Discover, taste and learn about the perfect food pairing with Campania wines Campania was the cradle of viticulture on the Italian peninsula. Between hills,
What to see in Grosseto? Let's make a stop in the province of Etruscan origins In the heart of Tuscan Maremma, a wall protects the historic city of Grosseto, which has remained unchanged over time. The first traces of this city date back to the Etruscan period, but the first evidence of the name "Grossito" was found in a parchment created in 803 AD. Later Grosseto became a fief of the Aldobrandeschi family, who dominated the territory transforming the inhabited centre from castle to court and, finally, to civitas (from the Latin: city-state). Under Ferdinand I, the city walls were destroyed and then rebuilt, hexagonal in shape, and still today they are the symbol of Grosseto. Grosseto is a strong city in appearance but with a quiet soul, with a view on the sea and one on the magnificent landscape towards the province. An interesting place to visit and for all tastes: deciding what to do in Grosseto and its surrounding areas will lead you to choose unique activities. From visits to historic buildings and museums, to cycling or walking in the surrounding villages and nature reserves. The sea is also a well-exploited resource of the territory with beautiful free and equipped beaches: Marina di Grosseto, Spiaggia delle Marze and Castiglione della Pescaia are only a part of the sandy coast that offers peace, relaxation but also sports and water activities in the Maremma. Hiking and climbing in the Maremma Natural Park or a dip in Cala di Forno are just some of the thousands activities that you may put on your list of what to do in Grosseto and surrounding areas. Not far from the city there are also Saturnia and Petriolo hot springs, popular destinations during both winter and summer months. Things to see in Grosseto
What to see in Grosseto? Let’s make a stop in the province of Etruscan origins In the heart of Tuscan Maremma, a wall protects
Between relaxing walks and extreme sports, we take you to the lakes of Basilicata In Southern Italy, between Puglia and Calabria, Basilicata is a popular summer holiday destination. With a total of 9,995 km², of which 30% are protected areas, Basilicata is a region dedicated to the conservation of its uncontaminated, mainly mountainous and hilly environment. The short stretch of Basilicata's coast extends with a clear blue sea between Campania's and Calabria's Tyrrhenian coasts. Larger beaches are located on the south-east area of the region, where the Ionian sea completes the panorama. Basilicata has got only two provinces: Potenza, the regional capital, and Matera, the "City of Sassi", famous all over the world for being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. Matera was also the 2019 European Capital of Culture. Basilicata residents are only 556,934. The region is in fact the third least populated region of Italy. Two national parks, two regional parks and six nature reserves give this region the merit of being a place to discover with all kinds of outdoor activities. People come from all over Italy to try the Angel Flight over the Lucanian Dolomites, to go rafting in the Mercure river or to relax on the shores of the magnificent lakes of Basilicata. Many lakes in Basilicata are artificial lakes, but they are equally fascinating to visit. Below you will find a short guide to the most famous lakes of Basilicata. Monticchio Lakes At the foot of the Benedictine Saint Michael's Abbey, in the Vulture crater (an extinct volcano), we find two famous lakes of Basilicata: the Monticchio lakes. A strip of land separates the large lake from the small lake, framed by chestnut woods. An enchanted place where you can admire many fish species in the green water, including carp
Between relaxing walks and extreme sports, we take you to the lakes of Basilicata In Southern Italy, between Puglia and Calabria, Basilicata is a
Looking for the best Umbria tourist attractions? Visit Spoleto and the surrounding areas Umbria attractions are always popular with Italians, as well as with foreign tourists. One of the best places to visit in Umbria is Spoleto, a town in the province of Perugia. It is one of the oldest cities in Italy, located on the southern plain of the Umbrian Valley, close to Monteluco. Its history dates back more than 2500 years ago, when the city was founded by the Huns. In 241 BC it became a colony of the Roman Empire. Thanks to this historical period, the city took the name of “Spoletium”: visiting Spoleto will make you see evidence of ancient Roman influence in the buildings, in the monuments and in the works of art we will discuss later. In the 4th century with S. Brizio, first bishop of Spoleto, the city became an episcopal seat. Several churches and monasteries in the city and in the surrounding countryside date back to this period. Later Spoleto became a duchy during the Lombard domination and then under the Holy Roman Empire. The Franks and the State of the Church had been fighting over Spoleto for some time, the latter prevailing in 1240. In 1809 the Papal States were annexed to France: the Trasimeno Department was created and Spoleto was appointed capital of this department. After World War II, the institutions enhanced the artistic and cultural works of the city with the restoration of buildings and monuments, as well as the creation of new events that we will see later in the article dedicated to the best places to visit in Umbria around Spoleto. Visiting Spoleto is immersing yourself in an ancient times: thanks to the influences of various conquerors, the city is rich in monuments, churches, noble palaces
Looking for the best Umbria tourist attractions? Visit Spoleto and the surrounding areas Umbria attractions are always popular with Italians, as well as with
