How to Do Rome in 48hrs
You’ve just arrived in Rome with a couple of days to kill. How is it possible to see all there is to see in such a short time? This is the guide to get the most out of Rome in the shortest amount of time.
19:00
Hopefully check in at the hotel has been fairly straightforward so now it is to venture out in search of a good meal. A meal in the old Trastevere part of the city has several benefits. Firstly there is a multitude of touristy type sidewalk restaurants and pizzerias to choose from and secondly they are within gentle strolling distance of several significant landmarks, including the well preserved Pantheon.
Rome is just as appealing by night as by day, with the heat of a Roman summer, night time walks may just save a few hours of excessive sweating during the day. Any of the little back streets between the Pantheon and the Spanish steps are perfectly placed to allow a generous meal of pasta and a good carafe of wine to be walked off quite easily.
21:00
Make your way to the Spanish steps to sit and hang out with the locals, while the view from the top of the steps in front of the church Trinita dei Monti offers a great view out over the city. Wander through to the Trevi Fountain and buy dessert in the form of a gelato and try your luck with the change. Throw one coin over your shoulder to come back, two coins to come back and get kissed or three coins to come back and be married.
22:00
Keep on walking through the streets until you reach Piazza Venezia, so named because of the Palazzo overlooking the piazza that resembles the Doges Palace in Venice. The balcony on the second floor may look familiar, it was the podium from which the dictator ‘il duce’ Mussolini delivered his fascist speeches. The other landmark overlooking the piazza is the unmistakable monument to Vittorio Emanuele II.
This has earned several nicknames over the years including the Wedding Cake and the Typewriter. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier lies here under armed guard along with the eternal flame. If the monument is open there is a fantastic view over the Rome rooftops, a glimpse into the Roman Forum and the Colosseum behind it. This is closed at dusk but many of the ruins are lit up at night.
23:00.
If the night air has revived you there is the option of checking out the local night life as there are plenty of bars and clubs open around the central city area. Also there are some in other piazzas such as Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori that stay open until the early hours. Otherwise it’s back to the hotel to get ready for tomorrow.
08:00
It pays to start early, particularly in the summer to beat the crowds and the temperatures but luckily the city is not too spread out to get from one sight to the next. The metro system is basic to use to say the least, there are only two metro lines that criss-cross the city and the buses are clearly marked with destinations. Termini is the central bus and metro terminal. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated in the yellow machines, starting from
Harbor Springs Vacations
For an idyllic vacation that has a New England-feel without the crowds, try venturing to Northern Michigan and the picturesque city of Harbor Springs. With its small town atmosphere and ideal location on the shores of Lake Michigan, you can capture the restful vacation you have been dreaming about. So pack up the family and get ready for the beauty and ambiance that causes visitors of Northern Michigan to come back year after year.
Upon arrival in Harbor Springs, one of the first things you may notice is the historic Little Traverse Lighthouse on the Harbor Point peninsula. This lighthouse reminds one of the striking lighthouses of New England, minus the crowds and the gusting winds. As you take in the breathtaking views from the Harbor, take a stroll along the city pier for a pleasant afternoon under the warm summer sun.
Water activities are plentiful in this region since the lake is clearly the centerpiece of the splendor that drives families here in the summer. You can simply take a walk along the cool beach, dipping your toes in the water occasionally, or, if you prefer a little more excitement, get out on the water for a day of thrills and fun. The expanse that is Lake Michigan can be quite shocking at first, however once you get beyond the fact that it is much larger than you initially expected, you are ready to feel the wind in your face. Renting a motorboat or sailboat is the best way to really experience this sparkling blue lake, so venture outward for an exhilarating day.
For such a small area, downtown Harbor Springs is surprisingly bustling in the summer. There are four blocks of shops, with a large number of upscale boutiques, a couple of small town coffeehouses, numerous art galleries, and a few of the always popular fudge shops. Northern Michigan fudge shops are a staple of the area as every visitor makes a trip to their favorite one at least twice during their stay. There are also popular, must-see restaurants such as Mary Ellen’s, which is a 50’s-inspired soda fountain that maintains its original appearance, and Bar Harbor, which draws yachtsmen in off the lake with its world-class hamburgers.
