Holidays In Italy

Just like any other country, Italy has many country specific holidays.  Many of their holidays I have never heard of before living in Italy, but they sure know how to celebrate them!

La Epifania

January 6th

This holiday, originating from the three wise men who offer God the gift of gold, is a feast of ‘La Befana’.  La Befana is a fictional women that flies around on a broom bringing presents to the children of Italy.  Many cities in Italy celebrate by organizing parades and festivals during the celebration of the Epifania.

La Pasqua

April

Easter is one of the most widely celebrated holidays throughout Italy.  Many Italians celebrate with friends and family on this day with a long lunch.  ‘Il Colombo’ cake is a typical treat of the Easter celebration.  One of my favorite celebrations of Easter in Italy is the Scoppio del Carro in the city of Florence.  Many gather in Piazza del Duomo to experience the explosion of the cart and then the parade following the explosion.

Il Ferragosto

August 15th

Il Ferragosto comes from the word ‘feria’ meaning holiday and ‘agosto’ meaning August.  Il Ferragosto is celebrated mostly by going to the beach and occasionally in the mountains.  Because the entire population flocks to the beach, most shops close down for ‘le ferie’.

The Feast of St. Ambrose

Milan, Italy

Milan’s parton saint St. Ambrose is celebrated on December 7th.  This holiday includes a special church service at the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio.  Additionally, the Oh Bej Oh Bej street market takes place which includes many different vendors that line the streets to participate in the street market.  This is definitely a celebration you want attend during your visit to Milan.

Sicilia

I decided to share with you all my Italian roots: the historical yet gorgeous island of Sicily!  Throughout my tour of Sicily, I visited 10 cities yet I feel like I covered just a selection of the island.  So much history is packed into such a small island, it’s worth taking at least two weeks to conquer it.  Sicily was home to many Greek colonies before the fall of the Roman empire, in 476 c.e., which has translated into cities filled with Greco architecture.  Sicily has many touristic attractions that you cannot leave Sicily without seeing them!

Teatro Greco

Siracusa, Italy

Teatro Greco is an amphitheater located on a hillside in Parco Archeologico della Neopolis.  This classical amphitheater used to hold up to 16,000 people at once while hosting the works of Sophocles and Euripides.

Taormina, Sicily

Taormina is one of the chic seaside towns located in north east region of Sicily is home to one of the most fascinating Greek theaters. If you love the beach, you’ll love this town on the Mediterranean sea.  Taormina is also home to the famous Mount Etna, a active volcano.  When I visited, we were able to sled down the volcano and many even ski down the mountain!  Mount Etna is a nice get away from the heat in the summer.

Cefalu, Sicily

Cefalu is most known for its beautiful town on the coast of Sicily, and just an hour train ride away from Palermo.  La Rocca or the rock is one of the most popular attractions and swarming with tourists during the summer season (La Rocca pictured above).  The walkability of Cefalu makes tourists trade in their car for a pair of walking shoes!  If you are visiting Palermo, this may be a great overnight or even a day trip!

Noto’s Cathedral

Noto, Sicily

This cathedral embodies everything Baroque.  The material used on this building is compacted limestone giving it a sandy looking color that illuminates the city at sunset.  If you can make it to Noto for the sunset you won’t regret it!

La Gusta di Italia

Since I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively through Italy, I would like to share some of my favorite dishes from various regions.  Every part of Italy is different and just like the dialects, the dishes vary from regions.  And yes, all these dishes are worth the calories!

LAZIO

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

My host mother referred to this pasta dish as the “university students favorite food”. This roman dish combines parmesan cheese, pancetta, egg, pepper, olive oil, and spaghetti to make one amazing flavor.  You can’t leave Rome without trying this classic dish.  

straccetti con la rucola

This dish may be on the more expensive side of the menu but you will dream about this flavor for the rest of your life.  This dish includes strips of beef cooked with white pepper seasoning, topped with arugula and occasionally parmesan cheese slices.  

Pizza Bianca

This isn’t necessarily though of as only from Lazio but I’ve had a hard time finding it as good in any other region than Lazio.  Pizza Bianca or white pizza is just dough cooked with certain seasoning or ingredients baked into it.  For example my favorite flavors were con olive (with olives) or al rosmarino (with rosemary).  Many Panifico will sell pizza bianca in large or small quantities to take on the go for breakfast.  (Click on the picture for a recipe!) 

