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 »
Young Sailors
Written by admin on 20 July, 2009 – 3:10 pm -
Yesterday I spent nearly 9 hours looking around flea markets in Piedmont. In Nizza Monferrato I came across this vintage speed boat for children. It would make quite an unusual present don’t you think? If anyone is interested it will set you back €3900! A bit excessive maybe. Maybe I should check with David Dickinson to see if it is a good investment or not!
In the end I bought another small espresso cup, emptying my wallet of €1.50.
Posted in Culture, Travel | 3 Comments »
My Local Guide – Torino
Written by admin on 15 July, 2009 – 10:37 am -
Following on from my article about culture and coffee in Turin, last weekend I came across this new series of travel guides. It claims to be the first tourist guide to be written by the inhabitants of the city in question.
My Local Guide Torino, which is just the right size for slipping into your pocket, is divided into three sections:
- Young writers from the Scuola Holden explore the different quarters of the city, looking at curiosities and giving their personal reflections.
- Advice from actual Torinese on topics such as:
- Eating and drinking
- Local flavours
- Art and design
- Shopping
- Night life
- Esoteric Turin
- 24 hours in Turin
- Useful facts and figures plus a map.
Some of the Torinese interviewed for this book include: Luciana Littizzetto (perhaps Turin’s funniest export – she is brilliant), Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Chef Kumalè, Davide Scabin, Riccardo De Giuli, Oscar Farinetti, Luca Beatrice, Andrea Veglia, Eva Christillin, Luca Cattaneo, DJ Pisti, Marcia Caines, Massimo Introvigne, Steve Della Casa, ùpaolo Giordano and Margherita Oggero
This book looks like it will be a great read. I am looking forward to discovering things I didn’t know about my own city, away fro the tourist traps. I will be sure to share this knowledge with you.
Currently these guides are available (only in Italian) for the following cities: Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice, Verona. Coming soon: Naples, Trieste, Barcelona, Berlin, London, Paris. For more details visit www.mylocalguide.it
Posted in Culture, Travel | No Comments »
Coffee & Culture. Exploring Italy’s First Capital.
Written by admin on 30 June, 2009 – 8:59 pm -
A couple of weeks ago my aunt and uncle came to Turin (Piedmont). It was their first time here and they had no idea what to expect. They were pleasantly surprised by the baroque architecture of many of the palazzi and the overall elegance of the city. Combining culture, coffee and ice cream: that was our goal. You’re invited to retrace our footsteps on this short tour. Enjoy with us the delights of Italy’s first capital.
To view the images at full size please click on the thumbnails. Take advantage also of the many links included throughout the article – they give more detail about the topic or show a 360 degree panorama.
Posted in Culture, Exhibitions, Experience, Food & Drink, Travel | 9 Comments »
Coming Soon…
Written by admin on 25 February, 2009 – 3:02 pm -
Armani Hotel Milano – coming 2010
See if it’s worth the wait at the official site. There’s already an Armani Bar below (just out of shot). Bet they make nice cappuccino, I’m just too afraid of the price to try one!
Posted in Travel | 4 Comments »
Duomo Uncovered
Written by admin on 20 January, 2009 – 10:51 pm -
“What a wonder it is! So grand, so solemn, so vast! And yet so delicate, so airy, so graceful! A very world of solid weight, and yet it seems …a delusion of frostwork that might vanish with a breath!…”
Posted in Travel | 6 Comments »
Frecciarossa
Written by admin on 19 December, 2008 – 10:42 am -
The Red Arrow has been fired! Milan–Rome (640 km) in 3 hours 30 minutes non stop (or 3 hours 59 minutes including Bologna and Florence)! Travel in style: sockets to plug in your computer, newspapers, drinks, restaurant carriage and even a cleaner! This is the new alta velocità service launched by Trenitalia this week (13 December).
Posted in Travel | 2 Comments »
