Vino Con Vista | The Blog: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Venice Vacations

Venice is possibly the most romantic city you'll ever visit. It is almost redundant to describe the charms of this fabulous floating city, surrounded by hundreds of tiny canals. While wandering throughthe maze of footpaths or sitting back in a gondola and exploring the city by water, be sure to stop and visit San Marco Square, the famous Rialto Bridge, the elegant Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Venice is truly a place like no other, with its quaint alleyways, waterways and way of life.

Venice is famous for its palaces, although most have been converted to hotels, and if you can, try to get a room in one of these. The architecture is breathtaking and most of the rooms are huge, although many have been reduced in size to accommodate more guests. Another thing you must do when in Venice is to visit the surrounding area of Veneto - Venice is the capital city of this Italian region. You might not have time to visit Verona, ofRomeo and Juliet fame, but you should visit Vicenza.

No Venice vacations should miss Vicenza, the birthplace of Palladio, arguably the most influential architect of all time. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and The Rotunda in the town is typically Palladio. The Teatro Olimpico is Europe's oldest indoor theatre, and there are many more Palladio buildings in this picturesque town. If you do have time to visit Verona, apart from the Shakespeare connection (The Two Gentlemen of Verona, as well as Romeo and Juliet) you will a find a well preserved Roman amphitheatre here - the Arena. This is currently used for outdoor concerts. If you like Roman remains, Padua is another old Roman city close by. I suppose Roman cities in Italy should not be surprising!

Most people on Venice vacations like to try some of the great Italian wines grown in the region, such as Soave, Bardolino and Valpolicella. In fact, it is best to leave Venice once you have visited what you want to see, and change base to visit other parts of northern Italy. The vineyards and wineries around here welcome visitors to come in and have a taste.

Fortunately, Venice is also a city that you can see on foot. If you have the time to spend and really want to soak in the city during your Venice vacations, this is the option we recommend.

(ArticlesBase SC #1906165)

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Stuffled capon and rabbit of Tenuta Montelaura

Where Wine History, Technology and Art Meet

Nearly every traditional wine region in Europe boasts its own wine museum, sometimes more than one. It makes sense when you think about it – generations of wine producers have practiced their craft for centuries, and over time much has changed in terms of the technology in both the vineyard and the winery, in the marketing of the wines as well as in day-to-day life. The history needs to be preserved and if possible shared, so where better than in a dedicated wine museum, whether publicly run by a region or a private collection, usually of a family-owned producer.

Viva Italia!! The week Italy’s finest came to No.3 for the Anteprima 2006 Tasting!

Author: David Berry Green

It had in many ways been a decade in the making: the culmination of years of monitoring the Italian fine wine scene; of passing on the increasingly good news (and fine wines) to customers; during which period our sales of Italian wine had risen nearly fourfold while the number of product lines doubled and some. And now here they all were, in London, for the very first time in a few cases, twenty of Berrys’ finest Italian producers, keen to get on with it and show the lucky few what they were made of…

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Pairing Wine and Chocolate

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | Written by Will Di Nunzio

Once you grew out of peanut butter and chocolate, you probably learned to love the combination of wine and chocolate (of course, there’s nothing wrong with still loving the former, even if you come to love the latter). The problem is that there are just so many variations of chocolate; there’s milk, dark, and white chocolate; there are chocolates with fillings, chocolates with nuts, chocolates with fruit, chocolate candies, chocolate truffles, chocolate cakes and pies and tortes and chocolate fondue—it’s pretty much a death-by-chocolate world. There are seemingly infinite chocolate selections and thus arises the question of how to best plan pairings with so many chocolaty variations.

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Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta!

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta!: "

Yes, polenta is corn meal mush, and it was (and still is) a winter staple in Northern Italy. The standard recipe says to stir it slowly in a paiolo, or copper pot, as it thickens, and Italians who follow this course generally buy a motor-driven paiolo of the sort shown here, which I picked up on sale in a supermarket years ago. If you don't have a pot of this kind, however, all is not lost.

John, who lives outside Milano, adds his cornmeal to the water when it boils, seals the pot, and barely simmers it for 40 minutes, while Remo's grandmother taught him to make polenta in a slow cooker. In other words, you can stir, if you want, but you can also go about your business while the polenta cooks on its own.

Got polenta? Polenta is a foil, on a par with bread, and begs an accompaniment. If you're being quite simple, good olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a wedge of mild pecorino toscano is very good, but people usually want more, especially in the cooler winter months. Stew, for example:

Spicy Braised Beef With Polenta
Though this packs a punch, the sauce and the polenta go together beautifully. Should you prefer it less hot, reduce the pepper content.

Lo Stufato Dell'Adriana
Simple home cooking, a pork and beef stew that simmers for hours, warming the house, and then the table.

Carne da Galera, or Jailhouse Meat
The name comes from the fact that the cuts involved are less noble, and tended to go bad quickly in the days before refrigeration. Hence this herb-laden pot-roasting method, which was able to cover any off smells the meat might have developed.

Pastissada di Manzo, Beef Pastissada
Pastissada is an old Veronese stew that draws from Austro-Hungarian tradition (Verona was a part of the Empire for a long time) and brings goulash to mind. Most of the recipes I've seen call for horse meat, but this one is beef based.

And what to serve with you polenta and stew? The combination begs a substantial red wine. An Amarone, for example, and here you will find my notes for the 2005 vintage, which is currently in stores. Curious about 2006? I went to the vintage presentation two weeks ago, and here is a selection of the 2006 wines that impressed me the most.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta! originally appeared on About.com Italian Food on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 09:06:18.

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An Italian Meal For The Week

An Italian Meal For The Week: "The days are significantly longer now, and it has gotten warmer. Not any drier, however, and dishes that bring warmth to the table are still quite welcome. Few things are quite as good at bringing heat to a plate as Risotto, so we'll start with it:

Risotto al Rosmarino: Risotto is generally seasoned with some sort of meat or vegetable, or something creamy. But there are other options, and a risotto seasoned with rosemary will have a delightful woodsy feel and provide a nice change of pace. Followed by:

Petti Di Pollo Alle Nocciole, Chicken Breasts with Hazel Nuts: Another woodsy dish, and quite tasty too. And, on the side, in honor of dieting, a tossed salad seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and a drop of vinegar.

