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When visiting Rome, one of the most basic requirements in terms of travel planning is to know where you stay. This refers to accommodation that can provide you convenience and relaxation after a long day touring and visiting places. Many tourists like to stay in a hotel that is full of amenities and promises reliable services. This is to give satisfaction all throughout the days and nights, most especially, while in Rome. With that said, identifying some good choices of hotels in Rome is what you must do. Here are five of the most recommended and affordable hotels that you can select from when visiting Rome in Italy.

1. Bernini Bristol

This hotel is a standout because of its features from the interior designs to the services. You can have a wonderful and satisfying stay here due to the complete amenities that you can use for your needs and wants. Furthermore, this hotel had been selected by famous and elite people which include the Princess of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Catherine the Great to name just a few. If these rich and famous people have chosen this hotel, it indicates that you can get the satisfaction you need as a guest. By the way, this hotel is named after Bernini who is a sculpture. You can actually see one of this best art pieces which is the Triton Fountain that stands in front of the hotel.

2. Westin Excelsior Rome

One of the most affordable luxury hotels in Rome is Westin Excelsior. The entire building from inside and out is breathtaking. It feels like you are in a royalty residence because of the Victorian-inspired and Renaissance styled designs of the hotel. Plus, you really get treated like a member of a royal family as this place promises you excellent services and provides complete amenities. It is a good choice of hotel for family vacationers, honeymooners, lovers and businessmen.

3. Il Palazzetto, International Wine Academy of Rome

Located inside International Wine Academy, Il Palazzetto is a very perfect choice because of its location that is near to many attractions in Rome. Aside from that, this hotel offers a wide range of cozy rooms for everybody whether you are alone, by pair or by family. In terms of services and amenities, you can count on everything you need. It may look like a luxurious hotel but you won’t complain about the penny you spend as it is very affordable.

4. Hotel Capo d’Africa

Despite its very obvious African name, this hotel is located near the Colosseum. It is also a good hotel to choose from by every tourist because of its affordable room cost, excellent services and complete basic amenities. The general theme of this luxury hotel is basically related to some icons and images you can see in Africa like animals and cactus.

5. Casa Howard

If you like to stay in a warm, uniquely designed hotel room, Casa Howard is a great choice. This hotel features amazing interior designs that can make you feel at home and comfortable. In addition, you get to be treated as a very important guest through the quick and reliable services. You can surely have pleasure staying in one of the affordable rooms of this hotel when visiting Rome.

Simon Jackson is the man behind the Channel Voyager, which is one of the most popular travel blogs. It is highly recommended to visit his blog if you need any infromation regarding cheap hotels worldwide (interesting to know is that the Danish term is billige hoteller )

The Venice Biennale is open until the 27th of November, and if you’re on the hunt for a more creative weekend break then a last minute booking might be the best you make all year.

The Biennale hosts an internationally acclaimed festival of film, art and architecture and also covers contemporary theatre and dance, so is an ideal holiday destination for culture vultures of all persuasions. But where is best to stay after a day absorbing art?

- The Ca’ Pozzo inn is set in the old town centre, and has a minimalist style that should be to most people’s taste. Guests reported that the hotel was clean, and well run, with good staff and a good breakfast including a necessary morning espresso for kick-starting a day’s gallery hopping.

- The Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is more classic, and has outstanding reviews from many satisfied customers. It offers great value for money considering the quality of the hotel.

- More high end is the Al Ponte Antico, which is set with a view of the Rialto bridge and canal.

- For art-lovers on a budget the Hotel Dalla Mora is small but perfectly formed. Only one star, so not as plush as some hotels, but makes up for it in charm and value for money. If you’d rather spend most of your time walking round the city itself, this hotel might make sense. And you might get a view of the canal from your window.

- A wise mid-range stay would be the Art Deco Residence. It’s well located but quiet, with the main sights accessible. And as the name promises has a restrained but stylish decorative charm. The main selling point of the Art Deco Residence is it’s lovely staff, which reportedly make it the friendliest hotel in Europe!

- The Ai do Mori is also central, near St Mark’s Square. It’s a simply furnished but quality hotel for a reasonable price and has a roof terrace attached to the top room.

