accommodation can offer. Sure, one relinquishes the concierge service or even the help of a receptionist, but for the independent traveler on a budget looking for a different experience, this may truly be the way to go. Or even the traveler wanting only day trips into town but simply hoping to find parking after a hard day’s sightseeing.

Easily reachable from both Montepulciano and Pienza, we were by no means in the middle of nowhere and still more than able to visit lovely historic towns on our shopping sprees for local delicacies.

Apparently, as a nice person booked our 3rd day explained, olive oil is NOT just a condiment to be poured over salad unscrupulously with little care to amount and flavor…..I knew this, but it’s hard to truly absorb back in the States with your choices of glass bottle and plastic. No, the olive oil can add just as much to the salad as the ingredients themselves and this is the region to truly lap that up.

Add the lessons in olive oil to not only wine tastings that our company booked, but the wine itself, and mix the wine and salad and you can begin getting the gist of my fabulous pre-siesta lunches that week.

Not to mention the breathtaking views, pool, and absolutely inspiring grounds we had free run of all week, able to just swim, paint, write, draw, cook, and wander to our hearts content without even going into town.

Whether specific to Le Macchie or not, these were all absolutely magical aspects of staying at a villa outside town rather than being crammed into a small B&B in the center of town, or even a 5 star hotel offering a multitude of services but not as many experiences. Part of the beauty of visiting other countries is seeing how the locals actually live, and Le Macchie truly provided this opportunity. It also opened our eyes, hearts, and camera lenses up to spectacular countryside we may not have seen otherwise, things we may not have tasted otherwise, and best of all, a truly relaxing/romantic/tranquil stay in absolutely astounding countryside.

From the get-go, our agency was very helpful in regards to directions, ideas of things to do, and general area pointers some of us may have been lost without, and we were most grateful; plus it made us aware that despite the lack of concierge service there was someone on hand for our queries, and this definitley increased comfort levels all around.

For those seeking a slightly more independent, yet guided journey, open atmosphere, peace and quiet, pure countryside, and the ability to park, I more than recommend villa rentals in this area and am both honored and privileged to have attended one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever seen, with this farmhouse as a backdrop.

God bless my friends, and happy renting to all who’ve caught onto the villa idea!

Tuscany is a fantastic destination for a vacation. Packed with culture, beautiful scenery, exciting cities, tasty food and fine wine, there is something for everyone here.

Florence is the most popular destination in Tuscany, but there are plenty other must see destinations in the region.

It is relatively easy to travel around the different places in Tuscany. You can rent a car and drive yourself, or hire a driver to do it for you. You can also take the bus or the train to towns and villages such as Siena, Lucca, Pisa and San Gimignano.

1. Many people are familiar with the leaning Tower of Pisa. Pisa is located in central Italy, 50 miles from Florence, and the bell tower really is leaning and is a sight to behold. It only takes an hour to get to Pisa from Florence by train.

2. The greatest medieval town in Italy to see is Siena. As is true with many places to visit in Tuscany you can enjoy the culture by walking through alleyways and narrow streets. If you are feeling fit, you can always climb to the top of Siena’s tall bell tower and take in some amazing views of the city and the Piazza Del Campo below. The people here are very friendly and it is quite a small place with just 250,000 people.

3. The most popular place to taste wine is Chianti, which is very well known for its world-famous red wines. There is lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy in Chianti while you are tasting the wine in the vineyards.

4. Another popular place to visit to Tuscany is Lucca. Here you will find many churches and other medieval buildings that are simply amazing. The Roman amphitheater is located in Lucca and is over in 1900 years old. The town centre is completely enclosed by a brick wall built in the 16th century and you can take a walk along the top of the wall, which stretches 4km. Lucca is considered to have some the best food in the Tuscany region especially the tortelli lucchese. Tortelli lucchese is bright yellow pasta, stuffed with seasoned meat and topped with a heavily meat-laden ragù that is very rich in flavor.

5. San Gimignano is a wonderful place to visit while in Tuscany. It is set on a hill over 300m high and dates back to the 10th century. San Gimignano originally had 72 tower houses, some which were as high as 50m. In their day, the towers were a symbol of wealth and there are now only 14 towers in total.

6. Another place in Tuscany that is worth a mention is Fiesole. If you are in Florence and pressed for time you can make a quick trip there as it is just 5 miles outside of Florence. You can take a local bus and enjoy the great views.

7. Finally we have Florence, which will no doubt be one of the main highlights of your trip. You will want to spend at least a few days taking n the sights of Florence. There are many different sights to see and you should be sure not to miss the Uffizi. The Uffiza Gallery is home to thousands of paintings and sculptures and is world famous. Because of how popular it is you can wait up to 5 hours to get in so it is best to reserve a ticket in advance.

Three out of four Italians love wine, almost one in two makes it a daily use, making it a wife rather than a lover. A menage that is not always accompanied by a thorough knowledge, but that lasts over time, between the Italians and their national drink. The study reveals a study sponsored by the Center Veronafiere and announced at the opening day of the edition number 43 of Vinitaly, the largest event dedicated to the nectar of Bacchus and the world that revolves around, the party in the city yesterday availability. The study, conducted by BocconiTrovato & Partners thousand Italians of both sexes and of course age is an interesting point of departure for understanding our relationship with wine in their own time when the virulent economic crisis calls into question the consumption unless necessary.

