tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34427513774876556962024-03-05T09:56:43.497-05:00ITALIAN JOURNEYSItalian Journeys specializes in custom, personalized trips to Italy. Every restaurant and accommodation has personally been visited and reviewed by me or a trusted associate. We strive to make your trip an unforgettable adventure in food, wine, culture, the arts, or wherever your interests lie.
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Let the journey begin!!!Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-11972518057779250802022-10-03T17:36:00.001-04:002022-10-03T17:36:45.204-04:00A "Bucket List" Trip to Italy For My Friend<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am re-introducing this blog because now that travel is back to normal, I wanted to share what a successful adventure can look like. This trip occurred in 2018, prior to the pandemic. </div>
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This is a brief account of a one month adventure in Italy by a good friend and her friends, and I had the pleasure of escorting the small group. It was a bucket list trip for my friend, so I really wanted it to be extra special. She wanted to share her adventure with some friends and relatives, whom she invited. Of course, I can't include every activity we enjoyed but I will highlight, often in the words of my friends, their favorite experiences.</div>
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The trip started at an apartment in a small non touristy village in the Lake Como area which was the base for the month. This provided my friend lots of room, quiet, privacy, a kitchen, balconies, and other amenities.</div>
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Some of the areas we visited during the month included the following:</div>
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Lake Como, and a number of surrounding communities; the spectacular Dolomites, a <i>must-see</i>; beautiful Lake Garda; the Barolo wine country area in Alba, Piemonte; the Italian Riviera, including Cinque Terre, Rapallo, and Portofino; the Cities of Bologna, a food lover's paradise Venice, Verona, and Milan. We did a lot but at a leisurely pace, never rushing, and making sure we took it all in. Each of these areas had its own unique flavor, and all were beautiful in their own ways: topography, cuisine, wines, traditions, and history, but they were all <i>Italian!!</i></div>
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Transportation was primarily by mini van driven by me throughout northern Italy. Boats were used for transport on Lake Como to visit lake villages; and trains were used to visit Milan and between Rapallo and Cinque Terre towns. Accommodations outside of our Lake Como base included hotels and a bed and breakfast on a vineyard property in Piemonte.</div>
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We ate only in local non-tourist restaurants that I knew personally, and some others recommended by those whose judgement I trust. We looked for small villages and "off the beaten path" sights. My experience has taught me to always ask local residents where they and their families eat. As everyone knows, good food and wine for a good value, are very important to Italians. I made a point to acquaint my friends with the local area around the apartment, and the operators of restaurants and shops in our base village of Montano Lucino. Staying in an area for a month allowed us to live somewhat like the locals, and be recognized when we patronized shops and restaurants.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are some observations expressed by my friends: "best pizza and pasta I have ever eaten"; "nicest people I ever met"; "most interesting and beautiful landscapes and vistas ever!"; "the only way to visit, with someone who knows the language, the geography, the restaurants, sites, etc., and who handles the driving."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We agreed to having lots of free time and so we did not over plan activities. This allowed us to make some travel choices after we arrived, particularly for day trips. There was no need for guides because generally I served that purpose for us except for specialized certain sites for which we hired local experts.</div>
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Since a picture is worth a thousand words, I am including a number of photos taken on the trip.</div>
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In closing I am including a quote from a note my friend sent me after we returned home: " You <i>so</i> love Italy, and now I do too." Italy is infectious!!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Grazie Mille Maureen Higgins, my friend.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpCRzPSkYtNUQhBHNUHej7CBRJoR6tJOqNN-Ll_4QSspwvliYrGYMmVVUIpJYt9zBwmK5B-GVxaS5MwrAGJ3XSAGWn3BZuROlqz8BMRhtNE7VldEawZncsHqFwCj0Bt7ne8Ov0JJI5tA/s1600/DSC_3970.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpCRzPSkYtNUQhBHNUHej7CBRJoR6tJOqNN-Ll_4QSspwvliYrGYMmVVUIpJYt9zBwmK5B-GVxaS5MwrAGJ3XSAGWn3BZuROlqz8BMRhtNE7VldEawZncsHqFwCj0Bt7ne8Ov0JJI5tA/s320/DSC_3970.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqXzZedCtOShokrQXz0rGtXN-uzjXeakc2oe2Ld0kaXQL9H2C3ZHXsvp8cbfP8vDLPAMdD_G3L_IpC-EicR8NvqlYUfJXxgQd5iCN6BXUlEjQLgd43KcBaA37Db45zwsbM5NpdyEOBqI/s1600/DSC_4005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqXzZedCtOShokrQXz0rGtXN-uzjXeakc2oe2Ld0kaXQL9H2C3ZHXsvp8cbfP8vDLPAMdD_G3L_IpC-EicR8NvqlYUfJXxgQd5iCN6BXUlEjQLgd43KcBaA37Db45zwsbM5NpdyEOBqI/s320/DSC_4005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dolomites</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zPh_rtpaC9UjTp7YUaN2nCRPhzCHXeRiUDEH4LBK_Kx2u2T-fI2KsApNdfgmumbYO_JoHonOFMxPc5-RKeZ-J8iw1OOfonwHisz9jrkC0gfdmqLfWJyyMxs5CY-T7FTfgZCilE5e39w/s1600/DSC_4015.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zPh_rtpaC9UjTp7YUaN2nCRPhzCHXeRiUDEH4LBK_Kx2u2T-fI2KsApNdfgmumbYO_JoHonOFMxPc5-RKeZ-J8iw1OOfonwHisz9jrkC0gfdmqLfWJyyMxs5CY-T7FTfgZCilE5e39w/s320/DSC_4015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dolomites</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2SnjuQr3udW6xqlQw9174CV2Y85EBRybo6dLG9gOF-Ugo9A2KfHXW7iSlJ_LbCUJuvDyGVGZFwt2uU3F1oLrfH2q8NjXWp9QAKDErOWqvaVfB0e0Nkvwppt2PSDNqCeDSrhKCBlPy6M/s1600/DSC_4035.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2SnjuQr3udW6xqlQw9174CV2Y85EBRybo6dLG9gOF-Ugo9A2KfHXW7iSlJ_LbCUJuvDyGVGZFwt2uU3F1oLrfH2q8NjXWp9QAKDErOWqvaVfB0e0Nkvwppt2PSDNqCeDSrhKCBlPy6M/s320/DSC_4035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clients at the Dolomites</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pvh53MNWs-hlgorgLMcr-A0SY-i8TIaL_C8G9LbWeUgXcJiNSwm6i8T6BCtNU9wcU1Wh_y5t33pS0a9sVi_Jj09KsKuj5qa4Xx5TN-pxDXzkFfkBpmxjD4DLwrnaeSJN1ofpZaxehWk/s1600/IMG_20181027_110903.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pvh53MNWs-hlgorgLMcr-A0SY-i8TIaL_C8G9LbWeUgXcJiNSwm6i8T6BCtNU9wcU1Wh_y5t33pS0a9sVi_Jj09KsKuj5qa4Xx5TN-pxDXzkFfkBpmxjD4DLwrnaeSJN1ofpZaxehWk/s320/IMG_20181027_110903.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My barber, Giancarlo, in Montano Lucino, Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMvuZ8MUHxJy8k0k6Q0JLKWsRrtw-Kgvm6RML0VSz3SO4WMQ2mNigJCRgyMNA7h0EO20dhjFmVF1MTaE1OVk4Ux8ttZucdQW7nNo6Ez4WG8yx5BLAFPKhiFvAqhj2zSsj8yN9ixqruE8/s1600/IMG_5019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMvuZ8MUHxJy8k0k6Q0JLKWsRrtw-Kgvm6RML0VSz3SO4WMQ2mNigJCRgyMNA7h0EO20dhjFmVF1MTaE1OVk4Ux8ttZucdQW7nNo6Ez4WG8yx5BLAFPKhiFvAqhj2zSsj8yN9ixqruE8/s320/IMG_5019.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vilage of Varenna on Lake Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAHKmfsjEEKcFzq9tvxkNQOY4tDC58dEqkTLSmgj-XOG9qLIgJkbarPEQoqcMehuM09d6BtJ5XvBwBuZ1ldbDv2SjeT_YGjymr2Z-urdYtFfaAGkwZHvsOax5WhiFx5UhHKZsARYH6Bo/s1600/IMG_20181010_175616.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiAHKmfsjEEKcFzq9tvxkNQOY4tDC58dEqkTLSmgj-XOG9qLIgJkbarPEQoqcMehuM09d6BtJ5XvBwBuZ1ldbDv2SjeT_YGjymr2Z-urdYtFfaAGkwZHvsOax5WhiFx5UhHKZsARYH6Bo/s320/IMG_20181010_175616.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paolo Manzone, our host and winemaker in Piemonte</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm9Ua9kkoruev95cSy2K6fWh1ULVBov2_26V_wP4GE2gTWouMr7myu_-lviue6rlx-zXMmEX_Z6bN8qbiQYe44YQ9NAkK2sEBrOEZGIgthK2n0sc8R7mqRwzRoWs3LzxA1xDYJlAbp5E/s1600/IMG_20181025_142628.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm9Ua9kkoruev95cSy2K6fWh1ULVBov2_26V_wP4GE2gTWouMr7myu_-lviue6rlx-zXMmEX_Z6bN8qbiQYe44YQ9NAkK2sEBrOEZGIgthK2n0sc8R7mqRwzRoWs3LzxA1xDYJlAbp5E/s320/IMG_20181025_142628.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clients on Gondola ride in Venice</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFN1xCTG6WPzcW-iEW6Cd97Gy8It-gbXtCxPD8z47rJhg7UdlfJpuXYzLSl5BgyyBzM7TNHiHysmkuBnNjmxE2UJtWIyBUOJ0guvqRlzfRQJRSfg4ceIdWRnGxUUAkYbNvvAlb60rjQM/s1600/IMG_5528.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFN1xCTG6WPzcW-iEW6Cd97Gy8It-gbXtCxPD8z47rJhg7UdlfJpuXYzLSl5BgyyBzM7TNHiHysmkuBnNjmxE2UJtWIyBUOJ0guvqRlzfRQJRSfg4ceIdWRnGxUUAkYbNvvAlb60rjQM/s320/IMG_5528.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dining, what else, in Como!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sK3utCXr4h6Pj2kPR7i7bGHPFIuJ8jL4nmRUOBpflc4fHl77BG-9kC8ppK2aYiOvTutOcB4lI2YuCcgGx5TWstQEPK4Ix47CqdYHDh9n0rMg0Z6hYzjRNpMLYjbvRmenbpRlj02OHzc/s1600/IMG_5600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sK3utCXr4h6Pj2kPR7i7bGHPFIuJ8jL4nmRUOBpflc4fHl77BG-9kC8ppK2aYiOvTutOcB4lI2YuCcgGx5TWstQEPK4Ix47CqdYHDh9n0rMg0Z6hYzjRNpMLYjbvRmenbpRlj02OHzc/s320/IMG_5600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">wine tasting at our B&B in Piemonte</td></tr>
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enice<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahh_gaI8NTr2-HCzETeRCjHQzvPkKY4DF_LvK9wuleBGbjOPovF9FY9ePLE3rk2RGZSsXMxzTI-W0SctTbteF2tkTSIxNU_444WhfQy9NpSgkh9y9-B5VuI_sgNb1XibptXRbIeIKSlE/s1600/DSC_4096.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahh_gaI8NTr2-HCzETeRCjHQzvPkKY4DF_LvK9wuleBGbjOPovF9FY9ePLE3rk2RGZSsXMxzTI-W0SctTbteF2tkTSIxNU_444WhfQy9NpSgkh9y9-B5VuI_sgNb1XibptXRbIeIKSlE/s320/DSC_4096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our B&B, Vineyard and winery in Piemonte</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6fooHpMgR_4Chh_Hf2Y9-DPBd_ymkzzqzCmJAlDy2pBLt2KztpxysO-a5ALO5w6NG8dYyKGEI_3v82NUOF84jp-YV388FXmmsG93F1uWVuG6GeMMOHXaxK84kj25DEHKDxMnjvXe4lY/s1600/IMG_20181026_135339.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6fooHpMgR_4Chh_Hf2Y9-DPBd_ymkzzqzCmJAlDy2pBLt2KztpxysO-a5ALO5w6NG8dYyKGEI_3v82NUOF84jp-YV388FXmmsG93F1uWVuG6GeMMOHXaxK84kj25DEHKDxMnjvXe4lY/s320/IMG_20181026_135339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Roman style arena in Verona<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJftgGTrzAHkDJmMfSpDm2ZLGIU5aej5QZ3d49g3dso9mfdRxZsj_6NIMhkbPbhokzv8Qui8Wc6oja23E49ZmgAQZZ_lUn9DeeW6dfrReFrt5NPBDk2c_SK3_E5IwqI_BBULc_0XQC2Q/s1600/IMG_20181026_143139.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJftgGTrzAHkDJmMfSpDm2ZLGIU5aej5QZ3d49g3dso9mfdRxZsj_6NIMhkbPbhokzv8Qui8Wc6oja23E49ZmgAQZZ_lUn9DeeW6dfrReFrt5NPBDk2c_SK3_E5IwqI_BBULc_0XQC2Q/s320/IMG_20181026_143139.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Balcony of Romeo and Juliett in Verona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qBYeZCgNKUHo-X8Y4xiFliahlHjtf4lujWq5uJ2fUeQ7n4VRVFTnUc18Jw3XZR8vcoX6HjcHH13OVtcQRESkT6Blz_K6bLiwCRny5zcKlkAO1Xs6Tf315DQWscq2KqWl-XzrfFhyphenhyphenENU/s1600/IMG_20181026_140028.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8qBYeZCgNKUHo-X8Y4xiFliahlHjtf4lujWq5uJ2fUeQ7n4VRVFTnUc18Jw3XZR8vcoX6HjcHH13OVtcQRESkT6Blz_K6bLiwCRny5zcKlkAO1Xs6Tf315DQWscq2KqWl-XzrfFhyphenhyphenENU/s320/IMG_20181026_140028.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clients outside of historical arena in Verona</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9i6ujcT2wderBnjkB-Zh9SQCM6Zh0oddwfgL3SKUoHyCxeZM-Hw3IlFXD6bmC1d4RLoS044l6cbJI6Q1s1cvv-30AZDK1VfKqkniT5IaHKKSYgXOg5hbULHrw5cZ-ZRCFp44T1ppEBc/s1600/IMG_20181026_100356.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ9i6ujcT2wderBnjkB-Zh9SQCM6Zh0oddwfgL3SKUoHyCxeZM-Hw3IlFXD6bmC1d4RLoS044l6cbJI6Q1s1cvv-30AZDK1VfKqkniT5IaHKKSYgXOg5hbULHrw5cZ-ZRCFp44T1ppEBc/s320/IMG_20181026_100356.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canal in Venice from our hotel<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapallo on the Italian Riviera, our view from hotel<br />
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-14152196171814243782022-03-23T11:00:00.003-04:002022-03-23T11:00:00.188-04:00<h1 style="text-align: center;">Puglia</h1><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(A sampling of its culture)</b></div><div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The vibrant culture and rich history that Puglia provides when you visit is unique. Based on the heel of the Italian ‘boot’, it is an area that is often overlooked for more popular tourist regions. However, it should not be missed! Whether you’re planning a family holiday in<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/puglia" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s;" target="_blank"> P</a>uglia </span>or a getaway for two, there is something for everyone here. From the incredible wine and delicacies to the spectacular landscape, where green fields contrast with the blue sea, Puglia has some of the most incredible views that Italy can provide! <span face="sans-serif">The climate is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry and sunny summers and mild and rainy winters. P</span><span face="sans-serif">uglia is among the hottest and driest regions of Italy in summer with temperatures sometimes reaching up to and above 104 °F in Lecce and Foggia.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">I</span>f you’re planning on visiting Puglia, here are a few facts about the region and its culture. From the correct pronunciation to insight into some of their most famous architecture, here are some facts that you may not know.