Vernazza Piazza

But you could still hike far enough up the trail for spectacular views looking back toward Vernazza, which we did.

To further complicate matters, there was a rail strike one of the days we were there, and the seas were too rough for the ferry to run. In our case, this turned out to be a blessing because we had Vernazza pretty much to ourselves. And it’s the most delightful town in the Cinque Terre.

We hiked part of the way to Monterosso, turned around and came back, had a leisurely lunch, and went for a dip in the Mediterranean. Since we’d already been to Riomaggiore and Manarola, we didn’t feel deprived at all.

But our experience serves as a cautionary trail. Despite it’s popularity, the Cinque Terre is still pretty remote and you can’t take the ability to get from A to B for granted. And unless you stay in Monterosso al Mare, you can’t expect to find conventional hotels with lobbies, restaurants, and elevators.

Cinque Terre accommodation runs the gamut from rooms in private homes – known as affitta camera – to individual apartments to hostels. We stayed in the closest thing to a hotel in Vernazza, La Mala, and loved it.

La Mala

As far as I can tell, La Mala is the only place in Vernazza that offers this service. We ate breakfast next to a couple who were staying in one of Gianni Franzi’s rooms. They said that carrying their bags up the steep and narrow alleys almost killed them. They were relieved to reach their room until they saw the spiral staircase leading to the bedroom. It was too narrow to accommodate their bags.

So don’t visit Vernazza with luggage that you can’t carry several hundred yards straight uphill.

If you’re coming from and returning to La Spezia, you might consider checking your luggage at the train station there and just bringing a few things with you to the Cinque Terre.

Most Vernazza hotels don’t have a conventional reception service. So you’ll need to coordinate with someone to get checked in and out. If you rent a room from Gianni Franzi, you’ll check in with the bartender at Gianni’s restaurant on the water-front piazza.

Vernazza Harbor

We’d heard horror stories about cell phone roaming charges, so we bought a cell phone from Cellular Abroad that came with a SIM card for Italy. The phone itself was pretty basic, but it worked great and it was very convenient for reconfirming arrangements, making dinner reservations, calling for taxis, etc. We figured that it would be helpful if we got lost, but thanks to our Garmin GPS, we never did.

It also came in handy when the pet sitter back home needed to ask us a question.

The phone with the card was $119. And the next time we travel internationally, all we’ll need is a SIM card for the country we’re visiting. When we return to Italy, we’ll just swap out the card.

The room at La Mala had a portable cell phone in the room that you could carry with you. The corkscrew and small refrigerator were other nice extras.

Most Cinque Terre hotels don’t have restaurants, so if breakfast is included, you’ll be given a voucher that you can use at one of the cafes in the town.

If you’re planning to stay in one of the five towns, don’t expect all the services and amenities you’d enjoy elsewhere. Come with an open mind and a spirit of adventure. After all, that’s part of the charm.

Santorini

Anyone who’s ever seen a calendar featuring gorgeous shots of Santorini has likely dreamed of doing a little Greek Island hopping. After all, with fabulous scenery, delicious food, and interesting archeological sites, the Greek Islands have a lot to offer.

There are two ways to approach seeing the Greek Islands. Flexible travelers with a spirit of adventure or those on a budget can take the ferries that connect the islands. Those who prefer having all the arrangements taken care of for them can choose from a number of Greek Islands cruises.

Your best bet, if you’re doing it on your own, is to travel between May and September when ferries are frequent and the seas are relatively calm. During this peak season there will be daily service to the most popular islands. After that, the winds pick up and cancellations due to bad weather are more frequent.

It’s important not to try to keep to a tight schedule. Delays are inevitable and the current political situation in Greece means that strikes are a very real possibility too.

If you’re not terribly choosey about accommodations, you won’t need to make reservations in advance. You can just ask what’s available at the tourist office near the dock when you arrive. This will allow you to stay longer than planned in the places you really enjoy.

One mistake many people make is to try to visit too many islands in one trip. You’ll enjoy the experience more if you only try to visit two or three and stay a fair length of time in each place.

You can also base yourself in one place and do day trips to other islands from there.

Santorini and Mykonos are expensive and during August, they can be very crowded with cruise ship passengers. Lesser known islands like Milos, Sifnos, Serifos, and Skiathos are more affordable and more low key.

Several different kinds of ferries are available. Hydrofoils will get you where you going the quickest, but at around twice the price.

Since you’ll be carrying everything with you, you’ll need to pack light. But it’s so casual, that you’ll be fine with a bathing suit and a few pairs of shorts.

Mykonos

Greek Island cruises.

Taking a Greek Island cruise will let you visit several islands in a short span of time. You’ll arrive refreshed, walk down the gangway or take a tender ashore, then be able to spend the day sightseeing or enjoying the beach.

Most Greek Island cruises leave from Athens and end in Istanbul or Venice, although longer cruises leave from many different Mediterranean ports. MSC Cruises offers 7-night sailings from Ancona or Bari, Italy.

Fares for one-week Greek Island cruises can be as low as $499 per person. When you consider that they include not only transportation, but also meals, the right cruise can be almost as inexpensive as doing it yourself.

For the best experience, choose the smallest ship you can afford. A 3,000-passenger vessel can completely overwhelm what would otherwise be a charming place.

Some travel agencies in Greece also arrange Greek Island tours that include ferry tickets and accommodations. For those who want to remain independent, this option can provide a little more structure and usually some cost savings.

Read our list of recommended hotels in Piraeus.

Santorini Image Flickr: photographerglen
Mykonos Image Flickr: BluEyedA73

Italian train -- Eurostar Frecciarossa

Traveling by train in Italy really runs the gamut. It can relaxing or unpleasant, dirt cheap or expensive, fast or slow. There are some things you can do to make the experience more enjoyable. But on certain routes, there’s nothing to do but try not to touch anything.

Another wrinkle: on our recent trip, the trains were on strike from 9:30AM to 5:30PM. Some trains did run – if the conductor chose not to strike. But there was no way to find out in advance whether your train was operating or not. You just went to the station to see if it showed up.

As the Italian government institutes more austerity measures to shore up the economy, more strikes are likely in the future.

We were lucky in that we weren’t traveling that day, but we heard stories about people who had to take $500 taxi rides from Naples to Rome in order to make their flight home.

While driving in the Italian countryside is enjoyable, it’s pretty much a suicide mission in the cities. And if you want to cover some distance, trains can actually be quicker than flying. Taking the train between cities will also help you eliminate backtracking so you can see more places in Italy in less time.

Types of Italian trains.

The pride of the Trenitalia line are the new, high-speed Eurostar trains. Known as the Frecciarossa, or red arrow, these are sleek, modern, and comfortable, with service available in first and second class. Traveling as fast as 175 MPH, they link most major Italian cities. Snacks and beverages are served, and depending on the route, there may be a dining car with a set, three-course menu.

You’ll need to reserve your seats in advance, and on some routes, the most popular times sell out. But if seats aren’t available in second class, there may still be room in first. Power outlets for laptops are available at every seat.

Eurostar City trains, known as Frecciabianca trains, travel at speeds up to 125 and run pretty frequently. Refreshments are available, but there’s no dining car. Reservations are required for these too. Intercity trains that don’t bear the Eurostar designation are one step further down.

Regional trains are inexpensive and can be frequent or infrequent. As a rule, they are not real clean and only second class is available. The ticket you buy is not for a specific train – it is for transportation from A to B. So it’s important to validate your ticket before your board the train. Otherwise, you could face a 50 Euro fine.

Cinque Terre train

The yellow validating machines aren’t always on the platform – sometimes they’re just inside the station. So stamp your ticket before you head for the platform. If you have a rail pass, you can just hop aboard.

At press time, overnight accommodations were not available because the company that maintains them is on strike. But in our experience, taking an overnight train in Italy always results in a sleepless night anyway.

Buying your tickets.

You can buy tickets in advance through Italiarail. If you know exactly when you want to travel, this can save you some time, although you’ll pay for the convenience. You’ll receive a voucher that you exchange for the actual ticket at the train station. You can do it in person or use one of the kiosks. Some advance purchase fares with some restrictions can save you as much as 60%.

If you don’t want to be locked into a schedule, you can buy tickets at the train station. In larger stations, you can also buy tickets for local routes at the newsstands. Usually, there’s no waiting there. Or use one of the machines — there’s an English-language option that walks you through the whole process.

Italian rail passes can save you quite a bit of money if you plan on doing lots of train travel. You can compare the options at raileurope. Just remember that you need reservations for most trains now — at a cost of 10 Euro per reservation. So factor that into the total cost of the pass.

Traveling by train in Italy.

When you arrive at the station, you’ll need to figure out which platform — binario — your train leaves from. Video monitors show arrivals and departures with the Bin. number. Just be sure to check a few minutes before your scheduled departure because sometimes the platform changes at the last minute.

If you have reserved seats, your ticket will tell you the carriage number and in larger stations, signage will tell you where to wait. When your train arrives, board as quickly as you can because they often leave quickly.

Depending on the train, there may be space at the front or back of the car to stow your luggage, otherwise, you’ll have to put it overhead. As a rule, there will be a map inside the car showing the stops. It’s a good idea to figure out which stop is before the one where you want to disembark.

Many larger cities have more than one train station, so know which one is most convenient before you board. For instance, in Pisa, the S. Rossore station is about a ten minute walk from the Leaning Tower while the central station is about half an hour on foot.

Italian train stations are pretty friendly for English speakers, so you shouldn’t have much trouble figuring out where to go and what to do.

Once you’re onboard, relax and enjoy the views of the passing countryside.

Read about traveling on French trains.

Italian train — Eurostar Frecciarossa Image Flickr: angelocesare
Cinque Terre train Image Flickr: langalex

Tuscany

We used both Lucca and Siena as bases so that we’d have the opportunity to explore towns in the northern and southern parts of Tuscany. Although they’re not far apart, each is unique with an appeal all it’s own.

Driving in Tuscany.

Renting a car is the best way to see Tuscany, and it’s an easy place to drive. We took our Garmin portable GPS and it did a great job of getting us from A to B. We avoided the Autostrada – or American-style freeway – as much as possible, and enjoyed the scenery and lack of hassle the country roads provided.The truth is that there’s never enough time. So if you’re planning a trip to Italy, you should make up your mind that you won’t be able to see everything you want to see in one trip.

We reserved our car in advance through Avis and got an easy-to-drive Audi A3 with only 14,000 kilometers on it. As a rule, automatic cars are rare and expensive in Europe, so if you haven’t driven a stick shift in a while, you might want to take one for a spin to brush up.

In Italy, you have to wear a safety vest if you get out of your car on the freeway, so when you pick up your rental, make sure the vests are in the car and not in the trunk. It’s also smart to confirm what kind of fuel the car takes. If given the choice, you’ll get better mileage with diesel.

While driving in Tuscany is a breeze, parking – not so much. Don’t even think about trying to park inside the city walls. Find a parking lot outside the town and walk in. In the case of Cortona or Montepulciano, this may involve a steep climb. But it will be worth it.

Parking spaces with blue lines aren’t free. Usually, there’s a machine nearby where you purchase a ticket to put on the dash. To this end, you should start hoarding your one- and two-Euro coins. Merchant and vendors often ask for exact change, so sometimes it’s hard to hang onto them.

If there’s no machine where you pay, you may need to use a disco orario, which is a card that’s placed on the windshield. You use it to indicate to the parking police what time you parked. When you pick up your rental car, ask the agent if there’s one in the car.