To Finish Up? Fresh fruit, and this time I might go with a pear. Wine? Red, not too heavy, and Campriano's Chianti Colli Senesi might be nice.

An Italian Meal For The Week originally appeared on About.com Italian Food on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 19:29:02.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

The women who made Italy | At Home in Tuscany

The women who made Italy | At Home in Tuscany
The political and social movement that led to the unification of Italy in 1861 is known as “Risorgimento“, the Resurgence. Many will have heard the names of the most famous players of the Risorgimento: all Italian cities have devoted streets and squares to their memory. Garibaldi, Mazzini, Cavour, Vittorio Emanuele II, Bixio and many more.

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Tourist Exchange Rates And How To Get Accurate Information

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Finances are always a chief concern when you are planning to visit another country. Not all of them, however, relate to the cost of the trip, some relate to the expenses you will incur while on your trip. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the currency and the most current tourist exchange rates.

You will find it very difficult to properly plan for your trip, if you do not know how your money measures up. It is essential to know if your dollars are worth more or less than the local ones. No one wants to go on vacation and find out when they get there that they did not bring enough money to really enjoy their stay.

There are a lot of places that offer this type of information. A lot of different news channels, both local and via cable, provide daily currency reports. Most times, you just have to turn on the morning news. Although, since it is not updated in real-time, the helpfulness of it can be limited.

Whatever bank you use may also provide such details for their customers. Finding out could be as simple as making a phone call or stopping by a branch to ask. A lot of them will even do a currency exchange for you, so you can be ready, in advance of your travels.

However, since rates can change at various times throughout the day, as well as each day, there are drawbacks. Most of these places just tell you the rate that they last received. It is not going to help much, if you get to where you are going and discover you have outdated information.

Thankfully, you do have several options that you can use to avoid finding yourself in such a situation. There are many Internet sites that offer real-time currency exchange information. They use automated processes to make sure they offer the most up-to-date information possible.

This makes it quite simple to have the most accurate information, anytime you need it. All it takes is a few seconds and you can find details for almost any country you can think of. A little but of time on a search engine is all you have to invest.

The Internet is the fastest and most reliable resource for when you need to know accurate tourist exchange rates. No matter what country it is, you will always know precisely how much your money is worth there. For travelers, this can save a ton of time and frustration.

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Tom is a writer for a range of travel publications. he recomments the FairFx currency card (http://www.fairfx.com/ ) for cheaper currency when going abroad.

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

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Maria Grammatico’s Pasticceria del Convento

Maria Grammatico’s Pasticceria del Convento: "

Almond pastries by Maria Grammatico
It is not everyday that the Los Angeles Times dedicates so much space to Sicily. A few days ago, they featured an article about Western Sicily. Now they are writing about Maria Grammatico’s Pasticceria del Convento, one of the best Sicilian pastry shops.
Reporting from Erice, Italy — The glass case at [...]

Travel Tip Tuesday: How Not to Look Like a Tourist in Southern Italy … for Men

Travel Tip Tuesday: How Not to Look Like a Tourist in Southern Italy … for Men: "

Southern Italian Men, Ficarra and Picone 2

A few days ago I received an email from a guy who is planning his first trip to southern Italy. He’ll be visiting his grandfather’s homeland in Calabria-just about 50 minutes north of me in Catanzaro-and like any would-be international traveler worth his passport, he’s researching the area. And he’d like to know what to wear. Post continues here.

Travel Tip Tuesday: Is 2010 the Year You’ll Keep Your Travel Resolutions? It is 2010 and time for all...
Travel Tip Tuesday: First Five Things To Do When Planning a Trip to Italy Booking your northern, central or southern Italy...
Travel Tip Tuesday: Italy Expat Travel Writing During the process of reading submissions and...

Top 5 Italian Curse Words and Flirty Terms of the Week

One of my new favorite hobbies is going through my Stat Counter and Lijit reports and discovering which terms readers search to reach this blog. Popular terms include “Pasta Puttanesca Recipe,” “How Do You Eat a Persimmon” and “Things You Shouldn’t Say in Italy” – and we’ll get back to that in a minute.

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the best honey in italy comes from lunigiana

from italytutto - top blogs on italy by SC Parry

This is an article of mine that was published in Italy Magazine this week:

The best honey in Italy comes from the ethereal sounding Lunigiana region, the land of the moon. Lunigian honey it is the only honey in Italy to have its reputation legally protected by the European Community. Unaffected by pollution and produced using [...]

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Itinerary for 2 Days in the Cinque Terre

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This is part of my perfect Italy itinerary series - it’s the second stop on the tour. If you missed the first one, go back and see what to do with two days in Venice!

If you’re following along on my suggested 2-week Italy itinerary and you’ve arrived on this page, that means you’ve just left the lovely canal city of Venice and you’re ready for the next stop on the tour: the Cinque Terre. This collection of what seem like cobbled-together villages stuck like so many barnacles to the Ligurian cliffs is a must-see stop for many visitors to Italy - especially anyone who’s ever heard of Rick Steves.

Steves has talked about the Cinque Terre for years, and some credit (or blame, depending on who you’re talking to) him for their popularity. But even though the days when the Cinque Terre were off the beaten path are long gone, that doesn’t mean they’re any less beautiful. So here are my suggestions for how to spend two days in the Cinque Terre

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Blogger Labels: Cinque Terre,Ligurian

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Visiting Assisi

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By Karen Bryan

Assisi, a quintissential medieval hilltown in the Italian region of Umbria, makes an ideal day trip from Rome or Florence. My Europe travel tip would be to use Assisi as a base for exploring the multitude of nearby sights in Umbria and neighbouring Tuscany.

Like many hilltowns in Umbria, Assisi has a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere and picturesque streets perfect for leisurely wandering. There are charming piazze where you can stop and relax over an espresso or a gelato and numerous restaurants to tempt visitors during their stay.

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Technorati Tags: Assisi,Italian,region,Umbria,Rome,Florence,Tuscany,Ancient

Blogger Labels: Assisi,Italian,region,Umbria,Rome,Florence,Tuscany,Ancient

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

David's "Special Italian Wine"

Each month, David Brenner of Villasfor2 in Abruzzo selects a delicious, affordable 'Special Italian Wine' you'll enjoy drinking at home – or in your Abruzzo holiday villa

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Ranking: Favourite UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy

Top 10 cruises in 2010

MS Majesty of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean...

