Bologna‘s area has been developed since the 9th century BC, so the city is studded with monuments dating from various centuries. The Two Towers, Garisenda and Asinelli, which derive their names from the families who wanted to show their power by making them built, date back around 1110. The latter is 97.2 meters high, and it is the only one that can be visited, since the other one is closed to the public.
The stunning view that can be enjoyed from the top of the Asinelli Tower it is worth doing. Not far from the Two Towers, there can be found the San Petronio’s Basilica, whose first stone was laid in 1390, but its facade is still unfinished. Santo Stefano’s Basilica, also known as Seven Churches, with its place, is Bologna’s second attractive site.
If you still have some time left, you can go to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca (in English St. Luke’s Sanctuary), which is 3.5 kilometers away from the city. It can be easily reached by foot through a roofed arcade. It is located 300 meters above the plain, and this makes possible to see an outstanding skyline of the city. One suggestion: mind the mosquitoes!

A very interesting city: Bologna is a post from: Italy Tours Guide

At the top of the street there is the castle and in front of its imposing keep you can see the so-called Drancia fountain, built in 1763. On the corner of the castle square you can see the Marquises’ lower mansion (14th century) , facing the palace of Liberal Arts. This building have been named after the monochrome frescoes on the façade, dating back to the end of the 15th century and depicting the arts of Trivium and Quadrivium. Nearby there are the old Town Hall and the Civic Tower, which is 48 feet high. It is an exceptional viewpoint over the town.
At the end of the street you find Della Chiesa d’Isasca’s palace, with an elegant façade dating back to the 18th century, and the so-called “della Zecca” palace, embellished by the 15th century terracotta decorations.
Going along via San Giovanni (St. John’s street, you can reach Casa Cavassa, once the deputy marquises’ mansion and nowadays municipal museum.
Then you come to the 18th century palace of the marquises Del Carretto and to the nearby church of San Bernardo (14th – 16th  centuries). Hence you take via San Bernardo and then turn into via Griselda to get to the Town Hall, designed in 1726 as Jesuit boarding school by the architect Francesco Gallo.

Saluzzo, the queen of the Marquis is a post from: Italy Tours Guide

What does a picture mean for this great artist? As he said most of the time, “Photography is, for me, a spontaneous impulse coming from an ever attentive eye which captures the moment and its eternity.”
Always in the right place at the right time, he also photographed some historical important events, such as the political demonstrations in Paris in the 50′s, or Gandhi’s funeral in India.
He wanted to wait for the right moment when to take his pictures, that is why his nickname was “the patient photographer”. He also had a very precise geometry mixed with the light in his works, and  the harmony of these elements is one of the first things people notice in his shots.
Cartier-Bresson has never been satisfied of his photos and he kepts saying that the next one was going to be his best one. At least he reached his goal, and this is something only few photographers have done.
The exhibition, hosted in Palazzo Reale, will be open until June 24. It is organized by Silvana Editoriale under the patronage of the Municipality of Turin and the collaboration between the Foundation Henri Cartier-Bresson and Magnum Photos, the photo agency Bresson founded in 1947.

Henri Cartier-Bresson Photographe
Palazzo Reale, Piazzetta Reale, 1 – Turin
Opening hours:
Tuesday -Sunday  from 9,30 am to 6,30 pm
Tickets: 6 euros

Henry Bresson in Turin: a must seen exhibition is a post from: Italy Tours Guide

First of all, don’t think you are going to be addressed to second hand structures. With our advice you’ll be able to access hotels, residences and restaurants less known and less advertised. They are cheaper only for this reason.

If you would like to have your vacation on the eastern side of Sardinia, the best place for a low budget trip is a little town called Arbatax. Arbatax is the ideal destination for young people (expecially from the northern part of Europe). In this town, hotels, campings and restaurants are usually cheaper (at least 15% less than other places like Golfo degli Aranci).

If you want to save more, we suggest you to search for an accomodation a little more distant from the sea, like Tortoli. There you can save more, and if you have a car, you can reach the sea in just ten minutes.

On the northern side of the island, a wonderful and cheap location you should consider is the old town of Badesi. This village lies on a hill very close to the sea. Prices are really affordable and the food is delicious. Anyway, we strongly suggest you to get there with a car ; the way back to Badesi, when you are coming from the sea, is an uphill road.

Also on the west coast of Sardinia you can find some cheap locations. For example, on the road between Torre Argentina and Bosa Marina, there are some hotels really affordable. This is the wildest side of Sardinia, and probably the best choice for a trip near the nature, away from massive tourism.

Image Flickr Creative Commons license, courtesy by: giuliomarziale

Budget Sardinia is a post from: Italy Tours Guide