Palazzo Carmagnola – Milan

This palace was built during the fourteenth century and the rumor is that there are 2 ghosts that haunt it: the original owner (Francesco Bussone) and Lady with an Ermine (Cecilia Gallerani). It is said that you can see Cecilia on the second of November, which is All Soul’s Day in Italy. You surely know her from the painting of Leonardo.

Fenis Castle – Aosta

You can only visit the first floor in this castle. The rest cannot be visited. Not even restorers were allowed to do this. There are tourists that often say they hear sounds that are unexplainable and footsteps. Second floor was utilized by the servants as housing. When you visit, get ready for quite a creepy atmosphere. In fact, the atmosphere is so creepy that this is where Franchia Contro Dracula was shot.

Villa Iomello – Pavia

Commonly referred to as The Lover’s House, Villa Iomello is now abandoned and has a story surrounded by rage and jealousy. In the year 1912 there was a married couple that moved in. The husband came home from a hunting day and found the wife having an affair with the property’s horse keeper. Filled with rage, he shot them both. Then, he killed himself. There is no person in the area that wants to visit the home since that happened.

Devil Monks Monastery – Salerno

This is a name that was predestined for a haunting site. The story says that there was a wanderer that was hungry and that asked the monks for help. He did receive shelter and food. Because of this he stayed there and worked for the monastery. Eventually, he became a monk but after the vows were made, he fell in love. The tragedy is that the monks tortured the woman as they said she was a witch. The woman died and the wanderer went crazy. As time passed, monks disappeared and even people from the village had the same fate. The monk was eventually known as “demonic monk” and was killed by the king’s troops sent to the Devil Monks Monastery to capture him after there was proof that he was a killer. Legend has it that his spirit is still there but no murders happened since the days when the monk lived.

Ca’delle Anime – Genova

Around 200 years ago the house was an inn that was common among those that travelled between Piedmont and Lombardy. The problem was that many that slept there disappeared and were never found. It is not known what happened. According to some reports, the innkeeper recommended a specific quiet room. As soon as the guest fell asleep the ceiling moved towards the floor and crushed the guest. Then the innkeeper is said to take the loot that remains.

For many this is the most haunted places in Italy and what is crazy is that it is still inhabited. People living there often claimed that they experienced various kinetic effects and apparitions were sighted. Maybe you would like to see one of them.

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Gelato is a typical Italian dessert that is loved by food lovers all over the world. The gelatos are not only great as desserts; they also make for a delicious snack as well. It is not surprising that gelato is gaining popularity all over the world simply because they are fat free to a huge extent unlike the ice creams that are made from saturated fat.

Although gelatos can be compared to the ice creams, they are denser and also tastier than that of the ice creams. The recipe of the gelato is also quite unique. The term gelato is an Italian term which means frozen. It is used for describing the Italian ice cream. It is originated in the northern part of Italy around the 16^th century. The recipe of the gelato consists of sugar and fresh cream, egg yolks, fresh whole milk, nuts, chocolates, and fresh fruits etc.

The gelato is not only a delicious dessert for special occasions, it is considered as a daily treat in Italy since it is very nutritious and healthy as well. Usually the shop that sells gelato in Italy is known as the gelateria. Some of the special characteristics of gelatos are as follows:

It is dense, creamy and of course full of flavor. One of the most popular flavors in gelato is the fresh fruit flavors. The gelato contains no added preservatives and thus is not only very healthy; they also melt in the mouth quickly. The thickening agent that is used in the gelatos is completely natural and is known as the carob flour. You can store the gelatos in stainless steel tubs to keep them fresh for a long time. The ingredients of the gelato are always of high quality so as to maintain the superb quality of taste. Since there is less air, fat and sugar in gelatos, they are much healthier than that of the ice creams. And the nutritional value of the gelatos is also much higher than that of the ice creams.

Unless you maintain the right balance in the making procedure and the quality, preparation of the gelato can never be fool proof. Gelato is one of the most popular desserts in Italy. The other one is the sorbetto usually the fruit flavor. Gelato is milk based while the sorbetto is based on fruits. One of the most popular flavors of gelato is the chocolate that comes in numerous variations too. There are also many other combinations available like the hazelnut with cream and chocolate, stand alone flavors like strawberry, lemon, vanilla, pistachio, chocolate chip strawberry, lemon and vanilla etc. Practically there are numerous flavors and wide range of variations too. According to a survey, Italians prefer to order for two or more flavors of gelatos when they are out partying. There are also many variations of gelatos available that are based on the candy bars of Italy and other popular dessert tastes.

