Travel Guide - Firenze, Italy

Florence (Firenze) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy, filled with cultural, artistic and architectural treasure.


Transportation

By air
Florence's Amerigo Vespucci international airport (FLR) is the international airport in Firenze. It can be reached in about fifteen minutes from city center by taxi or bus.

By rail
The main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella on the edge of the historic old town.


Attractions

Chiesa Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is the first great basilica in Florence. It is situated just opposite to the Santa Maria Novella main railway station.

Duomo
The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) is the cathedral Gothic style's church of Florence. The cathedral complex includes the Baptistery of St. John and Giotto's Campanile (bell tower). These three buildings are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering the historic centre of Florence. The Basilica is the one of largest churches in Italy and the dome is the largest brick dome ever constructed.
The Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery of St. John) is a religious building in Florence which has the status of a minor basilica. The Baptistery stands in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Duomo cathedral and the Giotto bell tower (Campanile di Giotto). This Florentine Romanesque style's bell tower is also one of the oldest buildings in the city. Don't miss to climb up the Duomo or Campanile! You can find stunning view of Florence as well as the Tuscan countryside.

Galleria dell'Accademia
The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti is an academy of fine arts in Florence and it has housed the original David by Michelangelo since 1873.

Basilica di Santa Croce
The Basilica di Santa Croce (Basilica of the Holy Cross) is the principal Franciscan church in Florence and a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church. It is situated on the Piazza di Santa Croce. This site is known as the Temple of the Italian Glories (Tempio dell'Itale Glorie) as some of famous Italians were buried there, such as Michelangelo and Galileo.

Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence in the Piazza della Signoria, where you can see the copy of Michelangelo's David Statue stands there. The Loggia dei Lanzi (Loggia della Signoria) is a building on a corner of the Piazza della Signoria, adjoining the Uffizi Gallery.

Palazzo degli Uffizi
The Palazzo degli Uffizi is a palace in Florence and now houses the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi). This gallery is one of the oldest and most famous art museums of the Western world.

Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is the oldest wholly-stone arch bridge over the Arno River in Florence. This medieval bridge was occupied by butchers, but now you can find lots of jewelery, art and souvenir shops. It is also the way to connect the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti.

Palazzo Pitti
The Palazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) is a vast mainly Renaissance palace in Florence. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno. It takes around 5mins walk from the Ponte Vecchio. It was originally the residence of a Florentine banker and later was bought by the Medici family. It houses collections of paintings, plates, jewelry and luxurious possessions.

Piazzale Michelangelo
By bus - the bus stop of Bus no. 13 opposite to St. Maria Novella main railway station
Ticket can be purchased on bus at rate of Euro2/person/way. In fact, this is a circular line which is also good for sightseeing.

Piazzale Michelangelo is a famous square with a magnificent panoramic view of Florence. There is a popular tourist destination in the Oltrarno district of the city. The view from this most famous observation point is fantastic. So it is the best place for photographers to take a postcard-like photos of Firenze, especially during sunrise or sunset time.

Useful links:
The website of Duomo - http://www.duomofirenze.it/index-eng.htm
The official website of Galleria dell'Accademia - http://www.accademia.firenze.it/english

Travel Guide - Rome, Itay

Most of attractions is situated in the old city of Rome. So walking is the best way for you to wander around the anicent monuments.

Attractions

Colooseo --> Palation --> Campidoglio --> Piazza Venezia
Metro: Metro line B (Blue) and get off at Colosseo

The Colosseum is a largest ever built elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy and it is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

The Arch of Constantine (Arco di Costantino) is a triumphal arch in Rome, which is just next to Colooseo and you won't miss it. Behind the Arch, there is Via di S. Gregorio, where the entrance of Palatino (Palatine Hill) is located at. On the Palatine hill, you will find mostly ruins of palaces and homes of the rich. Next to the Palatine Hill, there is the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo), was the first and largest Chariot Racing Stadium in ancient Rome. Now you could see that the rest was destroyed by a fire and only a grassy hollow and a few ruins of bleachers.

After exit the site, Piazza Campidoglio in Capitoline Hill will be in front of you. The Capitoline Musems (Campidoglio) houses Medieval and Renaissance palaces surrounding a piazza. An attractive pure white marble building, Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II is situated between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill.



