Grand Canal and Doge's Palace in Venice

The city of Venice is a place that for the most part has remained unchanged since the 10th and 11th centuries. The most interesting characteristic of the city is how it is set up. What looks like a “city” is actually a series of close to 100 small islands that are linked by several bridges and crosswalks.

Flowing between these mini-islands are several canals that serve the purpose of their roads. These canals all flow into the Grand Canal, comparable to a major city highway. Since the city has no actual roads, this is their main form of transportation aside from walking.

If you are visiting Venice, it is almost certain that you will find yourself on the Grand Canal at some point. No road in the city means no cars; all of the traffic is right on the water. You will see all kinds of boats, from tour boats, delivery boats, police boats, and even gondolas, which offer a great experience going down the Grand Canal. Venice also has its public transportation in the form of boats, including “city buses” that have routine stops along the canals that you can freely hop on and off.

With so much traffic along this Grand Canal, along the canal are numerous shops, restaurants, and many other sites that you’ll want to visit on your trip to Venice.

Doge’s Palace is located in the St. Marks Square in Venice and represents the wealth and power of the city. This palace was built and used for political and judicial activities. It was the actual residence of the Duke of the city.

The palace’s architecture is a great example of Venetian Gothic style and was actually the most powerful real estate in all of Europe for over four centuries.

As the palace was used for judicial purposes, the famous Bridge of Sighs links the Doge’s Palace to the New Prison by which prisoners were transported directly after trial.

In 1923, the Doge’s Palace was converted into a museum, allowing visitors to tour the palace and it’s numerous rooms. Throughout the entire palace you will see it decorated with artwork and sculptures from some of the top artists that lived in Venice. Be sure to look up in each room, as there are magnificent murals in many of the rooms with unbelievable detail.

One of the most significant rooms in Doge’s Palace is the Hall of Great Council. In this massive hall, meetings were held, sometimes holding over 2500 Nobles at one time. This room also contains the world’s largest oil painting entitled “Paradise” by Tintoretto. The meaning behind the painting is to showcase that good decisions receive divine recognition, which is the overall purpose of the palace’s original use

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Know How to Relax When in Italy

Cool Down With Ice Cream From Boutique del Gelato in Venice

The temperature across Italy can really soar in the summer months, and while you can cool down with air conditioning and bottles of water, our preferred method for bringing down the body temperature is by indulging in lots of incredible Italian ice cream. Let’s face it, you’re not going to struggle to find great gelato wherever you may be in Italy, but we’d like to give a special nod to Boutique del Gelato in Venice. Some favourite flavours of ours include Amaretto, Nocciolosa (which is not a million miles away from Nutella), and Tiramisu.

Hike Through the Apuan Alps in Tuscany

Tuscany is well known for its olive groves, excellent wine production, and gorgeous countryside, but this is also a place where the famous Apuan Alps mountain range exists. If you fancy going on a brisk hike while you’re in Tuscany, traversing the land of the Apuan Alps is a fantastic idea. Because of their extraordinary beauty, these mountains are often referred to as the mountains of the moon. With well marked mountain trails, there’s no excuse not to strap on your hiking boots.    

Take a Selfie on the Spanish Steps

Rome has no shortage of iconic sites, and one of the most famous of them all has to be the Spanish Steps, a lavish set of outdoor steps that start in the Piazza di Spagna. They were created in the 18th century, and have been etched into any people’s minds through their use in popular films such as Roman Holiday and The Talented Mr Ripley. Get there early in the morning to enjoy the cool weather, and to make sure you don’t have other people in your Spanish Steps selfie shot!

Indulge a Need for Speed at the Ferrari Museum

If you have the need for speed, you need to know about the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, which is an official company museum created by Ferrari themselves. Walking through this museum gives you the chance to see some of the most iconic cars from the company’s history, and to understand the history of the company in the place where it all started.

Take in the Skyline of San Gimignano

The main cities of Italy, like Rome, Milan, and Florence, are, of course, must-visit places, but it can also be a great idea to get off the beaten track a little and get to see some of the smaller places in Italy that you won’t find in all of the tourist guide books. San Gimignano, a medieval hill town in Tuscany, is one such place. Medieval towers ride up against the skyline, making this an aesthetically unique place in the country.    

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Relax and Party When in Italy

Sip on Baxeichitos, the Basil Flavoured Mojito

Mojitos are one of those cocktails that absolutely everybody loves, and they are perfect for cooling down and relaxing on a summer evening. The mojito is traditionally not very Italian tasting, but fear not because the good people of Genoa have created a mojito that has more of an Italian flavour profile because the mint is replaced with basil. The herby flavour provides a fresh kick that is very welcome on a balmy Friday evening.  

