Wealthy Travelers

Today, now more than ever, resorts are marketing to families that want to travel but aren’t sure they can afford it.  So resorts are giving incentives, discounts or freebies, trying to draw in the market that is a bit reluctant to spend the money for a vacation.

To find discount vacations you have some options.  Timeshares are popular, but have some drawbacks, including extra expenses such as a monthly maintenance fee, yearly dues, and being locked into a certain week or two during the year.

Travel clubs on the other hand, are a great alternative and have become quite popular.  A one time affordable membership fee for a lifetime of discount vacations at worldwide resorts.  And the variety of destinations is almost endless with an added bonus of flexability of time!  Discount vacations can make vacation an affordable, great time for relaxation in today’s stressful times.

In the last 2 posts we’ve explored Rome, Venice, Milan and Verona.  In this last of the 3 part series on vacations in Italy, I want to highlight the cities of Turin, Bologna and Genoa.

Turin was host to the 2006 Winter Olympics and is a major Italian cultural hub with museums, shops selling all kinds of Italian made items, and of course, restaurants.  It’s also known as the place where the Shroud of Turin,  which is thought to be the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, has been kept since the middle ages.  Turin is located in the northwestern section of Italy and lies in the foothills of the Alps. 

Bologna is known for it’s beauty, wealth and cuisine.  But even more well known is that Bologna is the birthplace of the pork sausage we have all grown to love as a staple for sandwiches.  Of course, most people pronounce it Bologney!  Bologna is also the home to one of Europes oldest universities.

Genoa is located on the northwest coast of Italy and is Italy’s principle seaport.  It is also the birthplace of Christopher Columbus.  Genoa has a fasinating aquarium as well as a wonderful historic center, and a wealth of churches, palaces and museums.

In the last post I talked about vacations in Italy, highlighting Rome.  In this post I want to inform you about visiting Venice.  Venice is located in northeastern Italy and is built on water in the middle of a lagoon.  It’s famous for it’s gondolas that are the main transportation to different points of the city.  Venice has many historical sites to explore including the Piazza San Marco with it’s magnificent church, along with museums and palaces.

Milan is a faster paced city full of restaurants and shops filled with the latest in fashion, as well as the home to one of the world’s most famous opera houses, La Scala.

Verona is known for the story of Romeo and Juliet.  Verona is also known for it’s Roman Arena and is the venue for a top operal festival.  Verona also has Roman remains and an interesting castle complex.

In part 3 of this series, I will share some interesting facts about Turin, Bologna and Genoa.

When you consider traveling to any European country, you may have to visit more than once.  Many European countries date back to long before the 1st century.  And with all that history, there is a LOT to see and do.  Planning vacations in Italy is just the beginning of more than one visit.

To begin, we’ll highlight just one city in Italy…Rome.  Rome is full of art, achitecture and religous history.  Rome is also known for it’s stylish clothing, not to mention their world renowned Italian made leather shoes and handbags.  Don’t forget to take a shopping tour of many of the fine shops offering Italian handmade leather items.  Visit the Colosium that dates back to 80 A.D. where Roman Emperors and citizens entertained themselves watching gladiator games and sporting events, as well as many theatre productions.  Visit the Sistene Chapel where you’ll find Michelangelo’s painted ceilings that are known as the greatest artwork in all of history.  Or visit the Pantheon which was orginally built as a temple of all pagan gods.  It was later converted to a Christian church in 609 A.D. 

Stay tuned for Part 2 highlighing Venace.

When you hear luxury and vacation in the same sentence, you see lots of dollar signs rolling through your mind with images of the rich and famous.  But what if there were a way to take a luxury vacation that is affordable?

Now, I’m not talking low-end hotel room with a swimming pool, if you’re lucky.  I’m talking about taking a luxury vacation in a 3 to 5 star resort with lots of amenities.  Many luxury vacation spots offer not only an outdoor swimming pool, but a hot tub, sauna, water slides, spas and massages, as well as nearby golf courses, horseback riding, water sports, kids activities, theme parks, and day tours of the local area culture and history.

A luxury vacation is more affordable than you think.  Aaahhhh…..relaxation…..