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If you have been to Tuscany but not yet visited San Gimignano – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the ‘town of towers’[...] check out the incredible skyline this town has to offer! Not into history or stunning natural beauty? Than come visit for the dry white Vernaccia wine local to the area — that’s half the reason I keep coming back. I had the chance to revisit this past week with friends for our beloved holiday of ‘Pasquetta‘ {little Easter} on Monday and had a great time being a ‘tourist’ yet again. Like many walled medieval towns in Tuscany, San Gimignano was once used fortress in the hands of different empires and powerful noble families throughout it’s long existence. It shouldn’t surprise you that it’s roots date back to Etruscan times (3rd century BC) - pilgrims used to stop here for a pausa (rest) on their way to Rome and the Vatican city, it happens to lie along the route of the famous pilgrim route of via francigena.
The views from the top of the wall (which yes you can climb) are absolutely incredible. The Tuscany you always dreamed of? You will find that here folks! In fact, it doesn’t matter how many years I am in Italy, I will continue to be wowed by such natural beauty, take it all in and then some.
If you’re lucky you might even catch a really really creepy puppet show in the middle of gorgeous Piazza della Cisterna (home to the uber-famous award-winning geleteria!). I must admit, I was slightly traumatized after seeing this (and of course I caught in on camera – I apologize in advance for the F Bomb…) .
There is also a Museum of Vernaccia wine...
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Walking on the ancient way the "Via Francigena", I have come across the traces of the Templars. Even though many complexes of this mysterious order were devasted by order of King Philip il Bello of France, a few architectural complexes are left and not completely lost.
Remains of the Templar Order in Tuscany can be found along the Via Francigena and along the Via Cassia, which crosses through Florence. The architectural complexes, such as "Magioni", for example, were the Maison. These Templar hospices were adapted to receive pilgrims. We find them almost everywhere as this was their main function.
The town of Pisa constitutes an important basis for both pilgrimages and the military actions of the Crusades, that is to say, traveling to the Holy Land. The House of the Temple of St. Sophia now destroyed was outside the city wall in Via Nicola Pisano. Belonging to other military monastic orders, are the church of Santa Maria della Spina and the Holy Sepulchre, that has the same pattern of the real Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In San Gimignano, the church of S. Jacopo de Templars, according to tradition, was built by the knights once they return from the First Crusade, but the religious symbol on the main entrance is certainly of a later period. The mansion of St. John in Jerusalem, in Poggibonsi, belonged to the Knights Templars and Hospitallers. This building rises at an ancient crossing of the river Staggia, on the Via Francigena. Today it is home of the Militia of the Temple.
Finally in Siena, at the northern entrance at door Camollia, the Church of St. Peter the Mansion dates back 998 a.D. It was for sure the 'House of the Temple' from documents dating to 1200. Nowdays it is property of the Knights of Malta. Read more
Easter is a wonderful time to visit Florence, usually with comfortable temperatures of around 18–20 degrees Centigrade, ideal for walking and seeing the sights, visiting museums and exhibitions, and (especially if the sun is shining!) enjoying a meal and glass of wine on the terrace of one of the many inviting restaurants and cafés lining the Piazza della Signoria, the Piazza della Reppublica or the Piazza Santa Croce – without the inevitable summer crowds. Easter is an important time on the religious calendar everywhere, but in Florence it is really special with the ‘not to be missed’ Lo Scoppio del Carro on Easter Sunday. It is well worth a wait in the Piazza del Duomo all morning or, even better, staying at a hotel or apartment with views over the piazza. Lo Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) is a religious tradition in Florence dating back over 500 years. It originates from the time of the First Crusades in 1099, when a young Florentine, Pazzini, was the first to scale the wall at Jerusalem and raise the Christian flag. He returned to Florence with three flints (a gift from the Holy Sepulchre), which are still kept in the Church of Santi Apostoli. The ceremony is preceded by a colourful procession through the streets of Florence to the Duomo, with the cart being pulled by two oxen, decorated with garlands of flowers and accompanied by musicians and entertainers in historical costume.