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Top 10 cruises in 2010
February 23rd, 2010

It’s a brand-new year, and 2010 is bringing with it boatloads of opportunity for adventure on the high seas. Our editors cast a wide net across worldwide waters to find the buzzworthiest new boats and most interesting itineraries, each set to make massive waves in the cruise industry.

From innovative mega-ships to dreamy, tall-mast schooners, and from sailing circuits debuting in our own backyard to those kicking off halfway around the globe, our picks for the Top 10 Cruises in 2010 cover all of the bases.

Best of all, our deal-savvy experts expect cruising to continue to offer some of the best-value vacations out there in 2010, with last-minute and shoulder-season cruises granting the most jaw-dropping savings, while luxury cruise lines are primed to sweeten the pot with plenty of extra perks, like free airfare and two-for-one pricing.

Be sure to check out the hottest cruise promotions on the deals section of ShermansTravel.com, and to keep up-to-date on the latest cruise industry happenings over at our Cruise News blog!

Best big ship debut

Cruise line: Norwegian
Ship name: Norwegian Epic
2010 itineraries: Western & Eastern Caribbean

She may be the biggest cruise ship in the world, but Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is so 2009. Come summer 2010, the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is set to steal the show as this decade’s hottest new super-sizer.

Norwegian’s largest ship, the tricked-out Epic heralds intrepid innovations like an ice bar, two-story Nintendo Wii screen, rappelling wall, and the largest “bowl slide” (designed for adrenaline-packed inner-tube runs) at sea — not to mention 20 different dining options and on-board performances by the Blue Man Group and The Second City comedy troupe.

Its sumptuous suite complex touts two decks worth of spacious private villas, while its sleek spa staterooms feature curved walls, circular beds, domed ceilings, and in-room hot tubs.

After making her maiden voyage from London to New York on June 24, the Epic will embark on year-round 7-night itineraries out of Miami to the Western (Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras) and Eastern (St. Maarten; St. Thomas; Nassau, Bahamas) Caribbean. From $649/person (for Caribbean sailings); select sailing dates from July through December.

Best small ship debut

Cruise line: Island Windjammers
Ship name: Diamant
2010 itineraries: The Grenadines

If froufrou and formalwear aren’t your idea of a fun cruise, then trade in the floating-city-at-sea feel for a more authentic pirates-in-the-Caribbean adventure. Island Windjammers debuted in November 2009 in the name of tall-ship, barefoot sailing, offering year-round, 6-night cruises to the Grenadines (aka the “Spice Isles”) aboard the intimate Diamant.

A vintage brigantine schooner (built in 1978), the 12-passenger ship (which accommodates an additional six crew members) is outfitted with wood paneling, loads of deck space, and six cabins featuring A/C, portholes, and private baths. Each week, Captain Matt Thomas (formerly at the helm for Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, before it folded in 2008) designs a flexible itinerary based on weather, guest interests, and what’s happening on shore.

Begin the day with Bloody Marys before calling upon one of the 600-plus islets dotting the turquoise waters, many out of reach to the mega-boat masses (who are restricted largely to the main islands of St. Vincent and Grenada).

Snorkel off the Tobago Cays, visit a turtle sanctuary in Bequia, shop at celebrity-laden Mustique’s boutiques, or simply succumb to limin’ (local lingo for “relaxing”) beneath the sails with a swizzle (rum punch) in hand. Later, dine on fresh-caught lobster whipped up by the onboard chef before unwinding over games or a drink on deck, or heading out to go bar-crawling ashore. From $1,599/person, includes beverages, gratuities, and use of leisure equipment; year-round sailings.

Best old-world style ship debut

Cruise line: Cunard
Ship name: Queen Elizabeth
2010 itineraries: Northern
Europe, Mediterranean & Caribbean

The Cunard name has been making waves in maritime history since the mid-19th century, when it became the first cruise line to carry passengers on routine voyages across the Atlantic. Although times have changed, Cunard’s classic black ocean liners, romantic itineraries, stellar white-glove service, and refined British heritage have not ceased to fan the flames on our fascination with the sea.

The long-awaited Queen Elizabeth will debut October 12, marking a return to the three “Queens of Cunard” (she’ll join the QM2 and Queen Victoria). Named after her legendary 1930s predecessor (which was decommissioned in 1972), the new ship combines tradition with modern comfort, showcasing balconies in the majority of staterooms; a two-tiered library; private theater boxes; and a plant-filled, glass conservatory lounge.

Though her maiden voyage sold out in just 29 minutes — space is still available on the Iberian Discovery sailing on December 1. Granting an identical itinerary to her first-ever expedition (at a reduced rate, to boot), the 13-night voyage departs from Southampton, England to call on ports in Portugal, Spain, and the Canary Islands.

Don’t miss the boat on her 2010 sailings (scattered between the Meditteranean, Northern Europe, and Caribbean) — Queen Elizabeth will begin an epic 103-night world cruise come January 2011. From $2,620 (for the Iberian Discovery voyage); embarks December 1.

Best river ship debut

Cruise line: Victoria Cruises
Ship name: Victoria Jenna
2010 itineraries: China’s Yangtze River

Raising the bar on luxury river cruises, American-managed Victoria Cruises’ Victoria Jenna, launched in fall 2009 along China’s Yangtze River, is touted as the world’s largest river cruise ship, offering amenities one would expect only on more mammoth open-sea vessels: all staterooms have wireless Internet access, full bathtubs, and private balconies.

But while the numbers may indeed impress — two full-service restaurants, four elevators, five decks, 189 staterooms – nothing upstages Victoria’s incredible Yangtze itineraries. The eight-vessel cruise line’s most popular itinerary is the 3- or 4-night Three Gorges Highlights program, which sails past timeworn pagodas and ancient temples on a journey between Chongqing and Yichang.

While high-season base rates are remarkably affordable (ringing in at under a grand), be sure to factor in extra cash flow for the stellar shore excursions, which include options like visits to Ming-Dynasty-era cities or to the massive Three Gorges Dam. From $980/person; select sailing dates from April to May and September to October.

Best expedition ship debut

Cruise line: Abercrombie & Kent
Ship name: MV Le Boreal
2010 itineraries: Antarctica

The White Continent, with its unspoiled terrain of majestic mountains, giant glaciers, and plentiful penguins, has sent out a siren call to the most intrepid of travelers since commercial tourism first dawned there some half-century ago.

