Travel tips for your holidays: least windy canary island, playa d'en bossa or san antonio, where to stay in Italy for vacation...

Search This Blog ⤵️

TO KNOW: if you do not see, in my articles, the banners with Booking last minute offers, remove the AD blocker and update the page. The script of the various locations will show you the accommodations that apply last minute promotions UPDATED from week to week (prices and map).

23/03/2020

BEST PLACE TO STAY IN LIGURIA | ITALY

Best villages to stay in Riviera di Levante (eastern area)

where to sleep in liguria
Best cities to stay in Liguria

  • Camogli 
  • Portofino 
  • Portovenere e il Golfo dei Poeti 
  • Sestri Levante 
  • Rapallo 
  • Lerici 
  • Santa Margherita Ligure 
  • Cinque terre
  • Bogliasco 
  • Sori 
  • Recco 
  • Avegno
  • Uscio 
  • Lavagna


WHICH IS THE BEST AREA TO STAY IN LIGURIA?


Today we are talking about the Eastern Riviera of Liguria, starting from Genoa to the Tuscan border.
This area is called Riviera di Levante and it includs famous and suggestive places and villages such as: Golfo Paradiso, Golfo del Tigullio, Cinque Terre and Golfo dei Poeti.

Liguria is not only a destination for summer holiday and beautiful beaches where to sunbathe, but you can dedicate yourself to other activities all year long like hiking and cultural tourism especially in very well-known places like Cinque Terre, Portofino and Porto Venere.

IMPORTANT: in this area it is need to pay attention to the limited traffic zone (ZTL) and the lack of parking spaces. To avoid problem, it is better to stay in a hotel or B&B that can provide you the "pass" to enter in ZTL zone without taking fines and a private park, if you travel by car. 

Best area to stay in Liguria

Camogli

Camogli can be easily reached by train. It is a nice fishing village famous for the Fish festival which takes place every year on the second Sunday of May (a huge pan where tons of fish are cooked for all people).

Best villages in Liguria

The small stony beach is surrounded by typical colorful ligurian houses with narrow streets where you can discover flavors and glimpses of this beautiful enchanted village. If you get hungry, I suggest you to taste the famous focaccia for sale in many local "focaccerie" (the most popular and famous is the Revello focacceria in Via Giuseppe Garibaldi) and/or even a mixed fried cone.
From the marina you can take ferries to San Fruttuoso abbey.

Camogli is situated in a convenient position for visit both the east and the west part of Liguria and it is also ideal for enjoy the sea and the beautiful surroundings.

Portofino

Portofino is a pearl set in a small inlet.

best area to stay in Liguria.

There is only a busy road that runs along the sea and few expensive car parks, so it is better to reach Portofino by sea.
This pretty port is small and can be visited in a few hours, without rushing, getting lost in its narrow streets.
There are many boats and yachts, restaurants and a breathtaking view across the bay.

I recommend staying there until the sunset when the village acquires charm and romance.

Portovenere and the Gulf of Poets

The Gulf of Poets, also known as the Gulf of La Spezia, starts from Monte Marcello up to Portovenere and includes Lerici and the other 12 villages.
If you are looking for a place to visit this suggestive part of Liguria, you can stay in Portovenere (very touristic and characteristic) or in some cheaper accommodations in the port city of La Spezia (see map below).

Portovenere is an obligatory stop: beautiful and suggestive with its roman church overlooking the sea where you can enter to cool off a bit especially in the summer.
portovenere italy

Portovenere is also crossed by narrow streets, restaurants and small shops where you can buy typical products.

Best countries in Liguria
Panorama Porto Venere credited by Tripadvisor. 

The parking spaces are quite expensive so if you want to stay here, I recommend you choose a structure with parking included and visit the neighboring villages and the Cinque Terre by ferry or public transports.

