The Two Churches – Padova
Written by admin on 20 December, 2009 – 11:01 pm -Thank you everyone who commented last week. Antonella, you guessed correctly, it was the beautiful city of Padova. I lived there for a period of three months way back in 1999 and was where I fell in love with Italy. However, the church in the background is not the Basilica di Sant’Antonio (also know as il Santo). It is Santa Giustina. They are easy to confuse and both are just off Prato della Valle. Click the photos below to enlarge them.
L'Abbazia di Santa Giustina
La Basilica di Sant'Antonio
Posted in Travel | 3 Comments »
Where in Italy?
Written by admin on 10 December, 2009 – 10:06 pm -Last week’s photo was the Duomo in Milan. Thanks MD for guessing correctly.
Who will guess where this week’s photo was taken? This is one of my favourite piazzas in the whole of Italy and I lived in this city for 3 months once upon a time. It is famous for Giotto and … Well, you tell me. To see a larger version of the photo just click.
Posted in Travel | 4 Comments »
Where in Italy?
Written by admin on 26 November, 2009 – 9:23 pm -Thanks all of you who tried to figure out last week’s photo. I guess it wasn’t as easy as I thought. The answer is Assisi in Umbria.
I’ll try and give an easier photo this week to make up for it. This is one of my favourite photos and a place I used to pass on a daily basis. We became good friends. To see a larger version of the photo just click it.
Posted in Travel | 2 Comments »
Where in Italy?
Written by admin on 19 November, 2009 – 11:26 pm -I have just recently started a new job and am in the middle of moving house. Unfortunately I have been too busy to dedicate any time to writing articles. However, I would like to keep the site moving forward so for the time being, until things settle down a bit, each week I will publish one of my photos and ask the question “where in Italy?” You can click on the photo if you want to see a larger version.
Please leave your answers in the comments section and we’ll see who is first with the correct answer. Let’s start with a very easy one. I promise they’ll get harder after this.
Posted in Travel | 5 Comments »
Remember Remember the …
Written by admin on 30 October, 2009 – 7:11 pm -
… 13 December. Ok, it’s not the date most of us associate with the famous Guy Fawkes saying, but it is an important date all the same. On this day Italy will become a little bit shorter.
La Freccia Rossa or Red Arrow high speed train will introduce some new lines and services, which will offer a viable alternative to the plane.
Posted in Travel | 5 Comments »
Santa Maria Nuova
Written by admin on 22 September, 2009 – 10:45 am -
The 2009 Palio di Asti was won by Santa Maria Nuova. It is the fifth time in the history of the event that they have been victorious (they recently had back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006). Tele Cupole, Piedmont’s regional television channel, showed the event live but had to leave before the climax as there were too many false starts (at least three)!
Posted in Entertainment, History, Travel | 6 Comments »
The Oldest Palio in Italy
Written by admin on 17 September, 2009 – 9:17 am -
A Palio, an annual historic contest between the neighbourhoods of a town usually involving horseracing or other medieval sports, is literally the silk banner awarded to the winner of the contest.
The most famous Palio in Italy is that of Siena which is held every 2nd July and 16 August. It dates back to 1644. However, Italy’s oldest palio is that of Asti, Piedmont, and dates back to 1275. It takes place on the third Sunday of September and comprises of 21 competing Rioni or neighbourhoods. About 1200 locals, including the famous Sbandieratori or flag-wavers, parade through the streets in medieval costume and a bareback horse race takes place in Piazza Alfieri in front of a large crowd (ticket holders only). After three preliminary heats and a display by the Sbandieratori the final race is run and the Palio awarded. Last year the winning rione was San Lazzaro, who, as tradition dictates, have been celebrating for the whole year!
Posted in Entertainment, History, Travel | 4 Comments »
italyitalia.com
Written by admin on 4 September, 2009 – 10:14 pm -
I recently discovered this Italian travel website which I feel would be very useful to many of my readers. It’s definitely worth checking out and has both an Italian and an English version. Stefanie D’Angelo explains more about the site:
ItalyItalia.com is a fast growing Italian travel portal who offers the possibility to deepen your knowledge on Italy. Every region has a section filled with articles and travel guides, with the purpose to inform and help our visitors to organize the perfect vacation. For example, if you are going to Campania and you want to learn more about the region. Instead of going out to buy a travel guide you go to our Campania section and there you will find travel guides and articles on the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and much more.
ItalyItalia.com also have a careful selection of hotels, with the possibility to book directly online in a fast and easy way. We are currently concentrated in the Southern Italy.
What is our purpose with ItalyItalia.com? Italy is a magnificent country, from the amazing history of Rome, to the impressive art heritage in Florence. We want to help our visitors discover the best Italy has to offer. Our staff of Italian and foreign journalists has undertaken to update the contents of the portal to provide an information service that is always varied and to help you fulfill your dreams.
Visit ItalyItalia.com for the latest and up to date information on travel to and within Italy.
Links
Campania section
Amalfi
Ischia
Rome
Florence
Posted in Culture, Travel | 2 Comments »
A Step Back in Time
Written by admin on 23 August, 2009 – 7:19 pm -
This year I spent my annual holiday back in Great Britain, visiting my parents. What a shock I was in for. I thought I would be escaping the Italians for a couple of weeks. Not so. I found that the Romans are still keeping things under control!
Posted in Food & Drink, History, Travel | 3 Comments »
BikeMi – It’s as Easy as Riding a Bike!
Written by admin on 1 August, 2009 – 1:19 pm -
Late last year Milan introduced a bike sharing scheme. This is nothing new, many cities in Italy already have one. Now after several months it is very popular, especially with workers in the morning and evening – key bike stations need to be constantly replenished to avoid shortages. Initially there were about 100 of these stations and 900 bikes.
So how does it work?
Posted in Travel | 6 Comments »