Piazza Venezia --> Area Sacra --> Panteon


Trajan's Column (Colonna Traiana) and Trajan's Forum (Foro Traiani) are nearby Piazza Venezia. Walk along Corso Vittorio Emanuele from Piazza Venezia, Chiesa del Gesu and Area Sacra both are on the left hand side. Then move to Pantheon in Piazza della Rotonda. Pantheon is a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome.



Piazza Navona --> Castel Sant' Angelo --> Vatican


Walk across Piazza Navona from Panteon, following the direction to Ponte Sant' Angelo, that is the most beautiful bridge in Rome. This bridge is linked to Castel Sant' Angelo across Fiume Tevere. The Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo) is a towering cylindrical building in Rome, used as a fortress and castle, and is a museum now. Besides climb up the Cupola of Dom in Bascilia St. Peter, you also can enjoy a breathtaking view at the top of the castle.


Just walk along Via della Conciliazione, you will reach St. Peter's Square in Vatican.


Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin

The Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin (Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin) is a minor basilica church in Rome, Italy. It is located at the foot of the Aventine hills. There is a conserved Roman statue that has attracted the attention and curiosity of tourists from all over the world. It is the "Bocca della Verità", which means 'the Mouth of Truth'. This is an ancient stone mask that represents a river god with an open mouth, wide eyes and a flowing mane of hair. If you want to check a person who is a liar or not, you can ask him/her to put his/her hand inside its mouth. If he/she is a liar, he/she will lose his/her hand. Believe it or not!


Piazza di Spagna --> Spanish Seps --> Trinita dei Monti --> Fontana del Tritone --> Fontana di Trevi

The Fontana della Barcaccia is a Baroque fresh-water fountain in Rome in the Piazza di Spagna, just below the Spanish Steps. It also named as "Fountain of the Old Boat". Walk up the longest and widest staircase in Europe - The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti), there is a Baroque church, Trinitra dei Monti in the Piazza Trinita dei Monti on Pincio Hill.

Follow Via Sistina to the direction of Barberini, Fontana del Tritone is stood in Piazza Barberini, where Metro Barberini is located at.

From Barberini, follow the main road of Largo Chigi Via del, Fontana di Trevi will be on your left hand side. You walk across Piazza Acc. S Luca, you will see the largest Baroque fountain in Rome. There is some legends about throwing coins into the fountain. If you throw a coin, you are ensured a return to Rome. If two coins, you will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. But some said that you should throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. Will you try this traditional legends when you are there? Personally, I didn't.

Transportation Guide - Rome, Italy

Rome is the capital of Italy, where contains plenty of ancient monuments, like Vatican, Colosseo, etc. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


Transportation

By air:

Leonardo da Vinci/ Fiumicino International Airport(FCO) is the main international airport in Rome and it is well connected to the center of the city by public transportation.

Ciampino International Airport(CIA) is the low-cost airline airport in the southeast of Rome. Easyjet, Ryanair and other budget airlines operate in this small airport. There is no direct train connection to the city center, but it is closer to city center than Fiumicino airport.

By rail:

Stazione Termini (Rome Termini) is the main railway station in Rome. Please beware of pickpockets and thieve nearby station, especially at night. This station is also locked up after midnight, so most long-distance trains passing through Rome will stop at Tiburtina station instead.

Within Rome, there are two main Metro lines - Metro line A (Red) and Metro line B (Blue). Rome Termini station is the interchange point of these two lines. Metro line A (red line) runs northwest past the Vatican, and south. Line B (Blue Line) runs southwest past the Colosseo and northeast.The Metro is the most punctual form of public transportation in Rome, but it can get extremely crowded during rush hour.



Rome Pass


The above photos show the Roma Pass issued in 2009.

The cost : Euro 25 (starting from 1Feb2010)
You can purchase this Roma Pass online through its official website (shown as below) or at Tourist information counters, such as in Rome Termini station.