From ancient times to the present day, let's discover Sardinian wine Sardinia has got one of the oldest winemaking traditions of the Italian territory. On the island there are many native grapevines and the cultivation of the vine dates back to the Nuragic period (a period from the Bronze Age to the 2nd century AD), where the population already produced wine. To confirm this a few kilometers from Cagliari, in the nuragic village of Monte Zara, was the discovery of a stone press that scholars trace back to a tool for pressing grapes. Another proof of the ancient winemaking tradition of the time is found in Cabras where the nuragic well of Osa has naturally been preserving Vernaccia and Malvasia grape seeds (native grape varieties) for thousands of years. There is irrefutable evidence of the production of Vitis Vinifera Sylvestris in the nuragic period, but some Greek legends tell that it was Aristeo, son of Apollo, who came to Sardinia from Boeotia, founded the ancient Caralis (today's city of Cagliari) and introduced the cultivation of vines on the island. The Spanish domination in the Middle Ages introduced "new" grapevines, including the Cagnulari also known as the Bove duro di Spagna: a black grape variety grown mainly in the lands of Usini and in the municipalities of Ossi, Tissi, Ittiri, Olmedo and Alghero. It is used for the production of two Sardinian wines: the Alghero Cagnulari DOC and the Isola dei Nuragi IGT. Sardinia offers an ideal habitat for the cultivation of the vine that has settled and persisted over time giving life to fine wines from Sardinia. Obviously, with the spread of phylloxera (a phytophagous insect that attacks the roots of European grapevines) also in these areas they had to adopt the use of rooted cuttings, or the planting
From ancient times to the present day, let’s discover Sardinian wine Sardinia has got one of the oldest winemaking traditions of the Italian territory.
The secrets of Roman dishes and where to taste them in Rome “Roma nun fa’ la stupida stasera damme ‘na mano a faje di’ de si” so did the song, and it's easy to say yes to Roman cuisine. Rich in flavour, the traditional cuisine of Rome is a historic cuisine that mixes ancient Roman traditions and Roman Jewish recipes. Walking through the alleys in Trastevere, attending the Campo dei Fiori market or immersing yourself in the historic Jewish ghetto, where the neon signs of traditional restaurants are on display, you will understand that Rome's food is everywhere. Thanks to the agro-pastoral heritage of the area, Roman dishes are often made with meats and offal which are also used as a sauce for pasta such as carbonara, gricia or pajata. Strong and savoury flavours thanks also to the presence of an abundant sprinkling of Pecorino cheese that cannot be missing in traditional Rome's food. The most popular flower in this city, as we will see, is the artichoke and Roman dishes include excellent street food. There are many traditional foods in Rome: we will discover the most important traditional dishes of the Roman cuisine in the next paragraphs. The suppli The three consistencies in the suppli are among the most fervent dreams of the Romans: the crunchiness of the external breading, the texture of the rice with its grains mixed with the tasty meat sauce that binds everything together and finally the softness of the mozzarella make it one of the most beloved foods of Roman cuisine. It is precisely the mozzarella that gives its name to the famous "suppli al telefono" because, when opened, it recalls the wire of old telephones. The name of this traditional Rome's food derives from the French word "surprise" and you too
The secrets of Roman dishes and where to taste them in Rome “Roma nun fa’ la stupida stasera damme ‘na mano a faje di’
Let's find out what to see in Ragusa: tips for visiting Ragusa and surroundings The adventures of Inspector Montalbano, a television series based on the novels of Andrea Camilleri, showed the beauties of this corner of Sicily located in the southeast part of the island to the general public. Inspector Montalbano filming locations are now popular destinations for travellers and film-lovers. Immersed in the Val di Noto, Ragusa is rich in natural and architectural beauties. In 2002 it was declared, together with the surrounding area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its magnificent Baroque style. Even if it has been ignored for long time, Ragusa and its surroundings are a strong motivation for a trip to Sicily in the name of hiking and natural beauties. Ragusa, located in the Hyblaean Mountains and bordered by the Irminio River, offers a real journey through time in the Baroque age thanks to the multitude of churches, palaces and gardens with breathtaking viewpoints. The historic centre of Ragusa deserves a visit as well as the surroundings, which are home to two nature reserves: the Fiume Irmino Nature Reserve and the Pino D’Aleppo Nature Reserve. For a journey dedicated to the open air, beauties of the Mediterranean maquis, beaches and historic architecture, Ragusa is the perfect place. In all this I have not yet mentioned the culinary traditions that this area offers and that will make you want to never leave. But in the meantime let's find out together what to see in Ragusa! What to see in Ragusa A first distinction to fully understand Ragusa, the southernmost province of Sicily, must be made between the historical part and the modern part called respectively: Ragusa Ibla and Ragusa Superiore. WHAT TO SEE IN RAGUSA SUPERIORE Ragusa Superiore is characterised by the presence
Let’s find out what to see in Ragusa: tips for visiting Ragusa and surroundings The adventures of Inspector Montalbano, a television series based on