</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Puglia is pronounced "Pulya"</span></b></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Agriculture</b></span></span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span face="sans-serif" style="color: #202122;">plays a prominent economic role in Puglia. It is a mainly intensive and modern agriculture that allows the region to be among the largest in Italy, of many products including</span></p><ul style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; list-style-image: url("/w/skins/Vector/resources/common/images/bullet-icon.svg?d4515"); margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 1.6em; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durum" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Durum"><span style="color: black;">durum</span></a> wheat which is used to produce pasta</span></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomatoes" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Tomatoes"><span style="color: black;">tomatoes</span></a></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grape" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Grape"><span style="color: black;">grape</span></a></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almonds" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Almonds"><span style="color: black;">almonds</span></a></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Olive oil"><span style="color: black;">olive oil</span></a></li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">vegetables</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">fruits</li></ul><p style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><br /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wines</span></h3><div class="thumb tright" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #202122; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto;"><div class="thumbinner" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); font-size: 13.16px; min-width: 100px; overflow: hidden; padding: 3px; text-align: center; width: 222px;"><a class="image" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" data-file-height="2848" data-file-width="4272" decoding="async" height="147" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG/220px-Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG/330px-Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG/440px-Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG 2x" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); vertical-align: middle;" width="220" /></a><div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12.3704px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a class="internal" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vigneto_a_tendone_in_agro_di_Barletta.JPG" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: url("/w/resources/src/mediawiki.skinning/images/magnify-clip-ltr.svg?8330e"); color: #0645ad; display: block; height: 11px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 15px; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 15px;" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Awning vineyard in the countryside of Barletta</div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px;">Vineyards cover a large area of Apulia, which is first among Italian grape-growing regions. There are 4 government recognized wines produced here:</p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-family: sans-serif; list-style-image: url("/w/skins/Vector/resources/common/images/bullet-icon.svg?d4515"); margin: 0.3em 0px 0px 1.6em; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">Castel del Monte Bombino Nero</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">Castel del Monte Nero di Troia Riserva</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva</li><li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;">Primitivo di Manduria Dolce Naturale</li></ul><h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 1.2em; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0.3em 0px 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0.5em;">Olive Oil</h3><div class="thumb tright" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #202122; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto;"><div class="thumbinner" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); font-size: 13.16px; min-width: 100px; overflow: hidden; padding: 3px; text-align: center; width: 222px;"><a class="image" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Terre_Tarentine.jpg" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" data-file-height="2588" data-file-width="3450" decoding="async" height="165" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Terre_Tarentine.jpg/220px-Terre_Tarentine.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Terre_Tarentine.jpg/330px-Terre_Tarentine.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Terre_Tarentine.jpg/440px-Terre_Tarentine.jpg 2x" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); vertical-align: middle;" width="220" /></a><div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12.3704px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a class="internal" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Terre_Tarentine.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: url("/w/resources/src/mediawiki.skinning/images/magnify-clip-ltr.svg?8330e"); color: #0645ad; display: block; height: 11px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 15px; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 15px;" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Olive extravergine oil Terre Tarentine</div></div></div><div class="thumb tright" style="background-color: white; clear: right; color: #202122; float: right; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0.5em 0px 1.3em 1.4em; width: auto;"><div class="thumbinner" style="background-color: #f8f9fa; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); font-size: 13.16px; min-width: 100px; overflow: hidden; padding: 3px; text-align: center; width: 222px;"><a class="image" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ulivi_modugno2.jpg" style="background: none; color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" class="thumbimage" data-file-height="1024" data-file-width="1280" decoding="async" height="176" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Ulivi_modugno2.jpg/220px-Ulivi_modugno2.jpg" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Ulivi_modugno2.jpg/330px-Ulivi_modugno2.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Ulivi_modugno2.jpg/440px-Ulivi_modugno2.jpg 2x" style="background-color: white; border: 1px solid rgb(200, 204, 209); vertical-align: middle;" width="220" /></a><div class="thumbcaption" style="border: 0px; font-size: 12.3704px; line-height: 1.4em; padding: 3px; text-align: left;"><div class="magnify" style="float: right; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 0px;"><a class="internal" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ulivi_modugno2.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: url("/w/resources/src/mediawiki.skinning/images/magnify-clip-ltr.svg?8330e"); color: #0645ad; display: block; height: 11px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration-line: none; text-indent: 15px; user-select: none; white-space: nowrap; width: 15px;" title="Enlarge"></a></div>Olive trees near Modugno</div></div></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; margin: 0.5em 0px;"><span style="color: #202122;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">T</span>here are an estimated 50 to 60 million olive trees in Puglia, and the region accounts for 40% of Italy's olive oil production. There are four specific </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_Designation_of_Origin" style="background: none; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Protected Designation of Origin"><b><span style="color: black;">Protected Designation of Origin</span></b></a> (government designation) <span style="color: #202122;">covering the whole region<span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span></span><span style="color: #202122; font-size: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29" style="color: #202122; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 1; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: nowrap;"></sup></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span face="freight-display-pro, "Times New Roman", Times, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span face="freight-display-pro, "Times New Roman", Times, serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Engineering</b></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span face="freight-display-pro, "Times New Roman", Times, serif">T</span><span style="font-family: arial;">he Romans Completed Via Appia in Puglia in 190 BC.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The Greeks were eventually defeated by the Roman civilization that would go on to define Italian culture as a whole, and one of its greatest achievements, Via Appia, or, "Appia Way."</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">One of the Roman’s most notable and durable engineering creations, was the invention of road networks, and Via Appia was one of the first and most famous road systems they ever created. The Appia Way project, which was started in Rome in 312 BC, connects Rome to the town of Brindisi, located on the south-east coast of Italy in the region now known as Puglia. In this period of Roman history, Brindisi was one of the Empire’s most important cities, a strategic port that was used to reach other powers such as Greece, Egypt and the Eastern Mediterranean. This engineering masterpiece can still be walked, forming a wide pathway through the history of the country and marked by a Roman column deep in the heart of Puglia. Think about this: <i>Can we find any roads in the USA, even close to the age of the Appia Way, that are still in use?</i></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-display-pro, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 1.25rem;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Coastline</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">Wherever your location in Puglia, a nice beach is always nearby. With amazing crystal clear waters and a perfect warm dry climate on Puglia’s Adriatic and Ionian Coasts, the beaches are definitely worth the trip! There are lots of beaches from which to choose<span style="color: #373737;">.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMDnWzT35QaLMbGZGYm7EgJT9w2CytNC6EXBRR8Fz6ss44g9nZYgjE_eZrRdImpms7NznoEFZav1XxMrAiEtmj7qiqjBPOqAy-WmDZi5VuxUViVkUwYtcHmbab1ZKQI9QGDmlt3hbX_ajnJfUN0tiIg8YpRjTrBWdYFbQmfCL_Cky2tB8mEkdJ032f" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMDnWzT35QaLMbGZGYm7EgJT9w2CytNC6EXBRR8Fz6ss44g9nZYgjE_eZrRdImpms7NznoEFZav1XxMrAiEtmj7qiqjBPOqAy-WmDZi5VuxUViVkUwYtcHmbab1ZKQI9QGDmlt3hbX_ajnJfUN0tiIg8YpRjTrBWdYFbQmfCL_Cky2tB8mEkdJ032f" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font-family: freight-display-pro, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 1.25rem;"><span style="font-size: medium;">T</span><span style="font-size: medium;">he Trulli are ancient huts unique to the region.</span></h2><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;">The rich farming heritage of Puglia is prevalent in the landscape, with the iconic white Trulli dotted all around. These are stone dwellings which date back to the Middle Ages, and were once used as homes for peasant farmers, among others. <span class="s1" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Alberobello,</span> a UNESCO site, is one of the best places to experience these, with streets lined by these unique dwellings! Many of the huts are available for rent as tourist accommodations</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373737; font-family: freight-sans-pro, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><img alt="A street with trulli in Alberobello, Puglia" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5379" height="640" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" src="https://wp.essentialitaly.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/PugliaTrulliPixa.jpg" srcset="https://wp.essentialitaly.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/PugliaTrulliPixa.jpg 960w, https://wp.essentialitaly.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/PugliaTrulliPixa-300x200.jpg 300w, https://wp.essentialitaly.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/PugliaTrulliPixa-768x512.jpg 768w" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin-bottom: 1.25rem; margin-top: 1.25rem; max-width: 100%; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle; width: auto;" width="960" /></p></div>Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-44801680559758404772022-03-05T13:32:00.000-05:002022-03-05T13:32:11.077-05:00Italian Culture, Sicily<span id="docs-internal-guid-a73e42b9-7fff-7aeb-df71-838a6ac4878f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blogger and others: Future articles here will venture into a focus on Italian culture from many perspectives and will include many topics that provide examples of our culture, including food, drink, art, architecture, history, regionalism, etc.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have chosen Sicilia for the first article, as an example of regionalism and diversity. Italy is a unique country in many ways, but especially because it is a nation of diverse regions and traditions. Every Italian region is a mini country with its own history. In fact Italy did not become a unified republic until 1861, after California achieved statehood in 1850. Sicily is the epitome of a melting pot of influences due to its history of invaders, wanting to control such a strategic location, Obviously, the various </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">ethnic groups</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which occupied Sicily left their imprints in the architecture, cuisine including dolce. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think if you haven't yet visited Sicily, you will want to go. There are many reasons to like this island. The cuisine is remarkable with influences over centuries from Spain, France, Greece and North Africa. The blending of the various herbs, spices, styles, etc. provide for the most distinctive cuisine in all of Italy. Of course there are many other reasons to visit this island. There are beautiful and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">historical</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> vistas along the miles and miles of coastline. The climate is the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">mildest in Italy</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> mainly due to its location near North Africa. The wines have come into their own and there are beautiful wineries to visit. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many Greek ruins in Sicily, some of which are in better condition than those in Greece. There is, of course, the most famous of volcanoes, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mt. Etna</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, just north of</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Catania</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> near </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taormina</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, one of the most visited areas of Sicily. Taormina sits high above the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ionian Sea</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with breathtaking views of the coastline.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are fascinating cities to visit, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Palermo, Catania, Messina, Siracusa, Agrigento</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to name a few. There are very historical and well-preserved towns such as </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Modica, Noto, Taormina, Cefalu</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Enna</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and many more. The people of Sicily are warm and friendly. They love that you love their island! Many of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in Italy are in Sicily.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In summary, Sicily is just one of the unique regions in Italy. I believe that the best way to understand and enjoy Italy’s diverse culture, is to embed yourself in it, and live like an Italian.</span></p><br /><br /></span>Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-52163201041989852122022-01-21T16:25:00.000-05:002022-01-21T16:25:00.154-05:00Regione della Toscana<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Regione della Toscana (Tuscany)</b></div>
