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Travel Guides

Top Tips For A Traveling Businessman

by VisitItaly on December 10, 2008


Traveling is one of the vital aspects in the life of a businessman. During these travels, you will encounter other fellow businessmen or possible clients. Indeed, it opens up several opportunities to gain knowledge to improve your own business, or better yet, close some lucrative business deals. Due to the extent of these travels, you need take them seriously.

As much as you take care of your personal belongings, there are a few important items that must not be left home when you travel for business.

Item 1: Business Cards

This is one item that every businessman must carry along with them. Therefore, you also need to bring your Business Cards on business trips, especially when gathering with other business executives or clients. If something comes up and you need to discuss with a particular client on the possibility of closing a business deal, you can just leave them your business card so they know how to contact you in the future.

And even when you are not on a business trip, say you attend a convention or corporate gatherings where other businessmen are attending as well, remember to always take them with you. For your convenience, you can store them in a business card case.

Item 2: Travel Alarm Clocks

Travel Alarm Clocks is another handy item to take during business travels, and even for personal travels. Since you want to leave an impression with other business professionals and clients during your meeting, you cannot afford to be late.

Travel alarm clocks are conveniently sized so that they can fit into your bag or pocket for easy storage and access. Hence, you can travel light and be assured to never miss any important meeting.

Item 3: Wallets

Aside from providing safekeeping for your cash, wallets have developed over time. It has been used as a status symbol and a great reflection of your personality. For businessmen, it is of greater importance considering that you would want to [spin]exhibit|display[s/pin] a professional image and statement to fellow professionals. There are several varieties and styles available these days that can help you find the most suitable wallet design for your personal use.

During your business trips, you will need a wallet that is conveniently sized to fit your pockets. Therefore, you can be assured that you have easy access to cash wherever you may be.

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Tips For Budget Travel

by VisitItaly on December 8, 2008


If you’re one of many people who are always traveling the world, then you’ve probably learn a thing or two on what to avoid during your travel. Taking note of travel tips and guidelines will truly enable you to enjoy your trip while also ensuring your comfort and that you spend as less money as possible. When you are traveling, especially on a foreign country, practicality can get you a long way.

Finding a Place to Stay

If you plan on traveling, it is best to conduct a research months before on where you can possibly stay. Doing so will enable you to pick the most affordable yet still convenient place that will serve as your temporary home. This is most especially true when you are traveling on limited budget.

Seeing Sights

When you opt to get out of your motel or vacation house to have fun, always bring only a limited amount of cash on your money clip . This will ensure that you won’t be spending all of your money on a single night in town.

Dining Out

Gourmet foods are typically indulgent and will therefore create a huge impact on your budget. This is most especially true whenever you travel. Be practical and opt to dine on less expensive chains instead. You will be able to save more money out of that.

Travel Securely

Your safety must be your top priority whenever you go out to travel. Before leaving your room, always take your wallet or money clips with you. Also, never leave valuable items unattended such as cellphones, cameras, or laptops, since it might attract possible burglary.

Packing Light

An essential traveling tip is to bring only the most important items. Thus, you won’t have to go into much trouble transporting your luggage or whatever items you decide to bring during your trip. As for your money, you can keep them in a secure wallet or leather money clip. If you decide to bring a substantial amount of money for the trip, it can make your wallet quite bulky.

It will not only be unpleasant, it can be a great annoyance as well. Having the reliable device to store your money will add convenience and style. This is on top of the added benefit of increasing organization for your belongings and essentials to ensure none of them get lost.

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New Property Development Launched in Pizzo, Calabria

by VisitItaly on December 6, 2008


Situated in one of the most charming parts of Italy with its intriguing ancient villages, hilltop towns with narrow streets and beautiful sandy beaches.

Calabria has a wealth of history and culture and offers a traditional Italian way of life. For those that own property in Calabria there is something to enjoy all year round.

