When Ania, my cousin, got married, she went on a wedding trip with her husband ... to Venice, of course, to spend a magical week full of romance there. She came back happy, radiant with happiness, but, as she herself admitted, tired as hell! Because it was July - the very peak of the tourist season, when traveling through the charming corners of the city, you could not drown in the canal, but in your own sweat. And the sweat of a million other tourists. When I asked why, in such terribly hot weather, they decided to spend their dream vacation in Italy in a city warm to the limit, instead of, for example, in alpine meadows, she opened her eyes wide with surprise that there was such a possibility. And it was, because in fact the region of Veneto, where the city of lovers is located, is also a region located at the Dolomites - the most beautiful range of the Alps.

Venice for the active

Squeezed between the mountain peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, the little region of Abruzzo is one of the wildest places in Italy. The harsh mountain climate has never encouraged people to settle here in large numbers, moreover, after the Second World War, those who lived here decided to leave their towns and villages to look for a better life in big cities. And maybe that is why Abruzzo has not been interested in anyone for a long time. Today, the region finally has its 5 minutes, and a trip to Abruzzo is on the list of every traveler who likes less beaten paths. Why? Perhaps because Abruzia is almost officially called "Europe's greenest region", and more than a third of its area is occupied by national parks. And although during our holidays in Abruzzo we will not find many Michelangelo sculptures or take a gondola ride among the canals, thanks to the ubiquitous nature here, we will certainly recharge our batteries for the entire season! So where to start this magical journey?.

Abruzzo off-road

Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy. However, it is often overlooked by tourists traveling to this region of Europe who decide to visit the more popular islands of Greece or Spain. Meanwhile, not everyone knows that the Sardinian coast offers as many as 1,849 km of amazing beaches - longer or shorter, sandy or rocky, white, red or ... caramel! And this is just the beginning of attractions, because Sardinia, called the island of treasures, hides many interesting places. Most ferries to Sardinia reach the port of Olbia, which, in addition to being a transport hub, also serves as a base for exploring the north and east coast of the island. You can start this part of the island by traveling around Olbia-Tempio . In the province, it is worth stopping in the town of Santa Teresa Gallura , where one of the most difficult fishing techniques is practiced - surfcasting, which consists in casting the bait from the beach far into the sea. It is not far from there to the exclusive Costa Smeralda , which owes its name to the emerald color of the waters surrounding the coast. There you will find fashionable resorts such as Porto Cervo , Palau and Golfo Aranci . La Maddalena deserves a separate attention - an archipelago of 62 picturesque islets in which a national park was created.

Sardinia - a fabulous island of treasures

The most important point on the tourist map of Veneto is undoubtedly its capital - Venice. The city, beloved by crowds of tourists from all over the world, is a unique place. Built on water with transport based on a complex system of canals, it impresses with its unique atmosphere and interesting architecture. It is worth spending at least a weekend in Venice, and later - go to visit other attractions of the region, which are not lacking. How to plan your stay in Venice? Which of the nearby towns are worth seeing? Check out our guide to the region!.

Veneto - Venice ... and more!

I remember the first time when a friend surprised me by inviting me to a music festival in the Balkans. I have never associated this region of Europe with festivals or holidays that would attract tourists. The more I was surprised when a few days later, with a ticket in hand, I was going as a tourist to Croatia to take part in a series of Christmas madness in one of its most magical regions - Istria. Few people know, but willing to dance and sing, Istrians celebrate many local holidays each year, which can delight every traveler interested in culture. Music, food and drink - and above all the extremely hospitable attitude of Istrian people towards strangers - make it worth including several local holidays in your trip to Istria.

How to celebrate - it&#39;s only in Istria!

How to start a story about Rome when we are talking about a city with such a long history, with so many monuments, with so many beautiful, noteworthy places? It would be a story for a long winter evening with a snowstorm outside the window, probably extended into the night, and probably until the morning. Filmed, it would have to be a series, because it is impossible to show all the attractions of the Eternal City, not to omit something important, although perhaps not as clearly in the foreground as, for example, the Colosseum, St. Peter and the Pantheon.

Feel the peace of Rome

Hello beautiful France! Yes, once again we are going to the land of wine, music and singing. It's summer, so in order to avoid the city noise, we skip the noisy and crowded Paris and jump over touristic Provence. Our goal this time is to discover the fascinating border of France and neighboring Spain - the Languedoc region - Roussillon, where French sophistication is mixed with Catalan temperament, and the songs of sad bards from the Seine with fiery flamenco. The road is not the easiest one, because you have to travel to this south-west corner of France for quite a long time, but it pays off, especially when the mighty Pyrenees loom on the horizon, and more and more vineyards begin to appear around us. Yes, it must not be forgotten that this region, famous for its warm and mild climate, has some of the largest vineyards in the world, and wine drinking is as common here as tea drinking here. We have achieved our goal - one of the most historically rooted regions in Europe welcomes us with wonderful, sunny weather - which, it turns out, prevails here for nine months of the year! There are actually only a few places on the route, a holiday in Languedoc - Roussillon should not be rushed. Here you have to stop for a moment, rest and forget about stress.

