Historic cities and online platforms

Historic Cities Online

How is the City of Verona being sold on the Internet and on the Web, and what makes the city attractive to the visitor, and what are the factors that would make him choose this city in favor of any others. How does the visitor to the website remember what he has seen, what are the factors that are being advertised about the cities that make them remain in that person's memory for a long time. How is the 'myth' and magic of the city being packaged and sold on the Internet to those who are interested in visiting this historic city of Verona? On one website, named 'Cheap Hotel bookings.Com' the history of Verona is depicted in great detail.

What it says is this: the history of this ancient city dates back to a long time ago. The last known record of its history begins from the time of the settlements of the Indo-European travelers who found the land in the city to be extremely fertile. This led them to settle down in that particular area where the river was slow, and the fertile lands all around were used for cultivation and agriculture. Rich in natural resources, the city of Verona was found to be an ideal location for the foundation of a new city, and this was how the city was created. The nucleus of Verona is thought to be the hill upon which the San Pietro Castle is still seen to be standing. (Discount Hotels, Verona) scholar wrote in the sixteenth century, that "to know Verona is to love her." This is a very apt description of the beautiful and lovely city of Verona that has been immortalized forever by the famous litterateur Shakespeare in his 'Romeo and Juliet'. In fact, as one gets to know the city, one would grow to love her more and more. When one walks on the streets and under the arches and bridges, one cannot help but feel and even experience the same emotions that Romeo and Juliet were supposed to have experienced during their tragic history. This is a major part of the attraction of Verona to the uninitiated visitor, and everywhere one goes within this city, one would be reminded of this tragedy. Verona is also the city of the most famous 'Arena' or the Opera House that is one of the largest and most famous in the world. This is also the city in which one would find numerous nature parks, and the Adige River that encircles most of these parks, surrounding them on all sides. This makes for a pretty enough picture. However, in addition to all these attractions, the city of Verona also offers astonishing gastronomical delights for the traveler, and these foods are renowned all over the world.

The city of Verona is surrounded on all sides by large walls, about ten km in length. Within these walls that were actually erected by the Scaligeri Family of Verona is the city, which is divided into four different zones. These are the ancient city, where the remains of ancient Rome can still be seen, and the Cittadella zone that stretches towards the South of the city, the San Zeno from where the Cathedral can be viewed, and finally the Veronetta whose origins can be traced back to the Early Middle Ages. The Piazza Bra is the center point of the city, because of the fact that this is where most trains terminate, and also because this is an ideal parking spot for cars. The Piazza Bar is actually located around the Arena, which is one of the largest remaining Roman amphitheatres in existence all over the world. During the summer, the visitor would be able to enjoy performances at this opera house, amidst the age-old and timeless splendor and mystique of the ancient construction. In addition, just outside the Piazza Bra, the visitor would be able to see Juliet's Tomb also the 'Museo Degli Affreschi'.

Another important factor about the Piazza is that this is the home to the historic Palazzo Della Dan Guardia and the Gran Guardia Nuova. Once one crosses over the river Adige to the other side, this is where two very famous Veronese monuments can be found. These are the San Micheli's 'Palazzo Canossa' and the church of S. Lorenzo and also the 'Palazzo Bevilacqua'. The visitor would now have reached the main entrance to the Roman city, the Porta Borsari, and when one walks along the road from here, the Piazza Delle Erbe would be visible. This is also the road where the prestigious Via Mazzini is to be found, and this is where some of the choicest shops in the city of Verona are to be seen. These include shops displaying wares from the sophisticated Gucci to the Furla's leather goods. The Piazza delle Erbe is also known as the economic center of the city, as this is where some of the most prestigious brands of goods are showcased. Some of them are Lacoste, Swatch, and Valextra.

The most charming aspect of the Piazza delle Erbe is the mixture of old-world charm in the historical buildings found here, and the sophistication and style of the ultra modern wares being sold here. Old Churches and artifacts jostle with stylish designer ware, and visitors are often surprised and astonished at this combination. The history of the city of Verona is evident at every turn, where the River Adige forms a backdrop to the day-to-day activities of all the residents of the city of Verona. It is a fact that this city is more than a few thousands of years old, about 300,000 years, to be precise. Stone was the primary toll that was used for the construction of most of the monuments that are still, to this day, in existence. Over the years, Verona became an important city of Italy, because of its central location, and the location is considered to be responsible for the fact that Verona is today one of the most developed urban centers in Italy.

