Italy attracts millions of visitors each year, drawn by its beautiful rural areas, historic cities and welcoming atmosphere. A touring holiday of Tuscany and Rome is a great way to see some of Italy’s real highlights.

A typical ten day escorted holiday of the region provides ample time to see some of the sights of the region. Relaxing on an executive coach provides a wonderful, stress-free way to enjoy the countryside of Tuscany.

It’s little wonder that so many people have become enchanted by this part of Italy. Most excursions to this part of Italy would be expected to take in the two glorious cities of Florence and Pisa.

Both have enchanting districts, as well as the spectacular sights provided by their cathedrals. In the case of Pisa, its Leaning Tower remains one of the most distinctive structures on the planet.

If you’ve never visited Italy before then you will be pleasantly surprised by the food that is on offer. Even in the most basic Tuscan restaurant you can expect to be served freshly made food, using the finest local ingredients.

Italian cooking in this region relies heavily on locally grown tomatoes and olive oil. As Europe’s largest producer of wine, you’ll find that you won’t go thirsty here either!

To the south of the cities of Pisa and Florence, you’ll find that many escorted holidays will include a visit to the towns of Siena and San Gimignano. The latter is famed for its medieval towers, drawing comparisons with modern day Manhattan.

As you are driven through the Tuscan landscape, there seems to be a great view at every turn. This is the land of Chianti wine and you’ll see vineyards dotted around many of the hills of Tuscany.

Rome, at the end of many guided touring holidays, has its own charms of course. The remains of the great Roman Empire are still to be found here, while the modern hotel facilities are of a high standard.

A holiday to Tuscany and Rome provides stimulation for all the senses.

If you are interested in escorted holidays to Italy then read more of Keith Barrett’s other travel articles. This article may be used by any website publisher, though this resource box must always be included in full.

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Just one holiday spent in Tuscany, Italy isn’t enough; this magical area offers much to see and do. You can find different types of leisure and recreations throughout Tuscany, to serve and delight every traveler. At the end of your first visit you’ll just want to come back to Italy as soon as possible and try a different place to stay in Tuscany every time.

When you step outside your rented farmhouse or B&B in Tuscany, you will find water sports, Tuscan winemaking and olive oil production that can only be found in Italy. Not to mention Tuscany, Italy’s vast variety of historical monuments such as The Tower of Pisa.

Of course, like every big tourist destination Tuscany has luxurious hotels. But if it’s a little bit of Tuscan culture you are looking for, then you’ll probably want to stay in an ancient Tuscan castle or farmhouse where you can explore the history of Tuscany or see the production of Tuscan wines and Italian olive oils. And the next time you come, try one of Tuscany choice of bed and breakfasts, villas and condominiums.

If watching the production of Tuscan winemaking and Italian olive oil is up your alley, Tuscany provides many places where you can book a tour through a Tuscan winery or olive oil production mill and take part in the actual making. You will also be able to sample the many wines, such as Chianti or Super Tuscan; taste the famous Italian olive oils, and of course purchase the ones you enjoyed the most. You wouldn’t want to leave Italy without its two best products.

When you want to relax in Tuscany, and you’ve had your fill of Italian wines, there is always the Tuscan cuisine, some of the finest Italian food you will find, such as Italian meatballs, pastas and Italian breads.

After your taste buds have been satisfied (at least for the day), there are still a few more things to do around the region of Tuscany. The coastline of Italy on the Mediterranean Sea provides for all the great water sports during your time in Tuscany. This area of Tuscany is well-known for its fishing; however you can also go swimming and windsurfing, or simply lie down in the sun and relax. Many of the accommodations in Tuscany have swimming pools on site for a more private swimming.

For drier activities there are several places around Tuscany where you can rent bicycles to ride while you tour the Italian countryside. And lest we forget the Tuscan historical monuments such as the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa or the less famous old churches throughout the region.

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It is presented in a very quick and simple way – enjoy and try it at home.

Buon appetito!

