This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Italy. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:1703 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-04-10T19:58:26Z 340010http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within Italy. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-10:6837146 2008-04-10T19:58:26Z 2008-04-10T19:58:26Z MegDave http://realtravel.com/member-m6303413-megdave.html <p>a entry by MegDave from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/aeolian_islands-sicilia-reviews-hotels-d2221556.html">Aeolian Islands, Sicilia.</a></p> <p>We caught the overnight train and then had to hang out in another station until the 1st bus came (7am) then find out how to catch a ferry to the Aeolian islands. We got there eventually.</p><p>We were staying on the island of Lipari and the first thing we noticed was the layed back feel of the place (especially compared to Naples). At times this was not always a good thing. The whole place shuts down from 1 till 4:30pm. We couldnt find any info when we arrived so we slept - probably something we needed to do. The other thing about these islands was the lack of english. No one spoke it so it ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/aeolian_islands-journals-j6837146.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_UCwjQJ4Qef0L5fcjqQQdXpMCvSg_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/UCwjQJ4Qef0L5fcjqQQdXpMCvSg_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_UCwjQJ4Qef0L5fcjqQQdXpMCvSg_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=UCwjQJ4Qef0L5fcjqQQdXpMCvSg_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Faeolian_islands-journals-j6837146.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/aeolian_islands-journals-j6837146.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6829875 2008-04-09T13:11:59Z 2008-04-09T13:11:59Z Bly in Berlin http://realtravel.com/member-m6304096-bly_in_berlin.html <p>a review of Eat gelato on the steps of the Duomo, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy</a>.</p> <p>Get Gelato from Vivoli and eat it on the steps of the Duomo or Santa Croce. It is hard to find but easy to stumble upon. Via Isola delle Stinche 7</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-reviews-a6829875.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_nhK4Qs6NfW6C-bSz7NcxgrIbBbo_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/nhK4Qs6NfW6C-bSz7NcxgrIbBbo_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_nhK4Qs6NfW6C-bSz7NcxgrIbBbo_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=nhK4Qs6NfW6C-bSz7NcxgrIbBbo_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-reviews-a6829875.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-reviews-a6829875.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6829858 2008-04-09T13:09:45Z 2008-04-09T13:09:45Z Bly in Berlin http://realtravel.com/member-m6304096-bly_in_berlin.html <p>a review of Archi Rossi, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy</a>.</p> <p>The hostel was very big, but the people were friendly and they had free breakfast and free internet. They also offered a free walking tour of the city in the morning which was a great way to make friends.</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-reviews-b6829858.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_cIv0A61JHcMzSZCoomjIn.o0Ca4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/cIv0A61JHcMzSZCoomjIn.o0Ca4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_cIv0A61JHcMzSZCoomjIn.o0Ca4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=cIv0A61JHcMzSZCoomjIn.o0Ca4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-reviews-b6829858.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-reviews-b6829858.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-09:6827675 2008-04-09T00:28:49Z 2008-04-09T00:30:54Z D. Botelho http://realtravel.com/member-m2625110-d_botelho.html <p><em>"The island was as beautiful as any picture of Italy I have ever seen, but more so because it was right in front of me."</em></p> <p>a entry by D. Botelho from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy.</a></p> <p>Of all the cities in Italy we visited on our spring break trip, Venice was the least like how I had pictured it in my mind. I knew Venice was a water town, but I did not know to what extent. First of all, the islands of the cities are very spread apart and the water in between them is more like the ocean or a rough river than a gentle canal. Secondly, the only method of transportation is by boat. There are no roads and no cars, just canals and boats of all sizes. Along with no roads or cars, there were also very few areas with grass and trees. Though the islands were missing those things which ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6827675.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_c4WpiWYDtmeTfEoJ8Mdr2i9i3FM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/c4WpiWYDtmeTfEoJ8Mdr2i9i3FM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_c4WpiWYDtmeTfEoJ8Mdr2i9i3FM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=c4WpiWYDtmeTfEoJ8Mdr2i9i3FM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-journals-j6827675.