From TravelersTipsNPics.com:

Train travel is certainly the most convenient and relaxing way to get around Italy, especially if you want to avoid driving while figuring out road directions, lining up to pay highway tolls, and parking in Italy’s big cities. Trenitalia trains cover Italy’s rail network spanning over 16,000 km, with an excellent range of services from high speed trains, to Intercity services, to International routes. An Italy rail pass allows visitors to easily access trains throughout Italy, while enjoying the high level of comfort, service and flexibility Italian train travel has to offer.

Italy Rail Passes

For International Travelers:

Eurail France & Italy Pass

Eurail Greece & Italy Pass

Eurail Italy & Spain Pass

Eurail Global Pass

Eurail Select Pass

Eurail Italy Pass

For European Residents:

InterRail Italy Pass

InterRail Global Pass

A Regional Rail Pass, such as a Eurail France & Italy Pass, Eurail Greece & Italy Pass or Eurail Italy & Spain Pass is perfect for travel itineraries that include these popular country combinations.

For visitors who would like to explore multiple countries including Italy, count on the Eurail Global Pass, providing rail travel throughout 21 countries, or the Eurail Select Pass for travel in your choice of 3, 4 or 5 bordering countries.

If your focus falls on beautiful Italy with no other distractions, then the Eurail Italy Pass will surely give you the time to discover all its vibrant cities with validities from 3 to 10 rail travel days within 2 months.

As the Eurail product range is only available to international travelers, European residents can also enjoy an Italy rail pass by selecting either an InterRail Global Pass or InterRail Italy Pass.

Please also note that rail pass and ticket holders are required to pay a supplement for high speed trains and seat or sleeper reservations. All of these pass can be found at most Eurail distributors.

Italy’s High Speed Trains

Two of Italy’s trains, Frecciarossa and Frecciargento, will surely impress travelers with their superior catering services and high speed service featuring multiple daily departures and connections to popular city centers. Frecciarossa trains connect Turin to Salerno via Milan, Bologna, Rome and Naples with speeds up to 360 km/h. In fact this train boasts 72 daily connections from Milan to Rome, some non-stop, delivering passengers in less than three hours. Other popular routes, also with numerous daily connections, include Milan to Naples, Turin to Rome, Bologna to Florence and Rome to Naples.

Frecciargento trains connect Rome to Venice, Verona, Bari and beyond with speeds up to 250 km/h. With 26 daily departures, planning a trip from Rome to Venice is a breeze and the trip only takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Other popular high speed routes on Frecciargento trains include Rome to Verona in 3 hours and Rome to Bari in 4 hours.

International Trains

International trains facilitate connections from popular Italian cities to neighboring countries, including Milan to Barcelona, Nice, Paris, Amsterdam, Zürich, Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna; Rome to Paris, Munich and Vienna; and Venice to Paris, Zürich, Munich, Vienna, Prague, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrade, Budapest and Bucharest.

Italy Rail Pass Benefits

Many Italy rail passes offer pass holder benefits including discounted ferry crossings and more. For example, a Eurail Pass valid in Italy and Greece or an InterRail Global Pass provides free passage on Superfast Ferries on select routes, and a Eurail or InterRail Pass valid in Italy or Greece offers a 30% discount on these same routes. As Superfast Ferries offer great value for crossing the Adriatic Sea to Greece, it’s also a great compliment to any Italian point to point rail ticket.

Angela Guezen is a travel professional who has explored the likes of Australia, Japan, and Europe. With a love for beautiful landscapes she has great appreciation for train travel and shares this passion with fellow travelers by writing for www.ACPRail.com and wwwBritRail.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Guezen

From OffToEurope.com:

Renowned for its rich history, dramatic views, and food that will tantalise the most discerning of palates, Italy is one of the most visited countries of the world. Nestled in Southern Europe, Italy boasts depth of character unlike any other. This country is designed to be explored and there is no better way of doing so than with some of our recommended guided tours from our trusted partner Viator. Experience the spectacular scenes along the Amalfi Coast, discover the historic ruins of Colosseum in Rome, see St Peter’s Basilica in the iconic Vatican City, shop in the fashion capital Milan, and top it all off with a gondola ride in the beautiful water city, Venice.

Vatican Museums Walking Tour

Your jaw will drop at the Vatican Museum – Photo: Toshio

Skip to the front of the line and enjoy the amazing Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica on this three hour Rome walking tour. This personalised small group tour includes access to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel with an expert English-speaking guide as well as audio commentary.