It was not until the 19th century that Verona started to play an important role in the military and the administration of Italy, and after 1866 when Verona was annexed by Italy, she started to develop into one of the major nerve centers of Italy. Among the other places of historic interest that are present in the city of Verona, the Piazza dei Signori, the Palazzo del Comune, the Torre dei Lamberti, the Palazzo del Capitanio, the official palace of the Scaglieri family that ruled over Verona from 1260 to 1387, the perfect example of the Renaissance period of Veronese architecture, the Loggia del Consignio, and so on. In addition, the numerous Museums that hose all the artifacts of the ancient rulers and kingdoms are of great interest to the traveler, who can hope to see genuine pieces from olden times in these Museums that are veritable treasure houses of the history of Verona. (Verona)

In a Website entitled 'Kristen's Verona Page', details about the various hotels in Verona and the type of food that is available in general in Verona are available on the site for the intended traveler. In addition, the telephone numbers and the address of Kristen are given on the site, so that one may feel free to call her or visit her at the numbers given by her. (Kryssten's Verona Page) The Website hosted by 'About' details those details about Verona that the intended visitor would be able to access and absorb. He would be able to make an informed and therefore a definitely better decision rather then if he were to visit a place after just hearing about it or reading about it in books. The visitor to the website is provided information under various classifications.

The categories are: Verona Italy Travel Planner, under which the details of the places that are worth a visit in Verona are detailed. Some of these are, according to the website, Arena di Verona, the 2000-year-old Roman Theatre and one of the oldest still existing amphitheatres in the entire world, in which operas are conducted, even to this day, the two famous bridges of Verona that are the Ponte Scaligero, and the Ponte Pietra, both ancient and time worn bridges that have excellent historic value. Some of the other sights explained in this website are the House of Juliet, said to belong to the very famous character out of Shakespeare's works, Romeo and Juliet, where the tragedy of the drama is supposed to have unfolded. This House is, in fact, one of the most famous monuments in Verona today, and the traveler would definitely try to remember this when he is on the lookout for places to visit when surfing the Internet.

It can be stated that Juliet's House is in fact a USP or a 'unique selling proposition' for the city of Verona, since it is not everywhere that history and romance become combined in one exciting mystic and magic place like Verona. The next category that visitors are prompted to use in this website is the 'picture gallery' that consists of about nine pictures that the visitor to Verona must see before he visits the famous city. Each picture- the pictures being that of famous and historic monuments in Verona, come with an explanation of where the monument is, and also short snippets of information on the monument. For example, under the picture of Juliet's Balcony, some information on the history of Juliet's Balcony, and also its location are given in small sentences.

This enables the visitor to the website to assimilate this important information, and judge for himself, after viewing the pictures, if he wants to visit the city or not. However, the feeling that is generated by the picture gallery is one of excitement that one would soon visit and experience these majestic monuments and be a small part of the history of the place when the intended visit takes place. The ways and means to reach the places are also explained clearly, and all one would have to do is contact the 'City Guide' whose contact details are given in every available space, so that he would advise the visitor on what can be the best next step to be taken in order to visit Verona. The third category utilized by this website in its presentation of Verona is that of History, as well as a presentation of certain famous Italian recipes that, the site claims, is genuinely Italian, and is widely available in Verona. Italian cuisine, as everyone knows, is famous all over the world, and one may want to visit Verona, if for no other reason, then at least to try out all the gastronomical delights that this quaint Italian town has on offer for the hungry traveler.

The fourth category in the website is that of a printable version of a City Guide of Verona, in which all the places of interest in Verona, the events that take place in the city, the times and the dates in which they generally happen, a city map, and so on are all offered to the visitor free of cost; these details can be printed out by the visitor to the site as and when he wants to. This is a very interesting offer, since the traveler then knows exactly what is happening in various parts of the city even before he visits it. The city of Verona is presented as an exciting city full of possibilities for an evening out in style. Some of the additional information provided by the site is that of the various eating-places in Verona, including some of the larger restaurants.

