The Top 4 Off-the-Beaten Path Destinations in Italy
There are certain monuments that instantly come to mind when you think of a certain country. For the United States, it’s the Statue of Liberty. For France, it’s the Eiffel Tower. And for Italy, it’s the Colosseum.
That’s why, whenever someone travels to Italy, people will instantly assume you’re going to Rome. After Rome, it’s either Venice or Florence, maybe even Naples.
Rome a center of world history; a city filled with areas and artifacts over 2000 years old. Florence was the birthplace of The Renaissance, and Venice, well, Venice is a city quite unlike any other, with its curving canals and gondolas around every corner.
If you’re only going to be in Italy for a week or so, you should definitely head to those cities. Not just because they’re wonderful and unique, but because there have always been rumors of the sites falling into disarray or being purchased by third party companies.
But, if you’re lucky enough to have a bit more time on your hands in Italy, be sure to check out these cities that aren’t usually at the top of tourist destination lists. You might be surprised that they’re just as unique!
read moreFill up in Florence: Food and Wine You NEED to Try in Tuscany
The way to most travelers’ hearts is through their stomachs, and when it comes to Italy, this is one of the world’s most delicious food meccas! But not all Italian food is created equally.
From a mouth watering Florentine steak paired with a fine Chianti wine, to the heavenly bliss that is gelato, Florence offers a wide range of delicious flavors to tempt your taste buds, while providing the ideal base for exploring the greater food bowl that is Tuscany. And if you’re a serious foodie, trust me when I say that you want to spend time in Tuscany!
While Florence is the beating heart of the region, basing yourself here also makes it easy to arrange trips from Florence to Pisa or Florence to Siena to explore the culinary scenes offered by these Tuscan cities.
Hungry? Read on to discover some of the top foods and wines you NEED to try in Florence and greater Tuscany.
read moreWhen in Rome … Iconic Attractions You Absolutely Should Not Miss
We’ve all heard the saying. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” But what exactly do the Romans do?
Most people interpret the phrase to mean seeking out the local experience, but our interpretation is that it means not to leave without having experienced the heart and soul of the city. And while a case can be made for ‘living as a local’, if we’re being really honest, there’s no escaping that Rome is a touristy city.
It’s iconic.
So, in embracing the saying ‘when in Rome’, we have listed some of the biggest attractions in the city; five icons that you can’t return home having missed. These attractions are so central to Rome’s identity that they are often solely attributed as being the beating heart of the city.
read moreExploring Indiana: The 5 Best Places to Visit in Indiana
Did you know that over 77 million people visit Indiana each year?
If you’ve ever wondered what there is to do in Indiana, the State is perfect proof that the Midwest is home to much more than farms and tornadoes. The lifestyle here is often slow paced, but that doesn’t mean that it’s lacking in adventure!
Indiana is a fantastic opportunity to discover the heart and soul of America’s Midwest; nature lovers can spend full days paddling down winding rivers, foodies can enjoy homegrown produce from farmer’s markets, and wine connoisseur’s can stumble between award winning vineyards.
Indiana’s bustling cities have world class museums, entertainment, and the whole state revs up for high-energy sporting evens like the Indy 500. And then there’s Amish country for a completely different experience.
Indiana is an incredible State, with a wealth of things to do and places to visit. If you’re wondering why so many tourists visit each year, the following are 5 pretty incredible reasons.
read moreThe Best Places to Visit in Israel
While Israel may look tiny on a map (the size of New Jersey in fact!), the history-rich Middle Eastern country has myriads of spectacular places to visit.
From ancient religious sites to world-famous cities and stunning beaches, there are enough attractions here to appeal to all interests and all religions, whether you’re Muslim, Jewish, or Christian.
Understandably, capturing all of the Holy Land’s marvels in a single post was never going to be easy, so we’ve narrowed down the list to those places you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Planning a trip to Israel? Make sure you include the following incredible places in your itinerary; the best places to visit!
read more5 Types of People You’ll Meet in Kerala; A Place That is #HumanByNature
We’re all warned from a very young age that it’s dangerous to talk to strangers. ‘Stranger danger’ is drilled into us throughout our childhood, that we shouldn’t trust, talk, walk, or accept anything from strangers.
