September 2016 – lisa loves to travel

Fish Festival in Positano

September 23, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

This Saturday is the 25th anniversary of the Festa del Pesce (fish festival) in Positano. There was a hiatus from 1994-2005, but it was brought back to raise funds for non-profits, particularly the local Croce Rossa (Red Cross). Positano is part of the famous Amalfi Coast collection of steep, seaside villages. The festival is held along the Spiaggia Fornillo (Fornillo Beach). The towns of the Amalfi Coast are linked by the Sentiero Degli Dei hiking trail, ferries and what feels like a death-defying coastline drive.

positano-beach-view — *Positano Beach View*

At 5:00 PM the party begins in Piazza Dei Mulini and moves to the beach pier at 6:30 PM. At 7:00 PM the stands officially open on the edge of Fornillo Beach serving calamari, tuna tartare, fried fish, calamari with potatoes, penne with anchovies and walnuts, lemon sorbet and wine! The evening concludes with a concert on the beach stage.

Fried Fish

Fried Calamari

Tuna Tartare

Draped in wisteria throughout town, the “streets” are narrow alleys with a lot of steps. The beautiful architecture is a mix of cream, white and sun-kissed colors. The Santa Maria Assunta church contains a black Madonna dating back to the 13th century. Wander through the town and be rewarded with special views of the deep blue sea and sweeping panoramas of the coastline.

Positano Street View 2

Positano Street View 1

INFORMATION

Festa del Pesce Official Website

Amalfi Coast Tourism Information

ABOUT

Lisa M. Vogele is the author of Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals, a travel reference guide that “helps you go local” by incorporating festivals into your travel planning. You can find out more information at Lisa’s Travel Guides.

PHOTO CREDITS

Positano at Dusk Eric Hossinger via Foter.com / CC BY

Positano Beach View Hi I’m Santi via Foter.com / CC BY

Fried Calamari Gaiux via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Fried Fish acroamatic via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Tuna Tartare Shamballah via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Positano Streetview 1 toastbrot81 via Foter.com / CC BY
Positano Streetview 2 Patrizia Peruzzini via Foter.com / CC BY

#positano

Snowmass Village, Colorado: One Weekend, Two Festivals

September 16, 2016September 16, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

1618523_10203166509547353_819545979_n — *Snowmass Village Balloon Festival*

It’s my favorite weekend of the year in beautiful Snowmass Village, Colorado. Balloons, wine & Ferraris! As I sit on my deck with this awesome view of the balloons, the aspens have started to turn their autumn gold with hints of red here and there. The crisp fall air is perfect for being outside and enjoying all that Snowmass Village has to offer.

12049420_10207646022412375_7533721293325081083_n — *Snowmass Village Balloon Festival*

The weather is forecasted to be perfect for all three mornings that the balloons are scheduled to take flight. Friday morning is a balloon race down the brush creek valley, Saturday is an “x marks the spot” competition and Sunday the thirty balloons will be floating throughout the village. Saturday night is a special balloon glow in the base village when a kaleidoscope of colors will light up the night sky.

12019993_10207645947850511_1300450734468693925_n — *Snowmass Village Balloon Festival*

Tonight the Snowmass Wine Festival begins via a dinner pairing Sicilian wines with food prepared by the Viceroy Hotel kitchen. Tomorrow afternoon is the Grand Tasting event with local restaurants serving bite-sized portions of their tasty specialties and wineries/importers from Colorado and beyond offering a sampling of all types of wines. Outside of the event, a Ferrari car show will be on display. It’s great fun with lots of locals and visitors participating. For visitors, a side trip to the Aspen Farmers Market on Saturday and Maroon Bells on Sunday rounds out a spectacular fall weekend. Snowmass Village, Colorado… lucky to live here!

SNOWMASS VILLAGE & ASPEN, COLORADO

Snowmass Village Balloon Festival

Snowmass Wine Festival

Go Snowmass – Snowmass Village, Colorado Information

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness – White River National Forest

Aspen, Colorado Information

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

All Photos by Lisa M. Vogele

A Village of Beer and Beyond

September 10, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

team1 — *Villagio Della Birra Poster by Elisa Meccheri*

The rise in popularity of craft beer has not left Italy untouched. This weekend an entire village with its own monetary system is constructed to celebrate an international array of craft beers. You enter the village, buy your official glass and tokens, then proceed to the beer stands using the tokens to purchase the tasting samples. This festival year, artisan beers (Birra Artigianale) from Italy, Belgium, Canada, Greece, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States are included. In addition to the great beer, there are food stands and entertainment each day. The festival expanded this year to include a Belgian edition and participated in a craft beer festival in Barcelona.

6981699819_3e25dcb9a9_b-2 — *“Vecchia Bastarda” Old Bastard Craft Beer by Birra Amiata Artigianale, a local Brewery (not participating in festival)*

The festival is located near Buonconvento in southern Tuscany. Buonconvento is a walled medieval town set against a backdrop of the the Val d’Arbia area in the rolling hills of the Crete Senese, south of Siena. If you are not there this weekend, coming up over the next few weekends is the 48th Sagra della Val d’Arbia showcasing typical local foods from the area.

Streetscene in Buonconvento

Entry to Walled Town of Buonconvento

Family Crests on Wall of Buonconvento

I love staying in and near Buonconvento; it’s a small town, not touristy, and serves as a great home base for touring and exploring the Val d’Arbia, Val d’Orcia, the ruins of San Galgano Abbey, Abbey Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Montalcino, Pienza and the hilltop town of Montepulciano. When I am in the area, I never miss a visit with Andrea at Bar Cattivi Frati for an Italian Spritz and Pianigiani Bags for a leather purse or accessory handmade by Bianca, Jacopo and the Pianigiani family. Both Cattivi Frati and Pianigiani (formerly La Dolce Vita) are located on Via Soccini in the walled, old town.BUONCONVENTO, NEARBY & SIGHTSEEING