Jaunted

Tags: Prime-Plane-Spotting-Map / Plane Spotting / Alitalia / Venice Travel / Italy Travel / → All Tags

'Marco?' 'Polo!' Hop A Boat To Plane-Spot In Venice

If you know anything about Venice, you know that it is a city built on water, so it's quite fitting that the perfect location for plane spotting is onboard a boat. But not just any boat, we're talking about the water taxis between Venice's Marco Polo Airport and Venice proper. The airport sits on marsh land right on the coast, while the tourist-filled portion is out in the middle of the lagoon.

Going between the airport and the city of Venice therefore means taking either a private boat or the Alilaguna Waterbus right underneath the paths of arriving and departing flights. While you rock on the waves of other speeding water taxis passing by, you can look up at airplanes from carriers like Alitalia and other major carriers. Smaller LCC airlines like Jaunted personal favorite Germanwings sadly won't be found here, but at Treviso Airport.

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Tags: Travel Tips / Italy Travel / Rome Travel / Venice Travel / Florence Travel / Milan Travel / Sicily Travel / → All Tags

Indispensable Italy Tips: Beware Bread Baskets And Bare Shoulders

Italy's ancient sites are beautiful but not always handicapped-accessible.

If you're heading to Italy soon, we're totally jealous. We can't get enough of its wonderful cities: Bologna, Venice, Rome, Florence—we just want to move there already. Before you go, here are some tips we've gleaned during our own Italy travels:

· Beware of petty crimes. According to the U.S. Department of State, crimes such as pick-pocketing, theft from parked cars and purse snatching are serious problems, especially in large cities. Be on guard at crowded places like Milan's Central Station and the Trevi Fountain. And thieves in Italy often work in groups or pairs to divert your attention.

· Italy isn't handicapped-accessible. Italy's beauty lies in its ancient buildings, but most aren't equipped with wheelchair ramps and elevators. Buses aren't generally wheelchair-accessible, either.

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Tags: Opera Travel / Travel Health / Milan Travel / Italy Travel / Landmarks / → All Tags

What's the Italian Word For 'Asbestos?' Because Milan's La Scala Has It

Yes, we know that's a radiation icon, but we mean it in a Hazmat capacity

A fat lady singing can't do anything for asbestos removal, as Milan's La Scala is finding out. Back in spring, officials in Milan discovered the toxic stuff in the famed opera house's ceiling, and they've just now closed down the 270 seats of the uppermost tier in order to begin removal.

This poses a problem for the tourists who, in last few months, have possibly been exposed to asbestos from officials rustling up there, but thankfully it's been confirmed that there's no spread of asbestos. Ticket holders will either be offered an upgrade to better and less toxic eating, or, if that's unavailable, then a simple refund. No loud Italian opera for the cheapskates, we guess.

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Tags: Florence Travel / Italy Travel / Museum Travel / → All Tags

Milan's Art May Be Clothing, But Florence's Is All About The Lack Of

Although Milan is Italy's financial hub, it's not the most picturesque spot for a vacay. Yes, it's the country's fashion capital, but if you really want to see some gorgeousness, you should head over to Florence, since your chances of bumping into any of the six-foot Versace models will be slim indeed. Just hop on a train for a two-hour trip from Milan to "Firenze," Italian for Florence.

First stop in Florence should be the Galleria Uffizi, one of the best museums in the world with its hefty collection of Renaissance masterpieces. The museum carries works from all the period's big names, including Botticelli, Caravaggio, da Vinci and Michelangelo. A must-see is Botticelli's instantly recognizable painting "Birth of Venus."

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Tags: Celeb Travel / Madonna / Italy Travel / Yachting / Portofino Travel / → All Tags

A Portofino Party For Madonna's 51st Birthday

You know, when you think of an "over the hill" birthday party, you usually think of gag gift diapers and getting something like the "Tour of Italy" platter at Olive Garden. Of course when it's Madonna celebrating her 51st birthday, all bets are off. This Sunday she arrived in the Italian resort town of Portofino for her own tour of Italy, or rather a stay at the town's Splendido Hotel after renting out a whole floor.

