Italy Vacation Planning: Rome, Venice, Florence, Tuscany Vacations

Treading the soil of Italy is to walk on the very history of western civilization. Italy's grand past is well preserved for tourists to experience and today's Italian culture breathes life into their rich history. An Italy vacation is an opportunity to observe a way of life that evolved from a proud tradition of living well and enjoying all that life has to offer; food, wine, love, beauty of nature and the indomitable Italian spirit.
An Italy vacation is sort of like eating from a smorgasbord, it is hard to know where to start because not everything will fit on the plate. So it is with Italy, there is are so many wonderful towns and villages, beaches and countryside to experience, it is simply impossible to see it all in one trip. One excellent method for planning an Italy vacation is to choose one or two cities to visit which can be used as a base from which to venture out into the surrounding region.
Rome is in the center of Italy and an Italy Vacation would not be complete without seeing the nation's capitol. Rome has magnificent ruins preserved from its heyday as the center of the Roman worldwide empire. Rome is where Graeco-Roman culture evolved as the Romans took the best of Greek culture and molded it into their own. Must-see attractions in Rome on an Italy vacation are: the Colosseum where gladiators fought, Vatican City where the Pope lives and lovers making wishes at Trevi Fountain.
After visiting Rome on an Italy vacation, head north for the Tuscany region. The name Tuscany is derived from the artistic and creative Etruscan people who inhabited this region. Tuscany is still known for its art, wine and elegance. Florence is the city of choice on an Italy vacation in Tuscany. Florence is where Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci got their start as artists and many of their works are displayed in Florence.
Must-sees on an Italy vacation in Florence and Tuscany include Michaelangelo's statue of David at the Accademia and the Uffizi Gallery that displays one of the world's best collection of Renaissance art including works by Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli. A rental villa in Tuscany is a wonderful way to unwind during an Italy vacation. High season rates for a Tuscany villa with a pool range from $11,000 per week for an 9 bedroom luxury villa to $1,100 for a 1 bedroom villetta.
Venice is another marvelous city to visit on an Italy vacation. Venice is situated in northern Italy on the Adriatic coast and is built on islands. Venice was an independent city state for over three hundred years and a European center of commerce ruled by a series of Doges. Must-sees while in Venice on an Italy vacation are the island of Murano, home to glass blowing. A gondola ride on the grand canal is one of the romantic Italy vacation dreams, and do not miss out on St. Marks Square, the Doges Palace or the Bridge of Sighs. An Italy vacation in Venice can be timed to coincide with one of the festivals such as Carnival in February, the Festival Redentore in July or the Regatta Storica in September.
Travel on an Italy vacation is easy and comfortable by rail. A first class rail pass for three days to anywhere in Italy costs $245 and extra days may be added for $30 per day. It is possible to travel by rail from the port city of Bari in the south all the way north to the Swiss border in one day; so traveling by rail pass on an Italy vacation makes good sense.
An Italy vacation will leave one sighing in pleasure, not as a prisoner of the Venice Doges. Italian culture, spectacular landscapes and architecture are a feast to the senses. Going on an Italy vacation is to take a scenic voyage through history and a rich cultural cruise all combined in one wonderful country.


Sources:
"Map of Italy." Destination 360. 2007. 16 July 2007. http://www.destination360.com/europe/italy/map.php
"Uffizi Gallery (Galleria delgi Uffizi)." Traveladvisor.com. 2007. 16 July 2007.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g1878 95-d191153-r7402509-Uffizi_Gallery_Galleria_degli_ />"THE ACCADEMIA AND MICHELANGELO'S DAVID, FLORENCE, ITALY - VISITOR INFORMATION." Tickitaly.com. The Galleria dell' Accademia, Florence. 2002-2007. 16 July 2007. http://www.tickitaly.com/galleries/accademia.php"History of Florence." AboutFlorence.com. 2005. 16 July 2007. http://www.aboutflorence.com/history-of-Florence.h tml
"Destinations: Venice, Italy." Nozio.com Venice Events, Italy. 2007. 16 July 2007.
http://www.nozio.com/en/Europe/Italy/Veneto/Veni ce/destination_guides/Venice_Events.htm
Smith, Sandy. "Festivals: Historical Regatta I." VirtualTourist.com. 14 September 2005. 16 July 2007.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Ital y/Veneto/Venice-140867/Local_Customs-Venice-Festiv />Zeller, James. "Cut Glass and Glass Blowing History And Development." Reprint Content. 2005-2007. 16 July 2007. http://www.reprint-content.com/Article/Cut-Glass-A nd-Glass-Blowing-History-And-Development/1896
"Doges Palace & the Secret Itinerary Tour." Venice City Tours. 2005. 16 July 2007.
http://www.tours-italy.com/venice-city_tours-dog es_palace_secret_itinerary.htm
"History of Tuscany." Knowitall.com. Tuscany. 1998-2007. 16 July 2007. http://www.knowital.com/history/tuscany/tuscany-hi story.html
Breda, Christina. "What to Do in Rome." Traveldiscovery.com.2007. 16 July 2007.
http://travel.discovery.com/destinations/europe/ italy/whattodo_rome.html
Hooker, Richard. "Rome History." 1996. 16 July 2007.
http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/ROME/HISTORY.HTM
"Rail Passes." Raileurope.com. Italy Passes. 2000-2007. 16 July 2007.
http://www.raileurope.com/us/rail/passes/eurail_ italy_pass.htm?WT.mc_id=ItalianRailCom_Italy_Pass& />"Tuscan Villas with Pool." Tuscan Villas. Tuscany-villas.com. 2004. 16 July 2007.
http://www.tuscany-villas.com/lista,villa_search ,with_pool.html