During Mass in the Duomo, the flints are used by the Cardinal to light a rocket, shaped like a dove, which then travels along a wire and ignites the cart outside, resulting in a magnificent display of fireworks which lasts about 20 minutes. Exhibitions worth a visit - If you are interested in the history and art of 15th Century Renaissance Florence, don’t miss The Springtime of the Renaissance: Sculpture and the Arts in Florence 1400–1460 at the Palazzo Strozzi. From 23rd March 2013 – 6th January 2014.
- Norma e Capriccio: Spanish Artists in Italy in the Early Mannerist Period, at the Uffizi Gallery until 26th May 2013.
- Vasari Corridor, the passage which links the Uffizi Gallery with the Pitti Palace. Designed by Giorgio Vasari, and built in 1564 by Grand Duke Cosimo 1 de’ Medici, this kilometre long Corridor houses more than one thousand 17th and 18th Century paintings, and includes self portraits by Rubens, Bernini, Corot, Ingres and Delacroix.
- Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the Museo Ferragamo has been extended until 1st April 2013. Marilyn Monroe was a loyal customer of the late Salvatore Ferragamo and owned 40 pairs of Ferragamo shoes, which she wore in many of her famous scenes.
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If you are a young foreign woman eager to make the most of a trip to Italy, here is my point of view: Of course it depends of which kind of traveller you are, whether you want to meet the local people in the neighbourhood bar or prefer to wander the various sites, guide book in hand which is interesting but can be a little lonely.
Summer in Italy is great, don't misunderstand me. Even the "deadly hot" time of August, especially in Rome has lot to offer because all the Italians tend to escape to the beach Spring is a fantastic period to visit Italy in general, the Italian spirit wakes up from its winter drowsiness, breathes the air fragrant from spring flowers and puts the smile back on its face. Women start to dress in pretty outfits, shorter skirts and heels much to the delight of all the men!
The Mediterranean habit of sitting outside a cafe, watching the world parade past is reawakened, everyone gently enjoying the scene.
So I think it is a great time to perhaps encounter a romantic time, especially if you can find someone really interesting to accompany you to the museums, churches etc or even just a walk in the lovely countryside. Hills topped with castled villages are magnificent, there are fewer tourists and the locals are happy to make you welcome. Staying only in town will lose you so much of the beauty, charm and culture of any area.
After Easter the lidos reopen and it is possible to find great fish and seafood in the many excellent restaurants. Further inland the menus change to more local regional produce - all of it excellent.
Prices can be very attractive in this season and what you buy on your shopping adventures, especially the many discount outlets for Prada, Armani etc can be still worn for the summer at home to the envy of all your friends who haven't had your luck in coming here.
April, May, June? They are so different. What a great responsibility it is to suggest the best time for an epic journey... May!!! Definitely May, it has all the joys of spring with less risk of capricious weather of the cooler months and is not yet the debilitating temperatures of high summer.
Come to La Bella Italia in May!!
March April May - From 7th to 9th: Anteprime – ti racconto il mio prossimo libro in Pietrasanta
- 16th: Luminara in Pisa
Amanda Ruggeri is an American expat and long-time resident of Rome. She knows this city like the back of her hand and consistently shares her insight via her well-written blog www.revealedrome.com. Now Amanda has also just released a book called The Revealed Rome Handbook: Tips and Tricks for Exploring the Eternal City. It both complements and extends her online treasure trove.
Reading the book, you will notice that Amanda’s love for this incomparable place is accessible and welcoming. In fact, she is herself also accessible and welcoming. Amanda invites her readers above and beyond the handbook, suggesting that you contact her directly with questions and for any further advice. She also offers a personalised trip-planning service via Skype.
Amanda’s multi-layered approach to sharing information strikes me as very appropriate for this most ancient and complex of cities. Rome can be as awe-inspiring, sexy and delicious as it can also be confusing, overwhelming and frustrating (at times). So, whether you are coming for a long stay or a short visit, I support Amanda’s suggestion that you consider her book a “shortcut to experiencing Rome like a local.”