Which hotels are the best ones to stay at in Portovenere?
Grand Hotel Portovenere, Hotel Belvedere, and Albergo Ristorante Paradiso are some of the popular hotels in Portovenere.
From Portovenere start the Path of Poets (about 45 km), you must follow the white and red sign of the Alta Via del Golfo. The path is suitable for all trekking lovers who want enjoy magnificent views.
Booking.com

Sestri Levante

Another ideal place to stay in Liguria: Sestri Levante which has a hollow beach surrounded by colorful historic buildings that make it suggestive.

best Liguria
Sestri Levante credited by Tripadvisor. 

From the railway station it is possible to take a train to visit Monterosso and the other villages included in the "Cinque Terre".
Trains are direct and frequent every 20 and 30 minutes.

Which hotels are the best ones to stay at in Sestri Levante?
Villa Agnese, Hotel Genova, and Relais San Rocco are some of the popular hotels in Sestri Levante.

Rapallo

If you are looking for a nice place, with a relaxing beach, a well-preserved historical center and quite affordable prices, you can choose Rapallo as a base for your trips in Liguria.
Outside the historic center the city is quite urbanized but the pedestrian area full of historic shops and the promenade worth a visit.

Which hotels in Rapallo have nice views?
Hotel Vesuvio, Hotel Primo Sole, and Excelsior Palace Hotel got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Rapallo.

best place to stay in Liguria
Rapallo credited by Tripadvisor.

Santa Margherita Ligure

A few kilometers from Rapallo there is Santa Margherita Ligure, an elegant seaside resort between Rapallo and Portofino.

The historical houses surround the stony beach and there are good level of restaurants and shops.
If you love walking, you can easily get to Portofino (about 30 minutes on foot): the coastal road offers breathtaking views.

Which hotels in Santa Margherita Ligure have nice views?

Hotel Laurin, Hotel Continental, and Grand Hotel Miramare got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Santa Margherita Ligure.

liguria where to stay
Santa Margherita Ligure by Tripadvisor

Lerici

Another seaside resort stormed in summer but ideal to visit in other periods mostly during the spring.

ligurian coast where to go
Questa foto di Lerici Γ¨ offerta da TripAdvisor

I point out that in the summer months arriving by car in Lerici can be a problem since there is a ZTL (transit ban). If you go by car to Lerici, you can park in the large car park of the Venere Azzurra or La Vallata (both for a fee).

From Lerici there is a beautiful promenade that runs along the sea from which it is possible to admire the castle of San Terenzo in the distance. The fine sandy beach and the gently sloping sea make it an ideal place for tourists traveling with children.

Which hotels in Lerici have nice views?Piccolo Hotel Del Lido got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Lerici.
Which hotels in Lerici are good for families?Many families visiting Lerici loved staying at Hotel Il Giglio.

Cinque Terre

This short stretch of coast called "Cinque Terre" is made up of five famous villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. They can be visited by train or ferry  buying a single ticket valid all day long.

liguria where to go
Monterosso beach
These villages are different to each other but with a common charm: coloured buildings, nice small squares, typical shops, wondeful landscape and small characteristic beaches.

I visited them a torrid day in July and I must say that it was really full of tourists. I think it is better to visit these villages in May, June, September and October.
To see the famous "Cinque Terre" you can stay in Monterosso as a base that has a beautiful beach.

Which hotels in Monterosso al Mare have nice views?
Hotel Meublè Agavi, Stella Della Marina, and Albergo Suisse Bellevue got great room view-related reviews from travelers in Monterosso al Mare.

Lavagna

Seaside resort with beautiful beaches and its own railway station.
You can stay here if you are looking for an area with more affordable prices than other places listed in this article that are more "renowned" and therefore expensive.
What are some popular places to stay around Liguria?
Questa foto di Lungomare di Lavagna Γ¨ offerta da TripAdvisor

It has a beautiful historic center and a shopping street (via Roma). From the avenue that runs along the sea (towards the Cavi di Lavagna hamlet) you can see the promontory of Portofino and Sestri Levante 

In Cavi di Lavagna there is the largest beach in Riviera di Levante. 
Booking.com

Bogliasco

In the eastern part of Genoa there is a little knowed place: Bogliasco, a seaside resort surrounded by colorful Ligurian houses. It has small hollow beaches and several clubs and restaurants.
In front of the nautical club of Bogliasco there are 2 beaches, one of sand and one of pebbles, both with free showers.