Visit Piedmont wineries in the Langhe: wine tastings at the wine cellar and much more! Piedmont is a region dedicated to the production of many food & wine specialities. The most famous territory, which makes it one of the main Italian destinations for food tourism, is located in the provinces of Cuneo and Asti: they are the Langhe. Let's discover the Langhe together! In 2014 the Vineyard Landscape of Piedmont - the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato - were officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beauty of this landscape was shaped by the winemaking activities and, at the same time, the type of the territory gave the Piedmontese the opportunity to enhance its possibilities. The characteristic mountainous and hilly territory of the Langhe has favoured the production of excellent foods such as the hazelnut and exceptional cheeses such as the Castelmagno. But in the Langhe wine is the undisputed protagonist: participating in a visit to Piedmont wineries is certainly one of the wine tours in Italy not to be missed. Immense vineyards distinguish the territory, valleys that are tinged with green, turn towards red in autumn. A dream landscape that only with a pinch will you realise it's reality! To do justice to this area, we find many historic Piedmont wineries that are an essential part of the area and welcome visitors for a visit to the wine cellar with wine tasting. For these reasons, the Langhe area is an unmissable destination for wine tours of Italy in the name of beauty and (goodness!). With tastings in Piedmont wineries and walks through the vineyards. The grape varieties of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato The main wine grapes in the Langhe are Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera. Nebbiolo is very important to obtain two of the most important Piedmontese and
Visit Piedmont wineries in the Langhe: wine tastings at the wine cellar and much more! Piedmont is a region dedicated to the production of
The best Italian wines, national heritage to be discovered! Italy is a country with a great food and wine culture: some of the best Italian wines are produced in different regions of Italy and they have become wordwide famous. The reason for the success of Italian wine is mainly due to the presence of many wineries scattered from north to south. The first signs of wine export come with the Romans. In fact, they exported their grape vine plants and winemaking techniques to the conquered territories. Viticulture remained always very active even during the Middle Ages, thanks to the monks who had been working in the monasteries to produce mass wine, making quantity prevail over quality for several centuries, until in some regions the winemaking techniques began to change in order to improve the quality of wine and to create what are now the best Italian wines. The search for very high quality standards continues today to make sure that the best Italian wines represent a distinctive element of the entire Peninsula. The best Italian red wines The characteristics of a wine depend on the grape variety, but also on many other factors such as the climate, the soil composition and the winemaking techniques. Red wines have more or less intense ruby/garnet colours and they are generally characterised by long ageing in wooden barrels. This makes the wines full-bodied and persistent on the palate, with intense and spicy aromas depending on the ageing time. The best Italian red wines are paired with red meat, game meat, aged cheeses, as well as being excellent meditation wines. Amarone della Valpolicella is an Italian wine produced from the Corvina and Corvinone grape varieties. It is grown in the Veronese area of Valpolicella wine region. It has got an intense garnet red colour, while
The best Italian wines, national heritage to be discovered! Italy is a country with a great food and wine culture: some of the best Italian
How the wine harvest takes place and where to enjoy this magical experience in Italy The wine harvest is the moment when the grapes destined for winemaking are finally harvested. However, this is not a simple production process, but a real ritual that brings with it centuries of history. For millennia, men have gathered at this time of the year to give life to the wine production. Over time the grape harvest techniques have changed, the mechanisms have been refined but the most intimate and human sense has remained, the one that unites the land to men allowing the creation of something extraordinary. The stages of the winemaking process do not end with the wine harvest, a festive and special moment where the best grapes are chosen to make wine. In reality, the winemaking process is long and complex, made of deep dedication, study, passion and celebration of the vineyards themselves. In fact, many elements should be considered for wine production. The most important one is certainly the vineyard: not all of them are the same and not every vineyard gets the same type of wine. There are many other causes that contribute to the quality of the final product. The climate has got an influence on the annual growth cycle of grapevines. For example, European grapevines do not withstand cold temperatures, American grapevines have a high resistance to cold temperatures. What is clear, however, is that all the details should be taken care of and nothing should be left to chance, even the lowering of a little value can compromise the growing so to cause permanent damages to the grape harvest. Another key point for the wine harvest is sunlight, which is why some areas are literally blessed with good luck. They are able to offer better vegetation and
How the wine harvest takes place and where to enjoy this magical experience in Italy The wine harvest is the moment when the grapes destined