This pass offers free public transportation within the city center and free entry to the first 2 visited museums and / or archaeological sites as well as reduction for all other museums and major events. Inside of the new Roma Pass kit, there are:

• The Roma Pass card (Plastic one) - you can use this card to visit museums / archaeological sites
• The Roma Pass Transport - you can use it on the public transport system
• Roma MAP - it features all the Tourist Information Points, Metro stations, museums and other sites of interest
• Roma Pass Guide - it is an useful guide to all participating museums and sites
• Roma News - it shows all the events and services for tourists offering discounts
• Roma Informa - it provides details of how to access information on events and other useful services via Internet

If you stay in Rome for at least 3 days, you should purchase this Roma Pass. The additional benefit of this pass is to save your time. There is huge crowds of people everywhere in Rome, especially in famous attraction, like Colosseo. There is a specific entrance for Roma Pass holders in most of attractions.

Please note that most museums are generally closed on Mondays (with the exception of the Colosseo and the Baths of Caracalla). Please check in advance before your visit.


Useful links:
The official website of Roma Pass - http://www.romapass.it/
The website of Rome travel guide - http://www.rome-guide.it/

Travel Guide - Vatican, Rome, Italy

State of the Vatican City is a landlocked country and its territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It is ruled by the bishop of Rome, the Pope.

Getting there

Nearby metro station:
Take Metro Line A to Ottaviano and then walk around 5-10mins along Via Ottaviano

Nearby attraction in Rome:
Walk around 5-10mins along Via della Conciliazione from Castel Sant' Angelo


Attractions

Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro)

Saint Peter's Square is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Did you watch the film named "Angels and Demons"? Lots of scene in this film was taken place there.

Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano)

St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and also holding an unique position in the Christian world.

Free entry into Basilica
Admission fee to the Cupola of the Dom
Walk up 551stairs : Euro5/person
Take elevator and walk up 320stairs : Euro7/person

Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani)

Admission fee : Euro14 (Roma Pass is not applicable in Vatican)
Rental of audio-guide: Euro 7

You can walk through the most significant cultural and religious areas of the Vatican Museums. The itinerary includes: the Pio Clementino Museum (classical antiquity), the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Gallery of the Geographical Maps and the Tapestry Gallery (Renaissance Art), the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel.

Works of art and surroundings may be photographed, except in the Sistine Chapel. It is forbidden to use flashlight photography inside the Museums.


Useful links:

The website of Vatican - http://www.vatican.va/phome_en.htm
The details of The St. Peter's Basilica - http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica
The official website of Vatican Museums - http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

Travel Guide - Salzburg, Austria

If you are using Salzburg card, you can enjoy one-time free entry for the below attractions.

Salzach Crusie

The Salzburg cardholders should make reservation of the Amadeus Salzburg panorama speedboat in advance. You can select for the roundtrip cruise or one way trip from Old Town to Hellbrunn. You can pick up an original ticket at the ticket office at Hanuschplatz nearby Makart Bridge - where the pier is located at. Then you can experience the city of Salzburg with a boat cruise on the Salzach river.





Attractions in Old Town

Hohensalzburg Fortress (Fortress Musuem, Rainer Museum, Marionette Museum)


Take the oldest cable funicular in Austria up to the Fortress and explore different museums. You can find a stunning view of Salzburg there.


Come down from Fortress, you can see a DOM - Cathedral (Cathedral Museum, Cathedral Excavations), which is one of landmarks in Salzburg. Nearby DOM, there are Panorama Museum, Residenz State Rooms and Residenz Gallery, Salzburg Museum and Georg Trakl Memorial and Research Centre.





From Hanuschplatz nearby the Makart-steg (Bridge), you can visit Museum of Natural History and Technology and Museum of Mordern Art Salzburg Monchsberg. Although you are not museums' lover, you should take Monchsberglift (elevators) up to Museum of Modern Art Salzburg Monchsberg, because there is also the most stunning panorama terrace in Salzburg.

Toy Museum --> Festival Halls --> Michael Haydn Museum --> Museum of Modern Art Salzburg Rupertinum --> Collegiate Church and Alter Market


Mozart's Birthplace
The building is arranged as museum in all three floors, with the three exhibitions three exhibitions "Daily life of a prodigy", "Mozart on stage" and "The Mozarts – a family is being introduced". You can see the original instruments of Mozart , authentic portraits, even though furniture and objects of daily use of Mozart’s time.



