Italy: Art and Culture

Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Italy has been witness to the birth of two of the most powerful and influential forces in not only Europe, but the Western World. The mark the Romans left on the world is not only cultural but the evidence of their highly sophisticated society is no more abundant than in the heart of the former Empire itself, Rome.

Almost 1000 years after the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, Italy again (this time with Florence leading the way) became the cultural capital of the world, the Renascence (not just an art movement, but an intellectual awakening, an explosion of science, technology and discovery that changed the way the people of Europe operated and saw themselves) flourished here.

Florence is still today the undisputed capital of Renascence Art, fueled by the Medici Family in the late 1400’s and into the 1600’s the city was host to Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello and a who’s who of art science and philosophy legends . People still visit the city today to witness for themselves the beauty and perfection in painting, sculpture and architecture that was created during this time. Some of the cities most famous and visited museums include the Accademia and the Uffuzi.

Rome was never far behind Florence in this cultural awakening and is home to the Vatican City, home to the Vatican Museums and the roof of the Sistine Chapel so famously painted by Michelangelo as well as his ‘Last Judgment’. People also flock to Rome from every corner of the globe for religious pilgrimages, to St. Peters Basilica, home of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome.

Venice also provides a totally unique experience with it’s canals, bridges, gondolas, the Basilica of St Mark and the square, reputed to be one of the most beautiful and romantic in the world.

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A Taste Of Southern Italy

Posted on Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Southern Italy is a land of contrasts; on one hand it is the poorest section of Italy, and in the past much of the population subsisted on an almost exclusively vegetarian diet, eating greens and bread or pasta. On the other hand, the nobility was extraordinarily wealthy and enjoyed a rich and extremely refined diet. There is a great use of dried pasta (as opposed to egg pasta), though people enjoy vegetable based soups, and entrees, many of which also include fish. In terms of meat, though there are cattle, historically the south is known for shepherding, and lamb and kid play a much more important role in the cuisine than they do in much of the north. Fish also contribute strongly, and indeed in many coastal areas dominate.

Italian Chicken Sausage Risotto Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 (16 ounce) package al fresco, all natural sweet Italian chicken sausage

1 cup chopped sweet onion

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

½ teaspoon dried thyme

1 ¼ cups Arborio rice

1 cup chardonnay or other dry white wine

3 ½ cups chicken broth, low-sodium

1 cup frozen petite sweet peas

Directions

In a heavy, large Dutch oven or saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Saute sausage and onion until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add rice and wine; stir 1 – 2 minutes or until wine is absorbed.

Stir in 3 cups broth. Lower heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. Continue adding stock, ¼ cup at a time, stirring until liquid is adsorbed and rice is tender and creamy, about 5 minutes. Stir in peas and ¼ cup Parmesan; cook 1 minute or until heated throughout. Season with ¼ tsp. black pepper. Garnish with parsley and remaining cheese. Serve immediately.

Venice Travel Information

Posted on Thursday, August 04, 2011

Venice shimmers with an essence as alluring as the visions of a romantic imagination. Mists rise on the canals and glimmer in the sunlight as if lifted from an impressionist's canvas. As improbable a city as ever was built, Venice is made up of 117 islands with 200 canals and over 400 bridges. Its dignified buildings and warm, confident people thrive now as surely as they did during 1,000 years of sovereignty over the seafaring world. Today, it isn't merchants who flood the canals and winding streets, but enchanted travelers from every corner of the globe. They come in search of that which has inspired artists, composers, writers, and poets for centuries. Vivaldi, Titian, Hemingway, and countless others crisscrossed the world to reach this Adriatic muse. Byron, with characteristic passion, literally threw himself into the heart of Venice, often swimming from his home on the Grand Canal to the resort of The Lido. Venetian creations, along with treasures looted from across the Mediterranean and Asia, adorn every surface you walk, rest, or gaze upon. Just about everyone who has seen it agrees that it is one of the most beautiful city in the world.