This year’s winter Olympic Games are taking place in Turin; whether you intend to watch the games or not, Italy is a great skiing destination. The Italian Alps are home to many great and famous ski resorts such as Cortina d’Ampezzo and Courmayeur (Remember “The Pink Panther” with Peter Sellers? That’s where it happens). The best ski resorts with the most modern facilities are found in northern Italy, in the Alpine area. However, there are some ski resorts in the south of the country too.

Skiing is a very popular activity in Italy. Many Italians take a week off during winter just to go skiing. It is possible to find a ski resort for anyone in Italy. There are very luxurious resorts, and very affordable ones. Some slopes are only for the well trained, others are moderate enough for beginners or rusty skiers.

The best way to arrive to Italy for a ski vacation is through one of these airports:

Turin, Milan, Bergamo, Verona or Venice Treviso. They are all well served by international flights, and offer the option of taking a city break with your ski vacation.

Turin, this winter’s Olympic Games location, is a good place to arrive to. Going from Turin towards the French border (public transportation is available), there are Sestriere and Sauze D’aulx among other busy ski resorts. Sestreiere is a very modern and fashionable ski resort that offers 20 ski lifts, and ice skating rink and cross country trails.

Further to the north, on the border, is the area of Valle d’Aosta. In this area both Italian and French are spoken, and the food also has a lot of French influence. In this area you can find some of the highest mountains in Europe: Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso. The beautiful view of pine trees and castles is seen from wooden ski chalets. One of the most glamorous resorts in Italy is found here – CourMayeur, at the foot of the Mont Blanc. This resort offers all that a skier can dream of, even summer skiing. Also in that area is Breuil – Cervinia

In the north east of Italy are the Dolomites. The “Dolomiti Superski” is a network of 12 different skiing areas. A popular resort in this area is Madonna di Campiglio. This is also where the famous Cortina D’ampezzo is located.

In the winter, there are opportunities for ski in the southern mountains. Campo Felice is in the Gran Sasso, east of Rome, also has a ski school. The Sila massif in Calabria has 35 Km of cross country skiing, and only 2 downhill slopes.

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When one comes to visit Florence, Italy the museums, architecture, and countryside are some of the most memorable attractions, but no one comes to Italy for the sights alone. Florence, Italy recipes are what awake the senses and keep the memories of a visit to Italy alive. The food is good, not overly fancy, and easily created at home. In fact, the best restaurants in Italy have taken what Italians have created in their own kitchens and made it available to the public just as if they were close friends or family who have come for warm family dinner.

The Typical Italian Meal – Anything but Typical

In Florence and around Italy the typical Italian meal consists of 4 courses: the anti-pasta, pasta, meat, and dessert. The anti-pasta is a platter of cold cuts, olives, and other non-pasta foods. It is served with a plain salad of just lettuce and tomato with plenty of olive oil and a splash of vinegar.

Next in line is the pasta course. American cuisine has turned pasta into a main course. In Italy, it is served as a side dish or course before the entrée. Pasta is served “al dente” or “to the tooth” meaning it is not overcooked or mushy, but just softened to the point it is chewable. It can be served with butter and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, a red, marinara sauce, or white Alfredo sauce. Pesto, made of basil, pine nuts, and olive oil, is also another common pasta sauce used in Florence Italy recipes.

Meat also accompanies the main course in Italian cooking. A pork roast, lamb, or veal is usually sliced thinly and served with a side dish of pasta or by itself. Only in America will you find a side of green beans served with the spaghetti or ravioli. Italians consider the salad to be their green vegetable serving. You may find some roasted peppers with or without sausage slices on the side.

Desserts served with coffee are the final course in Italian cuisine. Many, such as the cannoli are served with a sweetened ricotta cheese filling. Pastries and cookies with a jelly filling are another common dessert. Tiramisu made with coffee and mascarone cream are an Italian favourite.

