Category Archives: Italy

Tuscany offers picture-perfect Italian experience

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Close your eyes. Picture yourself in Italy. Beautiful rolling hills, charming hilltop towns, fabulous art and architecture and vineyards and olive groves dotting the landscape — you’re in Tuscany! If you want to visit an area with seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, history that dates back to the bronze age and home of one of the most famous wine regions of the world, then GetAway Travel is ready to accommodate you. Florence is the jewel of Tuscany, but don’t limit yourself to Florence, there’s adventures waiting throughout the region.

Florence

Vibrant city centers, amazing churches

Pitigliano is nicknamed “Little Jerusalem.” Here tile roofed buildings have been erected on layers of red volcanic “tufa” stone. Jews were able to live here in peace until about 1622. There are underground tunnels and caves beneath the city. Some of the rooms and passages have been in use since Etruscan times.

Pitigliano

The pedestrian-friendly compact city center offers great shopping with artisanal boutiques and dining options. The Fountain of Seven Spouts in the main piazza is a fountain with seven animal heads as the water spouts The spouts are centered in the middle of five arches made of tufa stone.

The Museum of Jewish Culture, next to the Pitigliano Synagogue documents the history of the Jewish settlers while the Etruscan Legacy Museum gives an overview of the area and its beginnings.

Pienza is a lovely Renaissance town perched high on a hill. It was created by Bernard Rossellino with attention to the smallest detail. The main buildings and monuments are all along one main street, and it is recognized as one of the first examples of urban planning. It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site for that reason. It is also considered the capital of pecorino cheese.

Pienza

The influential Medici family is responsible for many of the amazing Renaissance buildings in Montepulciano. This hilltop town is where you can sample the famous Nobile di Montepulciano wine made from the Sangiovese grapes that grow in the surrounding hills.

Montepulciano

The large square in the heart of town is Piazza Grande and it is the only real flat area in the town. The cathedral, town hall and Palazzo Contucci are here.The Palazzo Contucci was home to the Contucci family and it sits atop their large wine cellars. The family is responsible for making Nobile di Montepulciano a world-wide name. There are lots of wine cellars and wine bars, but De Ricci Wine Cellar, or the Cantina de Ricci is the place to go. Often referred to as the most beautiful wine cellar in the world, it is worth a visit even if you don’t drink wine. The cellars are actually wide tunnels and underground chambers. Rows and rows of oak barrels line long aisles. The Fontecorrino Cellar is a new addition that combines technology and wine production. There is a large terrace and exhibition hall and, of course, a tasting room that the culmination of the guided tours complete with local cheeses and snacks.

Piazza Grande in Montepulciano

Another great wine cellar is in the Medici Fortress. The Consortia Del Vino Nobile de Montepulciano has a glass floor and you can see fortress archeological discoveries through the floor.

Walkway up to the Medici Fortress in Montepulciano

At the foot of the hill of Montepulciano is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biago. It is the perfect Renaissance church with a dome and spire rising above the cypress trees at the bottom of the hill. Made from gold-colored travertine it was designed by Antonio Sangallo whose work was heavily influenced by the design of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Chianti, that leaning tower, Tuscany’s second largest city

 Smack dab in the middle of Tuscany is the Chianti region. Roughly, its the hilly area between Florence and Siena. Chianti is produced in Pisa, Arezzo, Florence, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. “Visiting” Chianti means drinking a glass of wine, produced under strict rules, that embodies the spirit of the area. A fresh, rounded, medium-body wine, Chianti must contain at least 70% Sangiovese grapes. The grapes, as well as olives, grow well in the hilly area. Chianti Classico must have 80% Sangiovese grapes. It has a tad more acidity than Chianti.

Vineyards, wine cellars and wine bars stand ready to help you “visit” Chianti while you are in Tuscany.

Chianti

Tuscany’s second largest city is Siena. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the principal square in the city is the Piazza del Campo and it is considered one of the finest medieval squares in Europe.

Campo Square, Siena

The Duomo di Siena or Siena Cathedral is a stunning example of Romanesque Gothic architecture. Carve out a big chunk of your time to see it because it is actually seven different sites, including the Oratory of San Bernardino which is a religious art museum about a 10 minute walk from the duomo.