TOSCANA

Budino di riso

One you try one of these, it will haunt you forever.  I really did not like the italian pastry type breakfast but I couldn’t resist these sweet treats to accompany my morning espresso before class.  These pastries are almost like rice pudding baked into a crostata to make a cute little pie.  If you visit Florence make sure you try one (or 10) of these pastries (you won’t regret it!).

Cantucci e vin santo

These are what Italians call what we Americans think are biscotti.  (Biscotti means cookies in Italian).  Cantucci are typical of Tuscany and are made to accompany Vin Santo, a liqueur made in Tuscany.  Vin Santo is an post dinner drink that people use for digestion along with their espresso.

LOMBARDIA

Gnocchi al gorgonzola e noci

This rich primo is one of my favorites and if it’s on the menu, I will most likely be ordering it.  Gnocchi combines potatoes to the consistency of regular pasta to make to make my favorite pasta.  Gorgonzola cheese, typical of the Lombardy region, is a strong and flavorful taste.  The gorgonzola sauce combined with walnuts and gnocchi make the perfect dish.

SICILIA

Caponata

Caponata mixes a variety of vegetables such as eggplant, olives, tomatoes, onions, pine nuts, and olive oil slow cooked all together but served room temperature or chilled.  You can eat Caponata along or accompanied by a piece of bread to “fare la scarpetta” at the end.  I enjoyed this dish all 10 days I was in Italy!

LIGURIA

Linguine al Nero di Seppia

This dish may look odd when you first see it but it has a flavor I’ve never tasted before!  Nero di Seppia means squid ink so this linguine’s color is black from the squid ink.  Many dishes come with pesto or some type of seafood such as clams (le vongole), both typical of Liguria.  This gorgeous seaside town is home to all the seafood dishes you can think of.  

Il Caffè in Italia

Coffee isn’t just a beverage in Italy, it’s part of their culture.  Just like in America, Italians make their coffee at home or stop at their favorite spot to grab a cup.  The main difference between their morning coffee and ours is the different types of coffee and the culture that goes along with it.

Culture

Every morning, bars throughout the cities of Italy are flooded with all types of people looking to grab a coffee.  The two most ordered drinks are espresso and cappuccino which I will discuss more in detail later on.  Many Italians order ‘un cornetto’ to accompany their espresso or cappuccino.  Some of the more popular bars around the cities can be more crowded with Italians along the edges of the bar so you have to be more assertive if you want to get your coffee.  Experiencing a bar like this will give you immersion into an Italian morning in a bar.  

Although many Italians prefer to go to a bar to get their coffee, many make a cup of espresso before they leave the house.  Generally Italians wait to get their cappuccino or any other milky type drink for the bar and they make their cup of espresso at home.  The typical way to make an espresso at home Italian style is through ‘la macchina’  which is a small metal coffee maker used on the stove top.  Above is a classic Bialetti macchina

L’Espresso

L’espresso is the most popular among the Italian population.  Many Italians order an espresso all throughout the day.  An espresso is like a shot of rich, strong coffee.  Many Italians take it black or with sugar while some of the elderly ask for a splash of milk.  Many bars offer one brand name of coffee such as LavAzza, Kimbo, or Illy and is advertised outside the bar.  L’espresso is usually drank fast and can be accompanied with a cornetto or pasta (pastry).  Additionally, many Italians take an espresso before going out at night.  They usually take this after dinner with their shot of liquor (which helps with digestion).  

Il Cappuccino

Il cappuccino is generally served only in the morning hours of the day and mostly ordered if you have time to sip for a while.  Almost all the time Italians will order a cornetto or pasta to go along with their cappuccino.  A cappuccino is one part espresso, one part steamed milk, and one part milk foam.  

Il Macchiato

Il macchiato is similar to the cappuccino beverage but serve in a espresso cup.  Il macchiato consists of one part espresso and one part foam milk.  This would be perfect for someone who wants an espresso with a dash of milk to make it less strong.

Il Caffè Americano

Il Caffè Americano is the Italian interpretation of the way we make coffee and personally I enjoy an espresso way more.  Il Caffè Americano is a shot of espresso along with boiling water to dilute the strong taste of espresso.  This is perfect for someone who doesn’t like the strong taste of espresso and prefers a less rich coffee taste.  

Il Caffè d’Orzo

Il Caffè d’Orzo translates to barley coffee.  This drink originated in Italy, and is a ground barley drink made from roasted grains.  Il Caffè d’Orzo is naturally caffeine-free so this would be an option for people who prefer caffeine-free drinks or for an after dinner drink before bed.