Significant details about the Airport in Verona are also provided, which the traveler can use when he travels to the city. This is how the city of Verona is being presented on the Internet on several different websites. Upon accessing the information provided within the site, one is tempted to visit the place as soon as possible; this is how the city is being packaged and sold to the intended visitor. Verona is most of the time depicted as a historic city, where the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet actually took place, and where one can eat an array of extremely tempting Italian foods to ones' heart's content. (Verona-Italy, Travel and Tourism Info)

The city of Venice-London is a small and tranquil place in the Paddington area of North London. This picturesque and scenic place is located at the beginning of Regent's Canal, which flows into the Regent's Park, thus managing to complete the final link in the Grand Union Canal that is located between Birmingham and the Thames River. The canal is accessible through small boats that are always available for hire, and one can even walk along the Tow Path that goes along the length of the Canal. The place is home to the famous Lord's Cricket Ground, and is located to the South of the Primrose Hill. (The Eton Collection)

The website- 'About' states that Little Venice measures less than a square mile within the famous Maida Vale District of London. This district is actually one of the better class areas in London, being one of the exclusive and expensive residential areas in that part of London. It was in the year 1820 that the Grand Union Canal was opened up to the public and the common man. At that time, the area was home to artists and writers, and most distinctly, prostitutes. After that particular period, however, Little Venice has managed to earn for itself a more respectable name and reputation as a 'genteel' district. The entire area of the Venice-London is comprised of ten tree-lined streets lined on both sides by beautiful white stucco homes that can trace their roots back to the seventeenth century. The quaint and charming houses combined with small shops on both sides of the street called Formosa street and the Clifton Gardens add to the old world and charming atmosphere of this beautiful part of the big city of London.

In addition, the Little Venice is ideally located, being as it is in the middle of Oxford Street, the West End, the Paddington station and even the Heathrow Airport. This ideal location makes Little Venice a most coveted address for the elite and the wealthy of London. This website 'About' also describes in detail the various small charms that are present in taking a trip on a barge down the canals of 'Little Venice' or 'Venice-London' as it is called. In a short history of the place, the system of traveling through London's canals using barges or small boats is described, along with the pictures of these canals. It explains that in London, canals were once so-called 'traffic movers', and it is at the intersection of the Regent's Canal and the Grand Union Canal that the landing stage of Little Venice is located. A beautifully decorated barge can be hired, or the traveler can just walk around the walkways built round and about Regent's Canal.

An added attraction is the presence of quaint little cafes around the Regent Canal, where the weary traveler can put up his feet and relax with comfort. The boats or barges are kept moored along regent's Canal, where they may be easily accessible at any time and whenever needed. The most interesting part of this website is where the owners of these boats and barges have advertised their boats in full Technicolor detail wherein the visitor to the website looking for a clearer picture of the barges and the rates and other details would be able to easily access these details from the website itself, and even contact the owner of the barge while sitting in a small flat in Delhi or in Paris and planning the holiday and collecting the relevant material for the trip. The details given on the website go so far as to advertise the standard Christmas menu that is offered aboard this particular barge, known popularly as 'Jason's Trip'. (Jason's Trip)

Such advance planning helps the traveler to choose and to decide and to select the particular barge that they would want to take, and since this particular barge has been advertised on the Internet, it will definitely be the first choice for many a traveler. The London Canal Museum has this to say on this website about the walks along the towpath which are paths along the walkways around the canals around Little Venice. Every summer, guided walks are offered to the traveler along the canal towpath, starting from the Museum towards the Regent's Canal, through local streets. The destination is, as it is advertised on the website, the Caledonian Road, from where the traveler would be taken to the Western side of the Islington Canal. Afterwards, the traveler is guided to Camden, the entire walk comprising about two km in its totality. The pace is slow and leisurely, so much so that even wheelchair users are encouraged to take part in this experience of a walk along the historic canals in and around Little Venice.

