Italy

Valle d’Aosta, Italy

The Aosta Valley or Valle d’Aosta is the Italian region of the Alpine location of Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, and Mont Blanc. The smallest of the Italian regions, Val d’Aosta is in the northwestern section of Italy. The valley is surrounded by France on the west, Switzerland to the North, and the Piedmont on the west and the south.

Some consider Valle d’Aosta to be the least Italian part of Italy. It is ruled with autonomy from the Italian government. Travelers through the area will find language and cuisine that mirror multi-cultural influence of France, Italy, Germany and the Mediterranean.

Valle d’Aosta has farming and not much industry except for lumber and hydroelectric dams that create electricity to be imported out of the area. Farms are found in the valleys and up the hills. Farther up, the land is used for pasturing animals.

Medieval castles and strongholds abound in the country and in all of the valleys that spread across the region. Some of the noteworthy castles are Verres, Challant, and Fenis.

The people of Val d’Aosta speak a variety of languages. The most common languages are French and Italian. The native people of the valley speak Valdotain that is derived from Arpitan or Franco-Provencal. In another section, a small number speak German, which is spoken across the border in Switzerland.

The climate of Val d’Aosta is harsher than other areas of the western Alps because the mountains obstruct the milder winds that would blow in from the Atlantic Ocean. The valleys have a humid climate; the mountains have a colder climate. Val d’Aosta is a haven for outdoor sports people.

In the summer, sports persons can climb and hike in the mountains. Rock climbers will find rock faces bolted for climbing in the area and for all level of climbing.

In the winter, the skiers enjoy the skiing in resorts such as Courmayer. Those in Cervinia can reach the Zermatt ski region and the Valtourneche area.
Sometimes, in the early season, the connection to Zermatt is closed, and Cervina has bad weather.

Thermal baths are available year round with visits to Thermes de Pre Sant-Didier in view of Monte Bianco.

The cooking of the area is simple and centers on the hearty elements such as meat, potatoes, polenta, rice, and rye bread. Many of the meals include Fontina that is a cheese of cow’s milk from the valley. Other local cheeses are Robiola and Toma.

The majority of the wine is red wine. Gamay, which is the local red wine, is cultivated on the vineyards, which are terraced along the valley. It is a light red wine, and since it does not age well, it is best to enjoy is when in the valley.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Italy, Valle d'Aosta

Umbria, Italy

Umbria, Italy is located west of Marche, east of Tuscany, and north of Lazio. It is not on the coastline, but it does have some magnificent scenery, including Lake Trasimeno near Tuscany, Rocca Maggoire and the mountains of Spoleto, and its beautiful countryside. There are also numerous activities for you to engage in and tourist attractions to visit. You can visit wineries, take cooking classes from authentic Italian chefs, and tour ancient Etruscan tombs. Many Italians speak English very well, but if you plan on visiting the area, you will probably want to memorize some key Italian phrases and carry a translation book with you just in case.

Italy, of course, is one of the world’s largest exporters of fine wines and many of those wines are produced from the vineyards of Umbria. If you enjoy fine cuisine and wine sampling, I suggest visiting Decugnano dei Barbi in Orvieto, Arnaldo Caprai, Paolo Bea, Scacciadiavoli, Chiorri, Aurora, La Distesa, Velenosi, Sartarelli, Moroder, Pievalta, or Falesco. All of these Umbrian vineyards offer the finest Italian foods and the best wines of Italy.You can even learn how to make real Italian dishes and desserts and which wines to pair them with by taking a cooking course while you’re in Italy. Many cities in Umbria offer such practical classes for visitors. They will normally take you to the market to buy local ingredients and then teach you how to make a dish or two using those ingredients. They’ll give you tips on how to make the recipe back home and which wines would taste best with it.

If you enjoy celebrations, you should visit Perugia for the Umbria Jazz Festival or Eurochocolate Festival; Spoleto for the summer Festival of the Two Worlds or the fall Teatro Lirico Sperimentale opera festival

If you enjoy history, you can explore the pre-Roman days of Italy by exploring the many discovered tombs of the Etruscan civilization. You’ll see artifacts of jewelry and pottery and the artistic wall frescoes they left behind. Orvieto has many tombs you can tour, as well as Perugia.