Florence, The Birth of the Renaissance

Firenze from the Bell Tower

View of Florence from Piazzale Michaelangelo (March 2011)

Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is one of the most popular spots in Italy.  When visiting Italy, most tourists include it in their itinerary even if they have already been.  In all the time I’ve spent in Florence, I still haven’t discovered it all.  Although countless amount of tourists flood the city, you still get that city that hasn’t changed since the Renaissance.  Florence is located in Tuscany which means Wine Country.  Be prepared to taste the best Chianti, maybe even go on a wine tour.  It’s really hard to narrow down the best things to do in Florence but i’ll give you a few of my favorites!

The most important part of visiting Italy is the food.  if you don’t have the opportunity to eat at some of the countries best restaurants, it could ruin Italy for you.  I have compiled a list of the top restaurants I’ve tried and approved!

Yellow Bar – Via del Proconsolo, 39r

Yellow Bar is one of the more touristic spots I will recommend but it has the most amazing pasta it’s definitely worth going.  Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess takes you by the fresh pasta being made while your assuring yourself you will be ordering it.  At Yellow Bar, one of my favorite pasta dishes was everything (sorry I couldn’t choose!).  Additionally, they have an amazing steak dish with a bed of arugula topped with parmigiano cheese.  When in Florence, a majority of the restaurants require a reservation, but at Yellow Bar, you don’t need to worry.  Yellow Bar has two floors and a large dining room upstairs that you almost never have to wait for a table.  

Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori – Via dei Magazzini, 3 (next to the Gucci Museum)

I tried to get a reservation weekly at Vini e Vecchi Sapori because of my love for the restaurant, the food and the staff.  The staff remembered me once I came for my second time and continued to give me a reservation when others seemed to find it impossible to get a reservation there.  With that being said, this restaurant is difficult to book so I recommend having your hotel call right away upon arrival in Florence because this is one restaurant you do not want to miss out on.  The wait staff is all family and they have a fun time joking around with the patrons.  As for the menu, the owner frequently changes their dishes but I recommend any pasta dish that appears on the menu.  One thing that always is on the menu is the Raspberry Tiramisu which I advise trying because it will be the best dessert you have while you’re in Italy (I still dream about it to this day).  Additionally, be prepared to sit with other patrons because this restaurant is small.  If you’re looking for classic Florentine cuisine this is your spot!  

B. Ice (Gelateria) – Borgognissanti 150/r

I can’t take credit for discovering B. Ice.  My Cross-cultural Communication professor introduced my class during an assignment while visiting this cute little families Gelateria.  This spot is a bit out of the main part of the city, but definitely worth the walk if you want some gelato, just think of it as walking off your cone!  (The walk is roughly 17 minutes from the Duomo).  All of the bins aren’t overflowing with crazy artificial colors like you find in the heart of Florence.  Each flavor is only made if the specific ingredients are in season to assure the best tasting gelato flavors.  All of their flavors are all natural, making the taste so unique.  I have no other suggestions of Gelaterias because I was so loyal to B. Ice.  

Things to Do in Florence

Il Duomo – The ticket costs €10 and covers the Duomo, Bell Tower, Museum, and the Baptistry.  Make sure you get to the duomo and campanile early in the morning to avoid the long line the curves around the building.  You will be able to get the best views of Florence from the Duomo or Bell Tower, so this is a must!

Tuscany Bike Tour – There are a ton of other tour companies for biking around Florence but I have to admit, this is definitely the best group around.  The tour guides are young and fun making the day super enjoyable.  They’re well informed and speak great English!  The tour includes a roadside van, bike, helmet, complimentary water bottle you can take home, lunch (wine), wine tasting, olive oil tasting, and a winery tour.

Florentine Soccer Game – Try and attend a soccer game if you can.  Soccer is such a big part of the Italian culture that it’s definitely worth witnessing all the craze at a soccer game.  I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Roma vs. Fiorentina match and I can highly recommend going to it.  Stop by the When in Florence office where they can help you find tickets for the game.  (When in Florence can help you with booking other things as well and they’re a good reference for things to do when visiting!)

Uffizi Gallery – The first time I stepped in the Uffizi Gallery, I didn’t see the exit till 6 hours later (yes, 6 hours).  The Uffizi has more rooms than you can count of thousands of famous pieces.  Try and reserve you tickets to the Gallery in advance to avoid long lines outside.

