With so much to see and do in Italy, visitors making plans to tour the country face some difficult choices. One of the best ways to make sense of all of your options is by creating a set itinerary. Start by deciding what’s important to you on your vacation. This will of course vary for every traveler; some people are into gastronomy, while others visit Italy primarily to see artistic masterpieces.

Still others visit the peninsula to enjoy natural beauty. For those looking for a great combination of all three, one suggested itinerary would be a tour through Tuscany and Umbria. With world class cities and gorgeous scenery, these two provinces offer something for every kind of visitor.

Tuscany is known throughout the world for its wonderful wine. Much of the production is centered in the region of Chianti, which is famous for the distinctive wine sold in wicker baskets. Many people come here to tour the vineyards, spending the days tasting wine, and the evenings relaxing in one of the many holiday homes in Chianti. The gentle rolling hills will be familiar to many viewers from the postcards that are sent around the world.

From Chianti, head southeast towards Siena and San Gimignano. Stop in the latter (often called the City of the Beautiful Towers) first, and spend a couple of days admiring the rich culture of this ancient Etruscan locale. Visit the People’s Palace, and make sure to tour the Duomo, Collegiate Church, which dates back to 1148. There is plenty of San Gimignano accommodation to choose from; many people will advise you to stay on the Via San Giovanni, but try to find a bed a bit further off this main avenue.

Next make your way to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Siena, settled nearly 3000 years ago. Spend an afternoon drinking coffee in the Piazza del Campo, people watching as folks stroll through on their way to work and play. A great time to visit is during the Palio di Siena, a horse race run around the Piazza twice each year. If you would prefer a quieter holiday, check out the holiday villas near Siena, up in the hills.

From Siena, swing out east towards Cortona, located in the province of Arezzo. Here you’ll find a picturesque castle, along with several pleasant plazas perfect for a nighttime stroll. The entire city is built upon a hill, with narrow streets winding their way around past boutique stores. It’s not hard to find a Cortona holiday apartment, and if you plan in advance, you can probably find accommodation right in the middle of town. This quiet hamlet is the perfect place to relax after a great time in Siena.

At the end of your trip, after experiencing all that these fine cities have to offer, head north to Florence for a few days in this spectacular city. This short jaunt through central Italy will leave you wanting more, but you can say with certainty that you spent your week well.
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Margherita Signorini works as real estate agent for www.eurocasa.com, one of the most important Italian tour operator focused on rental of holiday villas and holiday homes in Chianti,Tuscany.

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Not long ago, when couples chose to get wed outside of their hometowns, it was because they wanted to run away from family issues. Now, it has become a trend for couples who yearn to make their wedding day unique, more memorable and one for the storybooks. With such high expectations, many couples find their hearts in Sardinia, Italy.

Why Sardinia

In general, Italy attracts thousands of couples interested in getting married abroad. The country’s rich and delightful culture, together with unmatched Italian cuisine and hospitality, make Italy the perfect romantic destination. Sardinia, a Mediterranean island in South Italy, is no exception.

Sardinia is a summer heaven. It is sunny and dry from May through October, when it can get very hot with almost zero chance of rainfall. That means you don’t have to worry about a sudden thunderstorm spoiling your big day.

The coastline is blanketed with North Sardinia’s world-famous beaches near Porto Cervo and San Pantaleo. Miles of white sandy shore merge flawlessly with crystal clear waters, thought to be the cleanest in Italy. If you want your wedding to be both elegant and exotic, the Sardinian beaches will not disappoint. You only have to find your perfect spot, which is hard to do because every spot looks perfect however you look at it.

Planning your wedding

To ease the task of planning a wedding in a foreign land, Sardinia offers a host of wedding planning experts. They have the experience and the passion to make sure everything falls into place, to make your wedding day as beautiful as you would want it to be. Most of them provide multi-lingual wedding organizers that will give you complete assistance from cake selections and flower arrangements to legal and religious paperwork.

Where you stay

The hotel where you stay in Nord Sardinia before and after your wedding is crucial to the success of the event. It is important that accommodations be part of your initial planning
and that you carefully study your options. Choose a hotel that offers amenities that would best suit your needs. Resorts and spas are desirable to keep you relaxed all throughout.

Think of your wedding reception. Do you intend to have it in the same hotel where you and your guests will stay? Chances are yes, to make it easier for everybody. More so, your hotel will most likely be willing to take care of the reception details.

Also consider the location of the wedding ceremony before you choose your hotel and reception venue. You would not want to be travel far, just to get to the reception.

Feast of love

Food is as important as the venue. Sardinia’s cuisine is abundant in seafood. The island is said to have the finest lobsters in the world. With tantalizing treats, traditional delicacies are often forgotten: wood-roast suckling pig, wild boar and traditional Sardinian sausage. Whichever your prefer, you and your guests will be regaled with a gastronomic feast.