You can also visit Assisi, original home of Saint Francis of Assisi. You can tour the Basilica di San Francesco while taking in the view of the mountains surrounding the area.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Italy, Lazio, Le Marche, Perugia, Tuscany, Umbria

Emilia Romagna, Italy

Emilia Romagna, Italy is a region located in the northern portion of the country. Emilia Romagna has a population of just above 4.4 million people. The entire region and its capital city, Bologna, are some of the most wealthiest areas found in Europe. Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari, which are three of the most expensive European cars brands are all manufactured in the Emilia Romagna region. The two cities in the Emilia Romagna region that every traveler must see are Bologna and Parma. They both feature some of the most amazing Renaissance architecture found in the world.

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia Romagna region and features a population of just over 380,000 people. There are hundreds of great things to see while you are in Bologna, but the best sights are San Petronio Basilica and Bologna Cathedral. Along with these two amazing sights, there are also several great musical festivals that occur in the city throughout the year. If one of these festivals is occurring during your trip to Bologna, they are also a must see.The San Petronio Basilica is the 5th largest church in the world and can hold up to 28,000 people at one time. Along with being one of the largest churches in the world. San Petronio Basilica is also an amazing piece of architecture both inside and outside. The interior of the church feature hand painted walls and some of the most beautiful stained glass windows found in any church.

The other great sight in Bologna is the Bologna Cathedral. The Cathedral dates back to the 1600s and is dedicated to Saint Peter. Just like the San Petronio Basilica, the Bologna Cathedral is one of the best looking churches around. The interior features a very baroque style and has paintings created by major Italian painters including Alfonso Lombardi and Cesare Mauro Trebbi.

Parma is another great city in the Emilia Romagna region of north Italy and features a population of just above 187,000 people. The entire city features picturesque architecture that includes several amazing churches and other buildings. While the entire city is worth seeing for the landscape, the main attraction that you must see while in Parma is the Museo Glauco Lombardi.

The Museo Glauco Lombardi is an art museum that was created by Glauco Lombardi, who spent his entire life collecting and preserving great pieces of art. After his death, they decided to build a museum to display all of the great pieces of art that he had collected through the years. Most of the artwork in the collections are from various artists that working in the Parma area during the life of Glauco Lombardi. The museum is one of the rare cases that you can see the entire history of a city throughout the years through the artwork that was made in the city.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Italy

Friuli-Venezi Giulia, Italy

Friuli-Venezi Giulia, Italy is one of the most beautiful places on earth. It is not only full of natural wonder, but also with rich history that dates back thousands of years. Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy, is one of those special regions of Italy that has a long history and a beautiful culture that has lasted throughout the centuries. It is a part of the twenty region system of Italy. The capitol of the region is Trieste. It is known as a major opening to the sea for many European countries, providing access and transportation for travellers and traders.

Giulia is Italy’s northernmost region. It borders to other European countries, Austria to the North, and then Slovenia to its eastern side. It also has a border along the coastline of the Adriatic Sea and the Veneto Region. Giulia is an extremely diverse region, with four different types of geographic climates. The first is the mountains, since it borders slightly on the Alps. The second is the hilly section of the region, and the third is the area in which Giulia flattens out into a vast, grassy plain. The fourth and final section is the coastal region. The country is known for having beautiful mountainside territory, with mountain lakes, fields of flowers, a diversity of flora and fauna and access to the ocean. There are two main rivers that flow through Giulia; the Tagliamento and the Timavo.

The Carso is a popular attraction in the area. It is region near the coastline that contains many underground rivers, hollows and lovely caverns that can be explored. The region was a popular center of Roman development during the reign of the Western Roman Empire. Today there are many ruins and archeological discoveries from that time period that are a testament to that time period. In Aquileia, visitors can view the ruins of the period of Roman reign, from pillars to groundwork.

Today Friuli-Venzia Giulia is very famous for its cuisine. Visitors from all over Europe travel to Giulia to taste the fine foods and wine that are provided. Their famous dishes include the Frico, the Brovada, Jota, Crostoli Angel Wings, Frittole, Polenta, Brodo, Radiocchio, Goulash, and wines like Moscato and Verdehlo.

