Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for italy
Trieste’s Point of View
By Linda Tancs
The House of Habsburg (later part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) found a pleasant respite on the peak of the rocky promontory of Grignano in the Gulf of Trieste on Italy’s northeast coast. On that spot in 1856 Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian commissioned an ornate palace befitting his rank. The result was Miramare Castle, an exotic blend of Gothic, medieval and Renaissance styles that remains remarkably intact. Only a half hour by bus from the central train station in Trieste, you can admire the jaw-dropping décor and furnishings of the predominately oceanview rooms at your own pace.
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Rare Access in Florence
By Linda Tancs
Florence, Italy is often referred to as the cradle of the Renaissance, a cultural jewel of 15th century art and architecture. A mecca for museum lovers, that rich history is housed in over 70 museums across this city bisected by the Arno River. You can beat the madding crowds by heading to a less-visited site like the Vasari Corridor. Open only via special access through a tour or travel agency, this secret passageway through an unmarked door at the Uffizi Gallery connects the gallery to the Pitti Palace. It was built in 1564 by Giorgio Vasari at the behest of Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, who desired a safe path between his home at the Pitti Palace and the Palazzo degli Uffizi where he worked. The scenic covered walkway traces the Arno with panoramic views at Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), then dips into the interior of the church of Santa Felicita, ending at the famous Grotto of Buontalenti inside the Boboli Gardens.
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Divine Guidance in Siena
By Linda Tancs
The avid horse player is likely to pray at the betting window to break even. In Siena, Italy, divine guidance is a central part of the race during Il Palio, the signature horse race taking place in the city each year on 2 July and 16 August. Today’s event honors Madonna of Provenzano; on 16 August the competition honors the ascension of the Virgin Mary into Heaven.
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City of the Thousand White Sails
By Linda Tancs
In the late Middle Ages Camogli, an Italian fishing village, was awash in tall ships, giving rise to its venerable moniker “city of the thousand white sails.” Lesser known than its nearby cousins Portofino and Cinque Terre, it’s nonetheless a go-to destination for those seeking the peace and tranquility of a sleepy seaside village. The locale’s name is said to derive from “case delle mogli” (house of wives), a nod to the life of a fisherman’s wife. Even today the tuna nets lowered since the 17th century (the last working fishing nets in the northern Mediterranean) are observable from April until October in the sea at Punta Chiappa. The annual Fish Festival of Saint Fortunato, patron saint of fishermen, is held on the second Sunday of May.
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An Ostrogothic Wonder in Italy
By Linda Tancs
Kissed by the Adriatic Sea by virtue of the Candiano Canal, the Italian city of Ravenna boasts a unique collection of early Christian mosaics–unless you’re visiting the Mausoleo di Teodorico. Devoid of consecrated mosaics, the Mausoleum of Theoderic is a tomb commissioned by Theoderic the Great, king of the Ostrogoths from 493 to 526. The only surviving emperor’s tomb from this period, the structure is a geometric mishmosh comprising a decagon in the lower half and a circular upper half. Carved of white Istrian stone, it is a stunning example of Ostrogothic artistry.
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The Castle and the Egg
By Linda Tancs
The oldest castle in Naples, Italy is Castel dell’Ovo (Egg Castle). This fortified site once housed the luxurious villa of a Roman knight before its transformation to a fort, then a prison, and later, a castle. So what’s an egg got to do with it? Well, legend has it that the poet Virgil placed a magic egg beneath the castle to protect it and the city from ruin.
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The Prize of Verona
By Linda Tancs
Verona, Italy is an ancient city, second only to Rome in the number of remains from the Roman Empire. During those times, Piazza Erbe would have been the town center, or forum, around which the looming towers of powerful nobles stood. One of those towers, Torre dei Lamberti, was built by the powerful Lamberti family in 1172. Today it offers a spectacular 360-degree view of the city and its gilded past.
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Verdi Festival Celebrates Milestone
By Linda Tancs
As any foodie knows, the Italian city of Parma is famous for its prosciutto and cheese. The Parma region is also the birthplace of the great Italian composer, Giuseppe Verdi. This year’s annual Verdi festival, taking place now through 31 October, celebrates the composer’s 200th birthday. In addition to performances at the Regio Theatre of Parma, events will also take place at the Verdi Theatre in nearby Busseto. Enjoy performances of Falstaff, Simon Boccanegra, I Masnadieri, and Messa da Requiem.
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The Ramparts of Tuscany
By Linda Tancs
Just an hour outside Florence is an Italian gem called Lucca, a walled city in Tuscany with enough epicurean delights to rival the culinary masters in Rome. Easily accessible from Pisa (the closest airport), its medieval ramparts coalesce into greenways welcoming casual strollers and cyclists. The bricked Guinigi Tower, one of the few remaining within the city walls, has a hanging garden at its apex and sports beautiful panoramic views of the city. The summer festival is a big draw now. This year’s event features artists like Bryan Adams, Neil Young and Mark Knopfler.
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The Knights of Malta
By Linda Tancs
Over 900 years old, the Order of Malta is an ancient order that traces its origins to a monk’s humanitarian missions directed at pilgrims visiting the Holy Land. More than just a religious order, its Knights comprise a sovereign entity that prints passports and enjoys diplomatic relations–all without the borders of a country to call its own. The stateless state is located in Rome’s Via Condotti. That’s quite unlike its namesake, the island of Malta.
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