- Finally for those who want luxury, the Charming House iQs hotel is beyond tasteful and has more art than some galleries. It’s not cheap, but this sort of luxury doesn’t come on a budget. The Charming House balances modernist stylings with homeliness in a very delicate fashion.

That should give you a starter for where to look for places to stay in Venice. Fortunately, Venice is full of stunning Hotels, and even the odd clanger is tolerable given the beauty of the surroundings, but as always, a little research goes a long way, and may be the difference between a good and a great holiday.

Jennifer is a travel and art enthusiast, working for HotelshopUK, an online resource for finding excellent hotels.

Italian is a beautiful romance language, and many consider it to be the language of love. Whether you’re going on an Italian vacation or just interested in learning how to speak the language, if you have an iPhone, there are lots of great apps available to help you. Here are some of the best apps to learn Italian.

Italian!

$0.99

This app will help you learn over 400 Italian vocabulary words through multiple choice questions. It will keep track of your progress with stats, and it’s a “smart” app because as you go on, it will concentrate more on the words you get wrong. You’ll be more frequently asked about the words you have trouble with, and you’ll be less frequently asked about the ones you always get right. It’s also available offline so you can study anytime, anywhere.

LearnEasy – Italian Language

Free

This app will help you progressively learn Italian with 30 days of lessons. Start with the lesson for Day 1, and once you pass it, you will unlock Day 2. Keep going every day until you pass and unlock all 30 lessons. Each lesson teaches you 20 vocabulary words with audio pronunciations. It also uses an associative method of learning by showing you a cartoonish picture to represent each word and help you remember. The test questions will help you learn the words and how to spell them.

Italian English Dictionary & Translator

$3.99

With over 55,000 words, this is a very comprehensive Italian-English dictionary that is great to have on hand. It words offline so you can browse words, or look up a word in either language and the dictionary will provide you with a translation and synonyms. There is also audio pronunciation. If you’re connected to the Internet, you can use the integrated Google/Bing translate tool or a Wiki search. You can save favorite words, view your history, and even customize the colors of your interface.

Talking Italian Phrasebook

Free

This is a great app to have on hand during your Italian vacation. It’s geared for travel, and it teaches you how to say over 500 words and phrases. There is audio pronunciation, and it works offline. The phrases are separated into 40 different categories, from Travel to Shopping to Food to Accommodations, to help you with everything you might need to say while traveling abroad.

iTranslate – Italian

$0.99

Whatever you want to say in Italian, just type it into this app, and it will be translated for you. You can even hear an audio pronunciation of the phrase or word you enter. You can save your favorite translations, and translate up to 500 characters at a time. This app does not work offline, so you must be connected to the Internet to use it. There is also a Lite version available.

FREE Italian Audio FlashCards

Free

This is a great app to learn Italian. It contains more than 5,000 words and phrases, along with audio pronunciations. Practice vocabulary with flash cards by tapping to flip them, and complete different exercises such as spelling and meaning tests. The words are divided into subject categories to help you concentrate your learning on a particular topic, and you can even add your own flash cards and record audio to go with them.

Lisa Hann loves learning new things and applying technology to the learning process. Lisa takes advantage of Grammarly grammar checker to deliver grammatically correct content in all her articles.

Venice is known for being one of the most romantic cities to visit in the world.  You can walk for hours and find new things to see and experience.  It’s easy to get lost in the history and also the over 100 islands and over 400 bridges that make up Venice.

- Gondolas are a unique way to experience Venice while drifting along the Grand Canal.  You’ll be serenaded by your singing gondolier and entertained by the sights of churches and fascinating buildings and architecture.

- Campanile di San Marco was originally built as a lighthouse.  Take the elevator to the top and be amazed by the view.  You will see the cupolas of St. Mark’s, red rooftops and church domes of Venice as well as the Alps in the distance.

- The Piazza San Marco is one of the major tourist areas in Venice.  This square has the two most important buildings in the city, the Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace.  This is also where you will find beautiful boutiques and statues.

- Palazzo Ducale or Doge’s Palace was built in the 14th and 15th centuries of pink Verona marble.  This palace was originally built for the Doge, the seat of the government of the Republic and the Palace of Justice.  The inside was decorated to impress foreign ambassadors.