Camden is London's most famous marketplace, and once this destination has been reached, the traveler is generally allowed to browse through the fares displayed in the market. During the walk, however, the history of the Venice-London city is explained to the traveler. For example, after passing through the Islington Tunnel, the walk leads through various canal side buildings, and before these buildings are reached, the historic events of the Second World War and how the entire railway from London to Scotland was protected from being bombed during the World War II is described to the traveler. The fact that canal side buildings used to be coal depots is also explained, as is the general history of Regent's canal that is also explained in small snippets, along with other similarly interesting facts, and it is through such small tidbits of information that the traveler finds the entire episode extremely interesting, and would also recommend this particular trip and this destination to his friends and relatives who are hoping to travel sometime soon. (London's Little Venice, Romantic Barge Trips and Great Walks)

Another advertiser on Little Venice and the beautiful walks that the traveler may take along the sides of the various canals that make up the waterway of this quaint city in the heart of London is the 'Original London Walks', that states that they were one of the first and also one of the best 'walking tour' organizers in the entire group of walk organizers for the tour around the towpaths around Little Venice and also the rest of the historic waterways around the city of London. They state that they are in fact the 'key' to the worlds' most elusive city that is London. Armed with the best guides available, the tours are conducted on a number of different routes, and the traveler would be able to get a good feel and an idea of the atmosphere of the city that he has visited. Some of the guides that they claim will take the visitor on this great guided tour along the walkways of London and of little Venice in London, are, among others, Donald Rumbelow, the so-called authority on the notorious London criminal who is purported to have murdered several young women in cold blood, Jack the Ripper, being the famous crime historian that he is.

The very idea that such a famous figure and the authority on such a notorious character would tempt any body that is planning to take a walk along the walkways of London, and this may be the USP or the 'unique selling proposition' of the company that calls itself the 'Original London Walks', established in 1960. Another famous personality who forms a part of the team of guides that takes the travelers along the walks is the famous BBC broadcaster and writer, Charles Chilton MBE. Charles Chilton is the authority on the Regent's Canal along Little Venice, and the thought of having such an esteemed personality and an authoritative figure like him to guide one is in itself sufficient enough to book oneself on the walk without hesitation. Mr. David, one of the managers of the website on the Original London Walks states that it was easier for his team to utilize a website to advertise their walks because of a variety of reasons, the most important one being that it was because of this type of advertising that this guided tour had an unprecedented wide response from all types of people, who were accessing information about the walks from this website and asking for more details and clarifications whenever they thought was necessary.

Therefore, the conclusion to be reached is that Internet advertising is very popular, especially in relation to travel and tourism, and the response generated from these advertisements on the Internet have become increasing day by day. People who view the sites will have the opportunity to view it again and again on their PC's and this would help them make the best decision possible, as far as their travel plans are concerned. (The Original London Walks) The Tower of London, located in the part of London that overlooks the water gate or, more popularly, the 'Traitor's Gate' is the official Palace and Fortress of Her Majesty, the Queen of England, though it is not being used for the purpose any more. Made up of twenty-one towers in all, the Tower of London is indeed a place of historic interest for the traveler who visits London.

Some of the towers are: Beauchamp Tower, Bell Tower, Bloody Tower, Constable Tower, Cradle Tower, Flint Tower, Martin Tower, Middle Tower, Salt Tower, Wardrobe Tower, and White Tower. Some of the more important of these are the White Tower that was built in 1078, by William the Conqueror, which is actually in the middle of a complex of other buildings that are located on the banks of the River Thames. A square building with turrets on all four sides, it is extremely historically significant, because of the reason that the group of buildings that make up the White Tower used to serve a sinister purpose earlier, that of a prison, particularly for certain upper class prisoners. It is a well-known fact that Elizabeth was once a prisoner in this Tower during her sister Mary's reign on England. It has also been used over the centuries for a multitude of purposes, some of them being that of a fortress, an armory, a treasury, a place of execution, and an also at times, an observatory. The last known use of the White Tower was that of prison during the time of the Second World War, for Rudolph Hess. (The Tower of London)

On the Internet, the Tower of London is most often presented as the very best tourist destination for the traveler. Some websites offer 'Virtual Tours', wherein after a short history of the Tower, a tour is presented to the visitor of the website, wherein hey can access the time in London, the weather conditions there now, and other small details that would make this place come alive, or rather become virtually real. In addition, a 'Midi' by Barry Taylor, on 'Rule Britannia' has been added to the site whereby one can listen to it when browsing through the information offered. The current news is provided on the website in the form of the 'Tower of London Gazette' which the visitor can read if he so desires. A section entitled 'Grandma's Recipes' is also available, and one can find excellent English recipes on the pages of this site.

