Clock Tower in Graz, Austria

Photo by: Gerriet, Creative Commons

The mere mention of Graz, Austria to people with the slightest familiarity with bodybuilding and weight lifting will immediately associate this city with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After all, this is the place where the former bodybuilding champion spent his time as a young man before he achieved global fame as a bodybuilder, as an action star and as an American government official. On the other hand, more seasoned travelers who have spent time in Austria will probably recall the sights of old buildings and districts around the city and nothing else.

However, Graz, Austria cannot be simply dismissed as an old place. True, it’s been around for a long time but that gives the place a richer heritage and a grand historical background. These days, the city is home to the old and the new that incoming travelers can enjoy and admire. Consider these examples:

• Old Town – This area gained its major milestone when UNESCO granted its inclusion in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1999. This is to recognize the harmonious presence in the same spot of different structures from different historical periods and in different architectural movements. Among the buildings in the area are the Landhaus from the Renaissance period, the Dom Cathedral built in the Gothic style, Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II constructed with the Mannerism style of architecture and the Basilica Mariatrost from the Baroque period.
• New structures – Some of the more recently built buildings in the Old Town and in the greater metropolitan area can also be found. These include Kunsthaus Museum of Modern Art, Stadtmuseum Graz, Camera Austria Museum of Photography, Kriminalmuseum, and Literaturhaus Museum of Contemporary Literature in German. Graz also has an artificial island that is made of steel, which is called Murinsel. This man-made island is located on the Mur River.

Like most of the major cities and towns around the country, Graz, Austria has a highly efficient and very interconnected system of public transportation. Tourists will surely have a convenient, easy and comfortable time visiting the old and the new in this city of fabulous contrasts.

If you’re looking for a holiday destination that can be magical and luxurious at the same time, then come to Villa d’Este and have a taste of what renaissance living is all about. Located in Lazio, it is just a mere 35 kilometer drive from Rome and just a stone throw away from Tivoli. Come to satiate your curiosity and experience how the aristocrats used to rest their weary heads, but stay for the greenery and the lush surroundings that will definitely revitalize your mind and body.

There is so much beauty to see in the gardens of Villa d’Este that will definitely leave you breathless and looking for more. Explore the magnificent landscape of the different plants and fountains that adorn the wide garden. There are about more than five hundred fountains and statues that will satisfy your artsy inclinations and may even teach you a thing or two on how the Romans defined the word beauty through their art form.

If you’re staying in Rome, you can arrange for a day trip to Villa d’Este via your booking agent or the villa’s touring office. You can either rent your own car or take the Roma – Pescara Train line from the Tiburtina Station all the way to the Tivoli Station. Once you’re in Tivoli, it’s easy to get on a bus to Villa d’Este. You can also take the Blue Cotral bus from Rome straight to Tivoli for an hour bus ride and don’t forget to take a few pictures of the sights along the way.

You will realize that the trip to Villa d’Este is definitely worth to take once you get a glimpse of the world renowned Fountain of the Hydraulic Organ or the Fontana dell’Organo Idraulico. Its dazzling waterworks and intricate carvings make it truly an artwork of beauty and ingenuity to behold.

The Tuscan countryside as most visitors have aptly described it, is a magical place where time ceases, and yet, after a day passes by it will seem as you have stayed there all your life. It’s because Tuscany feels and looks as warm as your own home and the locals will easily mistaken you as a family member whom you’ve known all your life. It offers its visitors not just a place to rest their weary heads and feet, but a pleasure filled environment that has all the best life has to offer.

The most endearing and memorable experience for most who have already had the luck to consider the Tuscan countryside as their home for the holidays is the sensation of consuming pure unadulterated and honestly good food. All the ingredients are guaranteed fresh and dishes are prepared with the utmost care and attention to the last detail. It’s just part of their normal way of life to feast on a rustic dish the same way it was feasted on by generations that went before them.

Accommodations are quaint and always a treat as most places that are open to visitors are family owned and personalized. And with so many available accommodations, especially during the lean season, you can move from one pension inn to another until you find the one that you would want to call your home. Whether you opt for a rustic old farmhouse, a renovated luxury hotel with panoramic views, or a modern design hotel in one of the cities, any Tuscany hotel will guarantee you an experience of great Italian hospitality. And no two accommodations are alike, that’s why it can be viewed as an adventure as well, because you really wouldn’t know what you’re going to get until you see it yourself.

Enjoy the scenery and the relaxing natural environment that the Tuscan countryside can offer you. This is the perfect getaway for honeymooners looking to find time for themselves and also for old couples who want to put a spark into their love life.

