Undoubtedly, Italy is one of the most popular countries on the bucket list of travellers. The exotic country has a homely vibe wherein you can explore music, culture, food, architecture, charming villages, natural beauty, sacred sites, and more. From mountains to beaches, Italy offers amazing places to visit and enjoy. Whether you choose natural and scenic wonders or the greatest masterpieces of art and architecture, Italy won’t leave you disappointed.

When you plan to travel to an exotic country, just book a hotel in Italy in advance to ensure a comfortable stay. You can find amazing hotels in Italy with picturesque views. Here’s a look at some must-visit places in Italy:

• Rome

Rome is a lovely city in Europe that you must visit when in Italy. It is one of the most vibrant cities with rich cultural history. For people travelling to Italy, Rome tops their list. You must enjoy the city apart from visiting the top attractions such as Vatican, Colosseum, Palantine Hill, Sistine chapel, etc. Explore the narrow streets and enjoy your coffee in the local cafes.

• Florence

It is just like a huge art museum. The Duomo is a landmark of world architecture that is topped by its gravity-defying massive dome. There are several art museums with paintings and sculptures along with decorated churches and palaces. There are art galleries as well as artisan studios and workshops to explore.

• Venice

Venice is yet another attraction for travellers. After all, who would not fall in love with a city with water streets? A place where buses are boats are songs of gondoliers caress your ears. St. Mark’s Square has several tourist attractions around it.

• Tuscan Hill Towns

The scenic landscape of Tuscany is bejewelled by stone towns. Each of the landscapes sits atop a hill. There are castles where one is above the other with brilliant architecture, character, art, and story to tell. These hill towns are a must-visit in Italy.

• Milan

Milan is a major point of entry for tourists. People might overlook it as a destination to travel to, but it is a lovely city with the highest architectural attractions of Italy. Also, it is the Mecca of fashion lovers. Milan is home to Leonardo Da Vinci, Enrico Caruso, Toscanini, as well as designer Giorgio Armani. Apart from the architecture, you can visit the opera house, monastery, museums, and palaces.

• Lake Como

Lake Como is the most beautiful lake in Italy. Bellagio town is a must-visit which is set on a point where three narrow arms of the lake meet. On the southern shore, there is the town of Como. You must explore the town before you board a steamer to explore the lake.

• Capri

When in Italy, you can’t miss Capri Island. Located in the bay of Naples, it is renowned for its rugged landscape as well as upscale hotels and shopping. You can find some of the best designer fashionable items in Capri. You will easily find a great hotel in Capri to make your stay memorable. It is also popular for its natural sites, such as Blue Grotto. It is a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue because of sunlight passing through an underwater cave.

There are several other attractions such as Pisa and Lucca, Verona, Pompeii and Herculaneum, Siena, Naples, and Puglia, to name a few. Italy is one of the most beautiful countries. Plan a trip and enjoy the scenic beauty along with local cuisine and Italian culture.

Located on the grand harbour of Malta, the port city of Vittoriosa, also referred to as Birgu, is filled with beauty, sereness, and charm. Birgu has a lot to offer to tourists and travellers. It’s not just about the stunning views. It is also about the authentic ambience and the beautiful buildings steeped in thousands of years worth of history.

If you do not like crowded attractions, Birgu is the place you should opt for. The city is not only old but it is also fortified, which gives it a very medieval look. Most often, tourists overlook Birgu since Mdina, Valletta, and the other historic sites have more popularity.

However, suppose you genuinely want to understand the colourful past of Martha quietly and serenely. In that case, you should keep one day aside for visiting Birgu. It has wide alleys lined with gorgeously architectured houses. It will not only make for a good visit, but it will also give you some fantastic photographs and memories. Want to know how to get to Birgu? Check out https://www.cool.mt/routes/airport/from-airport/to-birgu/.

What to do in Birgu?

Wander at Fort St. Angelo

The star attraction of Birgu is Fort St Angelo. It is situated at the centre of the grand harbour. It was originally a medieval castle rebuilt by order of St. John during the 1500s. During the time of the great siege in 1565 and the Second World War, Fort St. Angelo had crucial roles to play. Not only does this location provides a glimpse of the past of Malta, but the fort also has beautiful views of the grand harbour.

Inquisitor’s palace

If you’re visiting Birgu, do not forget the inquisitor’s palace. This building was built to serve as law courts under St. John. However, when Romans came into Malta in 1574, they turned the palace into a prison complex. During British rule, the castle acted as a military hospital. Due to the dark past of this location, the Inquisitor’s palace is assumed to be haunted. The Inquisitor’s palace also has the Museum of ethnography.

Old gates

Since Birgu was originally a fortified city, it is surrounded on almost all sides by defensive walls and rock-hewn ditches. Recently, these rock-hewn ditches have been turned into gardens. Originally, Birgu had four different gates for coming in and out. Three of these gates have survived. The gate of the province, the Couvre Porte gate, and the Advanced gate feature some fascinating Latin inscriptions and engravings.

Malta Maritime museum

If you wish to know about the islands naval history, you should visit the Malta Maritime Museum. The Museum has over 20,000 artefacts and is the largest one on the island. The marine steam engine, the figurehead of Napoleonic gunship, and the largest known Roman anchor adorn this Museum.