Enjoy a Modern Art Experience at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

While there is no shortage of art galleries and museums across Italy, most of these are dedicated to the works of artists who created their masterpieces centuries and centuries ago, but what if your artistic leanings are more contemporary? Then you need to find your way to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice, which contains an astounding amount of 20th century art, from artists such as Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, and David Hockney.

Try Deep Sea Fishing in Palermo

If your idea of a great time is dangling a fishing rod into the water and waiting for a catch, your trip to Italy can provide you with opportunities to take your fishing to the next level. Palermo is the capital of the island of Sicily, and a place where many fishermen live and supply the island with an abundance of fresh fish and seafood. There’s a whole array of companies that can take you out on to the waters, and you’ll have the chance to catch tuna, amberjack, and more.    

Laze on the White Beaches of Lampedusa Island

There is so much to see and do in Italy that, frankly, it can all become just a little bit overwhelming. When you’ve had enough of walking between ruins and museums, why not take some time to chill out on the white sand beaches of Lampedusa island, a gloriously sun bleached island that exists just south of Sardinia? This island is rough and ready, not very visited by tourists, and that makes it the perfect spot to relax and get away from it all.    

Join a Festival Dedicated to Tuna and Anchovies

If you are really into seafood and you fancy celebrating the incredible Italian fish and seafood grub, a festival you might be interested in is the Sagra del Tonno, a festival that is totally dedicated to tuna and anchovies! We know that this is pretty niche, but what could be better than tucking into yummy seafood day and night, right? It is celebrated in late July each year in the quaint village of Cetara.    

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Tips When Traveling to Italy

Peruse the Collections of the Galleria Borghese

So you’re an art lover, huh? Well, you have certainly made it to the right country, and if you only have the chance to check out one of the many art galleries in Rome, make sure that it’s the impressive Galleria Borghese. Listing the highlights here could honestly take up the entire book, but some notable artists on display include Titan, Caravaggio, and Raphael.

Join in With the Carnevale Fun in Venice

When you think of places around the world that are famous for their carnival celebrations, your mind will most likely wander to Rio and its colourful street parades, but Italy is also a place with carnival celebrations, and Venice is the best city for this. Something that sets a Venice carnival apart from the rest is that Venetian masks play a huge role in the celebrations. Be sure to grab one for yourself – it makes an awesome souvenir.

Watch an Opera Performance at Teatro Alla Scala

Italy is the birthplace of opera, dating back to the sixteenth century when crowds would gather to watch the grand performances and listen to the spectacular voices of the performers. And so what better place to take in an opera show than Italy? There are loads of great theatre venues around the country, but the Teatro Alla Scala in Milan is somewhere extra special. Over the last 200 years, this theatre has attracted some of the greatest operatic stars from Italy, and with a capacity to seat more than 2000 people, the atmosphere is always very special.

Swing by The Vatican

While in Rome, one of the must-do things on any travel agenda has to be a day trip to the Vatican, is its own city-state in the very heart of the city. Once inside, there are many highlights whether you’re a Catholic or not. The Vatican Museums contain spectacular art works, as well as sculptures and even Egyptian mummies. And also be sure to check out the stunning St Peter’s basilica, and climb to the top for an exceptional view out across the Vatican and beyond.

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Travelling Cheap - Know What to Bring and Do

The first trick to traveling on the cheap and the best way to enjoy every destination is to travel light. Enjoying yourself requires that you have zero cares in the world, which includes your baggage. You must pack your bags with two rules in mind. One is that you must be able to throw that bag on your shoulder and walk. That means pack light. The second is that if you lose your bag, it shouldn't make one ounce of difference to you. Being light on your shoulder and light on your mind.  

Traveling light does a few things for the budget as well. It allows you to take budget transportation easily without the need to lug around heavy luggage that will most likely cost more and blow the budget. Think about it this way, each extra pound you carry reduces the distance you can travel. So if you want to see more, carry less.

In most places that are great for travel, like the beaches of Borneo, or the mountains of Peru, or even the foothills in Nepal, carrying heavy bags is an impediment. Learn to live simply and you will enjoy your travel.   While we are on the subject of packing, consider having two pouches, stored in different locations, on your person. One is your main pouch where you will carry your passport, travel documents, the bulk of your cash, credit cards, prescription medication and travel itinerary; also include a note clearly explaining any allergies to medication, your blood type and the phone number to contact in case of emergencies.

