Calabria

Calabria, known in antiquity as Bruttium or formerly as Italia, is a region in southern Italy, forming the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro. The most populated city and the seat of the Calabrian Regional Council, however, is Reggio.

It is bordered to the north by the region of Basilicata, to the west by the Tyrrhenian Sea, and to the east by the Ionian Sea. The region covers 15,080 km2 (5,822 sq mi) and has a population of just over 2 million. The demonym of Calabria in English is Calabrian.

In ancient times the name Calabria was used to refer to the southern part of Apulia, the peninsula of Salento (also known as the "heel" of Italy).

Basilicata

Basilicata, also known as Lucania, is a region in the south of Italy, bordering on Campania to the west, Apulia (Puglia) to the north and east, and Calabria to the south, having one short southwestern coastline on the Tyrrhenian Sea between Campania in the northwest and Calabria in the southwest, and a longer one to the southeast on the Gulf of Taranto on the Ionian Sea between Calabria in the southwest and Apulia in the northeast.
The region can be thought of as the "instep" of Italy, with Calabria functioning as the "toe" and Apulia the "heel". The region covers about 10,000 km2 and in 2010 had a population slightly under 600,000. The regional capital is Potenza. The region is divided into two provinces: Potenza and Matera.

Apulia

Apulia is a region of Italy in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its southernmost portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises 19,345 square kilometers (7,469 sq mi), and its population is about 4.1 million.
It is bordered by the other Italian regions of Molise to the north, Campania to the west, and Basilicata to the southwest. It neighbors Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, and Montenegro, across the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, respectively.
The region extends as far north as Monte Gargano. Its capital city is Bari.

Aosta Valley

The Aosta Valley (Italian: Valle d'Aosta (official) or Val d'Aosta (usual), French: Vallée d'Aoste (official) or Val d'Aoste (usual), Arpitan: Val d'Outa) is a mountainous semi-autonomous region in northwestern Italy. It is bordered by Rhône-Alpes, France to the west, Valais, Switzerland to the north and the region of Piedmont to the south and east.

With an area of 3,263 km2 (1,260 sq mi) and a population of about 126,933, it is the smallest, least populous, and least densely populated region of Italy. It is the only Italian region which has no provinces (the province of Aosta was dissolved in 1945). Provincial administrative functions are provided by the regional government. The region is divided into 74 comuni (communes).

Italian and French are both official, though the native population speaks also Valdôtain, a form of Franco-Provençal (Arpitan), as home language. In 2001, 96.01% of the Valdostan population reported knowing Italian, 75.41% French, 55.77% the Valdostan Franco-Provençal patois, and 50.53% all of them.
The regional capital is Aosta.

Abruzzo

Abruzzo  is a region in central Italy, with an area of about 10,763 square kilometres (4,156 sq mi) and a population of about 1.3 million inhabitants. Its western border lies less than 50 miles (80 km) east of Rome. The region, divided into the provinces of L'Aquila, Teramo, Pescara and the Chieti, borders the region of Marche to the north, Lazio to the west and south-west, Molise to the south-east, and the Adriatic Sea to the east. Abruzzo is split into a mountainous area on his western side with the Gran Sasso D'italia, and into a coastal area on his eastern side with the beaches of the Adriatic sea. Geographically it is more of a central than southern region, ISTAT (the Italian statistical authority) considers it part of Southern Italy though, as a vestige of Abruzzo's historic association with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Abruzzo boasts the title of Greenest Region in Europe thanks to one third of its territory, the largest in Europe, being set aside as National Parks and protected Nature Reserves. In the region there are indeed three National Parks, one Regional Park and 38 protected Nature Reserves. These ensure the survival of 75% of all Europe's living species and are also home to some rare species, such as the small wading dotterel, golden eagle, Abruzzo chamois, Apennine wolf and Marsican brown bear. Abruzzo is also home of Calderone, the southernmost glacier in Europe.
When the Italian diplomat and journalist Primo Levi visited Abruzzo defined it as “forte e gentile” (strong and gentle) which, he said, best synthesized the beauty of the region and the character of its people. The quote "forte e gentile" has since then become the motto of the region and its inhabitants