Your love story is your fairy-tale and your wedding is your dream come true. Say I do in Sardinia, and for once, feel like King and Queen of the world.

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Chef Matteo Carboni from the Academia Barilla Culinary School shares with us in this video a few info and Chef tips on the summertime ingredient of the month: melon. For more Italian food recipes visit Academia Barilla’s web site: www.academiabarilla.com

Go to any family restaurant with Italian dining in mind and you are likely to order chicken parmesan, pasta alfredo, spaghetti and meatballs, or maybe a pizza. It is easy to think that some pasta, some marinara sauce, a crust of Italian bread and a glass of wine is the beginning and end of Italian cuisine, especially if you grew up in the United States.There is much more than red sauce and starch on the agenda for most Italian regional cuisines, and with all of the various regions and cultures in the boot on the ocean, Italian regional cuisines have as much range as your average New York City block.

There is the tourist region of Tuscany, on the northwestern coast of Italy. Tuscany is sought out for its simple but delicious dishes, seasoned sparingly with basil, parsley, and thyme. Tuscan bread and a little bit of olive oil is a big part of the seafood dishes of the Tuscan region.

Abruzzo, a little known treasure in the middle eastern section of the boot mixes chili peppers into almost all of their dishes. Like many other regions in Italy, there is a mixture of mountain and seafood dishes. Pasta is very often a first course, instead of a part of a stew or entrée. Most of the chefs in the Abruzzo region are skilled at hand rolling their own stuffed pastas, and crepes are used in meat dishes, rolled in savory sauces or put in to broths. Polenta is enjoyed with hearty sausages and rich, meaty sauces.

Sardinia, an island off of the western coast of Italy is home to a rich fishing tradition as well as a beautiful mountainous inland landscape. This, in addition to a rich heritage of not only Italians, but also Arabs, French, Greeks, and Spaniards, has made the island home to a diverse culture of seafood and meat dishes spiced with fennel and saffron. Stews and rich, hearty pastas make up a large part of the local cuisine in Sardinia, as well as sheep milk’s cheese.

Emilia-Romagna is perhaps the most sought out region of Italy in terms of local cuisine. It is often called the market basket of Italy. Located in northern Italy, Emilia-Romagna is home to many of Italy’s most renowned dishes, like Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and balsamic vinegar. Chefs in the Emilia Romagna region have a penchant for gregarious presentation and rich spices.

Much like the American idea of Chinese food, the American idea of Italian food is only the tip of the iceberg. Italian regional cuisine is marked by the country’s locality to northern Africa and other Mediterranean countries, as well as a diverse local landscape, ranging from mountains to oceans. Sheppards, shopkeepers, farmers, and fisherman all contribute to one of the most diverse cultural cuisines in the world. Next time you are in the mood for Italian food, try something a little bit different than your usual spaghetti and meatballs, maybe a saffron seafood stew or a polenta. Rest assured, you won’t think of the words “Italian cuisine” the same again.

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Cycling is a great way to get out of the gym and stay in shape. This cardiovascular activity strengthens your leg and abdominal muscles. However, if safety precautions are not heeded, a cyclist can find himself in danger.

You probably considered the opportunity to cycle in Italy. Sardinia is one of the best destinations. This type of activity is first of all healthy, competitive and nowadays even cheaper. Rennrad Sardinien means Sardinian racing cycle in German. Sardinia is an extraordinary Italian destination for tourists. Many cyclists are coming yearly to join the adventure in Sardinia. Sardinia is a very varied mountain bike area for beginners as also for progressing. Many trails on macadam and nature ways as well as numerous kilometers on single trails guarantee a varied and an exciting bike week.

Five led daily routes between thirty km and seventy km in Sardinia become strength classes offered, from comfy to sporty. Depending on strength classes the routes are differently long and technically difficult.

You can check the website and find more useful information about the weather in Sardinia, exact location and description. Extreme mountain biking is quite a new extreme sport; the sport has gained a vast amount of popularity over the last few years. Extreme mountain biking is the offspring of normal mountain biking with the added difference that you ride higher up the mountains or hills and on rough terrain. It can put your body under immense strain; you really need to be physically fit to take part in this sport. Interested in getting involved if you really want take part and have a go at extreme mountain biking, you’ll need a few basic pieces of kit that will get you started.

You can enjoy a nine days journey named Transardinia and the route length is 450 kilometers 50 kilometers per day.

Riding a mountain bike for exercise can improve your overall health by increasing your strength, balance, flexibility and providing a complete cardiovascular workout all while working your muscles. Having a proper mountain bike will make the ride much more enjoyable and by using the guidelines above, you can ensure you will choose a bike that will help make that so.

Mountain bike is especially designed to use for off-road biking that may include jumps, steep turn downs, dirt tracks, unpaved and logging roads etc. These are typically used to deal efficiently with the obstacles like rocks, stones or logs. Wheels that are inserted in these bikes have crooked tires that allow additional traction as well as absorb any shock that may result due to uneven roads or tracks. In mountain or hill climbing these bikes are commonly used.

