Sunday, September 20, 2009

Turin Hotels - How to Choose a Hotel in Turin

If you want to learn about selecting a hotel in Turin you'll want to read this article. Specifically we'll discuss what factors you should consider before making a decision, making your initial shortlist and getting to the final decision. After reading this article, you should be able to select the hotel in Turin that best matches your needs.

Whether your preference is for the most luxurious hotel in town; more interested in where the hotel is located for sightseeing or business; looking for budget accommodation; or for whatever other reason is most important to you as an individual, the first step in choosing a hotel in Turin is deciding what the real make or break factors are.

Once you have decided what is important to you, it is time to start to whittle down the choice. If it's by location then find a list of all the hotels close to where you want to be. Typically these are the historic centre of Turin or the exhibition area, but they can also include proximity to a business, the airport, or any other location. Using the internet to research location is a simple matter and far easier than ever before.

After you have a shortlist of hotels you can start to judge them by other criteria. Do they have a good restaurant, is the price right, are there any other facilities that would make you choose one hotel over another. Once you have a list of 2 or three hotels remaining all that is left is to find if they are available for the dates you require, which can easily be done online.

All that is left now is to make the booking using your credit card and the reservation is yours. You'll receive confirmation by email and you're ready for your trip to Turin.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Turin Hotels

Anyone visiting Turin for the first time will be struck by the historical city centre, which consists of arcaded streets leading to wide piazzas along cobbled streets. The city has many treasures for the tourist and it therefore seems a shame for anyone to stay anywhere close to the less attractive outskirts when there are is a reasonable choice in or around Piazza Castello.

While it is true that there has been a shortage of luxury hotels in the past, the situation has improved over the last few years, especially with regards to upgrading accommodation in time for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

In fact is was not until recently Turin had a single 5-star hotel, but while not exactly spoilt for choice, visitors now have the choice of three luxury hotels to make their selection.

If you're holidaying in Turin then it makes sense for you to be as close to the sights in the centre of town as possible. The Golden Palace (Via dell'Arcivescovado, 18) is just a few minutes walk away from Piazza Castello, Via Roma and Via Po and therefore ideally placed for anyone looking for some luxury in their stay while hotels such as the 3-star Amadeus are an excellent choice for the more budget conscious traveller.

Porta Nuova railway station is a 20 minute walk from the city centre and one of the main hotel areas. You should be aware though that this area can be a little uncomfortable, especially at night when a taxi is advisable.

While tourists may prefer the city centre, many business travellers will be in Turin for trade fairs and conferences and may therefore choose to stay near the exhibition halls of the Lingotto Centre. Located south of Parco de Valentino, the Lingotto Centre will require public transport to get there from the city centre as it is a few kilometres away.

You can see the Lingotto Centre, a former Fiat factory in the original version of The Italian Job, when the three Mini Coopers are being pursued by the Italian Police arounf its rooftop test track. The building was completely refurbished in the 1990s to bring it up to the standards required for a modern conference centre.

Next to the Lingotto is Turin's first 5-star hotel, Le Meridien Art+Tech, while the 4-star Le Meridien Lingotto is housed in the Lingotto Centre itself. The other 5-star hotel in the area is the AC Torino, which is also in a converted factory.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Easy Way to Find Beautiful Wedding Locations in Italy

Italy is the perfect place for a dream wedding and is becoming a popular choice with destination weddings. The reason for this is simple. The country caters to almost everyone's tastes. Finding beautiful wedding locations in Italy is not a very difficult thing to do. You will find plenty of options on various websites with detailed descriptions and pictures. If you are hiring wedding planners, they would have a few suggestions as well. However, this article should give you a head start on what you can look forward too.

Options, options and more options...

Beauty and more beauty is all you will find in Italy - a perfect destination for a wedding. Beautiful wedding locations in Italy are a very common sight. Here are a few of the locations that you might want to consider:

Lake District: As the name suggests, plan your big day in what could possibly be the most relaxing and romantic atmosphere in Italy, on the edge of a lake.

