Toscana Sun Festival

The Toscana Sun Festival 2011 takes place from July 30 through August 7 in the town of Cortona.
Enjoy a week of music, fine arts and culinary delights in this delightful medieval town. For more information or to obtain tickets visit http://www.tuscansunfestival.com/.

Ciao e a presto,

Summer Get-A-Way in Rimini

Located on the Adriatic Sea, Rimini is one of the most popular summer vacation spots on the coast.
When you tire of the sea and sand, there are a few worthwhile places to see in the village square. Inside the Tempio Malatestiano, the official cathedral church of Rimini, is a faded yet spectacular fresco by Piero della Francesca.  Other chapels contain beautiful works of art, tombs, and statues of prophets. Don’t leave the square before taking a photo beside Rome's oldest surviving arch, the Arco d'Augusto erected in 27 BC.

Rimini has more than 1,000 hotels and restaurants. My favorites are: La Locanda di San Martino for fresh seafood and the luxurious 5-star Grand Hotel, http://www.grandhotelrimini.com/en/offers-special-rimini-hotel-italy-offers-weekend-holidays-sea-families.htm and sits right on the beach.
For more information visit the Rimini Tourism Office website www.riminiturismo.it

Ciao e a presto,

Citta di Verona

Spend a romantic weekend in Citta di Verona (located in the Veneto Region) professing your love as Romeo professed his love to Juliet beneath the balcony of the Casa di Guiletta. Tour the city's best attractions such as the Teatro Romano and the Amphitheatre. Check into one of the loveliest Italian boutique hotels http://www.escalusverona.com/and live la dolce vita!

Ciao e a presto,

Presepio

The first living Nativity Scene (Presepio) originated with St. Francis of Assisi upon his return from the Holy Land. St. Francis' living nativity took place in a cave near Greccio Italy.  A typical presepio has figurines of Mary and Joseph, the infant Jesus in a manger, and three shepherds bearing gifts. If you are celebrating Christmas in Italy and will be in Rome, visit Vatican City to see  a living nativity scene. Other cities with presepio displays include Trento, Verona and Naples. The largest and most elaborate presepi can be found in Rome at the Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Euclide, and on Capitoline Hill. 

On Christmas Eve you can follow the mass celebration with Pope Benedict XVI and stream the live mass from anywhere in the world. The mass will be celebrated in 5 languages: English, Italian, Portuguese, French and Spanish.


http://www.pope2you.net/
http://www.vaticanradio.org/    
http://www.pccs.va/

Buon Natale e Nuovo Anno Felice,

Ciao e a presto,
My Italian Hideaway and All Things Italian

Buon Ferragosto

Ferragosto, August 15, is a catholic holiday celebrated by all Italians. It's the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

It's also a day for giving thanks for the land and for good harvests.

When you hear the word "Ferragosto" it means that Italians go on holiday and head to the beach or mountains.

While many businesses throughout Italy are closed, the new Fodor's Italy 2010 guide will give you plenty of ideas for planning an August vacation. If you like cycling, you'll find a great resource on our blog, Cycling in Italy.

August is great month to travel. Cities are less crowded and you won't have to wait in long lines for entry into tourist attractions.

If you are headed to Siena, plan to attend the Palio www.aboutsiena.com/palio-of-Siena.html

If you love art, music, wine and food, catch the Cortona for the Tuscan Sun Festival www.tuscansunfestival.com before it ends on August 6.

Want to cool off, head to the sea or better yet bypass the busy beaches and head north to Verona for the Summer Opera www.arena.it

Buon Ferragosto,

Ciao e a presto

Quando a Roma Manga La Porchetta

Juicy, succulent, aromatic, and slow roasted on a spit until golden brown and tender, nothing beats the smell and taste of a fresh porchetta panino. Careful preparation is what separates the experienced from the inexperienced porchettari "porchetta makers" and no body does it better than the Fratelli brothers Alessio and Claudio Azzocchi. The family business dates back to 1894 in the small hill town of Ariccia, about 45 minutes southeast of Roma or just one stop en route to the Rome airport (Via Portuense, Fiumicino). Not only will you taste the best porchetta in Italy, but you can join in on the fun at the Sagra (festival) di Porchetta in Arricia.

Buon Appetito!

Ciao e a presto,

Vacanza

Siamo in vacanza. Torna presto!

My Italian Hideaway

Tartufo Bianco

The 79th Annual International White Truffle Festival (Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d'Alba) is taking place in Alba, a town in the Region of Piedmont until November 8, 2009.

The white truffle, called "trifola" by the Piedmontese, is named after  the ancient village, Alba Pompeia. White truffles, a true delicacy, are found far under the soil near the roots of hazel, beech, and oak trees, and worth their weight in gold. Click on the title bar and find out how much a white truffle went for in last year's international auction!

If truffles don't fascinate you, wines from nearby Barolo and Barbaresco will.  One of my favorite estates to visit is Famiglia Anselma whose young winemaker, Maurizio, is committed to producing quality Barolo on the family's 80 hectares estate.

Leave ample time to tour both the Baroque Church of St. John the Baptist that houses the Madonna of the Graces (1377) by Barnaba da Modena, and Madonna with Saints (1508) by Macrino d'Alba and the Gothic Church of San Domenico (13th-14th century) considered the most artistically important Church in the town.

Ciao e a presto,