Italy – Page 3 – lisa loves to travel

Dreaming of a Trip to Italy? Virtual Bookstore SALE & Signing – Order Now!

November 13, 2016November 13, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

food-folklore-a-year-of-italian-festivals-lisa-vogele

Know anyone dreaming about a trip to Italy? Or perhaps you know someone that has been to Italy before but wants to experience something local and different? Food & Folklore: A Year of Italian Festivals makes a great gift, stocking stuffer or addition to your travel bookshelf.

To celebrate the first anniversary of my Lisa Love’s to Travel blog, I’m having an online book signing event now through the end of December, 2016. All copies will be personally signed and shipped* at reduced prices in an all-inclusive flat rate.

One for $11 OR Three for $22 (Buy 2 get 1 Free)

Buy two for friends and get one free for yourself!

Click Here for Online Sale Details

*shipping to continental US destinations only via USPS media mail

Wine in Sardinia – More than Just Beaches

November 12, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

2153295479_aaabb5137d_o-2 — *Glass of Red Wine*

Sardinia has long been known for its extensive Mediterranean coastline of sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. In the summer, these beaches serve as an escape for the rich and famous, visitors and locals. But Sardinia (Sardegna in Italian) is more than just beaches. Like other parts of Italy, Sardinia is home to archaeology sites, fabulous sheep’s milk cheeses, and wine production.

Piazza Martiro in Milis

Villa Pernis in Milis

Milis is a village of less than 2,000 people on the Campidano plain, just inland from the west coast city of Oristano. This weekend, Milis is hosting a wine festival accompanied by the “Taste of Street Food” with stands of local foods offered at very reasonable prices. The “Rassegna Vini Novelli Sardegna” (Review of New Sardinian Wines) is an event that promises “a good opportunity to combine culture, wine, food and fun.”

1024px-gruppo_folk_milis_pizzinnu-milis-san_giorgio-2 — *Traditional Folklore Costume of* Milis

One of my all-time favorite books about Italy and Italian cuisine is Fred Plotkin’s “Italy for the Gourmet Traveler” detailing specialty food, wine and fun facts about each region. It’s a must-have bookshelf item for every Italophile and foodie. Mr. Plotkin summarizes several wines/grapes in his chapter on Sardinia and recommends keeping in mind “Cannonau and Vermentino” when seeking out local vino to try. Go beyond the beach, and explore all Sardinia has to offer.

: San Giovanni di Sinis Beach near Oristano

INFORMATION

Sardinia/Sardegna Tourism

Rassegna Vini Novelli Milis

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 about Lisa’s books and “Fun with Food & Festivals” Tours at Lisa’s Travel Guides.

PHOTO CREDITS

Glass of Red Wine JMVerco via Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Piazza Martiro in Milis Tonietto at Italian Wikipedia (Transferred from it.wikipedia to Commons.) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Traditional Folklore Costume of Milis By Tonietto (dalla mia collezzione personale) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

Villa Pernis in Milis By Tonietto (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

San Giovanni di Sinis Beach near Oristano Marco Menu via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

@rassegnavininovellimilis #novellimilis2016

November Festivals of Brisighella

November 5, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

brisighella_ra_pano_2 Brisighella is a beautiful town situated on a hillside about one hour southeast of Bologna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It hosts many wonderful food and folklore festivals throughout the year and in November there are four food festivals, one every Sunday to enjoy. These celebrations are collectively referred to as Quattro Sagre per Tre Colle (Four Feasts for Three Hills) referencing the hills that are part of the Brisighella landscape.

NOVEMBER 6 – SAGRA del PORCELLO – Festival of Pork Products

The market opens at 8:00 AM displaying a variety of products made with pork. Later int the morning, from 11:00 AM and until 8:00 PM, food stands serve up pork prepared in the local traditions of the Faenza Apennines (mountains). In Piazza Carducci, expert butchers will give two demonstrations (at 10:00 AM & 3:00 PM) on how to work with/butcher pork. There will be folk performers and games throughout the town during the day. Nine different restaurants are participating in the festivals via menus highlighting pork products.

NOVEMBER 13 – SAGRA della PERA VOLPINA e del FORMAGGIO STAGIONATO – Festival of Volpina Pears and Seasoned Cheese

This autumn fruit market highlights pears and cheese. Volpina pears are smaller, rounder and harder than the pears we are used to buying at our local supermarkets. They are boiled, cooked in wine, or baked before being eaten. Formaggio Stagionato is a hard, aged pecorino (sheep’s milk) cheese that is often enjoyed in combination with the pears.