Over six chapters, she covers just about every topic likely to pique a visitor’s curiosity in thoughtful detail. In fact, the only real exclusion I can see is one that everyone hopes most visitors never need to experience anyway. That is, the ridiculously convoluted journey out to the immigration centre in Rebibbia to process a working holiday visa. However, should you by chance need to also experience this, I suspect that Amanda is actually well-placed to also provide you with some good-humoured and common sense guidance on this topic as well.
Each of the book’s chapters is focused on a different aspect of a trip to the Eternal City (e.g. planning, eating, sightseeing, etiquette, shopping, safety and bathrooms!). The ultimate beauty is the fact that it is a personal handbook rather than a generic guidebook and I guarantee that you will appreciate Amanda’s humorous and intimate touch. Here is someone who genuinely wants you to love the Eternal City as much as she does and who also has the know-how to make that happen.
Since 2003, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has enjoyed a close strategic partnership with Bentley Motors. 'As ultra-luxury lifestyle brands, St. Regis and Bentley are both synonymous with service beyond expectation and offer discerning travellers unparalleled bespoke experiences, which are critical for the new generation of affluence' , said Paul James, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. Visit www.stregisflorence.com
Packing light is essential for happy, hassle-free travel. Choose your luggage carefully — a carry-on sized convertible backpack/suitcase is the best bet for most travelers. As you pack, carefully scrutinize each item (clothing, electronics, toiletries, etc.) to see if it justifies hauling it around. The payoff is sweet mobility, freedom and a better trip. For more information on the Rick Steves' Europe TV series — including episode descriptions, scripts, participating stations, travel information on destinations and more — visithttp://www.ricksteves.com.
New Jersey-born Sam Hilt is a seasoned tour guide for Tuscany Tours, who recently wrote Turning Tuscan: A Step-by-Step Guide to Going Native, a book that changes the rule of what a "guide" should be. The book itself has a certain casual and friendly prose, almost as if Hilt himself were reading to you and walking you through various places in Italy. His first-person style gives it a genial tone that never sounds like braggadocio. As an expert in Renaissance art, Hilt will take you on narrative walks with him, not just through museums and countrysides but to local families sharing meals. In fact, his chapter on Eating Rituals has some amusing and insightful moments that The Daily Meal has excerpted below. "The chapter doesn't deal with specific recipes or rave about how wonderful Alfredo's lasagna was," said Hilt. "My focus is on the rituals surrounding food in Tuscany: the unwritten rules around when, what and how people relate to their meals." "Much has been written about the glories of Italian cuisine,” he goes on to add. “And the passion that all Italians share for eating very well whenever possible is hardly a secret. What is less well known are some of the rituals that Italians observe around what, how and when they eat. Since virtually everyone follows these unwritten rules, it's something that native Italians never notice and certainly couldn't tell you about. As a foreigner exploring this terrain, it's when you unwittingly commit a faux pas that you begin to discover that there actually are rules. Welcome to the ritual mysteries of eating in Italy." Turning Tuscan is literate, gracious, and touching at times and feels like a very well-written, nuanced journal. There are even poems by his wife, Pamela.[...]
If you’ve been reading along with me for a while, you know that I am not quite a budget traveler, but I’m not a luxury traveler either. I am willing to spend a little more on a truly great local meal, a comfortable living space, or a stunning view. But I’m also willing to spend some time bargain hunting and getting creative with my travel. You probably also know that I often try and track expenses and share them here on the blog so that you can get a sense of what it costs to spend a few weeks in Germany or a month in the Italian countryside. Without further ado, then, here’s my cost breakdown for a month in Umbria (Tuscany’s lesser-visited-but-still-gorgeous neighbor). Please note that this is a solidly mid-range budget and I’ve made lots of notes and given more detail below the breakdown. Amounts are in American dollars. - Cozy one-bedroom apartment with a view $1047
- Trains – Milano airport to Perugia $96.49
- Wine $45.22
- Breakfast/warm drinks $31.32
- Groceries $217.30
- Eating out $60.71
- Bus and train fares (day-to-day) $73.15
- Gifts $71.28
- Books and supplies $74.34
- Luna food and supplies $34.58
- New winter coat $106.27
- ATM & exchange fees $25.00
Total: $1882.– At the time of this trip, $1 US dollar was equal to 0.74 euro. Notes on my spending in Perugia: I splurged a bit on my sweet apartment overlooking the hills (totally worth it, by the way), but otherwise kept costs quite low. One of the things I love most about Italy is that the food here is seasonal, simple, and incredibly packed with taste. And I don’t just mean the restaurant food. I can be perfectly happy with some locally made olive oil, fresh bread from the bakery, and a little pasta with tomatos that I whipped up myself, which is why I ate in quite a lot and my eating out budget came in super low. My wine and buying-a-cute-new-winter-coat budgets were a little higher. So, with all that in mind, please note that if you are a budget traveler, you could easily do Umbria for half of what I spent (by couchsurfing, camping, hosteling, or just finding one of the local university students with a room to rent, and by not splurging on the “special” – read: expensive – wine or buying things like new winter coats). And if you have a little more to spend, you could easily spend it eating out every night or taking frequent day trips around the countryside. As for me, I was content to peruse Perugia, take a couple day trips to Rome and Assisi, and sit at the window, enjoying my view with a glass of rich local wine and a plate of pasta a la arrabata (pasta with angry sauce).