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Tuscany is everything that is representative of Etruscan and Medieval Italy! Every hill town and walled city has amazing history. The walls and hilltop locations are reminders of how Italy was before Italy was unified. Each area of Italy had its own government, army and institutions. There were natural enemies which required cities to construct walls and towers. Cities were constructed on hills to make them easier to defend. Today the "rivalries" are about cuisines, wines, traditions, and re-enactments of historic battles. These modern times are about festivities, parades and honors.</div>
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There are so many things to see and do that it is difficult to mention all of the cities and towns, and their highlights. I can mention a few of the most popular, but I always recommend spending enough time in Tuscany to "wander" around and find your own favorites. In fact, don't be afraid to get a little lost and off the beaten path. Every turn has its own charm. A week is good but you will want to spend even more time, or return soon.</div>
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These are some of my favorites which I have visited many times because there is so much to see and do and eat and drink!</div>
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<b>Cortona</b>: Lots of history, Etruscan influences, fantastic views, great trattorie, enoteche, mercati, etc. You can roam the streets and alleyways for hours.</div>
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<b>Arezzo</b>: A fully functioning working city, two cities really, modern and commercial outside the walls and lots of history, art, and architecture inside the walls. Arezzo also has great restaurants and shops. It is also the gold center of Italy.</div>
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<b>Montepulciano, Pienza and Montalcino:</b> I put these together because they are a perfect threesome for a day/evening trip. First the wines in Montepulciano: Vino Nobile and Rosso Montepulciano, are consistently great wines, and the wines in Montalcino: Brunello and Rosso Montalcino, are excellent wines as well. Pienza, designed as the perfect plan for a city by Pope Pio, whose name it bears, is one main street with side streets and alleys opening up to great vistas of rolling hillsides and valleys. Pienza is known for its cheeses, and meats. </div>
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<b>Siena</b>:<b> </b>Second in size only to Florence, it is a remarkable but it is a large spread out city with lots of history, and home to world famous Palio, which is a horse race held in the main piazza twice in the Summer. Every "neighborhood" is represented in the race sporting their traditional colors. It is a remarkable thing to watch particularly forom the vantage point of a hotel on the square.</div>
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<b>San Gimignano</b>: Built to defend itself at all times, the city once boasted 20+ towers. There are seven remaining and one can be climbed to the top for spectacular views. Great shops, restaurants, also present here.</div>
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There are so many more to see, including, of course, Firenze. Fiesole, San Sepolcro, Anghiari, Luca, Pisa, Viareggio and Follonica, on the coast, Montecatini Terme, Montecatini Alto, and so many more, deserve a visit.<br />
My advice is to get lost and the road will take you to wonderful places and you will meet warm, friendly people proud of their towns, their food and their wines.</div>
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Enjoy it all!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bell Ringer of Montepulciano</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous towers of San Gimignano</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our favorite agriturismo in Tuscany</td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-51909038092692859682021-01-03T16:00:00.003-05:002021-01-03T16:26:50.819-05:00FELICE ANNO NUOVO, AUGURI<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp23m8pfflaR1ZK7wEx2lrgSqQXPrTab2iTBI01tJ2bmg9QjxiO59YGGikxW4Nb7kds_LBfrUH44doeaervMACjH0zuEhkYucgK5ObrPVIhUfL9wY1eg6a_-SU4HNebUWkXg1Z7vMw-E/s960/FB_IMG_1605370255834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="726" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp23m8pfflaR1ZK7wEx2lrgSqQXPrTab2iTBI01tJ2bmg9QjxiO59YGGikxW4Nb7kds_LBfrUH44doeaervMACjH0zuEhkYucgK5ObrPVIhUfL9wY1eg6a_-SU4HNebUWkXg1Z7vMw-E/w193-h255/FB_IMG_1605370255834.jpg" width="193" /></a></div><br />Italy, 2021,22: Buon Anno Amici </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happy New Year to everyone. I hope it is a great year. Think about including a trip to Italy in your plans for Autumn 2021 or 2022. Perhaps a celebration of a special birthday or anniversary or wedding, is in your plans. Maybe you simply want to get away after enduring the pandemic of 2020. Why not have the "party" in Italy. You will never forget it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To help you consider a trip to Italy in the near future, I thought that instead of describing an Italian region or city, I would pass on this article from the <i>Huffington Post published on December 28, 2013. It was written by Lisa Miller.</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think that it is right on the money as it points out some of the less obvious reasons for visiting Italy. It goes beyond the food, the wine and the history. Those of you who have traveled to Italy will appreciate this article because you have experienced these things first hand.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here is the article:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If you'</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">ve spent time in Italy yo</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">u know that life in Italy</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "century" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> and life in America are very different. While both cultures have their pros and cons, we think Americans can learn a lot from the way Italians live.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Traditionally, Italians have an easy-going and positive outlook on how to go about daily life. Italians live "la vita bella" (the beautiful life). But the beautiful life doesn't mean the luxurious life -- it means a relaxed, family-centered lifestyle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Check out seven lessons Americans can learn from Italians below.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. Eat slowly, locally and with others.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">There's really no such thing as Italian fast food. (There is street food which is excellent). Italy is all about "slow food." Dinners are unhurried and eaten around a table with one's family. In Italy, food is natural, authentic and sourced locally.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">2. Drink a little bit, but not too much.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Italians love their vino. But they don't overdo it. Here in America, there's a culture of binge-drinking. In Italy, a bottle of wine is shared among friends or around the dinner table. Italians like to drink, but they know how to keep it classy.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">3. You should indulge a little every now and then... perché no??</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">There are so many delicious treats in Italy -- rich gelato, mouth-watering pastries, decadent chocolates. Much like the philosophy on drinking, Italian culture has a "perché no?" take on treats. "Perché no?" translates to "why not?" The idea is to treat yourself by having a little bit of something tasty (because, why not?) </span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">4. Stop hurrying, start relaxing.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Life is less hurried in Italy. People don't rush around with to-go cups of coffee, but rather sip their espresso at the "bar" (aka coffee shop). Meals tend to linger, whether they be at restaurants or at home. Pedestrians tend to meander. Many Italians take a siesta of sorts -- a break during the day, from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m., to eat lunch and relax.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">5. Having family nearby is the best thing ever.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Families in Italy tend to stay in the same area, rather than moving around. Grandparents often care for grandchildren, siblings remain close and extended families are huge and welcoming. Having family nearby is deeply valued in Italy. Having <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">nonna</em>(grandma), aunts, uncles and cousins drop by for dinner during the week or having a weekly extended family meal every Sunday is common and brings everyone together.</span></span></div>
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<strong style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white;">6. Gather and spend time outdoors.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Part of the great communal feel of Italy comes from the fact that people tend to congregate outdoors. Friends will meet up at a piazza and hang out there, rather than in a home. Piazzas are vibrant, outdoor hubs where tons of people gather, children play and tourists roam, creating a lively atmosphere. Similarly, many Italians do most of their shopping at a <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mercato</em>, outdoor markets where vendors sell everything from food and wine to clothing and leather goods. There's nothing like wandering a <em style="border: 0px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">mercato</em>, sampling the fare and interacting with other locals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bella figura literally translates to "beautiful figure" -- but it's more idiomatic than that. The idea of maintaining a bella figura is more like the idea of maintaining a good public image. Italians don't get drunk in public, eat while they walk or wear pajamas to the dinner table because it would have a negative impact on their image. Bella figura is more than just looking good, it's a way of life that emphasizes aesthetics and good behavior. </span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Thanks to Lisa Miller and the Huffington Post. She is absolutely right.</span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">I think I would add a number 8 to this list, about getting around in Italy, which is very different that how we travel in the U.S. After numerous trips to Italy, and renting a car, I have decided that there is a much easier, slower and less stressful way...the train, whenever possible. Italian train service is excellent and easy to use almost anywhere, but it is particularly convenient when moving from city to city. Here is an example of an itinerary that relies on train travel, and may include side tours with a driver/guide if desired. </span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Example: Fly into Rome, take local train to hotel from airport. After stay in Rome take "super fast train" to Florence, where station is right in the heart of the city. Walk or taxi to hotel. After stay in Florence, try express train to Venice or Bologna, or Milan, etc. Fly home from Milan or train back to Rome or Florence. Staying in cities makes traveling easier and more comfortable. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">In any of these destinations cars and guides, or car rentals, can be arranged for day or overnight trips to the countryside for wine tasting, museums, historic ruins, events, et. al. The point is that the driver gets a break from constantly driving. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The result is less stress, a more relaxing journey, convenient train stations, available taxis, shuttles, and more. In other words, take the train and leave the driving to "them".</span><br />
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-41331101129617506952020-11-21T15:50:00.001-05:002020-11-21T15:57:58.527-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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SICILY</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Wd7KlwAFQJ6WIOs2TbJ741OLdlhWxqj3KSRLG7ZBcH2QCSlyGjly256iKhlu5UphXEHuddXsdMahW4cBe7ntqhoLPLzpxBhlB3ZtXiBchVo0Z0ihM5xIsqynrAvtfxE9KtDhuco_smM/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Wd7KlwAFQJ6WIOs2TbJ741OLdlhWxqj3KSRLG7ZBcH2QCSlyGjly256iKhlu5UphXEHuddXsdMahW4cBe7ntqhoLPLzpxBhlB3ZtXiBchVo0Z0ihM5xIsqynrAvtfxE9KtDhuco_smM/s320/Italy+2008+Sicily-290.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sicilian sunset<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WCMxWAwoBT7rXhBrzPK9tEWC9aPzLAdPabtegoFamX7DIRkZbjWf5K9ETQ17hrT75OL3MjQi514Gn_a3nH4F70zFQQNKM1p8ltTpOMgEg0xD5THjZsa0wXLik5-kMp2X2KfMK0fopak/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WCMxWAwoBT7rXhBrzPK9tEWC9aPzLAdPabtegoFamX7DIRkZbjWf5K9ETQ17hrT75OL3MjQi514Gn_a3nH4F70zFQQNKM1p8ltTpOMgEg0xD5THjZsa0wXLik5-kMp2X2KfMK0fopak/s320/Italy+2008+Sicily-171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nero d'Avola grapes</td></tr>