Calabria is an area of exceptional beauty with many unspoiled pristine sandy beaches, perfect Mediterranean climate, clear imposing mountains, wonderful lakes, thick green forests and rolling hills, home to delightful orchards and vineyards.

Up until a few years ago Calabria has not been discovered by foreign tourists and only just recently discovered by property investors which is one of the reasons why property prices are still very affordable compared to other parts of Italy and similar areas in Europe.

Nowadays Calabria is benefitting from significant growth in tourism, improved accessibility, a substantial increase in investment and government expenditure and a considerable growth in the real estate market with demand from a large number of both domestic and international buyers increasing at unprecedented levels, all of which is increasing demand for the luxurious new-build properties in Calabria. Besides, significant growth in tourism and high rental demand will undoubtedly exert upward pressure on property prices.

Pizzo
An area in Calabria that is seeing a lot of interest from overseas property buyers and investors is Pizzo.

One of the most renown towns in the Vibo Valentia province on the western coast of Calabria. Pizzo is a well-known and popular seaside resort well known for its dramatic coast, superb beaches, pleasant climate and the best ice cream in the world. So it makes sense that Pizzo property is very popular with holiday makers so lifestyle buyers and investors looking for good rental returns.

Le Terrazza di Pizzo
One of the newest investment properties in Pizzo is Le Terrazza di Pizzo, a luxurious development of apartments where you can choose from one and two bedrooms either with spacious gardens on the ground floor or with roof top terraces on the top floor.

The apartments are being built to a very high specification with modern conveniences of the interiors, and stylish and sympathetically designed exteriors that reflect the local architecture and environment.

The apartments overlook the Clear turquoise Tyrenean Sea with the dramatic backdrop of the magnificent mountain range.

The development is being constructed in an excellent location and benefits from landscaped gardens with two swimming pools and is only 10/15 minutes walk to beach and only 5 mins walk to Pizzo town where you can enjoy the range of restaurants, bars and shops

In summary Calabria and places like Pizzo now offer a range of property for sale abroad that should appeal to both investors and second home or holiday home buyers alike. With everything you need for comfort and peace of mind Le Terrazza di Pizzo is a stunning development ideal for either investment or a holiday home.

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Visiting Rome

by Holidays In Italy on November 8, 2008


The Vatican museums are placed on the territory of the Vatican City and you can find the papal art collections there. These collections are one of the biggest and most important ones worldwide and include oriental antiquities (Egypt and Assyrian), classic antiquity (Greek-Roman art), Etruscan-Italian antiquities (Italy today and before the Roman age), medieval art (3rd- 14th century), art of the renaissance (15th century) until the 19th century and contemporary art. The circuit through these different museums is 7 kilometres long. The most famous part of the Vatican museums is the Sistine chapel. The paintings on the roof of the chapel were made by Michelangelo and it goes without saying that they are amongs the most famour art creations in the world.

You can find the opening hours at www.vatican.ca but the museums are opened every day except Sundays and public holidays. Every last Sunday of the month the museums are opened and you can get in for free (only if this Sunday is not a public holiday). Otherwise the entrance is 14 euros, concession is 8 euros.

The museums can be easily reached by public transport since they are located in the Vatican City which is an important point in the city where all public transport stops at. You can get a tour of the area in 8 different languages, so perfect no matter where you come from.
Guided tours through the museums and the Sistine chapel cost 29.50 euros and 23.50 euros for discounted rate, and they take 2 hours. Furthermore, there is a guided tour through the Vatican gardens for around 18 to14 euros. This tour takes 2 hours as well and you’re sure to learn a lot.

In order to protect the museums there is a security check at the entrance. Furthermore, make sure that you are dressed properly, since they will not let you in otherwise. (no low tops or shorts).

When you come and visit the Italian capital you should take the opportunity and have a look at the Vatican museums. It has a big importance and you will get a lot of interesting information about the papal art collections as well. A lot of people come to visit the museums every day because as it is so famous worldwide. For that reason there might be a long queue in front of the entrance and you might have to wait a bit.

