Sicilia -- Sicilian Carousel

One of the most interesting places to go whilst in Italy is Sicily. It is a truly beautiful campeggio that is different from anything found on mainland Italy. With its wild history of occupations, from the Greeks to the Romans to the Normans to the Arabs and Spanish, time has fused together bits and pieces from all these societies to form a truly unique land. Proud and beautiful the people retain characteristics from all their ancestors, and although they are sometimes stereotyped as mafiosi they have so much more to offer.

Taormina is famous for its shopping, offering everything from pret-a-porter to haute couture. The ancient city sits on top of a hill, and truly one of the most breathtaking things to do on the island is to sit in the Roman theater whose ruins frame the sea and the volcanic Mount Etna in the distance. At the bottom of the hill, reachable by cable car, there are wonderful beaches and coves that invite you to take advantage of the warm sea.

Siracusa is an ever growing cosmopolitan city 50 minutes south of Catania, reachable by bus or rail from the airport. The modern city continues to grow and expand while the ancient city, Ortigia, which sits on an island connected by bridges, stays locked in time. Right over the bridge on Via dell'Apollonion lay the ruins of a temple from the Hellenistic Age, whose builders transformed the island when they invaded. On the Passeggio Aretusa you will find the only fresh water spring outside of Egypt that grows papyrus, a beautiful spot facing the harbour and perfect for people watching. At the eastern tip of the island you'll find where all the Sicilians are hiding during the hot lunch hours. Accesible from a staircase at street level you can descend onto an outcrop of massive rocks where you'll find everyone sdraiati, taking in the sun and swimming in the waters below.

The best way to reach Sicily from mainland Italy is to book a flight at a low fare on Vola Wind Jet from Roma, Pisa, Milano, Torino, Venezia or Verona into Catania or Palermo. If you happen to be in Palermo during the last week of September be sure to stop by the International Cous Cous Festival for a tasting of the best cous cous dishes from North Africa.

For more information on Sicily and the rest of Italy check out your camera into Italy.

Ciao,

Alessandra

Bologna Food Specialities

Italian food has always been the center of attention anywhere in the world. Today I want to share with you a special dish from Bologna.
Handmade egg pasta and stuffed pasta, especially tortellini, are specialties of Bologna and of course, there is the famous spaghetti alla bolognese, with a long cooked meat sauce. Bologna is also known for its salami and ham. The cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region is some of the best in Italy.

To learn more about Italy, visit http://www.webvisionitaly.com/ or to learn more about Bologna, click here.


Adolfo F.

A Tuscan Gem

Siena has the unique Tuscan quality of being a walled city. Upon entering the stone roads and tiny streets transport you to a place hundreds of years before. This precious city is untouched by the corporate hustle and bustle of a large city. The eye catching shops and meandering streets give you a surprise around every corner. These streets funnel you into the spectacular Piazza del Campo where the amazing facade of the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia soar into the heavens. The view from this tower is nothing short of earth shattering. The viewers eye become engulfed in the maze of streets, buildings, and rolling landscape of Tuscany. The experience of Siena is truly a travel back in time.

For more information visit Siena on www.webvisionitaly.com


Nathaniel

Lessons for Authentic Italian-style Espresso

Learn what over 12,000 YouTube viewers have already learned: how to make a real Espresso like you find in Italy.

The secret to a fine Espresso in the home is the machine and the operator. A bad Espresso machine operator equals an espresso full of acidic water. Done right, an authentic Italian espresso is an integral part of La Dolce Vita.

View "Espresso Lesson" on YouTube

Visit the La Dolce Vita caffes of Rome.

Visit the Historical caffes of Turin.

Visit your camera into Italy.

Italy Travel: Naples My Way

What do people think of when they think of Naples?

Is it Pizza and Spaghetti?  

I experienced Naples first hand and I can tell you there's a lot more to Naples than Pizza and Spaghetti.  This city has such an amazing culture with all the architecture, ruins, beaches, people and exquisite foods.  Just walking down a street in Naples, one can appreciate the antique roads with a story and a history left behind.  I enjoyed promenading down these narrow roads with a gelato in my hand and looking at the beautiful architecture and vistas, I also enjoyed the friendly natives (i Napoletani) out on their balconies or usually on their vespas driving by and greeting me in their musical language of Italian.  I have been on many beaches and yet I can't seem to find one that compares to the beaches of Naples.  

I had the opportunity to take a cruise of the Mediterranean Sea and I will never forget the different shades of blue and green waters that looked like a scene in Homer's Odyssey.   I'll never forget the way the sun hit the white cliffs with multi-colored houses overlapping each other accenting the clear blue waters like pristine images from a postcard.  I think that everyone should get an opportunity to visit Naples.  It is very easy to open a book and learn about a city but when you actually travel you get to live the lifestyle that people only hear about and learn in text books.  It is very important to see the world the way it is supposed to be seen.   

An easy way to travel from Napoli (Naples) to Sorrento and Pompeii is by Circumvesuviana. This local train works its way around the Bay of Naples:

Visit the Naples Channel on www.webvisionitaly.com

Julie F.

Italy Travel: Christmas Markets and Celebrations in Italy

During the Christmas season in Florence there is an eruption of lights, colors, culture, and the always present Italian hospitality. Throughout the city, lights are strewn up and down avenues illuminating the beautiful architecture of Florence. Under the cover of darkness, the parade of lights that interconnect the Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo is a sight that will forever be imprinted in your mind. The Christmas fair in front of the Church of Santa Croce lets the mind, soul, and stomach indulge in all that Florence has to offer; with a little help from its european neighbors. Florence celebrates the birth of Christ in a way that exemplifies its status as The City of Enlightenment.

For more information visit Tuscany at a Glance on www.Webvisionitaly.com

Nathaniel

Italy Travel: My first espresso

My first experience with a true Italian espresso happened on my second trip to Italy. Waking up early for class one morning I was told that nothing would wake me up better than an espresso. Never having tried one, I gave it a try. I ordered one at an Italian caffe and sat outside to enjoy the sun on another beautiful Italian morning. The moment my taste buds began mingling with the espresso I was instantly awakened. The wonderful aroma which emanated from this compact cup sent my senses on a journey.

For more information visit Espresso on www.WebVisionItaly.com.

Nathaniel