Some of the delicious recipes offered by 'Grandma' are the traditional English puddings and breads and meat dishes and stews and biscuits and numerous other mouth-watering foods. The items that are generally available for sale in the Tower of London are also complied in a long list, and the visitor is directed to the online shop, 'E-Bay', where one can choose from a variety of items. Certain other items of historic interest are also described for the visitor to the website, and one's interest becomes very definitely piqued as a result. The Tower of London would definitely remain in one's memory, surrounded as it is by a number of myths and historic incidents, which one would like to experience when traveling to that city. (The Tower of London, Virtual Tour)

Therefore, it can be said that the city of London-Venice and the Tower of London are being effectively packaged and sold on the Internet, and the traveler of today would most surely, after visiting the websites and acquiring whatever knowledge that he feels he would need about the city, would even be able to book for certain tours and walks that would happen in the city that he is planning to visit, even before he reaches there himself. That is the magic of the Internet and the art of selling a city on the Internet.

Pisa is situated on the banks of the River Arno, in North West Tuscany, Italy. It is about 80 km from the famous city of Florence, and about 10 km from the Sea. The city of Pisa is known more for the Leaning Tower of Pisa that has been built within this city, than for anything else, and is one of the most popular destinations for the tourist from all over the world, who would have an innate desire to visit such a famous historical monument and see it for himself. (Tourism, an Overview)

The 'Leaning Tower of Pisa' is one of the more famous monuments that exist in the world. Historically significant and extremely important, it is the 'campanile' or the free standing Bell-Tower that is generally built adjacent to a Church or a Cathedral. The city of Pisa in Italy houses this famous Bell Tower, and is actually located in the 'Campo dei Miracoli'. When the tower was constructed in the year 1173, it was built with the intention of making a tall and erect tower that would stand proudly in the middle of the city of Pisa. However, it was discovered that soon after construction began, the tower started to lean. It thereafter became known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and is one of the most famous landmarks of Italy. The height of the tower is about 55 meters, and it weighs about 14,453 tonnes. The inclination of the tower is about 10%, and has been gradually increasing over the years.

Though the construction of the Tower of Pisa was started in the year 1173, the process went on for the next few centuries. It was during the year 1178 that the third floor began to be built, and this was also the time when the Tower began to acquire a lean, and due to this reason, construction was abandoned for more than one century. In 1272, however, four floors were added at an angle to compensate for the lean, and construction was again stopped until the year 1372 when the top floor was constructed, and the Campanile or the Bell was installed. The Tower of Pisa was ready. In later years, Benito Mussolini ordered that the Tower had to be corrected because of the fact that it was leaning too much. Therefore, cement was poured into its foundations, with a devastating effect. What happened was that the Tower began to sink into the ground, and there was widespread fear that the Tower would collapse. This did not happen, but later, American soldiers carried out a large-scale destruction during the Second World War on the Towers of Pisa, because of the fear of snipers hiding in the Towers. The Leaning Tower was aloes scheduled to be blown up and destroyed, but due to a twist of luck or fate, it was saved, and still stands proudly in the Italian city of Pisa. (The Leaning Tower of Pisa)

When the Leaning Tower of Pisa began to be considered an excellent tourist destination, it was decided that a documentary archive would be organized and set up by a Board of members named 'Consorzio Progetto Torre di Pisa'. This documentary would consist of all the material related to the archaeological, bibliographical, archival, photographic, and historical and also iconographic information related to the Tower of Pisa. All this material after compilation was put onto a website meant for the purpose, where a visitor to the site would be able to find whatever information he desired about this memorable Tower in the city of Pisa. (La Torre di Pisa)