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Discover with Chef Matteo Carboni how to prepare the perfect marinade for you barbeque. Don’t miss these Chef tips about fish and meet marinades. If you liked this recipe find more at http://www.academiabarilla.com

Gourmet Italian Food

Dining in restaurants with Italian names does not immediately make you an expert in Italian cuisine. This is because more than 90% of Italian restaurants really do not pass as genuine. You may be eating at an Italian restaurant but reality is that you are not eating real Italian dishes. You may not even be able to tell gourmet Italian food from plain fast food spaghetti. But if you have a discerning palette that is attuned to the inherent flavors of Italian cuisine, then you will be able to taste which really is which.

You will have to take note of the flavor first. Italian cuisine is famed for being simple. Don’t expect to try an Italian dish that overpowers your palette. The American style of cooking is just too strong with too much spices and additives added to the dishes. But you should know that Italian cuisine is striking the right balance between flavor and restraint. Of course there are some Italian dishes that are quite robust but they never have unnecessary flavor added to them. Italian cuisine is all about letting the delicate and subtle flavors of the ingredients just shine through and not hide them at all. You can always know if you are really in an original Italian restaurant by sampling their pasta sauce. For example when you order a dish like spaghettini ai frutti di mare, do you taste more of the the pasta sauce than the seafood? If so, you must be in the wrong place. Italians make sure that their tomato sauce is just there to complement the food and not to hide the original flavors of the pasta or the seafood. And if you notice that the sauce sticks to the pasta a lot better, you are likely to be eating homemade pasta. Homemade pastas are unlike dried pastas in that sauces stick to it a lot better. Eating homemade pasta is also a lot lighter on the stomach so you won’t have that heavy feeling after finishing your meal.

You should also know how gourmet Italian desserts taste like since they are still a part of the menu. Italians are famed for mixing in different fruit zests and peels in their cakes and pastries. They may even add some fruit liquor in their desserts yet the taste will still be particularly light. The reason for the lightness is because Italians are not fans of adding to much sweeteners. Most of their recipes wont need heavy cream or margarine. Like their savory counterparts, Italian desserts show the flavors of the ingredients and not just simple sweetening thing up.

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Thanks to the Mediterranean’s picturesque coastlines and lush green terrains, Sardinia has become a paradise for golfers around the world. The bright blue skies and the stunning backdrop sceneries are sure to spoil tourist veteran and amateur golfers.

Il Golf Pevero is located in the posh Costa Esmeralda in the north of Sardinia, 32 kilometers north of Olbia. When Aga Khan first saw the space of the bay of Cala di Volpe, he said it would be a perfect spot for a great golf course. It was an understatement: today Il Golf Pevero is considered to be one of the world’s most magnificent golf courses.

This 18-hole, par 72 course was designed by Robert Trent Jones in 1972. Lying on the hilly peninsula, it boasts of its dense vegetation, bizarre rock formations, natural pools, and breathtaking sea views. There are shops, restaurants, electric carts, swimming pool, bar, clubhouse and upscale hotels built around the golf course for every discerning taste of tourist.

You are required to wear Bermuda shorts or golf trousers to access the practice range and the course of Pevero. Guys are asked to wear a polo shirt and girls are also encouraged to do so. Denims are prohibited.

Other developing golf courses in the island include the 18-hole club at Is Arenas in Oristano and the 9-hole course at Puntaldia in San Teodoro.

If you are a golf student, schools and driving ranges make North Sardinia a great place to pick up a club and swing it for the first time.

In Sardinia, golfing has grown tremendously over the last five years. One of the reasons is the need to extend the tourism season in Italy. Sardinia’s long summers and relatively short winters made it possible for the tourists to stay longer and explore new golf courses even in months of November through February.

Although golf originated in Scotland, where it rains more than it shines, and even if golfers are used to playing in any climate, Sardinia’s mild climate is too hard to resist.

Statistics on world tourism show that there is a constant increase of golf enthusiasts who travel from Northern Europe, Japan, and United States. For example, along the Mediterranean coastlines of Spain and Balearic Islands, their golfing facilities are not enough to satisfy the thousands of players that come by every year.

Sardinia offers these tourists not just alternatives but, extraordinary options that can even surpass their high standards in golfing. Apart from that, they can also discover Sardinian archaeology, food and wine, culture, history and natural beauty.

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Pinzimonio is an easy and fresh way to eat mixed vegetables as appetizer or like side dish for your summer BBQ. Chef Matteo Carboni from the Academia Barilla Culinary School shows us how to prepare the vegetables and the right proportion for the vinaigrette you will use to dress your pinzimonio. For print this recipe: http://www.academiabarilla.com/recipe…