Towns in Tuscany Your Travel Agent Has Never Heard Of: - Pitigliano - Pitigliano is a medieval town with Etruscan heritage. It’s found in the southern Tuscan region of Maremma in the province of Grosseto. The earth under Pitigliano is riddled with tunnels, caves and tombs that you can explore – hook up with the local tourist office to arrange a tour. There’s also a Christian cave chapel said to be the oldest in Italy, from about 400 AD.
- Capalbio - Capalbio is also located in the province of Grosseto, close to the Lazio border. The views from Capalbio give you an awesome picture of the entire Maremma region all the way to the sea. The old and lovely things that attract people to the town are the Renaissance Collacchioni Palace which houses the piano of Giacomo Puccini–Capalbio’s most famous vacationer.
- Manciano - The town of Manciano is built on a hilltop with massive views of the surrounding valleys and the sea. Visit Manciano to enjoy the thermal hot springs. Many people don’t know that Italy has some amazing natural springs and the Saturnia hot springs just outside of Manciano are famous within Italy.
- Montescudaio - Montescudaio is a miniature Tuscan town with a whopping 1800 residents. The village is a medieval borghi, a fortified town surrounded by protective walls. The town is located on a hill close to Pisa. This is a beautifully preserved town where you might want to plunk yourself at a restaurant with a terrace with stunning views of the ocean, the Islands of Elba, Capraia, Giglio and Montecristo. You’re just 12 km from the coast.
- Montefioralle - If you dream of staying in a farmhouse in the famous hills of Chianti Classico then Montefioralle might be your golden ticket for under the radar Chianti living. It’s on the road between Florence and Sienna where vineyards, scattered peasant houses and beautiful villages are dotted between hill-top woods. Montefioralle has just 2 restaurants and is virtually car free, so if you have kids then this would be a great place to relax.
- Monteriggioni - Monteriggioni conforms perfectly to the mental image of a walled castle village. The walls and towers are virtually intact and the streets are mostly traffic free. Check out their medieval festival on the first weekend of July every year. The locals dress in medieval costumes playing farmers, merchants, soldiers, cross-bowman friars, magicians, astrologists, ballad singers and jesters.
Last week the archbishop of Venice, Monsignor Francesco Moraglia, caused a stir by asserting that churches should not charge entrance fees. Voices were raised in alarm because many Italian churches, including at least 16 in Venice, contain superb works of art, and issuing tickets to tourists helps fund upkeep and restoration.
But the controversy reminded me quite how many wonderful paintings, mosaics and scultpures are there are in Italian churches which you can see without paying to enter. Together they surely rank as Europe’s greatest free art gallery - much enhanced that they remain where the artists and patrons intended them to be.