Do you still need another reason to visit Birgu? If you are planning a visit to Malta anytime soon, do not forget to add Birgu to your list of places to visit. 

Traveling to Washington for the first time and looking for the best things to do in the state? Exploring Washington can be done in various ways, not just only by plain sight seeing. There are so many outdoor activities you can try with your friends while enjoying usa map with attractions the wonders the state has to offer.

Whether you love to spend entire weekends outside or are just looking for a 2 hour fresh air escape this beautiful state has all that you need.

• Hiking

Based on studies, you will find nearly 700 miles of trails in Washington state parks, from short interpretive nature walks to challenging long-distance treks. Though there are hundred of recreation opportunities to be enjoyed in Washington State, it is perhaps best known for some of the top hiking trails in the world.

Hiking trails span the rugged coast on the western edge of the state to the high desert landscape found inland to the east. So if you are looking for waterfalls, mountain tops, or a glimpse of the geological past, Washington State has enough trails to keep your calves burning throughout the year, any season!

• Biking

Washington has one of the most diverse climates of all of the states in the USA. Featuring all four seasons, any biker can enjoy mountain trails lined with thousands of wildflowers and steep climbs through pine scented forests or travel the well-maintained gravel trails.

All year round biking occurs throughout Washington state, but for locals in the area, there is nothing like the transition from a cool winter ride to the early days of spring when there is just enough sunshine and warmth to heat up the road.

• Camping

Whether you’re looking for scenery or privacy, there is a campsite just right for you in Washington State. Camping here is indeed a chance to greet nature up close and sleep in some of the most beautiful land in North America. But the biggest challenge you might ask knowing that there are lots of campgrounds to choose from? Deciding where.

• Fishing

There are many wilderness areas and wide expanses of national forestlands that hide lakes, rivers and streams. If you are going out on a hiking trail or camping near a water form, I would suggest bringing your fishing gear. Washington is a famous and dramatic destination for anglers of all kinds offering runs of both salmon and steelhead and year-round access to bass, walleye, catfish, perch and more. Big fish, big mountains and big waterways define the classic fishing trip in the state.

• Skiing

There are many ski resorts available for those who love to hit the downhill slopes. Located just below the Canadian border, Washington is definitely  well-placed for skiing enthusiasts. The state is host to multiple world class ski resorts and areas within two or three hours of the city limits.

If downhill skiing isn’t really your style then consider renting a pair of cross country skis and travel the backcountry areas in the winter to catch some truly beautiful scenery.

These activities are just proof that you will never get bored when visiting the state. When booking your stay make sure you allow yourself enough time to truly enjoy all that there is to do, see, and experience.

As much as paddle boarding has become popular, its safety is often overlooked. Knowing how to paddle is one thing and observing safety measures is another. Excitement should not cause one to throw caution to the wind when embarking on a paddling adventure.

Here are a few safety measures to take before hitting the waters.

1.      Monitor The Weather Conditions

Changes in weather patterns may spell danger for a paddler.

Sunrise/ Sunset

Are you in a new or a foreign place? Get to know the sunrise and sunset times so that you don’t paddle board in the dark. Schedule your paddling sessions appropriately.

Wind

This is an important weather condition to consider.  High winds chop up the water, making it hard for a beginner to paddle. If the wind goes beyond 10 knots, sup boarding is rendered unsafe. Also, check the wind direction. Consider going against the wind as you hit the water so that you may have it easy on your way back.

Tides

Understanding the tides is important for sup boarding in the oceans because a slight change in the tides may move you miles away. As you plan your paddling session, work around the tides to avoid paddling exhaustion. Doing so will also save on the time you use to get back to the shores.

2.      Safety Gear

Ensure you arm yourself with these safety gears

·        Sup personal flotation device (PFD)

·        Sup leash

Sup Pfd

Do not go past the deeper limits of swimming without a personal flotation device for safety. It’s a requirement by law to wear a PFD if you pass the narrow limits of swimming. Ensure the PFD has maximum buoyancy.

SUP Leash

A leash ensures that the stand up paddle board is always tethered to you no matter the water conditions. Use a coiled leash in flat waters. A straight leash is ideal for the ocean because it is strong enough to withstand troubling white waters. A quick-release leash is good for the rivers or where there are rocks and branches.

3.      Important Paddling Skills

Kneeling And Prone Paddling

Sup boarding on the knees is important to learn in case the paddle board breaks up. This also helps if the weather is strong and the currents are blowing against you.

Flip Rescue

With your sup board partner, learn how to perform a flip rescue. First, practice in still waters, then in moving waters when you are confident enough.

Additional Tips

Sunscreen

Apply your skin with sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays. A rash guard or a hat will also help protect the skin.

Find A Partner

Paddle boarding alone is not safe. It will be fun to paddle with a partner, but it will also be helpful in a mishap such as a leash snapping. You need someone to help or help you during such times.

Conclusion

Of all the other times, summer is the best for paddle boarding. Follow these guidelines the next time you hit the waters during summer, and a safe paddling experience is guaranteed.