Tips on accommodation
- Stay somewhere built from sustainable natural materials with a low impact on the environment. Many accommodation websites offer a shortlist of the most eco-friendly places; try i-escape or Sawdays Green Places to Stay.
- Avoid places in dry countries which have swimming pools - they may look enticing but it probably means that people living down the road have less (or no) drinking water
- Minimise use of air-conditioning; do not leave them on throughout the night (it is unhealthy for you, as well as being energy-hungry)
- Choose a locally run hotel
- Make sure the staff are local to the region
- Ensure the staff receive a fair wage
- Ask that your [linen and towels are washed only when needed]]
- Check to see how the resort/hotel produces electricity
[edit] The cities
Milan is rivaled only by Paris as the fashion capital of the world and is shopping at its best. Rome has been the heart of Italy from the time of the Romans through today; to walk its streets is to walk in the footsteps of Emperors and Popes. Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance and its presence reverberates through the old cobbled streets and beautiful churches. Venice – the most unique and romantic city in the world, stands timeless and beautiful in the midst of the Adriatic, a magnificent creation highlighting man at his most artistic. Finally the majestic and striking natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, a place to relax, soak in the tremendous natural beauty, dine on the world’s favorite cuisine at its finest, and experience that special joy of being that is uniquely Italian. No matter what you’re seeking, it awaits you when you travel Italy and visit its cities. There is such a good range of Italian vacation rentals to choose from that you should take care to select the property that suits your budget and taste.
[edit] The Climate
When you travel to Italy, it’s important to know that despite its geographical position at the center of the temperate zone, Italy has rather variable climatic characteristics. This is due to the presence of the Mediterranean, whose warm waters mitigate thermal extremes, and the Alpine arc, which forms a barrier against the cold north winds. Furthermore, when you travel Italy, remember that Italy is subject to both wet and moderate atmospheric currents from the Atlantic Ocean and dry and cold ones from Eastern Europe. The Italian villas you stay in should have heating in winter, so check with the agents before you book. The Apennine chain too, confronting the wet winds from the Tyrrhenian, causes considerable climatic differences between the opposite sides of the peninsula. The differences in temperature between the winter and summer months are more marked in the northern regions than in the south and along the coasts. The mean temperatures for the month of January in the Po Plain fluctuate around zero, while in the Alpine valleys the thermometer can drop to -20? and snow can remain on the ground for many weeks. A good Tuscany travel guide is necessary if you intend visiting this popular district, since there are plenty of attractions to see and accommodation varies in quality.
In the southern regions, instead, the mean temperatures for January remain around 10?, with the exception of the inland mountainous zones. Mean summer temperatures throughout all Italy rise to 24?-25? for July, only being lower in the highest zones. It’s best to consult a Sicily travel guide if you want to get the most out of your tour of southern Italy. Rainfall distribution also varies considerably, due to the influence of both mountains and prevailing winds. The highest quantities are registered in the Alpine arc (over 3,000 mm pa in the Lepontine and Julian Alps) and on the Apennines (over 3,000 mm pa in the Apuan Alps). The plains, however, including that of the Po, receive scarce precipitation. Generally it is less than 800-900 mm pa but in the southern regions (Tavoliere and southern Sicily) it falls below 600 mm pa. The great internal Alpine valleys and the coastal plains of the Tyrrhenian (Maremma) and Sardinia also receive little rain. Altogether, six large climatic regions can be distinguished, mainly characterized by mountain influence.
