Italy Travel Planning Guide | Keytours Vacations

ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Discover la dolce vita in true Italian luxury. Sip a ruby-red Chianti on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Tuscan landscape or browse the latest fashions on Via Montenapoleone. Life truly is beautiful in Italy.

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Discover la dolce vita in true Italian luxury. Sip a ruby-red Chianti on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Tuscan landscape or browse the latest fashions on Via Montenapoleone. Life truly is beautiful in Italy.

In this Italy Travel Planning Guide, you will find a wealth of travel inspiration and information. You will find articles on the Must See Cities in Italy, Where to Go Next, A Tour of Italian Regional Cuisine, and much more!

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SMART LUXURY EXPERIENCES

in Italy

The Keytours Vacations Smart Luxury line offers a wide range of unique and exciting experiences in Italy.

Discover Italian Wines Enjoy private tours of Italian wineries, from the famed Chianti region to the beautiful Valdobbiadene area famous for Prosecco. Taste a dazzling array of Italy’s finest wines while enjoying the spectacular scenery.

Private Museum Tours Gaze at the Sistine Chapel without the crowds. Early access tours allow you to skip lines and admire priceless works of art in a relaxing and private atmosphere.

Private Historical & Archaeological Tours Visit ancient ruins and important historical sites with an expert guide to provide meaningful context and share little-known details that enrich and deepen your experience.

Unique Experiences Drive a Ferrari or Lamborghini, learn about the Jewish history of Florence, or see the Cinque Terre by Vespa - there’s no limit to the incredible experiences you’ll find on a Smart Luxury trip.

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A TOUR OF ITALIAN

Regional Cuisine

Italy is famous for its incredible cuisine, but each region has its own local specialties. Food in northern Italy is traditionally heavier and richer, with more butter, cream, and cheese while southern Italian food is more typically Mediterranean, with lots of fish and seafood, olive oil, and tomato sauce. No matter where you go, though, it’s always delicious! Let’s explore a few of Italy’s regions and their characteristic cuisine.

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1. Lombardy Cuisine

2. Lazio Cuisine

3. Sicily Cuisine

Lombardy, home of both Milan and the famous Lake Como, is very much influenced by neighboring Switzerland in its cuisine. You’ll find rich, creamy polenta, plenty of red meat, signature cheeses like Gorgonzola, Taleggio, Provolone, and Gran Padano, and of course the iconic Milanese dishes risotto alla milanese and ossobuco.

In Italy’s capital region, pasta is king.

The quintessential Roman pasta dish is carbonara, made with egg, guanciale, and black pepper, but Lazio has also given the world pasta arrabbiata (“angry” in Italian, referring to the spicy flavor), and bucatini all’Amatriciana, flavored with onion, chili, guanciale, and white wine. Lazio is also full of fresh vegetables, especially the famous artichoke which figures prominently in many traditional dishes.

The traditional gastronomy reflects the unique Sicilian culture, influenced

by Greek, Spanish, French, and Arab cuisine. Citrus fruits were brought to the island by the Arabs in the 9th century and quickly became popular, especially the famed Sicilian blood orange. Other traditional foods include caponata, maccu, and arancini, delectable fried rice balls filled with a variety of stuffings from peas to meat.

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Pro Tip:

One of the best ways to experience Italian cuisine is by taking a cooking class! KeyTours Vacations offers cooking classes throughout Italy!

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4. Tuscan Cuisine

5. Veneto Cuisine

For many, Tuscany is synonymous with the famous bistecca alla fiorentina, a fine steak served very rare with only a touch of olive oil and salt to enhance the flavor of the meat. But Tuscany is also home to comfort food like ribollita, a hearty soup of cabbage, vegetables and stale bread and coccoli, salty balls of fried dough, as well as lighter fare such as the refreshing summer bread salad panzanella.

Veneto, including Venice, Padua and Verona, has developed a cuisine that is traditionally fishbased, and carries the influence of many cultures that have passed through over the centuries. Like in Lombardy, polenta and rice are more common than pasta, and anchovies, sardines, and moeche (a type of small crab native to the Venetian lagoon) are found in many traditional dishes. The famous dessert tiramisù also boasts Venetian origins.

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MUST SEE

Italian Cities

From the Eternal City to the canals of Venice; Italy is rich with awe-inspiring art, culture and history.

Touring Italy makes for a unique vacation. Keytours Vacations offers tailor-made and custom packages and day trips to destinations throughout Italy including Rome, Venice, Sicily, Milan, Florence and more! Not sure where to start? These are the mustsee Italian cities that should top everyone’s list!

