Italy Blog

Backpacking is one of the truest forms of adventure, allowing us to become one with the elements and immerse ourselves within a variety of different cultures.  Europe makes for an ideal backpacking destination due to the variety of countries and cultures that are right next to one another.  The freedom of backpacking is that you can make your own agenda; you may have discovered a remote farming village that you want to explore for a few more days before continuing your journey, making up your route as you go.
If you are planning a backpacking trip throughout Europe it is highly recommended that Italy is on your radar: not to overuse a cliché but it really does have something for everyone.  The direction you are coming from may influence the route you want to take; for example crossing over the French border will lead you neatly in to Turin, famous for the Shroud of Turin.  After enjoying sights such as the historic Palazzo Madama, the fashion and design capital of Milan awaits before visiting the Leaning Tower of Pisa, art museums in Florence and working your way to the capital of Rome.
It would be understandable if you wanted to spend a longer stay in Rome as the city plays host to a wealth of experiences.  The Trevi Fountain and The Colosseum provide examples of culture and amazing architecture, with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel being the Mecca for art lovers.  If you can manage to pull yourself away from this beautiful city, to the south you will find Naples which is home to some of the world’s greatest vineyards, before making your way back north to Venice.
Backpacking is something that you wouldn’t want to be hasty about; it’s not uncommon for trips to last for several months.  Making sure you are safe whilst travelling is essential, which is why having adequate travel insurance is of great importance.  Long stay travel insurance can cover you for a minimum of 3 months, with some companies able to offer up to 18 months of cover.  This is ideal for those wanting to make the most of their backpacking experience, making sure that their health and possessions are fully covered should the unforeseen happen.

Tweet The other weekend I was invited by my ever productive and active Italian artist friend Gaetano Fiore to attend the Il Segno Art Prize awards ceremony at the Zamenhof Art Gallery in Milan. I’d heard on the grapevine that Gaetano might well win a prize.  Indeed, he did

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Gaetano Fiore wins the 2011 Il Segno Contemporary Art Prize

According to Istat, the national statistics bureau, Italy boasts 16,145 people over 100 years old. Of these centenarians, 13,040 are women and 3,105 are men. Centenarians are most concentrated in the northwest (4190) with less living on the islands (1533).

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16,000 Centenarians in Italy

18-year-old Stefania Bivone has been crowned Miss Italy 2011. To become Miss Italy Stefania was first awarded the title of Miss Calabria, a competition that she claimed she entered just for fun. She then went on to win the national title of Miss Wella, and started to believe that winning Miss Italy 2011 might be possible

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Miss Italy 2011 Crowned

Custom Teaser:  Remembering the talented tenor who tragically passed away 5 September 2011 after a motorbike accident.

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In Memoriam: Salvatore Licitra (1968-2011)

Say goodbye to brand ambassadors like George Clooney and model Thiago Alves, Martini is searching for a new hunky face to star in an upcoming ad campaign. Candidates for the new commercial are expected to be between 25 and 30 years old, but there are few requirements beyond that.

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Martini Offers 150,000 Euro to a Professional Kisser

In the last 24 hours, 80,000 lightning strikes have fallen in northern Italy, almost one sixth of the yearly total in a single day.

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80,000 Lightning Strikes Hit Italy in 24 Hours

According to a new survey by Eurispes, 7 million Italians (a full 12% of the population) identify as vegetarians, up from just 1.5 million in 2000. Based on projections, by 2050 Italy will host 30 million vegetarians. Of these 7 million meatless citizen, a full 600,000 are vegan (meaning they abstain from eggs and dairy as well).

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Vegetarianism Rises Dramatically in Italy

Tweet Playboy Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi ‘s already rock bottom reputation and credibility sank to new lows today. It has been revealed that the contents of more than 100,000 (yes, you read that correctly – one hundred thousand plus) intercepted bunga bunga case telephone conversations are about to see the light of day.

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Silvio Berlusconi: In It Up to His Bunga Bunga Eyeballs

While in Venice to debut her new film, W.E. , Madonna found time to sit down with Italian weekly magazine Oggi . She may have been hoping to promote her latest directorial project, but the Queen of Pop has instead been pulled into a political fight over an offhand comment that has outraged some Italian politicians

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Madonna Infuriates Italian Politicians with Berlusconi Comment