Day In Piazza Campo dei Fiori

Posted on Thursday, January 19, 2012

The Piazza Campo dei Fiori is definitely not to be missed while visiting Rome, Italy. It’s a charming little fruit and vegetable market located right in the center of Rome, in a square that bars the same name. The market has been in business since 1869, and is one of many open markets in Rome. It’s well-known for its extremely fresh, extremely colorful produce, meats, fish, and very fragrant fresh and dried spices.

A friend of mine had been to Rome a few times, and she told me that every time she went, she made sure to take a trip to Campo dei Fiori. She raved about how wonderful the little market was, and how delectable the foods were, so I knew that I’d have to check it out for myself. The piazza was relatively easy to find, as it wasn’t too far from the Pantheon. I went early in the morning, which I found out was a good idea as the market closes down at 3pm. The square was alive and buzzing with people—locals picking up ingredients for that night’s meal, tourists flitting about from stall to stall sampling goods, and farmers and growers showing off their produce and wares. The smells filling the air were quite appetizing, as the scents of ripe fruits mingled with the aromas of greens and spices. I didn’t know where to start!

I decided to start at a stall that had tables filled with gorgeous berries: strawberries of a vibrant red, deep-blue blueberries, shiny blackberries, and plump white currants that resembled pearls. The strawberries had such a delicate and sweet flavor, and they were barely tart at all. They were nothing like that Florida and California berries we’re used to in America! And the blueberries were so good, they were almost like candy. Oh, and don’t get me started on the grapes! I always knew that Italy would probably have the best grapes around, and they certainly do. They were everything they were supposed to be, sweet and tart at the same time, along with a crisp, clean flavor. There were many other delightful fruits, including bananas, passion fruit, the sweetest peaches, pineapples, countless kinds of melon, and the deepest red of grapefruits you’ve ever seen.

Following in the Footsteps of Bernini

Posted on Thursday, January 12, 2012

Rome is one of my most favorite places to travel. There is so many things to see, so much history to take in, that more than one trip is necessary in order to see everything you wish to see. Gian Lorenzo Bernini is one of the most famous artists around, and his stunning sculptures and fountains can bee seen all over Rome. The last time I was there, I planned a walk through Rome that would take me to some of his most famous works.

I started my walk at the Santa Maria della Vittoria, which is the Church of Our Lady of Victory. Inside, it houses one of Bernini’s most gorgeous works: the Ecstasy of St. Teresa. In this sculpture, it depicts St. Teresa with her head thrown back in the ecstasy, and a young cherub-like angel with a golden arrow aimed straight for the saint’s heart. The arrow is symbolic of God’s love, and is what is causing St. Teresa’s ecstasy. Both the woman and angel are on a bed of clouds, which were made hollow as to not add extra weight to the already hefty masterpiece. The sun shines down on the pair from above, and on the floor below them, Death is portrayed. I stood in awe of the piece for what seemed like forever.

I continued my walk down Via Barberini to the Piazza Barberini to visit the next Bernini piece on my list, which was the Fontana del Tritone, or the Trition Fountain. In the middle of the white marble basin is a group of four fish that are holding up a large oyster shell with their tailfins. Sitting atop the shell is Triton, a merman that is the mythological god of the sea, and he is blowing on a conch shell. The sculpture itself is made out of travertine, which is a form of limestone that is a common building material in Italy.

Next, I walked down Via delle Quattro Fontane, and passed the Palazzo Barberini, which was a beautiful palace that was once lived in by Barberini. I eventually came upon the Piazza Navona to the last Bernini work on my list, which was the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Each of the four figures represents a river: The Ganges River, The Danube, The Nile, and the Rio de la Plata. The four figures are featured upon a rock, with a horse in the water underneath. The Nile River’s source was unknown at the time the sculpture was created, so the head of the figure representing the river was covered with a scarf. Behind the stunning piece is a very tall obelisk, that was brought into Rome by the Emperor Caracalla. The obelisk had been buried for quite some time at Capo di Bove, awaiting to be used to adorn a brilliant fountain. The obelisk had been saved for just the right fountain, because the Fntana dei Quattro Fiumi is a brilliant piece, indeed.

Portofino Italy

Posted on Thursday, December 08, 2011

One of the most beautifuk ports on the Italian Riviera. Portofino has hosted both real and Hollywood royalty. Not only did the Edward VII and Wallis Simpson choose this idyllic spot for their honeymoon, Richard Burton once proposed to Elizabeth Taylor here. For a spectacular bird's-eye view of the harbor, visit the Castello Brown Museum.

Siena Italy

Posted on Thursday, November 10, 2011

"Siena’s Piazza del Campo is a town square shaped like an oval slopping gently down to the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, it is divided into sections representing the city’s nine rulers in the 1400s, known (bluntly enough) as the Council of Nine. But the Piazza’s striking medieval ambiance is not only due to the surrounding architecture – but for a race. For most of June, July and August, the entire city is devoted to Il Palio, a series of horse races held in the Piazza whose ancient passions makes the Kentucky Derby seem like a fly-by-night event. The festival’s contours have not changed since the 1100s, when members of the city’s 17 contrade, or town districts, began to compete with one another in track events. The two central races are held every July 2 and August 16, but the pageantry and excitement dominate Siena for the entire summer. "

The Italian Riviera

Posted on Wednesday, April 13, 2011

With some of the most unspoiled landscape in the country and home to Italy's most beautiful villages, you'll feel you're in a picture book, the Riviera is so idyllic. This coastal region of northwest Italy stretches east and west of Genoa. Sheer rocky cliffs, secluded coves and long beaches are features of the coastline. Here's what you can expect to see on Italy tours that visit the Italian Riviera.

• Famous Portofino and Portovenere are just two of the charming villages along the Riviera. Medieval villages, many with a castle or church to explore, are found along the coast and inland. Colourful buildings, shingled roofs, stone turrets and narrow walkways create the appealing look of these magical villages, many of which hug the cliff sides in dramatic fashion.
• The Riviera is perfect for biking. There are beaches for every taste, an active culinary scene where you can learn the secrets of Ligurian cuisine, a flourishing art community and many historic sights and museums to visit.
• Cinque Terre is a must for hikers. This unspoiled area, a National Park and UNESCO protected territory is situated along the coast near La Spezia. It's popular for hiking between the five villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Steep cliffs, terraced vineyards, winding paths, small bays, beaches and spectacular coastal views combine to create one of the most magical areas of Italy.