A visit to Robin Hood&#39;s fortress

Everyone should fulfill at least one dream, whatever it may be, at least once in their life. For many of us, travelers, a dream is to go to a selected place, see a different culture up close, touch a piece of history or spend time in nature. One of my dreams when I was a little girl was to see the mighty Alps. Years later, as a bigger girl, I finally had this chance. Together with family and friends, eager for adventure, we went to the beautiful border of Slovenia and Italy, to the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, famous for its beauty of nature and rich culture. It is a unique place where the sea and mountains adjoin, showing us all the power of nature. However, this region is much more than nature: languages and cultures have mingled on this small patch of land for centuries. Merchants came and went, leaving their riches here. And although to get here you need to have some rally driving skills (oh those winding mountain paths!), It is worth spending a few days on vacation in Friuli-Venezia Giulia to discover its deeply hidden secrets.

In the shadow of the Dolomites

Cheap vacation in Venice? Sounds like a joke, given the ever-rising prices of canal and gondola services in the city, the rates overwhelm the locals themselves. However, it is possible, you just have to figure it out a bit - for example, choosing to stay in Mestre. Apparently, the Venetians are not particularly fond of tourists. According to various sources, every day (and certainly during the season) as many people come to the city to live there every day. Residents complain about the crowds in public transport, and above all about the rising prices of services. It is not about the rates in restaurants or hotels, but about everyday life - the prices of food products, rent or communication. Tourists, fascinated by the beauty, climate and reputation of the resort, often do not notice how difficult the life of the Venetians is. And those who notice these inconveniences calculate the costs and more and more willingly choose not the center of Venice, but the more affordable Mestre for accommodation or dining. The food here is just as delicious, and you can buy it even several times cheaper. For comparison, you can find an espresso in Mestre for about 1 euro, while in one of the Venetian cafes - for 4 euro. It is also worth visiting delicatessen or supermarkets and doing food shopping. Local products are exceptionally delicious, always fresh and relatively inexpensive. If you feel hungry while visiting Venice , it's better to look for bars than restaurants. A good example is the Crazy Bar, which serves dishes and drinks typical of the region. Attempts to establish contact (including placing an order) in Italian will be a nice gesture in restaurants. Even nicer - the desire to learn about traditional dishes, not necessarily pizza, which, although popular, is not a local specialty at all. Certainly, the following inscriptions in front of some restaurants will catch your eye several times: "NO PIZZA". It is worth ordering a local wine, recommended by a given place ("a la casa"). Among the beers, it is worth recommending, among others Birra Veneziana Rossa.

Mestre, i.e. in Venice, does not have to be (very) expensive

Holidays in Italy are usually associated with a large family trip, worn out holiday T-shirts, lying on the beach and consuming large amounts of pizza and wine. And good! However, what should we do if we would like to visit sunny Italy "in style", without losing the opportunity to get to know, apart from the big cities, also the idyllic provinces? Well, then it is worth choosing joyful Puglia - one of the most unique regions of this country. Puglia has been attracting tens of thousands of tourists for years - located at the very tip (the famous "heel") of Italy, it represents all that is best - plenty of sun, elegant resorts with wide, sandy beaches and tiny towns and villages full of surprising architecture. In addition, Puglia is described as a "stylish" region - elegant architecture, refined rich cuisine and culture adhering to the "dolce vita" principle create a wonderful mixture here.

Apulia in heels

If you and your significant other are planning a romantic vacation for two, and none of the places on the map seem quite picturesque to you, it is worth following the beaten track and going to Venice. Yes, despite the fact that the world capital of lovers has indeed become one of the most visited places on the map of Europe in recent years, it cannot be denied that its charm and unique atmosphere are overshadowed by tourist crowds. In addition, this place, due to its location on 118 islands, is still full of quiet places where bus tours full of noisy tourists do not come to visit. So if your imagination turns red at the thought of a gondola ride through the waters of the Grand Canal, it's time to pack your bags and go on a romantic vacation in Venice! And where to start exploring this unique city? The best - from finding the perfect sunset ...

Venice - only for lovers!

If you are waiting for a holiday in Emilia-Romagna, one of the most beautiful parts of sunny Italy this year, we sincerely envy you! It is a unique place where the landscape harmonizes perfectly with the architecture of small, medieval towns, and the hospitable Italians encourage travelers to get to know their culture at every turn. When traversing this region, cut by gentle hills and valleys, it is worth stopping for a while in the beautiful Ravenna - perhaps less famous than other cities in this part of the country, but undoubtedly having its own special charm. If you've been to Rome, Venice or Florence and you're fed up with loud, chaotic Italian cities, we have good news: you'll love Ravenna at first sight! This small town is just perfect for long, romantic walks.

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Venice for the active