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September 12, 2019 by Kim Abbott

Excitement Is Exploding About Italy’s Hot Volcano Tourism!

When you think of Italy, you may not automatically think about volcanoes. However, this is one of the few European countries that still has active volcanoes. In fact, there are more than 12 active volcanoes here, and Italy is home to some of the most dangerous in the world.

The three most active volcanoes in Italy include:

Etna
Stromboli
Vesuvius

Due to the high level of activity occurring within these volcanoes, there are an array of tours and holiday packages focused on them specifically. If you want to experience the thrill of seeing an active volcano up close and personal, booking one of these tours is a smart move. Get to know more about the three most active volcanoes in Italy here.

Mount Etna: The Largest Active Volcano in Europe

At 10,900 feet in elevation, Mount Etna is the highest and most active volcano in all of Europe. It’s found on the eastern coast of Sicily, located between the Italian cities of Catania and Messina. The last major eruption occurred in 1928; however, there have been several smaller eruptions since that time. This is a popular destination for hikers who want to see the active craters found at the top.

Stromboli: Called the Island Volcano

This volcano is also located in Sicily, on the island of Stromboli. Approximately 1,000 people live here, and this volcano has been actively erupting since 1932. The area is actually a group of islands formed by volcanic activity. The best part of visiting this volcano is the lava that spurts out of the ground, which the Romans called the “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean.”

Mount Vesuvius: The Powerhouse that Burned Pompeii

By far the most popular mountain in Italy, it’s located on the bay of Naples. It stands at 4,203 feet tall and is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world and was made famous for burning the ancient city of Pompeii in 79 AD. Today, there are more than three million people living nearby.

If you plan to visit Italy, be sure to consider one of these popular volcanoes. It will truly be an experience you will never forget. Due to the popularity of the volcanoes, there are several professional tour services that will take you if you don’t want to venture off on your own. The former is probably the safest way to see these powerful creations but for the truly adventurous, try wandering around on your own.

July 13, 2019 by Kim Abbott

Consider a Volunteer Vacation in Italy

Volunteer vacations are a popular way to travel, and it’s not just developing countries that need volunteers. In fact, there are plenty of opportunities for a volunteer vacation in Italy.

Read on to learn more about the options and which one is the best match for you.

Help Rebuild an Abandoned Tuscany Village

If you have skills in gardening, building, or general maintenance, consider a unique volunteer experience in beautiful central Tuscany right in the middle of the Casentino National Park forest. You can take part in turning an abandoned village into a sustainable community by helping with the greenhouse, vegetable garden, rainwater storage solutions, design improvements and more on a homestead hotel this spring.

Basically, in exchange for a few hours of work each day, you will be provided with a room and three meals a day. You also have the opportunity to take Italian lessons with the homestead’s neighbor. On your time off, explore the surrounding area, including swimming in the nearby river, going for hikes in the countryside, mountain biking and more.

Teach in Naples

Education is struggling in Naples, Italy. Many students opt to drop out of school to look for work. At the same time, the public schools lack resources for extra-curricular activities. When you volunteer as a teacher in Naples, you will help close this gap by helping out local teachers in public schools, organizing afterschool programs, and running workshops that help students learn English.

The age range you can choose to work with includes 4 to 18 years old. In order to teach English, you’ll need to have a TEFL certificate and pay the volunteer fee. If you choose to volunteer over the summer, you can expect to work with local children as well as newly arrived refugees in a fun, outdoor environment.

Volunteer with Dolphins

Do you love the sea and the creatures within? Then consider living aboard a dolphin research boat for a volunteer vacation to Italy. You will sail along the Ischia coastline on a historical sailing boat in the protected area of Neptune’s Kingdom.

As a volunteer, you’ll find yourself immersed in dolphin conservation that includes studying their behavior and recording bioacoustics and other data. Programs run from 1 to 3 weeks and include a single bunk. The program is open to those aged 16 to 70 with 6 volunteers serving at a time from mid May till the end of September.

Shadow Doctors in Italy

Spend 3 weeks over the summer with the Atlantis Fellowship that provides pre-med students with the opportunity to shadow doctors in international hospitals. This fellowship is AAMC-compliant and gives you a chance to live out your medical passion. You can plan to spend 20 or more hours per week in various medical settings as well as discovering the local culture.