Giardino delle Rose – This is a lovely little garden on the walk up to Piazzale Michaelangelo where many tourists and Fiorentini spend time laying around the garden on a sunny day.  The smells of the flowers fill the air around Springtime.

Viterbo, The Ancient City of Lazio

Porta Fiorentina

San Pellegrino, MEDIEVALE Section

I previously talked about the city of Viterbo in my Terme del Papi post but I felt that its such an amazing city that it deserved its own post.  I lived in Viterbo for nine months back in 2010/11 and it was absolutely the best experience in Italy thus far. The heart of the city is surrounded by an mediaeval wall built in the 11th century.  The Viterbese take pride in their wall because of their great efforts to preserve the wall and its appearance.  The only entrances into the main city are through multiple city gates throughout different corners of the wall.  In the photo below you can visualize the city wall with multiple entrances and exits to the city center.

How to Get to Viterbo

Viterbo is located in the northeast region of Lazio, closest to the region of Umbria.  The best way to get to Viterbo is through Fumicino airport in Rome or Ciampino airport if you’re traveling between cities in Europe.  From these airports, you can take trains or cab to arrive at the following stations station: Roma Aurelia (Valle Aurelia), Tiburtina, Trastevere, or Termini.  If you’re already staying in Rome, Valle Aurelia and Termini are connecting to the metro so these would be you best station options.  Trains to and from Viterbo run almost hourly depending on the time of day.  When arriving in Viterbo, you can exit at Porta Romana or sometimes Porta Fiorentina.  Depending on where you’re staying, you may want to research which station is closest to your destination.  

Accommodations

Mini Palace Hotel

Via Santa Maria della Grotticella, 2/b, Viterbo, Italy

Mini Palace hotel has earned a four star rating and is one of the best options for being almost virtually inside the city center.  Mini Palace Hotel is more modern hotel with a 5 minute walk to the main entrance of the city walls, Porta Romana.  If you arrive by train, Mini Palace Hotel is about a 7 minute walk from the Porta Romana station.  This hotel I found while looking throughout the city to find a clean, quality hotel for my parents to stay in while visiting Viterbo.  The hotel includes a free continental breakfast, free wifi, conference rooms, and 24H concierge service.  

Tuscia Hotel

Via Cairoli, 41, Viterbo, Italy

Tuscia hotel has come in handy a lot when I come back and visit Viterbo.  I’ve stayed here multiple times that they hotel reception has made an effort to show that they remember me.  This hotel is definitely not the best of Viterbo, but the prices run about €50-65 per night.  Additionally, the customer service from the hotel staff is amazing for a three star hotel.  The hotel looks like it came out of the 80s so it definitely needs updating but the price is right.  This hotel is located in the center of the city(in the city walls!) and can be best reached from Porta Fiorentina station.  Tuscia hotel offers free wifi, air conditioning(not all hotels offer AC in Italy), conference rooms, free continental breakfast, free coffee from 7am-11pm, and TV SKY Vision Gold.

Dining

Viterbo’s city center offers various dining options throughout the city for lunch and dinner.  Keep in mind that Viterbo isn’t touristic so the restaurants won’t be open for dinner until 7:00-7:30pm and you should have you’re hotel concierge make reservations for you to ensure you get a table.  Everyone has their favorite places throughout the city so listen to where the concierge prefers to eat.  I’ve eaten at more that 30 restaurants in Viterbo, so I’ve narrowed down the list.

La Spaghetteria

Via Aurelia Saffi, 61, Viterbo, Italy

La Spaghetteria’s menu will take you about twenty minutes to skim through.  They offer 240 different spaghetti dishes.  I’ve tried a lot of dishes at this restaurant and I can reccomend the “Alla Cinizia” which is cherry tomatoes, basil, eggplant, and mozzarella.  Additionally, the “Il Professore” is a fan favorite if you like gorgonzola.  This dish includes pasta surrounded by a creamy gorgonzola sauce with walnuts sprinkles around.  The restaurant has inside seating with two different sections as well as an outdoor garden seating open during the summer.