Attractions in New Town

There is a Flea market in Mirabellplatz. Opposite side is Salzburg Baroque Museum and Mirabellgarten.

Mozart's Residence and Mozart Sound and Film Collection
This building was the former residence of the Mozart family. It exhibits relating to the life of the Mozart Family, the history of the building, as well as collection of audiovisual documents on W.A. Mozart and contemporary Salzburg composers.

You can walk past Makart-steg (bridge) to Old Town or wander along the Salzach river.

Attractions in countryside

Untersberg
Take Bus 25 and get off at "Grodig-St. Leonhard"

The Untersberg cable car (UBB) is operated by two-cable system. You can take the cable car to the 1853m summit of the Unterberg to enjoy a magnificent view of Salzburg.

Hellbrunn Palace
Take Bus25 and get off at "Schloss Hellbrunn"

Hellbrunn Palace is situated in the southern district of the city of Salzburg. It was only meant for use as a day residence of the Archbishops of Salzburg in summer. This palace is surrounded by beautiful park and trick fountains. "The Sound of The Music Pavilion" is in Hellbrunn Palace Park. This pavilion was used in 1964 in a scene of the musical film "The Sound of The Music", which described as the fate of the Trapp family. If you are interested in folk art, folk customs and devotional objects, you should visit in Folklore Museum in Hellbrunn.



Salzburg Zoo
Take Bus 25 and get off at "Salzburg Zoo", nearby Hellbrunn Palace.

Stiegl-Brauwelt
Take Bus 1 and get off at "Brauhausstrasse".
Stiegl-Brauwelt is the biggest beer exhibition in Europe. For Salzburg cardholders, you will have a free beer tasting in the brewery restaurant and a welcome gift.

Useful links:
The website of Salzach Cruise - http://www.salzburgschifffahrt.at/
The website of Monchsberglift - http://www.moenchsbergaufzug.at/
The official website of Museums in Salzburg - http://www.salzburgmuseum.at/
The website of Museum of Modern Arts - http://www.museumdermoderne.at/
The website of Residenz States Rooms - http://www.salzburg-burgen.at/
The website of Residenz Gallery - http://www.residenzgalerie.at/?L=1
The website of Mozart's Birthplace, Mozart's Residence and Mozart Sound And Film Collection - http://www.mozarteum.at/
The website of Untersbergbahn - http://www.untersbergbahn.at/
The website of Hellbrunn - http://www.hellbrunn.at/
The website of Folklore Museum - http://www.salzburgmuseum.at/
The website of Salzburg Zoo - http://www.salzburg-zoo.at/
The website of Stiegl-Brauwelt - http://brauwelt.at/

Travel Guide - Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria. The Old Town with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centres north of the Alps, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is also the birthplace of 18th-century composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. In the mid-20th century, The musical film The Sound of Music was taken place here. "The Sound of Music" Pavilion is also one of famous landmarks in Salzburg.

Transportation:

By train - Salzburg's main station ( Hauptbahnhof) is located to the north of the Salzach River within the New Town of Salzburg. The station is operated by both the Austrian Federal Railway Company (OBB) and the National German Railway company (DB).

By plane - The Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (SZG) is situated about 20 minutes from the city center.


Salzburg card is the best travel card for you to explore Salzburg.

The adult price of Salzburg card is:
24hrs - Euro22 / Euro25 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)
48hrs - Euro30 / Euro33 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)
72hrs - Euro35 / Euro38 (peak season - 1st May to 31Oct)

It consists of free single admission to all the city's attractions and free use of public transportation throughout the city, including cable-car to Untersberg, Honhensalzburg Fortress cable funicular, Salzach cruise.