But from this view, the most serious should not take risks. We have no intention to abandon the daily glass of “the good”. If anything, everything remains to be discussed that what we mean by “that good” and what we are willing to pay. Soon, judging from the relationship: between 2 and 4 euros for 53.1 percent of respondents. The price of a bottle of low quality in the supermarkets. Someone, 20.7 percent would pay much less a bottle that accompanies your meal and only 2.6 percent of the sample is said to spend between 8.50 and 10 euro and even the 1.4 percent above the 10th A price that the experts judged the minimum necessary to pay something in the glass that is worth drinking. Of course, similar ambitions “savings” fortmente influence on the choice of the place of purchase. To obtain a low cost four out of ten Italians (40.2 percent) the manufacturer chooses, going in the basement and more or less the same share (the 39.1 per cent) buy wine at the supermarket or better, as they love to say Experts in GdO (large organized distribution). Those few who attend the wine bars and thus the advice of an expert (15.2 percent). A few but not few those who choose even television (1.3 percent).

This race to the lowest price, of course, is to lose the quality and accordingly (or perhaps because of this) knowledge. A third of Italians admit that they had no knowledge of wines (the percentage rises from 33 to 43.5 if we consider only the women, even if things improve when it comes to wines of its territory, the preferred time of purchase . The “wine lovers”, or the super fans, are a small percentage of those who drink wine: 6.4 percent of men and 2.7 percent of women said to be a great connoisseur, and considering the fact that this is a self is likely that the actual percentage is even lower. However, 61.8 percent of respondents admit to knowing a maximum of five labels, and 26.2 to 10.

A framework black? No, because the most important thing, namely the consumer, and how holds the 76.3 percent of respondents state to appreciate the wine, the 42.7 percent it consumes daily, while another 17.3 percent are only drunk one glass two or three times a week. More distracted in other types of drinkers: those who have one glass per week (14.3 percent) and those who consume only two or three per month (8.7).

These are mainly young people (ie “under 30″) who see wine in a drink-binding, by chance. Indeed, in the perception of respondents, the wine is definitely something that is linked to sociability: only 10.7 per cent, in fact, drunk or “alone” (13.6 percent men, 7.1 women), while nearly half of the respondents replied to drink with friends (48.8 percent). No surprise when you look at the when: canon in time to enjoy a good glass of wine is, above all, the meal that it is the “daily” and home (52.6 percent) or that you are at dinner with friends. Finally, the choice over half of respondents to choose love in the first person to drink wine (51.1 percent) and are mostly men to have their say (67.8 percent against 30.2 for women). A report of Andrea Cuomo.

The Italian capital can be called a past, present and future city. When you stroll through the streets of Rome, you’ll realize the magnificence and historic richness of the city. In fact, it is a mixture of the old Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, Christianity, Baroque, Mussolini’s fascist era and the contemporary Rome we know today. But it has always preserved it eternal beauty and magic!

Rome is a suitable city for all kinds of people: for adults, for children, for teenagers, for straight people, for gays, for single people, for married people, for Italians and foreigners… Rome enjoys a perfect climate; therefore, it is the perfect city for walking around and for eating outdoors. You can enjoy a delicious pizza, pasta or some delicious cheeses and exquisite wines.

When you see for the first time the Flavian amphitheatre, better known as the Coliseum, you will be left speechless. The amphitheatre was built by Vespasian, on top of the remains of the palace of Nero. The building was not completed until 80AD, under the rule of Emperor Domitian, the last emperor of the Flavian Dynasty. The amphitheatre was used to entertain people and therefore, it was one of the most remarkable monuments of the time. You wouldn’t need too much imagination to remember the fights between gladiators and the exalted screams of the Roman public!

Going on a few steps you’ll find the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, where Romans used to go about their daily lives: trade, business, prostitution, justice, philosophy… From a distance you can see the Campidoglio and the Circus Maximus.

Then get ready to enjoy the spirituality and the greatness of the Holy See in the State of the Vatican City. In front of Piazza San Pietro, designed by Bernini, there is a huge dome by Michelangelo. It has a few arches and statues that will leave you impressed. The Basilica is a must: inside it, you feel like you were immersed in another world. Do not forget to visit the Vatican museums: Raphael’s rooms, The Sistine Chapel or the maps gallery.

In Rome there are plenty of tourist and non-tourist trips to join. The historic centre is the most beautiful part: from the Piazza Spagna to the Piazza Navona or the Agrippa Panthenon. The Jewish Quarter is interesting too, and it is considered a very alternative neighbourhood.

The Via del Corso is the most important street in Rome; there you can buy anything you want in the most famous stores of Italy: Prada, Versace, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Roberto Cavalli and Christian Dior to name but a few. Of course, there are shops with lower prices! Via di Ripetta is also a highly regarded street by the Romans. If you still have time, have a long walk through Villa Borghese, one of the most beautiful parks in Italy.

As you see, Rome is still a wonderful city. Its greatest charm is that you will always find something new and amazing to see. Rent Rome Apartments to have a rest and enjoy your stay there!