Rome Rome, known as the Eternal City, is one of the most magnificent and romantic cities in the world, boasting an attractive mix of grandiose sights — the likes of the Colosseum, Roman Pantheon and Forum — and bustling city life. Life is sweet: the cake is there for eating. Italian designer shopping, smooth ice cream, frothy cappuccino, and exquisite wines draw in over 4.2 million tourists in search of a taste of Italian “dolce vita” every year.

Milan Milan is all about design and high fashion, so the range of shops and trendy bars can be almost over12 | Italy Travel Guide

whelming. But Milan also boasts the impressive Duomo cathedral, da Vinci’s “Last Supper” and the simple neighborhood restaurants where no long lunch is complete without ossobuco and risotto alla Milanese. Take a lesson in elegance from the city’s fashion-conscious denizens, and let the glitz and glamour of Milan overwhelm your senses.

Venice There is no other city like Venice. It has 180 canals and 450 bridges connecting 118 small islands and magnificent buildings. It is a city rich with museums and historical landmarks of great artistic and cultural importance. The transient feeling and the quiet everyday life bring the whole together. The beauty of it all is truly apparent.

Florence Home to Chianti wine, the Medicis and the Strozzis, Michael Angelo’s David, Elba Island where Napoleon was exiled, and the legendary cities of Florence and Pisa, Tuscany is the fertile crescent of Italy where art, history and the pleasures of life shine on. Evergreen landscapes and breathtaking sights serves as cradle to the Italian culture and civilization to thrive, and it remains today as one of the most appreciated Italian regions - one where the visitor might need to pinch on their arm to know they are not dreaming.

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WHERE TO GO NEXT

in Italy

Trying to decide where to go next in Italy? From Verona in northern Italy to Ragusa on the island of Sicily, there is so much to see besides Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan! Keytours Vacations offers tailor-made and custom packages and day trips to destinations throughout Italy! Whether your first trip to Italy or your tenth, we have put together a short list of some of our favorite slightly off-thebeaten-path destinations in Italy.

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Perugia

Perugia is the provincial capital of Umbria, one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. The ancient heart of the city, packed full of Etruscan and Roman monuments, perches on a hilltop with the modern city spread below. With a prestigious university, the city has a lively student population, good shopping, fun bars and great restaurants.

If that weren’t enough, Perugia is the setting for one of Europe’s best jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz.

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Ragusa

Visit this timeless destination where mountains, sun and sea converge for an unforgettable vacation. Let us guide you through the famous skyline punctuated by the towers, domes and cupolas of the many exquisite churches for which the province is known. Situated on a white limestone hill and nestled between two deep valleys, you’ll discover the many places in Ragusa that remain unspoiled.

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Assisi

Umbria is full of beautiful hilltop towns and villages, though Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, has to be one of the best known.

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Sorrento

Sorrento’s breathtaking views and rolling landscapes of extraordinary beauty offer a scenery rich with enchantment. The extraordinary spectacle of the intense citrus flowers and their intoxicating scents will captivate you on your next trip to southern Italy.

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Verona

Verona, “the city of love,” is world famous for its magnificent Arena and its association with Shakespeare’s love story, “Romeo and Juliet.” It is Italy’s fourth-most-visited city making it one of the most important tourist destinations in Italy, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A city that will charm you with its elegance, warmth and easy-going atmosphere.

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Puglia

Discover Puglia at your own pace and explore the main sights of the region. Choose from a selection of boutique farmhouses in Central Puglia, where you can truly experience Apulian hospitality and welcome. The proposed masserias offer finely restored bedrooms to guests as well as a wide range of food and wine experiences on site, including cookery classes, extra virgin olive oil tastings and wine tastings.

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5 INTERESTING FACTS

About Rome

We all know Rome wasn’t built in a day, but what else do we know about this Eternal City?

Rome is one of the hottest destinations of 2016, attracting history buffs, food and wine enthusiasts, families and honeymooners alike. The eclectic city offers a little of something for everyone. On any given day, Rome is bustling with tourists tossing coins into fountains, searching for the best slice of pizza and taking selfies with the Coliseum.

Here are 5 interesting facts about Rome, Italy.

1. Population The population of the city of Rome is around 3.7 million. It is the largest city in Italy by population followed by Milan and Naples. As of March 17, 2016 Rome was ranked the 102nd most populated city in the world, tied with Melbourne, Australia and Busan, South Korea.

2. Tossing Coins and Exploring Churches Modern Rome has 280 fountains and more than 900 churches. No wonder one of the most fascinating aspects of Rome is its immaculate architecture. The Trevi fountain is by far the most popular fountain visited in Rome. It is also the largest Baroque fountain in the city. One of the most famous churches visited is St. Peter’s Basilica, an Italian Renaissance church located in Vatican City.

