One of the most cultural stops in Rome, the Capitoline Museums hold treasures in art and archaeology dating back to the 15th century. The museums are situated at the top of Capitoline Hill in Campidoglio square, and this location is quite obviously responsible for the museum’s name. The museums are home to many of the city’s best treasures from centuries of research and excavation and are a must-see for visitors to the city.

Visiting the Capitoline Museums
The museums are housed in two palaces that face onto a central square. This piazza was designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti in 1536 and took more than 400 years to complete. In addition to the connection through the piazza, the museums are connected through an underground tunnel. This tunnel also leads to the ancient Tabularium – the offices and library of ancient Rome now located in the Roman Forum.

While the plaza might date back to the 16th century, the museums are dated to 1471 when Pope Sixtus IV donated his personal collection of ancient bronzes for the public to view. To properly display them, the Pope placed the collection in a structure at the top of Capitoline Hill. The museums are not owned by the city, however, not the church.

Palazzo dei Conservatori
The Palazzo dei Conservatori is the building on the right side of the Cordonata stairs. This is the entrance to the museums. In the 16th century palace, three stories of historical and artistic treasures are available for viewing. There are many sculptures both in bronze dating back to the original collection and in other mediums. The most famous statues in the Capitoline Museums are the Spinario which is a bronze creation dating back to the 1st century AD and the She-Wolf, which was created in the 5th century BC.

Sculpture is not the only form of art on display in the Capitoline Museums. A lovely collection of 16th and 17th century painting are found in the museum as well. In the courtyard of the museum, there are remnants of a colossal statue of Constantine II, a Roman emperor who was immortalized in the 4th century.

Palazzo Nuovo
The second half of the museum, the Palazzo Nuovo was built in the 17th century following a design by Michelangelo to complement the Palazzo dei Conservatori. The Palazzo Nuovo has two floors of ancient artifacts of Rome. This collection includes statues, sarcophagi, busts and even mosaics. The most notable statue in the Palazzo Nuovo is Dying Gaul and a statue of emperor Marcus Aurelius. The Palazzo Nuovo is linked to the Palazzo dei Conservatori through the Galleria Congiunzione, an underground tunnel with a collection of epigraphs.

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Almost the least habituated region of Italy, Molise is home to a rural, southern Italian lifestyle and is utterly charming to visit. It’s not on the beaten path for most tourists and even other Italians because it’s so remote, but it’s the best place in all of Italy to see the easy pace of life that these mountain people have been enjoying for centuries.

Rural Italy in Molise
There isn’t much in the way of sophistication in Molise, but there is a great deal of natural beauty and charm. The robust red wines and ricotta-filled raviolis will give you the energy you need to explore the wild coastlines and the sandy beaches of the Adriatic. There are many ancient Roman sites, churches and castles in the region as well. It’s been said there are as many castles as sheep in Molise, and this might be true – there are certainly a lot of both dotting the countryside.

Molise can be considered frontier country in Italy to an extent. The nature preserves hold wolves, polecats and golden eagles, all creatures that have called this area home for millennia. The region is densely forested and filled with these nature reserves and a slightly wilder side of Italy to explore.

Hidden Molise
Of all the regions of Italy, Molise has been the slowest to push its natural elements in regard to tourism. This is primarily due to the waves of emigration as Italians leave this region of Italy to move on. As they leave, other groups including the Albanians, Slavs and gypsies have moved in to establish settlements. Molise is under populated and is overshadowed by its more well-known neighbors. However, traveling to Molise is its own reward with a giant, empty, unspoiled countryside to explore and enjoy.

If you’re not up to exploring the hills and mountains of the region, the 35 kilometers of pristine beaches along the Adriatic coastline are more than enough to keep you busy. The sandy beaches are beautiful and very affordable, even in the peak summer tourist months. Termoli and the A14 motorway are the best ways to get started enjoying this water along the coast. The city of Termoli is a walled town with a castle and cathedral to boast. The water is the heart of the town, however, including an evening passeggiata where posing and flirting are encouraged and expected as dusk settles over the quiet town.

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Some of the most notable wines in the world hail from Tuscany, and this is certainly not surprising since Italy produces more wine than any other country. The smooth flavor of the Tuscan wine is renowned, and for good reason. If you’re looking to ship some bottles home during your trip to Tuscany, be on the lookout for these popular varieties.

Super Tuscan Wine
Unofficial and relatively modern, the last few decades have given birth to the “super” Tuscan varieties of wine. These wines are unconventional and are made by blending grapes of different varieties. The heady variety of wines can be found in works of many regions.

