Sunday, November 30, 2008

Parma, Emilia-Romagna: Head of Christ Excites Correggio in Parma Exhibition

PARMA, Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio after his birthplace, never enjoyed the fame of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci. But art critics have placed him among the great masters of Italy's 16th century.

Antonio Allegri was born around 1490 in Correggio and then lived in nearby Parma, where he died in 1534.

Now an Italian exhibition in Parma, Mostra Corregio in Parma aims to increase awareness of Correggio's achievements.

Art fans and tourists to Parma until January 25, 2009 may stroll among the Galleria Nazionale, Camera di Sao Paolo, Chiesa di San Giovanni, and Cattedrale.

Inside Parma's Cathedral scaffolding allows visitors to climb into the dome to see Assumption of the Virgin, Correggio's masterpiece gleaming golden infinite sky.

Parma's elegant streets and sophisticated caffe's are buzzing with news that The Head of Christ inside the Parma's Galleria Nazionale fine art museum has turned typical polite discourse sour due to the controversy now surrounding the origins of the painting Head of Christ.

Is it a genuine Correggio, an old copy, or a forgery?

Go see the Mostra Correggio in Parma exhibition if you are traveling in Italy between now and January 25, 2009.

Report back your opinion on the Head of Christ by "Correggio-?" as it was recently labeled.

Click here for more video of Parma.

Click here to see video of the inventions and machines of Leonardo Da Vinci.

Web Vision Italy brought to you by the Italian Broadcasting Company brings you the best video of Italy in English, with over 500 video shows in English about Italy travel.

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Alitalia and Lufthansa Merger?

The Guardian reports that Berlusconi is hopeful of Alitalia-Lufthansa deal to life the spirits of Europe's banks, travelers, and taxpayers this holiday season. Reuters reported Tuesday, November 18, 2008, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said on Tuesday both he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel were in favor of an alliance between Alitalia and Lufthansa.

Speaking at a news conference at an Italo-German summit in Trieste, Berlusconi said: "The Chancellor and I are in agreement in looking upon the possibility of an alliance between Alitalia and Lufthansa very favourably. We hope that this can take place."
Italian media have reported that Air France-KLM will edge out Lufthansa to buy a stake in the Italian carrier.

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Rome Walking Tour Map: Centro Storico by Foot

Upon arrival in Rome we always like to get our bearings by taking a walking tour of Rome hitting the main points of interest in the centro storico. If you are looking for a Rome holiday be sure to contact Italian Tourism for the best Italy travel deals, Rome hotels, and Rome information so you may travel Rome with an authentic insider's view of Rome

WebVisionItaly's walking maps of Rome below. WebVisionItaly's Google walking maps of Rome may be toggled so that you may print one Rome walking map with Rome's restaurants and trattoria, shopping in Rome, and Bernini walking tour Rome map.


Of course, walking Rome is not new. The passeggiata, the evening stroll, is as old as Rome itself. An Italian social ritual like penguins on parade, la passeggiata is the art of taking a walk in the evening.

When going to Rome, bring band-aids and VERY comfortable shoes. Or rent a motorino!

Via Arenula to Campo De' Fiori

Starting at Largo Argentina, the bus stop in Rome's centro storico, on Vittorio Emanuele and Via Arenula, we walk south to the little park on the west side of the street. There we take right, going west down Via dei Giubbonari, to Campo de' Fiori.

Rome Map: Via Arenula and Via del Falegnami to Campo de' Fiori.

This walk takes about 7 minutes or all afternoon depending on the pace.


Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Farnese to Michelangelo Arch Via Giulia
From Campo de’Fiori to Piazza Farnese is one minute, with a walk down to Via Giulia and Michelangelo’s Arch about 5 minutes.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Farnese, Via Giulia and Michelangelo's Arch:



Via Giulia to Vatican
From this point walking on Via Giulia to the Vatican walking west, across Ponte Vittorio Emanuele takes about 25 minutes.

Rome Map: Via Giulia Michelangelo's Arch to Vatican City St Peter's Square:



Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona
Exit Campo de'Fiori walking west on Via dei Cappellari for the longer route to Via del Governo Vecchio and Piazza Navona, 10 minutes.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona:



or exit Campo de’ Fiori north west side to Via di Pasquino for quicker route to Piazza Navona and Via del Governo Vecchio, 4 minutes walking by foot.