NOVEMBER 20 – SAGRA del TARTUFO – Festival of the Truffle

Sua Maestà il Tartufo (His Majesty the Truffle) of both the black (nero) and white (bianco) varieties are showcased on Sunday, November 20th. Dishes are served up at both food stands and restaurants all around town with truffles as the highlight.

NOVEMBER 27 – SAGRA dell’ULIVO e dell’OLIO – Festival of Olive and Oil

There are two types of extra virgin olive oil manufactured in the Brisighella area: “Il Brisighello” and “La Brisighella“. The Brisighella product (ending in “A”) is a PDO Product (Protected Designation of Origin). PDO product designations guarantee the product was made in a certain geographic location and not falsely reproduced somewhere else. There are currently 138 DPO products from throughout Italy protected by this designation.

INFORMATION

Brisighella Map

Brisighella Information

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

Panorama of Brisighella By Revol Web from Bologna, Italia (Brisighella (RA) Pano) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Pork Products Display Any.colour.you.like via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Volpina Pears Brisighella Ospitale

White & Black Truffles Michela Simoncini via Foter.com / CC BY

Olive Oil with Olive Branch USDAgov via Foter.com / CC BY

Brisighella Castello Summer Revolweb via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Brisighella Food Stands Brisighella Ospitale

Brisighella Castello Winter gminguzzi via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

#Brisighella @BrisighellaBlog

Honey in the Italian Mountains

October 29, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

Dripping Honey

Shades of Honey

While other towns and regions are busy with their fall chestnut, apple, and truffle festivals, the community of Chatillon in the Val d’ Aosta Region of Italy is celebrating honey in all its sticky sweetness. Stands featuring local honey, honey products, and a honey competition highlight the event. The festival began on Thursday and runs through Sunday, October 29th. Tonight features a Castle of Honey tour in the Castello Gamba with food & wine tastings and a fundraiser for Italian earthquake victims. Tomorrow at 11:00 AM you can enjoy a local parade and at 2:00 PM enjoy a walking tour that combines town history and local honey.

castle-in-chatillon — *Castello di Ussel, Chatillon, Val d’Aosta, Italy*

Chatillon is a town located just east of Aosta in the Val d’Aosta province, near the Italian border with Switzerland and the famous Matterhorn peak. The Castello di Ussel was built in 1350 and dominates the skyline. Once you’ve enjoyed your fill of honey, head over to the nearby spa town of Saint-Vincent for some rest and relaxation.

church-view-chatillon

INFORMATION

Honey Festival Info at Official Val d’Aosta Tourism Site

Comune di Chatillon

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

Castello di Ussel in Chatillon Jelle Drok via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Church View Chatillon Sergio & Gabriella via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Shades of Honey http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

Dripping Honey https://www.flickr.com/photos/hillarystein/2751693052/

#explorevalledaosta #valledaosta #chatillon #italia #italy

@AostaValley @ValledAosta @Italia

The Chestnut Train to Marradi

October 15, 2016@lisastravelguides1 Comment

8724477008_42b5428c8c_b-2 — *Arriving in Marradi*

Marradi is a small village of 3,500 located 28 miles northeast of Florence and quite near the Tuscan border with the Emilia-Romagna region. Several trains will transport you to the Sagra delle Castagne (Chestnut Festival) in Marradi over four Sundays in October. Trenitalia runs additional trains from Florence (Firenze) on these Sundays and a special, historic steam locomotive runs (treni a vapori) from select cities on different Sundays.

22085054542_c3e50cdb89_b-2 — *Chestnut Festival in Marradi*

The festival has activities spread throughout the town in seven different locations. There are stands selling different types of delicious pasta, food, cakes and jams made with chestnuts and chestnut products. This year, the post office has commissioned a special cancellation stamp for everything mailed from Marradi during the festival period. So if you decide to give this festival a try, bring your postcards to mail for an extra special touch.

15518315057_3899b34c98_b-2 — *Roasting Chestnuts*

Free from the tourist crush of nearby Florence, the Mugello region is north of Florence and was first settled by a Ligurian tribe named Magelli, hence the name Mugello. The countryside is a lush valley of rolling hills and home to many Villas, including Villa Demidoff in Vaglia, Palazzo dei Vicari in Scarperia and the two historic Medici Villas: Villa Medicea di Cafaggiolo in Barberino di Mugello and Villa Medicea del Trebbio near San Piero a Sieve.