San Gimignano

You can park for free at spaces with white lines, just make sure to look for any signs that restrict the parking to certain times of day.

Tuscany is very safe, so we never worried about leaving the car parked with all our worldly good inside.

The region is wildly popular in summer. And even places like San Gimignano have tour groups arriving in the afternoon. Since the smaller towns don’t have hotels that can accommodate groups, your best bet is to arrive early, do your sightseeing, have a leisurely lunch, and then drive to your next destination in the afternoon. Take a nap, go for a swim, or just relax, then venture out again after 5PM.

Accommodation in Tuscany.

If you traveling during peak season – which these days is from June through September – it’s a good idea to reserve your accommodations in advance. Hotels in Tuscany are of a fairly high standard, and you can rent an apartment or villa if you plan to stay in one place for a week or more.

If you like to be out in the country, consider staying in an agriturismo. These rural farmhouses generally include breakfast and dinner. And your hosts will be happy to help you plan your sightseeing. These are also more likely to have parking than conventional hotels.

Breakfast is included with the nightly rate at most places. This can range from a simple buffet with croissants, juice, and coffee, to an elaborate spread with fresh fruits, meats and cheeses, eggs, and pastries.

We highly recommend this wonderful destination to anyone who enjoys history, art, and superb food and wine.

For more information about Tuscany’s best hill towns, see our Map of Tuscany.

Vernazza, Italy

We love to vacation in Italy and we’ve been lucky enough to return there many times. There are so many places to see in Italy, that deciding where to go is always a challenge. We always want to explore destinations that we haven’t seen. But at the same time, we long to return to our old favorites.

The truth is that there’s never enough time. So if you’re planning a trip to Italy, you should make up your mind that you won’t be able to see everything you want to see in one trip.

Traveling to Italy is easy from most major cities in the United States. Since we’re going to Northern Italy, we’re flying Air France nonstop to Paris and then connecting from there. If you’re not going to Rome or if there isn’t nonstop service to Rome from your home city, consider flying to whichever European city you can fly nonstop to.

It’s only 2-1/2 hours from London to Rome. And depending on when you travel, it may be less expensive to do a roundtrip to some other European city and then buy point-to-point fares to your destinations in Italy.

However you get there, avoid backtracking if you can. Fly into Rome and out of Venice or Milan instead of returning to Rome. Italy train travel is pretty good, but it can be expensive and time-consuming.

Over the years, we’ve learned that the less traveling we do, the happier we are. So we always stay a minimum of two nights in each destination – but more often, three or four. We pick a city that’s central to lots of places we want to go and then use it as a base.

We book all our hotels in advance because the really desirable, affordable ones always fill up fast. For Italy, we like to use booking.com and venere.com. Both these sites have detailed descriptions and photos, and lots of user reviews. Before we make reservations, we usually check tripadvisor just to make sure there are no unpleasant aspects that we don’t know about.

Trevi Fountain

Driving in Italy is pretty manageable in the country, but don’t even attempt it in the cities. We try to keep our destinations just a few hours apart because we want to stop here or there for a leisurely lunch and do some sightseeing along the way.

We’ve used Avis the last several trips and always had positive experiences with them. Like the guy who wears suspenders and a belt, we take a GPS and also screen grabs of maps. The European maps on our Garmin GPS are pretty accurate. The viamichelin web site is a great place to generate point-to-point maps. It will even tell you the cost of the various routes. There are lots of toll roads in Italy.

On this trip, we’re flying into Genoa and staying in Sestri Levante and Vernazza to do the Cinque Terre. We’re doing this part of the trip by train, and then picking up a car in Viareggio for our time in Tuscany.

We’re using Lucca as a base for the cities in Northern Tuscany, and Siena as a base for the towns in Southern Tuscany. In this way, we’ll have nearly a dozen towns that we want to explore that are less than 90 minutes from where we’re staying.

We don’t want to have the car in Florence, so we’re dropping the car in Siena the night before and taking the train the next morning. Be aware that many car rental offices – particularly outside big cities – close for several hours for lunch.

We made reservations and bought tickets online for the Tower of Pisa and the Uffizi Gallery so we won’t have to waste any time waiting in line. Other than that, we have a list of attractions and appealing restaurants in the towns we plan to visit. But we always allow plenty of time for spontaneity.

The first time I went to Rome, I didn’t see the Sistine Chapel because I decided to have a second glass of wine at lunch and just enjoy the piazza. Years later, when I finally went to the Sistine Chapel, I knew I’d made the right decision. It was, in fact, still there.

With so many places to go in Italy, it’s best to restrict yourself to a single manageable area. If you’ve already been to Rome, consider doing Naples and the Amalfi Coast. If you don’t want to drive, you can see Capri, Ischia, Positano, Amalfi, and Sorrento by ferry – which is absolutely delightful.

If you’re all about art and churches, try a week in Umbria and a week in Tuscany. Or visit Milan and the Italian Lakes. Just be sure not to bite off more than you can chew. Nothing is worse than being on vacation and feeling like you have to stick to a demanding schedule.

We’ll have plenty to talk about when we return from our trip in a few weeks.

Find more Italy travel tips.

Vernazza Italy Image Flickr: travellingtamas

Cinque Terre Hiking Trail

Few places in the world offer hiking as spectacular as you’ll find in the Cinque Terre. The Five Towns on the Ligurian coast of Italy are linked by rail and a trail that rewards walkers with one breathtaking view after another.

The best way to get to the Cinque Terre is by train, and you can catch it from La Spezia in the south or Levanto in the north. Trains here run very frequently and the distance between villages is short. If you buy the Cinque Terre card — and you should — get one that includes rail fare in the price.

Nearly 10,000 acres of the region is now the protected Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre and the park is responsible for maintaining the trails. Sales of the Cinque Terre card help make this possible.

Plastic water bottles are no longer allowed in the park, but you can get a reusable, one-liter metal flask for one Euro. These can be filled up at the new water fountains that dispense both still and sparkling filtered water. You’ll need sturdy hiking shoes, comfortable clothes, and plenty of sunscreen for Cinque Terre hiking.

More than three million travelers hike the trails every year, so the steep, terraced trails can be packed in summer. But if you spend the night in one of the villages, you can head out early and beat the crowds.

The trail is reasonably well marked, but due to the weather, some sections may be closed during your visit.

The most popular route is the Blue Trail or Sentiero Azzurro which connects the five villages — Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. It’s also known as Sentiero No. 2. The distance is only 4-½ miles, but since the path is fairly rugged, you should plan on four or five hours. You’ll want to allow plenty of time when hiking in the Cinque Terre to savor the scenery.

The good news is that at the end of your hike, you can take the train or ferry back to your starting point.

The most challenging section of the trail is the two-mile stretch between Monterosso and Vernazza. The trail here goes up and down hill through the terraced vineyards and most hikers will need at least two hours to complete this leg of the journey. If you start the hike in Monterosso, you’ll get the toughest part over with while you’re still fresh.

On the Cinque Terre Trail

The 2-½ mile hike from Vernazza to Corniglia winds through woods and takes about 90 minutes. In places, it’s steep and narrow, with no guard rails. The village of Corniglia is above the trail. It can be reached by the 377-step Lardarina staircase. If you want to conserve energy, you can take the shuttle from the train station up to the town. Because Corniglia has no harbor, there’s no ferry service here.

From Corniglia, it’s an easy, one-hour walk along the coast to Manarola. For 5 Euros, you can cool off with a dip at Guvano Beach. The final mile of the trail is a paved walkway known as the Via dell’Amore or Lover’s Walk. Not only is this the least strenuous part of the path, it also affords some of the best views. You’ll reach Riomaggiore in less than half an hour.

Seriously fit hikers who want to avoid the crowds can tackle the High Trail, which connects Levanto with Portovenere. This hike take eight to tens hours, but you can use one of the trails connecting the High Trail with the Blue Trail to shorten the distance. The High Trail provides amazing views looking down at the villages. Before you attempt it, pick up a detailed map from one of the park centers.

Most of the villages have a church above the town, and there are also trails leading up to them.

Read more Italy travel tips.

Cinque Terre Hiking Trail Image Flickr: Lee Coursey
On the Cinque Terre Trail Image Flickr: Gruenemann

Uffizi

For years, seeing the dazzling collection of Botticellis, Michelangelos, Titians, and da Vincis meant standing in line – some times for hours. But now, there are several options for visiting the Uffizi that eliminate the wait.

If you’re in Florence during the off season (October through April), you can probably buy tickets for the following day at the “New Uffizi” office in the Pitti Palace. You can select a time for your visit, and then show up at the designated hour.

But travelers visiting Florence during the summer will need to make plans in advance. You can buy Uffizi tickets online through several websites. At press time, the charge for two was 28 Euros for admission and 10.98 Euros for online reservations. When there is a special exhibit at the gallery – such as the Caravaggio show – there’s an additional charge.

But it’s a great value when you factor in the time saved. You can also choose from several guided tours, some of which combine the Uffizi and the Accademia,

If you love art and want to visit several of the great museums in Florence, there are two other options to consider. The Amici degli Uffizi, or Friends of the Uffizi card, funds restorations and special projects at the Uffizi museum. The price of the card is 60 Euros, or 100 Euros for a family of four, and it includes admission to twenty museums in Florence for one year. You simply show your card at the Amici welcome desk with proof of ID and receive a ticket for immediate admission.

For those who travel to Florence often – or those who want to visit the Uffizi more than once – it’s the best deal. And it supports a really good cause. Membership also includes discounts for concerts at several venues in Florence.

Firenze Card

You can buy your card in advance and then validate it at the first museum you visit. Card holders don’t have to wait in line, and once the card is validated, it’s good for 72 hours.

The Firenze Card is really only a good deal if you plan to visit lots of attractions. Otherwise, it may be less expensive to make reservations for the museums you want to visit in advance. The other caveat is that the card allows only one entrance per attraction. So if you visit the Uffizi, you won’t be able to return the next time to see something you missed.

Find more Italy travel advice.

Orvieto shop

Built on a huge promontory of volcanic tufa stone, Orvieto’s history goes all the way back to the Bronze Age. Romans destroyed the Etruscan city here in the 3rd century BC, and five Popes maintained residences in Orvieto during the 13th century.

Orvieto’s greatest export is its wine. Orvieto Classico is a crisp, white wine that’s appreciated the world over. You can take a tour and taste the wine at Tenuta Le Velette if you make reservations in advance.

Although not as noted for its cooking as Tuscany or Piemonte, Umbria has delicious food, created with a light touch. Top-quality olive oil, fresh herbs, and seasonal ingredients predominate. Black truffles from Norcia, and pork sausages, are enjoyed all over the region. And spit-roasted meats and home-made pastas are found on most menus.

Umbricelli, the local pasta, is like spaghetti, but thicker. It’s often served with a hearty tomato sauce.

Most of the best Orvieto restaurants offer beautiful surroundings, as well as hearty cooking.

One of the oldest places in Orvieto, Le Grotte del Funaro occupies a cave that was carved from the tufa in the 12th century. To sample a little of the best regional dishes, order the mixed (misti) plates. An assortment of bruschette or crostini makes a great starter. And the grilled meats, especially the suckling pig, are moist and delicious. The wine list is exceptional. And if you come for lunch, you’ll enjoy a nice view of the surrounding hills through the windows or from the piazza. Pizza from a wood-fired oven is also available.

Located in the old town on a side street off the Piazza del Popolo, Asino d’Oro offers traditional Umbrian cooking and less conventional dishes like fried guanciale with sage and vinegar, gnudi with chard and goat cheese, or baccala with raisins. Chianina beef and rabbit are available for main courses, and desserts are worth saving room for.