Rome Map: Campo de' Fiori to Via di Pasquino and Piazza Navona:



On Via del Governo Vecchio you’ll find caffes etc For dinner I would eat like a Roman with Romans going off Governo Vecchio north on Via del Corallo to Piazza Fico for dinner at Da Francesco trattoria. Another good one off Governo Vecchio north on Via di Parione is Cucina Romana Virginiae.

Either way you go from Campo de' Fiori to Piazza Navona, cross Vittorio Emanuele II, which to the west brings you to Vatican in 25 minutes by foot.

Rome Map: Largo Argentina to Vatican City, St. Peter's Square and Basilica:



From Piazza Fico and Via Corallo we stroll toward Via della Pace and Via Parione for a drink with the hipsters at Caffe della Pace, or continuing straight into the Piazza Navona on Via de Tor Millina

Rome Map: Piazza Fico and Via della Pace to Piazza Navona to Pantheon:



Exit Piazza Navona opposite side on Corsia Agonale – cross the main street there Rinasciemento, take left, then first right – Via del Salvatore – walk straight and then you are in for the treat of your life when you see the greatest of Roman buildings, Brunelleschi’s inspiration for Il Dumo in Firenze, the Pantheon at night.

Rome Map: Piazza Navona to Pantheon:



Pantheon to Largo Argentina
If you stand in square, looking at Pantheon, the street to the right of Pantheon, running parallel – follow that straight, crossing Vittorio Emanuele, you will find the starting point due south. (5 minutes)

Rome Map: Pantheon to Vittorio Emanuele, Largo Argentina, and Ghetto neighborhood:



To the left of Pantheon is Santa Maria Minerva, in front is Bernini-designed elephant with an Egyptian obelisk on top - Pulcino della Monerva, an ancient and baroque mix. The Latin inscription on the base, chosen by the pope who commissioned the sculpture to support the obelisk found on the site, Alexander VII, says "...a strong mind is needed to support a solid knowledge".

Pantheon to Spanish Steps
If you still have legs, go opposite direction toward Campo Marzo, then on to Piazza San Lorenzo, and on to Via dei Condotti (15 minutes). There a few good gelato shops along the route, plenty of nice boutiques and a real pleasant walk.

Rome Map: Pantheon to Campo Marzo and Piazza San Lorenzo:



When you get to Via Condotti, take right to Spanish Steps. Walk down Rome’s high fashion runway to Piazza Spagna. (7 minutes)

Rome Map: Campo Marzo and Pantheon to Piazza Spagna (Spanish Steps):



From Spanish Steps to the left is Piazza Popolo, where among other sites is a wonderful Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit

Rome Map: Piazza Spagna to Piazza Popolo:



Via Margutta, well known for its art galleries, very high end fashion and from the film Roman Holiday, is a very pretty street for a stroll on the way to Piazza Popolo from Piazza Spagna (4 minutes). You'll find art studios above galleries, boutique fashion stores, and modern Roman restaurants.

Rome Map: Via Margutta:



Great spot for lunch opposite direction from Spanish Steps is Settimio all’Arancio on Via Arancio. After lunch cross Tiber on Ponte Cavour, where you are 10 minutes from Castel Sant'Angelo and 20 minutes from Vatican.

From Spanish steps we walk toward Trevi Fountain (Fontana Trevi) by winding our way through the streets.

Rome Map: Piazza Spagna (Spanish Steps) to Trevi Fountain. (10 minutes



Exit Trevi on Via de Crociferi, or Via della Muratte if you like street markets, to the Via del Corso, taking right then left into Piazza Colonna –The Column of Marcus Aurelius, a Doric column with a spiral relief, built in honor of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and modeled on Trajan's Column. Built in 200, it still stands on its original site, the heart of Rome in front of Palazzo Chigi – one of our favorites. (5 minutes).

Click for Italy cruises, cruises from RomeRome pre cruise tours and Rome post cruise tours.

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

How to get to Malpensa from Milan

The Malpensa Shuttle Coach Bus connects every 20 minutes the Milan Central train station (Milano Centrale) with Malpensa Airport.

The Malpensa Shuttle also connects directly Linate.

At Linate and Malpensa the bus stops Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the latter.

In the occasion of fair events, all the Malpensa Shuttle stop, on request, at the Milan Fair, which therefore is reached, comfortably and cheaply, directly from Malpensa Airport.

Click here for information about storing luggage in Milan train station: Milano Centrale Stazione luggage storage.

Click here to see video of Milan on WebVisionItaly's Milan channel.

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Ancient Rome in 3D on Google Earth

Google Earth revives ancient Rome

The Colosseum is just one of many ancient buildings users can tour.