Accessed primarily by sea, the expedition-ship experience — long defined as ruggedly functional, at best — is due for an upgrade in the new year, when luxury travel provider Abercrombie & Kent rolls out journeys to this last frontier aboard what is being heralded as the world’s finest expedition vessel: the MV Le Boreal.

To be chartered from upscale French cruse line, Compagnie du Ponant (following its May launch and subsequent European tour), the ship is raising the bar on Antarctic adventuring as per style and comfort, as well on cruise lines’ expected environmental sensibilities in the region (with high-tech features overseeing waste management and energy conservation). The sleek, 199-passenger Le Boreal offers all-balcony, spacious staterooms and onboard amenities that include an outdoor heated pool, spa, fitness center, duo of restaurants, and theater — but even with all the extras, it’s small enough in size to ensure access to the narrow fjords and bays that larger ships miss out on.

Of the two scheduled itineraries planned in December, we like the 13-night Classic Antarctica tour, leaving from Ushuaia, Argentina (via Buenos Aires), with numerous landings scheduled during its full 5-day stint on the continent — expect adventurous, hands-on options for shore excursions, led by a team of scientists, historians, and photographers. From $9,995/person (though 20 percent booking discounts are available through March 31), includes beverages, one-night hotel stay in Buenos Aires, ground transfers, all excursions and guides, and gratuities (note that airfare between Buenos Aires and Ushuaia is additional); embarks December 7; www.abercrombiekent.com/antarctica

Too pricey? Cruising to the southernmost continent is a costly endeavor, with expedition cruise itineraries that factor in Zodiac boat transfers and on-land excursions rarely selling for less than $5,000 per person. However, a handful of mainstream cruise companies cater to those who are happy to take in the scenery from deck, sans disembarkation. Try Princess Cruises’ 16-night sailing from Buenos Aires (round-trip) in early February, which takes in ports in the Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile ; Montevideo, Uruguay; and no less than three full days of scenic cruising off of the Antarctic coastline aboard the Star Princess (though not a genuine expedition ship, it offers plenty of big-ship comforts and a fresh refurbishment from fall 2009). From $1,999/person; embarks February 2.

Best new domestic itinerary

Cruise line: MSC Cruises
Ship name: MSC Poesia
2010 itineraries: New England & Canada

This fall, experience North America’s autumnal glory in European style aboard the MSC Poesia (christened by Sophia Loren in 2008, she’s MSC Cruises’ “greenest” ship and the 3,000-passenger sister to the new MSC Magnifica, debuting in March).

During September and October 2010 (the height of foliage season), the Italy-based line is offering its first-ever U.S.-specific itineraries with brand-new leaf-peeping cruises to New England and Canada. While a host of mainstream competitor lines (like Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity, to name but a few) offer similar jaunts at comparative rates, MSC offers a solid variety, with a half-dozen 6- to 10-night itineraries to choose from.

Pick the 6-night Maple Leaves and Mansions tour from Quebec City to New York, and you’ll call upon Sydney, Canada; Boston; and Newport, Rhode Island. Plus, kids under 17 sail free (a family-friendly policy the other lines simply can’t beat)! From $599/person (for the Maple Leaves and Mansions itinerary); embarks October 23.

Best new exotic itinerary

Cruise line: Sea Cloud Cruises
Ship name: Sea Cloud Hussar
2010 itineraries: Mediterranean, Red Sea & Persian Gulf

German-operated, luxury Sea Cloud Cruises’ fleet of three is set to grow by one this fall, when the line’s Sea Cloud Hussar debuts as the largest full-rigged, three-mast passenger ship ever built, dreamily equipped with 28 billowing white sails (to be manned solely by crew hands). This traditional, 69-cabin beauty exudes intimate atmosphere and classic design, with tall arched windows, spacious sea-view cabins and verandah suites, and an elegant dining room with 180-degree panoramic views.

Journeying along the ancient world’s exotic Red Sea and Persian Gulf routes, the Sea Cloud Hussar is ready to romance the seas with several unique itineraries charted for 2010, starting with an Eastern Mediterranean maiden voyage on November 4: an 8-night Athens-to-Cyprus trip. In December, the ship makes its home base in the Middle East with Dubairound-trip cruises scheduled through winter 2011.

These Persian Gulf expeditions feature ports of call in Manama, Bahrain; Doha, Qatar; and Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi in the U.A.E. Our pick of the bunch for the inaugural season, though, is its 10-night, November 12 sailing, which embarks from Cyprus and visits two ports in Syria (passengers will have two full days to explore UNESCO villages, ruins, and ancient fortresses) then sets course to Egypt where she’ll make several stops (allowing time to venture to the Giza pyramids, Luxor, and Mount Sinai), crosses the Red Sea, and anchors in Aqaba, Jordan. From $5,995/person (for the 10-night Cyprus to Jordan sailing), includes beverages and use of leisure equipment; embarks November 12; www.seacloud.com.

Too pricey? For a more affordably priced Dubai-based itinerary that’s similar to what the Hussar will offer come December, look to Italian-operated Costa Cruises — they’ve announced new 7-night sailings from Dubai to Muscat, Oman; Abu Dhabi , UAE; Bahrain; and more on the brand-new Costa Deliziosa (debuting in February). From $899/person; select sailing dates from March through May.

Best new educational cruise

Cruise line: Voyages to Antiquity
Ship name: MV Aegean Odyssey
2010 itineraries: Mediterranean & North Africa

Sure, those beach-hopping, fiesta cruises have their appeal, but there’s a certain breed of pleasure-ship sailor in search of a bit more substance at sea. Enter Voyages to Antiquity (created by the founder of now-defunct luxury Ocean Cruise Line and Orient Lines), a one-ship cruise line launching in May with a series of 15-night Mediterranean and North African itineraries steeped in the history and culture of the region.

Cruising to empires of the ancient world — Egypt, Greece, and Italy — the itineraries will incorporate special sightseeing tours (to sites like ancient Carthage and Palmyra) and expert speakers on board. Sail aboard the luxuriously refurbished, 380-passenger MV Aegean Odyssey, equipped with three restaurants, a gym, spa, outdoor pool, well-stocked library, and plenty of open deck space (don’t miss the free morning yoga sessions held there).