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6827675.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6827481 2008-04-08T23:51:19Z 2008-04-08T23:56:52Z D. Botelho http://realtravel.com/member-m2625110-d_botelho.html <p>a entry by D. Botelho from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-italy-reviews-hotels-d20728.html">Florence, Italy.</a></p> <p>Before we spent any time in Florence, we went to the top of a nearby hill to a village called Fiesole. It is a small town that features a gorgeous view of Florence and the surrounding valleys. It also has a Roman theater and a museum full of artifacts from ancient times, everything from tiny figures to large pots and burial chambers. The craftsmanship, even for the most simple looking figure, is impressive.</p><p>The actual city of Florence is much smaller than Rome, and much cleaner than Naples. It is much more manageable than the larger cities, making it easy to get around in just a small ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6827481.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_dB3PW8XftANAp-DtscW9WTuXVAA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/dB3PW8XftANAp-DtscW9WTuXVAA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_dB3PW8XftANAp-DtscW9WTuXVAA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=dB3PW8XftANAp-DtscW9WTuXVAA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fflorence-journals-j6827481.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6827481.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-08:6823483 2008-04-08T03:31:26Z 2008-04-08T03:48:17Z D. Botelho http://realtravel.com/member-m2625110-d_botelho.html <p><em>"To see this art, I think, is to see a physical form of faith. That is hard not to be inspired by."</em></p> <p>a entry by D. Botelho from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy.</a></p> <p>We began our time in Rome with a visit to the Vatican City on Sunday for the Papal Blessing and free time in the Vatican. A bunch of us got to the Vatican early for mass and exploring the Bascilica before the blessing. St. Peter's Square at 9am was entirely different from later in the afternoon. The square was open with very few people roaming about. We had plenty of space to wander and take pictures, free of interruption. The columns and statues that surround the square are so precisely made. I will say this over and over, but to think it was all created by hand! That is simply incredible. ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6823483.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_PxdqeaUvBVvjx8-KWjhu9425N48_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/PxdqeaUvBVvjx8-KWjhu9425N48_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_PxdqeaUvBVvjx8-KWjhu9425N48_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=PxdqeaUvBVvjx8-KWjhu9425N48_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-journals-j6823483.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6823483.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6708056 2008-03-16T15:23:20Z 2008-04-01T13:43:03Z Chopalinho http://realtravel.com/member-m6708049-chopalinho.html <p>a review of 500 Touring Club - Tours of Florence in Vintage Fiat 500's!, a thing to do in <a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-italy-reviews-hotels-d20728.html">Florence, Italy</a>.</p> <p>On the recommendation of a good friend I found a great way of seeing the sights of Florence - in a vintage Fiat 500! These guys have set up a business running guided convoy tours, in a sort of "follow my leader" fashion, where you drive your own vintage Fiat. We (3 of us) chose "Paola", a beautifully restored red 500 L, and after a quick lesson in their "simulator" took to the streets in a convoy of multi-coloured Italian classics. It's quite something to be a tourist attraction yourself, with people stopping every time we did to take photos of the cars and wave at us! There was radio ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-reviews-a6708056.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_U1nPRDwsQp7P2gV0DMs5We.bnOY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/U1nPRDwsQp7P2gV0DMs5We.bnOY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_U1nPRDwsQp7P2gV0DMs5We.bnOY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=U1nPRDwsQp7P2gV0DMs5We.bnOY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fflorence-reviews-a6708056.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/florence-reviews-a6708056.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-20:6727126 2008-03-20T17:42:10Z 2008-03-20T17:42:10Z StephanieMM http://realtravel.com/member-m6299612-stephaniemm.html <p>a entry by StephanieMM from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy.</a></p> <p>The next morning, we took the train from Venice to Rome and I found myself completely cured of my mystery illness. I attribute it to being in the prettiest place in the entire world: ROME. At our hostel in Rome, we met a young-ish couple from Australia who have been traveling the world together for the past 9 months, and they plan to keep traveling for the next 4 months or so. I was completely jealous and enthralled of/by their relationship. They weren't disrespectful to each other, they weren't catty, they were just best friends... it made me quite depressed at first, but I got over it and we ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6727126.