Friuli and Veneto Regions: Venues that are tucked away and intimate is what you will find in this region made up of old towns that still retain their charm, dreamy castles and gorgeous villas.

Tuscany: Ancient towns on the top of hills, enchanting landscapes, mouth watering food and some of the best is wines is what defines this region.

The Italian Riviera: Quaint fishing villages and vineyards dotting a gorgeous coastline define this area. It is the perfect place for an outdoor wedding.

Lazio, Rome and Florence: The beauty of these cities is timeless and that is what ranks them amongst some of the most exhilarating venues for a wedding in Europe. Amongst other venues are Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sorrento and the Southern regions.

Weddings in Venice

Venice is considered the most romantic city in the world. With the unique experiences and its atmosphere of magic, who wouldn't want to get married here? Venues for weddings in Venice are easily available. Civil ceremonies take place at the Palazzo Cavalli which dates back to the 17th century, while blessings can take place at the Anglican chapel. Lovely Venetian restaurants, villas and luxury 5 star hotels are available for receptions.

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Romantic Italian Honeymoons

When you begin planning your honeymoon, you want to find a place that is romantic, interesting, and that will create lifelong memories. One place that offers all of that and more is Italy. Read on for some ideas on romantic Italian honeymoons.

There are a number of excellent reasons to choose Italy for your honeymoon destination. For one thing, it is exotic enough to feel like you are really trying something new, but it is also a very easy place for Americans to get around. The people are very friendly, and at least in the metropolitan areas, most speak English (but they do still appreciate it when tourists make an effort to learn at least a few Italian phrases). Italy is easy to get to by air or rail from another European country. And then there is the food, the art, the culture, the countryside, and the shopping; need I say more?

Each part of Italy has something interesting and unique to see. The breathtaking beauty of Tuscany makes it one of the top destinations for newlyweds. You can spend leisurely afternoons enjoying the Tuscan countryside and visiting world class vineyards. A cooking class is a fun way to spend an afternoon in Tuscany, as well.

Then take some time to spend in Florence, the biggest city in the region. Florence was a thriving hub of the Renaissance, which is very evident in the stunning architecture and art in the city. Pay a visit to the Duomo, the impressive cathedral that is a central feature of Florence. Then hop over to the Ponte Vecchio, a famous shop-lined bridge. This is the perfect place to pick up romantic jewelry gifts for your new bride, perhaps something to complement her wedding set. If her wedding jewelry was created in gold, you will find it especially easy to buy coordinating gifts at this iconic shopping district. Speaking of shopping, no trip to Florence would be complete without a trip to the flagship Ferragamo store.

Florence is also an incredible honeymoon destination for art lovers. Check out the Uffizi, which is an incredible museum featuring works by famous artists such as Bottecelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Rubens. Then head over to the Galleria dell'Accademia to view Michelangelo's larger than life sculpture "David". If time permits, you will find countless other galleries, palaces, and churches to visit in Florence.

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world, making it a perfect stop for an Italian honeymoon. Stroll arm in arm alongside the famous canals, and take a ride in a gondola. Sip an espresso in St. Mark's Square. There are beautiful hotels and inns in every corner of Venice, but for the ultimate experience, book a room overlooking the splendid Grand Canal. Music lovers will enjoy an evening spent at La Fenice, the famous grand opera house. And for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, head over to the island of Murano for hand-blown glass.

Rome is another popular destination for honeymooners. It offers incredible architecture and ruins dating back thousands of years. Many of the most famous sites in the world are here, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. While in Rome, also take a side trip to the Vatican to view St. Peter's Square and the Sistine Chapel.

Italy is such a romantic and fascinating place to take a honeymoon that the only hard part will be leaving! The great thing is that not only can you enjoy an Italian honeymoon, but you can plan to revisit it for your anniversary trips. There is so much to see and do in Italy that you might well find yourself returning year after year.