Duomo di Siena – stunning

The exterior of the cathedral is remarkable with light and dark striped marble which continues on the columns inside. Every bit of the interior is covered with some sort of decoration or sculpture.

Duomo di Siena – altar

There are works of art by Donatello, Michelangelo with frescoes covering the main altar, a star-studded domed ceiling and a floor decorated with in-laid marble mosaics.

A library off the nave was built for Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini who later became Pope Pius II. Every inch of the library is covered in highly detailed paintings relating to his life. The Porto del Cielo or Gate of Heaven is an area in the rafters which gives you a birds-eye view of the cathedral interior as well as sculptures, the mosaic window and other creative features you can’t see from the floor.

There’s a museum in the cathedral with illuminated manuscripts, silks and other fabrics, and jewelry. The cathedral’s crypt, which was discovered about 20 years ago, has amazingly colorful frescoes dating back to the late part of the 13th century.

Pisa and the iconic leaning bell tower

Pisa is that unique town with an iconic landmark that has been featured in hundreds and hundreds of pictures, movies, postcards and memes. Even so, the actual sight of the gravity-defying tower is pretty amazing.

The tower is located in the Piazza dei Miracoli or Square of Miracles. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can climb the tower, which is an elaborate example of architecture. The Pisa Cathedral nearby has a facade of different hues of marble and at times it seems to glow.

Tower in Lucca

Lucca and San Gimignano, towns close by, also have some interesting towers. The Torre Guinigi tower in Lucca has trees growing from it and San Gimignano has 14 medieval towers. The town originally had 72, all built by patriarch families to display their wealth.

Towers in San Gimignano

If picture-perfect Tuscany is on your bucket list, the advisors at GetAway Travel will help you with a picture-perfect adventure. You can reach us at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel

Tuscany – waiting for you

 

Destination: Chocolate

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Chocolate has been making life a bite better since the 17th century. Travel is a great way to learn, expand your mind, broaden your horizons, make great memories. Why not combine the two — chocolate and travel? Fabulous idea! The travel advisors at GetAway Travel are here to help you plan an adventure that includes chocolate and great memories. Here’s some of the tasty travel and chocolate possibilities… 

 Saint Lucia 

 This eastern Caribbean Island is a particularly attractive option when it’s cold out. The Saint Lucia rain forest has been home to cacao beans since the 17th century. Chocolate has vied with bananas as the island’s prime export for years with bananas finally taking a backseat to chocolate in recent years. 

St Lucia pitons

Saint Lucia chocolate has less sugar content than Belgian, Dutch, French or American chocolate, but the intense cocoa flavor is not bitter. You can get cocoa tea all over the island and cocoa sticks, which is how the tea is made, make great souvenirs. There are plenty of chocolate, bean to bar, options around the island and you can practice your chocolatier skills. 

Cocoa Tree

“Single estate” chocolates are chocolates produced solely on one estate. Chocolate is highlighted even more in August which is Chocolate Heritage Month. 

cut open cocoa pod

Island visitors can indulge in chocolate facials, massages and body scrubs and enjoy savory and sweet chocolate dishes and a choc-tail or two!  

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Landlocked Umbria: Italy’s fascinating “green heart”

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Italy’s Umbria region is bordered by the regions of Tuscany, Lazio and LeMerche. It has lovely medieval towns perched on hills, dense forests, vineyards and olive groves, and fabulous truffle dishes. St. Francis was born and lived in the Umbria region. Perugina Chocolates calls the region home, there’s a festival that involves a town carpeting the streets with flowers, pork is king and it’s the only place in the world where you find natively grown sagrantino grapes. GetAway Travel advisors are ready to plan your adventure to Italy’s Umbria region. 

 Perugia, Spello and Assisi 

 Perugia, the capital of Umbria, has some fabulous examples of Renaissance architecture and Baci chocolates. Stop by the National Gallery of Umbria where the largest collection of Umbrian artworks, including paintings by Pinturicchio and Perugino are on display. Collections include artwork from the 13th to the 19th centuries. 

