Travelrific® Travel Journal

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Archive for italy

Mojo for Your Moto

By Linda Tancs

Nothing says sexy like a 1966 Fiat 1600 S or a 1974 Lancia Flavia.  Ready to add some mojo to your moto?  Then head to Italy where you can tool around in one of these and other well-kept beauties on a vintage car tour around Rome, Milan, Tuscany, Abruzzo or your own custom itinerary.  You won’t find a lemon in the bunch.

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION

 The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Book Now for Shroud Viewing

By Linda Tancs

The Shroud of Turin will be available for viewing after a ten year break from 10 April to 23 May 2010.  Revered by many as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, it underwent restoration in 2002 and will be available for viewing at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Torino, Italy.  You can now book your ticket online.  Without a ticket, you can still enter the central nave of the Cathedral but access to the shroud will be foreclosed.

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DISCLOSURE OF NO MATERIAL CONNECTION
The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Hotel at the Crossroads

By Linda Tancs

Wilderness meets Baroque among the gentle peaks of the Hyblean Mountains in southeastern Sicily at Eremo della Giubiliana. A five-star hotel, it is set in a 12th century convent that served as a fortress against the incursions of Barbary pirates, surrounded by the Baroque cities of Ragusa and Modica. Above all, it may be the only hotel with its own archeological site, displaying the remains of ancient farm life with late Imperial age and Byzantine wall remains. Of course, you’d rather admire the relics than feel like one, which is why you can take in the view through the large glass doors of the hotel spa facing the site. As you might expect, the facility uses natural elements (like centuries-old olive trees hand crafted into fine soaps) to pamper its guests. As the saying goes, everything old is new again.

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Of Gladiators and Chariots

By Linda Tancs

You know the old expression, “everything old is new again.” Now that applies to gladiators and chariots, too. In Rome, city representatives are contemplating an authentic re-creation (read: no puppet shows) of gladiator battles at the Colosseum, less commonly known as the Flavium amphitheater, in an effort to bring ancient Rome back to life. In another resurrection planned for over a decade, the O2 in London will present Ben-Hur, complete with its signature chariot scene made famous by Charleton Heston, in September. Presumably the show will tour Europe if all goes well in London.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!

Umbria’s Big Tree

By Linda Tancs

Every year on 7 December Gubbio, Italy turns the lights on the world’s largest Christmas tree. This “tree” is a fir-like design of 1300 feet of neon lights connected by over 40,000 feet of cable, beginning at the foothills of this Umbrian town and rising to its tabernacle dedicated to the village’s patron saint, Ubaldo. Now in its 28th year, the show runs till 10 January. If you can’t make it, buy the stamp instead. The local post office commemorated its 10th anniversary back in 1990–philatelists, take note.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!

A Stronger Constitution

By Linda Tancs

It seems that Italy’s newest Venetian bridge in 70 years is suffering post-inaugural trauma reminiscent of London’s Millenium Bridge. When Millenium first opened, engineering snafus caused embarrassing tilts and waves of the new-agey span. In Venice, the $8 million bridge named in honor of the country’s Constitution has some tourists seeing double and tripping over themselves, allegedly over the disturbing optical effects of the sectioned stone and glass floorings. Others fear that the banks of the Grand Canal can’t support the latest juggernaut. Does Italy need a stronger Constitution?

If you enjoyed this post, please share it on sites such as StumbleUpon, vote for it, or bookmark it. Thanks for your support! Travelrific® was featured as Blog of the Day on NJ.com!

The Aqueous Paradise of Venice

By Linda Tancs

World famous for its canals and gondoliers, Venice is an aqueous paradise often emulated but never rivaled.  Find out what it is about this city that charms so many.  Visit Travelrific® Travel Show.

Florence, a Renaissance City

By Linda Tancs

Florence is often referred to as the cradle of the Renaissance, a cultural jewel of 15th century art and architecture. And with a preeminent gallery like the Uffizi at its doorstep, who can argue?  Visit it at Travelrific® Travel Show .

Italy’s Fabled City

By Linda Tancs

Popularly known as the Eternal City, Rome boasts 3000 years of timeless beauty in this fabled Italian metropolis. Take in the sights at www.travelrificradio.com.

A Real Lover’s Lane

By Linda Tancs

In this Valentine’s Day edition of Travelrific®, it is only fitting to highlight one of Europe’s great romantic destinations–no, not Paris.  The subject is Cinque Terre (five villages), nestled along Italy’s Mediterranean province of La Spezia.  The five villages are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.  Along the way between Riomaggiore and Manarola lies Via dell’ Amore (lover’s lane), a hiking trail resplendent with ocean views that demands your full attention.  Just don’t expect to lounge around these sometimes steep trails with your grappa and focaccia.  Save that for later.