Summer is the most popular though the weather can be hot and sticky. Spring and autumn are shoulder seasons that are wonderful times to visit for good weather and medium crowds. Venice has begun promoting winter travel with a revival of Carnevale, and some travelers are finding the traditional off-season quite attractive because of the lack of crowds. Keep in mind that the weather is foggy and cold, and that's when rain most often creates the aqua alta - high tides that splash quays - though it usually recedes quickly and affects only the lowest areas.

Things to See:

Piazza San Marco: The unquestionable heart of Venice, where all of the best sights are free. Without paying a single euro to a museum, you'll see some of the world's best art in churches graced with the work of Tintoretto, Titian, and others. Fifteen centuries of architectural styles are represented by Romanesque, Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, etc. Remember to look up! Many beautiful details hover overhead, like elaborate chimneys, altane (roof-top terraces and gardens), friezes, family crests, commemorative inscriptions, frescoes, mosaics, lamps, and even ancient shop signs. When Napoleon entered Venice with his troops in 1797, he called the Piazza San Marco "the world's most beautiful drawing room."

Stroll the Ancient Streets: By far, the best way to explore Venice is on foot, meandering through the winding alleys and passageways that lead you away from the tourist bustle and into the "real streets" where Venetians quietly carry out their daily lives. It's confusing, so carry a map! The rios (small canals) are spanned by numerous bridges, but the Grand Canal can only be crossed on foot at 3 points - Ponte degli Scalzi (near the train station), Ponte di Rialto, and Ponte dell'Accademia.

Ride a Gondola Down the Canal Grande: Recline in a sleek gondola and glide through the heart of Venice, with gracious palazzi flanking your route as a gondolier serenades you with a lilting aria. With his striped shirt and straw hat, the Venetian gondolier is a symbol of the city's traditions, maneuvering his craft by pushing on a single oar, an art passed on from father to son in this male-only, family industry. In the annual Regata Storica (Historical Regatta), gondoliers test their strength in grueling races up and down the canal.

Lions of Venice: The lion of Saint Mark has been the emblem of Venice ever since Saint Mark replacedSaint Theodore as its patron saint. Sometimes the lion holds a sword, sometimes a flag, and almost always carries a book with the words of an angel to Mark, "Pax Tibi Marce Evangelista Meus" (Peace unto thee Mark my Evangelist). Not all the lions look the same, however, because some were fashioned in Venice but many are war booty from all over the Mediterranean, and even as far as China. In fact, the 2 large lions placed at either side of the entrance to the Arsenale were "captured" in 1685 from the Parthenon in Athens.

St. Mark's Basilica: This church dates from 1063, but it is the "newer" version of the original 9th-century wooden chapel that housed the remains of Saint Mark, which were stolen from Alexandria. The church is embellished with Gothic arches, intricate mosaics, and decorative ornaments. Inside, gold glitters everywhere, reflecting off the 1,000-year-old mosaics.

Day Trip to Murano: The glassblowing artisans of this island have been famous since the 13th century for the quality and creative beauty of their work. The elaborate, multicolored chandeliers in many Venetian palaces came from this island.

Day Trip to Burano: Artisans here are as renowned for their lace-making as the glassblowers of Murano are for their skills. Shops sell their exquisite creations, and the Scuola dei Merletti welcomes you to watch women working in their lace-making school, founded in the 19th century to rescue the ancient craft from near-extinction. Its success has been phenomenal.

Day Trip to Torcello: The first settlement in the lagoon was founded here in the 5th century, and it once rivaled Venice itself for power and prestige. It is quite rural now, and all that remains of its long history are 2 beautiful churches with splendid wall and floor mosaics.

Day Trip to The Lido: One of the long sand spits that protect Venice from the fluctuations of the Adriatic Sea, The Lido is one of the world's most famous beach resorts. The Belle Époque resort hotels and casinos attest to its long-standing position as the playground of the rich. Venetians come in summer to ride horses, golf, and take a respite from their daily routines.

