Milan – City of Culture and Fashion: Part 2
Written by admin on 25 April, 2011 – 4:24 pm -
Milan is a city I have a strong affection for. I studied there for a year and worked there for three. During that time my parents visited me on several occasions. They now share their experiences with you in the second of a three part series.
Parco Sempione and Castello Sforzesco gardens are not far away from Duomo and this is a popular tourist area. Visit the museum or buy some souvenirs from the temporary stalls which offer an assortment of typical tourists’ gifts and postcards at reasonable prices. You can even enjoy an ice cream whilst walking around. It must be a popular venue because we saw limousines turning up with brides, grooms and wedding guests to have their photos taken in front of the buildings or fountains. There were even some couples who seemed to have come from the Far East to have their wedding photos taken in this famous city. We spent a very interesting time soaking up the sites and sounds around the Castello Sforzesco.
Posted in Culture, Travel | 2 Comments »
Milan – City of Culture and Fashion: Part 1
Written by admin on 26 November, 2010 – 12:11 am -
Milan is a city I have a strong affection for. I studied there for a year and worked there for three. During that time my parents visited me on several occasions. They now share their experiences with you in the first of a three part series.
After submitting an article on Turin, our son has asked us if we would share some of our personal experiences of other Italian cities as seen through the eyes of a tourist. Milan was our obvious next choice, having flown there several times directly from Manchester and then taken the train to Turin. Milan is a city which most people know but where few spend more than a couple of days. It is often used as a stopping off point en route to other cities more popular with the “sun seeking” tourists. In our opinion they are missing out on a very interesting city, which not only caters for the rich and famous but also for those who are living a more modest lifestyle. The mere mention of Milan generally conjures up images of Gucci, fashion shows and the famous Opera House of La Scala. After spending a week in Milan we discovered that there is much more on offer and that seven days isn’t nearly enough time to accomplish everything that you would like to see in this most interesting city.
Posted in Travel | 2 Comments »
Turin “The Undiscovered Gem”
Written by admin on 16 June, 2010 – 10:59 pm -
A guest article by my parents who write about their recent stay in Turin and include useful websites that will help you plan a visit to this incredible city.
Less than a month ago we were enjoying the beautiful weather and culture of Turin. This was our fourth visit to this most attractive Italian city. We have visited most other Italian cities but Turin always remains our favourite, partly because it has less tourists than the others, even though it has much to offer in buildings, monuments, history and culture. It was the main city for the Savoy Royal Family, who later became the kings of a united Italy. Therefore there are so many palaces and collections connected with them, which the general public are fortunate enough to be able to visit with very little effort or expense, particularly if you purchase one of the Piemonte Cards, which entitles you for entrance into most of the palaces, museums, art galleries and on public transport.
Posted in Culture, Travel | 11 Comments »
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 »
