Tag Archives: Italy

Views from Castelmola

Castelmola is located just above Taormina and is reachable by bus, or if you’re ambitious you can walk.  The small town has amazing charm and some really fun restaurants and bars to visit.  It’s topped off with a castle at the top with some truly amazing views.  Watch the video to see some of these breath-taking views.

Visit www.giannihouse.com for more information about our hostel and the surrounding areas.

Boat Trip

Sea, sun, sailing, my three favorite things in the world. And now I enjoyed all of them at once here in Sicily, in this perfect warm weather. The boat trip, booked directly via Gianni, started on the harbor of Giardini Naxos that is just a 10-minute walk from Gianni House Hostel. In the harbor our captain Antonio was waiting for us. And it’s our very own private boat, nice!

The views here amaze me all the time. From the sea the whole beach boulevard, mountains and Mount Etna opens in front of your eyes. During the trip we went in a small cave that was amazing, and we saw also Taormina, Castelmola, and “The pearl of the Ionian Sea” (Isola Bella) that is now turned into a nature reserve. The boat swung from the waves and warm wind blew nicely on my face. The sights were great and so was the swimming, although at the time the water was ice cold. There was some sort of lemon wine offered by Antonia, and it tasted so delicious even though I usually don’t like sweet liquor. I was so happy and my smile was so wide that it almost hurt. I am already waiting for the next boat trip.

Tip: Remember to take with you: sun glasses, swimsuit and sun cream.

Autumn in Italy

Fall Colors in Emilia Romagna

Martha Bakerjian More Images (2) Autumn, or fall, is a wonderful time to travel in Italy. Tourist crowds are thinning, prices and temperatures are dropping, and the food is fantastic. Here’s a look at what Italy has to offer in fall.Why Travel to Italy in Autumn?Find lower airfares and accommodation pricesEnjoy fall foods like truffles and wild mushroomsAttend fall festivals and cultural eventsTravel and walk without the heat of summerVisit tourist attractions and towns without big crowdsExperience the dramatic beauty of Italy in fallFall Weather and Climate in ItalyEarly fall is still pleasant in many parts of Italy but as the season ends, it’s definitely gotten cold. Autumn is more mild along the coast but colder inland, especially in the mountains. October generally brings crisp, cool mornings and evenings but many sunny days. November is one of Italy’s rainiest months, but there are usually still a good number of sunny days. Toward the end of November and into December, snow starts falling in many parts of Italy. Venice often experiences some flooding from high tides in fall – see more about aqua alta on Venice Word. Find historic weather and climate information for major Italian cities on Italy Travel Weather.Fall Festivals and Culture in ItalyHighlights of fall are All Saints Day, music festivals, and food festivals including truffles, chestnuts, mushrooms, grapes (and wine), chocolate, and even torrone. Opera and theater season starts many places in fall, too. National holidays during fall are All Saints Day on November 1 and Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8. On these days, many services will be closed. Around December 8, Italy starts decorating for Christmas and there will be small Christmas markets and many towns set up a nativity scene in a piazza or church.October Festivals in ItalyNovember Festivals in ItalyDecember Festivals in ItalyVisiting Italy’s Cities in FallCities often clear out and restaurants and shops close during August when most Italians take their vacations. In fall, restaurants and shops in cities are open. Although there are fewer sunlight house, earlier sunsets mean more time to enjoy cities after dark. Many cities light their historic monuments at night so strolling through a city after dark can be beautiful and romantic. While you’ll find smaller crowds and lower hotel prices most places, Florence and Rome are highly popular in September and October. There are fall music and theater festivals in some cities, including Rome and Florence.Fall Outside the Tourist AreasIf you’re away from major tourist areas, you’ll find museums and attractions have shorter hours than in summer. Some things may only be open on weekends. Seaside resorts and camping areas may begin to shut down in late fall and there’s less nightlife although cultural events, like theater and opera, are starting up and there are fairs and festivals, especially food festivals.Italian Food in FallAutumn is the best time for gourmet food lovers. What can be better than fresh truffles? Visit a truffle fair to taste truffle foods or just enjoy the aroma penetrating the air. There are lots of fresh mushrooms in fall so many restaurants will feature them in special dishes. Wine and olive harvests are in fall. San Miniato Truffle FairTruffle Fairs in ItalyOn the Truffle TrailPorcini MushroomsFood and Wine of Italy’s Piemonte RegionItaly Fall PhotosFall colors can be found in vineyards, foothills, and mountains in mid-October and into November. Here are photos of Italy taken in November:Fall in Emilia-Romagna and Salti del Diavolo rock formationsFlorence in NovemberItalian Riviera Village of Camogli Cinque Terre in NovemberLucca from the Guinigi TowerLiguria in AutumnFosdinovo Castle in northern TuscanyOlivola and northern TuscanyPiemonte Vineyards at Harvest TimeReady to Travel – Packing for AutumnSince fall weather can be unpredicatable, it’s best to pack clothes that can be worn in layers. Even in November there may still be warm days along the coast. One November I was hot in a short-sleeved shirt while hiking in the Cinque Terre. Take a versatile but not too heavy sweater, a rain jacket, sturdy shoes that can be worn in rain, and a good umbrella. In late fall, you may want a heavier coat, too. When to Go to ItalySpring in ItalySummer in ItalyWinter in ItalyMore about AutumnEurope in Fall – Tours and TipsOff Season Travel in EuropeTop Fall Italian RecipesRelated ArticlesNew England Fall Foliage Day Trips – Driving Tours – Destinations within Tw…New England Foliage Central – Autumn in New England – Complete Guide to Fal…New England Foliage Central – Autumn in New England – Complete Guide to Fal…November Festivals and Holiday Events in Italy – Italian Festivals in Novem…Destinations for Fall Budget Travel

View the Original article