Italy Archives - Seek Your Trip

October 11, 2017 by Arlene

Experience Something a Little Different While Staying in Rome

Rome is an amazing city that genuinely offers something for everyone. It is one of those places that you can go back to year after year without exhausting all of the possibilities. There is so much to see and do that it would literally take you a lifetime of travelling to see it all.

Perhaps the nicest thing about this city is the fact that it offers quite a few different and quirky experiences for you to enjoy. Below are just a few examples. Hopefully, they will inspire you to do a little research and uncover even more.

Enjoy an outdoor opera

In Rome, opera is a very important art form. Every year, it is enjoyed by tens of thousands of people. Right now, you can buy tickets from romeoperatickets.com for literally hundreds of performances that are due to take place over the next few months. Regardless of which one you choose you will be impressed by the standard of the performance, the venue and the facilities.

If you are looking for something really different it really is worth attending one of the open-air operas that are held in the city. Every summer, the city´s biggest opera company performs in the grounds of the spectacular the Baths of Caracalla.

Tour the city in a variety of vehicles

There are lots of ways to get around the city. Of course, there is the usual hop on hop off tourist bus, but also offers a range of more unusual modes of transport. Great examples include the Segway tour, horse chariot rides through the city, Vespa tours and even the chance to navigate the sights in a golf cart.

Book yourself a themed tour

The fact that Rome has such a long and illustrious history means that there are lots of themed tours to enjoy. It does not matter whether you love music, food, gladiators, ghosts, archaeology or religious sites there is a tour to suit you. There are some extremely knowledgeable tour guides in Rome that are happy to help you to explore a specific aspect of the city.

One of the best is the ´Angels and Demons ´tour. Even if you are not a big fan of Dan Brown you will still find this tour absolutely fascinating. It includes some of the more popular sights but also takes you to quite a few places that few tourists know about. At each stop, your knowledgeable guide will point out the hidden messages that are scattered throughout the city and explain what each of them means. This truly is an unusual and memorable way to see the beautiful city of Rome.

A few more ideas

As you can see this city has a lot to offer. If you would like some more unusual ways to enjoy your next visit to Rome, just click the link. This will take you to a page which lists 55 unique ways to tour the city and learn about its history and culture.

May 10, 2016 by Arlene

5 Hawaii alternatives you need to visit in Europe

Travelling around Europe can offer many exotic places that you never knew existed, giving you the same relaxation, sunshine and surfing as Hawaii can offer. So if you’re looking to travel around Europe and find some exotic alternatives, make sure to pack your sun cream, your EHIC and some board shorts, and check out our list of 5 Hawaii alternatives that you need to visit in Europe.

Biarritz, France

Biarritz is an elegant seaside resort that has been popular with European royalty and tourists alike. Thes spot often hosts various surfing competitions and is a major surfing destination for those looking to catch some waves in Europe instead of heading all the way to Hawaii. Biarritz boasts hot temperatures all year round with record highs hitting 40.6?C. If you’re looking for a fantastic surfing destination as well as luxury, then Biarritz boasts the best. With beautiful beaches and a unique atmosphere, there’s no better alternative to Hawaii than Biarritz.

Mellieha, Malta

Mellieha is a large village in Northern Malta which is a very popular tourist resort. Malta is one of Europe’s few exotic countries, with stunning sandy beaches and incredible nature all around the island. It is most well known for its beaches with the popular one being Ghadira Bay, where you can catch some of the best waves in Europe. If you’re looking for a Hawaiian alternative that offers relaxation, hot sun and fantastic surfing spots then Mellieha should be your first stop.

Costa de Caparica, Portugal

Surfing is a huge part of life in Costa de Caparica and if you’re looking for cultural festivals, fairs and celebrations then this is the perfect place to be. Boat tours and water sports are as big here as they are in Hawaii. Whether you’re looking to scuba dive, snorkel, surf or wakeboard, there’s plenty of opportunities to do so here.

Premantura, Croatia

Many people head to Hawaii for the chance to get up close and personal with nature. Pemantura can also offer this with their unique national parks such as the Kamenjak National Park and scuba diving. Premantura is wild with rugged beauty and showcases various plants, shrubs and wildflowers, dinosaur footprints and a number of protected marine species. With enjoyable temperatures almost all year round, crystal clear sea, natural beauty and interesting cultural heritage, Premantura offers a fantastic alternative to Hawaii.

Chia, Italy

Many people go to Hawaii for it’s incredible food, and although Chia may not have all of the home-grown tropical fruits that Hawaii can offer, there is no shortage of incredible cuisine here. Located in Southern Sardinia, there is also no shortage of hot weather and pristine beaches. It is these beaches and the turquoise water that attracts surfers and tourists from around the world, as well as many locals. Some of these beaches have been rated the best in Europe, so whether you’re looking for surfing, sunbathing or water sports there’s plenty to do here and is a great European alternative to Hawaii. If you’re after sun and tasty cuisine, then Chia is a great place to go.

