A Tuscan Gem

Siena has the unique Tuscan quality of being a walled city. Upon entering the stone roads and tiny streets transport you to a place hundreds of years before. This precious city is untouched by the corporate hustle and bustle of a large city. The eye catching shops and meandering streets give you a surprise around every corner. These streets funnel you into the spectacular Piazza del Campo where the amazing facade of the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia soar into the heavens. The view from this tower is nothing short of earth shattering. The viewers eye become engulfed in the maze of streets, buildings, and rolling landscape of Tuscany. The experience of Siena is truly a travel back in time.

For more information visit Siena on www.webvisionitaly.com


Nathaniel

Lessons for Authentic Italian-style Espresso

Learn what over 12,000 YouTube viewers have already learned: how to make a real Espresso like you find in Italy.

The secret to a fine Espresso in the home is the machine and the operator. A bad Espresso machine operator equals an espresso full of acidic water. Done right, an authentic Italian espresso is an integral part of La Dolce Vita.

View "Espresso Lesson" on YouTube

Visit the La Dolce Vita caffes of Rome.

Visit the Historical caffes of Turin.

Visit your camera into Italy.

Italy Travel: Naples My Way

What do people think of when they think of Naples?

Is it Pizza and Spaghetti?  

I experienced Naples first hand and I can tell you there's a lot more to Naples than Pizza and Spaghetti.  This city has such an amazing culture with all the architecture, ruins, beaches, people and exquisite foods.  Just walking down a street in Naples, one can appreciate the antique roads with a story and a history left behind.  I enjoyed promenading down these narrow roads with a gelato in my hand and looking at the beautiful architecture and vistas, I also enjoyed the friendly natives (i Napoletani) out on their balconies or usually on their vespas driving by and greeting me in their musical language of Italian.  I have been on many beaches and yet I can't seem to find one that compares to the beaches of Naples.  

I had the opportunity to take a cruise of the Mediterranean Sea and I will never forget the different shades of blue and green waters that looked like a scene in Homer's Odyssey.   I'll never forget the way the sun hit the white cliffs with multi-colored houses overlapping each other accenting the clear blue waters like pristine images from a postcard.  I think that everyone should get an opportunity to visit Naples.  It is very easy to open a book and learn about a city but when you actually travel you get to live the lifestyle that people only hear about and learn in text books.  It is very important to see the world the way it is supposed to be seen.   

An easy way to travel from Napoli (Naples) to Sorrento and Pompeii is by Circumvesuviana. This local train works its way around the Bay of Naples:

Visit the Naples Channel on www.webvisionitaly.com

Julie F.

Italy Travel: Christmas Markets and Celebrations in Italy

During the Christmas season in Florence there is an eruption of lights, colors, culture, and the always present Italian hospitality. Throughout the city, lights are strewn up and down avenues illuminating the beautiful architecture of Florence. Under the cover of darkness, the parade of lights that interconnect the Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo is a sight that will forever be imprinted in your mind. The Christmas fair in front of the Church of Santa Croce lets the mind, soul, and stomach indulge in all that Florence has to offer; with a little help from its european neighbors. Florence celebrates the birth of Christ in a way that exemplifies its status as The City of Enlightenment.

For more information visit Tuscany at a Glance on www.Webvisionitaly.com

Nathaniel

Italy Travel: My first espresso

My first experience with a true Italian espresso happened on my second trip to Italy. Waking up early for class one morning I was told that nothing would wake me up better than an espresso. Never having tried one, I gave it a try. I ordered one at an Italian caffe and sat outside to enjoy the sun on another beautiful Italian morning. The moment my taste buds began mingling with the espresso I was instantly awakened. The wonderful aroma which emanated from this compact cup sent my senses on a journey.

For more information visit Espresso on www.WebVisionItaly.com.

Nathaniel

Italy Travel: The Bay of Naples, a gift from God

I spent a life-altering week traveling among the islands of Capri and Ischia, Naples, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. I never knew the world could be as beautiful as around the Bay of Naples. The views, the commanding presence of Mt Vesuvius overlooking the peaceful town of Pompei close to 2,000 years after the eruption, the sunny, sunny days, the food, and best of all the people.

Pompeii made the greatest impact on me. The frozen casts of those citizens on that fateful day in 79 A.D. let the imagination construe a picture of fun and laughter, only to be shadowed by nature's supreme power. That was years ago and now approaching my senior year in college, I have since learned Italian, returned to Italy on two occassions, soon three. Italia, il bel paese.

Visit the Campania Channel on http://www.webvisionitaly.com/

Nathaniel

The Tyrrhenian Sea, the sea of Homer and Virgil

The Tyrrhenian Sea, the sea of Homer and Virgil, of Odysseus (Ulysses in Roman mythology) and his seemingly never-ending 20-year journey, of the nymph Calypso, of Aeneas on his way to follow his fate to found Rome, of Scylla and Charybdis, the two sea monsters who were situated on opposite sides of the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Italy, where the Ancient Greek civilization met Ancient Rome and the world was transformed, some 2,000 years later the sea of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and today the sea of scuba divers, beachlovers, and the in-the-know crowd

Calabria borders the sea, view this ancient land on Web Vision Italy.