Step on to Alberobello and it will seem as if you have instantly shrunken into an elf with the quaint little houses that are reminiscent of fairytale images. The white houses, which have their distinctive cone shaped roofs, can easily bring out the child in you. Children who are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these charming houses delightfully point at it with traces of disbelief in their eyes. And once you feel the undeniable myriad of excitement and child like wonder, then you know that you have just truly arrived at Alberobello.

These magical houses are called “trulli”, one reason for Alberobello’s claim to fame. The trulli are circular, and fashioned out of limestone blocks. The origins on why the structures were made this way is debatable to this time, but the mystery doesn’t rob the town of any of its charm nonetheless. The town is small and all major points of interests can easily be accessed through walking. You can have your share of their best local fare at a number of restaurants that are open to the public throughout the day. And for a real treat, why not stay in a trullo for a night for a totally unique experience.

Come to Alberobello for the summer months and indulge yourself in the number of different festivities that you will be able to catch. It’s a charming place for both locals and foreigners alike and will bring delight to all ages. Just don’t forget to take a piece of the magic with you home by purchasing your own version of the trullo from the many gift shops that surround the main plaza. At the end of the day, Have a glass of their finest wine and make a toast to the charm of such a fairytale scene that would otherwise only exist on a movie set.

Syracuse, in the mysterious Italian island of Sicily was once a powerful Greek force that rivaled any notable colonies in history. And because of its Mediterranean influence, it’s easy to get lost in the idea that you are actually vacationing on a Greek island. Today, this holiday destination is a modern city that boasts of having the best of both Italian and Greek influences that delight any visitor looking for a Mediterranean holiday.

Although the city of Syracuse is located within the mainland of Sicily, transportation from the mainland shouldn’t be a problem as there are a trains that run through the coast. Cars can also be easily transported through ferries that travel to Messina. From Syracuse, it’s easy to travel to other towns and cities surrounding the area as there are normal bus routes that you can take if you want to travel around.

While in Syracuse, don’t forget to stay a day or two at their most famous destination, the Ortygia Island. You will find the best of Mediterranean living has to offer you there are you feast on the best seafood and drink the finest wine. You can also visit their aquarium if you want to come up close and personal with the different aquatic life forms that can be found in their sea. Don’t forget to make a stop at the Greek theater and the roman amphitheater which both claims to be the biggest of their kind in the land.

Syracuse is a place where both the Greek architecture and roman way of life happily coexist with each other, making it easy for anyone to quickly lose any sense of time. So don’t forget to book your own trip today and have a grand time lazily taking in the sun, the sands and everything else there is for a truly happy life.

Your roman holiday will not be complete without first taking a stroll down at the Quirinale district and tossing a coin or two at the Trevi fountain. A structural masterpiece that has been regaled to be the most famous in Italy used to be just another regular fountain on display. It wasn’t until Hollywood took notice of its potential and featured it in its love story classics such as “La Dolce Vita” and “Three Coins in the Fountain” that visitors started flocking to the scene. Today, it’s alive with the spirit of lovers, local and foreign alike, with the hope of finding their own eternal love, just like in the movies.

The Trevi fountain is most glorious and magnificent to see during the night when it is strategically lighted and the image of Neptune, the god of the sea, on his chariot comes to you in a very authoritative stance that commands both power and subtlety. Locals say that the fountain is a reflection of the moods of the seas which could transcend between calmness and restlessness all at the same time. And don’t forget to throw a coin into the water in a way that makes Trevi fountain unique and different from all the other fountains in Italy.

With your back facing the fountain, throw the coin over your shoulder and hope that it safely lands where it’s supposed to. Legend has it, that anyone who throws a coin into the fountain this way is assured to return back to the magnificent city someday.

The Trevi fountain is a representation of the classic Rome and the new thriving city that it is today. So make it a point to pass by whenever you find yourself in Rome. You’ll simply be overwhelmed with the feelings of magic, love and hop that surround the place.

The Spanish steps in the Piazza di Spagna can be considered as one of the most iconic images of Italy that is known to the foreign world. Because of its majestic beauty and truly one of the most notable architectural accomplishmenst of the Baroque art era, it is the most popular tourist destination in the city of Rome. The staircase’s claim to fame is due to the fact that it is the grandest of all staircases in Europe today. Your Roman holiday will not be complete if you don’t take a stroll down this magnificent work of art.

The Piazza di Spagna is also home to other famous Italian icons such as the Barcaccia Fountain where you can throw in a coin while you whisper the deepest longings of your heart. And you can also take a walk along another particularly beautiful staircase called the Trinita dei Monti. The total experience is that which will both amaze and excite you as you bear witness to the old world seamlessly transcend with the new modern way of life. As much as there are all these magnificent structures to astound you, you will be able to still have a feel of the modern comforts of the new world with the best hotels and restaurants surrounding the square.