Wines for Dinner and Dessert

There are several Tuscan wines that each have their own flavour and go well with different foods. For example, the Galestro is light and fruity and goes well with snacks and light meals. For seafood, the Vernaccia de San Gimignano is good with its dry and full bodied flavour.

Wines that are especially good with desserts are the Vin Santo and Aleatico dell”Elba. Of course, there is the famous Chianti with its bright red colour and smooth dry flavour that is perfect with most foods and all meats.

There are not many places around the world where the food and wine can be the main attractions for tourists, but Florence, Italy is one such place with the unique recipes, wines and traditions that go along with the Italian dining experience. Whether you stay at a posh hotel in the city, a private villa, or countryside farm house, the food is sure to become one of your greatest vacation memories.

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It is presented in a very quick and simple way – enjoy and try it at home.

Buon appetito!

A very nice artistic advertising touch -- the Italian way.

It is presented in a very quick and simple way – enjoy and try it at home.

Buon appetito!

Versilia is located in the North-West part of Tuscany, in province of Lucca.

The area includes the Communes of Viareggio, Camaiore, Pietrasanta, Forte dei Marmi, Massarosa, Seravezza and Stazzema, the Regional Park of Migliarino-San Rossore-Massaciuccoli to the South and the Park of Apuane to the North. It is close to art cities such as Lucca (20 Km), Pisa (21 Km) and Florence (100 Km). It is easy to reach with any means of transport.

Versilia economy is extremely various. Along the coast predominates the touristic and receptive activity with more than 650 hotels for every kind of need and means, from five-star luxury hotels to the boarding houses, from residences to camp sites, and e few farm holidays

Versilia enjoys a peaceful mild and temperate climate all year long. The average temperature goes from 10°, during the winter, to 25°, during the summer. Due to the vicinity of the Apuane to the sea, rains are abundant during the whole year; whereas during the summer there are short but strong thunderstorms.

It is possible to come to Versilia on holidays during the whole year.
During the summer, when the sun heats the sandy beaches, the vicinity of the Apuane mitigates the heat and the climate becomes pleasant with windy days and fresh nights. During the day, it is possible to enjoy oneself on the beach and take a plunge in the sea, or a walk within the green of the pine forests, on the hills or on mountain paths, or take a visit to art cities and small villages well known to mass tourism.
During the night, there is only the embarrassment of choosing, from night clubs to open door theatres, from shopping to cultural exhibitions, from gastronomic feats (“sagre”) to simple walks.

Versila Cafe guide of Versilia in Tuscany

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Pistoia, lies on North-West of Florence, in Tuscany Italy. Its name Pistoria, Pistoriae or Pistorium in Latin denotes the oven used for baking bread. During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Pistoia distinguished itself for its strong economic growth; as a consequence the city came to control a large territory that exceeded what is today the province of Pistoia. In 1401 Pistoia lost its independence forever and became an integral part of the Florentine dominions. In the following centuries the city prospered.

The province of Pistoia, north of the Tuscany region, is encircled from the Appennines and offers wonderful wooded greens mount scenes and, interrupted from valleys and rivers, rich historical countries full of art, ideal destinations for those who love to join the natural excursions to the discovery of cities rich of character and beauty, in atmospheres like the more classic goals of Tuscany. Cities like Montecatini and Monsummano are famous for their thermal plants – SPA -, Pescia for its international market of flowers and above all the capoluogo, Pistoia, is rich of beautiful Romanesque churches. On the hills around Pistoia, at 400 meters of altitude, Factory ( in italian Fabbrica ) is found, a charming and very small village of medieval origin (XI sec), brought back recently to new life by a sage restoration. The houses are tightened around to an evocative Romanesque Pieve and in top to the country, encircled from two small garden, there is `the ORTENSIA’, one house for the vacations in stone, cooked and beams, according to the Tuscan tradition. The village is quite and silent, dipped in forests of chestnut trees and of oaks. You can get to it through paths, by foot or mountain bike. A wide swimming pool, with wonderful sight on the valley, assures beautiful moments of relax, in the middle of wonderful nature.

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