Having gelatos can not only help you in enjoying desserts without bothering about getting fat, but also ensures that you remain healthy in the long run.

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Although villas can potentially afford you the accouterments of home living, if not researched properly your vacation could be disastrous. Before renting a vacation villa, there are essential things you must consider.

Choose your villa wisely

There are tons of rental possibilities on websites advertised by rental agents, but it is likely that these agents may not even visit the villas.

Vacation villas often go by different names, as they are often represented by several agencies. Insist that your agent give you the real name of the villa so that you may research the best price possible.

Know exactly what you are paying for by asking about detailed amenities lists, staffing information and any taxes or surcharges.

Ask specific questions like whether a particular property’s style resonates the signature style of the area. Also, demand to know the good and the bad details.

Know your agent

Perhaps the most important thing of all is to know your villa rental agent. Should an unforeseen problem arise during your stay, how accessible will your agent be?

Oftentimes, the agent is not the owner of the property. In these cases, make sure that the agent and the owner have a sound and communicative relationship. 

If your rental agent does not initially ask you specific questions concerning your rental expectations, that’s a very bad sign. It is to your benefit that your villa agent speaks the language of the area and is extremely familiar with his or her properties. Find a trustworthy broker who is willing to disclose the lowdown on the pitfalls.

Enjoy your stay

Once you finally arrive to your destination, expect to spend time learning basic living protocol if you are a stranger to the region. This cuts in on your vacation time, so try to do as much research on the area as possible before you arrive. 

Your agent should serve as your information ambassador, making house books, Web resources and brochures readily available to you. This information should detail exactly what your travel package includes.

Image source:http://mashable.com

Expect the unexpected

Do not take expected luxuries for granted and have a firm idea of what to expect. Some properties come with animals, the owner or live-in employees.

There also may be basic things that you might expect but that are not readily available, like cleaning supplies and certain appliances. Additionally, common comforts may not be so accessible either. There may be a limited water supply, little to no Internet access or poor electricity (or none at all).

There is a possibility that not every bedroom will have a bathroom, and not every villa may have a bathroom. Outhouses are not all that rare in some areas of the world.

Plan in advance

You don’t want to travel halfway around the world to a place like Southeast Asia, for example, just to discover that you’ll need to hire out a philippines investigation unit to find the nearest market that sells your beloved hamburger meat.

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Most politicians choose to make political signs because they know that visual appeal is always better than audio appeal. You might be shouting at the top of your voice in front of a microphone, but as soon as the assembly disperses, much of what is said is soon forgotten by the public. However, if the same message is permanently put in front of the eyes, it is bound to have a much greater appeal. Signs help attract the attention of common people. If an agenda is a political one, then political signs are used.

There are a few things one should consider while designing political signs. First, determine the scale at which campaigning is to be done. If it’s a local issue and only people living a few blocks from each other are to be addressed, then you can opt for simple placards and hoardings. The message can be either boldly printed or hand written. These messages can show either dissent or support, and should depict what is indeed important.

There was a time when people often complained that the printing on signs became unreadable after a heavy shower or strong sunlight, especially if a sign was left outdoors for long. So, ensure that the material of your sign is durable, and your efforts will not  be wasted. Today, most sign screens are made from strong polyester. Of course, these signs may sometimes come apart due to sudden winds, but otherwise they are indeed resistant.

The new designs are sure to attract the mass’s attention, and ensure the campaigner’s voice is heard. It is important for a sign to be eye-catching enough, to prevent it from getting lost amid other signs. Signs should have a big focus that will capture interest and garner compliments. With a little effort, a seemingly simple sign can carry your voice ahead and spread it among the masses.

A little care will ensure that your political signs will be durable for the whole duration of your campaign. Then there will be no stopping the voice that comes with rising consciousness.