Trieste is a beautiful sea village to visit. At one time it was a bustling seaport under the Austrian Hapsburgs. Today it is a serene, scenic seaside town with shops and tributes to ancient architecture, both remodeled and original. Muggia is the final outpost before the Slovenian border, and also a quaint Italian village to visit. The foothills that are located along the western border of Giulia are a nice place to have a picnic and take a serene day trip. Try attending a flea market that operates within the interior of a 16th century cathedral. There’s no telling what you might find. Visit Udine to view the beautiful art galleries.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Friuli, Italy

Trento, Italy

Trento is among the most unique regions in Italy, Trentino Alto Adige. It is nestled in the midst of the Adige River Valley, an Italian city and the Capitol of Trentino. Throughout the 16th century, this city was popularly known for holding the Council of Trent. Today Trento is a center for financial, political, educational and international affairs. It is well known in Italy for having an outstanding reputation. The University of Trento is actually one of the country’s top 30 colleges. There are two sides to the city. One is the highly populated urban side, and the other is the historic center, where Renaissance Italy flourished during the earlier centuries for a period of over two hundred years. Much of the historic center holds buildings that have been preserved, as well as recreated.

The geography of Trento is fairly simple, sitting in the middle of a river valley. It is bordered by a few mountains and tiny mountain hamlets that lend a hand to the scenic value of the countryside. It sits within a glacial river valley just south of the Alps. Because of its close proximity to this large mountain range, the temperature and climate of the city is influenced heavily by this geographic formation.

The history of the city is very long, although it is generally agreed upon that the original inhabitants of the region were Gauls, Celtics and other nomadic tribes that were wandering Europe. During the 1st century B.C., the city was conquered by Roman forces. The Romans gave the city a name that means “three teeth,” in reference to the three mountain peaks that are located around the city. After the Western Roman Empire fell, the region of Trento was ruled by many different tribes and small countries that rode in to conquer the small area. Around the year 1200, silver was discovered in Trento, and it became a popular mining town for a short period of time. Trento underwent many different changes in leadership and played many different roles in world history, dating up to modern day. Today Trento is a tourist hub and a wonderful place to visit.

The Buonconsiglio Castle Tower Museum is an amazing reference to how ancient the culture and history of Trento really are. Don’t miss out on visiting the Aquila Tower during your tour of the castle. The Piazza Duomo is a famous square that flaunts the exotic culture of Italy in a small, cozy setting. Valli di Ledro are a series of hiking trails, scenic walks and meadows where you can sit back and enjoy the natural beauty of Trento, from viewing the small mountain hamlets to the foothills of the Alps mountain range. You can also visit Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cattedrale di San Vigilio and take a tour guided by Insoliti Percorsi.
Trento is a unique and culturally rich place to visit.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Italy, Trentino, Trenton

Le Marche, Italy

Le Marche is in Italy. In fact, it is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and in English is commonly known as Le Marches. The region of Le Marche borders along the territory of Emillia Romagna. It is a vast, hilly country. The eastern border of the region is formed by the Adriatic Sea. Because of the mountainous geography of the region, there are also mountains, particularly the chain of small mountains that trail along the coast, the Appenine. Monte Vetorre is Le Marche’s tallest mountain peak, but none of the other peaks in the region exceed 2,000 meters. There are many deep gullies, rivers and valleys tucked away inside the region of Le Marche, as well as alluvial plains and hidden villages and Renaissance towns. The chains of mountains that are located here contain deep river gorges, the three most well known of these being the Rossa, Frassasi, and the Furlo. The hills of Monte Conero near Ancona are famous in Italy, and many tourists stop to take pictures of the breathtaking landscaping that they create.

In ancient times, Le Marche was known as Picenum Territory. It was briefly occupied by a tribe of Gauls, before it was conquered by the Romans later on, at which point it became permanent Roman territory. However, the Roman Empire was to fall, and at this point Le Marche was invaded by Goths. It was for a time a part of the Byzantine Empire, and during the Eighth century it was conquered by Charlemagne. It was a part of the Papal States and it came be a Renaissance town later on. Over the years it exchanged hands with powerful rulers before it came to be the small tourist destination that it is today.

30 years ago, Le Marche was considered a poor farming town, but due to exposure and economic growth brought on by the tourist market, it has substantially risen in the world. The region today is divided into five regions and presided over by a small, local government.

When it comes to enjoying the beauty of Le Marche, there is plenty to see and do for the average tourist. For the water and sun-loving tourist, there is over 180 kilometers of coastline on the Adriatic Sea. There is also the Rossini Opera Festival, Fano Jazz by the Sea, Annual Opera Season, International Piano Competition, and the International Theater Competition. Because of the foreign invaders that Le Marche constantly dealt with during the early centuries A.D., it was not until the 11th and 12th centuries that they began to take the time to erect buildings. There are many testaments to Roman and Medieval, Gothic architecture in the city to view. There are also local tours that will take you along the coastline, through farms, across wine vineyards and onto the beautiful beaches along the Adriatic.