November 18, 2013 by author

Walking the Charming District of Dorsoduro, Venice

When one hears of a trip to Italy, the most common things that would come to mind would be the cities of Milan or Rome, and of course the lovely canals and charming districts of Venice. The latter though, one of the most popular tourists destinations in Italy, is vast and wide in terms of tourist attractions and activities, and so one day may not be enough to see the grandeur of the Canal City. Thus, let us focus on one of the things that you can do while in Venice, and that is tripping in the Dorsoduro District of Venice.

Dorsoduro is one of the more populated sections of the city, as compared to the small islands located in the waters of Venice, most of which are now deserted. The Dorsoduro District is connected to the mainland by the Accademia Bridge, one of the best spots in the city for picture taking. There are many sights to see and enjoy in the district, including the old churches and the district squares.

The Church of San Nicolo dei Mendicoli is one of the oldest churches not only in Dorsoduro but in all of Venice and Italy as well. It is said to have been first constructed in the 7^th century or earlier, and has gone different restorations, the latest being in the 1970s. The bell tower though, located next to the church was built in later centuries, the 12^th to be exact. Inside the church you’ll see different statues of Catholic saints, as well as paintings of the life of Jesus by Alvise dal Friso.

Another famous church is the Chiessa dell’Angelo Raffaele (Chusrhc of the Archangel Raphael). Several things make this church a famous one. First is that it is named after an archangel, instead of a saint, the latter being a common practice among many Catholic churches. Second is its being mentioned in a novel by Sally Vickers – the Miss Garnet’s Angel. Lastly, are the beautiful artwork found inside the church. Inside you’ll find various works from various masters which include scenes from the Book of Tobias painted by Gian Antonio Guardi, The Last Supper by Bonifazio da Verona, and the Our Lady of Sorrows by Lattanzio Querena to name a few. However, the most famous attraction of the church would have to be the gilded statue of the Archangel himself.

You should also pay the Squero di San Trovaso a visit, which is pretty near a lesser famous church – the Church of San Trovaso. It is located close to Accademia Bridge, so if you’re coming from the mainland, this spot should be your first stop. There is nothing remarkable in the buildings architecture, save for its looking like an enlarged farmer’s hut from the Veneto Dolomites. However, this building plays an important role in Venice, being one of the last few shops where gondolas are built and repaired. You can tour the place and chat with the boatmen and repairmen who would be more than happy to show you how they make the famed Venetian boats here.

Dorsoduro is not a very touristy place, so a walking tour of Doroduro promises to be not only an educational and historical tour, but also a relaxing and peaceful walk that will surely paint a new picture of Venice in your minds.

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Photo by darkb4dawn on Flickr

November 11, 2013 by author

Taormina, Italy: Picture Perfect

Italy has always been one of the most favourite tourist destinations of many travellers. The city of Florence, Venice and the countryside of Tuscany are always the top picks of many people who visit the country, but aside from these, there are also other parts of Italy which are worth anybody’s while, like the small town of Taormina in the eastern section of Sicily. Aside from the picturesque coastal areas, the town is filled with various attractions that will surely give any travel photographer more than enough reasons to be happy about going to this place.

The Monuments of Toarmina

Taormina is teeming with various architectural beauties from time past. First is the Greek-Roman Theatre in Toarmina, which the second largest ancient theatre in the whole of Sicily. Whether it is Greek or Roman is still a matter of debate, but either way it makes for one great photo op. The Odeon is another theatre whose ruins lie in behind the hill named after St. Catherine of Alexandria. This one was according to history no doubt built by the Romans back when Taormina was their colony.

There is also the mansion Badia Vecchia with its gothic architecture from the late 14^th century. Another mansion that stands in Toarmina since the 13^th century is the Palazzo Duca di St. Stefano with its massive stone walls and beautiful garden.

It seems as though that the Greeks and the Romans weren’t the only ones who had influenced Toarmina, because the Arabs had also left a monument which is a reminder of their stay in the area. The Palazzo Corvaja was once part of the fortress built by the Arabs back in the 11^th century.

The Churches of Taormina

Old churches are also some of the best sights for many travel photographers.

The Duomo is considered to be Taormina’s main cathedral and religious icon. It was built sometime in the 15^th century. However, the Doumo is not the church in the same place. In fact, a smaller medieval church once stood where the Doumo is right now. Both the inside and the outside of this cathedral provide wonderful pictures.

Another church in Taormina which was built atop an older church is the St. Pancras Church. The temple it was built upon is a Greek temple which was dedicated to Zeus, parts of which can still be seen around the church. Having been built in the 1500s, the churches architecture was influenced by Barocco style.

The St. George Church may not be as massive as the Duomo, but it is beautiful in its own way. It is relatively new as compared to the two churches mentioned above, having been built only in the early 1900s. It looks quaint and charming with its stone walls and small but lovely gardens. Its location is pretty idyllic as it provides you with an overlooking view of the Ionian Sea.

These beautiful structures of Taormina are some of the place’s best treasures. They not only reflect the history of the Taormina, but their rich cultural and religious heritage as well.

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Photo by gnuckx on Flickr