Here are 20 of the best. Knowing the problems and costs of resoration, if you visit any of them, you may feel inspired to make a donation after all. - Venice - 12th-century Mosaics, St Mark’s
- Venice - Tintoretto: The Last Supper and The Fall of Manna, San Giorgio Maggiore
- Venice - Giovanni Bellini: Madonna & Child with Four Saints, San Zaccaria
- Venice - Titian: Annunciation and Transfiguration, San Salvador
- Aquileia - Floor mosaic, Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta
- Rome - Michelangelo, Pietà, St Peter's
- Rome - Caravaggio, St Matthew, San Luigi dei Francesi
- Rome - Mosaics, Santa Prassede
- Rome - Bernini, St Teresa, Santa Maria della Vittoria
- Rome - Raphael, Sibyls, Santa Maria della Pace
- Padua - Donatello, Sculptures, Basilica of Sant'Antonio
- Assisi - Giotto, Life of St Francis, Basilica of San Francesco
- Spello - Pinturicchio, life of Mary and the Child Jesus, Santa Maria Maggiore
- Corciano - Perugino, Pala di Corciano, Santa Maria Assunta
- Orvieto - Façade, Duomo, Orvieto
- Florence - Pontormo, Deposition, Jacopo Santa Felicita
- Florence - Chapel of the Cardinal of Portugal, San Miniato
- Naples - Pietro Cavallini, Crucifixion, San Domenico Maggiore
- Otranto - Mosaic floor, Pantaleone Santa Maria Annunziata
- Monreale, Sicily - Mosaics, Santa Maria Nuova
The houses of Puglia, called "masseria," are fortified structures of brick, stone, and concrete dating from the Middle Ages and surrounded by verdant vineyards and groves of olive trees; many have been renovated to serve as private residences or boutique hotels (see Paradise in Puglia: Pensione to the Stars). You can admire the local architecture in Masseria: The Italian Farmhouses of Puglia (Rizzoli).
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Amalfi Coast vs. Cinque Terre: Deciding Between Italy’s Most Popular Coastlines The Cinque Terre is beautiful—but so is the Amalfi coast. How do you decide? When it comes to spectacular views and cute seaside towns, both the Amalfi coast and Cinque Terre of Italy make for excellent destinations. So deciding between them can be a little difficult, especially if you’ve never been before! Trying to pick between the Amalfi coast and the Cinque Terre? Here’s help!
Rome is a city of contrasts – a good recipe for photography. Travel to Rome to admire the old Roman temples and museums full with art of classic master painters and sculptors. Find a hotel in Rome in a quiet neighborhood and explore the small restaurants and cafes. From ancient Rome to modern art, there is something for everyone. But whatever you do do not leave your camera home. I was easily running out of two batteries – every day!
Third time in Rome and I feel I have just barely started to see all the attractions. There are so many museums, churches and art galleries that only living in Rome would allow you to see everything.
when to go
Spring and autumn are best. With cheap flights from Europe, lower priced hotels, and restaurants that still have an available table these are the best times to go. Hotels and hostels become more expensive in summer. While the Italians leave the city but throngs of tourists come to visit the ‘Eternal City’. Check the weather, buy some plane tickets and pack the bags.
attractions in Rome
The Colosseum is the most famous landmark, but it pales in comparison to the Forum Romanum. Together with Villa Borghese, the Vatican museum, Museo Capitollini and the Pantheon they are a good start for ancient Rome. If you are more attracted to painting and sculptures (and less by the history of an empire that once called the Meditarenean ‘mare nostrum’) you should add the National Gallery of Modern Art and maybe visit the Vatican museum a second time. Shopping and people watching can be gloriously done around the Spanish steps and Fontana di Trevi. Full article
A drone experience in Finale Ligure, Liguria Italy. Mountainbiking and climbing in one of the best place for outdoor activities in the world.