Perugia is 100 miles north of Rome and 90 miles southeastt of Florence

The National Archeological Museum of Umbria is located in San Domenico in Perugia. It is the largest church in Umbria and in addition to having lots of interesting artifacts on display, it has enormous Gothic-style stained glass windows. 

The Casa del Cioccolato Perugina is a factory that also features a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate manufacturing as well as a school that offers classes. A raised area around the factory allows visitors to see the Baci workshop and production line. Since 1922 the Italian Baci (or kisses) has been recognized around the world as an iconic chocolate bite. It is rich chocolate with a hazelnut filling, a whole hazelnut on top covered with a double coating of chocolate. Yum! 

Italian Baci

Perugia is home to EuroChocolate, one of the world’s largest and most assorted chocolate exhibitions. The annual festival draws upwards of a million tourists. 

Spello built from stone retains it’s medieval aspect

Spello is a walled city that offers gorgeous views of the countryside. Many of the town buildings are constructed of subasio marble. At sunrise and sunset the marble takes on a pinkish hue which makes for fabulous pictures. Aficionados of Renaissance art should visit the Baglioni Chapel and the Collegiate di Santa Maria Maggiore.  

Alley with gorgeous flowers in Spello

Spello is the host of the Inflorata Festival. The centuries-old festival is for the flower obsessed. Groups of villagers band together and create fabulous floral carpets that are laid out on the streets the 9th Sunday after Easter. The groups spend much of the year collecting and growing specific flowers for their carpet designs. 

Try the local floral gelato specialties including the lavender flavor. The lavender is used with a deft hand and it is considered quite tasty. 

Assisi is the birthplace of St Francis

Assisi is the birthplace of St. Francis and St. Clare. Francis is the patron saint of animals and the city of Assisi. St. Clare is the patron saint of television and computer screens. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies. 

Walking up to the Basilica of St Francis Assisi

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Assisi is regarded as one of the world’s most important artistic, cultural and religious destinations. The Basilica di San Francesco is where St. Francis was laid to rest. The outside might seem a little pedestrian, but the interior is stunning. There are striking frescoes across the walls and ceiling. Many think the interior is nicer than the Sistine Chapel. 

 Historic sites, wine and tasty options 

 The medieval bridge in Spoleto offers great views of the countryside. It is home to several historic churches including the Church of Sant’ Eufemia. Constructed in Romanesque style, the interior has beautiful stone mosaics and reliefs. The National Museum of the Ducato di Spoleto illustrates the history of the region with frescoes, artwork and sculptures. 

Exterior of St Eufemia church

Bevagna is thought to be one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. Settlements in the area date back to the Iron Age, and it became a town during the Roman Empire. There is an old Roman temple and theater in town.

Bevagna, Italy

 Orvieto is an Etruscan town perched on a soft limestone hill in Umbria. There are underground rooms and tunnels that were built under the city throughout the centuries. Talk to your travel advisor because tours must be booked in advance. 

Walkway in Orvieto

Orvieto Cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Golden mosaics decorate the facade which is why it is nicknamed the Golden Lily. Inside you can see masterpieces by Luca Signorelli and Francesco Mochi. Nearby vineyards produce Classico wines.The fresh, aromatic white wines are made from Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes.  

Stunning facade of the Orvieto Cathedral

The landscape around Montefalco is blanketed with vineyards because it is the only place in the world where sagrantino grapes are grown natively. Azienda Agricola produced here is thought to be an extraordinary red wine. The famous La Strada Del Sagrantino winery is just outside of Montefalco. There are wine trails and wine routes for visitors to follow and horse-drawn carriage tasting tours of the various wineries are also offered. 

Vineyards in autumn near Montefalco

The regions of Italy lay claim to some fabulous regional dishes and Umbria is no exception. This region is responsible for more truffle production than any other region in Italy. Enjoy gnocchi or strangozzi pasta with truffles. But remember, pretty much anything, except maybe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, benefits with the addition of truffles. 

strangozzi pasta with truffles

Try a porchetta sandwich. The pork is heavily seasoned and garnished to bring out the flavor and since the pigs help themselves to wild fennel, acorns and chestnuts, their meat has a unique flavor. You’ll also find boar, deer and pigeon on the menu. The area’s most famous meat product is prosciutto. It is a protected product which means there is a minimum of a years worth of effort put into making it including salting and seasoning. Then it is certified by Prosciutto di Norcia. 

prosciutto crudo

Scafata is a traditional Italian stew with fava beans, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white wine, olive oil, chili peppers, pancetta, carrots, onions, celery and rosemary. Legumes and lentils grow well in the area and are featured in many dishes. 