- The Basilica di San Marco was originally built in AD 832 and has been rebuilt 2 times since.  There are 5 domes and is decorated both outside and in with mosaics and carvings.  The remains of St. Mark are kept here in the altar of St. Mark’s Basilica.

- Ca’ D’Oro is one of the most famous gothic Venetian palaces.  It overlooks the Grand Canal and houses many works of art.  This palace is famous for its architectural design with quatrefoil patterns.

- Ponte di Rialto or the Rialto Bridge was the only bridge to span the Grand Canal until the 19th century.  The Rialto Bridge is 24 feet high and has a foot path on either side.  There are shops on either side selling Venetian souvenirs like masks and blown glass.

- Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari was founded by Franciscans in 1340.  Inside this church are works of art or masterpieces by Titian Donatello and Bellini.  Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin is in the High altar of the church.  The Frari has tombs of many prominent Venetians and Doges. 

This unique city is visited by 12 million people every year.  Venice has so much history that every Palazzi, church, bridge and museum has something to offer.  There are so many sights to see here that I just couldn’t include them all!

Raychel Davis contributed this article.  She is a blogger at CreditDonkey, where you can find travel rewards credit cards and tips for your next trip to Venice.  Visit her blog to find introductory offer credit card before your next vacation.

Look at any budget travel site for tips on how to save money and you’ll invariably be guided to sites for cheap flights and told to avoid major cities. But what if you’ve already booked your flight and your hotel is smack in the city center? If you’re planning a trip to Italy and already have your flights and accommodations sorted, here are some other great money saving tips that you can use.

Use Cash

Don’t be afraid to barter in shops if you are using cash. Merchants can be charged up to 9% for credit card transactions and have to wait to be paid. Bargaining is easy to do if you have the ability to pay immediately.

Eat Cheaply

Rather than visit Michelin starred restaurants for every meal on your holiday, eat like a local. Italy is home to some of the best food in the world and that includes the food at neighborhood eateries.

City Pass

If you are staying in one of Italy’s major cities, purchase a city pass if it’s available. These passes often cover the cost of any public transportation, reduced admission to attractions and the first two sites you visit may even be free.

Rail Pass

Traveling by train is immensely popular throughout Europe. If you plan on traveling frequently, purchasing a week pass rather than a daily ticket can save a substantial amount of money.

Walk

If you plan on visiting only one or two cities, forego transportation all together and walk to any destinations that are within a reasonable distance. Some cities may also offer bicycle or scooter rentals that you can take advantage of. Europe is a pedestrian friendly country; you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to walk from place to place.

Shopping

Italy is one of the world’s fashion capitals and buying the latest couture can be tempting. Resist the pull of brand name stores and head to the street markets. Local vendors offer a variety of goods and what you really want is something from Italy, no?

Drink

If you head out to the local pub or fine dining establishment, opt for the house wine or local ale. Both will be cheaper than imports and are often just as good, if not better.

Seeing the Sites

Europe is full of historical sites and Italy is no exception. Take a stroll through the city and you’ll undoubtedly wander right up to an architectural wonder. Best of all, it’s free to look! If there are certain attractions on your must-see list, research prices ahead of time. Purchasing your tickets before you travel may be cheaper than paying at the door.

Italy is a wonderful country and a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Traveling to Italy won’t be cheap but you can make it more affordable by following the tips above. Have a safe trip!

Many stay at home parents agree, Coupon Croc has the best deals on their family needs. Mary Blanchard, a stay at home parent, has been using their site for over 5 years and finds them to offer the best variety on deals in the UK.

10 traditional dishes you must try when visiting Italy

Italy has provided both the inspiration and recipes behind many world famous dishes. Italian cuisine is renowned for its excellent flavour and Italian chefs for their passion and love of food. Italy is divided into 20 regions and each has its own unique speciality dishes. Italian cuisine offers a wide range of styles and flavours and is a food lover’s heaven.

If you’re planning a holiday to Italy and are wondering which dishes you should, you needn’t look any further!