A visit to the Spanish steps is not just a feast for the eyes, but for all the other senses as well. Why not have a cone of world famous Italian gelato while you listen to the chatter of different languages that linger on in the air? And at the end of your Roman holiday, let yourself be overwhelmed by the different colors, smells and sounds as you bid farewell to a classic destination that will always be a favorite among the passersby that have gone before you.

The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie is truly a spectacular Italian landmark that no visitor exploring Italy should dare miss. Located in the Italian fashion capital of Milan, the church is open to viewers from Tuesday to Saturdays starting at 8am to 8pm. And although there is no entrance charge to enter the church, there is a reservation charge for those who want to catch a glimpse of the famous Last Supper painting by the great Leonardo. Just make sure to book your reservations immediately when you get to Milan or even before you embark on the trip to ensure a guaranteed access to the famous painting.

Having survived the bombing during the second world war, the Santa Maria delle Grazie is now a privileged member of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites as it is the home of the famed last supper painting. And although the painting has miraculously survived war attacks in the past, its greatest challenge today lies in its proper conservation and restoration. This specific work of Leonardo has been drawing crowds for decades and even more the past few years because of a certain controversial book featuring “The Last Supper”.

Regardless of religious affiliations and conspiracy beliefs, art enthusiasts and history buffs alike will revel in the beauty that the Santa Maria delle Grazie. The architecture is a representation of everything that is remarkable about the human design and ingenuity and can be considered as one of the most studied structures in history today. So don’t miss your chance at getting a closer look at the cultural side of Milan after a long grueling day of sightseeing and shopping around the city, just head to the peaceful sanctuary and offer a prayer or two.

There is a lot to be said about the towers of San Gimignano. This town is famous worldwide for its picturesque medieval scenery. When you visit, it is like setting foot into a fairytale, in a time when towers were as natural to a town as towering skyscrapers are to the modern cities of today. It serves as a symbol of power and wealth as families during the thirteenth century scrambled to have their own towers constructed to their name as a sign of their social standing in the overall strata. San Gimignano may be a vague memory of its former glory today, but your holiday along the Tuscan hills will never be complete without stopping by this town for a stopover.

Don’t be afraid to take a walk along the Piazza Della Cisterna where the friendly locals who go about their daily routines will greet you warmly. The grueling task of purchasing assorted souvenirs to take back home can instantly turn into a treat as many trades and wares can be bought on the cheap. Intricate ceramics as well as custom jewelry will make fine tokens and remind you of your most enchanting trip. And don’t forget to sample the fresh produce and the infamous Vernacci wine at any charming bistro of your choice.

It’s best to come in for the winter and spring holidays if you’re looking to explore San Gimignano in peace and without the bustle of the loud summer crowd that it naturally draws in during the months of June to September. It will also be easy to have your own picking on the type of accommodations you choose at this time since most hotels, villas and bed and breakfasts have special offers in store for people who will come to visit during the lean months.

Ponte Vecchio is a popular medieval bridge in Florence crossing the Arno River with bustling tourist everyday. No wonder it is tagged as one of the famous places in Italy.

The name Ponte Vecchio is Italian meaning Old Bridge. The name suits the bridge because it dates back during the Roman Empire. Originally, the bridge was made out of wood but a flood destroyed it in the 1333 and was rebuilt in 1345; thus the bridge we see today, is a three arched bridge made of stone. The architecture of the bridge is mainly attributed to Taddeo Gaddi. In 1565, Giorgio Vasari was commissioned to build the upper part of the bridge, today it is called the Vasariano Corridor.

The corridor connects the Ufizzi Gallery and the Pitti Palace and functions as an art gallery. During World War II, it was the only bridge spared by the Germans during the siege in Italy; however, access to the bridge was obstructed by destroying the buildings at both sides of the bridge.

Today, the bridge is lined with leather and jewelry shops, hawking their craft learned through the ages. You can find deals outside the bridge as well.

Midway the bridge, you can enjoy the view of the Arno River and the Tuscan houses near the shores. It is also a good idea to go to the bridge during sunset. Aside from the fact that the volume of tourist is not that bigger, you can also view the river with the city lights illuminated on it, making it more picturesque.

Different musicians and buskers also frequent the place during sunset to entertain tourists. You might also want to visit Ponte Santa Trinita and Ponte alla Grazie to take good pictures of Ponte Vecchio with the sunset. It’ll be a great way to end your day in Florence.