Bolgheri Wines
One of the big three wine zones in Tuscany, the Bolgheri zone is in west region and is the home of Sassacaia and Tignanello. These wines originated here and have begun the trend of the super Tuscan wines. The Bolgheri wines have received world-wide attention as the attention to detail over the last decades have resulted in finer wines with much higher quality. Winemakers in this region have perfected the red Tuscan wine by blending grapes of the Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The end result is stunning, of course, and several wines have been produced by differing combinations of these grapes.

Montalcino Wines
Located around Siena in Tuscany, the Montalcino wine zone is known for producing the Brunello di Montalcino versions of Tuscan wines. Bunello di Montalcino is made from the Sangiovese grape and is aged for four years to create the perfect red wine. Two of those aged years are in oak barrels giving the wine the perfect flavor to be paired with meat dishes includes steaks and roast.

Chianti Classico Wines
Chianti wines rose to fame decades ago with the straw basket covering the round bottle of wine in a tiny Italian restaurant. The bottles have defined the region for years, but recently the Chianti Classico zone in the center of Tuscany has worked to develop new wines and improved versions of the classics. The primarily ingredients in Chiati Classico wines are red sangiovese grapes which are often blending with other grapes from the region. The wines produced in Chianti Classico are full-bodied and bold. The wines produced in the region are the much richer, more refined versions of the straw wines loved for decades for their kitsch value. While the straw covered bottles are still available, so are some of the finest wines in the world.

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The home to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Verona is a charming city and has grown to become one of the most popular tourist locations in Italy, outside of the biggest cities, of course. Verona isn’t just about landmarks from the 14th century that happened to make it into Shakespeare’s plays. The city has much to offer tourists, although there is a bit of fun in seeking out Juliet’s balcony and the site of their clandestine marriage.

Juliet’s Balcony
A charming square balcony on a small alley in Verona is Juliet’s balcony. The entire courtyard is completed covered in graffiti and it can be pretty crowded most of the day as everyone wants to see the famed setting for such a romantic love scene. The graffiti isn’t lovely to see, but it has a rather romantic origin – it’s the names and messages of other lovers in Verona marking their names in the fabled location of one of the greatest love stories of all time. The statue of Juliet is a popular landmark as well, and is much sought after for photographs, both proper and not. When leaving Juliet’s balcony, visit Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore. This is the location where it believed the secret marriage of Romeo and Juliet took place centuries ago.

Arena di Verona
Build during the time of the Roman Empire, the Arena is one of the largest amphitheater still in use today. The huge structure is ancient, yet is the home to concerts and shows during the summer months of June, July and August. The amphitheater has seats for 20,000 people and is a wonderful stop if you’re able to get tickets to a concert during your visit. Regardless, it is available for viewing year-round, however, and the views from the top of the massive structure are breathtaking.

Piazza Delle Erbe
Once the center of Verona during the Roman Empire, the piazza still has numerous market stalls and monuments. Original buildings from medieval times stand around the piazza as well. The piazza is still a thriving community with many restaurants and bars doing a booming business and locals tend to enjoy visiting this area rather than dealing with crowds of tourists around the Piazza Bra. Wander the piazza enjoying the frescos and monuments including the Casa Mazzanti and the Madonna Verona fountain.

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Every nook and cranny of Italy seems to hold timeless secrets and terrific beauty and Sardinia, a beautiful island off the coast of Italy, is certainly no different. The small island holds terrific appeal for many Italians, but is virtually undiscovered by most tourists. Visiting Sardina is a feast for tourists with interesting historical sights, amazing scenery and some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. Best of all, the island is almost undisturbed by the hubbub that surrounds most of Italy’s major cities – it’s truly a world apart.

Circling Sardinia
You can make the circuit around Sardinia in about 900 kilometers or 559 miles. Spending a week on the island lets you explore every aspect along with stunning countryside and water views. Begin your journey in the capital city, Cagliari. A medieval town, Cagliari is situated on a hill along the southeastern coast of the island. The ancient streets lead you almost directly to the lovely beach just outside of town. After seeing the sights in Cagliari, head out of town heading west down the Costa Verde, a stunning stretch of coastline.

The Costa Verdi is unspoiled by developments and is an ideal location for swimming or sunbathing by the balmy Mediterranean. Just inside the island from Costa Verdi, the Nuraghe Su Nuraxi fortress dates back to 1500 to 400 BC. The huge complex is as fascinating as it is ancient. Continuing on to the northwest, you’ll reach the ancient Roman city of Tharros located on the Sinis Peninsula. The ruins are interesting in an archaeological sense.