What then did Madonna get as a gift for her birthday? Her designer pals Dolce & Gabbana will be taking out for a spin on their yacht, with a possibly stay at one of their villas; no gag gifts here.

Madonna is hopefully relaxing in Portofino, seeing as how her last Sticky and Sweet concert in Warsaw was protested by conservative Catholics who didn't appreciate her performing on the Feast of the Assumption—which celebrates Mary's ascension straight to heaven—considering her name and everything. Alas, then Madonna went straight to Italy, cradle of Catholicism; that'll show those Polish religious fiends.

Related Stories:
· Madonna In Italy For 51st Birthday Bash [AFP]
· Celeb Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: AFP and Google Maps]

Tags: Adventure Travel / Hiking / Italy Travel / South Tirol Windsurfing / The Dolomites / → All Tags

Italy's South Tirol is Like an Outdoor Playground for Athletes

Travelers usually head to Italy to carbo-load on lip-smacking cuisine and swish tasty wines, to visit ancient sites like the Pantheon and the Colosseum, or to see amazing art like Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel. But sporty types in the know venture north to the South Tirol, or Südtirol, a region that identifies more with its German roots than its Italian ones (you’ll hear most people speaking Deutsch and see signs in both Italian and German).

The South Tirol’s mountainous location—with the Alps towering overhead—makes it a prime spot for skiers and snowboarders in the cold months, with Swiss-like chalets dotted all over the area to complete the experience. In the warmer months, mountain climbers and hikers hit the slopes. You’ll also see many Nordic walkers taking to the trails. They are easy to spot; Nordic walkers hike at a brisk pace while carrying what looks like ski poles.

Originally designed as a cardiovascular summer training exercise for cross-country skiers, Nordic walking works your upper body while you hike. The sport, which is popular in Germany and Finland, is appropriate for all fitness levels.

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Tags: GPS Travel / Italy Travel / Mistakes / → All Tags

GPS Typo Sends Swedish Tourists 400 Miles In The Wrong Direction

Mark this under "do not do": a Swedish couple vacationing in Italy had a hankering for the tropical charms of the island of Capri, and so programmed their GPS of their rental car to show them the way. At least they though they had set it for Capri; instead they miss-typed and ended up being directed 400 miles out of the way to Carpi, Italy.

Upon arrival at the Carpi tourist office, they reportedly asked where to find the famous Blue Grotto. As for what else transpired, we'll let the Carpi tourism official tell the story:

Capri is an island. They did not even wonder why they didn't cross any bridge or take any boat. Once they realised their mistake, the couple got back in their car and headed south.

There had to have been so many stupid mistakes made and overlooked for this to even happen: GPS units usually display a map and your location name, they would have been heading further and further inland, and did they not even read signs on the highway? Oh well— they're now the subjects of a BBC story; that's something to write in their postcards home.

Related Stories:
· Swedes Miss Capri After GPS Gaffe [BBC]
· GPS Travel Coverage [Jaunted]

[Image: Google Maps]

Tags: New Routes / LCCs / Wizz Air / Romania Travel / Italy Travel / → All Tags

Romania's Wizz Air Keeps The Cheap Italy Routes Coming

How about heading to Romania? It's like Italy, but cheaper! And further east! And they spell "pasta" like "paste!" With all these charms, how can you not give up some Milan action for Transylvania? Now thanks to the Wizz Air, you won't have to decide between the two since you can have both.

The European low-cost carrier, which already offers some tempting routes between Italy and Romania, is adding even more to continue the stream of tourism. Beginning on September 21, you'll be able to hop between Catania, a major Sicilian city, and Bucharest. Then, on October 28, Bucharest will also welcome flights from Bologna-Forli.

Although the flights will only be twice a week, it's a huge improvement over the state of Italy-Romania flights only a few years ago, when we were dying to get from Rome to Cluj-Napoca without, well, dying on government-owned Romanian airline TAROM. That route is also available now on Wizz Air, and even from Rome's main Fiumicino airport and not the dinky, Ryanair-happy Ciampino airport. Anyways, we digress. Get thee to Romania cheaply!