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_N9pqxdw9Cwph71AD4QBPm-xZVFw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/N9pqxdw9Cwph71AD4QBPm-xZVFw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_N9pqxdw9Cwph71AD4QBPm-xZVFw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=N9pqxdw9Cwph71AD4QBPm-xZVFw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-journals-j6727126.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6727126.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-18:6719456 2008-03-18T05:09:56Z 2008-03-18T05:09:56Z heartofthesouth http://realtravel.com/member-m6719443-heartofthesouth.html <p><em>"The Panteon was beautiful at night. The lights were not overpowering so it had a very mid-evil glow to it."</em></p> <p>a entry by heartofthesouth from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy.</a></p> <p>I typed up a journal entry each day that I was in Rome so that I wouldn't forget everything</p><p>Here goes....1st day in Rome...We arrived in Italy this morning. What an amazing trip this will be. Finding our way through the airport wasn’t too difficult. We exchanged some US dollars for some Euros to be able to pay our driver and for the apartment then we headed on to pick up our baggage. Our driver was waiting for us as soon as we got our baggage. How great! A very nice young man that didn’t know English of course…at least not enough. Deana and I sat in the back seat of the car while we sped ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6719456.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Q3qJV6dFh0iXVf5uiYfNjYwQIo0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Q3qJV6dFh0iXVf5uiYfNjYwQIo0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Q3qJV6dFh0iXVf5uiYfNjYwQIo0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Q3qJV6dFh0iXVf5uiYfNjYwQIo0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-journals-j6719456.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6719456.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-11:6686902 2008-03-11T19:26:05Z 2008-03-13T00:03:25Z f1chick http://realtravel.com/member-m754209-f1chick.html <p><em>"Leeeeeeeeannnnnnnn on Meeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!"</em></p> <p>a entry by f1chick from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pisa-italy-reviews-hotels-d20801.html">Pisa, Italy.</a></p> <p>Landed at Pisa airport after a quick flight from Prestwick. I love online check-in. I went from my aunts front door in Ayr to the departure lounge at the airport in 14mins!!!! How fab is that!! I even got on the plane 1st as online check-in gets priority boarding!!</p><p>Anyhoo' back in Italia(my 4th trip to this beautiful country)i waited at the airport for Nicky to arrive from London. I got us train tickets whilst i waited. The we hopped on the train to the walled city of Pisa. It was only 5mins on the train! We could probably have walked if we knew what direction to go in!! It was a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pisa-journals-j6686902.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_eYU1ooUC3c0AG0RPj1FfUzKSihk_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/eYU1ooUC3c0AG0RPj1FfUzKSihk_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_eYU1ooUC3c0AG0RPj1FfUzKSihk_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=eYU1ooUC3c0AG0RPj1FfUzKSihk_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpisa-journals-j6686902.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pisa-journals-j6686902.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-11:6687150 2008-03-11T20:33:52Z 2008-03-13T00:01:27Z f1chick http://realtravel.com/member-m754209-f1chick.html <p><em>"Renaissance"</em></p> <p>a entry by f1chick from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-italy-reviews-hotels-d20728.html">Florence, Italy.</a></p> <p>Florence</p><p>We reached our 2nd destination after a 60min train ride from Pisa. We both grabbed some much needed zzsssss on the train. Our hotel was only a 5min walk from the station so that was handy. We checked in then headed straight out. Another 5min walk and we were right in the heart of Florence. Once again i was struck by the graffitti! I had seen alot in Milan and Rome but didnt expect to see so much in what is suppose to be Italy and Europes most beautiful city!!! On the otherhand it is a lovely city. Numerous decorative churches and alleyways and the amazing Duomo, Baptistry and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6687150.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_JI2DNb-KgtB-E-QfA4jE5teOip0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/JI2DNb-KgtB-E-QfA4jE5teOip0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_JI2DNb-KgtB-E-QfA4jE5teOip0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=JI2DNb-KgtB-E-QfA4jE5teOip0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fflorence-journals-j6687150.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6687150.