Taverna Etrusca

Via Annio, 10, Viterbo, Italy

I discovered Taverna Etrusca through recommendations of the Viterbese.  They ranted and raved about their pizzas so I had to try it at least once…or a couple times.  The pizza most order allows you to get four different sections of toppings, allowing you to try different flavors.  The pizzas come big with thin crust making it something one person can eat themselves.  (Etiquette Tip: Don’t share one pizza in Italy, they think of pizzas as being an entree for one)  Also, by getting you own pizzas, you can switch slices around the table so you can try all types!  Taverna Etrusca is knows for their flavors so don’t be afraid to try a crazy flavor.  If you have any room left after dinner, I recommend trying the gorgonzola ice cream.  Overall the wait staff is friendly and welcome to their cozy atmosphere.  

Il Monastero

Via Fattunghieri, 10, Viterbo, Italy

Il Monastero, located in the center of the city, crowds with Italian young and old every night for their famous pizza.  People wait in line to be seated to try their pizzas served on two large plates.  If you’re in the mood for a pie, stop by Il Monastero! 

Attractions & What to Do

The first this I would recommend doing in Viterbo is getting lost within the city walls.  There are such picturesque scene that you have seen in the movies, yet they have come alive.  San Pellegrino also known as the mediaeval section, is where I found the best pictures and felt that I was practically in a movie.  

Palazzo dei Papi, or the Papal Palace is one of the larger attractions of Viterbo and definitely worth checking out.  The gothic arches of the palace have become a symbol of Viterbo.  Papal Palace is located adjacent to the Cattedral di San Lorenzo, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Saint Lawrence.  Next to the Cattedral di San Lorenzo, stands the campanile or bell tower.  The Campanile still rings its bell throughout the city that you become used to sound of the soothing bell.  

La Macchina di Santa Rosa, takes place during the beginning of September.  This festival’s purpose is the celebration of the patron saint of Viterbo (Santa Rosa).  The ‘macchina’ is the 30 meter high tower that is carried around the heart of the city by 100 Facchini di Santa Rosa(porters or carriers) for 1 mile starting at Porta Romana.  The Macchina makes frequent stops throughout the city in the major areas such as piazzas.  The Viterbese claim their spots early in the day and tailgate all day until the Macchina makes its way through the city.  After the Macchina travels through the narrow roads of Viterbo, fireworks flash through the sky in Valle Faul.

 100 Facchini holding the Macchina

 La Macchina

Aperitivo in Viterbo can be found throughout the city.  Many locations offer an great aperitivo with a large selections of different foods.  I used to get aperitivo at this one spot named Novecento but they’re not located in Viterbo anymore.  Blitz Bar has a great aperitivo with a retro atmostphere.  They’re really welcoming to Americans and have great drinks.

Bagnaia, a city inside Viterbo and just a 10 minute bus ride away is the home to Villa Lante.  Villa Lante is known for their spectacular gardens and pristine grounds.  Villa Lante’s manneristic garden includes grottos and cascading fountains around the site.  The entrance into Villa Lante is around €10 and can be less for students and senior citizens.  

Villa Lante (below)

Il Bagnaccio, the free hot baths of Viterbo, lay right around the corner from Terme dei Papi.  These baths are the real deal.  You can smell the potent sulfur and feel the mud below your feet.  Many fear that this may not be the most sanitary but I’ve visited many times with friends and we’ve never had problems.  Experiencing both Il Bagnaccio and Terme dei Papi would definitely be worth it!

Roma, The Eternal City

                        View of Via del Corso from Piazza del Popolo

Through my travels across Italy I always find time to come back to my favorite city: Roma, the eternal city.  I’ve visited this city countless times while discovering that I love it more and more each time.  Rome’s center consists of tons of touristic spots that are definitely worth exploring during your stay in Rome.  Rome has so many places to get lost and capture that picture perfect scene you imagine Italy to be.  There is so much Rome outside of the touristic areas that I believe you need at least a week to conquer somewhat of Rome’s entirety.  I say somewhat because I’ve been there countless amount of times and discover tons of new areas every time.  

Getting Around the City

The best way to travel through Rome is walking, but don’t be afraid to use the metro, bus, or tram.  The metro is safe and easy to navigate.  The metro consists of the A Line and the B Line which cross at the Termini train station.  

Rome has various tours with a ton of different means of transportation.  You can tour in a vintage Fiat 500 to an electric car.  Check out Fodor’s list of Tours!