Your second pouch, which should be in a body pouch that is strapped next to your skin under clothes, should carry an additional set of government identification, traveler's checks, ATM cards, phone number of the embassies or consulates, emergency contact numbers, and a map.  

The two pouches are for a very simple purpose. In the event one gets stolen or just lost, you must always have a second set of documents that will get you to the consulate as fast as possible. If you lose your papers, cash, and travel tickets, stop your vacation and head straight to the embassy.  

Your travel pack should contain clothing that is appropriate to the location. If you are traveling in hot zones, light, short and thin are not always the solution. Find out how the locals dress to adapt to the heat. The same goes for more temperate climates or even frigid locations.   Pack in a way that you can bring everything you pack on board as a carry-on. Do not check anything in. The possibility of losing your luggage can ruin an otherwise perfect vacation.  

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Island Hopping When At The Great Barrier Reef

Visit Heron Island

In addition to unbelievably intriguing and attractive diving sites, the islands of The Great Barrier Reef are as exciting and beautiful as their marine life. One such island is Heron Island, which is a perfect place even if you are not a diver. Here, you can truly immerse yourself in the beauty of nature by lying on the pristine white sandy beach that surrounds the island. The island makes you realize you are the part of nature since you are constantly exposed to the music of seabirds and due to the fact that you can see a lot of multicolored fish and tracks of turtles. Most importantly, you can also visit the Aqua Soul Spa for the lifetime massage.

Hamilton Island

Hamilton Island is among the amazing 74 islands that create the Whitsunday archipelago. This island combines the feeling of adventure with over the top indulgence. You can actually spend your day relaxing at the spa or playing golf. You can also go on a pleasing and mesmerizing bushwalk with your friends and satisfy your cravings for food with more than 20 high quality dining options.

Lizard Island

The acutely surprising and enchanting Lizard Island is the home of 24 spectacularly pristine sandy beaches. As a matter of fact, this island provides a tourist with everything he can expect in terms of natural beauty. Similarly, there are outstanding dining services provided by some luxurious hotels and restaurants that offer both the local and international cuisine.

The Airlie Beach Lagoon

The Airlie beach Lagoon is hugely popular among both the local and international tourists. Located on the shorefront, it is a stinger-resistant swimming enclosure that offers every modern facility, from toilet to shower room, from picnic tables to BBQ and many other things you can imagine. The Airlie Beach is also unsurpassable in its natural beauty as it offers a calm and white sandy beach where you can relax while observing seagulls and other sea animals flying elegantly.

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Fun-filled Adventures In SG

Flight Experience Singapore

This is a flight simulator where you get to control the exact replica of a Boeing 737-80 cockpit. Its photorealistic visuals and full functioning avionics will definitely make you feel like a real pilot. What more, you can bring your family or friends along for a ride.

The simulator is equipped with state-of-the-art features including a 180-degree wraparound screen with stunning and realistic visuals. You can choose your route, log instrument flight hours, and refine your take-offs and touch-downs. You can even choose what time to fly giving as the screen provide amazing daytime and nighttime scenery.

You can get individualized training or choose from various flight packages. Even young ones can have their man-to-man flight instruction and receive a certificate after the lesson. A DVD copy of your flight is available just in case you want to relive the moment.  

Adrenaline Rush

If you are an adrenaline junkie and have a knack for adventure, Ultimate Drive lets experience the power of a Ferrari F430 F1 Spider or a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder and rev up its engine on the official F1 circuit. There are three routes to choose from, all of which can give you a heart-pumping adventure. There are three different types of tours to choose from. If you want to savor a one-hour ride around the city on the helm of a Ferrari or Lamborghini, choose the ultimate Tour package. The two other options are the 15-minute Street Circuit Tour and the 30-minute Street to Freeway Tour. You can also choose either to enjoy the cosmopolitan scenery as a passenger or maneuver these elegant racers as a driver. Your F1 tour starts at either the iconic Marina Bay Sands or the Singapore Flyer. The drive is recorded with a high definition camera which you can purchase after.

Forest Adventure

Who would have thought that you can find a real jungle adventure in the midst of this concrete urban jungle? Forest Adventure is a two-course man-made jungle reservoir filled with obstacles and zip lines. The main attraction is the 34-obstacle Grand Course which takes a maximum of 2.5 hours to complete. Here, you get to tackle different levels of obstacles which include trapezes, logs, bridges, and more. The highlight of the course is zipping across the Bedok Reservoir on a 200-meter zip line.

For the younger crowd, the Kid's Course is perfect for 5 - 10 year-old adventurers. The course consists of 16 obstacles and a 1.45-meter zip line. Both of the courses offer a short lecture on safety before the adventure.  

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