The town of Sulmona in the Peligna Valley marks Good Friday with a procession that starts in the evening at the Baroque Church of Santissima Annunziata and ends late at night at the Church of Santissima Trinità. On Easter Sunday, a procession sets out at 11am from the medieval Church of Santa Maria della Tomba bearing the statues of the Risen Christ, Saint John and Saint Peter. Bearers carry the statues to the Church of San Filippo Neri to announce the news of the Resurrection to the mourning Madonna of Loreto. She refuses and the saints implore her to come out of the church. Eventually, the church door opens and a black-clad Madonna moves out. A flock of 12 doves is released and tradition dictates that if they fly high, it is a sign of a good harvest to come. Suddenly, the Madonna breaks into a dash as she rushes to meet her son, accompanied by the sound of firecrackers. Location: Sulmona, L’Aquila, Abruzzo
Date: Holy Week 25 to 31 March
Website: http://www.comune.sulmona.aq.it/manifestazioni.html
Upon arrival in Europe, getting settled and oriented is a snap. Your first stop should be a tourist information booth, where you can pick up a map and ask questions. Zip into town on the efficient local public transit system to reach your hotel. Conquer jet lag by staying active in the fresh air before going to bed at an early local bedtime.
Another wonderful city we visited was Siena in Tuscany. It is actually one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.
It is famous for its art, cuisine, museums, outstanding beautiful architecture and the very famous Palio, a horse race that is held twice a year. Actually, the Palio is such a big event I will do a separate post on it.
Siena is easily one of Italy’s loveliest medieval cities. It is so worth while to take the trip when you are in Tuscany. A day visit is great however if you have the time stay a couple of days. There is just so much to do and see in this gorgeous city.
There are a few options in getting to Siena from Florence. I have travelled by coach, I have driven and also take the Sita bus from Florence. I learned that although taking the train into Siena is an option it is not the best option. Siena does have a train station, however it is located further from the historic city centre than the bus station.
The SITA company runs the buses between Florence and Siena, and the departure point in Florence is just across the street from the city’s main train station, Santa Maria Novella. Siena’s bus stop is at Piazza Gramsci, well inside the old city walls.
The journey between the two cities takes roughly 1.25 hours on the fast bus. This is a direct trip. There is another bus which stops several times including a stop at Poggibonsi where we stopped on the way to San Gimignano.
If you are travelling from Florence by car, the quickest way to get to Siena is on the autostrade which only takes 1 ¼ hours and goes through the very beautiful Chianti region. If you decide to go via the scenic route, make sure you have a very good detailed map and or a GPS
If you are not from Florence, I highly recommend seriously considering not driving in Florence. It is not the most driveable city in Italy and is very frustrating. If you plan on renting a car, wait till you are ready to leave Florence.
At then end of the day of my last trip to Siena, after walking till our feet ached, we chose to sit in a great bar overlooking the piazza and drank our wine and people watched.
Now this is an activity I can thoroughly recommend. When I travel I want to make every post a winner but some times I just need to sit back, reflect and watch the world go by.
There is so much to see and do in Siena I will do another post at a later date.
Eating Italy Food Tours offers tourists an opportunity to experience Rome like a local. Taste the best foods in Rome at the best restaurants that locals love but few tourists get to enjoy and meet all the colorful characters behind these foodie treasures.
Get off the beaten path and discover the Real Rome today with Eating Italy Food Tours.
The World Heritage List includes 962 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.
These include 745 cultural , 188 natural and 29 mixed properties in 157 States Parties. As of September 2012, 190 States Parties have ratified the World Heritage Convention. Italian Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List (47)Cultural - 18th-Century Royal Palace at Caserta with the Park, the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli, and the San Leucio Complex (1997)
- Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Lombardy (2003)
- Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (1998)
- Archaeological Area of Agrigento (1997)
- Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata (1997)
- Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (2000)
- Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico), Padua (1997)
- Castel del Monte (1996)
- Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (1997)
- Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Italy Maria delle Grazie with "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci (1980)
- Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (1998)
- City of Verona (2000)
- City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (1994)
- Costiera Amalfitana (1997)
- Crespi d'Adda (1995)
- Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (1996)
- Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (2004)
- Ferrara, City of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta (1995)
- Genoa: Le Strade Nuove and the system of the Palazzi dei Rolli (2006)
- Historic Centre of Florence (1982)
- Historic Centre of Naples (1995)
- Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura (1980)
- Historic Centre of San Gimignano (1990)
- Historic Centre of Siena (1995)
- Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (1996)
- Historic Centre of Urbino (1998)
- Late Baroque Towns of the Val di Noto (South-Eastern Sicily) (2002)
- Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.) (2011)
- Mantua and Sabbioneta (2008)
- Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (1987)
- Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto) (1997)
- Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps (2011)
- Residences of the Royal House of Savoy (1997)
- Rhaetian Railway in the Albula / Bernina Landscapes (2008)
- Rock Drawings in Valcamonica (1979)
- Su Nuraxi di Barumini (1997)
- Syracuse and the Rocky Necropolis of Pantalica (2005)
- The Trulli of Alberobello (1996)
- The Sassi and the Park of the Rupestrian Churches of Matera (1993)
- Val d'Orcia (2004)
- Venice and its Lagoon (1987)
- Villa Adriana (Tivoli) (1999)
- Villa d'Este, Tivoli (2001)
- Villa Romana del Casale (1997)
Natural
Click for the Properties submitted on the Tentative List (41)
When we travelled to Italy, one of the things that I was set on doing was renting a villa in Tuscany for a week. The villa that I ended up choosing was located near the medieval town of Figline Valdarno, located about 30kms south of Florence. Although there is public transportation to the town, there was none that went near our villa, which is the main reason that I decided to hire a car.