Of the nine themed itineraries scheduled in 2010, we especially like The Light of Greece Opened My Eyes sailings as an alternative to the typical Greek isle party circuit (departing from Athens on May 3 and September 6, with stops in Mycenae, Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, and Istanbul). Another standout, Carthage is to Be Deleted, combines Mediterranean hot-spots in Europe (sails November 20 from Athens to Sicily and Malta) with exotic North African capitals (continuing on to Tunis, Tripoli, and Alexandria, before disembarking in Cairo). From $3,495/person, includes airfare from several East Coast cities and ground transfers (though cruise-only rates are available from $2,695), as well as all shore excursions, beverages, and gratuities; select sailing dates from May through November; www.voyagestoantiquity.com.

Too pricey? For an alternative, bargain-priced itinerary with a scholarly slant, look to Italian cruise line, MSC Cruises’ 7-night Turkish Treasures & Croatian Coasts, sailing from Venice aboard the new MSC Magnifica (launching in March) with stops in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. From $799/person; select sailings from March through November.

Best new culinary cruise

Cruise line: Silversea
Ship name: Varies
2010 itineraries: Worldwide

Most cruisers will admit that one of their favorite parts of a cruise vacation is the food, glorious food. For serious gourmands, though, culinary cravings surpass the midnight buffet — they’d rather pick up new epicurean skills than pile on the refills.

Eager to please palates, the cruise industry has responded of late with a series of culinary-themed cruises, with one of the tastiest offerings for 2010 to be served up via Silversea’s new L’Ecole des Chefs cooking school, in exclusive partnership with Relais & Chateaux.

The interactive program will feature on 11 fleet-wide voyages of the luxury, small-ship cruise line in 2010 (including onboard the December 2009-debuted Silver Spirit), with itineraries scheduled to South America (we’re particularly keen on the 15-night Panama Canal crossing, from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles; embarks April 28), Alaska, the Caribbean, and beyond.

The program will be spearheaded by the line’s executive chef, David Bilsand, a former instructor at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in London, in cooperation with Jacques Thorel, a Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux. Aside from the fine-dining onboard options that Silversea is well-regarded for, expect the special culinary curriculum to reflect the cultural flavor of the itinerary, and to incorporate extras like guided market tours, culinary outings to local eateries, specialized cooking workshops and demonstrations, wine pairing instruction, and plenty of recipes to take home — the ultimate souvenir from your trip! From $3,678/person (for a 12-night Alaska sailing embarking May 13 — the above-cited Panama Canal sailing starts from $4,838/person), includes all beverages, gratuities, and L’Ecole des Chefs programming; select sailing dates year-round; www.silversea.com

Too pricey? Holland America’s savory Culinary Arts Center program, presented by Food & Wine magazine (and first established in 2005), is spicing things up in 2010 with a series of special prominent chef appearances. Attend hands-on classes and experience cooking demos in a high-tech culinary theater, with cuisine inspired by the ports of call and led by the likes of Lars Kronmark, the executive chef instructor at The Culinary Institute of America, in Napa Valley. He’ll lead the segment on a 10-night Mediterranean sailing from Venice, with ports of call in Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Montenegro, aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam, the cruise line’s newest ship. From $1,799/person; embarks July 4.

Best new family cruise

Cruise line: Princess
Ship name: Varies
2010 itineraries: Alaska

“Happiest Place on Earth” may be moving waaaaay north come 2011, when Disney Cruise Line is set to enter the Alaska cruise market. Looking to get a jump on the all-ages appeal, Princess will be rolling out their own kid-friendly cruisetour packages this spring, designed specifically with family in mind. The 12-night “WOW” and “FUN” itineraries pair the line’s 7-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise with 5-night land tours.

Set sail from Vancouver or Whittier on to the frozen beauty of Glacier Bay National Park and to charming ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan (depending on departure date, passengers sail on the Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, or Island Princess). Onboard, kids can participate in the Junior Ranger or Teen Explorer programs, developed with the National Park Service to learn about the Alaska wilderness.

Land tours can be tacked on either before or after the cruise portion, and include activities like scenic railroad rides, jet boat and riverboat tours, guided excursions into Denali National Park, gold-panning outings in Fairbanks, and more. Five nights’ lodging at the Princess lodges at Mt. McKinley, Denali, and Fairbanks is also included. From $1,743/person (third and fourth travelers pay $1,191) includes cruise and land tour (with hotels and daily breakfast); select dates from May through September. Home Security Systems.

Tags: cruise industry, cruises, high seas, meditteranean, royal caribbean’s oasis, spice isles

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 11:34 am and is filed under Bahamas, Business Travelers, Culture, Holiday, Tourism Industry, World Tourism, World Tourism Day. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

A Taste of Tuscany – Walking Holidays in Italy

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There’s plenty in Tuscany both for the connoisseur and for those who want to spend their holidays walking in Italy. Imagine a day of seeing the sites, sampling some wine and then taking an after-dinner walk. Italy is the perfect place to do it. Tuscany in particular is full of good food, wine, city culture, and countryside scenery perfect for walking holidays.

Wine and Walking in Italy

There’s more to the wine region of Tuscany than the much-coveted Brunello. The wine buffs would tell you that from the 1980’s Tuscany has been producing new wines called Super Tuscans that have found international popularity. It’s not uncommon to combine wine and walking in Italy into wine-tasting and walking holidays. The vineyards in Tuscany range from a small winery to a large producer in the grounds of a stately Castello, (a castle-like house) and walking here offers the chance to take in the views as you walk among grapes growing on the vines. Most vineyards are open to visitors and many arrange events or tours for groups.

Walk in Italy to Work Up an Appetite

Of course, nothing goes better with wine than food, and the Tuscan cuisine knows how to please. Some walking holiday packages offer the chance to try your hand at cooking delicacies as well as eating them. Such packages let you experience the Tuscan lifestyle in the kitchen as well as in the hills; the trouble is you’ll want to eat so much that afterwards you’ll find it hard to walk! Italy is proud and protective of its pasta, and Tuscany is no different. Each shape of pasta is said to be as individual as the region it comes from. One of Tuscany’s pastas is Pici, a hand-rolled pasta made from long solid fat tubes. After a day Walking in Italy’s hills, sit down to sample a local speciality meal such as rabbit stewed with olives, pasta with a local sauce, or perhaps artichoke pie.