Country House Agriturismo Le Pale

Best place to base for visiting Liguria

The Pontetto cliff (town between Bogliasco and Pieve Ligure) is full of tourists during the summer season.

How to reach the Pontetto cliff?

It is necessary to reach the Pontetto railway station, take a characteristic Ligurian "crΓͺuza" (typical narrow path or mule track) that go down towards the sea.

Sori

A seaside resort located in the bay of Golfo Paradiso. If you want to enjoy the sea this is the right place: there is entertainment, sports and music for everyone, including the famous Jazz Festival.

In Sori there are some free beaches, equipped with showers and 3 bathing establishments. There is the municipal swimming pool and the Sailing Club.
Sori overlooks a pebble beach and is the second largest beach after Cavi di Lavagna.

For trekking lovers there are two panoramic routes: one path leads to the top of Mount Sant'Apollinare and another to Pieve Alta.
πŸ‘‰ Bed and Breakfast Villa sul Mare Great for Two Travelers. Beachfront

Recco

From Sori, the Aurelia state road continues to Recco, a town located west of the Portofino promontory. During the Second World War it was destroyed by bombing then it was rebuilted.

Recco has earned the title of "gastronomic capital of Liguria", with 3,000 seats at the table in restaurants, trattorias and "focaccerie" (similar to pizzerias but selling the typical focaccia). The credit goes to the famous "focaccia di Recco" with cheese, celebrated with a party on the fourth Sunday of May, with free focaccia for all participants!

There are two bathing establishments in the center of the waterfront.
Recco beach is made of pebbles and not of sand.

Do you want to ride the waves? On this beach, with the construction of an underwater artifact, they created special conditions that form waves suitable for surfing.

Hotel Da O Vittorio. Great for Two Travelers. 

Avegno

From Recco, a road climbs to Avegno (8 km away) is a discovery in the green hinterland.
If you prefer to escape from the coastal crowding of the summer months you can consider staying here.
The climate is mitigated by the sea and the breeze so it is suitable for promenade to the shadow of the olive trees.

Rooms and Breakfast Casa Balin: Less than 1.9 mi from Recco Train Station and the beach.

Uscio

From Avegno the road continues to Uscio. A hill town known for the Arnaldi colony: a large health and tourist complex with a magnificent view. An idea also for a romantic weekend.

Uscio is located on a tourist route that connects the animation of the coast with the quiet of the hill and offers easy access to peaceful holidays enjoying a good traditional cuisine. Ideal place for those who love to take long walks in nature among the green Tuscan hills remaining a few kilometers from the sea.

Bed and Breakfast La Margherita 2

Well, I hope have helped you in the choice. All the places listed are enchanting, so now you can only depart to discover this part of Italy full of wonderful villages.

If the article is useful to you, or you want to suggest this area to your friends and relatives, you can share the article with them. 
We will update you on the next travel guide. πŸ˜‰

Updated March 2020
Moira Tips

15/03/2020

- HOW to LIST A PROPERTY ON BOOKING?

How do I join Booking without paying commissions. How register a property? How to register on booking as an host? Sign up on Booking. Listing a property on Booking. Booking.com fees for hosts. Booking how to become partner. Booking.com contact number. How can I set up my property? How do I list my hotel on booking.

If you want to list an apartment on Booking or vacation home, hotel, Guest house, B&B, Homestays, Campgrounds... Follow my step-by-step guide to understand what will be required during the registration process.

UPDATING: this promotion will end on April 28th 2020

HOW to LIST A PROPERTY ON BOOKING?