Milan Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

The Milan Cathedral is one of the largest churches in the world – Photo: Cesar HV

Book this best selling tour to be guaranteed a place and entrance tickets to da Vinci’s Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie, one of the most famous art works in the world. This 3.5 hour tour of Milan also includes a one-hour walking tour of central Milan and admission to the Duomo cathedral and the famous La Scala theatre and museum.

Ancient Rome and Colosseum Half-Day Walking Tour

Rome’s magnificent Colosseum at night – Photo: licklecathy

Head to the front of the line for this incredible three-hour walking tour of Ancient Rome’s Colosseum and Palatine Hill. With English commentary and a small group (maximum 25 people) you can be assured you will have a memorable experience.

Florence Accademia and Uffizi Gallery Tour

Michelangelo’s statue of David – Photo: mtj8003

Skip to the front of the line and experience Michelangelo’s statue of David at Florence’s Accademia Gallery. This tour will get you fast access to the Accademia and Uffizi Gallery where you will have a guided tour with a local expert on Italian art and artists. If you don’t like queues we can highly recommend booking this tour.

Naples and Pompeii Day Trip from Rome

Pompeii’s ancient ruins are not to be missed – Photo: Toshio

Enjoy a full-day trip from Rome to Naples and Pompeii and experience the best in Italian art, history, archaeology and more. After visiting Naples most important tourist sites you will then be led on a two-hour walking tour of Pompeii by an English speaking expert. This day tour from Rome is highly recommended.

Rome Hop-on Hop-off Double Decker Bus Tour

The Roman Forum – Photo: juanRubiano

The hop-on hop-off double decker bus tour is a fantastic way to see the major sights in Rome in short period of time. All buses are open top and allow excellent views and photo opportunities. Buses are equipped with audio commentary in six different languages as well as friendly English speaking host onboard each bus.

Venice Gondola Ride and Serenade with Dinner

A gondola ride is a great way of seeing Venice – Photo: albireo2006

Experience an iconic gondola ride, complete with serenade, followed by dinner at Hostaria Ai Coristi Restaurant with this magical Venice gondola ride tour. This tour starts with a memorable 35 minute ride through Venice’s canals where you will be serenaded by your experienced gondolier. You will then enjoy a delicious Italian meal at a Venetian restaurant. Highly Recommended!

Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Small Group Day Trip from Rome

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s summer playgrounds – Photo: napoli_centrale

Experience Italy’s amazing Amalfi Coast and historical Pompeii on this 13 hour day trip from Rome. Tour highlights include free time in Positano and a walking tour, a boat trip to Amalfi to have lunch and free time, a two-hour guided walking tour of Pompeii with a tour guide and great photo opportunities along the Amalfi coast.

From OffToEurope.com

Who needs Valentine’s Day to take their loved one away for the weekend? You shouldn’t need one special day to want to take him or her away to a romantic city. At any time of year these cities are some of the most romantic destinations in Europe.

1. Paris, France

Paris is one of Europe’s most popular romantic cities – Photo: Vincent Montibus

A great city to spend some quality time with the one you love. Take them up the Eiffel Tower and watch the sunset, walk through Tuileries Garden, the oldest in Paris on the bank of River Seine created in the 16th century, sit to have a picnic or stop for a coffee and croissant in one of the many café’s.

You may also want to take a walk up the Sacre-Coeur Basilica Steps, also visit the Notre Dame de Paris and a must is The Louvre museum, one of the largest in the world and the most visited, houses the Mona Lisa. Don’t forget to go the Paris Opera which shows classic ballets and operas.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle – Photo: Franz St.

This beautiful city is one of my favourites, possibly because my partner took me there for a weekend away. We walked up to Prague castle and admired the view of the city, then walked through the royal gardens and sat for a while. Also at the top with the castle is St Vitus Cathedral, which is so beautiful! Within the city we walked through Wenceslas Square, stopped to pick up a coffee and carried on up to the National Museum Steps. It was wonderful just sitting there, talking and watching the people go by.

Walking Along Charles Bridge was great fun, about half way along there are steps down to a small square, and just a short distance away is a water wheel. Heading over here you will find a bar fence with hundreds of padlocks on it, with initials and names of people “locking their love” for eternity. It was so romantic! Just around the corner from here you will find the most beautiful sight, John Lennon Wall, you will be able to spend hours reading what people have written.