The Tuscan Scenery

What will make that meal special though is the scenery. The towns of Tuscany are linked and surrounded by the gentle green slopes and pretty valleys of the countryside. Walkers can enjoy the mountain paths, some of which are strenuous enough for more serious hiking. Italy is big on cycling too, so you’ll hear the spokes spinning along the rolling hillside roads. The Tuscan landscape has something for its summer vacationers, too, with the sea coast and islands.

Walking in Italy’s Artistic Cities

This scenery has inspired generations of Italian artists to produce an enviable collection of art. Tuscany contains the magnificent cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa, which are filled with eye-catching architecture, famous galleries and sculpture. The best way to take it all in is to walk. Italy is a nation so rich with renaissance art that six of Tuscany’s cities have been made UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Why not take a sightseeing walk at Italy’s famous icons such as the leaning Tower of Pisa and the black and white Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral at Siena?

In true Renaissance style, there’s no reason why you can’t combine all the specialities of Tuscany into one, with the popular package walking Holidays in Italy. A hiking, drinking, eating, and inspiring walk in Italy is waiting for you.
Tags: Holidays, Italy, Taste, Tuscany, Walking

La Cecina

Tuscany: Wine, Food and Culture: La Cecina

Cecina is a thin, crisp, pizza-like pancake from the Tuscan coast. It is simply made by stirring chickpea flour into a mixture of olive oil, salt and black pepper, to form a loose batter, and baking it in the open oven.
The word Cecina comes from the Italian word Ceci that means Chickpeas.
It one of the most traditional food of Tuscany, and it is really hard to find it anywhere else outside the region.
La Cecina is traditionally cut into irregular shaped triangular slices, and then stuffed into Focaccia bread or between two slices of Pizza Margherita.
It is one of the most popular traditional Tuscan snack food, and it sold in Pizzerias and bakeries.
In the town of Livorno, Cecina is usually served between two slices of bread, and it is one of kids favorite food to eat for Merenda (snack-time).
Cecina also make a wonderful appetizer, along with cold cuts like, prosciutto, mortadella and Tuscan soppressata.
We offer visits and hands-on cooking classes to Tuscan pizzerias and bakeries, to show our guests how these traditional food are still made today. All of our partners are located in small towns off the beaten path.
We want to provide our guest the highest quality in travel, our goal is to make them experience the authentic Tuscan everyday life.
Join us for a trip of your lifetime, get to know one of the most beautiful place on earth:
La Toscana!

Here is La Cecina recipe:

Panino con il Lampredotto

Tuscany: Wine, Food and Culture: Panino con il Lampredotto

Panino con il Lampredotto is one of the most popular street food in the city of Florence.
Trippa (Tripe) and Lampredotto (Offal) are two dishes that perfectly represent the Florence popular culinary traditions, eating them is an experience you can’t miss.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Artistic Itineraries in San Gimignano, Siena

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San Gimignano, near Siena, is widely seen as a busy tourist destination which has become a melting point of various people and cultures. There are many things to do in San Gimignano and places to visit. From all cities and countries, people come rushing into the Tuscan town to catch their share of all the hyped fun. Once you decide where you wish to stopover during your vacation break to Italy, you will come across excellent offers with fantastic rates that you just can’t resist. Fun seekers and vacationers strive

Fun seekers and vacationers strive throughout the year to be part of the flurry of activities that make San Gimigano bubble. As a busy holiday destination which doubles as an attraction to people from all walks of life all around the globe; the San Gimignano tourist and travel services are simply too good when it is measured in terms of efficiency and cost. With the huge number of visitors flocking into the town daily, San Gimignano has made provision for their comfort and safety from the very moment they set feet in the town. Fro this reason, apartments and villas may not be many in San Gimignano but they are quite affordable for an average family wishing to embark on a holiday camping trip to the town. The senior citizens are folks that would love to stay in a cheap, not too fancy accommodation like farmhouse inns or lodges.

Tourists and vacationers who take a trip to San Gimignano will discover that the place is very enlightening and interesting. Enlightening because at the end of your San Gimignano trip; you would have gained so much from the rich cultural heritage showed by the people. San Gimignano is also adjudged interesting due to the fact that there are many activities to do with even a modest budget. For regular visitors to the town who live in Tuscany, you can even do with a very low budget because you will be very familiar with the entire town. For all sane reasons, San Gimignano affords all adventurous tourists with the opportunity to enjoy what they have been hearing about for so long. The Tuscan town is so pleasant that it doesn’t lack vacationers who love to come around for the purpose of just relaxing and also for a change of environment. San Gimignano is situated in a strategic place that makes it the delight of photo fans and tourists who are in Tuscany. For a new comer to San Gimignano, there are fun stuffs that are different from what they are used to which makes the whole thing even more exciting.

With lots of great outdoor activities to participate in, the town is definitely the right place for holiday breaks of a month or more. After a summer holiday trip to San Gimignano, you would love to write about your experiences. San Gimignano is the right place to visit if you are someone who loves much fun for less cost. In the Tuscan town, expenses are low even for high level accommodation. Tourist services are very fair whether its phone, internet or other types of services. As in similar Italian towns, there are places in San Gimignano where one can stay and still enjoy basic hotel facilities so depending on where you have in mind to explore during your trip, your search for good accommodation will yield favorable results. Everyone knows that good things don’t come easy but not so for a San Gimignano trip. Traveling to San Gimignano is a lot less expensive than most other towns in Italy and Europe in general. In addition, you are of fun and fanfare like other cities once you decide to try a trip. You don’t have to bend backwards to get good value for an all inclusive holiday travel package to San Gimignano.

Those who have been to San Gimignano will narrate the wow times they had all through their stay. The beauty of the town and its people are enough to keep your mind at rest for as long as you wish. San Gimignano’s cuisines are in abundance because of the wide variety of dishes offered by the best of Italian chefs. There are bars scattered around San Gimignano where you can go to cool off; and many restaurants that will take care of visitors and tourists who want to enjoy meals outside what they are used to. Some of the best places with a high value for your money are usually recommended by the experienced travel agents who have long been in the business for years. From them, you will find cheap travel packages to new and existing tourist customers. Since there is always another vacation holiday ahead, one can start planning as soon as possible so that you can take advantage of these cheap offers. Getting the right information before deciding the right places to visit in San Gimignano is no qualms if you just get on the net and make a careful search.
Author Resource:- Andrea Leoni writes articles for http://www.expertlodging.com, which is a useful resource to find a comfortable bed and breakfast in Siena or other kinds of accommodation in Siena Italy. Andrea contributes to many important Tuscany tourist guides.
Article From Free Travel Articles

Gallura Sardinia

Image by if you love me via Flickr

The Gallura, is a land full of charm, a perfect place to spend an unforgettable holiday in Sardinia, to be fascinated by the scents of the Mediterranean maquis, the colors of the rocks and the crystal clear waters.