Day Trip to Padua: Linked to Venice by the Brenta Canal, this makes a wonderful day trip of cruising along the water to view and visit the palatial villas built as summer homes by wealthy 16th-century Venetians.

Museo Marciano: This museum is housed at the top of the staircase leading from the atrium in the Piazza San Marco, displaying carpets, tapestries, and mosaics. The most dramatic artifacts are the bronze horses dating from the 4th century, brought from Constantinople in 1204.

Palazzo Ducale: The heads of state, the Doge, ruled Venice for 1,000 years until it was conquered by Napoleon in the 18th century. As the city's power and influence grew, the nobility built themselves the Palazzo Ducale. The architectural style combines the Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance influences that dominated throughout the several centuries of construction.

Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs): Venetians suggest that if you cross only one bridge, it be this one. Built in 1600, it joins the ancient prisons and Hall of Justice in the Palazzo Ducale to the prisons on the other side of the Rio del Palazzo. It is named for the tortured sighs of despairing prisoners. In 1755, Casanova escaped his cell here through a hole in its roof.

Gallerie dell' Accademia: Housing the greatest collection of Venetian art in the world, this gallery fills 3 former religious institutions: a 15th-century church, a convent, and the Scuola Grande della Carita, the oldest seminary in Venice. Visitors take a journey through 5 centuries, with the art arranged mostly chronologically from the medieval Byzantine period through the Renaissance, and through the Baroque and Rococo periods.

What to Pack:

Winters are cold and damp but rarely drop below freezing, so while you should dress in sufficiently warm clothes, you don't need very heavy clothing unless you plan to go up to the Dolomites to ski. Summer brings a good deal of rain, so pack an umbrella. When it isn't raining, the sun is very strong, so layer with cool clothing. Spring and autumn are mild, requiring no more than a light jacket. Bring modest clothing for churches and something dressy for upscale activities.

Venice

Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2011

If you are thinking of seeing Italia Bella, the most entrancing country in the Western World, don’t forget about Venice.  Italy’s vast richness in culture, art, food, wine and love are all represented in Venice – and Venice has gondolas!

Some people believe that Venice is old and dirty.  They need to see Venice as it is; yes, it is old, and yes, some of the palazzos are sinking but is there a more fascinating and serene city? No.  In fact, Venice’s nickname is La Serenissima.  

Arriving by motorcoach you really see nothing until you walk off the bus and turn right at the corner.  There she is!  Venice, the Grand Canal, the beautiful entrance to the train station and awaiting just a short boat ride away is the famed Rialto Bridge, St Marks Square with the Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs, the Basilica and more.  There are Venetian Glass artisans showing how they blow the glass.  There’s Caffe Florian, one of the oldest cafes in Europe and if you sit outdoors you can hear violins playing romantic melodies as you sip a Campari.  All right it sounds good but stick to wine or coffee.  Campari’s not as good as one would hope.

Nighttime brings  a must do romantic gondola ride. 

Hopefully you have another day in Venice to take a short boat ride to Burano  to see lace making and the very colorful homes – each one painted a bright red,  purple , etc. and to hopefully visit a museum like the Peggy Guggenheim when back in Venice.

Not to be missed!

A Day in Venice

Posted on Friday, July 08, 2011

On this, our second trip to vibrant Venice, we settled into our hotel near the Campo Santa Margherita. On our first full day in the city, we had followed the audio tour of the DogesPalace, admired the luscious Titians and Tintorettos, and absorbed a thousand years of Italian culture. Now we were ready to experience some of the city’s “hidden treasures.”

Setting out from our hotel on day two, we discovered a cute pastry café, Pasticceria Tonolo, and stopped for cappuccino. We quickly found ourselves in a lively conversation with the friendly staff and other patrons, all of whom had suggestions for which of the scrumptious-looking pastries we should try. I’m partial to anything with apricots and had to try a croissant filled with apricot jam. 