Below, Travel Supermarket takes a look at 10 traditional dishes you should try when visiting Italy:

Pizza is one of the most famous dishes in the world. It has been around in various forms for centuries but has only recently become the cheese and tomato based dish we know today. It was originally a cheap, bread-based street food, popular with the poor.

Then, in 1889, Neopolitan chef Rafaelle Esposito added mozzarella, thereby making what we today would recognise as a pizza. This new dish was made to honour the Queen Consort of Italy, Margherita of Savoy. Today, Naples remains the best place to experience real Italian pizza.

Pasta dishes are also well loved and enjoyed around the world. There are in fact over 300 different types of pasta and just about as many ways to serve it. Different pasta shapes complement different types of sauces and can make a real difference to the dish.

Ragu alla Bolognese is the origin of the international dish Spaghetti Bolognese. Indeed, Spaghetti Bolognese is not an in Italian dish at all. This ragu style sauce dates back to the 5th Century and originally contained very little, if any tomato. Both the original, as well its ‘offspring’, are popular around the world, but is best enjoyed in Bologna.

Carbonara is another well known and loved pasta sauce, which is traditionally served with spaghetti. Made with eggs, cheese and bacon, there are couple of stories regarding the origins of this dish. One suggests that it is a Roman dish called Cacio e Ova, meaning eggs and cheese, which was served to miners or carbonari.

Another theory places its origins as recently as the 2nd World War, where chefs made a pasta sauce with ingredients that were available to American soldiers. This is a dish that is again enjoyed the world over but for a true authentic taste, check this particular dish out in Rome.

Fettucine Alfredo, another Roman dish, is beautiful in its simplicity. Invented by Chef Alfredo di Lelio in 1914, it is simply Fettucine pasta tossed in butter and parmesan cheese. The dish became famous when American actors Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks tried it on their honeymoon in Rome in 1927. So enamoured were they with the dish, they took the recipe back to Hollywood with them.

Alfredo sold his restaurant in 1943, but it remains a restaurant to this day and still bears his name. Alredo alla Scrofa retains a number of the dishes on the original di Lelio menu, including Fettucine Alfredo.

No list of Italian recipes would be complete without a reference to the World famous dish lasagna. Lasagna is, in fact, the name of the flat pasta sheets that are usually combined with bolognese and bechemel sauces. It is a modern dish with a number of outside influences, but will be found in Italian restaurants in Bologna and across the world.

Risotto is yet another dish that the Italians have gifted to the world. Rice or riso dishes are popular across Italy, but are particularly good in the Lombardia and Veneto regions. A traditional Risotto should be made with arborio rice, which cooks to a creamy consistency. In Italy, it is usually served as a first course and it has many variations.

Risotto alla Milanese is another of those incredibly simple but delicious Italian creations. Consisting of rice, butter, onions, wine and saffron, it is popular across Italy. However, 19th Century Italian Chef Pellegrino Artusi once remarked that the preparation of risotto alla milanese is a task best left to the Milanese!

Staying in Milan and indeed often served with risotto alla milanese is Ossobuco. This is a traditional Italian dish made from veal shanks and vegetables cooked in a broth of cinnamon, white wine and bay leaves. It first appeared in the late 19th century, but its origins are unclear. Some believe it is an old country recipe, while others accredit it to a Milanese restaurant.

Gnocchi are a kind of small Italian dumpling made from semolina, potato or wheat flour, depending on whereabouts in Italy you find yourself. They are usually served as a first course with pesto, cheese or tomato sauce. They may also be served with a ragu as a main course. They date back to Roman times, when they were made from a semolina type broth. They are still made this way in Sardina today.

The most famous of Italian desserts, other than gelato of course, is Tiramisu. The word literally means ‘pick me up’. Consisting of sponge fingers that have been dipped in coffee and covered with mascarpone, eggs, liquor and chocolate, its origins are again unclear. It either dates back to 18th Century or the 1980s, the jury is still out on this one!

Italy is a country of diversity, which is clearly demonstrated in its plethora of styles and flavours. Where ever you go in Italy, it is difficult not to be struck by the devotion and passion for food. Whether you eat from a street vendor, a coffee shop or a top class restaurant, you will be enjoying some of the finest produce in the world.