Porchetta sandwiches ready for sale

Is a visit to the Umbria region on your wish list? GetAway Travel is here to make travel wishes come true. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the charming, historic heel of Italy

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Hands down, the Puglia region of Italy has the best beaches and you can get confirmation of that from locals, European tourists and American visitors. Puglia, also called Apulia, is in the southeastern tip of Italy or the heel of Italy’s boot. The Adriatic Sea is on the East, the Ionian Sea on the Southeast and the gulf of Taranto is on the South side. 

The area has been recognized as an undiscovered gem — think stunning coastlines, miles and miles of olive groves, vineyards, charming towns, historic villages with cone-shaped trullo houses and unique cuisine. The Puglia region produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil, about 300,000 tons a year.  

Bari, Italy

Two of the many areas of note in the region are Bari, the capital of the Puglia region and Matera, a city that truly makes you think you’ve stepped back into Biblical times. 

If you’d like to see Bari, Matera and Lecce, nicknamed the “Florence of the South” GetAway Travel can arrange your trip, or, check back with us for details on a trip planned for that area in 2023. 

 Bari: monuments and pasta 

 Bari is home to two important monuments, the Basilica di San Nicola, or the Church of St. Nicholas and Frederick II’s castle. It is a bustling harbor town with lovely beaches. The largest port on the Italian side of the Adriatic Sea, it gave Italians numerous access to shipping routes, second only to Naples. 

Beautiful tiled floor – Basilica di San Nicola, Bari

It is still a major ferry port. There are up to 15 ferry crossings a day including an overnight ferry to Dubrovnik, Croatia. 

Bari, Italy

The Church of St. Nicholas is thought to be the resting place of Santa Claus. Built in 1089 to house the remains of the saint, the church is a mixture of architecture styles. The remains of St. Nicholas of Myra were originally in Turkey, but they were moved to Bari when the Saracens attacked Myra in 1087. It is somewhat fitting his remains are in Bari because he is considered the patron saint of travelers, sailors and children. The church interior features beautiful artwork and mosaics. 

St Nicholas, Bari

The city’s main church is the Cathedral of San Sabino. It was destroyed and rebuilt in 1170 in a more Romanesque style. Take some time to study the front facade which is decorated with monsters and other imaginary creatures. 

View down the street – of Cathedral of San Sabino, Bari

The Castello Svevo was built by King Ruggero in the 12th Century, destroyed and rebuilt by Frederick II in 1233. It became a social hub in the Renaissance when Isabella of Aragon and her daughter, Bona Sforza lived there and hosted famous artists, writers and dignitaries. 

Castello Svevo, Bari

St. Nicholas Church and the cathedral are in the Old Town or Bari Vecchia area of Bari. It’s worth taking a walk through the winding streets in Old Town. You will come upon women practicing a craft perfected by their grandmothers and mothers — making orecchiette (little ears) pasta by hand. You can take a walking tour of the area or take a pasta making class. 

Making orecchiette pasta

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Picturesque Venice: A beautiful, serene floating city

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There is just something so romantic about the idea of visiting a city built on water. Venice and its canals have provided a backdrop to many romantic movie scenes and its every bit as awesome in person. Venice is one of the stops on a planned GetAway Travel trip, but your travel advisors at GetAway can accommodate your wish to travel to the Floating City any time you wish! 

 Water, water everywhere 

 Venice, the capital of Northern Italy, is built on a series of more than 100 islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Since there is a finite surface area for building, residents continue to upgrade their homes and the classic palaces and estate homes — fabulous examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture — line the canals. There are no roads in Venice, so where ever you wander on foot, you will find something worth seeing since the city’s history goes back more than 1,000 years. 