Yet another website offers information on the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and this is the 'The unofficial English language Leaning Tower of Pisa Website'. This website is divided into several easy to read sections, namely, information on the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the ways and means in which to book reservations for any events that are taking place in that part of the world online. This may be either an opera, or a theatre event, or a Music Festival, and so on. One can sit at home and book the tickets online, and also avail of other information such as how to book reservation at a Hotel in Pisa, how to get there, the places to visit while in Pisa, etc. In today's world where all such relevant information is available to an intended traveler at the touch of a button, it is only practical that the various states and cities of tourist interest take up the construction of websites wherein information is provided to the traveler whereby he would make an informed choice about where he would want to travel. After he has made his decision, such information as how to get to the place, what he will see there, what type of food would be available to him, and what are the events that would be taking place in the city of his choice at the time when he has planned to visit will all be very useful to the traveler, and maybe he would choose a particular city just because it has been advertised so extremely well on the particular website that he has referred to.

When additional facilities like online booking for tickets for particular events of interest to the traveler in the city of his choice are offered, then it would only mean better business for the tourist department of that particular city, which, in this case, is the Italian city of Pisa. This website, 'The unofficial English language Leaning Tower of Pisa Website', even provides a map for the traveler to use when he visits the city, in addition to providing certain interesting snippets of information such as the 'Facts for the Visitor' wherein a short history of Pisa, its location, and other relevant information is given. Locations other than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa are also described, and some of them are: the Regional Nature Park of Migliarino-San Rossore- Massaciuccoli, which extends for about 23,000 hectares from the coast of Viareggio to Livorno. Within the limits of this famous Park can be seen wild Mediterranean shrubs, certain wild animals like deer, boars, and quite a few varieties of migratory birds.

Another attraction for the tourist is the Piazza dei Miracoli, wherein one can view the cultural masterpieces of civil and military architecture that has been preserved within the walls of the Museum, and also learn about the history of these pieces. In the Certosa of Pisa, in Calci, which is about 10 km away from Pisa, and also in the Basilica of San Piero at Grado, about 5 km away from Pisa, the visitor would be able to view and experience the pleasures of Romanesque Art. If this were not enough, the visitor can visit the oldest known botanical Garden in all of Europe, in Pisa. One would also be able to visit the two Universities of Education that had been instituted by the famous historical figure of Italy, Napoleon Bonaparte, in the year 1813. These are the 'Scuola Superiore di Studi Universitari Sant'Anna', and the 'Scuola Normale Superiore'. Pisa being a center of Art and History and Traditions, there is generally a host of events happening in the city at any time of the year.

One of the more popular and famous of these events is the Luminara that is usually held in June every year, and it would be worthwhile for the visitor if he could plan his schedule to coincide with this lovely festival. The festival entails the 'Illuminations of the Saint Ranieri' in which the citizens of Pisa celebrate their Patron saint, St. Ranieri. This is in effect a Festival of lights that is held on the streets that line the River Arno or 'Lugarni' as the locals know it. The citizens gather and light about seventy thousand wax candles and set them carefully in smooth white glasses and fix these glasses on to white colored wooden frames. This arrangement of candles is then kept in such a way along the streets that all the lovely and splendorous palaces and towers and churches and the bridges that constitute the city of Pisa, Italy, are illuminated with the seventy thousand candles, and are also reflected in stunning glory in the River Arno.

This is indeed a sight to behold, and if one is planning to visit the city, then one must do so on the 16th of June. The Leaning Tower of Pisa is also illuminated on the same day, not with candles but with the age old and the traditional oil lamps. Oil lamps are also kept lit on all the crenulations pf the walls of the city, and the visitor or the tourist who has never been to this part of the world before, the sight that he witnesses with all the lights and the candles reflected on the river will remain in his memory for many years to come. This then may be one of the USP's or the Unique Selling Propositions that the city of Pisa would be able to use, in addition to the historical importance and significance of the Leaning tower of Pisa, to promote and sell the city to the tourist.