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Calabria Newest Quality Property Development

by VisitItaly on November 6, 2008


Calabria, Italy, is the hottest overseas property investment locations for people in the UK and Europe looking for an investment holiday home

Pizzo is a most well know town in the western coast province on of Calabria, the most famous and renowned town in the Vibo Valentia province, a region that has roots dating back to BC and a wealth of history to boot, it originally became inhabited as the Greek colony of Hipponion.

Pizzo, Famous for the magnificent coastline and beaches and also being a fishing centre. The scenic and rugged coastline is unmistakable for people who know the town and surrounding areas. In Pizzo you will discover dramatic cliffs that drop down to superb long sandy beaches and the weather is normally very sunny and the climate good and some people state that Pizzo has some of the finest ice cream in the world.

Le Terrazza di Pizzo
One of the newest and best developments out of all the new property in Calabria is Le Terrazza di Pizzo. A spectacular property surrounded by many beautiful white sandy beaches, clear blue skies and an simply breathtaking backdrop of magnificent mountains. Calabria and more notably Pizzo is emerging as an exciting vacation and overseas investment property location.

Le Terrazza di Pizzo is a luxury development of one and two bedroom apartments either with spacious gardens on the ground floor or with roof top terraces on the top floor.

Here are the main investment points for Le Terrazza di Pizzo

You can choose from a selection of superb 1 and 2 bedroom apartments

Excellent sea views

The properties

Le Terrazza di Pizzo is very near to local amenities

Modern conveniences & high specification

superb lush green landscaped gardens with two
large swimming pools

Only 20 minutes drive to the Lamezzia Airport

The high specification and modern interiors, and stylish and sympathetically designed exteriors reflect the local architecture and surroundings.

The apartments overlook the crystal clear Tyrenean Sea with a backdrop of the magnificence of the mountains.

Known to the locals as the real Italian Rivera, Calabria is becoming an exciting holiday home destination and hotspot.

With everything you need for comfort and peace of mind Le Terrazza di Pizzo is a stunning development ideal Calabria property for either investment or a Vacation property.

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Property Investors [are Buying Apartments In Calabria

by VisitItaly on October 4, 2008


Calabria the southern most region of Italy is an area of exceptional beauty with kilometres of virgin and pristine sandy beaches, perfect Mediterranean climate, clear turquoise blue seas, imposing mountains, wonderful lakes, dense forests and rolling hills, home to delightful orchards and vineyards. The area is full of history and culture and has a traditional and relaxed ambiance and a variety of landscapes and climates.

Calabria is tucked away in one of the most charming parts of Italy with its picturesque ancient villages, hilltop towns with narrow streets and beautiful sandy beaches, Calabria has not yet been found and explored by many foreign tourists and investors until just a year or so ago which explains why prices are still very affordable compared to other parts of Italy and similar areas in Europe.

Prices

The cost of living in Calabria is still low compared to the rest of Italy and Europe. You can chose from a range of different style luxury Calabria Apartments and villas from around £50K £100K.

As mentioned property prices are still very reasonable and substantially lower than the rest of Italy and similar locations in the EU.

Excellent property appreciation reaching 30% per year.

Real estate development

Top quality luxurious low density resorts are being built in Calabria in breathtaking settings with amazing views and surroundings along the coastline by pristine white sandy beaches, around traditional towns and on the nearby hills to cater for a wide range of needs, tastes and with a range of Calabria Property for many different lifestyle requirements.

No massive development can take place in Calabriaas the authorities are very keen to maintain the character and attractiveness of the area by strictly controlling property development especially in the coastal areas and ensuring it is in keeping with the natural environment and landscape thereby limiting development of new Property in Calabria aimed specifically at tourists and investors.