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3. All You Can Eat and Then Some In Ancient Rome it was common for people to vomit between meals so they could eat more. With all of the delicious local cuisine options, this might not be so surprising. Rome is one of the foodie capitals of the world attracting many travelers with it’s fresh pizza and pasta creations.

4. A Solid Invention Concrete was a Roman invention used on many structures such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, which are still standing today thanks to the development of Roman cement and concrete.

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The Romans first began building with concrete over 2,100 years ago and used it throughout the Mediterranean basin in everything from aqueducts and buildings to bridges and monuments.

5. Shop ‘Til You Drop Rome built the first-ever shopping mall between 107 and 110 AD! It was built by Emperor Trajan in Rome.

The Trajan’s Market, or Mercati di Traiano in Italian, were on multi levels and sold a wide range of goods and grocery items. Today, fresh markets and shopping malls are still busy hotspots in Rome for both locals and travelers alike - a great way to meet and learn from locals!

Pro Tip:

When planning to visit churches in Rome, there is usually an unspoken dress code. Men will generally need to wear long trousers while women should wear below-the-knee skirts or dresses. Sleeveless shirts might also be forbidden, especially on women. Often times you will also be asked to remove headgear inside a church or holy building.

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EXCURSIONS FROM

Florence

Fall in love with Florence; museums, palaces, churches and some of the world’s greatest artistic treasures. Visit the most popular sites in Florence including the Cathedral, the Accademia Gallery and the church of Santa Maria Novella. With so much to do in Florence, it is hard to believe that you might want to journey out of the city... but excursions from Florence will not disappoint. Traverse the hills of Tuscany, characterized by grape vines and olive orchards or marvel at the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Here are just a few of the excursions you can take from Florence.

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Perugia Perugia is the provincial capital of Umbria, one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. The ancient heart of the city, packed full of Etruscan and Roman monuments, perches on a hilltop with the modern city spread below. With a prestigious university, the city has a lively student population, good shopping, fun bars and great restaurants. If that weren’t enough, Perugia is the setting for one of Europe’s best jazz festivals: Umbria Jazz.

Assisi Umbria is full of beautiful hilltop towns and villages, though Assisi, the birthplace of St Francis, has to be one of the best known.

Pisa The Leaning Tower of Pisa, although one of Italy’s (and the world) most famous sights, has not yet revealed all its secrets. Its architect, responsible for the defect that led the intended straight tower to start leaning during construction, remains unknown - and we have no one to thank for this very entertaining wedding cakelike edifice!

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Siena Remarkable for its medieval brick buildings, Siena deserves its spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Don’t miss: the beautiful shellshaped Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and its impressive views over the city, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its breathtaking Duomo and intriguing crypt, the rich Piccolomini Library, and the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo.

The Chianti Region Worldly famous for the Chanti wine, the eponymous region is also gaining a growing reputation for its fabulous green landscapes, spread over the provinces of Siena and Florence, with no clear delimitation. Olive groves and old stoned houses and villages interrupt here and where the landscape is full of flourishing vineyards.

Val d’Orcia Val d’Orcia’s untouched and wild landscape, only inhabited by small picturesque towns and villages are one of the most charming sights in Tuscany. The UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list has welcomed its mellow hills and gorgeous vineyards (producing the renowned wines of Brunello). Must-see: Pienza the “Ideal City”, the Abbey of Sant’Antimo and of course the vineyards and surrounding countryside.

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6 WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR

Venice Vacation

There is no other city like Venice. It has 180 canals and 450 bridges connecting 118 small islands and magnificent buildings. It is a city rich with museums and historical landmarks of great artistic and cultural importance. The beauty of it all is truly apparent.

Every trip to Venice is special! From food and wine tastings to alternative history tours and gondolier lessons, make your Venice vacation memorable with personalized experiences to fit your interests.

Whether it’s your first trip to Venice or your tenth, let Keytours Vacations personalize your travel experience. Here are a few of our suggestions:

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Food and Wine Keytours Vacations offers several food and wine activities in Venice to choose from. Sample Venice Street Food with a small group tour in Rialto Market, take a tour around the most famous old eateries in Venice, as well as a few hidden gems, in our Cicheti and Wine activity or watch Venice come to life as you explore tourist hotspots without the crowds, and observe locals prepare their food produce for the day ahead in our Venetian Markets at Dawn tour.

Concerts and Events From Cabaret to Opera, attending a concert is a perfect way to experience the cultural side of Venice. Let Keytours Vacations arrange your concert as part of your next travel to Italy.

Get Lost It is easy to get lost around the city, but don’t let that put you off, as this is part of Venice’s charm.

