April – lisa loves to travel

67th Ladispoli Artichoke Festival

April 8, 2017@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

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The Sagra del Carciofo Romanesco in Ladispoli outside of Rome, claims to be the first festival honoring the artichoke in the world. Ladispoli is just over twenty miles northwest of Rome on the Mediterranean coastline along the ancient Roman road, the Via Aurelia. Named after Ladislao Odeschalci who founded the city in 1888, Ladispoli a coastal resort town in the Lazio region. There were settlements in the area since Etruscan times.Started in 1950 to promote artichokes, particularly tourism in Ladispoli, the festival has endured and is held in early April each year over a three day period.

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This festival celebrates the Romanesco variety of artichoke, which is globe-shaped and purplish in color. Leading up to the event, the restaurants in the area highlight the use of artichokes and offer fixed price menus. Two popular ways to prepare and eat artichokes are Carciofi alla Romana and Carciofi all Giudia. Carciofi alla Romana are stuffed with mint, garlic and parsley and then cooked slowly in olive oil. Carciofi alla Giudia, a classic Roman Jewish dish, they are flattened and deep fried to a golden crispy finish.

The 67th festival runs today thru Sunday. There will be stands for tasting the artichokes as well as musical entertainment and cooking demonstrations. It’s an easy start or finish to your vacation if you are arriving in Rome via Aeroporto Fiumicino and easily accessible by train from Rome or Pisa.

Carciofi alla Giudia — Carciofi all Giudia

Ladispoli, Lazio on Google Maps

Sagra del Carciofo Romanesco info Pro Loco Ladispoli

Photo Credits:

Carciofi Romanesco Stefano Pellicciari via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Carciofi for Sale blucolt via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Fried Artichokes fugzu via Foter.com / CC BY

Carciofi alla Giudia SignorDeFazio via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Carciofi alla Romana lisa_shen via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

gelato! Gelato! GELATO!

April 22, 2016April 22, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

Gelato Cone

Two Cups of Gelato

Gelato Cup with Wafer

If you missed out on Rome’s big birthday bash yesterday, never fear, Gelato is here! What a more perfect way to ring in spring than a stroll through Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence with a gelato in hand. This weekend is the start of the traveling Gelato Festival. Held at various locations throughout Italy and Europe, it’s a must-do for iced treat aficionados. The festival kicks off this weekend in Florence and then has stops in: Parma, Rome, Naples, Turin, Milan, London, Berlin and Valencia before returning to Florence in September.

View from Piazzale Michelangelo at Sunset

Enjoying the View

Fun with Friends – Piazzale Michelangelo

Have you always wondered what the difference is between gelato and ice cream? In general, gelato is lower in fat, lower in calories and contains less air than ice cream. The reduction of air gives it a dense, creamy goodness that makes you think you’ve died and gone to heaven. The sugar content is higher than typical ice cream, one of the keys that keep it from freezing solid. If you’re serious about gelato and would like to open your own shop, you can attend Gelato University at the Carpigiani Gelato University and museum in Bologna, Italy to get your basics down. Serious about gelato, but not that serious, Carpigiani’s flagship store is located just outside their administrative offices and museum where you can sample a variety of flavors served up by students attending the Gelato University. Carpigiani has also started offering week-long courses in the United States; check out the link below for their calendar and course offerings.

Can’t make it to Europe? You are in luck! A Gelato World Tour is coming to Chicago, Illinois Memorial Day Weekend. Sixteen artisanal gelato competitors will be competing for the North American Gelato Title at Millenium Park May 27-May 29. This is both an industry and public event where hands-on workshops will be offered. Three finalists will also travel to Rimini in 2017 to compete for “Worlds Best Flavor”. There will also be a West Coast stop in September, location and dates are to be announced. Follow the links below for information and logistics to attend these two tasty events.

Gelato Festival (Florence, Italy & Europe)

Carpigiani Gelato University

Carpigiani Gelato Museum

Gelato World Tour (including Chicago)

Photo Credits

Gelato with Wafer: Bekathwia via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Two Cups of Gelato: B.Positive.2014 via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Gelato Cone: erickgonzalez50 via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Piazzale Michelangelo Florence View Photos (all): Lisa M. Vogele

Carpigiani Gelato Musum, Tour & Flagship Store: Aidan M. Vogele, Mark R. Vogele & Lisa M. Vogele

Nine Days of Wild Boar!

April 15, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

Pappardelle al Cinghiale

Pici with Wild Boar Ragu

Certaldo is the epicenter for all things wild boar this weekend and next. Cinghiale, or wild boar, is a traditional meat used in Tuscan cooking when it is not running wild and destroying the beautiful yards of villages. This is a traditional feast offered with four courses for a fixed price. Typical cinghiale dishes on the menu inclide: appetizers with wild boar salame; first courses of polenta, pappardelle pasta and fresh tortelli with wild boar sauce; second courses with wild boar steak or a wild boar and black olives. Other traditional and vegetarian items are available for selection if cinghiale or meat are not preferred. Side dishes include beans, salad or French fries. The meal is finished with a sweet choice of cantuccini or gelato and topped off with a glass of local wine.

Road to Palazzo Pretorio Certaldo

Palazzo Pretorio (close-up)

Palazzo Pretoria During Mercantia in July

Certaldo is set about 35 miles southwest of Florence in the Tuscan countryside of Italy and is on the regional train line. There are two parts to Certaldo: medieval Certaldo Alto (high) and modern Certaldo Basso (low); connected by a funicular. The Sagra del Cinghiale Certaldo takes place on Viale Matteotti in Certaldo basso. It starts Lunch is served at 12 noon on the weekends and dinner is at 8 pm every night of the festival at Certaldo also has a famous street art festival called Mercantia in July each year.

Map Location Certaldo, Tuscany, Italy

Saga del Cinghiale Certaldo

Pro Loco Certaldo

Photo Credits:

Road to Palazzo Pretorio, Certaldo bongo vongo via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Palazzo Pretorio (close-up) natureandevents via Foter.com / CC BY

Mercantia Celebration (July) Certaldo francesco sgroi via Foter.com / CC BY

Cinghiale Walter Saporiti via Foter.com / CC BY

Pici with Wild Boar Ragu Pug Girl via Foter.com / CC BY

Pappardelle al Cinghiale karen_neoh via Foter.com / CC BY

66th Ladispoli Artichoke Festival

April 8, 2016@lisastravelguides1 Comment

7431108814_d95073529a_b (2) — *Carciofi Romanesco*

2160339830_ec04030e94_b (2) — *Carciofi for Sale*

Fried Artichokes

Carciofi alla Giudia

Carciofi alla Romana

The 66th festival runs today thru Sunday. There will be stands for tasting the artichokes as well as musical entertainment and cooking demonstrations. It’s an easy start or finish to your vacation if you are arriving in Rome via Aeroporto Fiumicino.