With its name (perhaps in Hebrew Galil, a country of heights) indicates the north eastern region of Sardinia.

The boundaries towards the interior of the island are the river Coghinas to the west and to the south an imaginary line joining the Limbara mountain with the small town of San Teodoro, famous for its beautiful beaches, on the Thyrrenean coast.

Gallura is a fabulous mix of sea, plains, hills, mountains, cultivated and desert areas. The territory has a strong tourism vocation and offers excellent reception and entertainment services.

If you decide to arrange an itinerary to discover the nature and culture of Gallura, an excellent solution is to find in this area of Sardinia residences or houses for rent, accommodations that ensure high standards of comfort and a lot of independence. In this environmental diversity you can find old testimonies of the territory: from the presence of numerous buildings, such as the tomb of giants Li Lolghi and the necropolis of Li Muri, consisting of stone circles vertically buried in the ground, the nuragic temple of Malchittu or the nuraghe Albucciu.

The landscape is characterized by granite rocks and the harshness of their relieves. Even if not particularly tall (Mount Limbara reaches the 1350 meters above sea level) they have been for thousands of years a barrier between this region and the neighboring territories of Baronie and Montalbo. Granite rocks, shaped by wind and rain, take in some areas the form of small mountains or extraordinary natural sculptures.

Another characteristic of Gallura is the presence of oaks from which cork is extracted, vital to the economy of the area together with granite extraction.

The fields of the hinterland (municipalities of Arzachena, Luogosanto, Aggius, Tempio Pausania) are not densely populated and it is still possible, in some places, to recognize the organization of the territory in Stazzi , another characteristic of Gallura. These are rural settlements scattered, agro pastoral farms, usually self sufficient single house units originally built by pastors, many of whom from the nearby Corsica, between the seventh and eighteenth century. There were numerous and almost everywhere until a few years ago, today many have been abandoned because of the transfer in the city.

The coast is jagged and divided into a continuous series of small fjords, bays and islets that form the archipelago of La Maddalena, with its wondrefull islands, a natural bridge towards the nearby Corsica, where there is also the island of Caprera, last shelter of Giuseppe Garibaldi and the place where you can find his remains.

While on one side this territory is home to the famous Costa Smeralda, with Porto Cervo with its well know harbour, holiday paradise for many people, on the other hand it is not difficult to find lonely places where to freely enjoy beautiful natural sceneries.
Author Resource:- Paolo Pilia, a travel writer, is a freelance writer about traveling in Italy. He is specilized about Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia. http://www.sardegne.com
Article From Free Travel Articles

Properties in Italy: Some Good Tips to Find a Dream Home

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One of the main reasons why people choose Italy when deciding to buy a property abroad is because there s plenty of good options for homes in Italy.
It is possible to choose a home in one of the many gorgeous and famous cities that Italy features, or to decide to live in an area still to be discovered by foreigners, or choose to buy a property to restore so that can be customized as you prefer.

There s plenty of choice also location wise, as you can pick a sea location, or a ski resort, or maybe near a place where you spent some wonderful time long ago, or maybe for a bit bigger investment in the very centre of a famous city.

Italy is full of wonderful places and cities, from the turquoise sea of Sicily to the high mountains of Piemonte, there are so many that we could go on so that we can use this entire article to list them all. In fact there are many cities full of excitement, culture and history to choose from for a dream home, or maybe you prefer to own a property in a quite and relaxing place, why not close to a thermal spa resort, or in one of the many natural parks that feature a wilderness envied all over the world. Italy has everything one can ask, wonderful coastlines (one of the longest in Europe), the highest mountains and some of the most popular ski resorts in Europe and, last but not least, some of the most beautiful and famous lakes.

The nice thing about Italy is that not only is full of dream locations, but it is also plenty of different types of properties to choose from. New or completely restored homes, properties to be restored and which you d enjoy to work on yourself, maybe with some land that you can either cultivate or use just as a garden.
Ancient homes, historical palaces, old farmhouses, country houses, stone houses, sea resort apartments, the list can go on and on.

Let’s go through a few points that needs to be considered:

Generally, the most popular places such as Tuscany, Umbria and cities such as Rome, Milan, Venice, Florence and Siena are more costly, especially if you are considering a home within the city itself.

Properties in other parts of Italy are coming up as emerging markets and are considerably cheaper, regions such as Abruzzo, Calabria, Puglia, Molise and some areas of Sardinia.

Apart from the location itself, there are other aspects that need to be considered. For instance how is the area where you are considering buying your dream home connected with your own motherland? Are there convenient flight connections? You’d better consider where low cost airlines fly to, this might be extremely useful in case you plan to make several trips to Italy to find your home, or, even more, if you need to go back to your country regularly. But you might also need to travel within the country, Italy is so beautiful throughout that it is worth to be visited as much as possible, so how is the transportation system in the place you are considering? Is there a well served railway system? Any buses? Italy now a days is investing important amounts of money to improve its transportation system.

One of the most important aspects is: who would you work with to find your home in Italy? I advise to select carefully a well established estate agent, especially one with good experience on working with non Italian buyers.

Do your homework; find out all you need to know about property taxes, the amount and type of repairs the property needs to be done. Make sure you find an estate agent to work with who is really reliable and who knows all the legal matters and everything that is needed for a non Italian who wants to own a home in Italy. Apart from that use any methods you would use to buy a property in your own country and you will be fine and happy with your dream home in Italy.
Author Resource:- Simone Rossi works for the Italian property portal http://www.gate-away.com/ . http://Gate-away.com is the leading property portal specialized in the promotion of property in Italy to foreign investors.
Article From Article Mega Site

Italian American Girl: Rick Steves: Naples Archaeological Museum

Italian American Girl: Rick Steves: Naples Archaeological Museum
watch the video

Monday, February 22, 2010

Tasting notes of 1985 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino by Andrea Gori - Montalcino Report

Herewith the translation of Andrea Gori's tasting notes of 1985 Brunello di Montalcino of Il Poggione. Andrea is one of the sommeliers top of the Italy and he works as sommelier of his family's "trattoria" in Florence, the "Trattoria da Burde", a very famous restaurant that some believe was the inspiration of the "Gambero Rosso" "Red Lobster" restaurant in the book of Pinocchio by Florentine writer Collodi. As his website says "for one hundred years the true Tuscany cooking".