3. Venice, Italy

Venice is a perfect city for a romantic weekend getaway – Photo: bekahpaige

This 117 small islands city just oozes with romance. On leaving the airport you can walk over to the docks and catch a water taxi to anywhere, for which you can actually buy a three day pass. My personal recommendation would be Murano Island as it is much quieter for romantic getaway.

A definite must see is the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge which offers great views over the Grand Canal, then stop at one of the many small café’s along the river and watch the gondolas go by. One of the best Cathedrals to see if you only have time for one is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. This huge cathedral has magnificent paintings and statues of angels and other religious figures. Head over to St Mark’s Square and see Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, which has beautiful marble floors with animals and geometric designs. The upper order is made of gold, bronze and a large variety of stones with mosaic designs.

Behind the church is Doge’s Palace with beautiful rooms and décor, and you can also walk across the Bridge of Sighs into the prison cells and see carvings of the people that were kept here.

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam’s Singel Canal – Photo: joiseyshowaa

A great city to walk around, Amsterdam has many sights to offer lovers. Visit one of the many museums including the Van Gogh Museum which specialises in the artists work, the NEMO Science museum who’s building looks like a sinking ship and also Anne Frank’s House where she hid from the Nazi persecution at the rear of the building.

Walk across the Magere Brug Bridge, the most famous draw bridge in Amsterdam, which looks beautiful at night and walk along the bank of the river Amstel and stop off in one of the cosy coffee shops or restaurants for some romantic time together.

5. Berlin, Germany

The view from Berlin’s Kollhoff Tower – Photo: manganite

Being Germany’s largest city there are many attractions for you and your loved one to casually stroll through. Here you can enjoy a vibrant and diverse night life, going to some of the many bars and clubs here and dance the night away with your partner close to you.

Make sure you go to Museum Island, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the dedicated art and antiquities district. A must see is the most visited zoo in Europe, the Zoologischer Garten Berlin, founded in 1844 and home to some of the most diverse species in the world.

6. Rome, Italy

The beautiful view from Basilica di San Pietro – Photo: Giampaolo Macorig

Rome is definitely in the romantic destination category. It’s one of those cities that is bursting with love. There are so many things to do and see that you will have a very fun packed weekend. Visit the Trevi Fountain where legend has it that if you throw three coins into the fountain it will lead to divorce or marriage! (I hope for the latter!). It is also wonderful to visit the fountain at night as it lights up and looks beautiful. You can also walk through the side streets and discover many small unique shops and maybe stop for some lunch or a cup of coffee while watching the people go by.

Stroll to the Colosseum and take a tour inside one of the greatest works of Roman architecture then admire the Arch of Constantine while making your way to Palatine Hill. The centre-most of the Seven Hills of Rome, according to the Roman Mythology, it was here where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf that had kept them alive. Enjoy a typical Roman dish, Spaghetti Carbonara and play Lady and the Tramp, share some spaghetti and give your partner a cheeky kiss!

7. Bruges, Belgium

A lovely morning in Bruges – Photo: Wolfgang Staudt

The city centre is a World Heritage Site and when you visit you will see why. Most of the medieval architecture in intact so when travelling around the city you will feel like a part of history. Visit the Belfry of Bruges, the city’s most prominent symbol which was formerly a treasury. You can climb to the top and admire views of Bruges.

If you choose to go at the right time, you many be able to have a weekend at one of Bruges many festivals such as September Jazz, BAB-bierfestival (Beer Festival), Summer End Festival or Feest In’t Park, that would be a great weekend for you both to spend together.

8. Barcelona, Spain

Park Güell – Photo: Franz St.

Barcelona offers a wide variety of things to do for all lovers, from lazing on the beach watching the sunset with some champagne to wild water sports. You will always find something to do in Barcelona. Go on a sailing trip along the Costa Dourrada from Barcelona to Sitges and admire the beautiful views from the water.

Once back on dry land there are many delicious restaurants to eat in. Why not take some time to do a spot of shopping? Or why not go to Aqualeon, a safari and water park where you can see many animals such as tigers, elephants, lions and gazelles; and you can enjoy the dolphin shows, stroll through and admire tropical birds and even take a dip in one the many large swimming pools.