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-16:6555488 2008-02-16T15:42:52Z 2008-03-10T16:53:35Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"Mike made my dreams come true by proposing to me again with a white rose on the end of a pontoon on the Grand Canal!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy.</a></p> <p>It has oft been said over the last few years of wedding and holiday planning that I have a tendency to overplan! Well, it may be true, but for this one week in the dead of European winter, my obsessive need to plan actually paid off! Well, sort of...</p><p>As luck would have it, we ran into a fellow traveller in Siena who informed us that we would arrive in Venice for the start of the years biggest festival and that all her attempts to find accommodation during this period were in vain as hotels are booked up months and months in advance! Lucky, we booked ahead! So I had a bit of a google of ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6555488.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_50tbjqLBWEAOSZ0Zub0IOdzu1zs_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/50tbjqLBWEAOSZ0Zub0IOdzu1zs_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_50tbjqLBWEAOSZ0Zub0IOdzu1zs_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=50tbjqLBWEAOSZ0Zub0IOdzu1zs_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-journals-j6555488.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6555488.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-25:6599979 2008-02-25T20:51:08Z 2008-03-10T15:44:08Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"The path wound along the cliff tops around olive groves and down valleys to gorgeous views of the sea and countryside"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/cinque_terre-italy-reviews-hotels-d609054.html">Cinque Terre, Italy.</a></p> <p>The Cinque Terre was a last minute addition to our action packed Italy plans as we were told by fellow hikers on the Inca Trail that it cannot be missed! So with high expectations, we jumped on a couple of trains from Florence destined for these five little towns along the Italian Riviera!</p><p>Our little adventure started with a hitch when we missed the train stop, but after a 20 minute wait and a quick train in the opposite direction, we were back on track in the first of the Cinque Terre towns, Monterosso. Firstly, a little bit of history! The Cinque Terre are five coastal villages in the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/cinque_terre-journals-j6599979.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_sExBaroQx7cgMkX0f9d8eakR-lI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/sExBaroQx7cgMkX0f9d8eakR-lI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_sExBaroQx7cgMkX0f9d8eakR-lI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=sExBaroQx7cgMkX0f9d8eakR-lI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fcinque_terre-journals-j6599979.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/cinque_terre-journals-j6599979.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-25:6599967 2008-02-25T20:49:05Z 2008-03-06T16:06:28Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"We finally managed to escape Pisa's evil clutches and headed toward the Tuscan sun"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/tuscany-italy-reviews-hotels-d53738.html">Tuscany, Italy.</a></p> <p>Well the day I have been looking forward to for a long time has finally arrived and we awoke early to get the worm (well a 2 door silver Citreon). Yes that's right, I was going to be let loose on the roads of Italy for the first time. Our plan for the day was to drive to Pisa to take a few snaps of the famous leaning tower, and then on to Chianti country and the beautiful Tuscan countryside.</p><p>After a few crunched gears and 'almost' stalling the car, we were away on the streets of Florence. First task, to avoid the aggressive Italian drivers and get out of the city (easier said than ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/tuscany-journals-j6599967.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Kdqpjjeu4kPqolTIqbeb8Mq2VRc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Kdqpjjeu4kPqolTIqbeb8Mq2VRc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Kdqpjjeu4kPqolTIqbeb8Mq2VRc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Kdqpjjeu4kPqolTIqbeb8Mq2VRc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Ftuscany-journals-j6599967.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/tuscany-journals-j6599967.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-25:6599949 2008-02-25T20:44:37Z 2008-03-06T15:13:59Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"Now you may call me a little biased, but I have to admit that I looked absolutely fantastic in that jacket"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-italy-reviews-hotels-d20728.html">Florence, Italy.</a></p> <p>So we had heard from many people that Florence was going to be one of the most beautiful cities we would visit in Italy. Whether we had built our hopes up or possibly because of the weather, Florence was probably the least inspiring city we had visited in Italy so far. While our hostel was lovely and situated in the last standing medieval tower in Florence (over 1000 yrs old) and also had a kitchen (possibly only 100 yrs old), Florence just seemed to lack that certain spark or pezaz. It was however a great base to visit some other wonderful places nearby.