Tipica Trattoria is beneath a 15th-century palazzo, and dining under the 500-year-old arches is part of the appeal here. The chef’s appetizer assortment is a nice way to ease into your meal. Their umbrichelli is sauced with a spicy tomato sauce or during the season, a sauce made with white truffles. Gnocchi is another satisfying first course. Rabbit, lamb, and wild boar are the best main courses. After dinner, don’t be surprised if you’re offered a vin santo or grappa on the house.

Orvieto

In business in one place or another since 1945, La Grotta is still going strong. The owner is a charmer, and serious about his food. He’s been known to take diners into the kitchen for a better look at the provisions. He’s popular with the locals, who come for home-made pasta with duck or chicken giblet sauce, potted guinea hen, or cured boar. Also on the menu are local chick peas, pigeon, lamb, and grilled meats. Zuppa Inglese is a good dessert choice.

Next to the 13th-century Palazzo Comunale, La Palomba is a family-owned trattoria that serves simple, but delicious meals made with local ingredients. Your best bet is to order whatever the house recommends. Start with crostini or bruschetta — when truffles are in season, they’ll grate some over the top. The pastas are excellent, and hearty dishes like pigeon or lamb are perfect on a chilly night. The owner, his wife, and their daughter make their guests feel really welcome. There’s a nice selection of local wine, with several available by the half bottle.

One of the oldest restaurants in Orvieto, Trattoria dell’Orso has long been a favorite in the area. The chef here hails from Abruzzo and his partner is Neapolitan, so you’ll find more tomatoes on the menu. Pasta with scamorza cheese, broccoli, and tomatoes, chicken with olives, and splet soup start things off nicely. Rabbit, lamb, guinea fowl, and chicken alla cacciatore round out the meal. Gabriele and Ciro are delightful hosts.

Read about things to do in Orvieto. Or find Orvieto hotels.

Legend:
1) La Grotte del Funaro
2) Asino d’Oro
3) Tipica Trattoria
4) La Grotta
5) La Palomba
6) Trattoria dell’Orso

View Orvieto Restaurants Map in a larger map

Orvieto restaurant Image Flickr: UmbriaLovers
Orvieto Image Flickr: UmbriaLovers

Tuscany

With stunning scenery, incredible art and architecture, and some of Italy’s best wine, Tuscany draws travelers back year after year. The rolling hillsides, ancient vineyards, and olive groves create a beautiful backdrop for the well-preserved medieval cities where you can truly enjoy the good life, Italian style.

The two largest cities in Tuscany, Florence and Pisa, attract tourists by the score. But it’s Tuscany’s smaller villages and towns that most captivate visitors. If you have the time, plan to visit several. Despite their proximity, each is unique – and special – in its own way. Use our map of Tuscany to plan your trip.

1) Lucca
No visit to Lucca is complete without a stroll or bike ride through the park that rests atop the 15th-century walls encircling the city. Walk along Lucca’s narrow streets, and you’ll run into a church almost immediately – there are 99 of them in Lucca. The gorgeous, crescent-shaped Piazza dell’Anfiteatro traces the lines of the old Roman amphitheater.

2) Volterra
Surrounded by quarries where the local alabaster was mined, Volterra sits perched on a rocky promontory. Its 3,000 year history is easy to explore with Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval sites and museums.

3) San Gimignano
With its medieval skyscrapers, San Gimignano has one of the most distinctive skylines in the region. Fourteen of the original 70 towers remain, but San Gimignano also boasts beautiful churches, museums, and convents from the Middle Ages.

4) Monteriggione
The only town in the region with intact walls, Monteriggione has a 14th-century parish church, a Romanesque abbey, and beautiful ceramics and leather goods.

5) Siena
Siena’s Campo is arguably the most beautiful public square in Tuscany. Little changed since the 14th-century, Siena seems almost lost in time. Thankfully, most of the city is closed to cars. Exceptional early Renaissance art and a vibrant local culture – best seen in the no-holds-barred Palio horse race run here twice a year – make Siena a must-visit destination.

6) Montalcino
Wine lovers must make a pilgrimage here to sample Brunello di Montalcino, one of Tuscany’s best red wines. Wine cellars are available in town for tastings or you can arrange to visit one of the wineries nearby.

7) Pienza
From the outside, Pienza looks like another Tuscan hill town. But thanks to its association with Pope Pio II, Pienza has a superb Renaissance complex designed by Alberti. While you’re here, be sure to sample the world-renowned Pecorino cheese.

Montepulciano

8) Montepulciano
A top destination for oenophiles, who come to taste the Vino Nobile wines made here, Montepulciano also has a beautiful Renaissance church just outside the town walls. The location, nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, provides sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.

9) Cortona
Best known from Frances Mayle’s book, Under the Tuscan Sun, Cortona is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. In the town – which escaped damage in World War II – you can see exquisite paintings by Fra Angelico and Luca Signorelli. And there are beautiful views of Lake Trasimeno

10) Arezzo
For a town its size, Arezzo has a lot to see, including a Roman Amphitheater, the House of the poet Petrarch, an archaeology museum, and several fine churches. There’s a huge antiques fair here the first weekend of the month.

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Tuscany Image Flickr: echiner1
Montepulciano Image Flickr: lo.tangelini

The British Museum

London has some of the greatest museums in the world, and there are literally hundreds to choose from. In fact, a London Museums list would be about thirty pages long.

Most of the best museums in London have brilliant permanent collections. But they also have temporary exhibitions done in cooperation with other collections from around the world.

In 2011, London Museum exhibitions offer something for everyone – from children to history buffs, Victorian art lovers to dinosaur fans.

Arguably the greatest repository of human history, The British Museum has priceless treasures like the Rossetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, the Magna Carta, and more. Millions of artifacts from virtually every era are displayed in nearly 100 galleries.

Two impressive exhibits will be at the British Museum this year. Afghanistan: Crossroads of the Ancient World shows how the ancient culture has been influenced by its neighbors, China, India, Pakistan, and Iran. More than 200 objects gathered for the show are divided into four sections. The oldest dates from 2000 BC, and many survived centuries of political turmoil only by being hidden away.

The second show – Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe – brings together drawings and religious objects from Britain, Cleveland, Baltimore, and the Vatican. Ornate, bejeweled reliquaries were borrowed from churches throughout Europe.

One of London’s hidden gems, The Courtauld Gallery has one of the best collections of French Impressionist paintings outside of Paris. Their show, Life, Legend, Landscape: Victorian Drawings and Watercolours presents several never-before-displayed works from noted artists. The Pre-Raphaelites, Whistler, and Aubrey Beardsley are represented, as are Frederick Walker, J.M.W. Turner, and William Etty.

Once Upon a War Time: Classic War Stories for Children at the Imperial War Museum brings some best-loved children’s tales to life in imaginative displays. For “The Silver Sword” a room becomes the map of the children’s journey from Warsaw to Switzerland at the end of World War II. There’s a large wooden horse, a fortress, recordings from the authors, manuscripts, and a library where children can explore the books they’ve just experienced in three dimensions.

The Victoria and Albert

Photography fans shouldn’t miss London Street Photography at the Museum of London. Dating from the 19th century to the present day, this collection of photographs shows everyday London life at street level. It’s a great way to see the passage of time and the changing fashions of the capitol city.

The Natural History Museum is presenting Sexual Nature, an examination of the sex lives, reproductive habits, and seduction techniques of various members of the animal kingdom. Apparently, even museums have to drum up business. This one’s not for the kids, but Age of the Dinosaur this summer will be a boffo exploration of the Jurassic world – Velociraptors and all.

One of our favorite London Museums, the Victoria & Albert, is presenting The Cult of Beauty: The Aesthetic Movement in Britain, 1860 – 1900. The Aesthetic Movement combined art, science, and philosophy to create a holistic lifestyle. Those who love the Pre-Raphaelites can see more paintings by Rossetti, Burne-Jones, and Whistler. Crafts and furniture by William Morris, Walter Crane, and others are also on display. Fans of the genre should combine this with the show at the Courtauld Gallery.

Find food stores and antique shops in London.

Legend:
1) British Museum
2) Courtauld Gallery
3) Imperial War Museum
4) Museum of London
5) Natural History Museum
6) Victoria & Albert

View London Museum Exhibitions Map in a larger map

The British Museum Image Flickr: Bordas
The Victoria and Albert Image Flickr: publicenergy

Rome

Rome attractions are clustered into a few areas. Piazza Navona provides easy access to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps. If you’re on the other side of the Tiber River, St. Peters, the Vatican Museums, and Castel Sant’Angleo are near each other. And the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, and the Capitoline Museum are close enough to make a manageable day.

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Use our map of Rome to plan your time wisely.

1) Vatican Museums
2) St. Peter’s Basilica
3) Castel Sant’Angelo
4) Piazza Navona
5) Campo de Fiori
6) Pantheon
7) Trevi Fountain
8) Capitoline Museums
9) Roman Forum
10) Coliseum
11) Spanish Steps
12) Borghese Gallery

View Map of Rome Italy Attractions in a larger map

Find more Rome attractions.

Rome image Flickr: Ed Yourdon

Sissinghurst

Known as the “garden of England,” Kent is a lovely side trip from London. Some of the country’s most impressive estates, castles, and gardens are here. And Canterbury and its Cathedral are well worth visiting.

The home of Winston Churchill’s family, Chartwell was the Prime Minister’s residence from 1922 until his death, and it‘s one of the top Kent attractions. Many of the rooms are just as he left them. Others contain exhibits showcasing his uniforms, personal items, and paintings. The gardens here are lovely and there’s a restaurant where you can have lunch.

Dating from the early 16th century, Smallhythe Place was owned by the actress Ellen Terry. Today, the barn contains a theater and items from her theatrical career decorate the house.

Ightham Mote was built in 1320 as a medieval manor. It was remodeled in the 16th century, and it’s been kind of a work in progress since then. The chapel is in the Tudor style with a painted ceiling and elaborate chimneys. And the Great Hall has a Jacobean staircase leading to the original chapel. The house is surrounded by a moat, and there are walks in the surrounding woodlands. The property is now owned by the National Trust.

The childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle was begun in 1270. A Tudor house was built within the walls in the 15th century, and William Waldorf Astor bought the property in 1903. He added formal gardens, a 35-acre lake, and exquisite furnishings, paintings, and decorative elements. Today, the house’s woodwork and ornamental plasterwork are some of the best examples of early 20th-century craftsmanship.

There’s a walled Rose Garden, an Italian garden with ancient and Renaissance statuary, and beautiful topiary.

One of England’s finest country houses, Penshurst Place was the home of Sir John Pulteney, the Lord Mayor of London in the 14th century. You can tour the medieval Great Hall and Staterooms, and explore the gardens, which are divided into a series of natural rooms. Shakespeare’s friend and rival, Ben Johnson, wrote one of his greatest poems – To Penshurst – about the estate.

Ightham Mote

There are several other attractions on the property, including a collection of arms and armor, a toy museum, and a playground for children.

Garden lovers and fans of Vita Sackville-West – or Virginia Wolfe, for that matter – will enjoy a visit to Sissinghurt Castle Garden. Visitors can enter the Elizabethan house to see the author’s library and study. But it’s the gardens, created by Sackville-West and her husband Harold Nicholson, that are the real draw. They’re in bloom from spring until fall, with an herb garden, cottage garden, fields of daffodils, and a white garden that peaks in June.

Find other things to do in Great Britain.