Chestnuts in Boxes

Chestnut Products

INFORMATION

Marradi Pro Loco Event Information

Strada del Marrone

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

Roasting Chestnuts Adolfo Monti via Foter.com / CC BY

Arriving in Marradi Antonio Martinetti via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Chestnut Festival in Marradi NeeextVJ via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Chestnuts in Boxes Zebra48bo via Wikimedia Commons

Chestnut Products Zebra48bo via Wikimedia Commons

@visitmugello

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

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

Upcoming Event: 48th Sagra della Val d’Arbia in Buonconvento Sept 16-25

Local Craft Beer: Birra Amiata

Pianigiani Handmade Leather Bags

Sightseeing in the Val d’Arbia, Crete Senese and Beyond

Follow on this event on twitter @villaggiobirra

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

Villago dell Birra Poster by Artist Elise Meccheri

Vecchia Bastarda (Old Bastard) Craft Beer: Alex Scarcella :: http://www.ccworld.it/ via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Street Scene Buonconvento: ho visto nina volare via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Crests on Wall Buonconvento: ho visto nina volare via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

Entry Buoncovento Wall: Pietro Valocchi via Foter.com / CC BY-SA

#NOTJUSTAFESTIVAL

#Buonconvento

#VILLAGGIODELLABIRRA2016

Helping Bella Italia

August 27, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

Una_via_di_Amatrice (2) — *Street in Amatrice Prior to 2016*

The beautiful country of Italy has once again suffered devastating losses from an earthquake and series of aftershocks that rippled through its central regions leaving behind many shocked, homeless and dead. Like many of you, I have heard the news and read about the tragic events online. I was sad for sure, wondering if some of the villages will be able to rebound after such destruction and can’t begin to imagine the heartbreak of losing a loved one to a natural disaster. Then I read an article online in the New York Times by Larry Buchanan, Josh Keller and Derek Watkins titled “Italian Towns Before and After the Earthquake.” The series of photos illustrating the before and after amplified my sadness to a deep, deep sorrow for all of those affected by this tragedy.

18044600625_fb9560c6e3_b (2) — *Amatrice by Paolo Serra*

So, rather than writing about celebrating the Sagra Degli Spaghetti all’Amatriciana, a feast honoring the namesake pasta dish in Amatrice, near the epicenter of the earthquake, I am going to provide you with a list of organizations collecting financial aid and contributing assistance. I pledged $100.00 to Global Giving prior to posting this article. Italy has given me so much, I want to give something back.

HOW TO HELP (# of stars refer to the rating as of today on Charity Navigator)

Global Giving Italy Earthquake Relief Fund (4 Stars)

The Italian American Foundation (3 Stars)

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

Street in Amatrice Prior to 2016 by Silvio Sorcini By Silvio sorcini (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Amatrice by Paolo Serra paoloserra via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

#ItalyEarthquake

The Feast of the Bean

August 19, 2016@lisastravelguidesLeave a comment

3963204182_a3e65fccfa_o (2) .jpg — *Harvested Fagioli (Beans)*

Each August in Sarconi you will find two days filled with food, folklore, and street artists. Sarconi is in the Val d’Agri is a lush area of Basilicata with mountains, lakes, and rivers in the province of Potenza. You can obtain a map from the festival website showing the participating restaurants and stands throughout the town. Nearby places to visit include Moliterno Castle, Mount Sirino and Pietra del Petrusillo Lake.

2061654142_f4d53331db_b (2) — *Pasta e Fagioli con Salsicce (Pasta and Beans with Sausage)*

The beans of Sarconi are an IGP product. The acronym IGP means Identificazione Geografica Protetta; it is a designation given by the European Union when the quality and process of a product are dependent on the location of its production. There are bean products available for purchase at road-side stands, local restaurants highlight the beans on their menus, and educational programs are offered related to the importance of the beans in the area of Val d’Agri.

3881900855_9cc9df72f8_o (2) — *Fagioli (Beans)*

Festival of beans

Sarconi IDP beans

Basilicata Region Information

ABOUT

PHOTO CREDITS

Harvested Fagioli (Beans) Nociveglia via Foter.com / CC BY

Pasta e Fagioli con Salsicce christine592 via Foter.com / CC BY-ND

Fagioli nociveglia via Foter.com / CC BY