Located a few miles away from the downtown area are both the Nubs Nob and Boyne Highlands ski resorts. The Nubs Nob recreation area offers cross-country and downhill skiing on its 246 acres. There are 43 runs to keep visitors entertained and some slopes run upwards of a mile in length. Boyne Highlands has 50 ski trails, which are serviced by 10 lifts, in addition to a terrain park and recently expanded cross-country ski trails. However, Boyne Highlands is not just a winter destination as this mountain resort offers three championship courses for summer visitors of Harbor Springs. One course that any avid golfer simply will not want to miss is the 18-hole Heather, which is considered one of the most scenic and picturesque courses in the country.
An entire vacation in Harbor Springs is easy to imagine when you consider the amazing golf courses, the beautiful weather, the shimmering lake, the bustling small town, and the surrounding large cities, such as Petoskey, that are begging for exploration. For the most convenience during your stay, try a Harbor Springs vacation rental. Your vacation home allows you easy access to Lake Michigan while also placing the attractions of this charming small town within walking distance. Spend a day in Petoskey searching for a souvenir state stone, then return to your vacation rental and watch the sun set over the bay from the privacy of your patio. This is your vacation, so experience all the beauty this area has to offer at your own pace and with all the comforts of home at your fingertips.
HomeAway.com has the most comprehensive selection of vacation rental homes on the Internet. For an alternative lodging option, look into a Harbor Springs vacation rental for your next trip to Northern Michigan.
Tags: harbor, harbor springs, mi, michigan, northern, springs, travel, trip, vacation travel on June 18th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »South Carolina State Fair is Big Business
The South Carolina State Fair is held every year in Columbia during mid to late October. It’s been going for over a hundred years and has gotten to be big business in the touristy area of the Carolinas.
As such there are lots of hotels in the area ready to cater to the needs of tired fair goers. and if you are outdoorsy and looking to save a little money there are lots of campgrounds nearby ready to help out with a place to stay.
This may be one of the only State Fairs in the country that has been actively returning money to the community. Every year they offer thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students in High Schools and Colleges.
Music lovers attending the fair can enjoy special concerts by famous musicians on the Pepsi Grandstand stage. These concerts are extra and you may need to purchase your tickets in advance to be sure of getting seating to see your favorite artists.
You can still find the classic homegrown exhibits at this fair though. Competitive exhibits include southern classics like Best bushels of Pecans, and sweet potatoes. The judges also highly enjoy tasting and evaluating homemade Red Wines, White Wines and Dessert Wines. As a special treat to gear up for the holidays they have a Christmas tree division for the best looking Christmas Trees
They have a special Fair Princess and Prince Pageant, with divisions for the girls ranging from newborn to twenty years and over and one division in four parts from newborn to six years and over for the boys. They air the finals of the pageant live on television so fair goers who attend the pageant may end up on television in one of those crowd viewing panorama sweeps of the camera.
Carnival rides such as the Scooter, Afterburner and the Euroslide on the Midway at the fair will certainly excite you, thrill you and upset a few people’s stomachs. Since food is the number one reason people attend the fair it’s only fitting that they should have a lot of it. You can find Baklava, Cole Slaw, Pecan Rolls, Greek Salads, and even London broil along with the commonly found Candy Apples, Corn Dogs and Roasted Peanuts.
Gail Leino is known throughout the internet world as Mrs. Party. She has become the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies with clever themes. Her simple party planning approach demostrates how to use proper manners while teaching etiquette with organizational skills. She shares lots of interesting fun facts. See travel vacations for more tips and holiday spot destinations.
Tags: carnival, competition, entertainment, fair, family, food, rides, south carolina, state, tourism, travel travel on June 15th, 2008 Filed under Travel Insurance | Comment now »