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Milano Centrale

Grand Train Station of Milan, Italy

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Besides being a train station, Milano Centrale is an architectural monument. Milano Centrale is Milan’s main train station and the second-largest train station in Italy, if you measure by size and volume of traffic. Over 120 million people use this station every year and 600 trains a day depart or arrive at the station.

Besides being one of the busiest stations, Milano Centrale is definitely one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. Although its cornerstone was laid in 1906 the Milan train station was not completed until 1931 when it opened as the new Milano Centrale station. It was designed by architect Ulisse Stacchini, who modeled it after Washington, D.C.’s Union Station.

Construction was slow partly due to the economy in Italy during World War I, and partly because Mussolini kept changing the plan in favor of a grander structure, one that would depict the fascist regime. Its dimensions measure 656 feet in length and 236 feet in height at the highest point of the vaulted ceilings, with 24 platforms.

The architectural style of Milano Centrale station is a combination of Art Deco and Liberty with numerous sculptures and intricate designs. The façade features Aurisina stone, a beige limestone. Statues of winged horses sit atop this giant structure and the view from outside is beautiful.

Milano Centrale has three entrances, with the main entrance facing Piazza Duca d’Aosta. Another entrance is located facing Piazza IV Novembre, and the third entrance faces Piazza Luigi di Savoia, in close proximity to the shuttle bus terminal, where shuttles take you to Malpensa airport for €7.50 one way.

In the past few years a large refurbishing project took place to update and prepare Milano Centrale for the upcoming Expo 2015. Moving ramps, additional elevators and other accessible innovations have been put into place to modernize the train station and provide for more efficiency. A separate ticketing hall with numerous windows is available in addition to the self-serve machines in the main hall.

In the restoration of the vaults and walls of the atrium, some of sculptor Bazzoni’s bas-reliefs were able to be reconstructed. Some artwork by Basilio Cascella is now more visible after a thorough cleaning had taken place.

Milano Centrale features a large retail area on four levels including shopping and dining, and for security and safety reasons a large police presence is in effect. Connections with other train stations are available as well as access to Milan’s metro system.

Guest Post By: Margie Miklas

Filed Under: Europe, Italy, Milan, Train Stations

Sardinia, Italy

Since it is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea and has 1,129 miles of coastline, the island of Sardinia is a highly prized destination for seaside vacations. Sardinia is a popular travel destination because of its beaches, scenic beauty, and ideal climate, but above all because of the spectacular hospitality provided to visitors by those who live there.

Many things attract visitors to Sardinia, including its famous seaside resorts and towns that reflect its historic past. For example, there are more than 7,000 nuraghi (cone-shaped stone fortresses), unique temples and entire villages dating back to the Bronze Age on the island.

Here are some places in Sardinia that you will definitely want to visit:

● Cagliari, which has been Sardinia’s capital since Roman times and is the island’s major harbor, can be reached by ferry from Naples and Sicily. The Bastione San Remy provides an impressive view of the harbor, the older part of the city, several towers that were once used to defend the city, a cathedral dating back to the 13th century and a Spanish-style castle. This diverse town also features one of the island’s longest beaches.

● In the past, the Spanish viceroy used Alghero as a fortress, and visitors can see many examples of sixteenth-century architecture here. Near the port, you will find a vast array of fishing boats and places to eat as you tour the area.

These are two of Sardinia’s most remarkable beaches:

● Costa Smeralda (the “Emerald Coast”) is the resort where many of the world’s rich and famous come to “get away from it all.” Its beaches, which are dotted with a number of beautiful coves, are truly remarkable. The archipelago La Maddalena, located nearby, consists of 27 islands, and every one of them is a national park.

● Portobello, which is located on the island’s northern coast, is considered to be Sardinia’s most romantic destination and an ideal “swimmer’s beach” as well.

Two villages on the island, Castelsardo and Bosa, are considered to be among the “most beautiful villages in Italy.” In addition, other towns—such as Sardara, Galtelli, Aggius, Laconi and Gavoi—have been given the Orange Flag Award for outstanding tourism.

Sampling the cuisine in Sardinia

Experienced travelers will tell you that seafood is abundant here, from pungent fish soup to crab, lobster, squid, clams and anchovies, which are used extensively in preparing flavorful local dishes. Along with that, Sardinia’s famous pasta entrees include ravioli and gnocchi, served with special cheeses and complemented by Sardinian wines, which have a Spanish touch.