Argenta

Argenta is situated in Ferrara's province; it has about 22.000 inhabitants on 311 square metres divided in 13 hamlets. This city boasts of an ancient town-center ed a complex system of museums, the Ecomuseum of Argenta, grown up around a beautiful oasi of marshland.
Argenta foundation goes back to roman time or a little later. His name seems to derive from silver reflections on humid ground and of waters that in the ancient times surrounded it. Since origins Argenta depends on Ravenna's diocese and, about X - XI century she known a period of great glory thanks to its river port on Po of Primaro, now called Reno.
From XII century Estensi dukedome wanted the control on the city and so Pope Clemente VI gave it in leasing during 1344 and Estensi kept it till Alfonso II's death in 1597 when the whole Ferrara dukedome was transferred to Pontifical State.
Inhabitants of Argenta fought during Indipendence Wars with hundreds of volunteers: the prevalent personage of this period was the lawyer Giuseppe Vandini, that was the first mayor of Argenta after national unification. During the Second World War Argenta was seriously damaged by the British Army.
After post-war period Argenta developped, particularly in the last 15 years. Between the most important economic activities we want to remember agriculture, building trade, working plastics, commerce of vegetables and wicker or rush objects. In Argenta we have a large market on Thursday and a beautiful Fair in September, apart from theatrical performances and cultural initiatives. 
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Trieste

After many kilometres of flat terrain the landscape suddenly changes and the eye is awakened. Orderly patterns of right-angled lines give way to rugged stretches signalling the first formations of the limestone Carso as it plunges down to the sea. This marks the beginning of the province of Trieste.
Trieste travel guide

Elba: Travel Guide for the island

The Etruscans lived on the island for many centuries from the 7th century b.C., onwards, but, due to their custom of building cities out of clay, which "dissolved" over the years, little trace remains of them today. However, the necropolies which can still be found testify to the existence of their lost villages: settlements in Portofferaio, Monte Castello near Procchio, Volterraio and Castiglione di San Martino. There was a fortress on Monte di Santa Lucia, rebuilt by the Pisans, and a temple, possibly dedicated to Tinia, on Monte Serra, near Rio.
Elba Island travel guide

Savona

The core of the town stood on a hilltop overlooking the sea, where in 1542 the Republic of Genoa built a imposing military stronghold, the Priamar, now home to the non-hostile museums of contemporary art.
In the 17th century, it was here that the Republic of Genoa's chief archer, Giovan Battista Baliani, experimented with friction and mechanical bodies just as Galileo did before him; Baliani anticipated Torricelli's studies and distinguished between the concept of weight and mass as Newton was to do later.
Savona's Medieval historic centre is clearly Ligurian in its layout, complete with caruggi and houses within towers. Its buildings are of great historical importance not least for their architecture: the State Archives house the first document written in the Ligurian vernacular (the Dichiarazione di Paxia, 1178-1182).
The heart of 19th century Savona lies in porticoed Via Paleocapa, its buildings richly decorated with Art Nouveau motifs, and Piazza Diaz, dominated by the imposing Chiabrera Theatre which is named after Savona's greatest poet, the greatest exponent of 17th century literature. Towards the sea at the end of Via Paleocapa stands the short but imposing Leon Pancaldo tower, the last remaining traces of the 14th century walls; it is named after a Savonese sailor who accompanied Magellano on his travels.
Opposite stands the modern cruise terminal, reflecting 21st century Savona's vocation for sea travel and tourism, welcoming and friendly towards all visitors.
Our tour centres on the square formed by Via Paleocapa, Corso Italia, Corso Mazzini and the old Docks. Start from the Medieval towers which rise above the oldest part of the port: the Corsi and Guarnieri towers date from the 12th century, as does the tower of the Brandale or belltower (the brandale was actually the pole from which the Commune's flag flew). Its Huge bell stands in Campanassa. Nearby Palazzo degli Anziani was once the seat of the podesta or magistrate. This marks the start of Via Pia, once known as the Fossalvaria and the oldest thoroughfare in old Savona. The road still has an important commercial role to play today. Its main feature is the 15th century Palazzo Della Rovere, built by the family which produced two great Renaissance popes, politicians and patrons both: Sixtus IV and Julius II.
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The Saint Francis Walk

he walk of the pilgrims continues today ad they did during The Middle Ages: a profound testimony of faith and an exchange between different cultures.
For this reason the Tourism Promotion Agency of Rieti has created the “Saint Francis Walk” (Cammino di San Francesco), a walk through the Valle Santa of Rieti, one of the most important placesin the history of the Franciscan Order. The pilgrimage includes visits to the sanctuaries where Francis travelled to: the Sanctuary of Poggio Bustone, La Foresta, Fonte Colombo and the Greccio Sanctuary.
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Pesaro-Urbino Travel Guide