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Sicily (Sicilia) is one of my favorite regions of Italy, but in all honesty, I am bias. This is my father's birthplace and still home to many members of my extended family. I had the pleasure of finding my roots and relatives after my father passed on my first of many trips to Italy. The trip was driven by wanting to meet the relatives and see the village and home where my father and his siblings were born and lived before emigrating to the USA.</div>
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My father's village, Santa Caterina Villarmosa, is in the Province of Caltanissetta, located in the heart of Sicily. It is very rural and very small. By the way, the village is not far form "Corleone".</div>
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Tracing and finding about our Italian heritage is educational, exciting and emotional. For me the experience brought be back to Italy many, many times. I felt very close to the country as a whole and very comfortable there. It felt liked I belonged there! To some degree it feels like a second home.</div>
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If you have an opportuinty to visit Italy, make time to see and connect to your roots. It is very rewarding. You will be welcomed with opened arms, not just by family members, if you are luck enough to locate some, but by the entire village, neighborhood, or city.</div>
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Those of you in the Dante Club and friends and family, who are planning a trip in the near future, take the time to gather whatever documentation you have and make time on the trip to check out your family's heritage.</div>
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I am including a few pictures of Sicily, in general, and my father's village.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmErOXdoE8tpTHvBCh_Qppk2kykJvYQiFth9KqDEWUZ3qH79AYehxZUPmSk9veHn89m3T5R4w8ZlJNjH3Srveqg3QUb6qYKDjnBAm8dkOjy0UwLhEgQY6iBXJmFERhgFc4A20YPHQfzw/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmErOXdoE8tpTHvBCh_Qppk2kykJvYQiFth9KqDEWUZ3qH79AYehxZUPmSk9veHn89m3T5R4w8ZlJNjH3Srveqg3QUb6qYKDjnBAm8dkOjy0UwLhEgQY6iBXJmFERhgFc4A20YPHQfzw/s320/Italy+2008+Sicily-146.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Etna, near Catania</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Caterina Villarmosa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaFcV-gLq3DVqDkxziWJq_3z6lPpU1bGCNQj5G2oFLOXvnUGbYG8_JHJ1oSlq39IS_BupRd05Hd96SalyndmDwNLXwq5PLMDCxYpZA4gcAyvd4UBG42O1JQXUDY3E2xuRj9y0WI7_iZ8/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaFcV-gLq3DVqDkxziWJq_3z6lPpU1bGCNQj5G2oFLOXvnUGbYG8_JHJ1oSlq39IS_BupRd05Hd96SalyndmDwNLXwq5PLMDCxYpZA4gcAyvd4UBG42O1JQXUDY3E2xuRj9y0WI7_iZ8/s320/Italy+2008+Sicily-43.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Meditrranean Sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OIO9gzTJl_JVqDkNvbP7iN0tmRnBUTOgbuXEVtIf5GTQxVCldhSwID8h-KeCE1svMTCCXYpMCOxqgEX2DuVU4aMfm-i_LGUDayGxvbjs-vSmYv9EstyfaDzmr_LS7-Vd6z5hnnXflB0/s1600/Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OIO9gzTJl_JVqDkNvbP7iN0tmRnBUTOgbuXEVtIf5GTQxVCldhSwID8h-KeCE1svMTCCXYpMCOxqgEX2DuVU4aMfm-i_LGUDayGxvbjs-vSmYv9EstyfaDzmr_LS7-Vd6z5hnnXflB0/s320/Dad.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Father, Giuseppe Miccichè</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkfWHqj1SVJq_SqNrxUZS6aUz2vsdp2yqjL7ZHRevmMzeMHyPvStMPg4pwombNCCxB0_mfWnb9r12piY7fDNYGX3RL0GniA6WnCqbDk6TMlfDTzcfcSuGZ6MIikPvXLMkEmXXSc6W6e4/s1600/FL000016_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkfWHqj1SVJq_SqNrxUZS6aUz2vsdp2yqjL7ZHRevmMzeMHyPvStMPg4pwombNCCxB0_mfWnb9r12piY7fDNYGX3RL0GniA6WnCqbDk6TMlfDTzcfcSuGZ6MIikPvXLMkEmXXSc6W6e4/s320/FL000016_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neighbors</td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0Sicily, Italy37.5999938 14.0153557-40.074774439666037 -126.6096443 90 154.6403557tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-68106661701490418382020-11-21T15:42:00.001-05:002020-11-21T15:42:24.641-05:00Piemonte Region<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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PIEMONTE REGION</div>
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The Piemonte Region of Italy has some of the most beautiful countrysde vistas in Italy. It also features wonderful wines made from the Nebbiolo grape. We know them as Barolo, Barbera, Dolcetto and Barberesco. The City of Torino is a beautiful and vibrant city, full of young people due to the large university there. The River Po flows through the city and is home to many rowing competitions. It is an easy city for walking around and sightseeing. By the way, the cuisine is excellent especially in Autumn when the truffles and mushrooms are plentiful. By Italian measures of age, Torino is relatively modern, and well-designed. There are great views of the Alps here as well. Readers will recall that the 2006 Winter Olympics were hosted here.</div>
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From Torino it is a short drive to the rolling hills and vineyards of the Alba and Asti areas.</div>
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Alba is a wonderful small city in the heart of the Piemonte wine region, and it is a proud home of some of the best Italian truffles. Wonderful wines and Asti Spumante are produced here. Visit the town of Barolo and its spectacular interactive wine museum. Be sure to taste the Barolo while you are there. Alba is also home to Nutella, because of the major harvests of hazelnuts in the area.</div>
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In Alba you can arrange a truffle hunt experience with trained dogs, and watch them sniff and dig out the truffles. Alba is surrounded by beautiful scenery, featuring rolling hills filled with vineyards. There are beautiful vistas spanning miles. The area around Alba is easy to see by car because the villages are not too far apart. The city of Alba, itself, is comprised of a number of historical buildings, and it is designed for walking so everything can be enjoyed on foot. Don't miss having a pasta dish with fresh truffles and/or porcini mushrooms. From Alba, Asti is a short drive if you like sparkling wines. </div>
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Also, a day trip to Genoa and the Riviera is very doable.</div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-2aad57be-8f40-74a4-ce4b-57063a8c3742"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="285" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vbOwHZucuqbocghC6X2LeXcRZrvd4Dx6dp9lzcZr_uRSSTSqAvlU-M157cHStXHpVFb-HORT7PfaoBzNlGMlZ23gQh5PLgBu9IGsKx6LePARydhHSncWgwmybTdoz3Unr9eiEoIJ" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="427" /></span></span></div>
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Torino Municipal Building</div>
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<img height="285" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WkEhNIYyNPELLJcUWqwew_4WI2_0YmbDN_5KZHJbRD3A5inKJ0sW7aK6-Ehw9fPPxsYER07_BWuo1kX3oR0ysa92zf9dt4WqKEaHfvyDD-2BlqWRrtwxQSV5JKE4uh9ePds6ed_c" style="border: none; font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; transform: rotate(0rad); white-space: pre-wrap;" width="427" /></div>
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Downtown Torino</div>
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Rolling Hills and Vineyards of Alba Area</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medieval Castle in Alba Wine Area</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza in Alba</td></tr>
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<br />Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com212051 Alba Province of Cuneo, Italy44.7009153 8.035691100000008244.655760799999996 7.955010100000008 44.7460698 8.1163721000000084tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-51012131608167008262019-09-06T14:21:00.000-04:002019-09-07T15:04:37.934-04:00BOLOGNA<br />
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Bologna, in the Regione Emilia Romagna, is a marvelous and fascinating city. It is well-known for its fabulous cuisine, and I am pleased to say, that on my many visits there I have had the pleasure of tasting a great deal of it. There is no question that it is one of the best "foodie" places in the world. The famous Bolognese sauce was created here and remains one of Bologna's signature dishes. The original recipe can be found in the archives of the University of Bologna. The mortadella with pistachios is also an original product of Bologna. There are many fine ristoranti and trattorie in Bologna, but one of my favorites is Trattoria Gianni, with great menu choices in all of the courses. If you don't get there, don't be concerned because it is hard to find bad food in Bologna or in the rest of Emilia Romagna. Casual dining is very popular. There are a number of "deli" style eateries throughout Bologna serving the best cold cuts, breads, wine and sides you will ever eat. Don't miss "Eataly" a multi-level store with ongoing pasta and cooking demonstrations, restaurants, Italian products of all kinds, books, art and much more!<br />
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There is, of course, more to Bologna than its cuisine. It is the home of the oldest university in Europe, so it is a vibrant and alive city. Any time of year you will find events and activities outdoors, everywhere. It is definitely a <i>must</i> see in Northern Italy. The Bolognese people are wonderful hosts and will assure you of a great experience in their City.<br />
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The sidewalks of many of the streets of Bologna are covered with porticoes, and that feature along with the city's layout, makes it an easy city to walk around and enjoy. It is also known as the City of Towers as you will see as you stroll the city.<br />
From Bologna you can easily access the cities of Parma, Modena, Ferrara, and the coastal cities of Rimini, Ravenna, and others, along the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a walking tour on your first day which helps to acclimate you to the layout, history and culture of the city. Then you can enjoy Bologna on your own at your own pace.<br />
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Buon Viaggio!<br />
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Piazza e Fontana de Tritone<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Portico</td></tr>
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Classic narrow street<br />
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Polpette (meatballs) Bologna style<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Two Towers</td></tr>
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<br />Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-21502189150139818672019-06-22T23:47:00.000-04:002019-07-07T23:38:18.147-04:00Rosa dei Venti-Cortona, Italy<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><b>Italian Journeys says:</b></i></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: blue;">When travelling to Tuscany.....</b></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;">Italian Journeys is happy to announce exclusive non-hotel accommodations at </span><b style="background-color: white;">Rosa dei Venti</b><span style="background-color: white;"> properties in Tuscany, when you book your trip with us. You can choose this luxurious apartment within walking distance to the lovely Tuscan town of Foiano Della Chiana, and close to Cortona, Arezzo and all the wine area towns. Below is a first hand review and description of "Diamante" which I did when my wife and I were the very first occupants of the apartment. We have been staying here </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">for nearly 20 years and clients will tell you they were never disappointed in any of the property owned/managed by the Micheli Family.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">Living Room</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Dining Room</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Wraparound Balcony</span></td></tr>