Enjoy elaborate architecture and stunning art-filled palaces. Use gondolas, water taxis and canal boats to get around. A pro tip: you can’t just hail a gondola like a taxi in New York. If you are interested in a family tour or a romantic couples’ trip, reservations are necessary. 

There are things to see on every canal, but do plan a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. 

If you are taking a boat tour, or touring on of the other famous sites, you may find yourself standing in line waiting to buy a ticket. However, Venice, like many European cities, has something called “skip the line.” Your travel advisor can book tours or entrances to venues in advance and you can just — skip the line and gain entrance without wasting your precious vacation time. 

Rialto Bridge, Venice

 Palaces, paintings and piazzas 

 The city is divided into six sestieri districts, or neighborhoods with their own character, including San Marco which is the central district. The Piazza San Marco is a prime people watching spot and it’s where you will find St. Mark’s Basilica. It is decorated with art treasures seized during the fall of Constantinople. There are miles and miles of gold mosaics covering the domed ceilings and walls. The golden altar piece was put in the basilica in the early 12th century and eventually encrusted with 2,000 gems and precious stones. Walk across the Rialto Bridge to San Polo. The ornamental stone bridge is one of the most famous bridges in Venice  and a great place to take photos. 

Giant’s staircase Doges Palace

Vendors at the Rialto Market sell fish, produce, spices and some artisan products, but the San Polo district has great artisan shopping options and find designer items in the Calle Delle Mercerie or Calle Larga XXII Marzo areas. 

The Lion is the symbol of St Mark

Other churches of note include Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Santa Maria Gloriosa was started by the Franciscan monks in 1340 and it has some spectacular art pieces including a wooden statue of St. John the Baptist. While palaces and churches in Venice feature ornate facades of limestone and marble with ornate architectural embellishments, Santa Maria dei Miracoli is an exception. Designed by architect Pietro Lombardo, the facade is entirely of matched colored marble which creates intricate more ethereal designs. The interior is just as lovely. 

The Galleria dell’Accademia di Venezia, was founded in 1750 as a sort of artist incubator and now it houses works from Bellini, Carpaccio, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto, Titan and Giambattista. The more than 800 paintings chronicle the evolution of Venetian art from the 14th to the 18th century. 

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a museum for modern art lovers. One of the first contemporary art museums in Italy, it has works by Pollock, Klee, Mondrian and de Chirico. It is located in a partially completed palace, the Palazzo Venir dei Leoni. 

 

Don’t skip a water taxi ride to Murano and Burano 

There are two great museums on lagoon islands a short distance from central Venice. Murano is home to the Museum of Glass. Glassmaking is a hot, fiery — and in the 13th century — potentially dangerous process. Especially dangerous to homes crowded together which was allegedly the reason why Murano was established as the area where all glassmakers were ordered to live. As a side note, it also meant the process was safeguarded in one area. Today, Murano glassmakers create everything from small items to huge, elaborate chandeliers. Watch a glass blowing demo at the museum and also learn the history of the art. 

Murano, Italy

Burano is a Venetian lagoon island renowned for its striking, brightly painted houses and delicate, handmade lace. According to historians, the homes were brightly painted to help guide fishermen in through the mists that rise up from the lagoon waters. 

Burano Island, Italy

From 1872 until the 1970s, the Lace School on Burano was in operation. The museum in the palace Podestá of Torcello has lovely pieces on display as well as videos about lacemaking and interviews with some of the school’s last students. 

 If you need help navigating the ins and outs of visiting Venice, want to join the group tour or want to design a vacation of your own with GetAway Travel, we’re here to help. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel 

Experience a renaissance revival in Florence, Italy

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 While Florence, Italy is smaller than Rome or Venice, it’s packed full of destinations for art and history lovers as well as attractions for foodies and smart shoppers. Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and the historic center of Florence has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. It retains its historic site status by the careful preservation of ancient streets, buildings, fountains and monuments. 

It’s a city where you can get fabulous gelato, see Michelangelo’s “David” and pick up some great designer bargains. 

Your travel advisor at GetAway Travel can set up your tours of city attractions based on your interests. Buying your tickets to tours and sites in the city ahead of time means less time standing in line and more time enjoying your getaway! 