Legend:
1) Chartwell
2) Smallhythe Place
3) Ightham Mote
4) Hever Castle
5) Penshurst Place
6) Sissinghurst Castle Garden

View Things to do in Kent map in a larger map

Sissinghurst Image Flickr: wlcutler
Ightham Mote Image Flickr: exfordy

Buttermere

England’s Lake District has lots of charming pubs that serve real, traditional ales and hearty food – just the thing after a long day of hiking.

Several of the area’s pubs also offer rooms, which range from basic to down-right luxurious. If you’re interested in historic Lake District accommodation that’s inexpensive and atmospheric, pub lodging is a good choice. And in many cases, you’ll get to know some of the local gentry.

Two miles east of Windermere in Ings, the Watermill Inn is one of the best-known and most appealing lake district inns. The pub – which is located in an old, stone mill – has won numerous awards, including Cumbria Pub of the Year in 2009 and UK Beer Pub of the Year 2011.

The pub pulls 16 Real Ales and serves traditional pub meals. The River Gowan flows through the property and there’s a sunny beer garden facing it. There are eight guest rooms upstairs, each with private bath. Dogs are welcome too.

The Bridge Hotel in Buttermere is on a site that’s been occupied for more than 1,000 years. The location near Buttermere Fells is great for walking. The 21 standard, superior, and four-poster rooms have telephones, but no TVs or radios. Internet access is available in the Residents Lounge.

Several apartments with kitchens and balconies or patios are also available. These have good views of Buttermere Round, Haystack, and the surrounding gardens.

The menu in the dining room changes nightly, and more than 60 wines are available, in addition to the good selection of ales.

A 17th-century traditional inn, Tower Bank Arms is in the village of Near Sawrey, next to Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter. The Tower Bank Arms is mentioned in The Tales of Jemima Puddleduck.

The inn is a National Trust property and the original slate floor, stove, and wood beams have been preserved. The pub serves local beers and organic wines, and when the weather’s fine, you can sit in the garden with views of the woodlands and village.

Wasdale Head Inn

Four rooms with private bathrooms, TVs, and tea and coffee-making supplies are available. Guests can also take advantage of the inn’s two fishing permits. Dogs may stay with their owners free of charge.

Nestled beneath England’s tallest mountains, Wasdale Head Inn offers classic Lake District accommodation. It has ten rooms in the main building and seven apartments in an old, converted barn. All have been recently refurbished.

Ritson’s Bar is a gathering place for hikers and raconteurs – the original landlord was known as the “World’s Biggest Liar.” And in summer, the patrons head out into the garden. The restaurant specializes in Herdwick lamb and mutton.

The location is quite remote, so you’ll enjoy plenty of peace and quiet during your stay.

If you’re in the town of Keswick, the Dog & Gun is an excellent pub known for its Hungarian Goulash and local ales. As befits the name, dogs are most welcome.

Find Lake District hotels.

Buttermere Image Flickr: Leshaines123
Wasdale Head Inn Image Flickr: AndrewH.uk

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

With beautiful gardens, Regency-style mansions, and a charming main street, Cheltenham is one of the most attractive towns in the Cotswolds. It’s been a destination since 1788 when George III came to enjoy the benefits of the natural mineral springs here.

Today, it’s a nice spot for a getaway, with several attractions worth visiting. Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Catherine Parr, is buried at Royal Sudeley Castle and Gardens. Dating from the 15th century, the castle has a fine art collection. The Cheltenham Racecourse hosts one of Britain’s most prestigious horse races each spring.

The hotels in Cheltenham Town Centre provide easy access to shopping, dining, the race track, Pittville Pump Rooms, and the Promenade.

Cheltenham Townhouse and Apartments offers 20 nicely furnished rooms and suites in a Regency Townhouse in the heart of town. Rooms have DVD players, Internet access, and modern bathrooms. Breakfasts – which are prepared with fresh, local produce – are a specialty here. There’s plenty of free parking.

Built in 1850, Beaumont House has received five stars from AA and the Gold Award from Enjoy England. Its 16 rooms are each individually decorated, but all have Internet access and flat-screen TVs. Accommodations are available for singles, couples, and even families. The two suites have whirlpool baths. Beaumont House is surrounded by a pretty garden and there’s a sun room with an honor bar, coffee drinks, and cookies. Beaumont House is one of the most celebrated Cheltenham hotels.

On a pretty, leafy square, Clarence Court Hotel is located in a Regency home once owned by the Duke of Wellington. Rooms are furnished with luxury bedding and toiletries, and WiFi is complimentary. Joules Café serves continental cuisine pizzas made with imported ingredients and cooked in their pizza oven. Breakfast is served each morning.

Surrounded by Georgian and Victorian buildings, Cotswold Grange has 24 rooms with period details, including high ceilings, beautiful plasterwork. The 20-foot tall windows in the dining room of the hotel compliment the modern European fare. Service is cordial and efficient.

Cheltenham Racetrack

The most modern Cheltenham hotel, the Holiday Inn Express is across from the Brewery Leisure Complex. With 132 rooms, it’s also the largest hotel in Cheltenham. Rooms have power showers, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and coffee and tea-making supplies. There’s a bar and lounge, and guests may use the facilities at Fitness First and receive discounts at restaurants in the Brewery.

Perched at the top of the Promenade, Mercure Queen’s Hotel originally dates from 1835. It’s a popular spot for a cocktail in the Gold Cup Bar or afternoon tea. Guests of the Queen’s Hotel may use the pool, fitness center, tennis, and racquetball courts at the Cheltenham Ladies College Sports Centre. The Napier Restaurant & Conservatory is an AA award winner.

Dating from 1584, The Greenway is an Elizabethan country house hotel set in nationally recognized gardens. The Queen Mother made this her base when she came for Gold Cup Week. The 11 rooms in the main house were recently refurbished and they’re furnished with antiques, old paintings, and beautiful carpets. The rooms in the Coach House look out onto the gardens. There’s a restaurant, a lounge, and a bar. The Greenway is the best country house hotel in Cheltenham.

Find more hotels in Great Britain.

Legend:
1) Cheltenham Townhouse & Apartments
2) Beaumont House
3) Clarence Court Hotel
4) Cotswold Grange
5) Holiday Inn Express Cheltenham
6) Mercure Queen’s Hotel Cheltenham
7) The Greenway

View Hotels in Cheltenham Town Centre Map in a larger map

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum Image Flickr: ell brown
Cheltenham Racetrack Image Flickr: MissChampers

Trastevere restaurant

To us, no trip to Rome is complete without having dinner in Trastevere. The name – which means across the Tevere, as the Tiber river is known in Italian – refers to the location. But it’s more a state of mind.

Not that long ago, few tourists ventured here. But today, Trastevere is a popular destination for many visitors to Rome.

If you’re looking for unpretentious Roman food, Trastevere restaurants are a great choice. The neighborhood is charming, and prices in most restaurants are reasonable. Don’t come looking for haute cuisine. But you can expect a fun night out with good food, good wine, and typically Roman surroundings.

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere is the heart of the neighborhood, and you should stroll down there after dinner for the atmosphere. But you’ll likely have a better meal if you stray a little further afield.

Specializing in Roman food and the cuisine of Naples, Alle Fratte di Trastevere is the place to come for baby octopus, prawns with ginger and thyme, or tagliolini with lobster. But you can also get a good tagliatelle carbonara. The restaurant is decorated with trompe l’oeils frescoes of Roman life. And service is friendly and warm.

When you’re craving pizza, do as the Romans and head for Dar Poeta. Unlike a lot of Roman pizzerias, they make both thick and thin-crust pizzas, and they use a secret flour mix that makes their crust especially good. The owners aren’t content with the usual fare. They cook up pizzas with salmon, zucchini flowers, and swordfish carpaccio in the wood-burning oven. And dessert calzones – filled with Nutella and mascarpone or ricotta – are must haves.

One of the best wine bars in Rome, Ferrara also serves meals as well as tapas-style appetizers in the upstairs bar. The selection of 350 wines is terrific, and dishes like squid with tea-smoked tomatoes and spaghettini with sea urchins keep diners coming back. Housed in a 17th-century convent on Piazza Trilussa, the atmosphere is romantic but hip. For wine lovers, this is one of the most enjoyable restaurants in Rome. There’s some seating on an outdoor patio.

Run by an American chef, Glass Hostaria is located in a building that’s won awards for its modern design, something of a novelty in this neighborhood. Chef Cristina Bowerman has created a menu that features traditional dishes like pigeon and scallops and updated interpretations like white truffle crème brulee. The ingredients she uses are impeccably fresh, and she makes the most of what’s in the market. More than 600 selections of wine are available.

For Tuscan cooking, Il Ciak is the best restaurant in Trastevere. Serving game, dishes rich with mushrooms or truffles, and the superb chianina beef, Il Ciak makes a terrific bistecca alla fiorentina. Pasta takes a backseat here to polenta and roasted vegetables. If you love wine from Tuscany, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. This is one of the best Rome restaurants for Tuscan food.

Rivadestra, which means “right bank,” is similar in feeling to bistros in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres neighborhood in Paris. Pasta with shrimp and beans, tuna fillet with peppers, and beef with escarole are typical dishes.

As the name implies, Spirito di Vino has a great selection of wine, and hearty, traditional cooking in a warm atmosphere. You might start your meal with Roman-style artichokes or soup with salt cod and then move on to farfalle with pumpkin, gorgonzola and pistachio or fettuccine with black truffles. Veal goulash, pork fillet, and tripe are excellent second courses.

Aristocampo

More expensive than most of the restaurants in Trastevere, Alberto Ciarla is in a building that dates from 1890. Come here for fresh seafood and shellfish, which you’ll see on ice when you enter. Spaghettti vongole, sea bass, and pasta with beans and seafood are the stars here. And the fritto misto is wonderful.

At Asinocotto, chef Giuliano Brenna has developed an ambitious menu where you might find quail, smoked sturgeon, or guinea fowl on the menu. With its dark, wooden beams and low lighting, it’s a cozy spot with good service. Start your meal with wild boar terrine or shrimp and bacon on creamed peas.

Several years ago, we were walking down Via della Lungaretta and saw a cute place with a blackboard out front that said “We are against the war and the tourist menu.” Since we’re not fans of either, we figured we’d give Aristocampo a shot, and it was great. Just what you expect of a Roman trattoria – checkered tablecloths and all. There were plenty of Romans enjoying pasta amatriciana, veal loin, and spaghetti with clams. You can dine inside or at one of the tables on the sidewalk. Their Campo di Fiore location has great Panini to go.

Find more restaurants in Rome.

Legend:
1) Alle Fratte di Trastevere
2) Dar Poeta
3) Enoteca Ferrara
4) Glass Hosteria
5) Il Ciak
6) Rivadestra
7) Spirito di Vino
8) Alberto Ciarla
9) Asinocotto
10) Aristocampo

View Trastevere Restaurants Map in a larger map

Trastevere restaurant Image Flickr: Perrimoon
Aristocampo Image Flickr: Donna_Rutherford

Eurodisney Paris

Since they’re located within or adjacent to the park, Eurodisney hotels are really convenient. But they can also be expensive.

If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland Paris Resort, you can save some money by staying at one of the hotels near Eurodisney. In most cases, they offer free shuttle service not only to the park, but also to the local shopping centers and other nearby attractions. And many have kitchens, which can help you save money on meals out too.