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<strong style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A "Gem" from the Rosa dei Venti Family</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Diamante is a three bedroom, two bath apartment located outside the historic center of Foiano della Chiana, in Tuscany. It is six km from the farmhouse property in the countryside. My wife and I are fortunate to be the first occupants of this totally remodeled apartment. The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and kitchenware. There is a dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, double sinks, and all the pans, dishes, etc., to cook and entertain.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">From the apartment you can walk to town and shop and dine as local residents do. There are fresh pasta shops, butchers, delis, bakeries, and fresh fruit and vegetables every day. There are family restaurants and pizzerias and, an open air market every Monday.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">You have complete access to the farmhouse activities and events such as cooking classes and and guided tours. The location is ideal for visiting the many historical hill and walled towns in Tuscany and Umbria. There is a train station nearby for trips to Arezzo and Florence or even Rome. It is a great place to stay for a long term as a base for touring the area and other parts of Italy. The apartment rental period is a minimum of one week. There is a significant savings for longer rentals, particularly for one month.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">This is a great alternative to the farmhouse property for long term stays.<br />It can be viewed and booked by Italian Journeys. Email to Volareinitalia@gmail.com for more information and details. Remember my booking services are free. We can also escort, drive, interpret, etc.</span><span style="background-color: white;">This is a five out of five rating all around.</span></span></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Michael Miccichè – California</span></em><em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">If you prefer country living in a beautiful villa/farmhouse property, you can choose from the apartments shown below. There are sizes for all. Most of the apartments are two bedrooms, two full baths, full kitchen, appliances, tableware, etc., and living room. There is a three bedroom with two baths, and a cottage with one bedroom.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Aerial view of Rosa Dei Venti</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue;">All these apartments are owned and operated by the Micheli Family which has owned the property since 1900 (4 Generations).</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">As the properties are first class, so is the family. They are friendly, helpful and very accommodating. They can arrange delightful wine tours, cooking classes, etc. during your stay. The family produces wine, olive oil, fruit, and sunflowers. It is very much a working farm. You can buy the wine and olive oil and their cookbooks, which you will want after you participate in the cooking class and enjoy the cuisine!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rosadeiventi.net/media/foto/img_3397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://www.rosadeiventi.net/media/foto/img_3397.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">View from Maestrale Apartment</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rosadeiventi.net/media/villa/p9020010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://www.rosadeiventi.net/media/villa/p9020010.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Landscaped grounds</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfUY1KFSq_k_Wjgq88Qv2cMzCrvlmbElzNqQi9yxVaSHbOltj14_RWdmf_mPDtY9bbH1yxFZNoI8Rf9JE4oRwhkCVZetp5W75MNdAe1KqClEpPAW123vFcWITZeSU9WkSBASN3cqnDQM/s1600/CIMG5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfUY1KFSq_k_Wjgq88Qv2cMzCrvlmbElzNqQi9yxVaSHbOltj14_RWdmf_mPDtY9bbH1yxFZNoI8Rf9JE4oRwhkCVZetp5W75MNdAe1KqClEpPAW123vFcWITZeSU9WkSBASN3cqnDQM/s200/CIMG5991.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cooking Class</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh42YjSAdhfI8bF_hNhOoFzocOEIsnhv8bDRJNws_RVoU3h4EcboI7vIJzOjZzPMrVbJQ3DA1RflqwoA4rWhPOh3Pnl3maFNRenen6iDgB1lPpei8wMoiAV0wcYrwsP0A64hth7RR_5Y/s1600/CIMG5999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh42YjSAdhfI8bF_hNhOoFzocOEIsnhv8bDRJNws_RVoU3h4EcboI7vIJzOjZzPMrVbJQ3DA1RflqwoA4rWhPOh3Pnl3maFNRenen6iDgB1lPpei8wMoiAV0wcYrwsP0A64hth7RR_5Y/s200/CIMG5999.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">The pasta maker</span></td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-68614138097442050912018-04-25T17:55:00.000-04:002019-11-03T20:49:43.451-05:00ITALY IN PICTURES WITH ITALIAN JOURNEYS #volareinitalia.blogspot.com<div style="text-align: center;">
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS........</div>
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Especially when it involves ITALY!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoLPtJ5JY6BpWUzISiW0U6pLPiT3Efl5fXYvnrl-wVs6OVdFK_IGbCesnDO6VwRonIViC7HSl9_x14psmJZ37SL-4Hq1Lj3hDorNqYGtcCsShaHcBnotMOXtsqKmcU_3VDBzrtXCyr4A/s1600/Italy+Trip+-+2010+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhVX7Ib3Bk1oQkIq4TYRnlfw9TyiEqlhppeSjZwaPQVQkdOasgP8VFnn7g6gYP92urhbXO8ls27-_gMi-ffnnvwzV8H7fRDD2H2z1am_LGEMlGaKAdJhRyQ-wY3yIswL6-XVUpOwEsB8/s1600/DSC_3233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ponte Vecchio-Florence</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0YRXfX5DUR0B29YhFXr0MJ-pJEG8tNbIKO23BYQzmqbxweJXuWGU5gStQZPdTFXKqy6BVnao4TpMxoI6AR3tKs6u7fJ5T6WVc8MHS5btFL5tIzyohPefOvc98JGRZMNdWsNI3MtmuZk/s1600/Italy+2008+Toscana-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0YRXfX5DUR0B29YhFXr0MJ-pJEG8tNbIKO23BYQzmqbxweJXuWGU5gStQZPdTFXKqy6BVnao4TpMxoI6AR3tKs6u7fJ5T6WVc8MHS5btFL5tIzyohPefOvc98JGRZMNdWsNI3MtmuZk/s1600/Italy+2008+Toscana-33.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montepulciano-Tuscany</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Blog Update</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1Ij7tNFNdzZROHS9b7JjxvduRmlI123rFRpr1sFinv3lsM8TQh7ApYd7x6JghMFw2uNklzSSpdkJn38ILNkAUiFmKevUAW_QSQUimFLPAwSwbpIAzOHHrBMvpQAMnAYZwjhJoXGwTLc/s1600/DSC_3258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Let's remind ourselves why we want to go to Italy!! Browse through previous Inferno articles and I think you will remember why you want the experience that is "ITALY".</div>
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To jog our memories somewhat, remember the food, the wine, the art, the scenery, the culture, the sea, the mountains, the islands,the history and the modern. All of these attributes are why people from all over the world travel to Italy and have for many years.</div>
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I am going to include some photos to rekindle the urge. Remember, a picture is suppose to be worth a thousand words!!!</div>
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This is only a small taste of what awaits you in Italy. Come in May to hear about the itinerary possibilities as the Dante Club goes to Italy. I will try to answer your questions, show more of Italy, and talk specifically about the many ways to see and enjoy the country for less than you may think.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juliet's Balcony-Verona</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colosseum-Verona</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asolo-Veneto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bologna</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tellaro-Italian Riviera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linguini alle Vongole-Genoa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpo2aCalHMpDAF8BKHB08ZfmjY0o97xoa8eRTA4OiEKAFZUDi6MUpfJnfB00VVKGdYzixW7PdzRtI-eytcpu_Nw7P7Jlgs9OobTTmf1Q0kvl46L3R12s4-kid_k56W5AMA5vhHvRwX5k/s1600/DSCF3736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpo2aCalHMpDAF8BKHB08ZfmjY0o97xoa8eRTA4OiEKAFZUDi6MUpfJnfB00VVKGdYzixW7PdzRtI-eytcpu_Nw7P7Jlgs9OobTTmf1Q0kvl46L3R12s4-kid_k56W5AMA5vhHvRwX5k/s1600/DSCF3736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay of Poets- Tellaro</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGExVqRl2yy4f170o_qELx4oz0JjW-gjS5irSXFFyRG4Y53WSgztorg4gu3Ug2KJmbx_bYkimE_VXbByv2pjcQVXaSIC-YRizzoCdIM_KKSAuWWLeXqyrSvujZ72pD7uFefnuiMCRMf-k/s1600/DSC_2647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGExVqRl2yy4f170o_qELx4oz0JjW-gjS5irSXFFyRG4Y53WSgztorg4gu3Ug2KJmbx_bYkimE_VXbByv2pjcQVXaSIC-YRizzoCdIM_KKSAuWWLeXqyrSvujZ72pD7uFefnuiMCRMf-k/s1600/DSC_2647.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Gimignano</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho19dAodoozTVQAPSlK9MfXeHMbX7vNH5QbJbYNQN2IUWlPvG9KNQaMdRFvJyKlCwapIZlGRvQg8pg87_QWpYUQwVYxxn7L-I0NX6xGYqWlGo71G47d-mZgXxLnJtQMudhVZL7V2GTgIk/s1600/DSC_3318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho19dAodoozTVQAPSlK9MfXeHMbX7vNH5QbJbYNQN2IUWlPvG9KNQaMdRFvJyKlCwapIZlGRvQg8pg87_QWpYUQwVYxxn7L-I0NX6xGYqWlGo71G47d-mZgXxLnJtQMudhVZL7V2GTgIk/s1600/DSC_3318.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spanish Steps-Roma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5maQvJRuAIT0O3xugvFvLYtIjJJUrthdEujCQyrxZuKNcQRlpJ0-nYRV81-MX6oAB4KLuiDjxPSnAqynPE_Jl06EC0_NNDq-R8Z_GcqjTNBb5OMRDhcIhqIPHykxEEGoC8Q2GJs9ZoQ/s1600/DSC_3371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5maQvJRuAIT0O3xugvFvLYtIjJJUrthdEujCQyrxZuKNcQRlpJ0-nYRV81-MX6oAB4KLuiDjxPSnAqynPE_Jl06EC0_NNDq-R8Z_GcqjTNBb5OMRDhcIhqIPHykxEEGoC8Q2GJs9ZoQ/s1600/DSC_3371.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman Colosseum</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNFqFkwo0pCOOv5VOTKzyhuCt29jvzjafHde9YSMLAX5GcBXPoiS64KzRVLd9EqHEdTP4Hsa2A2V9mymdtFMgJRmdno4WCpwfJakOz4PdNIusxUHqEa9lhyphenhyphenDzBpNOz88lM6t9AtC8tm0/s1600/DSC_2468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNFqFkwo0pCOOv5VOTKzyhuCt29jvzjafHde9YSMLAX5GcBXPoiS64KzRVLd9EqHEdTP4Hsa2A2V9mymdtFMgJRmdno4WCpwfJakOz4PdNIusxUHqEa9lhyphenhyphenDzBpNOz88lM6t9AtC8tm0/s1600/DSC_2468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amalfi Coast</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_Dnny-_O0i4nHYwIPrkp_xmTKXqL2MOwErQjncETnTggtnWlTwhTZgXeJ-Ey9qncisetjlJu1O5z7NK9dNv9rsEhDrtnehyphenhyphenrmESmZ7yZteSc67tbNxaF8tIE4luq-zVXoS9tzukmJFU/s1600/DSC_2544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_Dnny-_O0i4nHYwIPrkp_xmTKXqL2MOwErQjncETnTggtnWlTwhTZgXeJ-Ey9qncisetjlJu1O5z7NK9dNv9rsEhDrtnehyphenhyphenrmESmZ7yZteSc67tbNxaF8tIE4luq-zVXoS9tzukmJFU/s1600/DSC_2544.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Sicily</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN6MrgbcjgQjwM-Ej5UDKdfvcPUB0xE6qM8fHb77Mcr6kATpoTwZ5hBCuZGRToyFPLSpUJX66cXtPEobkf0rocD5hoCOMa26tD50zrsqmK0XB1Ez7KsCdI-oQTDqdlZS5UAN6CFrE45E/s1600/DSCF3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsN6MrgbcjgQjwM-Ej5UDKdfvcPUB0xE6qM8fHb77Mcr6kATpoTwZ5hBCuZGRToyFPLSpUJX66cXtPEobkf0rocD5hoCOMa26tD50zrsqmK0XB1Ez7KsCdI-oQTDqdlZS5UAN6CFrE45E/s1600/DSCF3745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Italian Riviera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB8C-CGrc-7zgsHOnsMhbCiSm0CeUdT7vj-Cc48awyI8WF6Szd1ehEbvKAKqIxralkeSnAKOTWiZIJKrdrBXdGABYtygM4trIVY9ZY_8eLrwcOQSh6nuWkIjmbpV1X8kojj_UL9Pxao8/s1600/DSC_3270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJB8C-CGrc-7zgsHOnsMhbCiSm0CeUdT7vj-Cc48awyI8WF6Szd1ehEbvKAKqIxralkeSnAKOTWiZIJKrdrBXdGABYtygM4trIVY9ZY_8eLrwcOQSh6nuWkIjmbpV1X8kojj_UL9Pxao8/s1600/DSC_3270.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine from Chianti</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIO5thkcshaG1e0kYc9oufiJ8a0j6JKCJkmY4ngqfbfx1iY8kbV_67cmgHkAu54hF-IcbUQTfb0m5pUOl5XOAjphTW2pLCKApSJ_thMW6Yj-1LqmIve-ViRGdRY69cj9eHglsemv9tt0/s1600/CIMG5929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIO5thkcshaG1e0kYc9oufiJ8a0j6JKCJkmY4ngqfbfx1iY8kbV_67cmgHkAu54hF-IcbUQTfb0m5pUOl5XOAjphTW2pLCKApSJ_thMW6Yj-1LqmIve-ViRGdRY69cj9eHglsemv9tt0/s1600/CIMG5929.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of David-Florence</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M-4foE3XetApU2TfsKS9PAvjhG-XCIsL7Q-da3aeOezHVz8R04eleMholLZFzwDOylOBwIsomudFJ6EOnfzs-JZZ3Kr6B9alZo6ZVe0omeCqgcKh8CoLBbF0CrUOGQhbrzcqBG-lXwA/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M-4foE3XetApU2TfsKS9PAvjhG-XCIsL7Q-da3aeOezHVz8R04eleMholLZFzwDOylOBwIsomudFJ6EOnfzs-JZZ3Kr6B9alZo6ZVe0omeCqgcKh8CoLBbF0CrUOGQhbrzcqBG-lXwA/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-171.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nero d'Avola Grapes-Sicily</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSp7L3FY5-Ie_czI7o8Z_X-a1-MkUkdjFatxX8pgcbclK9i-D5smryMfJm4pZoo4OiWqY8e6hayfJ55VvOT3nGkdaqQnvEdDQeobR69fZX8Sa7Bc7MnsHnyZ9poenvemCy_fvTFsYYUw/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSp7L3FY5-Ie_czI7o8Z_X-a1-MkUkdjFatxX8pgcbclK9i-D5smryMfJm4pZoo4OiWqY8e6hayfJ55VvOT3nGkdaqQnvEdDQeobR69fZX8Sa7Bc7MnsHnyZ9poenvemCy_fvTFsYYUw/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-287.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canal in Venice</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhVX7Ib3Bk1oQkIq4TYRnlfw9TyiEqlhppeSjZwaPQVQkdOasgP8VFnn7g6gYP92urhbXO8ls27-_gMi-ffnnvwzV8H7fRDD2H2z1am_LGEMlGaKAdJhRyQ-wY3yIswL6-XVUpOwEsB8/s1600/DSC_3233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhVX7Ib3Bk1oQkIq4TYRnlfw9TyiEqlhppeSjZwaPQVQkdOasgP8VFnn7g6gYP92urhbXO8ls27-_gMi-ffnnvwzV8H7fRDD2H2z1am_LGEMlGaKAdJhRyQ-wY3yIswL6-XVUpOwEsB8/s1600/DSC_3233.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alba in Piemonte</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoLPtJ5JY6BpWUzISiW0U6pLPiT3Efl5fXYvnrl-wVs6OVdFK_IGbCesnDO6VwRonIViC7HSl9_x14psmJZ37SL-4Hq1Lj3hDorNqYGtcCsShaHcBnotMOXtsqKmcU_3VDBzrtXCyr4A/s1600/Italy+Trip+-+2010+076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoLPtJ5JY6BpWUzISiW0U6pLPiT3Efl5fXYvnrl-wVs6OVdFK_IGbCesnDO6VwRonIViC7HSl9_x14psmJZ37SL-4Hq1Lj3hDorNqYGtcCsShaHcBnotMOXtsqKmcU_3VDBzrtXCyr4A/s1600/Italy+Trip+-+2010+076.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Ravello, Almalfi Coast</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFp0_343P5iDoJoJ_VTMwidZ43k84PyizsUpQEGmNdCz-bc_bEWsof9Ia6UY7pN7CRq8bYzNktejEJXW8moJrqrU1dlaRCYnJIDJG7QjHodyf6Y5yUDzfe9CWHq_hIyhIC2129rvMK7I/s1600/DSC_3250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFp0_343P5iDoJoJ_VTMwidZ43k84PyizsUpQEGmNdCz-bc_bEWsof9Ia6UY7pN7CRq8bYzNktejEJXW8moJrqrU1dlaRCYnJIDJG7QjHodyf6Y5yUDzfe9CWHq_hIyhIC2129rvMK7I/s1600/DSC_3250.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winery and Castle-Chianti Region</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbl0vasmGVQLl3P0KFZIW65x00UNeyhMUTqLDm8Udf9ToAd4lihnoJYaNCktsKePtn9F0GwYCaY9AEW8ETp8vU18AZaTOUctpH-CqAPXtCDqzmdxyG68wYybJUjd2coyLXVjH3fsflr8/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbl0vasmGVQLl3P0KFZIW65x00UNeyhMUTqLDm8Udf9ToAd4lihnoJYaNCktsKePtn9F0GwYCaY9AEW8ETp8vU18AZaTOUctpH-CqAPXtCDqzmdxyG68wYybJUjd2coyLXVjH3fsflr8/s1600/Italy+2008+Sicily-291.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Riposto, Sicily<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrVaRcjRqN5OvSfOHfxV9pzrZI7cHnoC111chjBKQ59-dlfWdtqTvZbuFRaKs7YyPG3SBW8VRjIKz_vsw8GISdSMF8BHANUiZfh6zDSvDmkLW2K6jDzANR5-MYtikQjc467KPZLlIx0s/s1600/DSC_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrVaRcjRqN5OvSfOHfxV9pzrZI7cHnoC111chjBKQ59-dlfWdtqTvZbuFRaKs7YyPG3SBW8VRjIKz_vsw8GISdSMF8BHANUiZfh6zDSvDmkLW2K6jDzANR5-MYtikQjc467KPZLlIx0s/s1600/DSC_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrVaRcjRqN5OvSfOHfxV9pzrZI7cHnoC111chjBKQ59-dlfWdtqTvZbuFRaKs7YyPG3SBW8VRjIKz_vsw8GISdSMF8BHANUiZfh6zDSvDmkLW2K6jDzANR5-MYtikQjc467KPZLlIx0s/s1600/DSC_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrVaRcjRqN5OvSfOHfxV9pzrZI7cHnoC111chjBKQ59-dlfWdtqTvZbuFRaKs7YyPG3SBW8VRjIKz_vsw8GISdSMF8BHANUiZfh6zDSvDmkLW2K6jDzANR5-MYtikQjc467KPZLlIx0s/s1600/DSC_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMrVaRcjRqN5OvSfOHfxV9pzrZI7cHnoC111chjBKQ59-dlfWdtqTvZbuFRaKs7YyPG3SBW8VRjIKz_vsw8GISdSMF8BHANUiZfh6zDSvDmkLW2K6jDzANR5-MYtikQjc467KPZLlIx0s/s1600/DSC_3393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFK44dyyJzJY4kamaIUpufMa1SlVXajEV-UNi08vXJBt5W20Nd7bigfH-T943YzoM5kmzEj4Jj99Q-tc7PKRuEmZ1ZlyXB0mtA9O-R0R4nxiGQ1Uf3AfAwzttAzVXu_DRn1KR4c3LyXYU/s1600/Italy+Trip+-+2010+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0Italy41.87194 12.56737999999995729.678010500000003 -8.0869170000000423 54.065869500000005 33.221676999999957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-37908836558268588372018-03-20T17:00:00.000-04:002018-04-25T17:13:00.958-04:00The Amalfi Coast and More<br />