Pesaro-Urbino district is wetting by the Adriatic sea: it is note for its "maioliche", the parks, the castles and its artistc treasures as well as adequate receptive structures and amusements for the seaside, religious, "green" and enogastronomic tourism.
GREEN TOURISM:
Bordering Romagna, Umbria and Tuscany, the province of Pesaro and Urbino boats an incomparable multicoloured hilly countryside stretching as far as the peaks of the Apennines: an uncontaminated sea of green in which it is possible to immerse oneself and observe the wonders of the changing seasons while enjoying the numerous pastimes available in the area. Cycling at Gabicce Mare, where an international cycling event provides the opportunity for tourists and amateur cyclists from all around the world to enjoy nature. The event has an itinerary that passes through various settings and provides an abundance of wonderful views: from the blue of the Adriatic to the green hillsides and virgin woods of the Apennines. The area also offers many locations where it is possible to hire mountain bikes. Walking from the woods of the “Alpe della Luna” to those of monte Carpegna, just a step away. The itineraries of the Apennine backbone of the province are marked red and blue to indicate the path through nature and the way to inner peace.
Article source: zerodelta.net

Lunigiana Travel Guide

A journey through Lunigiana The valley of the river Magra, heart of the historic region called Lunigiana, appears - to the traveller who descends from the Cisa - as a big amphitheatre that in spring and summer is richly ornamented in green whilst in autumn it adorns itself with the many colours of its immense woods. In winter the candid marble tops of the Apuane mountains mix themeselves with the white snow covered Appennines. In a few square kilometres mother nature presents herself in an unexpected and surprising variety of landscapes, high prairies with blackcurrant moors and the pastures where the esteemed Zeri sheep lives; the hills with the olive-groves, the vineyards and a trail of villages dominated by the strict outlines of a hundred and more castles: the bottom of the Magra valley that - as Mario Tobino wrote - winds itself like a silver eel, with waters rich in fish and where it is still possible to bathe. This is an ancient land, and covered by the great ancient routes: Sigerico passed this way in 994, travelling along the Francigena, a road that in the river Magra valley coincided with the road for Saint James of Compostela and from which also started off the road of the Volto Santo that lead to Lucca. Here, amongst the harshness of the mountains, the Romans had to put up a hard fight before defeating the Ligure-apuane people that had erected their stone idols (warriors, and large bossomed women today on show in the Pontremoli museum) to guard the roads and the pastures. Here during Second World War, the ancient roads and woods saw the horrors of the war, the heroic acts of the partisans, the generous hospitality of country people, towards those escaping from the city.
Hospitality in Lunigiana is sacred: Dante experienced it, hosted by the Malaspina family, a famous feudal family, who left their sign in numerous small feudal properties that surrounded the towns of Pontremoli and Fivizzano.
A generous land with its products, its pleasant wines, were famous already in the past for its delicate aromas which derived from a vast variety of vines.
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Versilia

The territory of Versilia covers an area of about 160 square kilometres in the North-Western coast. Froman administrative point of view, it is a part of the province of Lucca. The area has always had a natural tourist vocation as balneotherapy teatments started here during the second hal of 19th century with tha building of the first bathing establishments.
Nowadays Versilia is not only a beautiful stretch of coast but it also provided excellent opportunities to spend enjoyable holidays the whole year round, thanks to ita mild climate and teh wide range of entertainment and leisure facilities available.
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Procida. Ischia e Capri

Procida, the smallest and least known of these islands, has kept unaltered its mediterranean identity. With strong seafaring ties, it is an ideal destination for those seeking an out-of-the-way holiday, far from the mass tourism routes. It is geologically tied to the Phlegrean Fields area that from the west of Naples goes to Cuma. The tuff ground and the jagged coast confirm its volcanic origins.
Legendary places, rife with history, whose fascination only grows with time. All three can be reached from Naples or from Pozzuoli. Procida and Ischia, known as the Phlegrean islands, are north of the Gulf, in front of Pozzuoli. Capri is in front of the Sorrentine Peninsula.
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Pisa History

The origins of Pisa are still mysterious. The classic authors, from Plinio at Rutilio Namaziano, put in report this name with that of the greek homonymous town located in the Elide and support that its foundation was work of greek and precisely of the king Pelope, or of Epeo builder of the horse of Troy, or of the companies of Nestore, fugitives exactly from Troy. This theory was connected with an achea colonization in Etruria and in Lazio (XIII-XII century B.C.) in the summary of the micenee relations with Italy.
Another tradition, that make up principally at Catone and at Servio, connects the origins of Pisa at the Focesi or at the Teuti (teutanes) and later on at the etruscans.  A third (that goes from Polibio at Livio) supports that the aboriginal nucleus of Pisa was founded from liguri. The presence of liguri installations is testifided from various discoveries effected in the environs of Pisa and specially long the west base of Monte Pisano. Commercial contacts of the Focesi with the tirrenico coast result numeorus and important.
The arrival of Etruschi in the Val of Arno and in particular in the marsh of Bientina, is also attested from the classic writers and can be corfirmed from the archaeologic reperts and from the place-names to start from the middle of the V century B.C.; at the Etruschi would go back the name Pisa, whose meaning would be that of "seals", or rather mouth of the river to the sea.
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