Today I have bought a two day pass on the vaporetto system. I can hop on and off wherever I like, and am determined to find the island. It’s fascinating — fishermen’s nets, sea birds, and strange abandoned buildings. My characters are archaeologists working on a dig somewhere out here. I go from island to island: Mazzorba, Burano, Torcello, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, but they’re not right. We stop at the cemetary island of San Michele. I get off to wander amongst the cypress trees. It’s blissfully peaceful here, a place to spend eternity. You’re in good company: Igor Stravinsky, Ezra Pound, Serge Diaghilev, Joseph Brodsky. I jot down names
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Puglia is making headlines these days – why? Well, its beautiful coast, historic towns and delicious Southern Italian regional cuisine are enough to focus our attention on this part of Italy any day of the week, but now superstars too have tuned into the many charms of Puglia (Apulia in English). Well, at least one superstar: Justin Timberlake has tied the knot with Jessica Biel in Puglia. Timberlake, an entertainment powerhouse who has gone from Star Search to Sexyback and beyond, has finally proven his “travel” star power by selecting Puglia as the setting for his wedding.
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The Ancient Romans looked to the skies for clues about which country to march into next, which partially explains why today you can see Roman ruins from Africa in the south to Scotland in the north. Astro-logic may not always be the best logic to apply when planning your Italy vacation, but it can be a useful tool nevertheless. So let’s have a look at the travel zodiac, Italy style
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Apulia, or Puglia in Italian, is one of Italy’s most magical regions. It is the spur of the boot of the Italian landmass, with an intricately chiseled coastline that often creates an island-style feel. The sense of history here is ubiquitous but never oppressive – vying for your attention is an almost staggering range of sites from prehistory to Magna Graecia, and from the Roman Imperial age to the Renaissance and the Italian Baroque after that. Apulia is nearly 7,500 square miles in size and there are almost as many reasons to fall in love with the place, but we’ll start with just six
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Think you have the skills and creativity to capture Italy’s most beautiful and unique sites? Enter into Select Italy’s new Photo Contest! Last year, we received a number of beautiful pictures exhibiting all sides of the “Bel Paese”- this year, you have another exclusive chance to win, so start gathering your best shots from your last Italy trip. From October 12 to October 19, send us your most prized Italian travel photograph for the chance to win a $250 gift certificate (see below for rules and regulations). Due to an increased volume of qualified applicants, the rules
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Rita Mae Brown once said, “language is the road map to culture;" one must simply pay attention to its reading. A day in language class or ten minutes in Italy reveal one of the greatest cultural values: cibo. Food and words related to food fill the Italian peninsula, and the subject is a serious matter for natives; eating and cooking is an integral part of who they are. Visitors hoping to authentically experience the Italian culture of eating may want to brush up on Italian food terms and pronunciation in order to catch an insider's view of Italy's cuisine
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Some people do not deal well with discomfort in the natural elements; in fact, many Americans choose not to deal with it, enjoying the comfort of choosing their climate. I am one of those Americans, and even though I enjoy a nice day outdoors, the idea of “sucking it up” or “toughing it out” does not register with me when it comes to temperature. That's not to say that I avoid being outside, however; I've learned the tricks of the trade: leg warmers in Chicago's winters, boots to avoid cold feet in the snow, and I've even been known to don a full-sized, Paddington Bear-like poncho. These skills take time to develop, and involve a delicate assessment of chances for precipitation, sunshine/cloudiness, and temperature. Primarily temperature, in fact. And when you are used to Fahrenheit and that temperature is in another measuring system, namely Celsius, your skill level may be rendered obsolete.
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The Italian peninsula attracts several types of travelers: those seeking historical locations, religious revelations, and enogastronomic gratification have trampled the well-worn paths of the great boot. But although the experiences of each individual visitor may be worlds apart, they do share a common factor: most of the trip is spent outside. Or at least feeling like you’re outside. At times, even if one is sheltered, the building is most likely hundreds of years old, and American commodities such as insulation, heat, and air conditioning are not guaranteed. Therefore, dress is key in avoiding any uncomfortable climate situations. We already know how to dress to avoid the tourist glare from locals from our How to Dress in Italy During Summer, but how does one prepare for the ever-changing autumn natural elements without bringing an entire wardrobe? Read below for quick pointers on packing efficiently and effectively for your fall trip to any part of Italy
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