The Sights of Sardinia
Heading north up the western side of the island, you’ll reach the small town of Bosa, home to yet another stunning beach. Continue on along the coastal road enjoying the beauty of the scenery to reach Alghero. Alghero is a port town that is walled and maintained beautifully. It makes an excellent base to explore the rest of the coast along this area. Continue around the top of the island and you can visit La Maddelena at the heart of an archipelago.

Moving around the island, the province of Nuoro is famous for its isolated inlets, spectacular gorges, deep caves and walking tails. Visiting this area gives you a nice feel for the island’s culture. Considered the most spectacular bit of island coastline, Golfo di Orosei is easily seen by boat or on foot. From this point, it’s easy to take a meandering drive back down the coast road to return to Cagliari once again.

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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, one city that doesn’t need much advance planning to enjoy is Florence. Packed to the gills with tourists year-round, the astonishing art and the lovely sights in the city’s center bring in travelers in all seasons, but particularly in the summer months. Of the three big cities that tourists visit in Italy (Rome, Venice and Florence), Florence is easily explored on foot with almost no advance planning and come away with an overwhelming appreciation of the art and a feeling of success in your travels.

Crowds and Planning
The only aspects you should plan carefully in your trip to Florence are access to the historical center of town from your hotel and advance tickets to the art museums. Florence’s center is close and flat making it ideal for walking tours and exploring on foot. Indeed, it’s almost impossible to explore the city in any other way. When booking your hotel room, be absolutely sure that it’s in the historical area of Florence and you’ll never need to worry about rental cars or public transportation during your stay.

The art collected in Florence is truly world class. It’s almost impossible to see all of the art in a single trip, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. With the crowds of tourists and the small, historical museums that house the art, you can expect long lines to visit. To avoid this, buy your tickets in advance online or by phone and you’ll be able to get into the museums more easily and have more time for enjoying other parts of the city rather than standing about for hours in the sun waiting.

Leather and Gelato
Two of the specialties of Florence are the leather goods manufactured and sold in the city and the amazing quality of the local gelato. Visit the outdoor markets that sell the leather items and haggle. There are wonderful deals to be made if you’re aggressive in your buying, but always guard your purse or wallet as pickpockets enjoy the markets as well.

While walking to or from the museums, markets and other sights, make it a point to buy a scoop of gelato at every opportunity. Try gelato form every shop you pass (and you’ll pass plenty) to see the amazing quality of the gelato in this city. If you don’t care for it, throw it out and try again in the next shop. You’re bound to be impressed.

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People can appreciate Turin, the ancient capital of Italy, simply walking around.

This is a city with a “Royal Past” and offers impressive monuments and buildings that bear witness to this important history.

To discover it you can start from Piazza Castello. A kilometers around this square it is possible to see countless works of art and museums.

First of all the Mole Antonelliana, which today is home to the Museo Nazionale del Cinema.

At the centre of this square there is Palazzo Madama, a medieval building with a Baroque facade, which now houses the Museo Civico d’Arte Antica.

Under the arcades there is the Teatro Regio, followed by the Royal Library, where there are many manuscripts, the Royal Armory and the self-portrait of Leonardo da Vinci.

The Church of San Lorenzo is also worth a look. It is famous because it hasn’t got a façade and has a splendid Baroque dome.

Continuing to walk people meet the Royal Palace, built to be the official residence of dukes, afterwards become kings for over two centuries.

In this beautiful building you can visit some magnificent rooms adorned with objects of great artistic and historical value, such as porcelain, tapestries, furniture and paintings.

Near the Royal Palace, visitors can admire the  Cathedral, built around the year 1500.

Apart from the artistic value of the building, this building is important because it contains the Chapel of the Shroud, where the urn containing the Holy Shroud is still located.

In the surroundings of the Dome there are Porta Palatina, dating back to Roman times, the remains of the Roman Theatre and Piazza della Repubblica (or Porta Palazzo). This square is famous thanks to its market, which is the largest outdoor market in Europe.

Photos from the Albums of: alphaorionis, Francesco Cattoni, lonesome:cycler, Gaspa and magro_kr.

Hotels in Turin.

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Many people travel to Italy in search of a “cultural experience.” They want to bask in the history and grandeur of the city, but often struggle with the huge number of tourists there for the same reason. To have a cultural experience in Italy, you need to do more than make a list of places you’d like to see. In fact, it’s not what you see in Italy that matters most – there is so much to see and do around every corner of the country. But it’s how you experience the country that will make the most profound impact.