But while this is great advice for children, it’s terrible advice for travelers. Especially when visiting a place with as fascinating a humanscape as Kerala.
Odds are that if you’ve traveled, you’ve returned home with incredible stories of having talked to strangers. Stories of the fascinating characters you met, of the locals who invited you into their home, of the remarkable human connections that you’ll never forget.
Because human interactions are some of the best, and most powerful parts of travel. As Anthony Bourdain said:
“To be treated well in places where you don’t expect to be treated well, to find things in common with people you thought previously you had very, very little in common with, that can’t be a bad thing.”
When you’re a traveller, strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet. And this is especially true in Kerala; a melting pot where the most diverse ideologies, faiths and cultures co-exist like no other place on the planet.
read moreWords And Phrases To Know In Every Language
I often feel ignorant when traveling abroad. Ignorant in that we expect tourists visiting English speaking countries to speak English, however 90% of the time don’t reciprocate by making an attempt to speak foreign languages when traveling ourselves.
Not expecting people to speak to you in English, and making at least an attempt to communicate in the language of the land wherever you go, is a sign of respect for both the locals and their culture.
But language learning isn’t for everyone, and surely no-one in the world has mastered over 200 local dialects! So what is a traveler to do?
With some practice, anyone can learn a second language, but it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Even if you are just briefly passing through, learning a few words and phrases in the local language goes a long way for both respect and ease of travel.
read moreA Celebration of Our Favorite (Travel) Fridge Magnets
Over the past 12 years of travel, I’ve definitely gone through stages when it comes to my favorite souvenirs. During my 20’s, I collected shot glasses, as I drank my way around the world. And for a good 10 years I would buy double the amount of postcards I needed, keeping as many as I would send for myself.
I’ve bought kick-knacks from street hawkers outside the Eiffel tower, key chains of the leaning tower of Piza, and Austrian schnapps in a glass bottle shaped like a violin.
These days, I take photographs in lieu of souvenirs, though regardless of what you buy, they all have the same effect: transporting you back to a moment in time, and allowing you to vividly re-live your travel memories.
According to a recent survey, the holiday fridge magnet is everyone’s favorite travel souvenir, and Daniel Scott Kitchens is giving away a £100 Love2Shop Holiday Gift Card in celebration. Read on for info about how you can win!
read moreThe Dangers of Posting Your Travel Updates Live (Why You Should Never Post About Your Vacation While Traveling)
You’ve probably read the title and you’re thinking ‘pot, meet kettle’ right? I mean, as a professional blogger who posts live while traveling all the time, who am I to recommend that you shouldn’t?
But you might be surprised to hear that even as an influencer, I hardly ever post travel updates live.
The obvious reason is for security; for both my personal safety, and that of my empty home. But, over 12 years of travel, I’ve learned that safety isn’t the only danger of posting your travel updates live.
And I’m not saying that it’s easy – it’s actually very tough not to get swept up in the excitement of being overseas, and wanting to share your bikini bod in the Seychelles right now with absolutely everyone that you know.
But if you’re willing to take the advice of an experienced and seasoned traveler, my advice for you is as follows:
Just don’t.
read moreThe Best Places in California to Visit with Your Dog
It’s wonderful when you can travel with your dog, without being denied entry in most places. And, if you can’t fathom the thought of a vacation without your best friend, California is an ideal pet-friendly destination.
Many residents of California are already dog lovers themselves, so from hotels that cater to furry guests, to dog friendly beaches, parks, and nature trails, this is the place to be at!
But California is a huge State, so where are the best places to visit with your four legged friend? The following are the most pet friendly places in an already very pet friendly State.
read moreAbout Me
I am Megan Jerrard, professional travel blogger/journalist with a focus on adventure, discovery, immersion and inspiring you to explore!
