Playtime In Italy

[Regions of Italy]

There is a paradox which eventually presents itself to almost every traveler to Italy. The country is the envy of the universe, it seems, because its inhabitants know how to entertain themselves better than anyone. Think of Italians and you are bound to picture a large noisy group of grinning revelers drinking great wine, gorging on incomparable food or, at the very least, sipping cappuccino at 11 a.m. without an obvious care in the world. More often than not, our most glowing memories of our own trips are of ourselves behaving in exactly this fashion. Yet before we go, when we're still at the drawing board in the comfort of our own, perhaps less patently fun-filled homes, we inevitably establish travel plans for ourselves that are so crammed with cultural and historical "must-dos" that they appear more like grueling marathons than pleasant holidays.

The temptation is not easy to resist. When it comes to choosing serious pursuits and neglecting frivolous fun, the writers of In Italy are as guilty as anyone. For that reason, we have dedicated this issue to telling you about some of our favorite ways to kick back in Italy. We hope you will keep them in mind while planning your trip, and most of all during your trip. Set aside a part of each day to do something that may seem to be of dubious "educational" value. You're bound to find that Italy has many lessons to teach which can't be found in any book, except perhaps amongst the pages of your own photo albums.

• After you've got your itinerary planned and before you leave home, make sure you read Michael Brouse's helpful and playful instructions on how to enjoy Italy as the Italians do.

• Sims Brannon takes us all over Italy to visit some of its more appealing food markets.

• Playtime par excellence in Italy equals Carnevale! Click here for news about some of the most colorful festivities.

• When Romans want to relax and enjoy life, one of their favorite things is a nice stroll through the city. Rosemary Torigian tells us about some of the secret landmarks they love to visit along the way.

• Want to attend an opera, concert or ballet during your trip? It's not impossible, but it's not easy either! Here are some tips about how to get into the show.

• Take a day off from culture seeking to visit a natural park in Tuscany.

• Parents traveling with young kids, this article is for you: Italy's answer to Disneyland.

• What better way to restore your weary eyes, brain and feet than a couple of lazy hours in a historical garden? Here's a very partial list to download.

• If you're going to be near Parma, treat yourself to a private guided tour of a parmesan factory. It's free!

• More and more these days, golf is a wildly popular sport in Italy. The courses are often world-class, and the scenery is always something to rave about!

• Need a break from web surfing? Relax with a Photo Album of Italy's National Parks.

• Driving through Sicily? Stop in at a winery for a free tasting.

• Here's a great new idea for travelers who'd like to get out in the country in Tuscany without renting a car: the Nature Train.

• Want to participate in the Italian ultimate sports fantasy? Be in Monza or Imola for the Formula One Grand Prix.

• Traveling with the family? Read on for several entertaining tips that will help you make sure the children have fun in Italy.

• Useful WWW links.

[Regions of Italy]