<div class="p1" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and More</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>(Naples, Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano, Pompeii, Islands of Capri & Ischia, and much, much more!).</b></span></div>
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Everyone has heard about, read about, or seen, via movies and photos, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, but seeing this area first hand is an experience you will never forget. In a few words, "it is breathtaking".</div>
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It is everything and more than depicted in photos and movies. The entire area is a series of picture post cards. It takes some time to see and immerse yourself nto the beautiful surroundings. No matter where you look there are spectacular vistas of the sea, mountains, cliffs, hillside towns, picturesque painted villages, etc. </div>
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The best way to start a trip to this area, is to take an auto tour with a driver in a private car. (<b>never drive it yourself if you want to enjoy the scenery)</b> After you take in the breathtaking views you will want to go back and spend time in any number of the seaside and hillside towns and villages. Savor some of the best seafood in Italy as part of your adventure. The area is famous for its pizza, pasta, tomatoes, olives, olive oil, and very good wine. Those of you that know me understand why I mention wine!!!<br />
Don't miss <b>Sorrento</b>, Naples, <b>Ravello</b>, Positano and the islands of Capri and/or Ischia, easily reachable by fast or slow ferry boats, and don't forget <b>Pompeii</b> for an amazing historical and awesome experience. Also do not be afraid of Naples. It is too interesting to ignore. It is a big city so I recommend a guided private walking tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfCYCe3COqCubqLt5Y4nxfszns7ug9J7Knx8VRoPqp3xuDI5nWR2i2XHaNIjkGLjL5n-iVhz_eXXoSN6A2dOA2zwwGFYAlcKEqi9KeZ11rk0X-xC0HkeU5SCsOcY03Qx372W6RHMMX8/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDfCYCe3COqCubqLt5Y4nxfszns7ug9J7Knx8VRoPqp3xuDI5nWR2i2XHaNIjkGLjL5n-iVhz_eXXoSN6A2dOA2zwwGFYAlcKEqi9KeZ11rk0X-xC0HkeU5SCsOcY03Qx372W6RHMMX8/s1600/IMG_0105.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many amazing <b>sites</b> and<br />
<b>s</b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b>ights</b> of the ruins of Pompeii, a </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A victim of the volcano that buried Pompeii,<br />
the playground of the Romans</td></tr>
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The entire area is famous for a number of food items such as flavorful San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and burrata cheeses, semolina pastas, and of course, the <b>best pizzas</b> in the world! A visit to Naples to taste the original Neapolitan pizza is a must. The quality of the local wine may surprise you. Of course great Limoncello is native to the area because of the excellent lemons grown here.<br />
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As you can see by the photos below, the area has spectacular views and picturesque villages for miles. This is clearly an area of Italy in which <b>"a picture is worth more than a thousand words!!"</b>Take your time and spend at least a week in this area. You will be glasd you did.<br />
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You will never regret having spent time in this romantic and beautiful area of Southern Italy and you <b>will</b> want to <i>"Ritorno a Sorrento" </i>as the song says.<br />
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Venturing further to the South, if you have time, you can see the small village of Atrani, Salerno, the Calabria area and even Basilicata. Some of the areas as you travel along the lower leg of the boot, are still somewhat untouched by tourists, and have some of the most beautiful beaches and vistas to see.<br />
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So maybe you need two weeks to see this area or to move on to <b>Sicily,</b> which I will write about in the next issue.<br />
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Buon Viaggi Amici.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picturesque town of Amalfi and its coastline is a postcard<br />
as seen form the Bay of Naples</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful and spectacular Amalfi Coastline,<br />
for viewing as a passenger!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unbelievable view from high above the town of Ravello<br />
as you look upon the beautiful coastline of Amalfi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A magnificent Sorrento sunset taken from my hotel room balcony<br />
in the city of Sorrento.</td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-56026321563256445532017-11-21T14:33:00.000-05:002017-11-21T14:33:57.501-05:00VICENZA and PALLADIO<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Walk and Shop until You Drop in Vicenza"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vicenza is a "stone's throw" from Venice by train located in the Veneto region of Italy. It is well-worth a day or two visit. It is a beautifully laid out city, great for leisurely walking, with lots of architectural sights and sites, most of which were designed by the famous architect, Palladio. Shopping consists of mostly boutique shops in the central area, reknowned for its gold and jewelry. The shopping channel, QVC televises segments of their show once a year from Vicenza, selling beautifully designed jewelry from the area. They carry the jewelry on their web site frequently. With Christmas almost here guys, why not consider a unique gift from Italy for you know who!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">Vicenza is a thriving and cosmopolitan</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> city, with a rich history</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> and culture,</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> many museums,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> art galleries,</span></span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> piazzas </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">villas</span></span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">, churches </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">and elegant </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Renaissance"><span style="color: black;">Renaissance</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> <i>palaces</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">. With the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palladian_Villas_of_the_Veneto" style="background-image: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Palladian Villas of the Veneto"><span style="color: black;">Palladian Villas</span> <span style="color: black;">of the Veneto</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> in the surrounding area, and its renowned </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Olimpico" style="background-image: none; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="Teatro Olimpico"><span style="color: black;">Teatro Olimpico</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> (Olympic Theatre),Vicenzo, or the "city of Palladio" has been listed as a </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="UNESCO"><span style="color: black;">UNESCO</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration-line: none;" title="World Heritage Site"><span style="color: black;">World Heritage Site</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 19.1875px;">since 1994.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">Vicenza is the third-largest Italian industrial center as measured by the value of its exports, and is one of the country's wealthiest cities, </span><span style="line-height: 10.828125px;">e</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">specially due to its textile and steel industries which employ tens of thousands. About one fifth of the country's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Gold"><span style="color: black;">gold</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> and </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewelry" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Jewelry"><span style="color: black;">jewelry</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> is made in Vicenza, greatly contributing to the city's economy. Another important part of the economy is the </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engineering" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Engineering"><span style="color: black;">engineering</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">/</span></span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_components" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Computer components"><span style="color: black;">computer components</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> industry (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federico_Faggin" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Federico Faggin"><span style="color: black;">Federico Faggin</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microprocessor" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="Microprocessor"><span style="color: black;">microprocessor</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">'s co-inventor was born in Vicenza)</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">As mentioned, in 1994</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="UNESCO"><span style="color: black;">UNESCO</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> designated</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> "Vicenza, City of Palladio" on its list of</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.1875px; text-decoration: none;" title="World Heritage Site"><span style="color: black;">World</span> <span style="color: black;">Heritage Sites</span></a><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">. In 1996 the site was expanded to include the Palladian villas outside the core area, and accordingly renamed "City of Palladio and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto".</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Palladio.27s_works" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Andrea Palladio</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Vicenza is home to twenty-three buildings designed by Palladio. The famous ones include:</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Almerico_Capra">Villa Almerico Capra</a> (also known as "La Rotonda"), located just outside the downtown area; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Palladiana">Basilica Palladiana</a>, centrally located in Vicenza's Piazza dei Signori, of which Palladio himself said that it might stand in comparison with any similar work of antiquity; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teatro_Olimpico">Teatro Olimpico</a>, designed for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Accademia_Olimpica&action=edit&redlink=1">Accademia Olimpica</a> and begun to be built in 1580, when Palladio died. The wooden scenes are by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincenzo_Scamozzi">Vincenzo Scamozzi</a>; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Chiericati">Palazzo Chieric<span style="color: blue;">at</span></a><span style="color: blue;">i;</span><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Barbaran_da_Porto">Palazzo Barbaran da Porto</a>, home of the Museo Palladio; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_del_Capitaniato">Palazzo del Capitaniato</a>, home of the Town council; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Porto">Palazzo Porto</a>; <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Porto_in_Piazza_Castello">Palazzo Porto in Piazza Castello</a> (unfinished); <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Thiene_Bonin_Longare">Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare</a> (built by Vincenzo Scamozzi); <br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Thiene">Palazzo Thiene</a> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teatro Olimpico</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Teatro Olimpico<br />
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A Palladian villa of the Veneto<br />
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q5GIkyg54y6bIBALy0uskuA6xl0ip2rtGXMnyVpXUpCkqPKsWC0rskjIFIBuIm2ziETZ0qYJoNBc8ixmuWrJv8Apj1g2QUWG/CQcMqpj96jwekR4pv1iasYuaX5hKe2Z4SASOocGPXN5cRKxElUtU8ByldpagXFjnZgG84qtm4uQhJTMoWLgJXLKwB2buT3vDbTRLR4xLW+ah1yv+gieXPAyU2mbH9Hj1WfhNmrLqRLcJoJEqYmpObEgjxftEB2bssFLS0Ag8homGljn7V731ziHCydTA7PkKmqoSQDnzJv31ufdF9hNgoQKlgG7cykpS5LZIJu5yManZuxcAVfcAImD2SRN8C1SiMicoK/zUTw6DP/AOJxHEtX9LxG+UJY0UlRnBJoUmUmhJIKgAkmwN+nWGygFTFS6lugJJACUp5hZmD++NXN3dlcVM0z1OlKksJamZRB6dobK3ewyZi5tc0lYSDZhy2DcsaqMR7SMJgccibNMrhlmVdaisWURkfAwXiZxRPlS0hISup7MbAmzeEazC7v4KUqulZUXcu2ZewcdT6wX+y4IKCjIKlJyKqCQ/SpcNKNeCXbZjNtLIkTCCQQksQbv2gfd0qMhBLlV3dyczm8b5WIwxBAlJI1B4Tf/IwkzaspCQEplpGQ+8QACfARe6T6RNdUC7pbGRNK1TpbhgEg1C+pDEdRGkO7eE/oE/8AcfnAmytpoZSwZdKQyiJjgZM5CWGcET94ZNJ+9lJsb8QEjuA1/CJlMaieM7Y3SCp81SRSlS1qQGAZJUabGOiyxu11JmKAdYc8wS4N8x8fOOjj9eY3JHncvEUBgH8XtaI14uoEEM/zy8BAPE8e8TLW+bOfq8dWqIRCo+cSIPK3p84gaJklhFFDY4RwMc8MCaSVMaXbVoNw20VJUFgsQfO/aK9EWGIw4ElCmDlTE65G312iWk/IF9/laY3ECmcXcBiDm8JP2/Y1OpRUSmwsO3aKdcmlCFoDjrmHct4GGKwMxSkghnJDnzPj1iIquwZvdmbanSl4epElUhRCpiFoSVBK10khTVOEpCrekXG3t4OGpf7GJHCSxCwhCitU9dJBqFgl5lgx5c9I82xeK4eILqdKCE2JamWBL8QWD9bxZTMTKWngIWQxlpNyPZmrqW+QYLJeGr8tib6PR959qGXg8PiZUmTLmznQeVCkgcNUx0ghr0Ah3scnyuNypon4NM3Ey5Sl1BilABUCAzpFqnKh0YAxhN49tS5+zpEhJJXLXawalHETytmySkeYjR7m41cnZ5XLS6pU2WGIJ5eEhBLC+ZMDaoafuosN+TLky5JomSapoT92iSSoNd+YhvrvBP2gcDDSpUwhSAZoSeEhClKeWsgGojlcDIvZtXiz3h3cTikI401YMsmZygM4TcMch3N47fDYaMdLkS1qWhPEEyw5rSZhYgi0K0aIlxODlBAVwglwoEUpcAS1KBDHOwOcUewcRK/ZpsykzuCnEkmalIWpWHCH9gkMST9Z6aoLmzJQQCBISRNDFRrK0lI8KXZ9YxeBmCQmbJltSpWLepSATxcwXVymoI8jAmgCt0Nr/tExcqZIlrUlNTy0AAEKCVJYlmFQDkuSDpHbBMudicQg8RXDmITRMRLSlH3s1TIpJKujnQJ7xQfZ9h5+DVOXNMpNQSlFMxK7CagrBBNuUKIPfwjUbJkolzcTOSqsGYkqKSkvdcz8OprA8QRpA2kFEG8qZMnF4CQK08WYxCQkhd0lphUXa4FgbFXaJd9ZmHw83CJoWDNmFIEtKGVzSwy6lJ/NnfMxYbU2HLxWIwOJUtaVSTWlKaSCSgL5jn+EZdYXeLduXi8Rh5sxcxH7OorRTSxUFpJC3BYGkZNkYLQwqfsuUpaAZNNfKU2SUs5fkLH2QP7WekYTDbwTDjzLokmWqYJaZIloqSK6SasypmLktna9t5vFPWihaHtMQnJ7KcfOPJdiYdZ2uVqQsJE2XzUkJ5ZqSovk3IrtaFd+ASNRvVtGZKxQkSkyUJCBMNUuWpV3KqrFkgDTvfKDd6cfwsPJXh5EviTQkE0INLorsFWe/e3kYzO9m1Ja9pzaQ54RlggObKlkgtmPabxMX+2VVSMMhJBmSlFUxP4gFJ5C2ZsKbD8JGkK+wTQduNihjJAXOlSSqXNUgqSgAKZLh05A8wdreEUuOmTUYTaC2TxMNiKQpr0UJLAdHWD4GJvsnxH7PhpsuaiYlXGUu6TkvlTY3flJ8BD9q4tAw+2Q95i1qR+8BIlJtrmlXpDTQhdsLoxOAAlpEvEBFSc3KgKgb2IqSfLvC8MDav7MtA4SnZNyGAK0nP8Ad956CJd6Jf3mxUt/xE+5EuH7QT/r+Q1v9HH/AN8VQinP/qXAWhPCJUgoIJ/eSXd8g3gs9BA+/OPGGxYloQEhwQm7KFiX6Au1smg7b4/1/hwlwCh1Nk/DOfkIrPtslgYrBkZlKwbnITEt8TB2FI0W3sPKlYNE2XLDqbmDjMVOb5nK/WKrcacJ6zKnIQop5wSHcPSQdGBKSI0+1pFWylufZkBQyzQAoadoyP2c/wC8+Mv/AM0QW9hUtT0bZeBlpQpAQliTVyhlHluRGU+0rH8CUiVJSkE1LOQATkQxGpvbVOUbPBpLeZ/8Y8u+2GakTkVWHDzD6qV0Pj6xOS3HoKMZhlrUHSF2ty1kOwfIiOirRMP4FJpOWvwjo5tDOgELQA3DBJvl49bDPPwiCVsxSlGzAAnqew73tB+CUamOliPJr6kWizlTWLeb5d/nG8sjXgVlFL2UqkP+JiewAcwWrZDynTdQa2pdLn0izmYgWD6WPiLfXaCVFCZCh5DIZpbXw98Q8siosyOKw1BAAVcahi+vlHGU4sLxtcZhdkSpNfGxE+YAGQClDkliCoyyEtmc7CLbATtgy7kTFn99MxQ9AAD6R1fuh0eeYWQSkoSklSm9m5sXFheL/C7o4tcsPKMtDvXNUmUB/fIPoI9Fw++OASgowyDLJSQkplUgEhgbDTPyjE49c1axxCiao2DTkuX/AHVFxn0BjOU2vCHQIJKZYTIUsFFTTFyufo9LlNRDg6aQfMElHOMHNnBQCpcxa3IfJS5KAGOrEmDxs/F8EShgiEhVYIIKgVM975AAQ6TIx16sKs+fTTLPxjnc5JdIKoAlmeksEoQ9zRIk1G73UQWN/H5HTxMWlKJqZy0hlMVJY6XCWHl27lyTKxIzwkz3/wCGGpXiDlhF2zvlbW1oycsj+B0Q4gqLkpnJCiVMhRSLgqNkGwOvlrEyscaaSmewtYrJu2oL6CHSziSHThVG92OX/bElGLt/ok33/FrxPv8A3/YUJhtuqS5qxDH86pikjVwlRIB7taG43bs+fN9tYBH9KEABrqpqAdn6lnhFKxQUEHDKdTskkuWta31eAsfsqekEowpll2NISNQA5tqR74a2/YDMJipgUUiZSxLkTFgFy+aHbN7d4vN3kLlzxNUlCkXKggqUVGkp5qwxJJBJzJv3gD/ImKrCjgpqgARSTy3AD5XsPfGo3A2dOSqbxsOqUKUhNYDFicvARrFO/A0iTamPlLQtPD4aynlmJCAHGTlKnIdtAWJsIxu0JhlpPMlj7RQuYkEkAOsfi8WLCPXl4RLWQj+6mPMMZsSeJs0DCzjmEzA7EXawsQXEVkuxtAWCnTEp4omArFIA4zKpsLMq50zcawWNrlbMvEODVyzZhc2dxVfLJorlYNaVpQqQpKrllAAqa5OVyQ3uixkonIsjBLAPQAP6C8Yyb+LJoZNxFRBP7US7+1NIJsQTezEA2aDhtqbK/DPDhI/NYeyBcsBf39YjAxjWwk0/XhEa04wf8nN9T/hiPf8Av+wpkOKx6pkxM0jEFaXpVYEAsVB7FjYt184d/lzEBwmZiQ1mLrA8KgTl0MSLGKA/3VZs7c3UW9lniJK8Uf8AlJn15Q9sn/mHYzDbxTZa1zDKVNXMCUEqQpJCXADENZmcvamO3lxk2ZKSsS5iSgUrULoFJd1FyVVJUNfwxI2LOWDm+4QVKn7R4ZlDCroIUkpJDMq6tdWjSE5fKDtms2ZicNjpeGxHKVyXKUuQUKICVcoIJysW6GC5my0nHJxqlqqTL4YTakXPNe5LKUPOPMpG6eLYU4YpUC4JmJB7PSrIeDxvt2MLiZcsjEKCjU6QFFVKWFnIzd8o1U3Y1+wXH7CWra6McVoEpCQAKjVVQUMQQwHMS76RSfbFgJs7EYVUqWtYSkglKSUhSplgVCwyGcbHbm0k4eVxShS+ZKaU580WSJII8Y0UmMrd5XRsvEBrpkFPmA1owP2SYkrxK6g1MtvVaG+B9DHp83CJUgy1CpCgxSrmBGbF4qcFsOXhlLVIkJFbEios6XZqnbM5CK2oTXRo8KOU+J+UePfbgfvkj/pJ961R6fKWyKShYvelR+NjGI3+2NInTZC5gxLLIlGkpIQASqpVSVP7TNbKFshro803bwlcom3tkX8E/rCx6F/mElHLKmT6R+bh9dLC0JEuSJ1Z5VgV5gg/vaeveDpKTclwCC98mNvGB8PKSUJmF0sezlrQTiJgpBBcdb+b+fwiZO30YsjnXBpBVlo+gDtqPrrDpeMpJQTVUH8T36/V4Cm4hJFIBbxbLLwHjDMViAocoAa31r/MxShfTGi4RsGbPNdkpIfUsoZAlr+rxV7W2bNkEBZF+h+usWGxsdPKQmWklj7RJCR27eUXp2YJlJnspSQeVLhIJ1JJJP1aM/Vljl7n0X1Rgubr74cioXCiDoQSD6iN4NhSCfYB8z+sEp2HIAtLR5h/jCfNiiGzBSlTjZMyYSdApZJ8WN4Lw+Axf4OMnWxWj5iN5Lw6UhkhIHYAfCHoTGT5z+ELZmPk7Exawy5igP3lqV7nMW+E2NNSmkzA3QAtrmH+mi/CYUqHeMZcmch7yK7D4WcghppYaGrs1wrx9YU4GY71sCcnV1freLATIcZtoj1pj9SRQ4hCwoBRcOA5UwqzPMrL5tCy5RMt5hWkqZmLE5g+DsPfB20Zr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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-18939921893923512482017-03-22T12:22:00.000-04:002017-03-22T12:22:19.374-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b> MILAN </b> <b> </b></div>
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MILAN (Italian: <i>Milano</i>) is financially the most important city in <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Italy" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Italy">Italy</a>. It is the second most populous city proper in the country, but sits at the centre of Italy's largest urban and metropolitan area. While not considered as beautiful as some Italian cities, having been greatly destroyed by Second World War bomb raids, the city has rebuilt itself into a thriving cosmopolitan business capital. In essence, for a tourist, what makes Milan interesting compared to other places is that the city is truly more about the lifestyle of enjoying worldly pleasures: a paradise for shopping, football, opera, and nightlife. Milan remains the marketplace for Italian fashion – fashion aficionados, supermodels and international paparazzi descend upon the city twice a year for its spring and autumn fairs. Don't get fooled by the modern aspect of the city, since it's one of the most ancient cities in Europe with more than 26 centuries of history and heritage!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnJfxC4Ws3Yd9lmvTE1dLyF-efdgBby69YKlFlfUFeJpz4TtMiQb1nuQgu1Qetf7NQSYaoz2bmsbJ2szP-H68zyxsHwVT6mS8jha-4w2Lls5WWZEbqZ1IPNB9yfiJF45MiMWA6CHwD94/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnJfxC4Ws3Yd9lmvTE1dLyF-efdgBby69YKlFlfUFeJpz4TtMiQb1nuQgu1Qetf7NQSYaoz2bmsbJ2szP-H68zyxsHwVT6mS8jha-4w2Lls5WWZEbqZ1IPNB9yfiJF45MiMWA6CHwD94/s320/IMG_1748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gothic Duomo and Piazza</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Gothic Duomo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Accoustically Perfect La Scala Opera House</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vittorio Emanuelle Galleria Shopping Center</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Detail of Gothic Duomo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interior of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza featuring Famous Gothic Duomo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Milan Street Car now used in San Francisco</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Milan is famous for its wealth of historical and modern sights - the Duomo, one of the biggest and grandest Gothic cathedrals in the world, La Scala, one of the best established opera houses in the globe, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, an ancient and glamorous arcaded shopping gallery, the Brera art gallery, with some of the finest artistic works in Europe, the Pirelli tower, a majestic example of 1960s modernist Italian architecture, the San Siro, a huge and famed stadium, or the Castello Sforzesco, a grand medieval castle and the UNESCO's World Heritage Site Santa Maria alle Grazie Basilica, containing one of the world's most famous paintings: Leonardo da Vinci's <i>The Last Supper</i>.</span></span></div>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-8918248839548837952016-06-08T13:05:00.000-04:002017-02-10T17:46:14.063-05:00ASOLO AND BASSANO DEL GRAPPA<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Asolo</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">A</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">solo</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> is a town and <i>comune </i></span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">in the V</span>eneto<span style="line-height: 19.1875px;"> Region of Northern Italy</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">. It is known as "The Pearl"</span><span style="line-height: 19.1875px;">, and also as "The City of a Hundred Horizons" for its mountain settings. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of the sights Include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remains of an amphitheater and of an aqueduct; <i>R</i>occa<span style="background-color: white;"> (castle, late 12th-early 13th centuries); </span><span style="background-color: white;">Castle of Caterina Cornaro, now home to the Eleanor Duse theatre; </span><i>Palazzo della Ragione</i><span style="background-color: white;">, housing the city's museum; </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cathedral, built in 1747, houses the </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Assunta</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> altarpiece .</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Asolo is often defined as one of the most evocative historical centers in <strong>Italy</strong>. <strong>Asolo</strong> is known for its architectural sights and is famous also for some characters who were fascinated by its originality. What fascinates most right from the start in <strong>Asolo</strong>, is the aristocratic atmosphere you can breathe through its alleys, in the squares and cafés. A brief walk soon leads you to the historical center. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzCI_i9KG3r08JMFms95KtOplwtKm5L-AIa9wxhkQ-YXNAcGxA8xuepGnyble-23bwKiA06aoMOX3yoaX7k4bZQH0cuoW_nXKFmry9TJ_RsQfo8CzgaB3oQeFhwQtsaR3U09yEiEa5to/s1600/Asolo1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzCI_i9KG3r08JMFms95KtOplwtKm5L-AIa9wxhkQ-YXNAcGxA8xuepGnyble-23bwKiA06aoMOX3yoaX7k4bZQH0cuoW_nXKFmry9TJ_RsQfo8CzgaB3oQeFhwQtsaR3U09yEiEa5to/s1600/Asolo1.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
Asolo Historic Center lends itself to strolling<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aerial View of Asolo</span></td></tr>
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View from Rocca Castle high above the city<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4704QmCgaa5W-8IU7ys-LGf3GtlC_wQ_APjHWmYAoB2mb7u4nPUbkMCbMnfvzHaQnX5kqQtegnYEDUrdlJUfBEqVLMnnKFQjgnAqXlEbzuNMSqEBP0dRKHeJQpq6DjEQixxU8R8WHqns/s1600/asolo5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4704QmCgaa5W-8IU7ys-LGf3GtlC_wQ_APjHWmYAoB2mb7u4nPUbkMCbMnfvzHaQnX5kqQtegnYEDUrdlJUfBEqVLMnnKFQjgnAqXlEbzuNMSqEBP0dRKHeJQpq6DjEQixxU8R8WHqns/s1600/asolo5.jpeg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;"><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>Getting to <b> </b>Rocca Castle above Asolo is great exercise</span><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="background-color: black;"><br /></b></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bassano del Grappa</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bassano del Grappa is a very pleasant town, and it is not just about Grappa. It is easy to walk and most of the town is free of cars. The Brenta River is beautiful and flows under the famous wooden bridge, Ponte degli Alpini. There are good photo ops from the bridge along the river. You should take advantage, however of the place where Grappa was "invented". There are tasting rooms and retail shops for purchasing the Italians' favorite digestive (digestivo). Grappa has grown in popularity outside of Italy and there is now grappa made from many grape varieties and some are even flavored like the seasonal licorice grappa. Give it a try! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">In the heart of the town, opposite the historic Ponte degli Alpini, in the old "Palazzo delle Teste", is the Poli Grappa Museum.The Poli Grappa Museum, is the result of a long and passionate desire of the Poli family. The Museum was created by the Family in appreciation of Grappa. The Museum consists of five instructional rooms and visits are self-guided. Well worth seeing to appreciate what grappa is all about, followed by a tasting. Just ask me or my son!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Other points of interest:</span></span><br />
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Cathedral built around the year 1000 but renovated in 1417. It has works by artists <span style="color: black;"><a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leandro_da_Bassano&action=edit&redlink=1" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Leandro da Bassano (la pagina non esiste)">Leandro da Bassano</a>, <a class="new" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ottavio_Marinali&action=edit&redlink=1" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Ottavio Marinali (la pagina non esiste)">Ottavio Marinali</a></span> and others.</span></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The church of St. John the Baptist, built in the 14th century and restored in the 18th century.</span></span></li>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Town Museum, with ancient archaeological remains, works by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Canova" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Antonio Canova">Antonio Canova</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and the </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiepolo_(disambiguation)" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Tiepolo (disambiguation)">Tiepolos</a><span style="background-color: white;">, and drawings by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gian_Lorenzo_Bernini" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Gian Lorenzo Bernini">Gian Lorenzo Bernini</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spagnoletto" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Spagnoletto">Spagnoletto</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Albrecht Dürer">Albrecht Dürer</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rembrandt" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Rembrandt">Rembrandt</a>, all renown artists.</span></li>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wooden covered Bridge, or <i>Ponte degli <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpini" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Alpini">Alpini</a></i>, on the <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenta_River" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Brenta River">Brenta River</a>, designed in 1569 by the architect <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrea_Palladio" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Andrea Palladio">Andrea Palladio</a> to replace a pre-existing construction existing at least from 1209. The bridge was destroyed in 1748, and was rebuilt three years later. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nardini_(grappa)" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Nardini (grappa)">Nardini</a> tavern on the bridge, is unchanged since 1779!</span></span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <i>Palazzo del Municipio</i> (Town Hall), erected from 1404. It has a noteworthy loggia and a fresco attributed to <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacopo_da_Bassano" style="background-image: none; text-decoration: none;" title="Jacopo da Bassano">Jacopo da Bassano</a>.</span></span>.</li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Nardini Grappa Factory, an architectural marvel, just outside of the old town</span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZBC7eKSHFr-JQ7D7kzaMbrEqWT-7SqfdGIn5s1qlkNY890NAB-rPEZbGy65tHB6qAwVXtKhTppVRqRdaSv4v1w4EHLLoqHyeCqCvBRkjwa-ronoZw8yVrFoF1JOBVMBnd4X74lGuqTc/s1600/Nardini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZBC7eKSHFr-JQ7D7kzaMbrEqWT-7SqfdGIn5s1qlkNY890NAB-rPEZbGy65tHB6qAwVXtKhTppVRqRdaSv4v1w4EHLLoqHyeCqCvBRkjwa-ronoZw8yVrFoF1JOBVMBnd4X74lGuqTc/s1600/Nardini.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nardini Grappa Factory<br />
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Postcard type photo of Ponte degli Alpini,<br />
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Along the peaceful Brenta River for good photos<br />