Corso and Spagna

Via del Corso and Piazza di Spagna will be among some of the first places you visit when in Rome.  Via del Corso runs parallel to Tiber river and connects Piazza Venezia all the way to Piazza del Popolo.  In the middle you’ll find the famous Spanish Steps filled will tourists from all over the world.  Here you will find the famous Via Condotti which encompasses stores of the highest luxury brands such as Buglari, Gucci, and Prada to name a few.  Via del Corso carries more economical stores such as Zara and H&M.  Piazza di Spagna is my favorite for taking a break from walking around the city and sit or even climb the steps to get that picturesque view of Via Condotti.  

Restaurant Recommendations

Gusto

Via della Frezza, 16, 00186, Rome, Italy

Gusto has many different components to the restaurant.  The downstairs includes a buffet style where you weigh and pay, a cheese shop, and a pizzeria.  The upstairs is the restaurant with full wait staff and menus.  When eating at Gusto, I recommend eating downstairs in the buffet.  This isn’t your normal buffet.  Everything looks fresh and delicious that I always end up paying a bit extra to try as many things as I can from their selection.  Check out this unique dining experience here!

Trastevere

Trastevere is one of the most picturesque areas of the city.  You can get lost for hours walking through the small roads that intertwine around the neighborhood.  During the day it is lively with the bustle of restaurants and tourists while at night it transforms into a attraction of partygoers.  

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Mario’s

Via del Moro 53, 00186, Rome, Italy

Mario’s restaurant menu encompasses the classic Roman cuisine.  I preferred ordering two primi of pasta e ceci and bruschetta di pomodoro.  When I dined at Mario’s I was currently studying abroad in Florence so this was a nice Roman cuisine I was missing while living in Florence.  If you’re looking for a traditional Roman cuisine, you must visit Mario’s in Trastevere, you won’t be disappointed!

Piazza Navona & Campo de’ Fiori

Piazza Navona is my favorite spot in Rome, especially during the holidays.  Piazza Navona during Christmas is surrounded with tourists, street performers, and vendors, yet it’s still the most beautiful piazza in Rome.  The area around Piazza Navona includes Campo de’ Fiori, a piazza that encompasses a ton of bars and restaurants popular to American and Italian students.  

RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS

Navona Notte

Via del Teatro Pace, 44, 00186, Rome, Italy

From the outside, Navona Notte looks like a tourist trap.  Personally, Navona Notte was one of the best tourist traps I fell into.  There was no cover charge, as well as amazing food.  Sure this restaurant is located in a tourist section with a ton of tourists, but it was the cheapest food for the best quality you’ll find.  The one con of the restaurant that some people may find is that there isn’t a lot of space between tables which didn’t bother me at all because most restaurants are just as crowded in Italy.  You won’t spend more than 25 euros for two people including wine.  I always tell people to check out this spot when visiting Rome for the first time.  

Carnevale in Italia

The top Carnevale celebrations in Italy are Venice and Viareggio.  I have been lucky enough to celebrate Carnevale in both Venice and Viareggio.  If you only have a weekend to visit Venice or Viareggio for carnevale, I suggest going the weekend before Fat Tuesday because it’s the largest party and the most events happen on that weekend.

VENICE

Venice is one of the most unique cities in Italy.  Venice is a group 117 small islands in the region of Veneto that inhabits roughly 240,000 people.  The only means of transportation is through boats and gondolas who transport people and goods through the canals.  

Venice is one of the oldest locations to host a Carnevale celebration which was in 1268.  I visited Venice during the last weekend of Carnevale so a lot of tourists lined the streets from the morning until night.  During the day, many face painters set up on the streets who will paint your face for free suggest giving donations.  I chose to get my face painted rather than purchase an expensive mask from one of the shops in Venice.  Venice is already an expensive island so any way you can save money is worth it.  If you prefer wearing a mask, purchasing them off the island is a much cheaper option.  

Accommodations

While you can stay on the Island, its much more economical to reserve your accommodations off the island.  I visited Venice three times in my travels to Italy and stayed off the island in the city of Mestre.  

Camping Fusina– Via Moranzani 93, Mestre, Italy.  

The Room: This accommodation is for people who are on a strict budget.  The linens are provided but you have to pay extra for a towel.  The lowest price room doesn’t include bathroom so you must walk to the communal showers/bathrooms in a section of the campsite.  If you require a bathroom/shower, rooms with these are available for a bit extra.  

The Crowd: This location attracts many young travelers who enjoy partying and staying up late so if you don’t see yourself in that crowd I wouldn’t stay here.  On the lateral, I had a great time the first night I stayed here that we never left the camp ground.  The campsite includes a bar called the Beer Garden with cheap drink prices and places to sit indoor and outdoor.  

