Posted by internetauthor on May 28th, 2010 — in Lombardy
Intensely popular with good reason, Lake Como, or Lago di Como, is shaped much like an inverted Y and is the deepest lake in all of Italy. The unique shape of the lake creates a create deal of coastline and that land is used extensively for villas, resort villages and natural excursions including hiking paths. The lake itself is a popular destination for travel primarily for boating and other water activities, although the hiking and picnicking is exquisite as well.
Locating Lake Como
To find Lake Como, you’ll head north of Milan toward the border of Switzerland. The lake is found about 40 kilometers north of Milan and the drive is anything but bland. The countryside is covered with mountains and hills making it beautiful well before you even reach the lake. To make it to the lake, you can drive your own vehicle or take advantage of the train that travels between Milan and Switzerland. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by internetauthor on March 26th, 2010 — in Lombardy
Seeing the Sights of Lombardy Unlike most of Italy, the region of Lombardy is landlocked. The top of the region touches the vistas just under the Alps while the bulk of the region is made up of flat plains of the Po River Valley. While the plains might not be stunning with their natural beauty, the small treasures throughout Lombardy are.
Mantova
Dreary marshlands surround this town, but Mantova is one of the most well-known Renaissance centers in Italy. Andrea Mantgna’s frescoed masterpiece along the walls of the Camera degli Sposi in the Palazzo Ducale draws great numbers of tourists on the weekends, so it is best to visit this town during the week if possible. Just outside of Mantova along the banks of the Po River, Cremona’s Piazza del Comune is home to a Romanesque cathedral and bell tower. The blend of architectural styles is complex and intriguing. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by grazia on January 7th, 2010 — in Lombardy
The Palazzo Te is a monumental building in Mantua. It was built between 1524 and 1534 commissioned by Federico II Gonzaga by the most famous Italian architect Giulio Romano.
It was built in a marshy area of the city reclaimed by Gonzaga Family. Francis II, father of Frederick II chose it as the place for the practical training of his esteemed and beloved horses.
Frederick, at the tome lord of Mantua, decided to turn it into a place of recreation, rest and gorgeous parties. Here Giulio Romano had the opportunity to give vent to his genius.
Palazzo Te was often used by the Gonzaga family to receive and great important guests like emperor Charles V on two occasions, in 1530 and 1532. While Henri III, king of France, was here a guest in 1574.
The Palazzo Te consists of several Chambers and Halls. Each of them has its special name and houses beautiful paintings and frescoes.
Some important Chambers:
The Chamber of the Giants is the eldest. The painting covers completely and without interruption all the available space: a fresco that puts the viewer in the centre of the event. Here Jupiter, with a beam of lightning, defeats the Giants, while they try to climb Olympus. An episode related to the myth of Gigantomachy, the Giants fight against Jupiter, as narrated by Ovid. Here Giants are represented as men while Ovid described them as as monsters with a thousand arms. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by grazia on December 6th, 2009 — in Italy, Lombardy
The Italian Chrimas Cake: PANETTONE
Panettone is a typical cake of Milan, associated with the culinary traditions of Christmas and widely distributed across Italy.
The true story of the birth of the famous Ambrosian cake is shrouded in the thick of mysteries.
However, other legends tell of the origins and among these the most reliable tells of a grand Christmas dinner by the Sforza family.
The powerful lords were very pleased with their dinner, where each course had exceeded the previous in tastefulness and anxiously awaited the moment of desserts.
The cook noticed suddenly that the oven had played a bad joke! All cakes he had prepared had burned.
So in despair he was preparing to go into the room to apologize to the guests, when Toni, his scullion proposed to bring the lords the cake he had prepared with the leftovers.
The cook, having no other choice, accepted and presented “that kind of bread”.
Soon a chorus of cheers and congratulations rose from the room. And the cook, that was a very honest person, despite being praised by all, confessed that the recipe came from his credit went to his scullion Toni. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by grazia on November 23rd, 2009 — in Italy, Lombardy
Monteforte Cilento is situated in the province of Salerno and it is 66 kilometers far from the city of Salerno. It has 625 inhabitants and lies 600 meters above sea level.
Located at the foot of Mount Chianiello, Monteforte Cilento (from “Mons Fortis”, which means “fortified hill”) dominates the high valley of the Alento, which looks out among rugged cliffs, pastures and chestnut and oak forests, offering superb views of a uncontaminated nature.
This ancient place is enchanted and the clearest sign of time passing is indeed the disappearance, in the last century, of the country’s most significant architectural element: the castle.
Very interesting areas from the natural point of view are located along the beautiful scenic route coming form Trentinara. Among these, the mountain forest Chianiello, rich in oaks, turkey oaks and Mediterranean scrub.
The peak of the mountain is reached via a pleasant trail. Ideal for picnics in the mountains are the great chestnut wood and the natural arch located in area Cavallazzi and, on the road to Roccadaspide, the forest Valdicioffo rich in maples and oaks, with its large picnic area and a fresh and clear spring. (more…)
Share This
1 Comment »
Posted by grazia on October 18th, 2009 — in Italy, Lombardy
Serves 4 people:
Ingredients:
8 slices of ossobuco
6 handfuls of rice
1 package of dried mushrooms, 500 gr.
1 onion
2 glasses of red wine 
stock cubes
parsley
oil
butter (if desired)
Preparation:
Take the package of dried mushrooms, wash them and leave at least 1 hour in a cup full of water and a dash of milk.
Take a pot to cook the rice and a pan for the ossobuco. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »
Posted by grazia on October 7th, 2009 — in Italy, Lombardy
La Rinascente is an Italian department store specializing in clothing and accessories. Currently has 12 stores found in the major Italian cities.
Its story began in 1865 when Ferdinando Bocconi opened in the centre of Milan a small cloths shop. In a few years its activity expanded to become the first Italian store.
After the great fire on Christmas Eve of 1918 destroyed it, the warehouse was rebuilt and renamed La Rinascente by Gabriele d’Annunzio.
La Rinascente became synonymous with elegance and good taste thanks to the quality of clothing and accessories sold there and thanks to the valuable posters of Dudovich Marcellus, which captured all the charm of a lifestyle made of holidays, sophistication and attention to fashion and style.
Under the bombings of World War II the old building of “La Rinascente” was seriously damaged. Later, the old building was completely demolished, and “La Rinascente” was rebuilt in completely different ways. (more…)
Share This
No Comments »