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Poli Grappa Distillery and Museum for your after lunch digestive<br />
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Ponte degli Alpini for crossing the Brenta river</td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-71315252628683007352013-11-09T14:24:00.000-05:002013-11-09T14:24:19.622-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ROME</span></b></div>
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Is there anything that hasn't been said or written about Roma? From books, to movies to TV we have all seen the gladiator and Roman Empire movies. So maybe not, but that doesn't change the fact that it must be seen in person to be truly appreciated. There is so much to see and experience, in old Rome, and the countryside, so try to spend a reasonable amount of time in order to drink in everything that the area has to offer. There is much more to see than I can begin to do justice to in this blog, so let yourself go and look around every corner to find more wonders.</div>
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The Roman Empire from its inception to its "fall" has left us architectural, engineering, political, and cultural firsts, many of which have withstood the test of time. The election process, the creation of a legislative body called the Senate, and, imagine, even the idea of input from the populace, to name a few, have been replicated all over the world. Engineering and architectural wonders such as aqueducts, roads like the Appian Way, the Colosseum, and so many more physical designs are still with us. In fact, many are still in use in Rome, and others have been models for todays deisigns.<br />
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Even with all there is to do and see related to Rome's history, don't forget to eat. Roman cuisine is very good especially if you stick to their specialties. Try the Carbonara, Rome's most notable dish, or Cacio Pepe (black pepper), or spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti and fresh clams). Tuesday is fresh catch day in all the restaurants, so you won't go wrong with seafood. Regarding wines, white wines are more notable in Rome, but local reds are on the rise. Of course, because Rome is an "international" destination, you will find manay different cuisines, and wines from nearly everywhere.<br />
Some of the local scenery and points of interest are seen in the photos included here, but again, there is so much to explore on your own.<br />
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There are hundreds of hotels in Rome of all sizes and quality but for location, the <a href="http://www.hotelmozart.com/">Mozart Hotel</a> is very convenient for being able to walk to many points of interest. They are also very restaurant savvy and will point you to the non-touristy locations.<br />
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For a convenient and reasonably priced place to eat, try Taverna del Corso, close by the Mozart Hotel.<br />
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Start packing and enjoy your journey to Rome and beyond!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Spanish Steps</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Colosseum</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City<br /></td></tr>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-46017850178012044492013-10-25T00:54:00.000-04:002016-07-12T22:28:40.971-04:00<b>THE ITALIAN RIVIERA (LIGURIA)</b><br />
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The Italian Riviera has much to offer. It has beautiful beaches, scenic sea views, great food, and a lot of history. It is shaped like a horseshoe and stretches from Nice, France around to the Tuscan border in Italy. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tellaro on the Riviera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel in Rapallo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Genoa styleSpaghetti con vongole (clams)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coastal view along Italian Riviera</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Famous Aquarium in Genoa</td></tr>
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In between there are a number of interesting towns with Genoa in the center. Everyone knows of the Cinque Terre, five picturesque towns hugging the seashore and cliffs of the Ligurian coast. There is Portofino, a retro port community, featuring multicolored pastel houses and shops. Nearby are the towns of Santa Margherita and Rapallo, lovely seaside areas with miles of promenade.<br />
Pesto sauce was created here and it is fabulous. White wines dominate the area. If you want city life, venture to Genoa, a historical and bustling city. Be sure to visit the aquarium, one of the best in the world.<br />
Try taking ferries and boat tours to get the best views of the coastline towns.<br />
The Italian Riviera is a great place to relax and tour around at your leisure. The climate is mild throughout the year. Needless to say the seafood is excellent and fresh.<br />
Fly into Genoa or Pisa and take the short drive or train to the heart of the Riviera.<br />
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<b><br /></b>Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-28364090387243531412013-09-10T14:43:00.000-04:002017-02-15T18:38:22.666-05:00<b>VERONA</b><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Compact and easy to navigate, Verona remains one of Italy’s most underrated cities despite its picturesque center of cobblestone streets lined with medieval pink-hued buildings, well-preserved Roman sites and dozens of churches. A short hop from major hubs like Milan and Venice, the former Roman settlement never feels overrun by tourists, although visitors descend on the town for events like the s</span>ummer opera festival<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">, which runs June 14 until Sept. 8 and which celebrates its centennial and Verdi’s bicentenary this year, and Vinitaly in April, one of the wine world’s most important events. In between the landmarks and happenings that keep Verona so culturally vibrant, you’ll find time for lavish meals in inventive new restaurants, tastings at wine bars tucked away behind unassuming facades and shopping in small boutiques off the main arteries. Who are we to point out that Juliet’s much-visited balcony actually has no historical connection to Shakespeare’s star-crossed characters? After all, the city is just about as romantic as it gets.</span></span></span><br />
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-79612370397940212312013-09-04T16:15:00.002-04:002017-02-16T18:47:06.821-05:00<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><b style="background-color: white;">VENICE</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Venice is a true wonder of the world. It is worth every minute you spend there. There is so much to see and not enough space here to include it all. Make a visit and see the wonders for yourself. It is the most unique city in the world!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , "times" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<h2 style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 19px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19.1875px; margin: 0px 0px 0.6em; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0.17em; padding-top: 0.5em; width: auto;">
<span class="mw-headline" id="See" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">See</span></span></h2>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span class="vcard" id="Doges_Palace_Palazzo_Ducale" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="fn org" style="font-weight: bold;">Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)</span>, (<span class="note directions" style="font-style: italic;">San Marco Square</span>). <span class="description">Don't miss the guided tour named <i>Secret Itinerary</i> (€20), which will let you discover the part of the palace where the city's administration worked, as well as Casanova's jail and the wonderful five hundred year old roof structure.</span> </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Bell tower of Saint Mark</span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Bell tower of St. Mark (Campanile di San Marco)</b> — The current tower dates from 1912; an exact replica of the previous tower which collapsed in 1902. The top of the tower offers great views of Venice and the lagoon. €8</span></span></li>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span class="vcard" id="Clock_tower_Torre_dellOrologio" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="fn org" style="font-weight: bold;">Clock tower (Torre dell'Orologio)</span>, (<span class="note directions" style="font-style: italic;">San Marco Square</span>).<span class="description">— Having been closed for restoration for many years, the restored astronomical clock is now visible. The fascinating tour of the clock mechanism (and rooftop bell) can only be visited on a guided tour, which has to be booked in advance.</span> </span></span></li>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Scuola grande di San Rocco</b> — A masterpiece of Tintoretto, this guild house is an exquisite example of Manierist art in its best. In order to allow a comfortable admiration of the detailed ceiling mirrors are offered to the visitors.</span></span></li>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span class="vcard" id="Jewish_Ghetto_of_Venice" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="fn org" style="font-weight: bold;">Jewish Ghetto of Venice</span>. <span class="description">While racial and ethnic neighbourhoods had existed prior to the Venetian Ghetto, Venice's ghetto was the first "ghetto" (coming from a Venetian word for the Iron Foundry that was on the site previously) and "ghetto" eventually came to mean any neighbourhood that was made up of a single ethnic/racial group. Today, Jewish life is still very active in the ghetto, and elsewhere in Venice, and is home to five synagogues. Visiting on Saturdays or late Fridays (the Jewish Sabbath) will prove very fruitless because all shops, restaurants, and other Jewish places will be closed. If you wish to sense the unique Venetian atmosphere coming from the East you can take part in an itinerary covering the Jewish Ghetto and the Rialto area to discover the crucible of races, cultures and religions that have co-existed for centuries in Venice and admire a different side of this city.</span> </span></span></li>
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<span class="mw-headline" id="Outdoor_sights.2C_piazzas.2C_bridges.2C_canals" style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br />Outdoor sights, piazzas, bridges, canals</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Rialto Bridge</span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0.1em;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Don't miss the <b>Rialto</b> market and the <b>Rialto Bridge</b> (Italian: <i>Ponte di Rialto</i>) on San Polo, the smallest sestiere. The Rialto market is for shoppers. To the east is a neighborhood of small shops and restaurants; to the west is the Rialto farmers' market. Shopping is slightly less expensive than in the tourist-filled Piazza San Marco. The bridge has become one of Venice's most recognizable icons and has a history that spans over 800 years. Today's Rialto Bridge was completed in 1591 and was used to replace a wooden bridge that collapsed in 1524.</span></span></li>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-80021502775527737562013-08-20T16:57:00.002-04:002017-02-16T19:23:42.512-05:00LAKE COMO<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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LAKE COMO<br />
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Lake Como, in the region of Lombardy, is a wonderful place to relax and unwind. Leave your car parked for a few days if you have one, and enjoy the boat rides to the lakeside communities, of Bellagio, Menaggio, Varenna, Tremezzo, Lenno and, of course, Como. You might run into George Clooney along the way! There are many beuatiful villas to visit including Villa Carlotta and Villa Melzi. When you decide you might like a drive, get the car and take the short ride to Switzerland just north of Lake Como. You can also venture to Milan if you crave the big city. Bellagio is the heart of Lake Como and sits in a beautiful location. There are good restaurants which feature fresh water fish as well as traditional pasta dishes. Varenna is also worth a visit and has a lot of charm, shops, hotels, etc. Sprimg is a beautiful time to vist lake Como. Let the journey begin!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel Lenno, great location with ferry dock</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View Villa Melzi waterfront</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Gardens on Villa Melzi property</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luxury hotel in Bellagio</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake Como from Hotel Lenno</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa along Lake Como near Bellagio</td></tr>
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<br />Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3442751377487655696.post-16040898375585791482013-08-06T15:26:00.000-04:002013-08-08T15:07:54.471-04:00TURIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
TURIN</div>
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Turin is located along the Po River in the Piemonte Region of Italy. The area is known for its fresh truffles in October, great wines, and creative cuisine. It is the home of the 2006 Winter Olympics. It has the largest <i>piazza</i> in Italy (see photo). It is also the home of an historic and active university.</div>
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It is a vibrant city with lots of life and activites, but it is the right size to get around by foot or public transportation. There are great restaurants and wine bars in walking distance from the city hotels. Accommodations are available in all price categories. Take a day trip to taste wines in Alba and Barolo. Go to Visitatorino.com/EN for more information or Google Turin restaurants and hotels.</div>
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Italian Journeyshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03699675010353882208noreply@blogger.com2Turin, Italy45.070982000000008 7.685676000000057744.89155550000001 7.3629525000000573 45.250408500000006 8.0083995000000581