Transportation to Venice: The water taxi dock is a two minute walk from the campsite entrance.  You can purchase a weekend pass for about €25 which is super convenient when staying off the island.

B4 Venezia-Mestre– Via Don Luigi Peron 4, Mestre, Italy

The Room: The rooms are comfortable, well lit, and spacious.  This hotel is new so it has a pretty modern vibe to it in the lobby as well as in the rooms.  The wifi in the rooms isn’t free but you can rent an internet cable for a low cost of €2 per day.  

The Crowd: This hotel is aimed at couples, families, friends, and even for business.  A lot of people stay here while traveling through Italy because it’s reasonably prices while being super clean and modern.  

Transportation to Venice: In order to reach Venice, you must take a couple means on transportation from B4 to the island.  You can take a taxi from the hotel to the parking lot on the island but this is the most costly option.  You can go by train which takes you into the Santa Lucia station and costs €2.15.  Additionally, you can take the bus into Venice which takes roughly 30 minutes and costs €2.50 (make sure to validate the ticket).  The last option is to take a water taxi from the main land to the island of Venice.  

Places to Go in Venice

St. Marks square is one of the most popular places to hang out and celebrate Carnevale.  Keep in mind that while this is the best place to party, I would recommend purchasing food and drinks away from the square to avoid high tourist prices.  Make sure you drink a Bellini or a Spritz; typical Venetian drinks!  If you have no set plans or activities while you’re there I suggest taking a gondola ride around this enchanting island.  It only costs €25 per person and includes a half hour ride and a bottle of champagne.  It may be touristy but you’re a tourist too!  I took some of my most picturesque scenes of Venice from the gondola!  During the day, you can wander into the streets, maybe even get lost, which isn’t hard to do.  St. Marks Basilica is open for free during the celebration as well as many other museums throughout the island.  The Murano glass factory attracts many visitor who are looking for a glass making demonstration or to purchase glass pieces.  

Carnevale di Venezia Official Site

VIAREGGIO

Viareggio, situated on the northern coast of Tuscany, extends 12.31 square miles.  Viareggio is know for its seaside attractions as well as it Carnevale celebration.  Viareggio makes up 6.2 miles of coastline on the Ligurian Sea.  

Viareggio has celebrated Carnevale since 1873 and main parades “Passaggiata al Mare” takes place on the four Sundays leading up to Fat Tuesday.  The parade includes paper-pulp floats with themes of famous people such as actors, politicians, and athletes.  Spectators are line up along the edges of the streets awaiting the parade of floats.  In between the floats you can find dancers who break up the way of the floats.  The last parade takes place during the night at 6:30pm rather than 3pm.  

One of the floats from the 2014 Carnevale

A friend and I at the Parade (I’m in the pink!)

A group of dancers in the parade!

Ticket Prices

€15 Regular Ticket Entry

€13 Group Ticket Entry (min 25)

€10 Children Ticket Entry (7-12)

€13 Senior Ticket Entry (over 65)

€10 Stands Ticket Entry 

€27 Five Ticket Entries (all 5 parades)

How to Get to Viareggio

The best means of transportation to Viareggio would be the train.  Multiple trains leave from Pisa and Florence hourly.  Both Pisa and Florence have airports that connect by train to their train stations which connect to Viareggio.  

Valentine’s Day in Verona

Part of the region of Veneto, Verona is on of the largest cities and the home of the famous Romeo and Juliet (the House of Juliet).  Verona’s largest event, Verona In Love, takes place on February 12th-15th.  

   

Restaurants (In Love)

During the celebration of San Valentino, many of the restaurants of Verona participate in the Restaurants In Love event.  This year, roughly 23 restaurants are participating in this event.  Participating restaurants create a special menu for the celebration which include romantic and love themed dishes.  Most restaurants are a fixed price dinner but each restaurant encloses the menu beforehand.  In order to eat at one of these 23 participating restaurants, you must reserve your table in advance due to the high volume of tourists during this season.  

Accommodations

Many hotels offer a special price for couples during the celebration of San Valentino.  The Verona In Love website offers 1-2 night packages which includes a 1-2 night stay with breakfast, VeronaCard per person, a personalized seal of love, and a package of GiuRo (a Romeo and Juliet tradition).  