Learn Some Italian
If you’re going to immerse yourself in Italy, consider learning some Italian. Learning as many phrases and words as you can before you begin your trip will give you an opportunity to learn more while you are there as well as getting greater insight from locals and experts not trained as tour guides pampering the needs of the other tourists. Learning the language is also very respectful as well to the shopkeepers, villagers and workers you’ll encounter of your journey

Stay Open to Experiences
If your experience is set by the clock, the long lines and checking things off a list, you’re not experiencing the country properly. It’s just as important to stare at the statues not in the tour book and to discover the more meaningful scenes and images of the country. Revel in the food, gaze in wonder at the treasures of the country and try to breathe in the essence of the country by slowing down and simply enjoying the little things along with the big ones.

Take a Journey
Don’t take a trip to Italy, take a journey. Begin with the end in mind with every experience. When you go to a restaurant, don’t plan on eating a meal, plan on finding the best item on the menu to sample. Use the waiter’s experiences and opinions to guide you through the unfamiliar items. Be sure that your waiter understands that you’re not interested in the foods you already know. Many restaurants and waiters don’t publicize the specials locals enjoy thinking you might not enjoy the food, when it truth, it’s exactly the experience you were seeking. You can take the same sort of journey to find the most beautiful landmark, the most memorable scene and the most interesting museum display.

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Rice Fritters are typical Tuscan sweets that people eat at carnival or in the day of St. Joseph (19 March).

Ingredients:

1 litre of milk,
500 gr. Rice
100 gr. Flour
50 gr. Sultanas
1 cinnamon stick
3 eggs
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons rum
grated rind of 1 lemon
30 gr. yeast
a pinch of salt

Preparation

- Cook rice in milk with lemon peel, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

- As soon as it is “al dente”, remove from heat and let it cool.

- Add the liqueur, egg yolks, flour, sugar and yeast. (raisins is optional)

- Finally, add the beaten until stiff egg whites.

- Let it stay for fifteen minutes.

- Then pour the mixture by spoonfuls into boiling oil.

- Make the fritters become brown, drain them using a perforated spoon and put them on kitchen.

- Sprinkle with sugar and serve hot.

Photos from the albums of: panciapiena.com, gepiblu and fullo.

Hotels and Restaurants in Tuscany

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If you are on vacation along the coast of Liguria. What can you do? You can find some relief in the shadowy valleys of San Lorenzo and of Prino.

From Porto Maurizio and San Lorenzo al Mare you can reach these valleys, named “valleys of the olive “, for the overwhelming presence of trees that give the landscape a particular aspect.

All villages that are located in the valleys of San Lorenzo and Prino are characterized by rural ambiance and timeless atmosphere, where the narrow streets and alleys follow one another and intersect on slopes of varying inclination to create jewels of ancient lifestyle.

Among the villages that deserve to be visited on short interesting and relaxing trips there are:

Pietrabruna: it is located 10 kilometres far from the coast and 400 meters above sea level.

The village is named after the colour of the stone on which houses are built.

The village is anyway full of the colours on facades of houses and religious buildings.

In the nearby village of Torre Paponi it is setting up an interesting ethnographic museum.

Civezza: it is 3 kilometres far from the coast and 230 meters above sea level.

This is an elegant and colourful village bordered on the side of the sea by the baroque church of San Marco and the Oratory of St. John the Baptist and bounded on the side of the mountain by the Swiss Tower.

They say that the founders of Civezza were Venetians and this also explains the devotion to St. Mark, otherwise rare in Liguria.
Today, its inhabitants are no longer Venetians, but foreigners, especially Germans.

Dolcedo: it is 7 kilometers from the coast and 75 meters above sea level.

Dolcedo is the oldest and most populous village of the Valley of Prino. It is divided into 8 boroughs and surrounded by woods and olive groves.

The village has medieval origins, and offers the opportunity to enjoy pleasant walks through the ancient boroughs, along the river, on bridges and in the town forest.

Vasia: it is located 11 kilometres far from the coast and 385 meters above sea level.

The municipality of Vasia consists of many villages, which are an important agricultural centre today as in antiquity.

The most important village is Prelà Castello, dominated by the imposing ruins of the castle of Petralia.

The landscape is dominated by churches of various ages with high towers. Among these, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Guard offers a memorable view.

Photos from the albums of: it1315922, funadium, apolaine and Paolo C..
Hotels in Liguria.

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