However at the moment new residential developments are offered at reasonable prices compared to other parts of Italy and in general are built to high standards and have excellent first-class facilities and amenities

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Rome Fun

by VisitItaly on September 23, 2008


The main artistic and cultural attractions of the city of Rome are worldwide known. It might be useful however to try something new to ensue your journey to the ‘eternal city’ is special you.

One of the least known museums of the eternal city is The Museum of Purgatory. This is your chance to visit a location connected to a theme that doesn’t appeal to the general public. If you ever wanted to see the abnormal or the unusual and like to tinker around with various forms of thoughts related to the unknown then look no further.

The Museum of Purgatory is housed entirely in a small room next to the sacristy in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Sufferance. The church itself faces onto the Lungotevere Prati and is easily recognizable due to its Gothic appearance. You might be asking, so what exactly is on display? Be prepared for the unusual….

You will find photographs and objects that show evidence of contact made to the living from souls trapped in purgatory. Some of the objects that are on display include finger and handprints that appear to have been burnt into pages of books, linen and clothing. These photographs and objects claim to be evidence that prove that tangible traces of apparitions made by various souls in purgatory to those left behind on earth. The idea here concerns people who get stuck in that midway point between Heaven and Hell. There is also a claim that these lost souls can get into Heaven faster if they are prayed for by the living. This is why they send messages to their loved ones asking for prayers in order for them to get out of Hell basically.

In the area of the museum, as well as being spread over all of the city’s districts, there are many possibilities for accommodation (alloggio a Roma). Planning a vacation in the “eternal city” which includes (in addition to all the famous Roman attractions, of course) the particular Museum of Purgatory, it should be given the type and position of accommodation. First of all the decision is to choose a hotel a Roma, with all the conveniences included or one of the beautiful apartments (appartamenti Roma) available. The Italian capital is the destination of big tourist influx throughout the year and especially during major events. The advice is to constantly monitor the supply of apartments online and book in plenty of time from the website.

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Roman Holiday

by VisitItaly on September 19, 2008


Until recently, The St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church ever built and it also remains one of the holiest sites for religion found in the world. Providing a fitting approach to the great church is the huge elliptical St. Peter’s Square. There are also two beautiful fountains that can be found at this square.

In the center of the square you can find an obelisk which actually dates back to 13th century B.C. The square is also outlined by a monumental colonnade and there are a total of 140 statues to be seen on top of the colonnade. These statues represent saints and have been crafted by numerous artist throughout the history of time.

The dome of St. Peter rises to a total height of 136 meters as it’s the tallest dome in the world. The St. Peter’s Basilica cannot only be enjoyed from the outside with its astonishing views as it also contains over a 100 tombs. Artworks and artifacts can also be found within the basilica and it even contains doors which have been specifically named. As the northern most door is known as the ¨Holy Door¨ which is traditionally opened for celebrations and such occasions as Jubilee years. There is even a ¨Door of Death¨ present at the basilica. It is the far left door into the basilica and has accredited its name due to being used as the exiting for funeral processions.

It would be an understatement to say that the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica looks impressive as it has the capacity of seating 60,000 people. An impressive feat as every bit of space is used to display the finest Renaissance monuments and decoration money could buy, employing the talents of such greats as Michelangelo and Bernini.

The St. Peter’s Basilica begs to be visited and there isn’t a better way of doing that then arranging your accommodation at one of the many appartement Rome. Rome accommodation (accommodatie Rome), and hotel in Rome are ideally located all throughout the city, allowing you to maximize your stay in visiting the many attractions that are on offer.

The St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the greatest monuments, locations and effort directed toward a particular belief. You will be mesmerized upon visiting this magnificent attraction site, its sheer size alone will make it for an unforgettable experience. So book your Apartement Rome and make your fantasies upon visiting Rome a reality!

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The Classic Route from Rome to Venice

by Holidays In Italy on September 13, 2008


venice gondola

One of the most popular trips to take once you’ve arrived in Rome is what is known as the “Classic Route,” which takes you from the capital city of Rome. through Florence and on to the beautiful canals of Venice. You should plan for at least a week to make the journey, but it could easily take up more time.