9. Budapest, Hungry

Budapest’s Buda Castle – Photo: march25/AnnaZ

Regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Budapest is definitely one to see with your loved one. It has some of the World’s most beautiful Heritage Sites including Buda Castle which was completed in 1265, on the southern tip of Castle Hill.

Hero’s Square which is dedicated to the Seven tribes that founded Hungary and is surrounded by the Museum of Fine are and the Palace of Art, which are also worth a visit. Enjoy the largest thermal water cave system in the world, Szechenyi Thermal Bath, which can be found in City Park, built in 1913, see the second largest synagogue in the world named Dohany Street Synagogue, which seats 3000 people and the third largest parliament in the world. The Hungarian Parliament building is one the oldest buildings and a notable landmark in Hungary, it is beautiful at night so you must go and take a look.

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

Nyhavn is a canal and entertainment district in Copenhagen – Photo: CGoulao

There are some wonderful romantic sights to see in Copenhagen. Visit the Winter garden at Glyptoteket, which houses one of the most extensive collections of sculputres from Danish, French and ancient art. Spend a night at the Opera, by having a romantic dinner and watching the sun set and city light up.

Head to Tivoli Gardens, which is the heart of Copenhagen and has many flowers of all colours of the rainbow and many benches for you to sit down and share a kiss. The final recommendation is to go to The Baroque Park, where you can stroll among the fruit trees and fountains and every Sunday afternoon, live jazz and classical music is played. The perfect end to the weekend.

So you have no excuse to not take your loved one away when there are so many attractions throughout Europe.

What do you think Europe’s most romantic cities or destinations are? Make a comment and let us and everybody know.

This guest post was written by Seetal Udeshi. Seetal is a budding author who is Editor of the Blog for Auto Europe Car Hire UK. When not writing, you’ll probably find her on a beach somewhere sipping a cocktail or five.

From OffToEurope.com:

Many people think the best way to see the great cities of Europe is through their museums, their fairytale castles, and their historical monuments. Personally though, I think a lot can be understood about a cities character by seeking out their public parks. I think you can tell a lot about a culture from how they spend their leisure time.

After a day of battling the urban jungle, it is refreshing to visit the parks. Europeans love their green space. In addition to being free, these public spaces offer an insight into the tastes, styles and history of a community.

Here are ten great public parks worth seeking out.

Parque de Retiro – Madrid, Spain

The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in Madrid’s beautiful Parque del Retiro

Located in the heart of downtown Madrid, Retiro is a beautifully landscaped recreation spot for the city’s workers. Scattered through the greenery are gems like the elegant rose garden, the fragile Palacio de Cristal and the only known statue of Satan in Europe. The centerpiece is the imperial Monument to Alfonso XII, which overlooks a lake of rented paddleboats.

Photo: Danny VB

Hampstead Heath – London, UK

A Viaduct pond in Hampstead Heath

The Heath, as the locals call it, is more than just a park; it’s a piece of wilderness just outside of central London. Unlike the rich manicured parks downtown, Hampstead Heath is a sprawling, ramshackle spread of field and forests. Locals come here to let their dogs run free, take in the fresh air and enjoy spectacular views of downtown from Parliament Hill.

Photo: CAWG

Villa Borghese – Rome, Italy

The Temple of Aesculapius in Rome’s Villa Borghese gardens

Originally the well manicured English gardens of a palace of the same name; the Villa Borghese is now a pretty public park (the palace is now an art gallery). Strolling the gardens is like walking through an 18th century landscape painting, with ponds, fountains and neoclassical temples.

Photo: rickymor

StadtPark – Vienna, Austria

A peaceful day at Stadtpark, Vienna

StadtPark is home to the most photographed monument in Vienna, the golden Johann Strauss Monument. Parts of the park are thick with vegetation while other spots are carefully landscaped with nods to the art-nouveau style. Other attractions are the Renaissance style Kursalon building and the Mierei milk-drinking hall.

Photo: jmenard48

City Park – Budapest, Hungary

Winter in Budapest’s stunning City Park

In addition to having the first metro system in continental Europe, Budapest has the distinction of creating the first public park in the world. Long a center of recreation for the city, the park is full of interesting sites including Heroes Square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the stunning art nouveau zoo, and the Széchenyi thermal bathhouse.