Not far from the Bussy-Saint-Georges golf course, Park & Suites Prestige Val d’Europe has 224 suites with full kitchens, separate living and dining areas, and flat-screen TVs. The Spa Aquatonic is nearby and the landscaped grounds are next to a protected forest. There’s a small laundry and a lounge where breakfast is served in the morning and drinks are available after 5PM.

Adagio Val d’Europe has studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments that sleep up to nine. If you’re traveling with a large group, this is a great choice. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen and balcony or terrace, and there’s undercover parking and an outdoor swimming pool. Breakfast is served in a sunny room overlooking the pool.

Located in Magny le Hongre, a village in the Brie region that’s ten minutes from Eurodisney, Citea Marne la Vallee has 104 cozy, new houses with all the amenities. Each house has a separate living room and a kitchen with a dishwasher and a washing machine. It’s especially convenient for travelers who plan to stay more than a few nights. Free high-speed Internet access is an added bonus.

With 87 rooms, the Tulip Inn Marne la Vallee is one of the smaller hotels near Eurodisney. It has twin, double, triple, and quadruple rooms, as well as accessible rooms for the disabled. These have wider doorways, lower shelves, and other features. Café du Monde lounge has a big-screen TV and a pool table. L’Oliver restaurant specializes in the cuisine of Provence, and it has a fixed price menu nightly.

Paxton Residence Hotel Spa provides shuttle service to the Bussy-Saint-Georges RER station, so you won’t need a car or taxi to get there. The hotel has a full-service spa, an indoor pool, sauna, fitness room, and restaurant. There’s free wired and wireless Internet access, and each of the units has a full kitchen and plasma TV. There’s also a restaurant and cocktail lounge.

Walking distance from the Val d’Europe RER station, the Residhome has 189 studio and one-bedroom condos with CD and DVD players, free high-speed Internet access, and kitchenettes. Continental breakfast is included in the rate and reception is open 24 hours.

The Residence Relais Spa Chessy offers villas that sleep up to eight. Brasserie Flo serves three meals a day and Le Franklin is a nice spot for evening cocktails. All the units have free WiFi, and Spa Aquatonic is nearby. Free shuttle service is available from the hotel.

With one-, two-, and three bedroom townhouse villas, Marriott’s Village d’Ile de France is another good choice for families. The resort has an indoor and an outdoor pool, a fitness center, Many of the units have views of the Golf Disneyland golf course from a private terrace. The larger ones have a downstairs power room, and all have kitchens and washer dryers.

Find Eurodisney hotels.

Legend:
1) Park & Suites Prestige Val d’Europe
2) Adagio Val d’Europe
3) Citea Marne la Vallee Magny le Hongre
4) Tulip Inn Marne la Vallee
5) Paxton Residence Hotel Spa
6) Residhome Val d’Europe
7) Relais Spa Chessy
8) Marriott’s Village d’Ile de France

View Hotels near Eurodisney Map in a larger map

Eurodisney Paris Flickr Image: ritcheyer

Cruises from Rome

Rome is one of the most popular ports in the Mediterranean. And why not? With ancient sights, vibrant culture, and incredible food, the Eternal City is always magical.

If you’re planning a European cruise, it makes sense to leave from Rome. Because then, you’ll be able to spend a few nights in the city before or after your cruise.

Cruises from Rome actually leave from the port of Civitavecchia, which is about 30 minutes from the city. If you arrange your air through your cruise line, your transfers will be provided. If not, it’s easy to arrange independent transfers to Civitavecchia.

Hundreds of Mediterranean cruises leave from Rome — especially during the summer. But you can also board a ship bound for the Black Sea, Scandinavia, the Greek Islands, the Adriatic, or the Middle East.

If you’re pressed for time, seven-night cruises are available on Princess, Costa, Windstar, MSC, Silversea, Star Clippers, and Seabourn. You can either go roundtrip from Rome, or begin in Rome and end in Barcelona, Lisbon, or Athens.

The 7-night roundtrip voyage on Costa visits Barcelona, and ports in Mallorca, Malta, and Sicily. MSC calls at Salerno, Mallorca, Marseilles, Genoa, and Corsica.

Windstar’s seven-night cruise from Rome on Wind Surf calls at Elba, Corsica, Sardinia, Mallorca, and Valencia before disembarking passengers in Barcelona. Wind Spirit visits Ischia, Amalfi, Sicily, and Monemvasia and Mylos in Greece. Passengers leave the ship a week later in Athens.

Silversea’s Silver Spirit sails from Rome and visits Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Malaga. The cruise ends in Lisbon. The beautiful clipper ship Royal Clipper manages to fit seven ports into a one-week voyage. Passengers on these cruises go ashore in Ponza, Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, Sicily, Lipari, and Stromboli.

Those who have a little more time can opt for a 12-night cruise on Princess or Royal Caribbean. These Greek Island cruises also include stops in Turkey, and Naples.

Lovers of luxury have a couple of choices. Sea Dream II operates ten-night roundtrip cruises from Rome that call at Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Lipari, Stromboli, Amalfi, and Capri. Seabourn Legend includes many of these ports in their two-week voyage and also adds Le Lavandou. Marseilles, Sanary-sur-Mer, Saint Raphael, and Cannes in France. The cruise ends in Monte Carlo. These are some of the most appealing European cruises.

Those who wish to visit the Middle East can opt for several cruises from Rome. Pacific Princess offers a 12-night cruise that visits Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Ephesus in addition to Naples and the Greek Islands. Celebrity does a similar cruise on their Silhouette. Holland America adds Cairo and three ports in Turkey to their 14-night cruise on Prinsendam.

Read more cruising tips.

Cruises from Rome Image Flickr: RobRyb

Albufeira

If the Algarve is Portugal’s Riviera, then Albufeira is the Algarve’s St. Tropez. Its beautiful beaches, rocky grotto, and water park attract sun-seeking travelers in droves. And Albufeira nightlife is the hottest in the region with dozens of clubs welcoming partiers who dance the night away.

The Strip – which is now three or four blocks deep – is where most of the action is. Most clubs there stay open until 2 or 3 in the morning. Bars located around the Old Town square are a little less rowdy.

The largest club in the Algarve, Kadoc is midway between Albufeira and Vilamoura. It’s not hard to find – just look for the lights circling overhead. Some of the top DJs in Europe come here, and on Friday and Saturday nights, it’s packed. In fact, as many as 7,000 partiers jam the five dance floors and outdoor terrace.

Although smaller, Kiss is an Algarve legend. In business for 29 years, it’s on Areias de Sao Joao. During the summer, international DJs spin Latin, Electro, and R&B for enthusiastic crowds who pack the three dance floors.

Matt’s Bar is extremely popular with British vacationers. It’s a good place to start the evening, although you may want to save riding the mechanical bull for later.

For something more sophisticated, try Bank, which opens at 11AM. During the day and early evening, it’s a restaurant. But it heats up later, with live music, a terrace overlooking the main square, and a lively crowd.

Beach near the Strip in Albufeira

Attracting a stylish, upmarket crowd, Le Club is located at Santa Eulalia, overlooking the beach. Come for Italian cuisine and designer cocktails, then stay for dancing. The beach-front venue gives Le Club a festive, holiday atmosphere.

Built right into the cliffs, Canico is one of the most striking venues anywhere. An elevator takes guests from the top of the cliffs, through the rocks, and down to the beach. At night, a DJ sets up out on the sand and revelers dance under the stars against a backdrop of the illuminated cliffs.

Pure Vilamoura is the newest club on the scene. LED lighting changes the color of the lounge and 80s music gets the party started. Big-screen TVs televise sporting events so fans never miss a play.

The Albufeira area has more than its share of Irish pubs. DeBarra is in the Quinta Shopping Center has wood paneling, tall barstools, and Irish beer on draught, plus a big deck overlooking the golf course. The Irish Cabin Pub in Vilamoura has a huge terrace that looks out onto the marina. During the summer, there’s live music every night. The Block Stove in Alvor is also Irish owned and operated.

Albufeira Image Flickr: Sberla_
Beach near the Strip in Albufeira Image Flickr: Sue Elias

Cinque Terre views

Twenty tears ago, the Cinque Terre was a largely undiscovered region known to only a few savvy travelers. But today, hundreds of thousands come each year to hike the trails, drink the wine, and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

So much so that there’s a considerable amount of wear on the trails. Cinque Terre National Park, which was created in 1999, is responsible for maintaining the trails. To fund their upkeep, they created the Cinque Terre Card.

There are three types of cards available: Basic, Train, and Ferry. And they include transportation, admission to attractions, and access to the hiking paths. They can be purchased at the National Park Information Centers near the stain stations, and at the train stations in Levanto and La Spezia. The cost ranges from 5.40 to 50 euros, depending on inclusions and duration.

The Basic card covers use of the shuttle buses that run from the parking lots to town and elevators at Riomaggiore and Manarola train stations; hiking on the Number 2 Blue Trail; entrance to the anchovy factory in Monterosso al Mare, the Virtual Aquarium in Monterosso, museums in Levanto, Manarola, and Riomaggiore; and discounts in the Park shop.

The Train card includes all the features of the Basic card plus unlimited train rides on the La Spezia – Levanto line. This is really convenient because you can hike one way and the return by train. The train runs up and down the Cinque Terre pretty frequently.

The Basic and Train cards are valid for one, two, three, or seven days.

Another great option is to hike and then take a ferry back, or vice versa. The Ferry card includes the ferries in the protected marine area and train transportation so you have either option. The ferries stop in all the Cinque Terre towns except Corniglia. The ferry card is available for one day only.

Since the seas are sometimes rough, it’s nice to have the train as a fall-back in case the ferries aren’t running. Manarola, especially, is sometimes inaccessible.

The card comes with a map of the park that describes the hikes and the time it takes to complete them, plus train and ferry schedules.

When you get your card, you’ll need to fill in your name and nationality. And you’ll need to validate it in the yellow machine at the train station or check point.

If you don’t plan to do a lot of hiking, there are some walks you can do for free. And there’s no change for the upper (Number 1) hiking trail.

Find Cinque Terre hotels.

Cinque Terre views Image Flickr: raffaelesergi1977

Aira Force

England’s lovely Lake District is a great place to come and commune with nature. You’ll follow in the footsteps of Keats, Shelley, Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Tennyson who appreciated – and in many case celebrated – the beauty of the area.

Today, most of the 35-square-mile area is Lake District National Park, so development is kept to a minimum. And there are countless opportunities for hiking, sailing, and just enjoying the views.

The most popular activity here is enjoying the scenery, either on foot or from a boat. But there are several Lake District attractions worth checking out.

Built between 1898 and 1990, Blackwell is a must-do for those who love the Arts and Crafts movement. The house showcases plasterwork, stained glass, carved paneling, and wrought iron from the turn of the century. There’s a shop selling crafts and a tearoom.

Aquariums are usually found near the sea, but the Lakes Aquarium in Windermere provides an in-depth look at life within a lake. Visitors can walk through a tunnel and watch diving ducks, frogs, and fish overhead. You can reach the aquarium by boat.

There are several Wordsworth attractions in the Lake District. Located in Cockermouth, Wordsworth House was his birthplace and boyhood home. Dove Cottage in Grasmere, where the writer lived from 1799 to 1808, was originally a 17th-century inn. It’s been preserved as it was when it was Wordsworth’s home. Admission to the house includes entrance to the Museum and Art Gallery.

Those who enjoy the Peter Rabbit stories should visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s home outside Hawkshead. Timed tickets for this popular attraction are available in advance. In Bowness-on-Windermere, The World of Beatrix Potter has three-dimensional recreations of scenes from the author’s stories. It’s a good spot for families. The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead exhibits her watercolors and drawings in her husband’s old office.