June 15, 2019 by Kim Abbott

5 Tips for Visiting the Vatican

Situated in Rome, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world and one of the most visited. With so much to see and do in this ancient place in the heart of Italy, you’ll want to plan ahead to make the most out of your trip. Read on to learn about 5 tips for visiting the Vatican.

1. Book Your Museum Tickets Online in Advance

The Vatican Museum and Saint Peter’s Basilica are two of the most visited museums in Rome. While the Vatican is the home of the Pope and the Catholic Church, it also houses numerous art collections, including Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, which sees 4 million visitors a year.

Due to the tremendous popularity of these sites, it’s best to secure your tickets online well in advance. This way, you’ll avoid the long line to purchase tickets and be certain you’ll get in that day. You can buy your tickets directly at the Vatican website.

2. Visit Early or Late in the Day

You may have skipped the long line by purchasing your tickets in advance, but you’ll still have the crowds to deal with once inside. To avoid the height of the crowds, it’s best to visit the museums either early or late in the day when there are fewer people. Keep in mind that around 25,000 people visit the Vatican museum every day.

The museum opens at 9am and closes at 6pm. The last Sunday of every month is a free day so if you want to save money, you can plan for this day – but be warned – you need to go early as there will be a very large crowd this day and you’ll find yourself waiting in line for hours otherwise.

3. Go During Tuesday – Friday

To avoid the mass crowds, it’s best to avoid the Vatican from Saturday through Monday when it receives the most visitors. Avoiding the large crowds gives you more time to explore at your own pace and relax a bit while doing it. The last thing you want is to rush through the sites while trying to peer over someone’s head the whole time.

4. Visit During the Off-Season

If you’re able, consider visiting the Vatican during the off-season when there are fewer people and travel to Italy is generally cheaper. The off-season runs from mid-January to March and from November to mid-December. The weather will be mild and comfortable for a day of sight-seeing at the Vatican.

5. Dress Appropriately

You’ll need to be dressed appropriately to be allowed into the museum and Basilica. For women, this means covering shoulders, midriffs, thighs, and your neckline. Leave the shorts and tank tops at home and go for long dresses, skirt, or pants. Pack a shawl to cover your shoulders. For men, wear a long t-shirt or nice top with long shorts or pants. You’ll also want to pack light as all purses and backpacks are inspected before entry.

December 10, 2018 by Kim Abbott

Italy is the 4th most Visited Country in the World

lamore italian restaurant venice canals Did you know that Italy is ranked fourth when it comes to the most visited countries in the world? It’s true! While there are several factors that likely attribute to this, one of the biggest factors is the food. After all, who doesn’t love authentic Italian cuisine?

However, there are also quite a few amazing sights that can only be seen in Italy. Keep reading to learn more about the Italian food and sights you are sure to encounter when visiting the amazing country.

The Food

Of all the different global cuisines, there is nothing that’s able to compare with the experience and taste of eating authentic, Italian home cooking. This food is a product of thousands of years of culinary innovation and wisdom and consists of recipes that have been handled down generation after generation.

However, something to note about Italian food is that authentic cuisine isn’t the Americanized version served in the United States today. Italian food is fresh, full of flavor and natural ingredients. This is why so many people travel to Italy just to experience the cuisine.

The Sights

There’s no question that the food in Italy is amazing; however, there are also amazing sights to see and experience on your trip to Italy. Some of tourist spots that are most highly rated by tourists include the following:

The Colosseum: This massive amphitheater is the biggest of its kind that was ever constructed during the Roman rule and it has a wooden floor that measured 83 by 48 meters. Beneath it is two levels of passages, cells, rooms and tunnels.
The Venice Canals: When you think of travel in Italy, chances are you imagine the gondola rides through the Venice canals. This is a mode of travel that has been used for centuries and something tourists enjoy.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa: This tower is well-known across the globe and one of the biggest attractions for tourists in Italy.
Lake Como: This is considered one of the most scenic areas in Italy and the lake is fully surrounded by mountains and small towns.
Cinque Terre: A coastal region that’s distinctive due to the sheer cliffs and steep hills, this area overlooks the Mediterranean. There are 5 beautiful villages, including Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Mare that are available via walking paths and railroad tunnels.

If you are planning a trip to Italy, as you can see, there are more than a few things to experience. Be sure to keep the information here in mind as you travel your through this beautiful (and pretty tasty) country.

Excitement Is Exploding About Italy’s Hot Volcano Tourism!

Consider a Volunteer Vacation in Italy

5 Tips for Visiting the Vatican

Italy is the 4th most Visited Country in the World

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