Photo: sweetal

Kalemegdan – Belgrade, Serbia

Kalemegdan Park, Serbia

City Park may be the oldest public park, but Kalemegdan has what must be one of the oldest attractions. The park surrounds Kalemegdan fortress, which has existed in one incarnation or another for over 1000 years. The castle, which was captured a staggering 45 times, is now over run with locals who make out in the grass, play chess in the shade or jog through the old ruins.

Photo: donlandes

Jardin du Luxembourg – Paris, France

Jardin du Luxembourg is a great park to visit in the Springtime

The carefully planned Jardin de Luxembourg features wide gravel paths and well-manicured expanses of grass, dotted with over a hundred statues, monuments and fountains. Most beautiful is the baroque Medici Fountain, designed in 1630. There is a playground for children, as well as frequent puppet shows and a lake where they can rent toy boats.

Photo: zorroz

Hyde Park – London, England

A view of Serpentine Lake in London’s Hyde Park

London is home to many beautiful green spaces but Hyde Park is a favorite. The man-made Serpentine Lake, which winds its way through the park, is home to an abundance of swan and other birds. Hyde Park is a popular spot for protestors (particularly at Speaker’s Corner) and open-air rock concerts.

Photo: joebelle

Vondelpark – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Lovers embrace in Amsterdam’s popular Vondelpark

Amsterdam actually has 30 parks, but Vondelpark is the largest and most popular. It is a sprawling green space full of dog walkers, joggers and sunbathers. Recently Vondelpark made headlines when the government considered de-criminalizing public sex within its boundaries, making it a sanctuary for nature and people lovers alike!

Photo: siebe

Englischer Garten – Munich, Germany

Locals and tourists enjoy Munich’s Englischer Garten

At 3.6 square KM, Englischer Garten is one of the largest public parks in the world. Not unexpectedly, the huge park contains a large variety of attractions. There is a Japanese teahouse, a Greek temple and an enormous Chinese pagoda. There is an open-air theater, a flock of sheep and a manmade lake. The Schönfeldwiese meadow is a popular spot for nude sunbathers.

Photo: Harald HAEUSLER

While similar in intent, all of these parks have a different character and design that reflects the personality of their city. So next time you are in a new place be sure to check out it’s park, you may see a side of the city you never knew was there!

This guest post was written by Stephanie Yoder.  Stephanie runs Twenty-Something Travel, a travel blog dedicated to assisting new or young travelers with the skills, resources and opportunities available to them for travel abroad. When not traveling the world she lives in Washington DC.

Jet-setters from both North American neighbors are still enamored with the big hitters of Europe and the US, with London, New York City, Paris and Dublin all falling in the top seven spots for each, and London unanimously at number one.

Travel search site Skyscanner (http://www.Skyscanner.com) reveals the Top 50 most searched for destinations from Canadian and the US airports.

Jet-setters from both North American neighbors are still enamored with the big hitters of Europe and the US, with London, New York City, Paris and Dublin all falling in the top seven spots for each, and London unanimously at number one.

With two monumental world events in the same year – the 2010 Winter Olympics in February and the World Cup in June – Vancouver and Johannesburg (South Africa) have turned up on both lists, with Canada’s also including Cape Town.

Travelers from both countries are also interested in Poland, though Canadians prefer the current capital, Warsaw, while Americans want to see the former capital, Krakow.

Canadians seem to be especially keen on checking out the Far East this year, with numerous destinations in that region of the world sprinkling their results. Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Bangkok and Tokyo, as well as several Australian locations, were popular.

Americans continue to be intent on getting some Caribbean sun, with even Havana sneaking into the 49th place on the US chart. It seems that American tourists are eagerly waiting for the border to open up again, and the sooner the better, especially with many growing tired of the extreme winter temps by now. Canadians are clearly enjoying the island already, with the Cuban cultural center showing up in the 27th position for them.

Top 10 Most Searched for destinations for 2010, from US airports

1. London, UK
2. New York City
3. Las Vegas, NV
4. Paris, France
5. Dublin, Ireland
6. Los Angeles, CA
7. Orlando, FL
8. Rome, Italy
9. Madrid, Spain
10. Miami, FL

Top 10 Most Searched for destinations for 2010, from Canadian airports

1. London, UK
2. Paris
3. New York City
4. Bangkok, Thailand
5. Vancouver, BC
6. Sydney, Australia
7. Dublin, Ireland
8. Manchester, UK
9. Frankfurt, Germany
10. Amsterdam, Netherlands

For full top 50 report see: http://tinyurl.com/ya9r8x3