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The Latest Travel News from the WorldEscape Community

What do locals recommend in Florence?

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Florence is a beautiful city that really does have something to offer everyone, from art and fashion to history and culture. The Tuscan city is something everyone should experience at least once. If you’re planning a trip, it is always good to get a local’s perspective on where to go, stay and eat. There are so many vacation rentals and delicious restaurants that knowing where to head can save you lots of time.

When to visit

If you want to visit Florence when the city is at its best, you should try to go in June. At this time of the year, it has the perfect weather – not too hot or too cold. It also doesn’t get too busy at the start of the summer.

The best spot in Florence

Ponte Vecchio, otherwise known as the old bridge, offers some amazing views of the city from either side. You can sit and watch the local artists here as they create their works of art.

What to eat

When you’re somewhere new, it’s always nice to try one of the local dishes. In Florence, everyone should try the bistecca alla fiorentina, which is a Florentine steak. It should be rare inside but brown outside and big enough for two to share. Restaurant Buca Mario is a place many locals eat when they want a delicious bistecca.

A local drink

If you want to sample an iconic Florentine drink, you should order a Bellini. This consists of Prosecco with peach nectar or puree.

Discover the sights and tastes of Italy

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This year, Milan is opening its doors to tourists from around the globe as it hosts the Milan Expo 2015. The event, which runs through October 31, showcases the very best gastronomic and agri-food traditions of each of the countries that are participating. Those spending time at the Expo who have booked accommodation there can also take the opportunity to explore the city and the wider region.

Northern Italy is a stunning part of the world at any time of the year, but it is particularly beautiful in the autumn months. Those staying in the city can easily get to a range of attractions using the fast and extensive rail network. For instance, Bergamo is a delightful medieval town set on a hilltop that is just an hour away from Milan by train. You can spend time visiting the quaint piazza or the Palazzo della Ragione and the Palazzo del Comune.

If you want to experience the largest lake in Italy, Lake Garda is around 90 minutes from Milan. The lake was carved by glaciers in the Ice Age and has vertical limestone walls surrounding it, which make for a breathtaking view. The Dolomite Mountains are easy to access from Lake Garda. They consist of huge limestone peaks, setting this region apart geologically from the rest of the Alps. In this area, you can participate in a number of activities, including mountain climbing, canyoneering, mountain biking and swimming.

When you’re staying in Milan, you will find plenty of different ways to see the true natural beauty of Italy.

Increase in connections from South America to Europe

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The news that LAN will start operating a service between Santiago de Chile and Milan, Italy, will increase the number of connections available between the continents of South America and Europe. This will provide passengers with more choice and greater availability when travelling to and from both destinations for business or to stay at one of the many vacation rentals in Milan.

The new route will begin on November 4, and it will stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on both legs of the journey. The airline will run seven flights each week from Santiago International Airport to Milan-Malpensa Airport. Passengers will travel on the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft, as opposed to the Airbus A330s that are currently used on the service from Sao Paulo to Milan.

The 787s will provide a 13 percent increase in seating capacity and reduced fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and environmental impact. The aircraft has enhanced executive class facilities and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment service for all passengers. In order to improve the connection times for flights operating into and out of Guarulhos Airport in Sao Paulo, terminal 3 will undergo renovations.

Currently, LATAM Airlines Group operates on five routes that connect South America and Europe, with flights into Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Milan, and Paris. They will add a Sao Paulo-to-Barcelona service from October 1 and increase services into Madrid from September.

All of these additional services and routes will offer an improved experience for passengers while increasing capacity on key routes into Europe.

Step inside some of Italy’s spookiest attractions

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For those travelling around Italy, the country has a lot more to offer than the standard tourist attractions. There is even the opportunity to explore some downright creepy locations and learn something about the country and the people who have lived there throughout its history.

Galileo’s finger

If you decide to stay in one of the many lovely apartments in Florence, you might want to consider heading to the city’s Museum of Science while you’re there. In the museum, you can actually see the middle finger of Galileo, the renaissance scientist. The finger was taken from his body 95 years after he died and is now on display in a container of glass and gold for everyone to see.