Taking the suggestion of Paolo and Catherine, who were sitting at the next table, we then took a vaporetto (water taxi) to the Rialto market. The daily life of Venice seems to center here, where local chefs rub shoulders with housewives carrying bulging string bags as they select the choicest fruits, vegetables and fish fresh from the Adriatic. It’s extremely picturesque, fragrant, and a riot of market sounds — sellers and buyers bargaining loudly in Italian, delivery carts rumbling behind warning cries of “watch your feet!” and vendors eagerly calling out the many attractions of their market stalls, which groan under the weight of colorful produce. We bought two kinds of olives, a crusty loaf of bread, and some pears to ward off middle-of-the-night hunger back in our hotel room. 

Having filled our eyes with local delicacies, we realized that we were hungry, so we walked just around the corner from the market to Cantina Do Mori. In spite of its location near the Rialto Bridge, this historic wine bar (bàcari) is frequented by locals, who come for the cicchetti (a tapas-like light portion; try the “Folpetti” with celery) and ombretta (aperitif). There are no seats, so we found ourselves enjoying our flavorful snacks in the midst of a group of older Italian men. Using rapid-fire Italian and a smattering of English along with hand gestures and our map, these friendly Venetians told us that we should take a boat ride up the Brenta River to view the villas, palaces, and gardens of Palladio. They also recommended a day trip to Murano to see the hand-blown-glass shops and studios. Everywhere we’ve traveled, we’ve found the locals to be a wonderful and generous source of suggestions, eager to share with us the parts of their homeland they love the most. 

With the rich flavors of our lunch still lingering in our mouths, we continued to wander through the streets, admiring the architecture, the quaint campi (little squares) where children were playing, and the window boxes spilling over with red, yellow and purple flowers. As we walked, the aroma of fresh bread or the sound of an aria or the chattering of voices would drift from windows thrown open to the fresh air. 

Without having a specific destination, we eventually found ourselves at a gondola yard (squero) on the Canale della Fondamente Nuove. We learned that there are only two squeri left in Venice and this one was bustling with activity. Although we arrived too late for the tour, our concierge later told us that the tour is well worth the hour it takes and the 25-euro admission. 

We walked around and looked at the gondolas and struck up a conversation with Antonio, a retired gondolier who claimed to have once transported Princess Grace through the canals of Venice. 

After our visit with Tony and the gondolas, we headed back toward St. Mark’s Square to make a return visit to the Basilica. On the way, we stopped at the Hotel Saturnia to make a reservation at the Ristorante La Caravella, which had been highly recommended by our travel consultant, who had been there two years ago, and again by a professor of ancient European art whom we had met earlier at the Rialto market. 

Finding that we were suddenly more interested in a siesta than in the Basilica, we returned to our hotel in the late afternoon and snoozed until early evening. Refreshed and, amazingly, hungry again, we arrived at the restaurant and were seated outdoors in the private courtyard. The interior is paneled in wood like an old sailing vessel, the atmosphere is very romantic, the food and wine sensational, and the service discreet and gracious. Robert ordered the risotto with scampi, a house specialty, and I ordered fresh sea bass prepared with pine nuts and basil. Heavenly! 

After our full day of walking (and eating!), not even La Caravella’s espresso could keep us awake. We slept soundly and awoke to another day of exploration. Before we left Venice, we took our new friends’ suggestions and made very enjoyable day trips into the dramatic Dolomites, to the villas of Palladio, and along to the glassmaking studios of Murano, always taking time to stroll, get a little lost, and sample the flavors of genuine local cuisine.

Plenty of Italy tours visit the cities of Rome, Florence and Venice.  Some that focus more on Norther Italy are the Tauck Tour, Italian Lakes, Venice, Florence and Rome, Tauck tour Venice and the Veneto,

For a more independant experience, consider the Insight Tour Select Florence and Venice or the Monograms Venice Getaway.