When In Rome....

 Enjoy La Dolce Vita when vacationing in Italy by becoming a local and following these 5 simple rules....

This is what I envision my next Italian vacation to look like...

1.  Stay with a local:

This is not for everyone but it is a great way to experience the country from a local perspective.  In Italy its called an agriturismo.  Here in the United States you may have heard of Woofing - technically the same thing.  Agriturismo is essentially a working farm with accommodation built in and also you will get home cooked meals as well as interactions with the family.  It is complete immersion into the culture.

2.  Enjoy local delicacies

It is easy to just eat where you are familiar when in a foreign country but its hard to really dive in like a local would eat.  But why then are you visiting a foreign land - did you spend all that money to just to eat McDonalds?  I don't think so!  And when in Italy the food is outstanding and can teach a lot about the region you are in when you try dishes that are specific to that area.  For example, Limoncello (something I have always to try) can only be called such if it is made with lemons from Sorrento.

3.  Take a hike

There truly is no better way to get to know your surroundings by hopping out of the taxi and using your own two feet.  You can meet locals, learn street names, which way is east, west, up or down (always my issue), and where your local "go to" shops are.  Stop and ask locals, if you are comfortable, for directions or where their favorite coffee shop is.  Italians are extremely kind people and love to share their cities with us.  And always, ALWAYS take your camera with you...inspiration is around every corner.

4.  Learn the language

I have to say that it is the best advice ever and no it does not mean that you have to be fluent to get out and about.  All it means is take the time to learn a few key words and phrases that will make your experience a world better!  Also, when you are in a restaurant actually say what you want instead of pointing, it will help you remember what you like and dislike - same with anywhere you go.  

5.  Get out on the town

Everyone knows that alcohol brings people together so hit the streets and head to a local bar or pub.  In general locals are very proud of where they are from and will welcome any reason to tell you the best places to dine, shop, drink, or play.  They will divulge all their cultural secrets over a glass of wine if you let them!  

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Not only do these rules apply to Italy but anywhere you vacation to.  I am an avid South American vacationer and when I am there I am not afraid to walk to the store by myself (within reason), or make friends with our neighbors, try to the local food, or spend time with a local family.  

It gives me the chance to practice a foreign language, learn my surroundings, see where the locals hang, and make friends.  

On your next vacation try to be a local not a tourist...let me know if you have a different experience over all!  

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Photo of the day

Photograph by Michele Amoruso, Your Shot

Midnight Sun Safari

Doesn't the title, Midnight Sun Safari,  just peak your interest?

But what does it mean????

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  

Lets travel to Lofoten, Norland, Norway to check out the sun's never ending rays produced around the clock for a once in a lifetime, fairy tale safari!  I am choosing Lofoten but there are a number of other villages that will allow you to witness the natural phenomenon - see them below!

First: Where is Lofoten?!?!?!

Lofoten is an archipelago located in the Norwegian Sea north of the Arctic Circle and is considered a part of Norway.  It is a fairy-tale town nestled in between jagged snow peaked mountains with quaint fishing hamlets and is the departure point to for the midnight sun safari.  

Second: How to get there? Sounds kinda remote...

I suggest booking your vacation through United Military Travel because this is a vacation that is kinda remote and is going to require some research.  That is where you let go of the reins and hand over your ideas to your travel consultant.  Make sure you tell them to go ahead and book all of your airfare, car rentals, and hotels at once so when you get over there you can be stress free!  

Lofoten consists of seven main islands and the closet airport is Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes which is located 2.5 hours east and it offers daily service from Oslo.  Once you arrive at the airport, pick up your pre-paid rental car and drive to Lofoten to check into your hotel.

The Norway visitors website is a great tool to help you plan your vaca! 

Third: What is a midnight sun???

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon in which the sun is above the horizon at midnight.  And the rest of the night. And all day long!  At Nordkapp the sun stays shining for over 1,800 hours with setting.  It is caused by the tilt in the Earth's axis and as we orbit the Sun, the tilt makes the North Pole face towards the sun in summer and away from it in the winter.  Hence continuous daylight in the summer.  

Fourth: How to experience the midnight sun

mag·ic

noun

1. 1.

   the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

Magic is what you are going to experience when you take the midnight voyage to open water, where the golden sky seems to melt effortlessly in the shimmering sea.  

According to www.visitnorway.com you will navigate through narrow fjords on your way to the open ocean at the northern end of Lofoten and on your trip out you will witness white-tailed sea eagles swooping down stretching their 8 foot wing span for their fresh catch along with otters and other sea life. 

As you can probably imagine, having the sun shine 24/7 might mess up your sleeping habits.  Take this time to take advantage of being able to do outdoor activities around the clock.

  

*Take a hike to get a birds eye view of the sun right at midnight over the Norwegian Sea. 

*Fish around the clock

*Golf at Lofoten Golf Links any time of the day in the summer - they are open 24 hours.

*Take a boat tour 

*Set up your camera equipment on a sea side cliff and capture nature at its finest.

Famous Midnight Sun spots

Some locations in the north are known for their Midnight Sun view:

• Mount Rønvikfjellet in Bodø overlooks the Midnight Sun, Landegode island and the Lofoten islands.
• Eggum on the northern side of Lofoten offers free ocean view
• The Cable Car in Narvik is 656 metres/2152 ft above the fjord
• From Nupen near Harstad you see the sun towards the peaks of Grytøya Island
• At Tungenesset on the Island of Senja the sun illuminates the rock formation of Okshornan
• The Cable Car in Tromsø with the sun above the the peak of Ringvassøya Island
• Mount Komsafjellet in Alta with a fjord view
• Mount Salen in Hammerfest
• On the flats of the Plateau of Finnmarksvidda you see the sun everywhere
• The North Cape, with a free view towards the north
• Longyearbyen; don’t leave the town without a gun, but the sun is high above the horizon everywhere

Fifth: Where else can I see the midnight sun??