Price List

1 Night Stay: € 110,00 for two people

2 Night Stay: € 185,00 for two people

Verona In Love Tours

The romantic themed tours offered during the events of San Valentino have something for everyone!  Keep in mind that most tours are offered as a couple rate so if you’re coming to celebrate Galetine’s Day (Girl’s Valentines Day) make sure you come with even numbers!

Running Tour: Tour the city of Verona in a 7.5km run around the city!   €30.00 per person, €45,00 per couple

Love Dreaming Tour: Walking tour through the city, with personal tour guide.€100,00 per couple

Classic Tour:  Tour the city squares and feel the romance of Verona.   €100,00 per person

Romance Bike Tour: Bike tour through the city of Romance.                   €25,00 per person*, €35,00 per couple*  (price includes bike)*

Photographic Hunt Tour: Treasure hunt through the city.                        €25,00 per person, €40,00 per couple

View additional themed tours here****

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre or “The Five Lands” sits on the coast of the Italian Riviera in the region of Liguria.  Cinque Terre consists of five different villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  The Cinque Terre National Park is the hillside located within Cinque Terre.  The hillside is comprised of walking trails know as Sentiero Azzurro, connecting all five villages together.  If you’re going to visit Italy, you will be missing the full beauty of the country without seeing Cinque Terre.  Each village within Cinque Terre has something unique to offer.  Before visiting Cinque Terre, you should know when to visit, where to stay, and where/what to eat.

Photo Below: Monterosso Al Mare, Italy

Photo Below: Manarola, Italy

Photo Below: Corniglia, Italy

Photo Below: Vernazza, Italy

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When to Visit Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre’s villages have been known to flood.  Sadly, these gorgeous villages have been the victims of mudslides, temporarily destroying them (especially the mudslide of October 2011).  The best time to enjoy the beach of Monterosso would be during the summer months of the year.  This is the time where there is less of a chance of rainfall and less risk of mudslides as well as hot temperatures, perfect for the beach.  April, May, and October have the highest average days of rainfall making these month not the best time to visit.  Additionally when it rains, you may miss out on hiking from town to town because they generally close when it rains due to safety issues.

Use MeteoLiguria to check the weather before visiting Cinque Terre.

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Where to Stay

From personal experience, Monterosso is the most practical place to stay.  Monterosso is the farthest village north of Cinque Terre but it’s the home to most hotels and bed and breakfasts.  Monterosso’s beach access is the largest of all the villages making this the most popular during the     summer months.                                             Photo: Monterosso Al Mare*

Hotel RECOMMENDATIONS

Hotel  Margherita, Via Roma 72, 19016 Monterosso al Mare

Hotel Margherita sits on the main corso of Monterosso.  With just a ten minute walk from the train station, Hotel Margherita is an English friendly hotel with a great continental breakfast.  The hotel was completely rebuilt after the mudslide of October 2011.  Compared to the traditional hotels of Italy, Hotel Margherita has a more modern atmosphere. Hotel Margherita currently earns a 4.5 star on Trip Advisor.

Albergo degli amici, via buranco 36, 19016 Monterosso al mare

Albergo degli Amici is located right in the town center of Monterosso.  I found this hotel when I visited Cinque Terre and decided to be more adventurous and book a hotel once I got to Monterosso.  I was not dissapointed.  The hotel was clean, spacious, and had a great breakfast that was catered to both the Italian and American breakfast.  This hotel is reasonably priced and has amazing views to the ocean if you’re lucky enough to get an ocean side room with a view.

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What to Eat

When traveling to any region of Italy, one of the most important things to find out is: what are the specialty foods of the area?  Liguria is especially known for their pesto, focaccia, and any dish involving seafood.  Liguria is also known for their pasta al nero di seppia or squid ink pasta which I was pleasantly surprise about how delicious this dish tasted.  Although I visited each village at least 4-5 times, I still found the best restaurants in Monterosso Al Mare.

Where to Eat

L’ancora della Tortuga, Salita Cappuccini 6, Monterosso Al Mare

 

This restaurant not only serves amazing seafood dishes but it’s situated above the tunnel with oceanside views because the restaurant is virtually located on a cliff.

Ristorante Belvedere, Piazza garibaldi 38, Monterosso Al Mare

This restaurant is a typical Italian restaurant with a Ligurian twist.  I tried the Pasta al Nero di Seppia and I was pleasantly surprised.  Their cheese plate appetizer includes a ton of various cheeses and breads that perfectly combines together to make a great appetizer.  Ristorante Belvedere is located in Piazza Garibaldi, the main piazza of the village.

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