  1. List your apartment on Booking: and pay no commission on your first 5 bookings

Sign up an apartment with Booking is easy. To start your registration on Booking, click the following link to go to sign-up page ⇨ Register your property on Booking as you can see in the image below. Enter Your first and last name, an email and click the "Get started ↦" button.


UPDATING: this promotion will end on April 28th 2020

With this "Promo link", you can register on Booking for any property: a hotel, B&B, vacation home, as a hotelier or as a simple owner of a private apartment.
By subscribing to Booking with the promotional link, you will not pay the commission on the first 5 booking you'll receive. You will earn 100% of the amount set for your property without paying the commission to Booking.


list an apartment on booking

For example, if you receive a reservation worth € 1000, you will not have to pay to Booking € 150 for their brokerage (equal to 15% commission).

13/03/2020

- HOW DO I LIST AN APARTMENT FOR RENT

Where to Advertise Apartments for Rent Online. How do I list an apartment for rent? Top Websites for advertising your property rental listing. Vacation rental listing sites. 

For years I have used the best Websites for advertising my property rental listing in Gran Canaria, Spain. In this article  I'm introducing 7 great free rental listing sites. The most effective sites that I use and other lesser known sites that you can use to promote your property.

How do I list an apartment for rent
Top websites for advertising a property rental listing

How do I list an apartment for rent?


Here a list of the best Websites for advertising your property in 2020, where you can sign up and post an ad, to give greater visibility to your property and receive more bookings. How to rent holiday homes to Germans, Americans, English, Spanish, French, Italian...

1. List Your Apartment on AirBNB

The best website to advertise unusual accommodation (tree houses, caravan beds, boat ...), private apartments or rooms.

One of the first sites that I used to promote my vacation apartment with excellent results. I have had tourists from all over Europe, Russians and some Americans.

If you want to share your space on Airbnb, you can subscribe using my referral link (a profile that I manage), you can earn around $ 23 / euro after hosting your first guest, as an extra bonus.

➩ click here to list an apartment on Airbnb  (free listing)

list a room on Airbnb


2. List Your Apartment on MisterBNB

On MisterBandB you can list an apartment, a villa, hotel, B&B or a room.

Misterbandb is a website dedicated, primarily, for Gay and lesbians so, if you decide to list your property here, there should be no prejudice or personal limit in hosting them.

TO KNOW: Hosts and guests are NOT all gay. I am heterosexual and I use it without problems. Subscribe by identifying yourself as "gay friendly".

 List an apartment on Misterbandb


To sign up to Misterbandb as a traveler or as a host, you can use the promo link to get € 10 travel credit and the chance to win another € 500. It is valid both for traveling or to list a property.
➩ click here to list your property rental on MisterBNB (free listing)

3. List Your Apartment on Booking.com

One of the most consulted sites, by tourists from all over the world, to search for a property for their holidays.

With this link, you DO NOT pay the percentage to the site (15 or 18%) for the first 5 bookings you'll receive. UPDATE: this promotion ends on April 28th 2020 so if you are interested to register a property on Booking do it before the deadline.

More info: HOW to LIST A PROPERTY ON BOOKING?

4. List Your Apartment on Expedia Group

The Expedia Group has an extensive brand portfolio that includes leading online travel agencies (OTAs) and brands, such as:

- Homeaway
- VRBO
- VacationRentals.com

Benefits:

1. Your property is marketed on over 200 travel booking sites; in more countries and 35 languages.
2. Helps you generate bookings through a wide range of channels.

By listing your property on one of these partner websites, you will automatically enjoy the visibility of Expedia.

Tip: As soon as you register your property, as an incentive, you enjoy greater visibility on the site (VRBO and Airbnb) so I advise you to wait for the "Coronavirus Covid-19" issue to be resolved so that when people start traveling again, your AD will have more visibility.

5. List Your Apartment on Homeaway.co.uk

The most used website by British tourists to search for a property for their holidays anywhere in the world. To be favored if you want to attract tourists from this country.

