Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Christmas in Italy




The Christmas holidays are approaching and this type of celebration are always very linked to the culture of the country, in fact, every country celebrates it differently. Italy has a great tradition of Christmas and I would like to inform you of what are our customs in this period.

In general in Italy Christmas has points in common with other states as the Christmas tree and exchange gifts but it also has many particularities.




The first thing that comes to my mind when I think to Christmas in Italy is the food. In particular, we have three foods of all Italy typical of this period: the panettone, the pandoro and the torrone.

Il panettone e il pandoro



Panettone was originally from Milan and is obtained from a leavened dough made of water, flour, butter, egg yolk, to which are added candied fruits, candied orange and cedar in equal parts, and raisins. Pandoro has Veronese origins and its dough is soft and golden in color, due to the presence of eggs, and smells of vanilla. The shape is a trunk, with star-shaped pads and there are Pandoro variant with cream or chocolate.




Il torrone

Risultati immagini per torrone cioccolato

Torrone consists of egg white, honey and sugar, stuffed with almonds, walnuts, peanuts or toasted hazelnuts. It has two variants: the hard and soft nougat, while more recently there is the chocolate torrone.




Gli zampognari
















A typical tradition of the southern country is that of zampognari or men dressed as shepherds and equipped with bagpipes, which descend from the mountains, playing Christmas music.




Il presepe 


Finally one of the Christmas elements that is more attributable to Italy is the crib. Almost all families in Italy, when the winter holidays approach, have a crib at home. Also in many villages Christmas market and cribs are set up on the street like in Bolzano, Arco and Trento.



However, in Italy Christmas it is important because you are with the family and is a period of sharing, solidarity and kindness.


Have a good winter holidays!







My favorite places in Italy

Hi everybody!

I have seen some places around the world but I can say that I traveled much more in my home country and this is a list, in my opinion, of the best places I have seen in Italy.



1. Venice and Piazza San Marco
















When I was young I have been in Venice about four or five  times and every time it was a real surprise. Venice is a city that gives always wonderful feelings and let you incredible memories. In particular I remember of Venice the San Marco square where there is also the cathedral, Ponte di Rialto, Burano and Murano: two famous island near Venice, the first one is famous for the typical houses and the second for the art of working glass.



2. Camogli

Risultati immagini per download free images Camogli












Camogli is a popular beach town in Liguria and has, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. I think it's a very beautiful experience also walk around the city and visit pastry shop, trying the typical Camogli sweets: the Camogliesi.



3. Altare della patria

Immagine correlata












Also called Vittoriano, is a National Monument in honor of Vittorio Emanuele II located in Rome, on the Capitol. I like it because it's in the center of Rome and so It's nice to go there with friend and it is also near other monument like the Colosseum or the Circus Maximus.



4. Frasassi caves

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These extraordinary caves, located in Marche are due to the stratification of the limestone contained in water droplets. According to me, these caves have a great atmosphere and would let any visitor astonished.



5. Ponte di Legno













This beautiful small town in northern Italy struck me by its simplicity and bright colors f its houses. During summer walking in this village is very relaxing while during winter it is a main point to reach ski slopes.



6. Florence

Risultati immagini per immagini duomo di firenze

There are so many reasons to visit Florence, first of all, it is a city of art and consequently is full of museums, monuments and churches, especially the amazing cathedral. Then, I personally love the Florentines foods like the famous "bistecca alla Fiorentina".



7. Ponza
Risultati immagini per immagini ponza

Ponza is an island west of Naples and I am very attached to this place because I've been there many times, even very young, and I can say that it is one of the most beautiful seaside town in Italy. The island also has a very famous beach: "Chiaia di Luna". A nice experience is also to go by boat to the nearby island of Palmarola, a nature reserve with wonderful scenery.



8. Tremosine


Risultati immagini per tremosine

I have been very impressed by Tremosine, because this is situated on a cliff 350 meters high from Lake Garda. There are many hotels with terrace from where you can see a unique view of the lake and also the nature outside the city is worthy of note.



9. Castel Sant'Angelo
Risultati immagini per castel sant'angelo

This is without a doubt my favorite monument in Rome. The reasons are many, is surrounded by trees, in the evening there is a special atmosphere and finally the incomparable view from the top of the castle.



10. Vioz
Risultati immagini per vioz

Finally I put in this list a place that it is hardly compare to other not only in Italy, but in all over the world. This refuge is located at the top of Mount Vioz, 3500 meters high, and offers a view of all the nearby mountains, and if there are no clouds, also  of the nearby villages. Next to Vioz there is Punta Linke, one of the focal points of World War I and is considered currently the highest museum in Europe the  with its 3600 meters.




I would like to conclude saying that my favorite thing of Italy, and that I hope I have transmitted it to you, it is its variety of landscapes, people and traditions. To understand Italy it is not enough to see only a city, but you should visit each town in each region. Obviously also see it for a few days is a fantastic experience that I wish you can try.