Destination
Guest Post by Lisa Fantino
Visiting Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, is historic, artistic, scientific all rolled into one and here’s a Top 5 list of must-see attractions.
- The historic triumvirate/Christ Church, Independence Hall (a UNESCO World Heritage site) & the Liberty Bell Center. In the city where the United States was born, no visit would be complete without seeing the church where Ben Franklin prayed as a boy, along with George Washington, the nation’s 1st President; the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and the Liberty Bell itself, which stands as a symbol of the country’s fight for freedom.
- Franklin Institute – was founded in 1824 by the first professional organization of mechanical engineers and draftsmen in the U.S. Today, it houses interactive exhibits on everything from space to ancient and modern medicine, giving children and adults alike a hands-on explanation. Visitors can walk through a giant heart along the path of blood flow and climb aboard a steam locomotive. There’s an IMAX theater and planetarium as well. The Institute also features rotating exhibits and is currently showcasing an exhibit on Cleopatra, the last Queen of Egypt, through January 2, 2011.
- Philadelphia Museum of Art – is one of the largest art museums in the US and sits atop Ben Franklin Parkway. Its collections are quite impressive and span 2,000 years, everything from the masters to ancient temples have a home in its walls. It’s the perfect rainy day retreat if weather hampers your outdoor plans and if you go on Friday evenings you can listen to cabaret music and grab a bite to eat. Its grand center steps have become known as the Rocky Steps, having played a huge role in the Oscar-winning movie.
- Eastern State Penitentiary – the nearly 200 year old former maximum security prison contained seven cellblocks and housed some of the nation’s most notorious prisons including mobster Al Capone and bank robber Willie Sutton. Today, its crumbling walls, death row block and empty guard tower echo the voices the inmates left behind. There are daylight tours but venture near Halloween and experience one of the most terrifying haunted houses anywhere, Terror Behind the Walls.
- Love Park – no visit to Philly would be complete without a visit to Love Park which sits catty-corner to the city’s magnificent City Hall building.
Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and attorney and the Italy travel consultant and creative force behind Wanderlust Women Travel. She recently launched the Amalfi wedding site, Wanderlust Weddings. Her love of Amalfi has also inspired her to gather sterling silver jewelry and gifts inspired by the blues of the region at Amalfi Blu. In her spare time, she writes travel features for MNUI travel insurance and blogs as Lady Litigator.
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For world class Tuscany holidays, travelers have to make sure to visit the centres of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Pienza, Val d’Orcia and the Cathedral of Pisa. These are all designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Tuscany hotels have character and are as varied as the following 10 provinces:
- Arezzo –Watch the famous crossbow competitions, ‘Palio della Balestra’ held on the last Sunday in May and the second Sunday in September in Sansepolcro or the ‘Giostra del Saracino’. There is jousting, processions and tournaments held on the third Sunday in June and first Sunday in September.
- Firenze (Florence) – Home of the shopping heaven known as the Via de’Tornabuoni, famous designers have shops here and Tuscany hotels are well represented. Alternatively, start an Easter break with a bang during ‘Scoppio del Carro’ when a huge cart with fireworks is set off to ensure a good harvest. Between April and June, Florence hosts a series of concerts, recitals, opera and ballet called the ‘Maggio Musicale’. On 24th June, there is a costumed parade followed by the ‘Calcio Storico’, a game where football, rugby and wrestling are combined.
- Grosseto – Choose 4 star Tuscany hotels or Maremma holiday farm in surroundings described by some as mystical but with a bit of beach time thrown in! Don’t miss the Saturnia Hot Springs, where there is free bathing in natural pools and waterfalls. This is the devils’ doorway to hell and legendary meeting place of wizards and witches.
- Livorno- If boats are your thing then you will find them here as it’s the hub of the cruise ship tourist industry.
- Lucca –Here you will find the ‘Grotta del Vento’ or ‘Wind Caves’ where the cliffs and drops offer spectacular scenery for those with a head for heights. Visit the Giacomo Puccini House Museum and the nature reserve at Apuan Regional Park. May is festival time and two annual events to look out for are Lucca Summer Festival, which has previously hosted Santana, Eric Clapton and Lucca Comic and Games, the largest annual comic festival in Italy.
- Pisa –On 16th June, celebrations honour the patron saint of Pisa with over 70,000 candles lighting up the palaces along the Arno River and a fireworks display. About a week later there is a re-enactment of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ and a costumed procession.
- Pistoia – Blues fans, book your Tuscan holiday in July and stay at a hotel in Pistoia. Blues artists from all over the world gather in the main square during early July. After this you will be so mellow that they hold the ‘Giostra dell’Orso’, a jousting tournament, on the 25th to wake you up! ‘Orso’ is Italian for ‘bear’ so beware!
- Prato – The third largest city in central Italy, Prato offers Tuscany holidays with a difference. This is a centre for the textile industry and about 15 top designers have outlet stores here.
- Siena – 2nd July and 16th August are dates not to miss for bareback horse races, feasts and pageantry. On the last Sunday in August in Montepulciano, they rest the horses and have a barrel rolling race instead.
- Massa-Carrara – Little is said about Tuscany holidays here. Visit the famous marble quarries or discover what secrets the area holds.
Mark the respective dates on your calendar and start planning your trip to the Tuscany region of Italy! 
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