#włochy

Turin - one of the most beautiful cities I saw in Italy, totally different from everything that I saw here. More french style. Royal city.

Turin is famous for its historical caffes. Some of them are even from XVIII-th century. Many of them where meeting-places for those who wanted unite Italy, but also for aristocracy, artists, writers, poets, opera composers and philosephers. In all of them you can try great chocolate and ****bicerin**** (Torino’s famous drink made with espresso, hot bitter chocolate and whipped cream served in small rounded glass). Unfortunately these famous caffes are also expensive so we just visited two of them…

****Caffè Mulassano****

Opened in 1879 very small and charming caffe on Piazza Castello was popular among members of Savoy family. In this place were invented tramezzini - famous italian sandwiches (I think I never tried better ones).

****Caffe Torino****

Opened in 1903 on Piazza San Carlo. Sitting outside on heated terrace in winter was already popular here in 1950’s. Now there is also restaurant. Before you enter on the floor you can find famous relief of a bull which is simbol of Torino.

Other famous cafffes are: Al Bicerin (since 1763) on Piazza della Consolata, where ****bicerin**** was invented. This place was visited by Alexander Dumas, Puccini and Nietzsche. Caffe Fiorio (opened in 1780) on Via Po - one of the most representative streets of Turin. This caffe is one from few which had maintained its original design - impressive chandeliers, yellow Siena marble counters and vintage mirrors. It was meeting - place of most influential people in city. Baratti&Milano (founded in 1875) on Piazza Castello as a confectionery and spirits shop. Today caffe is famous for its sweet and ****gianduiotti**** (chocolate mixed with piedmontese hazelnuts).

Basilica is situated on Capitoline Hill, behind Il Vittoriano and close to Musei Capitolini. Church was built in XIII-th century on a place of old roman temple.

Interior in baroque style is built as a nave and two aisles which are divided by roman columns taken from different ancient monuments.

Basilica was famous for its wooden statue of Santo Bambino in Aracoeli made in XV-th century from olive wood taken from Gethsemane garden. Unfortunately statue was stolen in 1994.

In church are housed also relics of Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, roman emperor.

Eataly is an italian brand of food markets. In every store you can find high quality products from every region of Italy. Markets include also restaurants where cook famous chefs, bars, bakeries, stands with fresh fruits, meat, cheeses, book stores.

For now Eataly has 16 stores in Italy, 11 in Japan, 2 in USA and 1 in Turkey and United Arab Emirates.

http://www.eataly.com/

pics from Eataly in Rome.

Second city that we visited in this region. Also here people are speaking german but city looks more italian style while Bolzano is more german style. Also Trento is famous for its christmas market.

Yestarday (November 11th) in Italy was Day of Saint Martin. It is occasion to meet with friends and drink new wine (vino novello) which is very sweet but also very strong and to eat chestnuts (castagne).

My first time so far away in the north Italy. Totally different region, like another country…but for real: names of streets, squares, churches etc in two languages: italian and german; people on the streets mostly speaking german, different food and high mountains around.

Bolzano it is the last italian city on the way in direction of Austria. It’s nice to visit Bolzano in December for its christmas market which is famous in all Italy.

This railway, which was working between years 1926-1968, was constructed to connect Spoleto with Valnerina Valley and further with Adriatic Coast. It is small example of mountain railway where were used great solutions to defeat difficulties on the way (like valleys, mountains). 51 km of this track with its tunnels, viaducts, bridges and helical paths is a little gem of railway’s engineering.

Few years ago was born idea to reopen closed track for pedestrians and cyclists. The works on way conteined improvements of safety. Old train station in Spoleto changed into Museum of Ferrovia and other one in Sant'Anatolia di Narco into info point for tourists.

Now it’s open about 30 from 51 km: from Spoleto to Cerreto di Spoleto. It is a big attraction and big success.

I made first 19 km from Spoleto to Sant'Anatoplia di Narco. It is a great experience of contact with nature, friendly people on the way and beautiful views.

November is a month in Italy when new olive oil is arriving. In every region places where oil is made (=frantoio) are open for visitors. You can see from inside all the process: from picking up olives from the trees until closing the bottles with new oil. There are free tastings, stands where you can buy oil and small events like concerts.

Two hours from Spoleto, in region of Marche, on the seaside you can find this regional park. It is very characteristic because all adriatic coast is very flat and in this part mountains are meeting the sea. From up (where are some small cities like Sirolo) you have very beautiful views on surroundings. These photos are just preview because we were just in Sirolo and on a beach of Numana. But we will come back there for more.