When the plans were being made for a 30-day trip through Italy this spring, one thing was agreed upon quickly--there would be no five-star or chain hotels. We would spend our nights in bed and breakfasts, apartments, trulli and castles.

Countess Josephine: Wine, Vino, Vin - Tasting 101

It is widely accepted that good wine comes from all over the world now, not just Europe. But there was a time when everyone believed that if someone brought a French or Italian wine to your home, it must be good, it must be parfait and they must be the best guest ever.

Show 15: Great italian value wine! (Vitiano-$10) | Pardon That Vine

I Love Italian Wine and Food – The Apulia Region « Australian Open Semi Finals 2010

I Love Italian Wine and Food – The Apulia Region

If you opt for Italian wine and food, consider the Apulia region in southern Italy. You can find a good deal, and I hope you have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour will be.

Restaurant in the old town centre of Bolzano, Italy

Bolzano, Italy, within a historic building in the old town centre, dating back to the 18th century, the restaurant Zur Kaiserkron is an exclusive meeting place where taste typical dishes or sip an aperitif in the company of friends or colleagues.

Pompeii & Paestum - Amalfi, Italy Travel Blog

Read the story and see 70 photos of a visit to Amalfi, Italy by TravelPod member

Mediterranean Diet: Should you Drink Wine or Eat Grapes? | Cape Wine Cellar

In studies conducted in 1992, it was observed that in southern France, mortality rates from heart disease were lower than expected despite the consumption of diets high in saturated fat. Researchers attributed the impressive low incidence of heart disease, 50 percent lower than in the Unites States, to the consumption of red wine.

The Inner- Gourmet: Recipe: Holy Cannoli !

After careful research, I decided on a Sicilian type cannoli. The difference with a Sicilian cannoli and that of a regular cannoli is that the shell is made with cinnamon and Marsala wine. Let me tell you the taste of the shell is ...

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Google Alert - Sicily

Google Blogs Alert for: Sicily

Sicily Scene: VIVA LA CLERICI!
By Welshcakes Limoncello
Welshcakes Limoncello: I'm a sort-of retired language teacher from Cardiff, Wales, UK, now trying to make a new life in Sicily. I'm not growing vines, making olive oil or restoring a palace stone by stone! View my complete profile ...
Sicily Scene - http://sicilyscene.blogspot.com/

California to Sicily...: San Francisco, Napa Valley, and in between
By Angela
Angela: Sicily, Italy: I am a Navy wife, daughter, sister, traveler, artist, photographer, foodie, wino, personal chef to my husband and friends, financial consultant, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and cat lover. View my complete profile ...
California to Sicily... - http://anglouise.blogspot.com/

Street Food – Palermo – 5 Dec 08 – Part 1 - News Minute by minute …
By admin
Sicily has stood as a crossroads for traffic and trade throughout the ages – inhabited by Phoenicians, Romans, Goths, Normans and Arabs among others. Today it is a transit point for would-be immigrants coming from the south. ...
News Minute by minute ... - http://migenteunida.org/en/

The Annotico Report: Western Sicily, Where Centuries and Cultures ...
By Ercole
It is a dolorous landscape, "never petty, never ordinary, never relaxed, as a country made for rational beings to live in should be," Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa wrote in "The Leopard," his classic 1958 novel about Sicily. ...
The Annotico Report - http://www.annoticoreport.com/

Princess Palace: Cinderella Sisters Part 4 of 4: Beatrice
By Cheryl Anderson Brown
However, he offered Charles a consolation: the Kingdom of Sicily, if he could pay for the cost of taking it from the current king. (The same deal that the Pope would also offer Beatrice's brother-in-law Richard of Cornwall—see ...
Princess Palace - http://hrhprincesspalace.blogspot.com/

Living the Wine Life: Spring and New Adventures
By Jacqueline Chambliss
Sicily makes these berry intense red wines from the Calabrese grape, you may have heard of Nero d'Avola? Sicily is hot and sunny and its red wines are intense with berry fruit in a non-overly tannic, overly oaked way. ...
Living the Wine Life - http://theeuropeanwinetable.blogspot.com/

Yacht Delivery Sailing Crew » Powerboat P1 World Championship ...
Powerboat P1 World Championship - Siracusa, Sicily confirmed. Powerboat P1 World Championship is thrilled to conrifm that it will be returning to Siracusa, Sicily on September 17-19. ...
Sailing Crew Yacht Delivery - http://www.sailingcrew.eu/

Where Life Takes You: Orecchio di Dionisio, Siracusa, Sicily
By lsheryl
Orecchio di Dionisio, Siracusa, Sicily. Our admission ticket to the Teatro Greco also included a visit to the Orecchio di Dionisio, or the Ear of Dionysius. Right next to the theater is the Latomia del Paradiso or the Paradise Quarry. ...
Where Life Takes You - http://lsheryl.blogspot.com/

I Love Touring Italy – Springtime In the Calabria Region ...
By admin
This international exhibition is held in Reggio di Calabria, the regional capital and largest city whose population is about 185 thousand, that is just a short ferry ride from the island of Sicily. The city of Corigliano Calabro with a ...
Traveling Tips - Traveling Ideas - http://jgxy.org/

Garmin Bluechart MEU460S Sicily to Lido di Ostia | Software @ XMART.US
By Software
Product DescriptionMEU460S Covers: Detailed coverage of southwestern Italy from Lido di Ostia to Rossano. Also includes complete coverage of Napoli Palermo.
Software @ XMART.US - http://software.xmart.us/

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

Vino Con Vista-Sicily

Vino Con Vista has released its second travel guide "Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. http://vino-con-vista.com/PrintBooks.aspx

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Vino Con Vista: Florence

The print guide to Vino Con Vista Florence is available at http://vino-con-vista.com/PrintBooks.aspx

Vino Con Vista Italy Travel Guides and Events

Vino Con Vista | Traveler

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Posted on | February 23, 2010 | Written by Will Di Nunzio

Friday, February 26, 2010

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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Vino Con Vista Kindle Editions

Kindle UK

Vino Con Vista Travel Books in Print