West Travel - tourist destinations, vacation ideas, travel guides

Vacationing in lovely Italy can be a trip steeped in culture, arts and history. Visiting the one time roman colony of Lucce can provide entertainment for everyone. The town center is enclosed in a brick wall from the sixteenth century that has a path along the top of the wall. The city is filled with churches, monuments and gardens. The Cathedral of San Martino dates back to the eleventh century, the Church of San Michele in Foro features a Romanesque marble facade, carved marble columns and artwork form the twelfth through fifteenth centuries. Casa di Puccini is the fifteenth century home of famous composer Giacoma Puccini and is now a school o fmusic and museum dedicated to the former dweller. Lucce National Picture Gallery offers views of tapestries, frescoes and the artwork of artists such as Agnolo Bronzine Domenico, Boccafini and Luca Giondone Spectacular views can be seen from the 130 foot rises. Torre Guinigi and Lake Como offers a laid back look at small town life in Italy. Villa Carlotta is an eighteenth century botanical garden and museum sure to delight the horticulture lover. Fiesole features a roman amphitheater and roman baths dated back to 1BC. The Nearby Florence hill offers trails for the bicycling enthusiast.

Barcelona- Much more cosmopolitan and fun than Madrid during the day in my opinion. I took the double-decker tour bus around the city and thought it was a good way to see all the sites in a short period of time. Check out the Barrio Gothic, Las Ramblas, the yacht harbor, the beach, La Sagrada Familia cathedral and all the other works by architect Gaudi. The restaurant crowds get huge at two pm for lunch, so try to beat the rush. Port Olympico is a good area for nightlife, filled with bars, cafes, and many English-speaking tourists. It’s also right on the water, which adds to the atmosphere.