Milan is the home of worldly pleasures; the shopping, opera houses and nightlife draw you in to its culture. The historical and modern points of interest can b...
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The 14th edition of Settimana della Cultura or culture week in Italy will kick off from April 14th to the 22nd, 2012. This is an event sponsored by the Italian government to encourage tourism, where you can gain free museum entry in Italian state museums and many historical sites. Most will eliminate their entrance fee for the 9-days of the event.
Included are the following tourist attractions:
Rome – Colosseum tickets and Colosseum tours, Borghese Gallery, Rome Cards Florence - the Uffizi galleries, Bargello, Accademia, Pitti Palace Milan – Brera Gallery (Galleria Brera) Venice – Venice Academy
Reservations may be required for many locations but the actual ticket price is free (gratis). Exluded are church owned museums and properties such as the Vatican museum and the catacombs (Rome, Palermo). The Palazzo Ducale in Venice is also excluded as well as guided tours and other excursions.
Salvatore "Toto" Cutugno is a famous Italian pop musician, superstar, and songwriter. Many comparisons have been made to Frank Sinatra, as he has great stage presence, is entertaining, and many women find him attractive.
He was born in Fosdinovo, in the Tuscany region of Italy, and started his career as a drummer. The 1976 Sanremo Music Festival gave him enormous exposure when he finished in 3rd place with his band Albatros singing the song Volo 504.
Cutugno's most famous song is a song about Italian pride (1983) called "L'Italiano (Lasciatemi Cantare)", a song similar to the "Born in the USA" song by Bruce Springsteen.
He has won many accolades and he even has a song with the legendary Ray Charles.
Below is a video to his famous song:
Lasciatemi cantare Perche' ne sono fiero Sono un italiano Un italiano vero
Rome is known all over the world over for its extensive historical and artistic heritage but the capital city of Italy is also host to an active nightlife especially in the many student areas of the city. Rome offers something to suit all tastes and budgets from restaurants, bars and nightclubs to concerts and small casinos.
Nightlife in Rome
Disco pubs (called discoteche in Italian) are basically pubs that play music, often with a DJ, and have small areas where people can dance. They are popular in Rome and a vast variety can be found throughout the city.
In the area near Termini Station the Twinx is a popular choice and if you're in the centre Trinity College (located off a side street on Via Del Corso) and The Drunken Ship (in Campo Dei Fiori) are worth checking out.
The University area of San Lorenzo is packed full of different kinds of bars and pubs and as a student neighbourhood the prices tend to be slightly lower than in some other parts of the city. The area is also home to numerous pizzerie and kebab outlets.
Another student area is Trastevere (the John Cabot University is located here). Again you will find a broad range of bars, pubs and disco pubs at reasonable prices.
For upscale pubs and clubs try Alpheus or il 45 Giri in Ostiense or il Giba near Piazza Di Spagna. You will need to be dressed well in order to get in here and entrance costs around €30. Caffè de Paris is frequented by some of the most famous people in the world so if you fancy doing some VIP spotting this is the place to go but be prepared to pay high prices.
Nightclubs can be found throughout the city although, in most cases, in the centre you need to know where they are to be able to find them as big neon signs are not allowed on the ancient buildings and many have just a regular doorway at the entrance. Most are located in the area surrounding Campo dei Fiori and just behind Piazza Navona (pictured to the right).
The area of Testaccio is home to most of the larger and popular nightclubs. Radio Londra, il Coyote and L'Alibi for main stream and dance music and il Caruso for Latin American.
There are also several bars and nightclubs particularly for the gay, lesbian and trans community. Coming Out, which is a pub located near the coliseum, is one of the most famous. Some nightclubs also offer special evenings e.g. L'Alibi has 'La Domenica Trans' (Trans Sunday).
In the Summer months the main action moves towards the beach as many city nightclubs close and the masses flock to Ostia, Torvajanica and Fregene. These seaside towns become packed with nightlife and nightclubs on the beach are very popular.
If you don't fancy heading that far out, Capanelle is a must visit. Open both day and night, the structure is full of market stalls, restaurants, snack bars, pubs, clubs and music of all sorts. It also hosts concerts from both Italian and international stars.
Alitalia just announced some special fares from Los Angeles for nonstop summer service to Italy. And of course from Rome, you can access all the other cities in Italy through Alitalia (or even other airlines).
Tickets must be purchased by February 29, 2012, for travel anytime between May 18 and June 7, 2012. The fare requires 28 days advance purchase.
Take a look at some sample fares
Los Angeles (LAX) to Rome - $1,357 USD
Los Angeles (LAX) to Milan - $1,333 USD
Round-trip, taxes and fees included - For more information call Alitalia Airlines at 800.223.5730
One of the most peculiar of Italian festivals will start this upcoming weekend, which involves a giant orange food fight! It is a tradition that started in the 1100's.