</p><p>The weather was cold and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6599949.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_nKYJKR6Nuh-vbTPkAuwDyGFX6ig_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/nKYJKR6Nuh-vbTPkAuwDyGFX6ig_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_nKYJKR6Nuh-vbTPkAuwDyGFX6ig_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=nKYJKR6Nuh-vbTPkAuwDyGFX6ig_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fflorence-journals-j6599949.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/florence-journals-j6599949.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-31:6469203 2008-01-31T17:20:41Z 2008-02-25T21:04:57Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"After all, how often does one get the chance to be wine and dined.....in the front of THE COLUSEUM"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy.</a></p> <p>So after a short but awesome experience in Spain we hit the ground running in Italy. We arrived in the early evening and after quickly settling in to our home for the next week, we were away. Travel days usually make us a little restless and peckish and being in Italy for the first time, we decided to wander the streets looking for an authentic Italian Pasta experience.</p><p>As we slowly made our way along the street perpendicular to where we were staying, Linda casually mentions..."look at that"! As I raise my eyes from the pavement, lo and behold.........THE COLUSEUM!!! It was one of ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6469203.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_L9KKNhVQn0ZGJs1enPXlfZswq4g_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/L9KKNhVQn0ZGJs1enPXlfZswq4g_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_L9KKNhVQn0ZGJs1enPXlfZswq4g_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=L9KKNhVQn0ZGJs1enPXlfZswq4g_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-journals-j6469203.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j6469203.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-02-16:6555474 2008-02-16T15:40:46Z 2008-02-25T20:39:53Z Mike & Linda Fidge http://realtravel.com/member-m5693965-mike__linda_fidge.html <p><em>"You almost feel like you are living in the days of old"</em></p> <p>a entry by Mike &amp; Linda Fidge from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/siena-italy-reviews-hotels-d20821.html">Siena, Italy.</a></p> <p>After a week in Rome, we were a little "big citied out" and so decided that the perfect medicine was a day trip to the medieval town of Siena! So we jumped on a couple of trains (almost missing our connecting train after our first train was late) and by mid morning we had arrived!</p><p>Siena is a lovely little town fully of winding little streets and old medieval brick houses in various shades of "burnt sienna" which make for an enchanting little place to wander. You almost feel like you are living in the days of old, especially when all the old candle holders, horse poles and coats of arms ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/siena-journals-j6555474.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_LRotl4Unop8sW79tjLVMM31zI18_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/LRotl4Unop8sW79tjLVMM31zI18_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_LRotl4Unop8sW79tjLVMM31zI18_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=LRotl4Unop8sW79tjLVMM31zI18_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsiena-journals-j6555474.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/siena-journals-j6555474.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-23:6415107 2008-01-23T02:13:54Z 2008-02-04T18:43:09Z lhumphreys http://realtravel.com/member-m6404034-lhumphreys.html <p><em>"It's wake was a beautiful turquoise..."</em></p> <p>a entry by lhumphreys from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/bari-italy-reviews-hotels-d44169.html">Bari, Italy.</a></p> <p>As we arrived at the docks we really weren't sure which of the boats was ours for the evening, I was hoping for the larger one- it's just a more comforting idea over all of the water. We had to wait in the docking area for a few hours. I used the time to make a call home to my mom, and actually found a phone that took coins and allowed me to call home. For four euro I managed to talk for 15 minutes, which wasn't bad at all in my mind. So I meandered back over to the group where Dessy and Michelle were joking if they ate anymore on this trip they would break the buses- AND then they sat down ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/bari-journals-j6415107.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Jb.mlg6K83pMB7EgFSlxYul2vDM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Jb.mlg6K83pMB7EgFSlxYul2vDM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Jb.mlg6K83pMB7EgFSlxYul2vDM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Jb.mlg6K83pMB7EgFSlxYul2vDM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbari-journals-j6415107.