The journey starts in historical Rome. You’ll have to choose from a long list of attractions including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican, The Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, multiple museums, and all of the small shops and restaurants throughout the city. You could spend a month in Rome and still not do everything you want, so you will need to prioritise so you can make it to Venice in time!

After Rome, the Classic Route heads into Florence, located in the heart of Italy’s famously beautiful region of Tuscany. Once again, time will be an issue, so a bit of prioritising will have to be done when deciding between so many great attractions like the Piazza della Signoria and Palazzon Vecchio, the Duomo, the Baptistry, the Bell Tower, and the Ponte Vecchio (the old bridge). The one thing you will not want to miss out on is the Uffizi Gallery, home of the most important collection of Renaissance art in the world. Even if you are not a big fan of museums, you should still make it a point to visit the Uffizi. Day trips can be planned to a number of close locations, including Siena and Pisa, home of the famous leaning tower.

The Route concludes among the canalled streets of Venice. Just like the other stops on the trip, the list of things to do in Venice is long. In Venice, though, half the fun is getting there! Take a gondola to see the Lido, Rialto Bridge, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, St. Mark’s Square, and the Naval History Museum. Take a break from this list and enjoy the fine food and spirits at famous destinations like Harry’s Bar, Caffe Florian, and Gran Caffe Lavena – a perfect way to end your trip to Italy.

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Visiting Florence in a day

by Holidays In Italy on September 12, 2008


florence in a day piazza duomo

Even for late May, the air was crisp and the late morning light was sharp.  The golden reflection of Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise was only one of many moments of illumination to be found in this city.  Yesterday it was the afternoon magnificence of San Miniato al Monte and its golden relief tossing sparkling sun over the city below.  I walked down to the Ponte Vecchio as the golden baton passed to the Arno itself, where the sun and sky reflected perfectly between arches and up each side of the river.  The buildings seemed to whisper to one another about what shades of ochre and cool bruised shadows the other structures were wearing for the evening.

Earlier, as only can be done in Florence, I started my day at San Marco in the presence of Fra Angelico’s Annunciation. It also glows, a fresco masterpiece with the subtle luminescence of skill and faith, an artist’s prayer.  The previous morning was spent at the mercy of Masaccio in the Brancacci Chapel. It was biblical stories told in the frescoed flesh of stonemasons and figures of every day craftsmen. It would be after this, and after a meal of lasagna and sparkling water, that I would get lost at the intersection of Via Dell Inferno and Purgatorio! I took refuge in the Uffizi Gallery, letting Botticelli protect me in the lyricism of Primavera. It feels like paradise now in the shadow of the magnificent Duomo as the afternoon approaches.

Two blocks or so to the south of Florence’s mother church, I find the Duomo’s workshop. Perhaps today is a holiday because it’s closed, but I can still peek in. Stone carving tools, stoutly timbered workbenches, partially carved columns, statues, and a dusting of marble are a powerful tableaux to a way of life. It is prelude to my walk, which takes me by the Institute and Museum of the History of Science. Inside is Galileo’s thumb, like some holy relic, and the lens, framed in ivory, through which he would first spy and identify the moons of Jupiter. I turn to the east to face the the Basilica of Santa Croce, just a short distance away.

Dante’s likeness holds the entire courtyard in front of the church – a massive and cloaked figure with a great and mighty scowl.  It makes me smile to see children furiously licking gelato cones at his feet. I enter the side of the church and work my way around the perimeter. A casuallu dressed symphony is practicing in the area before the altar. Here are the tombs of Galileo, Machiavelli and Dante. At last, in front of me, is the tomb of the great Michelangelo. As evening approaches, I light a prayer candle then aim once again for the Arno. I can see the vignettes of outdoor cafes and reflections strolling on the water like the people flowing down stone streets, and I can feel the presence and power of the centuries walking shoulder to shoulder with me as I make my way home.

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