Useful links:
The official website of Austrian Federal Railway Company (OBB) - http://www.oebb.at/en/index.jsp
The official website of National German Railway company (DB) -http://www.bahn.de/i/view/GBR/en/index.shtml
The official website of Salzburg international airport - http://engl.salzburg-airport.com/
The details of Salzburg card - http://www.salzburg.info/en/sights/salzburg_card/

Travel Guide - Wien (Vienna), Austria

Transportation in Wien:

Vienna Card costs only Euro18.50 with validity of 72hours from date of issue. This card is valid for unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram as well as 210discounts at museums and sights, theatres and concerts, in shops, cafés, restaurants and the ‘Heurige’ wine tavern ... It is available in hotels and at the tourist information centre on Albertinaplatz (open daily from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm) and the tourist information point at the airport (open daily from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm), at sales and information points of the Vienna Lines (e.g. Stephansplatz, Karlsplatz, Westbahnhof.)

Besides the Vienna Card, the following travel cards are available:
24-hour season ticket Euro5.70
48-hour season ticket Euro10.-
72-hour season ticket Euro13.60
This travel card is valid for unlimited free travel by underground, bus and tram within validity.

Taking Vienna Ring Tram is the best way to explore Vienna’s magnificent ring boulevard with all its glorious attractions , such as the State Opera House, Imperial Palace, Parliament, Vienna City Hall, ...

Attractions in Ringstrass

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom)
Underground: Stephanspl U1 or U3

St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most important religious building in Austria's capital. It is also a landmark in the Ring area. You can see the tiles form a mosaic of the double-headed eagle (symbolic of the empire ruled from Vienna by the Habsburg dynasty) on the south side; on the north side, there are the coats of arms of the City of Vienna and of the Republic of Austria. Besides exploring the chapel, you also can climb the 343 steps up to the tower-keeper's room of St. Stephen's and enjoy a breathtaking view of Vienna.

Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper)
Underground: Karls-platz U1, U2 or U4

Vienna State Opera House is located at the southern end of the Kärntnerstrasse in the 1st district of Wien. It is an opera house since mid of 19century and has a worldwide reputation for its first-class opera performances and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. You can experience the most impressive opera here.

Vienna's Imperial Palace (Hobfburg)
Walk around 5-10mins from Stphansplatz or by underground or trams
Underground: U3 (orange), alight at Herrengasse
Trams: 1 and 2, alight at Burgring

You can buy a Hobfburg ticket with audioguide to visit 3 imperial highlights ( Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Imperial Silver Collection).

Nowadays there are "Österreichische Nationalbibliothek" (National Library), "Schatzkammer" (Imperial Treasury), "Museum für Völkerkunde" (Museum of Ethnography) and famous "Spanische Hofreitschule" (Spanish Riding School) in this palace. Sunday Mass in the "Hofmusikkapelle"(Chapel of the Imperial Palace) with famous Vienna Boys' Choir is required for reservation in advance. Please make reservation through hmk@aon.at .The Vienna Boys' Choir performs every Sunday from January through June and mid-September through end of December.

Just next to the palace, "Heldenplatz" is the square of heroes and is one of Austria's symbols of national identity. Walk past the square, MuseumsQuartier is in front of you. Turn right you can reach Volks-garten. Turn left you can go to Burggarten, where you can find Mozart Memorial statue there.

Opposite to Volksgarten, there is Parlament and Rathaus-park. In Rathaus-park, you can see a Gothic-style's building, that is Vienna City Hall.

The Votive Church (Votivkirche)
Metro: Schottentor Universitat U2 or walk around 10mins from Vienna City Hall

Votivkirche is one of the most important neo-Gothic religious architectural sites in the world. It is closed to University of Vienna.

Attractions outside of Ringstrass

Schonbrunn Palace

Ticket: Grand Tour with audio guide at rate of Euro12.90 takes approx 50mins.

Grand Tour begins in the west wing of the palace and take you through the Imperial Apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), through the central wing with the ceremonial and state rooms and into the east wing. After tour, you can wander around Privy garden, Maze & Labyrinth, Gloriette (Viewing terrace). You take Schönbrunn Panorma Train with charges or walk by yourself. You can enjoy the breathtaking view up to Gloriette.

Useful links:
The details of Vienna Card - http://www.wien.info/en/travel-info/vienna-card

The website of St. Stephen's Cathedral - http://www.stephenskirche.at/

The website of Staatsopera - http://www.staatsoper.at/

The website of MuseumsQuartier Wien - http://www.mqw.at/fset_en.html

The official website of Schoenbrunn Palace - http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/home.html