Dove Cottage

Artist and art historian John Ruskin made his home on Coniston Water. His 18th–century house – Brantwood – contains many of his drawings and personal effects, plus a nice collection of J.M.W Turner drawings. Set on 250 acres, the property is reached by ferry. Ruskin laid out the pretty gardens here.

You can see more of Ruskin’s paintings in the gallery at Kendal’s Abbott Hall. Housed in a Palladian-style mansion that dates from 1759, the gallery also has portraits by Romney, old photos of the area, and revolving exhibits.

Located on Ullswater, Aira Force is one of the loveliest Lake District attractions. The park has a rock garden, an arboretum, and a beautiful waterfall that eventually pours into Ullswater. Just above Aira Force, Gowbarrow Park is where Wordsworth saw the daffodils that inspired “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”

For the best herb garden in the region, visit Acorn Bank, east of Penrith. Many of the 250 herbs grown here are used to prepare the dishes in the tea room.

Find Lake District luxury hotels.

Legend:
1) Blackwell
2) Lake Aquarium
3) Wordsworth House and Garden
4) Dove Cottage
5) Hill Top
6) The World of Beatrix Potter
7) Brantwood
8) Aira Force
9) Acorn Bank

View Lake District Attractions Map in a larger map

Aira Force Image Flickr: estoril
Dove Cottage Image Flickr: Menage a Moi

Viareggio jetty

Most visitors to Tuscany don’t think of it as a beach destination. But many Italians head to Viareggio for sun, sand, and surf. South of the Cinque Terre, it’s an easy day trip from Lucca, Pisa, and even Florence. And there’s plenty of wine tasting nearby.

A fire destroyed much of Viareggio in 1917, and the hotels, villas, and cafes were rebuilt in the Liberty Style, as Art Nouveau is known in Italy. Most of the Viareggio hotels date from this period, although there are a couple of new, purpose-build bed and breakfasts.

The beach here is six miles long and there are more than 100 beach clubs where you can enjoy the sand and sea. The town is divided by the Burlamacca Canal. And there’s a pretty promenade, called the Passeggiata Margherita. Two wooded parks provide a cool break from the beach.

Viareggio was the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, and its Carnival is one of the most popular in Italy. The most impressive building in town is the Gran Caffe Margherita which was designed by Galileo Chini.

There are several good Viareggio hotels, but a B&B in Viareggio may offer more personal service and better value for money.

Il Sole Antico, which has four guest rooms — three with private bath — in the first floor of a 1930s villa. Each of the squeaky-clean rooms is individually decorated and some have Liberty tiles and other original touches. They were recently updated with LCD TVs and WiFi Internet access. The name means “ancient sun,” and the location is convenient to the beach, the promenade, and the town. The couple who run Il Sole Antico provide attentive service and their big, friendly dog is a bonus for those who miss their pets.

When the weather is fair, the yummy Italian breakfast is served outside on the terrace.

Close to all the Viareggio attractions, B&B Burlamacco Gold is located in the pedestrian corridor. It was recently constructed and the rooms have flat-panel TVs with satellite service, WiFi, and air conditioning. All are non-smoking and have modern bathrooms with bidets, showers, and complimentary toilets.

Liberty Style in Viareggio

The staff here speaks several languages, and are happy to make restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. Bicycles are available for guests to use. Burlamacco Gold is one the most expensive B&Bs in Viareggio.

For something unique, consider Torre del Arte, which is set in a restored Liberty villa south of Viareggio in Torre del Lago Puccini. The six guest rooms are decorated with paintings inspired by Dante’s Inferno and outfitted with LCD TVs, in-room safes, and. Breakfast is served in the vaulted dining room or in the garden. Parking is available for eight cars.

Hotel Belvedere is the closest Viareggio hotel to the beach. Virtually everything in Viareggio is a short stroll away, and one of its wooded parks is behind it. The Belvedere has ten rooms, WiFi, and an on-site restaurant that specializes in local seafood. There’s a pretty terrace with views of the Mediterranean, and parking is available.

Find Lerici hotels near Viareggio.

Legend:
1) Gran Caffe Margherita
2) Il Sole Antico
3) B&B Burlamacco Gold
4)Torre del Arte
5) Hotel Belvedere

View B&B in Viareggio map in a larger map

Viareggio jetty Image Flickr: urbaninvestigations
Liberty Style in Viareggio Image Flickr: _gee_

Nemesis Inferno at Thorpe Park

Paris has Eurodisney, but London has Thorpe Park.  Located just twenty miles from Central London, it has more than 30 roller coasters and extreme rides.  When Colossus opened in 2002, it held the world-record for most coaster loops.  Since then, Thorpe Park has added dozens of adrenalin attractions for thrill seekers.

The park is easily reached by rail, and there are plenty of good hotels nearby.

The town of Staines has a pedestrianized high street with Marks & Spenser, Debenhams, and other top retailers.  And there are plenty of specialty shops and restaurants in the town.

It’s about five minutes by car from Thorpe Park, and there are a couple of good hotels there.   The Mercure Thames Lodge is located right on the River Thames and the better rooms have river views.  There’s a restaurant and terrace bar overlooking the river, and it’s a short stroll to town.  Guests of the hotel may use the facilities at a local health club.

Dating from the 16th century, the Anne Boleyn Hotel is under new management and was recently renovated.  It’s also convenient to town, and the 45 rooms have four-poster beds and satellite TV.  Two restaurants and a bar are on site.

The town of Chertsey also has several good hotels near Thorpe Park.  With rooms that comfortably sleep four, the Bridge Hotel is a good choice for families.  The recently refurbished rooms have flat-screen TVs, updated bathrooms, in-room safes, and free WiFi access.  The Boathouse Bar and Restaurant next door has nice views of the Thames and its tributary.   On sunny days, you can dine or enjoy a drink outside.  It’s about three miles from the park.

Housed in a late 19th-century half-timbered building, the Crown Hotel has 49 rooms with free WiFi and traditional décor.  The pub serves good food, and there’s free parking.

The smallest Thorpe Park hotel with just four rooms, The Hamiltons is a cozy boutique inn with amenities like Egyptian cotton sheets, flat-screen TVs, and luxury toiletries.  The restaurant has an extensive wine list, and lighter fare is available in the bar.

Located in neighboring Weybridge, Brooklands Hotel & Spa has 120 nicely-decorated rooms with rain showers, a good Italian bistro, and a spa offering a variety of health and beauty treatments.

Also in Weybridge, Oatlands Park Hotel is a great choice for those looking for a refined weekend away.  The country house is set on ten pretty acres of parkland looking out over Broadwater Lake.  There are 144 guest rooms, a restaurant with a carvery, an outdoor terrace for summer dining, golf, tennis, and croquet.

The most luxurious hotel near Thorpe Park is Foxhills in Ottershaw.  On a 400-acre estate, the 19th-century county house has 70 beautifully furnished rooms.  There golf, tennis, a health club, three swimming pools, three restaurants, and three bars.

Legend:
1) Mercure Thames Lodge
2) Anne Boleyn Hotel
3) The Bridge Hotel
4) The Crown
5) The Hamiltons
6) Brooklands Hotel & Spa
7) Oatland Park Hotel
8) Foxhills

View Thorpe Park Hotel Map in a larger map

Nemesis Inferno at Thorpe Park Image Flickr: legoyodax

Langhe Piedmont

During the 1970s, many Italian farmers couldn’t make ends meet and left their farms to earn a living in the city. The Italian government was concerned about the loss of small farms and the impact on traditional life. So to encourage farmers to hang in there, they created Italy Agriturismo in 1985.

The program provided incentives to restore abandoned rural buildings and make them suitable for overnight guests. Two rules distinguish agriturismi from rural bed and breakfasts. First of all, the property must have fewer than 30 beds, and the majority of income has to come from agriculture.

If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, Italy agritourism gives travelers the opportunity to experience the Italian countryside in peaceful, and often beautiful surrounding. One or more meals is usually included in the rate and they’re prepared with home-grown or local products.

Many agriturismi are anything but rustic, with pools, riding stables, and golf. The hosts are proud of their region and often eager to act as tour guides, concierges, travel advisors, or language teachers.

The Piedmont region of Italy is one of the best for food and wine lovers. With vineyards growing the grapes that are used to make Barolo and Barbaresco wines, white truffles, the world’s best snails, Piemontese cattle, and artisanal cheeses and salumi, Piemonte has some of the best cuisine in Italy. And the scenery is gorgeous.

Wine tasting here is a little different that in the United States, and drop-ins aren’t usually welcome. But most towns have an enoteca that pours all the local wines.

The best Agriturismo Piemonte.

Turin – Torino – is the largest city in the province and the most convenient airport. To make the most of your time here, you’ll need to rent a car. But distances are relatively small and the roads are good.

There are several regions in Piemonte where you can base yourself. The Langhe was so named because the hills rolling through the area look like tongues. It’s lovely, uncrowded, and the restaurants here are very affordable.

Lago di Devero

Monferrato is best known for its main town, Asti, and its main product, Asti Spumante. It’s a great place to shop, especially at the market which takes place on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. The other well-known town in Monferrato is Acqui Terme, where there’s a natural spring.

The most popular area is the Piemonte Lakes. Lake Orta, located to the west of the better-known Lake Maggiore, is a delightful sub-Alpine lake where you can enjoy the beauty with fewer crowds. The town of Santo Giulio is located on a small island and there are lots of cafes overlooking the lake, with the spectacular Alps in the background.

There’s a wide selection of agriturismi in Piedmont to choose from. Some of the best are Cascine del Castello di Bagnolo, Tenuta la Marchesa, Cascina Barac, Villa la Favorita, Cascina Bozzetti, and La Due Cascine.

You can stay in a restored farmhouse, on a dairy farm, at a winery, on the grounds of an old castle, or in a 17th-century villa.

Find more places to visit in Italy.

Langhe Piedmont Image Flickr: stefano@torino
Lago di Devero Image Flickr: rosa-amato

Dubrovnik

In many ways, Adriatic cruises are the most enjoyable European cruises. First of all, the Dalmatian coast of Croatia and Montenegro offers spectacular scenery. The ports are some of the most interesting in Europe. And because some of them have limited docking facilities, you’ll likely arrive on a smaller ship and with fewer other cruises – and cruisers – in port.

In places like Kotor, you’ll be able to dock close to town, so you’ll enjoy more time ashore. And many of these ancient cities are a walker’s dream.

Well-known cruise lines including Princess, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Holland America, MSC and Costa Cruise offer cruises in the Adriatic. And ultra-luxury lines like Sea Cloud and Ponant are other options.

Most Adriatic cruises begin or end in Venice, and Norwegian (NCL), MSC, and Costa Cruises all offer seven-day roundtrip cruises from there. If you have two weeks, you can stay aboard for a second week on NCL and see different ports on the latter half of the voyage.

The one-week cruises usually include a couple of the beautiful Greek Islands – Santorini, Mykonos, or Corfu, depending on which itinerary you choose. Two-week voyages usually call in Athens too. A 200-passenger French ship does a seven-night cruise round trip from Dubrovnik.

Sailing roundtrip from Venice makes your air arrangements a little less complicated, and Venice is a magical place to spend a couple of nights before or after your cruise.

There are also 12 and 14-night cruises that begin or end in Rome. These will often call in Malta, Sicily, and Sorrento or Naples for the Isle of Capri. If you haven’t been to Southern Italy, it’s well worth exploring.