Leave the other tourists at St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge and explore the maze-like little neighborhoods instead. The most interesting areas and islands are Cannaregio, SanPolo/Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.

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Learn Alternate Histories Experience another side of Venice with an alternate history tour such as the Secret Itineraries of Prisons Palace Tour, the Jewish Story in Venice Tour or the Grand Canal by Gondola and Secret Venice Tour.

Take a Private Photography Tour From novice to professional, Keytours Vacations can arrange a 3 hour private photo walk discovering hidden and secluded parts of Venice, without forgetting the famous landmarks, while taking great shots and with a one-to-one tuition to improve your photography skills!

Take a Class Try your hand at glass blowing on the island of Murano, create your own unique mask masterpiece in the Venice Carnival Mask-Making Class, visit the lace island of Burano or become a Gondolier and learn the traditional skills of navigating the iconic Venetian canals.

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UMBRIA FOR

Foodies

Known poetically as the green heart of Italy, the rugged region of Umbria is dominated by the Apennine Mountains. It is among this verdant and pastoral landscape that visitors will find rich chocolate kisses in the Umbrian capital of Perugia, and some of the world’s best olive oil in the hillside towns of Spoleto and Trevi, making the region a paradise for indulgent gourmet travelers.

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Private Truffle Hunting Experience In Assisi Guided by the truffle hunter Francesco and his faithful dogs, look for your truffle in the Umbrian woods, then enjoy it within the walls of a splendid medieval castle.

Open-air Wine Tasting with Panoramic View Come spending a lovely day tasting fresh and fragrant products of the Umbrian gastronomy, and then lose yourself among the spectacular images, colors, scents and fragrances of our beautiful countryside!

Apprentice Olive Oil taster for a day!

If you want always to understand how to recognize an high quality extra virgin olive oil: this is the tour for you! You will visit secular olive groves and discover the differences between organic and conventional farming. Then you will attend a private guided tasting of different extra virgin olive oils and understand the true features of the real “green gold” of Umbria vs the massive production olive oil.

Cooking demo at a local home in Assisi Immerse yourself in a private dining experience at a local’s home, enjoy an exclusive cooking demo and taste authentic recipes treasured in family cookbooks passed down through generations. Feel the warmth of Italian hospitality as you connect with local people.

Small-group Street food tour in Assisi Dive into Assisi like a local foodie. Explore artisanal food shops, tasting as you go. Visit a selection of small local shops, learn about the typical products of the city while tasting them. A delicious way to discover Assisi and its gastronomy!

Share your Pasta Love: Pasta and Tiramisu Class Learn how to roll ‘sfoglia’ (fresh pasta) by hand and how to prepare 2 simple different kinds of pasta (filled pasta + fresh pasta) from scratch. As the icing on the cake you will learn to prepare also the iconic Tiramisu. Share your passion for the Italian cuisine as you make new friends in this hands-on cooking class. It’s a great way to truly experience Italian culture.

Apitherapy Among the Olive Trees Unique fragrances and sounds will help you relax both body and mind while having a cup of herbal tea, comfortably sitting in a lovely bee house. The bee house is surrounded by olive trees and connected to the hives with absolutely no risks for your own safety. Open up your senses and enjoy the benefits of apitherapy. At the end of the session, you’ll have some tastings of honey & cheese and other delicacies with a glass of wine. Info and tips about apiculture and apitherapy provided by your guide.

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NORTHERN ITALY

ROME AND PUGLIA

7 Night | Rail Journey

6 Night | Private Journey

Experience the highlights of Northern Italy as you explore some of its most iconic cities including Rome, Florence and Milan.

Choose from a selection of boutique farmhouses in Central Puglia, offering a wide range of food and wine experiences on site, including cookery classes, olive oil tastings and wine tastings.

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DISCOVER BAROQUE SICILY

ENCHANTING ITALY

Visit Sicily’s beautiful baroque towns, Ragusa, Modica and Noto, taste Volcanic wine at the skirts of Etna, discover most beautiful coastal towns and villages from Marzamemi to Taormina, admire art and architecture in Siracusa and Catania, taste delicious seafood, learn about Sicilian way of life.

Experience the enchantment of Italy. Discover the artistic and historical treasures of Rome, walk the ancient streets of Umbrian towns like Perugia and Assisi, and enjoy the spectacular scenery and extraordinary food and wine of Tuscany.

5 Nights | Self-Drive

7 Night | Self-Drive

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ITALY TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE Discover la dolce vita in true Italian luxury. Sip a ruby-red Chianti on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the Tuscan landscape or browse the latest fashions on Via Montenapoleone. Life truly is beautiful in Italy.

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