In the pic below, you can see some of the bookings received after listing my property on Homeaway.co.uk. I have received reservations from partner sites like Abritel (France), Ownersdirect (UK) and Fewo-direct (German).

vacation rental listing sites

Homeaway.co.uk, Expedia family group included:

- Homelidays.com
- Abritel.fr
- FeWo-direkt.de
- Bookabach.co.nz (New Zealand)
- Stayz.com.au (Austria)...

You can create an Ad and set your price, dates, rules... 
Put your home in front of a global network of travelers looking for the perfect match: 190 countries.
A dedicated support team is ready around the clock to make sure that everything runs smoothly: 24/7

6. List Your Apartment on VRBO

The most used website by US tourists to search for a property for their holidays anywhere in the world. To be favored, if you want to attract tourists from this country.

7. List Your Apartment on VacationRentals.com


Another vacation rental marketplace is VacationRentals.com.
By listing your property on VacationRentals.com, you will automatically enjoy the visibility in partner websites. This site is used, primarily, by tourists in the United States of America.

What are the most popular apartment rental websites?

Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia group.
Using these 3 sites you can be sure to have worldwide visibility and attract tourists from all over the world, not just tourists from your country.

I'll let you sign up for all these sites. Soon I will make other articles on the topic "Holiday Rentals".

Do you know a person who would benefit from reading this page?
Well ... share it using one of the social buttons you see at the bottom of the page. I would be grateful. Thanks 😊
Updated March 2020
Moira Tips

22/12/2019

BEST MONTH TO VISIT DUBAI

Which is the best month to visit Dubai?

The best months to visit Dubai are: November, December, January, February and March. Better to go to Dubai in the winter months as the summer months are definitely too hot with high humidity levels.
The temperatures are mild in winter: an average of 24' C degrees. Rainfall are rares.


worst time to visit Dubai
Which is the best month to visit Dubai? 

23/11/2019

WHERE TO STAY IN MILAN FOR SHOPPING

Where to stay in Milan for shopping. There are several areas in Milan where you can go shopping. Best area to stay in Milan for tourists.

Where to stay in Milan for shopping

These places listed below, are the best neighborhoods to stay in Milan for shopping.

  • The Bicocca Village 

It is a large shopping center in Milan. It is just a few minutes from the Ponale and Bignami metro stations. There are the Virgin gym, bowling, numerous shops, bars and restaurants. Uci cinema and a "Coop" supermarket.

  • Around Duomo of Milan

There are numerous stores including the famous "Rinascente" (it's not a cheap store but I recommend visiting it).

  • Corso Buenos Aires

An avenue dedicated to shopping. This street is full of stores and outlets cheaper than the other places listed.

  • Milan Citylife

The largest urban district dedicated to shopping in Italy, an ideal place for shopping, a new concept of space for leisure and lifestyle.

  • The "Quadrilatero della Moda" 

It is an area dedicated to luxury shopping located in the historic city center.
The famous Via Monte Napoleone is lined with high-fashion boutiques, the most famous and exclusive brands can be found here along with antique shops and elegant cafes housed in neoclassical palaces.  Here you’ll also find the world famous shopping mall, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

shopping in Milan
CityLife Shopping District by TripAdvisor

Where to stay in Milan for shopping?

Best accommodation

πŸ‘‰ The best hotel for shopping is 10 minutes' walk from Milan Central Station. Corso Buenos Aires, a main shopping area, is just a few streets away.
πŸ‘‰ Hotel near Montenapoleone. This area is also perfect for shopping. You'll find brands like: Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, HermΓ¨s, Ralph Lauren.
πŸ‘‰ Stay in Milan CityLife for shopping convenient for exhibitions and trade fairs, Hotel Fiera is just 300 m from Fiera Milano City. It is just a 5-minute walk from the Amendola Fiera Metro stop and 500 m from City Life Shopping District.
πŸ‘‰ Stay in this residence near Bicocca Village.