It turned out that economy car hire in Italy is very affordable, so it didn’t eat into my budget too much, and this turned out to be the best decision that I made.
After picking up our car in Florence, it was a lovely drive out to our villa which is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. The narrow winding roads in the area passed centuries old farm houses and little villages, with the rolling hills covered in vineyards, olives and forest on the way to the famous Chianti wine region.
Our first adventure in Chianti was a picnic looking out at the beautiful Tuscan countryside, followed by a visit to the interesting town of Greve in Chianti.
Each day, we passed through the beautiful Chianti region, sticking to the more minor roads and visiting little villages on our way to the more popular medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano. There is a train line from Florence to Siena, however there is no easy way to get to San Gimignano without a car, and it would have been a real shame to miss this perfectly preserved medieval town, which, by the way, also has the world’s best gelato!
Away from the towns and villages that we could only visit by having a car, I think the greatest thing of all about renting a car in Tuscany was the pure freedom that we had to go and do what ever we wanted. There was no need to worry about leaving a place in time to catch a bus or train, and if we saw something on the way to somewhere we could simply pull over and have a look. There were no restrictions at all, and this was a great feeling.
Our week in Tuscany was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Italy, and renting a villa and a car was by far the best way to do it.
A day trip to Prato: what to see and what to do. Click
Who came up with those six words, neatly and cleverly bound for all time? As it turns out, neither an Italic, an Etruscan nor a city planner from ancient Rome coined or uttered the phrase. Shockingly, it was a 12th century French-speaking cleric in the court of Phillippe of Alsace — the Count of Flanders — who gets the credit for dreaming up the immortal line, in French – Rome ne s’est pas faite en un jour – that the rest of the world has been using ever since. In 1895, Adolf Tobler, a Swiss linguist, published Li Proverbe au Vilain, a collection of Medieval French poems based upon the original Old French writings of 1190. It is in this original body of work that the catchphrase about the Eternal City not being quickly constructed over a 24-hour period is first documented. The occasionally bawdy language, coupled with the earthy subject matter, provides the modern-day reader with colorful glimpses into 12th century France through the eyes and ears of the common man. The catchphrase was first chronicled in English in 1538 when John Heywood authored A Dialogue Containing the Number in Effect of all the Proverbs in the English Tongue. Next time you say or write, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” better preface it with, “Or so the peasant says.” After all, let’s give credit where credit is due. In this case, the wise, but anonymous, poet laureate who penned it first for the Count of Flanders. Too bad he didn’t have it copyrighted. Can you just imagine the royalties?
A tour of the noisy Palermo market resembles a visit to an Oriental bazaar. Here you can have all senses are battered by crowding, shouting and strange sights and odours as a reminder of Sicily’s historical ties with the Arab world and the proximity to North Africa.[...]
In Palermo dialect Vucceria means ‘confusion’ and the market generally lives up to this name. It is open long into the evening, which may explain the local saying ‘quannu e balati ra Vucciria s’asciucanu’ – when the Vucceria pavement becomes dry – as an indication of something that will never happen.[...]
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