Italy Travel: Tyrrhenian Sea--Beaches of Calabria

The portion of Calabria that adjoins the Tyrrhenian Sea is a spectacular region in southern Italy with world-class beaches: miles upon miles of white-pebble beaches and see-through aquamarine water. It brings to mind the Big Sur in California.

High on a bluff is Tropea, with shops and trattorias and some of the best vistas on earth.

The Hamptons driving you mad; do you feel that Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard
and Block Island are overwhelmed by the political class and their camp followers; Cape Cod too accessible--you owe it to your yourself to find paradise on earth, the beaches of Calabria.

For more visit the beaches of Calabria on www.Webvisionitaly.com

Rome Italy: Espresso-La Dolce Vita caffes of Rome Caffes of Turin

Visit Web Vision Italy for the caffes of Rome and the caffes of Turin--

La Dolce Vita caffes of Rome

Historical caffes of Turin

Rome Italy: Spas an easy drive outside of Rome

If you're feeling like you can't handle another night in the city of Rome, then the best way to relax and rejuvinate is get away for a night at a spa close by Rome.

South of Rome, off the A1 autostrada on the way to Naples, is the spa of Fiuggi, in the province of Frosinone. Fiuggi has been the watering hole of the rich and famous since the time of the Ancient Romans. Acqua di Fiuggi is thought to have curative powers. These days, Fiuggi is exceedingly popular, with many fashionable hotels and shops and places to eat. We suggest hotel reservations.

North of Rome, off the A1 autostrada on the way to Florence, is the spa of Terme di Vertralla in Viterbo, a 50-minute drive north of the city. The terme are naturally-occurring hot springs that have sprung up in the middle of a field. They have been used for about two millenia, first by the Etruscans. Everywhere around you you can see the remnants from ancient structures. They are free of charge and open to the public, just simply drive up, park the car and submerge yourself in the hot water.

Click to to see video of Fiuggi

Click for more on Viterbo

For more TV Italy television and Italy video visit Web Vision Italy, brought to you by Italian Broadcasting Company.

Salute Per Acqua [good health through water] =SPA,

Alex

Wine's enormous impact on the Italian economy

The Italian news agency ANSA recently reported on the value of wine to the Italian economy as well as the impact of governmental regulations and control on that sector.

Wine is Italy's leading agricultural export and last year [2007] the value of wine exports hit 3.3 billion euros, about 25% of all farm exports. Yet, of the over 5,000 vineyards exporting Italian wine only a couple of hundred sell more than a container-full.

The industry is highly regulated with 21 agencies and offices involved in regulating and inspecting vineyards. One commentator noted that all these regulations require an Italian winemaker to spend 25% of his time filling out forms and making reports. Another problem facing the sector, experts pointed out, was that in Italy there are only 352 Italian vineyard certified to produce wines which guarantee quality and origin, only 30% of the total, compared to 474 in France. With such governmental involvement, there are vineyards which have accreditation on paper but are nor bottling wine.

Italy -Travel - where to go?

Lots of first time travelers to Italy ask. "Where should we go?"

In my view, start with Rome, but never in August. The heat is stifling in August and all the Romans are on vacation.

April, May, September, and October are absolutely glorious months to visit Rome.

August, go to the seacoast!

As per Rome, where to begin? The history, the architecture, the culture; you will never be short of options in this wonderful city. Medieval and Renaissance landmarks fill the capital city of Rome, and the Vatican is right down the street.

It's impossible to do it justice in a mere blog, and when one travels to Italy no matter where you visit you can't go wrong, but Rome is a great place to start.

Click here for 1 perfect day in Rome

For more on travel to Italy, click Web Vision Italy

JM

Rome at night

For anyone looking for a change of pace from sitting in the Roman piazza, sipping wine and people watching, as fantastic as it is, there is a multitude of destinations to enjoy. If you're interested in going to one of the most popular and largest clubs Rome has to offer then head over to Art Cafè where you're sure to find the most attractive people in the city and the best dance music, located on Viale del Galoppatoio, number 33 just on the outskirts of the Borghese Gardens. A word to the wise though, make sure you're dressed to the nines otherwise you won't get past the door.
If you're not really in the dancing spirit but still want to do something out of the ordinary then always a good choice is SupperClub, Via de 'Nari 14, where you can dine and wine reclined on large white beds like a true Roman. What makes this club stand out from the rest is the mix of music from the DJ, the violinists and the massages the waitresses give.
Not comfortable with being touched by strangers? Then another great destination is the Ice Club, located on Via Madonna dei Monti 17. It's small and intimate and very cold... 28 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact. You enter the reception room where they outfit you with gloves and a metallic cape, then you go through a (lightly) pressurized chamber into the ice room. It's like being transported into a large igloo; the walls are ice, the bar, the tables, the benches and even the cups you drink out of are made from ice. The staff are friendly and they pour stiff drinks to keep you warm, and unlike other ice clubs around the world this one doesn't kick you out after 30 minutes, so feel free to stay as long as your body can handle it.





Interested in elegant shopping in Rome, click Via Condotti

Interested in caffe' society, click Caffes of Rome

Click here for 1 perfect day in Rome

For more information on the region of Rome, click on Lazio on www.webvisionitaly.com.

Ciao!


Alex

Hello World! - Ciao Mondo!

Ciao!

Italy Inside  is a blog focused on promoting modern-day Italy.
Here you will find videos, photos, information, stories, travel tips, and much more.