How far?

The further north you get, the longer the Midnight Sun shines:

• Arctic Circle: 12 June - 1 July 
• Bodø: 4 June - 8 July 
• Svolvær: 28 May - 14 July 
• Harstad: 25 May - 18 July 
• Bardufoss: 23 May - 19 July 
• Andenes: 22 May - 21 July 
• Tromsø: 20 May - 22 July 
• Alta: 19 May - 24 July 
• Vardø: 17 May - 26 July 
• Hammerfest: 16 May - 27 July 
• Berlevåg: 15 May - 28 July 
• North Cape/Nordkapp: 14 May - 29 July 
• Longyearbyen (Svalbard) : 20 April – 22 August

Check out this list too for more information on where to see it!   

Sources: National Geographic, Norway's official website, and Nordnorge.com

Venice, Italy - La Città Dell'amore

~ Let United Military Travel take you to the City of Love...
No, I am not talking about Paris but Venice ~

To Americans we call it Venice but to the Italians it is known as Venezia, the most romantic city on Earth. 

I had the honor of visiting Venezia in college but that was before the days of iPhones and Facebook so my photos are hard copies.  I still remember the feeling of being there like it was yesterday - the salt spray on my face, the delicious aromas around every corner, the men tempting the ladies with "Ciao, Bella!", the architecture, and the most beautiful treasures I have ever seen.  

You can wander the city for days, even weeks and never get bored....but you may get lost.  

Actually, if you died and went to Heaven, Venice may be it. 

My time there was about five hours but those hours were just enough to make me want more, to make Venice haunt my dreams, to make me swoon whenever someone brings up the beautiful city on the sea.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  

Lets talk about things to do in Venezia

Piazza San Marco

When you step off your boat and onto Venetian land you will naturally be led in the piazza with the rest of the tourist.  It is the focal point of Venezia and because it offers three attractions in one place.

1. St Marks basilica (Basilica di San Marco) - seen as living testimony of Venice's links to Byzantium.  

*Basilica: a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies.

*Byzantium: Byzantine Empire

*St. Mark: the traditional author of the Gospel of Mark 

 

The basilica is full of artistic and historical treasures like byzantine remains and the relics of St. Mark. 

2. Doge's Palace ( Palazzo Ducale) - once Venice's political and judicial hub now serves as a museum.  You can view their website here.  

3.  Torre dell'Orologio - Saint Mark's Clock Tower was placed in the piazza with views of the waters of the lagoon to give notice to everyone of the wealth and glory of Venice. 

Take a tour of the city via gondola

Can you imagine visiting Venice and NOT riding in one the most iconic gondolas on Earth?  The provide a very peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the streets and you get to see up close the quaint apartments with flowers hanging from the windows, the bricks that have been weathered naturally over time giving you beautiful greens, reds, and oranges.  

Vino, Vino, Vino...Venetian Vino that is

Really, all I have to say is savor every glass for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every rest stop in between.  You can even ship bottles home to you as well.  Go here to pick out your bottles with the expertise of locals! 

Aperitivo Time - Italy's Happy Hour

Aperitivo drinks are often the establishment's proudest accomplishment and based around traditional aperitifs or fortified wines. Menu stalwarts include Punt e Mes on the rocks, a Negroni (Campari, Martini Rosso vermouth and gin), the Americano (Campari, Martini Rosso vermouth and soda), or a spritz (Aperol or Campari and prosecco). Prices are routinely hoisted to take in the price of the 'free' food, and range from around €4 up to €15 per drink at some of Milan's more stellar hotels. The same flat rate charge will often be applied to beer, wine, analcolici (virgin) cocktails and even mineral water.

The cocktail hour stretches into three – generally from 6pm-9pm, though bars are often empty before 7pm.

For a canal front location visit either Naranzaria or Bancogiro.  And for a fun design go to Ardidos and Al Merca for a skyline bar. 

Taste true Venetian Cuisine

No matter where I am in Italy, one of the first things on my mind is trying the local food.  While in Venice however there are a few specific items you must try: any of their seafood dishes fresh from the lagoon, anti pastas, spaghetti and meatballs, and their goose is world re-nowned.  Paired with a glass of wine and viola! You are in Heaven!

Venetian souvenirs are the Holy Grail of all souvenirs...

There are thousands of unique, locally owned boutiques and shops to peruse for: 

*Handmade Burano lace, the first "true" lace that is created stitched alone as lace as opposed into something else.

 *World re-nowned Murano Glass.  There is Murano glass then the rest.  

*True Venetian Carnevale mask. The Carnevale Ball is the world's largest and most famous masked ball that has been around since the Middle Ages.  

* Vintage lamps, delicate jewelry, and delicious fabrics!  

Get married under Juliet's window

What could be more romantic then to marry the love of your life under Juliet of Verona's window.  Her love for her Romeo is one of the greatest love stories of all time and to be able to share with her your love would be unimaginable.  The city of Verona in 2009 converted her house into a wedding destination and for more information click here. 

Call 866-582-9579 to reach a travel consultant today