Hvar

Bear in mind that Rome is some distance from Civitavecchia, where the port is located. If you haven’t been before, give yourself a few days to see Rome before heading home.

The highlight of any Adriatic cruise is Dubrovnik. Known as the “jewel of the Adriatic,” the medieval walled city was extensively restored following the war in the early 1990s. With its orange tile roofs, smashing ocean views, and marble squares, it’s indescribably beautiful.

A hike on top of the walls that encircle the city is rewarded with incredible views of the Adriatic. When you’re done, you’ll find plenty of cafes in the piazzas for a beer or a glass of wine.

Split, also in Croatia, is similar to Dubrovnik, but on a smaller scale. It’s best known as the site of Diocletian’s palace, built in the fourth century AD. Parts of the palace are remarkably well preserved, and the old town is delightful.

Some of the smaller ships call at the Crotian island resorts of Hvar and Korcula.

Kotor, in Montenegro, is also a stop on many cruises in the Adriatic. Sailing through the Gulf of Kotor to reach the city provides some of the best scenery in the region, and you’ll pass the gorgeous island of Sveti Stefan, which is now home to a luxurious resort.

The old, Byzantine city of Ravenna boasts some of the most brilliant mosaics in the world in its superb churches. If your cruise calls here, it will be one of the highlights of your trip.

Dubronivk Image Flickr: Mike McHolm
Hvar Image Flickr: Lena_Ni

Venice

Which European destinations you’ll find most enjoyable depends on your interests and likes, but there are some places that are just so special that virtually no one is immune to their charms.

London has some of the most impressive museums and historic sights in the world, but given the choice between London and Paris, we’d choose Paris every time. Seeing the lights on the Eiffel Tower go into overdrive is an all-out thrill whether it’s your first time or your fifteenth.

The are dozens of world-class attractions in Paris — the Louvre, the Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, and Notre Dame among them — but the real beauty of Paris is that strolling along the Seine, enjoying a glass of wine at a sidewalk café, or doing a little shopping in the Marais is just as enjoyable. Paris is intoxicating, magical, and seductive without even trying.

With its ubiquitous Vespas, insane traffic, and vendors selling Fendi knock-offs, Rome can be overwhelming. But like Paris, Rome always captivates and enthralls. Looking up at the oculus in the Pantheon — especially if it’s raining — watching the sunset from the Spanish Steps, or eating pasta in a Trastevere trattoria become memories you’ll always treasure.

Known as La Serenissima — the Serene One — Venice is absolutely one of a kind. The Doge’s Palace and Basilica San Marco are stellar attractions, but the amazing ambience is the real reason to come here. Even shopping in Venice is unique, whether you’re buying a Fortuny scarf at Venetia Studium, a chandelier made of Murano glass, or a carnevale mask.

Although it’s a tourist must-do, gliding down the canals on a gondola is just as romantic as it sounds.

Less well-known places to visit in Europe.

Few cities in Europe combine big-city amenities with spectacular natural beauty like Stockholm. Set on 14 islands, Stockholm has a vibrant old town, cutting-edge culture, and sparkling water everywhere. It’s museums and galleries showcase the best in Scandinavian design, and Viking history is proudly on display.

Seville is another one of those dreamy places that everyone wants to return to. Its Moorish architecture, white-washed buildings draped in bougainvillea, and pretty plazas make it one of the most appealing places in Andalusia. Wander the narrow streets and you’ll hear canaries and smell orange blossoms. The tapas here are the best in Spain, and the exquisite Alcazar is Mudejar design at its best.

Alcazar, Seville

Right in the middle of the French Riviera, Antibes is a delightful town that offers the best of all worlds. It’s within easily striking distance of Nice, Cannes, and the playgrounds of the rich and famous, but it’s a relatively low-key and affordable resort with great beaches, a fabulous food market, and a charming old town.

The beaches here are some of the best on the Riviera, the Picasso Museum in the old Chateau Grimaldi is a must-see for modern art fans, and the restaurants — which specialize in fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine — are terrific. Those with deep pockets can stay down on the peninsula at the Hotel du Cap-Eden Roc. Make reservations well in advance if you’re coming during the Cannes Film Festival.

Sardinia has some of the most luxurious resorts in the Mediterranean. Developed in the 1950s by the Aga Khan, Costa Smerelda is a jet-setters playground, but there are affordable resorts in Alghero which has beautiful beaches, an old town that dates from the 16th century, and cool caves and grottoes. It’s known as little Barcelona because of its Catalan roots. The interior of the island is forested and about a quarter of Sardinia is national park.

Those who love the outdoors will likely enjoy Corsica. With gorgeous turquoise bays, forested mountains, and the remains of medieval churches, citadels, and towers, Corsica is as wild as anyplace in Europe. But its location means there’s lots of history here too. Napoleon was born and baptized here — there’s a museum dedicated to him in the capital of Ajaccio. There are ancient monoliths, beautiful beaches, and the culture — and cuisine — are an interesting blend of French and Italian. The regional park here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you’re planning some European travel, consider adding some of these lesser known destinations to your itinerary.

Venice Image Flickr: Eoghan OLionnain
Alcazar, Seville Image Flickr:guymoll

Tagliatelle Carbonara

There are two dishes we always order when we’re in Rome. The first is bucatini al’amatriciana, a robust combination of tomatoes, onions, and bacon. The second is tagliatelle carbonara or tagliatelle alla carbonara – a dish so delicious that to us, it’s perfection on a plate.

The dish is utter simplicity – butter, cheese, eggs, black pepper, and bacon. But almost everything about carbonara is disputed, including the name, its origins, the correct ingredients, and its preparation. The only thing that everyone agrees on is the addictive nature of the dish.

The name is derived from the Latin for charcoal but no one can agree on the exact etymology. Some think that coal workers created the dish with ingredients they could transport and obtain easily. Others believe the dish was so named because it was prepared over a charcoal fire.

Because a recipe for carbonara wasn’t included in Ada Boni’s seminal 1927 book, La Cucina Romana, it’s assumed that the dish must be more recent than that. And many food historians think that carbonara was invented when Americans shared their rations of bacon and powdered eggs with their Roman friends. Whatever it’s origins, when properly made it’s a masterpiece of subtlety and balance in which each ingredient shines simultaneously.

As far as the ingredients go, there’s really no consensus, even in Italy. Any pasta will do, although tagliatelle and spaghetti are the most popular. In some ways, penne is preferable because it’s easier to toss with the sauce.

Many Italian cooks use guanciale, which is made with pig’s jowls, instead of the more common pancetta. But slab bacon is also acceptable. Sometimes, the bacon is rendered in olive oil, and sometimes it’s sautéed in butter.

Pancetta

Onions and garlic may or may not be used. And the liquid used to thin the sauce can either be pasta water, white wine, or chicken stock, which is preferred by Lydia Bastian — no slouch when it comes to Roman food.

It’s important to use the best quality eggs you can find. If you have a local farmer’s market selling free range eggs, you’ll be able to tell the difference. Some cooks separate them, some cooks beat them, and some just break them into the dish.

Taking the sauté pan off the heat when you add the eggs is key in keeping them from scrambling.

Cheese can either be Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano, or a mixture of both. Americans often add whipping cream, which Italians eschew.

Since there are so many ways to make carbonara, there’s not much agreement on where to sample the best carbonara in Rome. But Perilli, Roscioli, Nerone, and Danilo are all good bets.

If you‘re not going to Rome, here’s how to make tagliatelle or spaghetti carbonara at home:

· Boil 6 quarts of salted water and cook 1 pound of pasta until al dente

· In the meantime, sauté 4 ounces of diced guanciale and two cloves of crushed garlic in 2 tablespoons of olive oil

· Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water

· Remove the garlic from the pan and add the pasta with about ¼ cup of water

· Remove the pan from the heat and stir in 1-1/4 cups of grated cheese and four eggs

· Toss well to make sure every strand of pasta is coated with the sauce

· Top with copious amount of freshly ground black pepper

· Serve with extra grated cheese

Find more Roman food and wine tips.

Tagliatelle Carbonara Image Flickr: FotoosVanRobin
Pancetta Image Flickr: ChefMattRock

Eurodisney fun

On April 6, 2011, Disneyland Paris Resort is introducing a new Disney Magical Moments Festival. The festival provides a dozen new ways for kids and their parents to interact with their favorite Disney characters – in parades, stage shows, and more intimate settings.

You can join a Lion King drum circle, follow Peter Pan to Neverland, meet your favorite Disney princess, scream at the top of your lungs, or participate in a new, 20-minute show with Mickey Mouse performing feats of magic. Of course, photographers are on hand to capture your magical moments for you.

If this year’s updates seem modest, it’s probably because the 20th anniversary of the park is coming up in 2012. A major new attraction is expected for that celebration.

Eurostar service makes Eurodisney short breaks easy and affordable. If you have kids or are entertaining visitors, a long weekend at Disneyland is a great way to experience something completely different. And if you’re visiting Britain yourself and want to see the European version of Disneyland, it’s a snap.

A nonstop train leaves London’s St. Pancras station at 9:44AM and arrives at La Marne Vallee at 1:31PM. The travel time is 2 hours and 47 minutes. If you buy a Eurodisney breaks package, you can even check into your hotel and pick up your Disneyland Paris tickets right on the train – which can be a real time saver.

On the day of your return, there’s a nonstop train that departs La Marne Vallee at 7:37PM and arrives back at St. Pancras at 9:19 that evening.

There are dozens of Eurodisney hotels to choose from and you can customize a package in any price range. If you want, you can add a car, but it’s not really necessary since you’ll be within walking distance of everything – including the outlet shopping center.

Park Hoppers passes that include Walt Disney Studios Paris are a good value, and you can purchase extras online like luggage transfers from the train to your hotel. These extras really maximize the amount of time you have to enjoy the park and its attractions.

Packages can save you 20% or more on what you’d pay if you purchased all the components separately, and many services for kids are at a reduced cost or even free. Prices start around £1,000 for a family of four.

If you want to spend some time in Paris, you can fly or take the Eurostar there and then take the RER train from the city to La Marne Vallee.

Eurodisney fun Image Flickr: Imagaday

St. Pancras Station

There are nine major London train stations and your destination will determine which one you use. Be sure to confirm which station your train leaves from — you’re sure to miss it if you go to the wrong one. London Transport has a Stationlink bus that connects the stations and you can often take the Underground from one to another.

Most of the stations were build around the middle of the 19th century, and they’re beautiful architectural marvels of glass and steal. Today, they offer a full range of amenities including shops, restaurants, storage lockers, and other services.

Major London train stations.

Built in 1864, Charing Cross provides service to cities southeast of London, including Canterbury and Dover, as well as English Channel crossing ports. The station connects to London Bridge and Waterloo.

Euston provides service to 50 million passengers a year traveling to northwest England and Scotland. The Station was built in 1837.

Heathrow is located at the airport and provides service to Paddington Station via the Heathrow Express.

A short walk from St. Pancras station, King’s Cross serves York and Edinburgh. Part of King’s Cross was used as Platform 9-¾ in the Harry Potter movie.

Eurail Selectpass

If you’re headed to Northern Germany, the Netherlands, or Scandinavia, you’ll travel from Liverpool Street. With 123 million passengers a year, it’s the third busiest London train station.

The clock at Waterloo Station

One of the most historic trains stations in London, Paddington was the original terminus of the Great Western Railway. Although the station has been extensively modernized, many original details have been preserved. Paddington is also a hub of four Underground lines.