When most people think of Rome, they think of the Coliseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Circus Maximus or the Pantheon, traditional Roman sights of the kind you’d see on postcards or most travel programmes. However, this is not all that Rome is about and – especially if you have been to the city before and visited these key tourist attractions at least once – then you are probably looking for a slightly different way to spend your time here. It doesn’t take much to find new and interesting things to do in this fascinating city, but to start you off here are suggestions for 10 unusual things to do in Rome.

1. The Vatican excavation tour. Whilst St Peter’s Basilica might be a standard stop on most tourist routes, not many people know about this particular tour, which takes you into the excavations below. Only 200 people a day are allowed down to see the Grave of St. Peter himself so book ahead if you want a place.

2. Villa Celimontana Jazz Festival (http://www.villacelimontanajazz.com). The Villa Celimontana is a public park in the centre of Rome and holds a jazz festival in its grounds each year in June. It’s one of the longest running jazz events in Europe and well worth a visit if you are in Rome in summer.

3. Vino Roma (http://www.vinoroma.com). Whilst you will more than likely drink plenty of wine in Rome, wine tasting is not something that is on everyone’s ‘to do’ list here. At Vino Roma you can sign up for a wine and cheese lunch, guided tasting and seminars, or ‘Sparkling Saturdays’ where you can spend a morning imbibing bubbles like Asti and prosecco.

4. Villa Borghese Gardens. When in Rome as the saying goes…well if it’s a Sunday and you’re in Rome then a stroll through the Villa Borghese Gardens is exactly what you will find many Romans doing. Join in with the local families, picnicking in the summer or taking the air in the winter, and you’ll feel right at home!

5. Porta Portese Flea Market, Trastevere. If your budget won’t stretch to the latest designer fashions then head for Rome’s best market and take your haggling skills with you. Every Sunday between 6.30am and 2pm you can bargain for everything from vintage books to religious paintings. As with any crowded space here, watch out for pickpockets.

6. Ponte Milvio. This bridge over the River Tiber attracts couples from all over Rome and beyond who come to symbolize their love by locking a padlock to the bridge and throwing the key into the river. One of the more romantic and unusual proposal spots in Rome.

7. Museum of Crime (http://www.museocriminologico.it). Of course Rome is awash with art galleries and museums full to the brim with the work of inspirational masters, but if you want something a bit grittier and more unusual then head for the Museum of Crime. The museum is housed in a prison constructed in the 1800s and has displays on investigating crime, sentencing and of course punishments – including Iron Maiden and other fascinating instruments of torture.

8. Capuchin Crypt (http://www.cappucciniviaveneto.it). Underneath the Santa Maria della Immacolata Concezione church lies the Capuchin Crypt, decorated with the bones of more than 4,000 Capuchin monks. It may sound macabre but the bones were used simply because so many wanted to be buried here and there was simply no more space. An ingenious way to give eternal life to the dead.

9. Walk the Via Appia. The Via Appia was built in 312BC and has been a key Roman road ever since, both in terms of providing access to trade routes and for the historical events connected to it. The road provided trade access to countries like Greece in the east and had a rather gruesome role in the aftermath of the slave revolt lead by Spartacus in 73 BC, when the crucified bodies of 6,000 slaves were used to line the road for nearly 130 miles.

10. Segway Tours. Although it might seem a little at odds with the elegance and glamour of the city to go zooming around it on a segway, these machines offer a great, speedy way to fit in everything the city has to offer without getting tired legs. Most of the tours last around 2 hours and need to be booked in advance from a company such as Italy Segway Tours (http://www.italysegwaytours.com).

You don’t have to stand in line with all the other tourists and pay extortionate entry fees to see all the classic sights in Rome and really get a feel for the city. In fact, it’s arguably outside of all the most popular spots that you will get to know the real Rome. All you need is a decent map, some good shoes and a sense of adventure and the city is your oyster.

Amy is a guest blogger from Easyjet who provide cheap flights to Rome on the Costa Blanca from 11 UK airports. See more of her tips for exploring Rome here.

Italy is probably one of the best places to visit when going abroad, but a visit to the island of Sicily makes the trip complete. For those of you who aren’t aware, Sicily is an island that is located right in Italy and it attracts thousands of people every year. When visiting Italy, you can get some cheap flights on your way their, then once you arrive in Italy, you can then get some cheap flights to Sicily. Sicily can also be reached by ferry boats, cars and by train.