Where to stay in Milan for tourists


☑️ In Milan you can move comfortably by metro: download the pdf πŸ‘‰ metro milano pdf
☑️ The next airports in Milan are: Linate and Milan Malpensa even though many land in the neighboring Bergamo in Orio al Serio, a route made by low-cost airlines such as Ryanair.

If you want to know which places you can visit near Milan, I recommend reading this post: Places to visit near Milan.

We will update to the next travel guide. Share the article with your friends and enjoy!πŸ˜‰

Updated March 2020
by Moira Tips from Italy

BEST AREA TO STAY IN MILAN FOR NIGHTLIFE

BEST AREA TO STAY IN MILAN FOR NIGHTLIFE

  • Stay in the Navigli district if you are looking for nightlife in Milan. Here you can find the most popular "cocktail bars", trendy bars and clubs.

Navigli district is a convivial area where locals gather for an aperitif or an informal dinner with friends. It is one of the most popular and crowded meeting places in Milan after 6.00pm.
The prices are affordable: with around € 10 you have a drink and a huge buffet of dishes to choose from. Here in Italy we call it "Apericena".

At the end of the day, on the bank of the Naviglio Grande there is a whole set of tables and chairs ready to host people to meeting for a drink, who enjoy their post-work relaxation in one of the most fascinating glimpses of the whole city. The accommodations here are mostly railing houses within courtyards.

best district to stay in Milan for nightlife
Best area to stay in Milan for nightlife

BEST AREA TO STAY IN MILAN FOR NIGHTLIFE


I stayed a night in an apartment on Naviglio view right above the premises where happy hour is held. The atmosphere is suggestive but the night is quite noisy especially on weekends for this advice to choose an accommodation located in a courtyard that has the most "sheltered" room to avoid hearing people talking all night long .

  • πŸ‘‰ I recommend the Milano Navigli Apartment a stone's throw from the canals, but out of the chaos of nightlife.

If you want to take a trip with your friends in Milan, share the article and enjoy!
You'll like Milan, it's very charming and cosmopolitan.
During the Christmas period, the city is decorated for the occasion and is even more beautiful.


Updated Devember 2019
Moira Tips

BEST AREA TO STAY IN MILAN ON A BUDGET

  • CittΓ  Studi Neighborhood – Is the best district where to Stay in Milan on a Budget. 
  • It is a student quarter and one of the cheaper neighbourhoods in Milan. You'll definitely want to make your base in this lively and energetic area if you are traveling to Milan on a budget.
best district where to Stay in Milan on a Budget
Best area to Stay in Milan on a Budget

BEST AREA TO STAY IN MILAN ON A BUDGET


In Milan there are plenty of accommodations, for all budgets.
Closer you get to the city center (Duomo), the prices will increase.

On average, basic accommodation does NOT cost less than € 100 a night per a double room.
The cheapest accommodations in Milan are the hostels which also offer private rooms and not just a dormitory bed.

traveling to Milan on a budget

If you don't have a preference for a particular neighborhood, and your only intent is to find a cheap accommodation in Milan, I have selected other some convenient solutions for you:

πŸ‘‰ cheap hostel in Milan, 1.2 km from the MUDEC, 800 meters from the IULM University and a 10-minute walk from the Romolo underground station (from where it is possible to reach all areas of Milan).


πŸ‘‰ B&B Viale Monza: 6 subway stops from Milan Cathedral, about 20 minutes walk from Milano Centrale train station and 10 minutes walk from the Corso Buenos Aires shopping street. Just 350 m from the Rovereto and Pasteur Metro Stations.

If you want to take a cheap trip with your friends, share the article and enjoy!
You'll like Milan, it's very charming and cosmopolitan.
During the Christmas period, the city is decorated for the occasion and is even more beautiful.

Milan panoramic view, with a drone


Updated August 2019
by Moira Tips from Italy