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/bari-journals-j6415107.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-01-23:6415091 2008-01-23T02:10:42Z 2008-02-04T16:53:49Z lhumphreys http://realtravel.com/member-m6404034-lhumphreys.html <p><em>"The opportunity to understand how truly fragile life can be..."</em></p> <p>a entry by lhumphreys from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/pompeii-italy-reviews-hotels-d946164.html">Pompeii, Italy.</a></p> <p>After the most amazing day in Sorrento I really didn't care to leave. However, I was very interested in the history behind a city that was covered by Vesuvius in approximately 79 A.D. (this time was determined based on writings found on the walls that all ended in 79 A.D.). After some bus trouble on our journey with it overheating and us hanging out at a gas station- we finally made it to this historic area. At first sight this is just like any other tourist area, there are tents filled with souvenirs (including many phallices...). There are people scattered everywhere and a few little ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/pompeii-journals-j6415091.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_CaeUoggHu-SOgnyawy0QZxK.4W4_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/CaeUoggHu-SOgnyawy0QZxK.4W4_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_CaeUoggHu-SOgnyawy0QZxK.4W4_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=CaeUoggHu-SOgnyawy0QZxK.4W4_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fpompeii-journals-j6415091.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/pompeii-journals-j6415091.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-04-08:4214984 2007-04-08T11:17:44Z 2008-01-09T10:25:46Z leeandtinks http://realtravel.com/member-m3902652-leeandtinks.html <p>a entry by leeandtinks from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-italy-reviews-hotels-d20710.html">Rome, Italy.</a></p> <p>Wow - I am totally in love with this city. The moment we wandered off the Bus at Termini station, I was in love. Cobblestone streets, cafes and Vespas as far as the eye can see. After being in Spain, Italy is an absolute breath of fresh air for me.</p><p>We've been here for 5 days, and everyone has been amazing. The first two nights we stayed in central Rome, about 5 minutes north of Termini station in a brilliant hostel called The Yellow (which, when i come back, i will absolutely stay in). The first night we came in, expecting to get a good nights sleep and head out to the Vatican the ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j4214984.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Vh1tZKKNVpaV0eYrXByevgminrQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Vh1tZKKNVpaV0eYrXByevgminrQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Vh1tZKKNVpaV0eYrXByevgminrQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Vh1tZKKNVpaV0eYrXByevgminrQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Frome-journals-j4214984.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/rome-journals-j4214984.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-18:6214170 2007-12-18T20:22:10Z 2007-12-18T20:22:10Z Meg's Adventure http://realtravel.com/member-m5299352-megs_adventure.html <p>a entry by Meg's Adventure from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy.</a></p> <p>I awoke early this morning. I had wanted to take the ferry down the Grand Canal during the daylight and this was my last chance. I hoped on one near the railway station and away I went. I sat in the back, shivering in the cold just to get some good pictures and views of the Canal. I got off the ferry by San Marco's Square at around 8:10 to seeing the Sun just peering over the horizon. I had told Natalie I would be back at 8:30 so figured it would be quicker to walk back then wait for the ferry to take me back. Mistake. I got lost in the maze that Venice is and found myself sprinting ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6214170.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_jT8FY.s.PYIYyCibZEKfrigsoqA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/jT8FY.s.PYIYyCibZEKfrigsoqA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_jT8FY.s.PYIYyCibZEKfrigsoqA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=jT8FY.s.PYIYyCibZEKfrigsoqA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-journals-j6214170.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j6214170.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-13:6186931 2007-12-13T17:52:04Z 2007-12-13T17:52:04Z mroc2103 http://realtravel.com/member-m4835229-mroc2103.html <p>a review of A Venice Fish, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy</a>.</p> <p>This hostel is one of the more expensive in Venice but you do get a free dinner included which does save you heaps of money. It is just a basic pasta dish but the same meal in a restaurant in Venice would cost €7-10 so you are winning out. It is also nice for solo travellers to be able to meet some other people and have a meal together without having to take the step of asking someone if they want to. The hostel is in an old house so the rooms are large and dark with lots of antique furniture in the main area. The internet access costs €4 an hour (cheap for Venice) but was broken the whole ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-reviews-b6186931.