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About Cervinia

An exceptionally popular ski village in Italy offering stunning views of the Matterhorn, Cervinia village lies at altitude of 2,050 meters, rising up to the dizzying heights of 3,883m if you take the top ski-lift.

Founded at the start of the 19th century (formerly know as ”Breuil”), the name of the resort was changed and comes from ‘Monte Cervino’ perhaps better known as the Matterhorn, which can be seen from the ski village.

How to get there

Travellers have a number of options for getting to the resort – either fly to Turin or Geneva (both are about two hours away  by car or transfer-coach), or get there via rail – the nearest rail stop is Chatillon which is around 17 miles away from the Cervinia ski-resort.

Ski Runs & Lift-Passes

A lift-pass for the resort covers over 350 km of ski-pistes (€192 will buy an adult ski-pass for 5 days, which gives full access to all the drag and bubble lifts). The resort offers a number of long, blue runs (for novices) and a number of red runs for intermediates – making it a good choice for a family ski holiday where abilities will most likely be mixed.

Non-ski activities

If you’re looking for some real-excitement aside from hitting the pistes to ride your board or skiing, you and your group can to go heli-skiing across the region, to find some untouched powder in hard to reach-locations, and to take advantage of some superb off-piste terrain.

Other in-resort activities include ice-skating, rock-climbing, shopping and of course partying after a hard day on the mountain.

Where to stay in Cervinia

Located in the centre of town, the Hotel des Guides is a top-class (three-star) hotel complete with a lively bar. For those who prefer apartments or chalets ski-chalets and apartments in Cervinia can cost as little as €700 per person (prices via InteractiveResorts).

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Ischgl ski resort, Austria

About Ischgl

Ischgl is nestled in the Austrian Paznau Valley, a stunningly beautiful mountain range close to Innsbruck Airport.

Set at 1400 m , and with skiing or snowboarding possible at heights of 2870 m  – the 205 of ski area is renowned world-wide as some of the best terrain a snowboarder or skier could ask for. The resort is highly recommended for snowboarders.

How to get there

By car or transfer bus, the resort is 90 minutes from Innsbruck, or by taxi  30 minutes drive from Landeck if you’ve taken the Bergland Express from Brussels.

Ski runs & ski-pass prices

Skiers and ‘boarders of all abilities are catered for via 152 km of red  runs ,27 km of expert black runs and 47 km blue Pistes.

• 238 kilometres pistes
• 515 hectares of piste surface area
• 152 km red,27 km black and 47 km blue pistes
• 1100 snow machines
• Longest piste: 11 km

In the low season (November to late December) expect to pay €42.50 per adult for a 1 day pass, or €27.50 for children. Savings of around 10%-15% can be made by buying a 5 day pass

For skiers and snowboarders

Serviced by a fleet of modern and comfy gondolas, bubble lifts and chairlifts – getting from bottom to top of pistes is no-problem, and queues are minimal due to the huge number of lifts.

All lifts are centrally located for easy access and have middle stations.

Non-ski activities in Ischgl

Ischgl (Photo credit: Leo-setä)

• Hiking and Trekking – Why not Hire a tour guide for an afternoon and hiking equipment to enjoy for a different perspective of the resort , and a break from skiing or ‘boarding.
• Ice Rink – The Ice rink in the resort is exceptionally popular pre-après ski  time.
• Horse drawn sleigh rides – Why not indulge in a memorable, fun ride while you tour the Tyrolean snow-fields

How much will it Cost?

A package holiday comprising of 5 days in a fully catered ski chalet in Ischgl, including flights and transfers in April will set you back £549 to £950 (prices via UK ski-holiday company ChaletWorld). If you have kids, make sure to get a family-friendly chalet (some chalets don’t allow children, while others embrace families and have dedicated kids’ clubs and children’s facilities). If a chalet is not to your taste, an apartment may be a good choice (huge money-savings can be made by self-catering) or a ski-hotel is another (more expensive) option.

With the end of the 2012/13 ski-season approaching – there’s plenty of opportunities to pick up some bargains if you shop around or call up ski companies to see what deals and offers they have available. Remember that bigger your group – the bigger the potential savings you can make on what will hopefully be you your dream ski-holiday.

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Author: Niall Tomas – Follow him on Google+

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