Mussolini’s bunker

There are plenty of sites to visit on a break in Rome that have a creepy side. Many tourists visit the Coliseum to admire its architecture, but it is also where about 400,000 people were killed. However, Mussolini’s bunker under Villa Torlonia has to be one of the strangest. This is the location where Mussolini would hide during bombing raids and gives an insight into the mind of someone who was responsible for a great deal of suffering in the world.

Capuchin catacombs

If you really have a stomach for creepy sites, visit the Capuchin catacombs in Palermo. This labyrinth is home to 1,250 bodies that are all at different stages of decomposition. The corpses have been separated into different sections, and each person was interred wearing their best clothes. There is even one that is hanging up on the wall with his eyes still open, which is truly spooky.

Holiday like an Italian when you choose to spend time in Calabria, Italy

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If you plan to tour Europe to enjoy a variety of different travel experiences, choose your destination with an eye toward getting the most bang for your buck; a suitable place is Calabria in Italy. It is located far to the southwest in the “toe” of Italy’s boot and is bounded by the crystal blue waters of both the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas.

Calabria is a popular holiday destination with the Italians, and you will discover why when you choose to spend time touring the area. Relax on the warm sandy beaches of this Italian peninsula or explore the sections of rocky, mountainous coastline interspersed among the beaches. Calabria has almost 500 miles of coastline, and Capo Vaticano, in the province of Vibo Valentia, has been widely lauded as one of the 100 most beautiful beaches in the world.

For the adventurous traveler, sporting activities can be found any time of the year. Water sports abound, with windsurfing, kite-surfing, and scuba diving readily available. Calabria is also home to four different mountain ranges and has some of the highest peaks in Italy. There are many ski resorts dotted throughout, and even summer visitors will enjoy hiking, climbing, and horseback riding in the more mountainous inland region.

Visit the regional capital of Catanzaro or travel to Reggio Calabria to see the famous Riace Bronzes displayed in the National Museum. Immerse yourself in the wilderness of the Calabrian national parks or explore the region’s history by visiting the many ancient settlements, churches, castles, and monasteries located throughout the area. Cross the narrow Strait of Messina for a day-trip to the nearby island of Sicily. No matter what your holiday plans entail relaxation or action, history or culture Calabria is an ideal vacation destination.

Accommodations in Calabria range from luxury rentals to cheap sleeps. Therefore, regardless of your budget, you are sure to find a suitable place to stay during your fun, relaxing visit to this local holiday hotspot.

Tour Venice when vacationing in beautiful Italy

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Venice may be at the top of your vacation bucket list if you are planning a trip to Europe. Below are just some of the highlights to check out while visiting this fascinating city.

St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful churches in the world, and you will be enthralled by the mosaics and lavish marble interior. It is free to visit the church, though you may have to wait in line during busy periods. Buy a ticket for the elevator ride to the top of the Campanile and you will have a chance to see the top of the church and check out the domes. The church’s bells can be quite deafening, so it is wise to avoid the elevator ride when the clocks are due to strike the hour. If you have time in the very early morning or late evening, visit the peaceful Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). The square is virtually deserted once the tourists have left the neighborhood, and it is possible to soak up the atmosphere and get a feel of the real Italy.

The Doge’s Palace has to be your next port of call after St. Mark’s Basilica. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs between the church and the palace is something you must experience, and you will enjoy touring this historic monument.

Of course, the Venetian canals and gondola rides have to be high on anybody’s tour itinerary. Grab an ice cream and relax as you view the lovely city from its traditional waterways.

Check out The Telegraph if you want to enhance your tour of Venice with some other visitor attractions. There, you will find a variety of comfortable vacation apartments available to rent online and can opt for the best neighborhood to suit your needs. Take your pick from cheap sleeps, luxury rentals, or short term apartment rentals.