Posted by internetauthor on August 13th, 2010 — in Abruzzo
Near Abruzzo National Park is the newest of Italy’s scenic wildlife preserves and park. Majella National Park is truly beautiful and a wonderful destination when you’re seeking something outside of the museums and shops of the big cities. Founded in 1993, Majella has more than 86,000 hectares of stunning land and vistas covering three provinces. With plenty to see and do, it’s a great weekend escape in Italy.
Terrain and Views
The land encompassed by Majella National Park is anything but flat. It contains very steep mountains beside deep valleys and even a few canyons. Plateaus make natural grazing grounds for wildlife and the rolling hills and green lush valleys are often covered in any number of plants and flowers. The peaks of the park are some of the tallest in Italy. In fact, more than half of the park is over 2000 meters (6,500 feet) in altitude. Rugged mountains are split by deep gorges and valleys and the Orta and Foro flow across the region creating stunning waterfalls over the rocks and ridges. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on January 13th, 2009 — in Abruzzo, Italy, Rome and Surrounding, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria
When in Italy, eat as the locals do. This means you should sample a wide variety of foods from premium restaurants as well as the local fruit stands at the morning markets. Italians take their food very seriously, so everything is delicious, especially if you avoid restaurants specifically catering to tourists. Here are a few must-have items while traveling:
Gelato
Why not start with dessert? Italian ice cream is rich and gooey and usually overflows the cup or cone. There are plenty of flavors that you might not find at your neighborhood ice cream shop and the experience of the tiny cone alone is a fun memory. Be aware, however, that more than one person has become addicted to gelato, especially if they sample it early on in the trip. It might very well become a daily habit.
Pizza
Italian pizza is nothing like the kind you find in most restaurants back home, even the Italian ones. During your travels, find time to order both an authentic wood-fired pizza and sample take-away pizza or pizza al taglio. Pizza al taglio is sold in square sections by weight at small bakeries and corner stores. It makes a great snack while walking the city as you can have as little or as much as you’d like in a single sitting.
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Posted by internetauthor on December 9th, 2008 — in Abruzzo, Italy
The little known capital city of Abruzzo, L’Aquila is truly a hidden treasure simply waiting for you to discover her wonders. L’Aquila is the capital of one of the most beautiful sections of Italy and the natural surroundings are only a portion of what makes the town so attractive and interesting.
The Young City
By Italian standards, L’Aquila is a rather young city. It was founded in the thirteenth century when Frederick II of Hohenstaufen called on the inhabitants of ninety-nine castles in the surrounding area to consolidate into a strategically allied position. The town became a stronghold between the Middle East and Northern Europe. The formation of the town and its ninety-nine founders are remembered throughout the city, particularly in the fountain of 99 spouts located in Piazza di Porta Rivera.
Discovering the Town
Full of interesting landmarks and must-see areas of interest, the town of L’Aquila is too much to cover in a day, especially on a single walk. Indeed the best way to see the whole of the town it to spend multiple days exploring its sights and surrounding mountainous region. Set off with a particular destination in mind, but pop into open doors or areas that spark your curiosity and you might find yourself in a medieval courtyard or the midst of another wonderful surprise. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on November 27th, 2008 — in Abruzzo, Italy, Rome and Surrounding, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria
The holidays are special everywhere, but if you plan on spending even part of the holiday season in Italy, you can do no better for fun, festivity and interesting customs you certainly won’t see anywhere else. When in Italy, celebrate as the Italians do!
Nativity Scenes
Sir Francis of Assisi was the first to create a full manger scene including animals and such as we know the nativity scene today. Since that time, the presepio has become legendary among the Italian people. Every town, city and church will be displaying their presepio throughout the holiday season, which in Italy lasts through Epiphany. Many of the oldest, wealthiest families in Italy have rooms devoted to their elaborate and priceless nativity scenes. The rooms are opened for only two months and closely guarded the rest of the year. (more…)
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Posted by internetauthor on November 18th, 2008 — in Abruzzo, Italy, Rome and Surrounding, Tuscany, Umbria
When visiting Italy over the holidays, it is critical that you not only visit the magical sites of antiquity, but also the kinds of events you just can’t find anywhere else in the world. Where else can you get authentic, handmade Christmas gifts from genuine Italian craftsman other than the special Christmas markets spread throughout Italy.
Epiphany Fair in Piazza Navona
In the heart of Rome, the Piazza Navona is transformed during the holiday season. Booths offer handmade lace and handkerchiefs, delicate carvings and wooden creations, and homemade cakes and biscotti. Most especially, you can find beautiful presepio, or carved Nativity scenes. Artisans from the areas surrounding Rome have been bringing their wares to this fair for generations. Father Christmas is present to take pictures and fresh candy and treats are prepared on the spot filling the air with the smell of toffee and roasting chestnuts.
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Posted by internetauthor on November 11th, 2008 — in Abruzzo, Italy, Rome and Surrounding, Sicily, Tuscany, Umbria
If you’re looking for snow and fir trees this Christmas, you’d do well to travel outside of Italy, for the larger cities of Italy are not especially Christmas-y by traditional standards. Of course, Italy sets its own standards and that includes the celebration of Christmas. In Italy, there might not be giant blow-up lawn ornaments, but the Italians show their love for the season by celebrating it for an entire month.
The Month of Celebrations
In Italy, the Christmas celebration starts on December 8. This makes it easy for visitors to enjoy the holiday both in Europe and again at home with authentic Italian gifts for friends and family. The holiday season begins on December 8, and officially ends of January 6, Epiphany, an important religious holiday in Christianity.
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