St. Pancras was completely overhauled to provide Eurostar service to Paris and Brussels. Today, it’s one of the most modern and appealing railway stations in the world with dozens of restaurants, the longest Champagne bar in Europe, and stores like Marks and Spencer. In fact, the whole area has become gentrified with new hotels and cafes.

Not far from Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station provides service to Sussex, Kent, Brighton, and Gatwick Airport via the Gatwick Express. The second-busiest station in London, it’s the western departure point of the Venice Simplon Orient Express.

Waterloo Station provided Eurostar service until 2007, when it moved to St. Pancras. It’s not only London’s busiest station, it’s also the largest in the country. Waterloo provides service to the south of England, and is best known for the Victory Arch built to honor Britain’s war dead.

Read more about travel by train in Great Britain.

High quality up-to-date maps of London from maps.com the online map store

Legend:
1) Charing Cross Station
2) Euston Station
3) Heathrow Station
4) King’s Cross Station
5) Liverpool Street Station
6) Paddington Station
7) St. Pancras Station
8) Victoria Station
9) Waterloo Station

View London train station map in a larger map

St. Pancras Station Image Flickr: chakchouka
The clock at Waterloo Station Image Flickr: C. G. P. Grey

Lake Windermere

The Lake District of England is a great spot for a relaxing week or weekend communing with nature. The scenery is smashing, the food is first-rate, and the Lake District luxury hotels specialize in truly pampering their guests.

Located on 20 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds three miles east of Windermere, Gilpin Lodge has 14 rooms and 6 suites in two modern annexes to a 1901 country house. The most inviting are the Garden Suites, which have outdoor hot tubs. Dining is a big part of the experience here – which is good since it’s a drive to other restaurants – and there are four dining rooms to choose from. All are 3 Rosette winners. You can enjoy a cocktail in the stylish lounge or on the terrace. Spa treatments and massages are available in your room. And guest may use the facilities at the local health club.

Just a mile from the Windermere train station, Miller Howe Hotel and Restaurant has beautiful views of the lake from the garden terrace, and balcony rooms. The 14 rooms in the Edwardian country house are beautifully decorated in the British Arts and Crafts style. But if you plan to stay a while, book the Gardener’s Cottage which has it’s own garden and kitchen. The restaurant is quite good and serves lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea.

As the name suggests, Moss Grove Organic Hotel is as environmentally responsible as it is luxurious. The Victorian house – which is in the heart of Grassmere – was restored using natural products such as sheep’s wool for insulation, recycled timbers, and clay paint. And the restaurant serves organic, local, and fair trade foods. The décor is a charming combination of old and new, with rustic material side-by-side with flat-screen TVs and other modern amenities. The huge, marble bathrooms are state of the art and some rooms have private hot tubs or balconies. Moss Grove is the hippest Lake District luxury hotel.

Ambleside

The Samling is the top choice of celebrities because of its seclusion. It’s located on a rise a few hundred feet above Lake Windermere and surrounded by 67 rolling acres of greenery. There are just 11 rooms – five in cottages and six in the 18th-century stone house where Wordsworth paid his rent. Service is first-rate and discrete, but not stuffy. In fact, the ambience here is quite relaxed considering the prices. Take a stroll through the grounds to admire the sculpture or go trout fishing at the lake. The Michelin-starred restaurant is one of the best in the area, with a wine list to match.

The first Relais & Chateaux hotel in Britain, Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel is on 12 acres of Lake Ullswater waterfront. The views of the lake from here are the envy of the other Lake District hotels. The nine rooms in the Victorian main house are very formal – exactly what you’d expect from a luxury manor house. The rooms in the Edwardian Gatehouse and Bank House and less so. The restaurant, which has won a Michelin star every year in recent memory, is absolutely top notch, and service is impeccable.

Legend:
1) Gilpin Lodge
2) Miller Howe
3) Moss Grove Organic Hotel
4) The Samling
5) Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel

View Lake District Luxury Hotels Map in a larger map

Find more Lake District hotels.

Lake Windermere Image Flickr:AEJHarrison
Ambleside Image Flickr: foshie

Pierre Herme macarons

Most people who are planning a trip to Paris look forward to taking in the views from the top of the Eiffel Tower, enjoying the Impressionist paintings in the Musee d’Orsay, or cruising down the Seine at night when the city’s monuments are illuminated. All are worthy pursuits that will create indelible travel memories.

But there’s another destination no trip to Paris should be without.

The amount of pleasure you’ll experience there may be unrivaled, even though it’s affordable for almost any traveler. And you’ll likely return again and again.

We’re talking about Pierre Herme, the most celebrated pastry chef in Paris, and his eponymous boutiques.

Herme is a fourth-generation baker from the Alsace region of France. At the tender age of 14, he came to Paris to train with Gaston Lenotre, who is credited with revolutionizing French pastry. At 24, he became the head pastry chef at Fauchon — the most celebrated food store and caterer in Paris.

By 1998, he was ready to branch out on his own, and he and business partner Charles Znaty opened the first Pierre Herme boutique in Toyko. It was an immediate hit. And Herme became a culinary sensation.

He opened his first Paris boutique on Rue Bonaparte in 2001 and opened a second location on Rue de Vaugirard in 2004. About 25 pastry chefs work in shifts in the Vaugirard kitchen, where cakes for both locations are made. Chocolates are created in the Bonaparte kitchen.

In 2007, he was awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur by Jacques Chirac.

An impressive resume, to be sure, but what’s all the fuss about? To find out, simply bite into one of his divine macarons. If you’ve never had one, they are indescribably delicious. Two light, crisp, almond-flour meringues surround an intense, rich filling. The combination of flavors and textures can be enjoyed in two perfect little bites. Astonishingly simple, yet remarkably complex.

Herme’s real genius is his creativity. While competitors are content producing impeccable chocolate, vanilla, and pistachio macarons, Herme experiments with flavors like passion fruit, rose, litchi, chestnut, apricot, jasmine, olive oil, and green tea. He introduces new flavors all year long, and many are only available seasonally — such as gingerbread in the fall. The line forms around the block to sample the new ones.

Of course, macarons aren’t the only temptations — at around $2.50 each, they’re simply the most affordable and portable. But exquisite cakes, chocolates, jewel-like tarts, cheesecakes, and Napoleons are also irresistible.

To sample Herme’s wares, you’ll have to visit Paris or Tokyo — although he does ship to destinations in Europe. He’s written several books on desserts. But his macaron book is only available in French, and it’s quite expensive to purchase in the United States.

Find other top Paris patisseries.

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Pierre Herme macarons Image Flickr: betsyweber

Rhine River Cruise

The Rhine is one of the most important – and historic – European waterways. Flowing more than 800 miles from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea in the Netherlands, the river’s banks are lined with medieval castles, ancient ruins, and rolling vineyards.

Rhine River cruises are a wonderful way to explore Germany, and there’s a Rhine River cruise for virtually any taste and budget. From day cruises along the most scenic stretches of the river to month-long luxury voyages that continue on to some of Europe’s other great rivers, there’s a Rhine cruise for everyone.

If you have the time and money, European river cruises offer the best of all worlds. You can settle into a comfortable, well-designed stateroom, unpack once, and then lean back and watch the scenery roll by – right at eye level. Avalon, Globus, Uniworld, Viking River Cruises, and AMA Waterways all offer cruises along the Rhine. And service and amenities on these lines are first rate.

In most cases, a daily shore excursion is included in the fare. You’ll have time to explore on your own. And you can often go into town in the evening for a little nightlife or local cuisine.

An 8-night cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland – or vice versa – provides a great introduction. Most programs have an overnight in Amsterdam before boarding the vessel, so there’s time to visit the Rijksmuseum, the van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank’s house or the flower market before getting under way.

The next stop is usually Cologne, known in Germany as Koln. The magnificent Gothic Cathedral here is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most visited site in Germany. Those interested in history should also check out the Roman-Germanic Museum, where there’s a fantastic, ancient mosaic.

Further downriver is Koblenz, where the Rhine is met by another of Germany’s majestic rivers, the Mosel. The attractions here are rich and varied, ranging from 9th-century St. Castor’s Church to a 17th-century pub. One of the highlights of any visit here is tasting the delicious local wines.

Medieval Rudesheim is a fairy tale village of wine stubes, cafes, and shops selling local crafts. During the holiday season, Christmas markets make this region especially appealing. Just be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes.

Heidelberg

Heidelberg is home to Germany’s most prestigious university, which dates from 1386. The bridge over the Neckar River leads to a lively downtown populated by eclectic students and a mix of 16th- and 17th-century buildings.

The capital of the French province of Alsace, Strasbourg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and quaint canals. The Cathedral of Notre Dame has a fascinating astronomical clock.

Art lovers will enjoy their time in Basel, where there are several excellent museums and galleries, including the Kunstmuseum and the Renzo Piano-designed Fondation Beyeler.

Those with more time can choose 10-day cruises that add Prague to the beginning or end.

For a relaxing European vacation with good food and wine, magnificent culture and scenery, and few if any hassles, Rhine River cruises are a great choice. And since many include free airfare, hotels nights, and more, they’re also a great value.

Read more about European river cruises.

Rhine River Cruise Image Flickr: nzboyinoz
Heidelberg Image Flickr: dmytrok

La Spezia marina

If you’re traveling to the Cinque Terre from the south, you’ll likely spend some time in La Spezia. Trains from Rome and Florence connect here to the line that serves the Cinque Terre — which makes it a convenient base for travelers who want to explore the region, but don’t have much time.

The home of one of Italy’s largest naval bases, La Spezia is less than an hour by train from Pisa. Once you reach La Spezia, you can take a ferry to Portovenere, Portofino, or the Cinque Terre villages Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare.

The town of Lerici, a few miles to the south, has a medieval castle, an ocean-front promenade, and a lovely piazza. It can also be reached by ferry.

You can spend the day exploring the coast, return to one of the convenient La Spezia hotels for the night, and then head out early the next morning on the train.

Finding the right La Spezia hotel.

There aren’t a lot of La Spezia attractions, so as far as location goes, if you’re using public transportation, proximity to the train station and ferry dock is probably your top priority.

Locanda del Golfo e delle 5 Terre is just 100 yards from the train station. It’s near the pedestrian center of town and each of the six rooms has WiFi Internet access. Breakfast is served at a café down the street, and it’s about a ten minute walk to the waterfront. The owners here are friendly and helpful.

Located in the pedestrian part of town, Hotel Crismar provides it’s guests with bicycles for getting around town. With just nine rooms, you’ll get personalized attention. And those who are driving will appreciate the private parking lot nearby.

The 37-room Hotel Genova is about a 15-minute walk from the train station. But it’s close to shopping, restaurants, and attractions. There’s a bar, a restaurant, and computer work area, and the rooms have satellite TVs and small refrigerators.

Cinque Terre ferry

Hotel Firenze & Continentale has 68 rooms with easy access to everything. Housed in a couple of circa-1900 buildings that have been recently renovated, it has Carrara marble floors, hand-pained murals, and other old-world details. A buffet breakfast is served in a room with views of the surrounding hills. This is one of the most traditional hotels in La Spezia.

If you have a car, Le Ville Relais offers wonderful views out over the Gulf of La Spezia. The hotel has eight rooms in two old Ligurian buildings. The best have balconies. There’s a swimming pool, sun terrace, sauna, and gym. And the property is surrounded by olive groves and lemon trees. The restaurant here is very good, but expensive. It’s a little off the beaten path, but lovely in its isolation.

La Spezia marina and Cinque Terre ferry Images Flickr: Anjadora