The first thing you must know about Italy and the island of Sicily is that they’re most well known for all of their ancient and historical artifacts located throughout this place. So if you want to see some historical figures, the island of Sicily is worth visiting. A must see is Mount Etna. Mount Etna is a huge mountain that holds both mysteries and legends. You can view the mountain from the Greek amphitheater in Taormin. It is a truly spectacular view which you will only have there. Another place you should visit is the Erice. Erice is a small little town located in Sicily. It has an old and very beautiful looking castle with a big church right inside. When you go here, make sure to treat yourself to some of their local pastries. They are absolutely amazing. Also ask for any specials they have at the moment. If you want to go and see another beautifully decorated church, make sure you check out Cefalu located near the Palermo. At Cefalu you can expect to see a wonderful church that has a great interior and design. Cefalu is also a town similar to Erice, it has mini shops, small boutiques and medieval looking streets. Take some cash with you because you will find some special offer all over the city. That should not be a problem because you will save allot of money when buying cheap airline tickets on one of the meta search engines for cheap flights.

The last thing you need to see in Sicily is their extremely clear beaches. In fact, just this year, Sicily has been awarded for having some of the most clearest beaches throughout Europe. The two beaches that you must see is the Catania and Agrigento. Both are amazing and both have extremely clear waters. In conclusion Sicily has not only got a great landscape and beautiful buildings, it also has a few of the best beaches to relax in whole of Europe.

Italy, known for its rich history, amazing cuisine, and romantic atmosphere has always been a top pick for tourists throughout the year. While the country has multiple destinations that would surely satisfy the traveler in you, one of the best places to visit is Naples. As you plan your Italian vacation, you will find a variety of things to do in the city but these are three things you must do in Naples. 

1)       Eat, Eat, Eat 

Even if you are only visiting Naples for a few hours, it is imperative that you try the food. While it is still debated by scholars if pizza was truly invented in Naples, it is easy to say they have perfected it. “Pizza vela Neapolitan” is the traditional dish served here. Fresh buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano tomatoes grown in the volcanic plains just south of Mount Vesuvius give this Italian staple the authentic flavor that has been revered for thousands of years.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can’t stay in Naples without trying the signature sfogliatella. Creamy ricotta (sometimes flavored with orange peel or sweetened) is wrapped with light flaky layers of pastry and (usually) topped with powdered sugar. While this dish is sweet enough to be considered a dessert, it isn’t too sweet to be enjoyed as a snack; locals are even prone to eating it as their standard breakfast.

2)       Immerse Yourself In History and Culture

Nestled on the southern coast of Italy, Naples is one of the oldest cities to have been continuously inhabited, having been established by ninth and seventh centuries B.C. Greek settlers. Throughout the course of time, it has been under Greek, Roman, Norman, French and Spanish rule before it was reunified with Italy in 1861.

Taking a stroll down Spaccanapoli, one of the liveliest streets in the historic district, is a great way to immerse you in the culture. Along the street you can find beautifully ancient churches and cathedrals as well as vendors and food stalls.

The National Archaeological Museum shouldn’t be missed either. Here, you can catch a small glimpse of the rich Roman history of the city—be sure to view the frescoes and paintings recovered from the city of Pompeii

3)       Take a trip to see Pompeii and Herculaneum

If you have the time to stay an extra night in Naples, it will be more than worth it to spend the next day visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum—ruins of two ancient cities that were buried that were destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The trips can even be divided into two smaller ones if you wish to view them separately.  These are two of Italy’s most visited tourist destinations, and they are worth every moment you spend there. Pompeii is the more well-known of the two places, but you should make sure to visit Herculaneum as well. The latter is a smaller site making it easier to navigate and is probably better preserved than Pompeii. Either way, both of these destinations are worth visiting, especially in conjunction with a tour of the National Archaeological Museum. 

This brief guide to Naples (one of the destinations of Luton Airport) was written for you by the team at Luton Airport Parking. If you’re flying from Luton, check out great deals for parking at Luton Airport on their site.