Related Stories:
· Wizz Air Opens New Routes To Italy [Easier.com]
· Wizz Air Coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Ati977]

Tags: Italy Travel / Sustainable Travel / Green Travel / Events / Grado / → All Tags

Grado Will Have The Miss Italy Pageant And A Sustainable Lagoon Hotel

The Italian municipality of Grado, on the island of Grado in the Adriatic Sea, has hit upon a unique way to tap into the Green Tourism craze. The locals have constructed the first multi-building lagoon hotel in Europe, taking the traditional fishermen's dwellings in the island's lagoon and converting them into hotel rooms. The project is an extension of the island's many years of sustainable development, something for which they've been honored again and again by the Italian government.

The straw-and-reed huts are known as "casoni" and they've been fixtures on the Lagoon of Grado for generations as picturesque icons of simple living. The hotel project is a way to sustain the buildings both financially and as integral parts of the island's economy. Travelers who take part in the Original Hospitality on the Lagoon project will also be able to avail themselves of tours and itineraries specifically designed to show off Grado's natural beauty.

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Tags: Summer-Signature-Cocktails-Map / Drinking Travel / Italy Travel / Islands / Ischia / → All Tags

A Little Liquor In Your Espresso Is The Italian Way In Ischia

Last we left off with our Summer SIgnature Cocktails Map, we were divulging our secret Venice watering hole. Well, from the north of Italy to the sunny southern coasts, this time we travel in search of good drink on the island of Ischia, a far better alternative to visiting tourist-infested Capri.

Here is a huge tip for summer Italy travel: if you're in the cities and noticing that many business are completely closed and tourist sites have more restricted hours than normal, it's because most of the month of August and some of early September is the Ferragosto, a nearly month-long vacation which causes Italians to skip town for their islands and beaches. And if it's Ferragosto, then they're indulging in the usual morning coffee, but with a special little addition of a shot of the strong liquor Grappa.

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Tags: Summer-Signature-Cocktails-Map / Drinking Travel / Italy Travel / Venice Travel / → All Tags

Where To Drink Jaunted's Favorite Spritz Cocktail In Venice

While the summer is at its peak and you're no doubt tired of chugging bottled water under the sun at tourist sites, we're going to hit some of the world's best watering holes and down their famous summer cocktails. Bottoms up!

As dusk hits the lagoon of La Serenissima, tourists retire to their hotels for naps or plain cooling down from hot days under the Adriatic sun, spent museum-hopping and souvenir shopping. This is the cocktail hour in Venice, when it feels as though the locals emerge after lying in wait for the tourists to tire. To celebrate the beginning of another evening of socializing and good food, the cocktail hour usually focuses around Venice's signature local drink: the Spritz.

Based on either Campari or Aperol—with Campari the typically male version and Aperol (order "Spritz al Aperol") for women—a Spritz is a happy little red-ochre potion which can be found year-round in Venetian bars. Nonetheless, summer turns us away from our usual Prosecco and towards the fresher comforts of a Spritz at the Ciak 1 bar in the San Polo district.

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Tags: Obama-Around-The-World / Presidential Travel / Barack Obama / Rome Travel / Italy Travel / Michelle Obama / → All Tags

When In Rome, It's Gelato And G8 For The Obamas

When it was announced that President Obama would make a visit to Rome and The Vatican this week, we couldn't hardly wait to see goodies the Eternal City had in store for them, and Rome didn't disappoint. As the whole family moved on from their museum-hopping in Moscow earlier this week, some casual sightseeing and of course, a few scoops of famous gelato, were in order.

As Barack met with G8 leaders, Michelle quickly took in the Colosseum with her daughters and the Capitoline Museum, which houses ancient Roman art and archeology, with the other G8 wives. Then the adults promptly headed deeper into the Abruzzo region to the town of L'Aquila, which suffered that fatal earthquake back in April.

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