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_tXh2v4f6Aa1Y.ZH8Z4Pm0RawbaQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/tXh2v4f6Aa1Y.ZH8Z4Pm0RawbaQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_tXh2v4f6Aa1Y.ZH8Z4Pm0RawbaQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=tXh2v4f6Aa1Y.ZH8Z4Pm0RawbaQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-reviews-b6186931.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-reviews-b6186931.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-13:6186919 2007-12-13T17:47:10Z 2007-12-13T17:47:10Z mroc2103 http://realtravel.com/member-m4835229-mroc2103.html <p>a review of Albergo Paola, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-italy-reviews-hotels-d20728.html">Florence, Italy</a>.</p> <p>This is a lovely little hostel run by Clara in the back streets near the station. It is only a five minute walk into the centre of town so it is in a great location. The hostel is nice and clean though the bathrooms are really small and there are only two for everyone to share. I imagine this is a bit of a nuisance in the summer. There isn't really any kitchen space for guests to use either. The rooms are quite large and you get two lockers to use during your stay with one big enough to take your whole backpack. The breakfast is fantastic with cereal, yogurt, toast, hot cake, bacon and eggs as ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/florence-reviews-b6186919.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_O--MWnzwQnLIp3cDrlcUNOkR1Fw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/O--MWnzwQnLIp3cDrlcUNOkR1Fw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_O--MWnzwQnLIp3cDrlcUNOkR1Fw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=O--MWnzwQnLIp3cDrlcUNOkR1Fw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fflorence-reviews-b6186919.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/florence-reviews-b6186919.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-08:5250925 2007-08-08T17:36:57Z 2007-12-12T17:34:45Z Kerry Taylor http://realtravel.com/member-m2017682-kerry_taylor.html <p><em>"It offered us wonderful views across the water to St Mark’s Square and all for just €3!"</em></p> <p>a entry by Kerry Taylor from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy.</a></p> <p>After breakfast we all headed off round the corner to the nearby Santa Maria Gloriosa del Frari. We had passed this church several times in the last few days and wanted to take the opportunity to visit it. Inside we cannot miss the impressive monuments to Titian and Canova. They seem to be in stark contrast to the modest tomb of Tintoretto. Canova’s tomb is the most impressive. He had actually designed something similar for Titian, but when he died his pupils produced a similar design for him.</p><p>Thanks to these massive monuments I almost missed on the Frari’s smallest treasures. I had to ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j5250925.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_rw6bOsQOUrhC3fNhfEZ0wMDgA5E_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/rw6bOsQOUrhC3fNhfEZ0wMDgA5E_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_rw6bOsQOUrhC3fNhfEZ0wMDgA5E_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=rw6bOsQOUrhC3fNhfEZ0wMDgA5E_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-journals-j5250925.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j5250925.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-08-08:5250913 2007-08-08T17:35:23Z 2007-12-12T17:34:12Z Kerry Taylor http://realtravel.com/member-m2017682-kerry_taylor.html <p><em>"My friends ... were hoping for lunch with Brad Pit or George Clooney."</em></p> <p>a entry by Kerry Taylor from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-italy-reviews-hotels-d20737.html">Venice, Italy.</a></p> <p>After breakfast we all headed down to the vaperetto stop together. My friends were going to St Mark’s Square and then the Lido. They were hoping for lunch with Brad Pit or George Clooney. I went in the opposite direction, up the Grand Canal. Ideally I had wanted to catch the No 1 which calls at all the stops along the canal, but I got fed up with waiting and caught the 82 instead. This one is much quicker but misses out many of the stops, including the one I had wanted. I actually ended up at the stop for the railway station. Ordinarily it would have been a really impressive building, but it ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j5250913.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_DZEGJ8ce6gIKd8FAid2x4weDLgw_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/DZEGJ8ce6gIKd8FAid2x4weDLgw_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_DZEGJ8ce6gIKd8FAid2x4weDLgw_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=DZEGJ8ce6gIKd8FAid2x4weDLgw_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fvenice-journals-j5250913.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/venice-journals-j5250913.html