This small temple sits along the banks of Clitunno River about 1km from famous Fonti del Clitunno. From 2011 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of “Longobards in Italy. Places of the power”. Originally it was a pagan temple dedicated to the river god - Clitumnus. Then on this place was built from the ground Christian temple using materials from Roman mausoleums and villas that surrounded the river. Pagan remains you can find in a crypt. Inside on the walls of apse you can see one of the oldest frescoes in Umbria - fresco of Jesus between apostles Peter and Paul from VIII-th century.

Two days ago we went to Castelluccio to make some shootings for my boyfriend’s video. We were very lucky because today I saw some photos from there with snow again! It’s one of my best places in Umbria or even in all Italy. Blue sky, vibrant green and silence…

Not far away from Foligno you can find very beautiful, small, natural waterfalls of Menotre River. If you ever were in Umbria you may know Cascate delle Marmore close to Terni which are the highest waterfalls in Europe made by men but these ones in Pale ale more charming, much smaller but you are closer to nature where you can relax…and they are for free.

Also the way to arrive to them is very charming: first path leads through olive garden and then with stairs surrounded by rocks.

PS. Cascate di Pale you will reach from Belfiore.

Rasiglia is a small medieval town through which is passing Menotre River with its sources. In all town you hear sound of water.

Today in Italy is celebrated Father’s Day. Why March 19-th? Like in many countries with Catholic tradition Festa del Papa’ is celebrated in Day of San Giuseppe (eng. Saint Joseph) who was husband of Holy Mary and foster father of Jesus.

So if in your country you also celebrate Father’s Day go and give the best wishes to your dads, even if you are big boys, hug them, even if you are far away call them. There is nothing better then small gestures which show that you care and love :)

Also known as Santa Maria alla Navicella. This church was built in ancient times on Celio Hill, rebuilt in IX-th century, then in XVI-th century interior was modified again by the Medici family. The facade is in Renaissance style. Interior is divided in three naves separated by granite columns taken from ancient temple. 

A city with Etruscan origins locted in historical region - Tuscia - where were many Etruscan cities, conquered by Romans in IV-th century B.C.

The historic, medieval center of Viterbo is still surrounded by walls built in XI-th and XII-th centuries with many ancient gates.

Viterbo is known as a City of Popes. In fact in XIII-th century it was a place of a papacy for about 24 years and here was a place from where Popes ruled country and were elected. In this period Viterbo had more inhabitants than Rome.

Area around Viterbo is famous for therms, some of them are in use since Etruscan or Romans days.

For the city very characteristic are towers and fountains. “Must see” is a good preserved, medieval district of San Pellegrino.

Also in Italy we celebrate today Women’s Day. Typical gift is a bouquet of mimosa flowers or ‘mimosa cake’ or better both of them! :D

Auguri a tutte le donne!!

Like I said, I did. Last Sunday we went to Norcia (Umbria) to join festa del tartufo - event dedicated to truffles where we could try best truffles from the region, some typical food like hams, cheeses, sweets and listen some folk music. 

Also this weekend (March 6/7/8) you can enjoy Nero Norcia!!!

This weekend (February 27/28 - March 1) and next weekend (March 6/7/8) for the 52-nd time in Norcia (Umbria) will have place this event dedicated to truffles. It is a great occasion to try regional food: hams, cheeses, sweets and of course tha main ‘star’ truffle served in many ways. I was there twice already and I hope to come back there also this time. See you!!

http://www.neronorcia.it/mostramercato/

Siena is one of the most popular cities in Tuscany.

I was there about two weeks ago for a short trip. It was my second time in Siena and again the biggest impression on me made Piazza del Campo - one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe in shape of shell. On this square twice a year has place famous Pallio (horse race which tradition takes from Middle Ages). On Piazza del Campo are placed also Palazzo Pubblico built at the end of XIII-th century where now is Museum and Torre del Mangia (built in first half of XIV-th century; tower is open for tourist and just for 10 euro and after 503 stairs you can see panorama of Siena ;))

Close to Piazza del Campo is located second the most know sights of Siena - Duomo from XII-th century built in gothic style.

All historic center of Siena is one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site.

According to legend Siena was founded by sons of Remus (brother of Romulus - founder of Rome). They took as a family arm she-wolf suckling twins Romulus and Remus. Historically Siena was first settled by Etruscans (about 900-400 BC).