Opportunities for art lovers 

 The capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, Florence is home to masterpieces of architecture and art. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known as the Duomo Cathedral is easily recognized by its terracotta-tiled dome. The dome’s design was engineered by Brunelleschi and the neighboring bell tower by Giotto, but the exterior is also a marvel of architectural features including a decorative mix of pink, white and green marble insets. 

Windows inside along the narrow interior walkways offer great views of the city and the floors are “carpeted” in marble mosaics.  Continue reading →

Virtual Visit Week – If it’s Monday let’s go to the Uffizi

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While we are not travelling right now, it’s a great time for some virtual visits.

The Galleria degli Uffizi is a prominent art museum located in the historic center of Florence, Italy.  It is one of the largest, best known, most important and most visited Italian museums.  It holds a priceless collection of art, particularly from the period of the Italian Renaissance.  

Fifteenth century Italy was unlike any place in Europe – divided between independent city-states each with a different form of government.  Florence where the Italian Renaissance began was an independent republic.  It was also a banking/commercial capital and the 3rd largest city in Europe after London and Constantinople (or do you say Istanbul?).  Wealthy Florentines flaunted their money and power by becoming patrons of the arts. 

I went to a restaurant that serves ‘breakfast at any time’. So I ordered French Toast during the Renaissance. – Steven Wright

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Add Assisi to your list of places to go in Italy

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Assisi is a hill town in central Italy, but it is not in Tuscany – it is in the Province of Perugia in the Umbria region. A visit to the Medieval town of Assisi is essential; a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its  represents “a series of masterpieces of man‘s creative spirit.”  The town revolves around its most renowned citizen, St. Francis, Patron Saint of Italy: from the Basilica, which is dedicated to the Saint and contains his tomb, to the hermitage (Eremo delle Carceri), a few kilometers outside the town walls, where St. Francis used to retreat in prayer.

Francis is one of the most venerated religious figures in history.  Born in Italy circa 1182, Saint Francis of Assisi was renowned for drinking and partying in his youth. After fighting in a battle between Assisi and Perugia, Francis was captured and imprisoned for ransom. He spent nearly a year in prison — awaiting his father’s payment — and, according to legend, began receiving visions from God.

After his release from prison, Francis heard the voice of Christ, who told him to repair the Christian Church and live a life of poverty. Consequently, he abandoned his life of luxury and became a devotee of the faith, his reputation spreading all over the Christian world.

St Francis returns from war

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The Leaning Tower of Pisa

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Only an hour from Florence by train, Pisa should be high on your list of sights to see in Italy.  The most iconic structure to see is Torre Pendente or the Leaning Tower, which was conceived as the bell tower for the splendid Duomo di Pisa (or Pisa Cathedral).  Shortly after construction began in 1173, the tower started to lean due to the soft ground on which it was being built.  Tower construction occurred in 3 phases over a period of 199 years.

the tower and the duomo

Galileo Galilei is said to have dropped two cannonballs of different masses from the tower to demonstrate that their speed of descent was independent of their mass.  It’s not known if this is completely true or not – but it does make a good story and demonstrates an important property of physics

Looking down into the top of the tower

During World War II, the Allies suspected that the Germans were using the tower as an observation post. A U.S. Army sergeant sent to confirm the presence of German troops in the tower was impressed by the beauty of the cathedral and its campanile, and thus refrained from ordering an artillery strike, sparing it from destruction.  (you can read an account of this story here)

the stunning baptistry

Numerous efforts were made to stabilize the tower and it was closed for a long time for safety reasons.  In 2008 it was reported by engineers that it stopped moving for the first time in 800 years and that it should remain stable for at least another 200 years.

inside the church

There is so much to see and do in this area of Italy – We can help plan the perfect GetAway for you – just call!

Italy will never be a normal country and we love it that way.

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“Italy will never be a normal country. Because Italy is Italy. If we were a normal country, we wouldn’t have Rome. We wouldn’t have Florence. We wouldn’t have the marvel that is Venice.”

-Matteo Renzi, Prime Minister of Italy…

The Piazzetta San Marco
Gondolas on the Grand Canal