Filed Under: Europe, featured, Italy, Sardinia

Basilicata, Italy

The region of Italy known as Basilicata is located in the arch of the boot and is divided into two provinces, Potenza and Matera. Basilicata meets the Ionian Sea at the Gulf of Taranto to the southeast and is bordered on either side by the regions of Puglia and Campania provinces. Basilicata, Italy has a long history of seismic events and is home to the extinct volcano Monte Vulture, located an hour north of the city Potenza. Because of seismic phenomenons, ancient cities were destroyed or completely abandoned in the region. Basilicata has an amazing landscape which is rocky in places, half mountainous, and the other half is very green hill country. The white sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages, and numerous historic sites remain unspoiled and barely known to the tourist industry, making the region the best way to see real life in Italy.

The province of Matera is home to the medieval town of Craco which is perched high on the cliffs of the local mountains and is essentially a ghost town. During the middle of the last century, Craco was devastated by a series of earthquakes and major geological instability. In1963 the entire population of 1,800 residents of Craco moved to a more stable location leaving the town completely empty and abandoned. This fascinating town can be seen only from a car driving through the area because it is too unsafe on foot.

The town of Potenza, located in the Appenine Mountains, is another Basilicata town which lost the battle against Mother Nature. In 1857, the majority of the town was destroyed by an earthquake. Later, World War II destroyed what was left of the town’s ancient and medieval structures. The resilient residents of Potenza worked to restore some of the ancient buildings including Cathedral of San Gerardo. A trip to Potenza is a captivating look into ancient civilizations and their history.

Melfi is located in the foothills of the extinct volcano Mount Vulture and was once the headquarters of the Roman Emperor Frederick II. A commanding stone castle, perched on top of a green rolling hill, overlooks the surrounding town and is an icon of bygone civilizations. A tour through the castle gives tourists the opportunity to experience the rich history of ancient civilizations of the region. It is possible to arrange for a native Italian guide to conduct personal tours of the castle.

Basilicata, Italy is relatively untouched by the tourist industry, so which ever part of Basilicata you decide to visit; you will experience real Italian life, not an Italian city transformed to accommodate tourists. There may be no waiter to bring drinks while sun worshiping on a sandy white beach, but it won’t be crowded by tourist either. This gives visitors a chance to discover the beauty and history of the region in their own time without having to adhere to the schedule of a guided tour. See ancient ruins by car, hike through the history of an ancient civilization, and dine at local restaurants to experience Italian life first hand.

Filed Under: Basilicata, Europe, featured, Italy

Apricale, Italy

Apricale, Italy is commonly known as “The Place in the Sun” because its name means “visible to the sun”. This is especially dominant when sunset illuminates the colored houses. This small hilltop village in Western Liguria, Northern Italy, is close to the Italian Riviera in the foothills of the Alps Maritime on the border of Italy and France. It is 1,000 feet above sea level as it clings to the hillside. There are only a reported 570 to 700 permanent residents.

This town is an example of well-preserved medieval architecture which goes back to approximately 1200 A.D., so you feel like you are taking a walk back into history when you stroll the original narrow streets that are cut off from vehicle traffic. Because the village has banned cars due to the alleys and walkways being inaccessible, Apricale is also the Village of Cats where the cats have taken over.

Famous painters from all over the world come to Apricale to paint the spectacular landscape, and many artists have established showrooms and studios in this well-known arts and crafts center. There are many paintings and murals that were painted back in the 1960s and 1970s. The Renaissance-style Town Square (Piazza) is the heart of Apricale and is a natural amphitheater where festivals, classical and jazz festivals, concerts and other staging events are held.

The Apricale Historical Center has museums, beautiful botanical gardens, a public fountain, a lovely town hall, a Parish Church that dates back to the Middle Ages, the remains of Doria Castle, and the Castle of the Lizard which dates back to 1092 when it was owned by counts.

As small as this hamlet is, there are many accommodations that range from luxury to budget prices. These include homes, hotels, cottages, apartments, and bed and breakfast inns.

Restaurants serve local delights such as fish and meat dishes, pizza, pasta, rabbit stew, and desserts.

Apricale is also a shopper’s paradise where you can purchase local wines, cheeses, breads, ham, sausages, olive oil, fresh figs and peaches, chestnuts, wild boar, and sun dried items.

Apricale is a treasure that is often undiscovered and yet offers so much to view and enjoy.

Filed Under: Apricale, Europe, featured, Italy, Liguria