Google has added to its popular 3D map tool, Google Earth, offering millions of users the chance to visit a virtual ancient Rome.

Google Earth provides a reconstruction of the sprawling city - inhabited by more than one million people as long ago as AD320, the date given as the founding of Rome.

Users may zoom around the map to visit the Forum of Julius Caesar, stand in the centre of the Colosseum or swoop over the Basilica.

Researchers behind the project say it adds to five centuries of knowledge.

"This is another step in creating a virtual time machine," said Bernard Frischer of the University of Virginia, which worked with Google on the Roman reconstruction.

"The project is a continuation of five centuries of research by scholars, architects and artists since the Renaissance, who have attempted to restore the ruins of the ancient city with words, maps and images," he said.

Also involved was Past Perfect Productions, which reconstructs archaeological and historical sites through virtual reality.

Joel Myers, the firm's chief executive, said: "Cultural heritage, although based in the past, lives in the present, as it forms our identity.

"It is therefore our responsibility to ensure its conservation, to nourish it and make it accessible, with the objective of promoting global understanding. Ancient Rome in 3D is a major step towards this goal," he added.

Google's blog said that the Ancient Rome model contains more than 6,700 buildings, with more than 250 place marks linking to key sites in a variety of languages.

"Whether you are a student taking your first ancient history class, a historian who spends your life researching ancient civilisations, or just a history buff, access to this 3D model in Google Earth will help everyone learn more about ancient Rome," said Bruce Polderman, Google Earth 3D production manager.

Within ancient Rome there are some 200 buildings scholars know a lot about - classified as Class 1, which Google says have been rendered as faithfully as possible.

The 3D models are based on a physical model of the city called the Plastico di Roma Antica.

The model was created by archaeologists and model-makers between 1933 to 1974 and housed in a special gallery in Rome's Museum of Roman Civilization.

The new map was unveiled at an event in the Italian capital, and the modern day Mayor of Rome, Gianni Alemanno, praised the project.

"It's an incredible opportunity to share the stunning greatness of ancient Rome, a perfect example of how the new technologies can be ideal allies of our history, archaeology and cultural identity," Mr Alemanno said.

To learn more about Italy, its culture, its people, the distinct regions, and modern day Italy visit WebVisionItaly.com, the only Internet television network about Italy.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Best Napoletana Pizza in America

Antonio Pace, in 1984, created the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN), to create a standard protocol for the creation of authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Today the VPN is backed by the Italian government and certifies restaurants that produce authentic Neapolitan pizza around the world.

Ten of the best Pizzeria's that stick to VPN protocol from around the U.S., as voted by the Professional Travel Guide.

According to the VPN, pizza that meets the Napoletana protocol is composed of fresh dough, buffalo mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil and San Marzano tomatoes.

1) Cavalli Pizza - Dallas, Texas.

2) Flatbread Community Oven - Boise, Idaho

3) Via Tribunali - Seattle, Washington

4) Tutta Bella - Seattle, Washington

5) 2 Amy's - Macomb Street storefront in northwest Washington D.C.

6) Punch Neapolitan Pizza - Highland Park, St. Paul, Minnesota. Second location just opened on Grand Avenue.

7) A16 - San Francisco, named for the autostrada that runs through southern Italy.

8) Antica Pizzeria - Marina del Rey, California.

9) La Pizza Fresca Ristorante - New York City

10) Fritti - Sister-restaurant to Sotto Sotto next door, Atlanta, Georgia.

Click Professional Travel Guide to read more about each location.

To visit the home of the first pizzza Margherita, named after King Umberto's wife, Margherita, click to visit Brandi Pizzeria, Naples, Italy. To learn more about today's new invention, vending machine pizza, which claims taking real hands off the dough still produces great pizza, click for the full story after the jump More >

Buon Appetito!

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

3 Days in Rome: How to Buy Vatican Museum Ticket Online

Vatican Museum tickets are available online for those of wondering how to buy a ticket to the Vatican Museum online.

Vatican Museum tickets online, announced by http://www.WebVisionItaly.com intern brigade, Motorino, on Vatican website Pay 4 Euro fee in addition to cost of entrance to reserve time to enter Vatican Museum and purchase online Vatican Museum entrance ticket. Guided tour not included, rather this is time reservation to enter Vatican Museum and to buy ticket online to Vatican Museum.

*note: Buy child ticket at time of entry.

Author: Motorino (Click here to Book Vatican Ticket )
http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/tickets/do

If you decide to skip Vatican Museum you may want to go inside St. Peter's Basilica to see Bernini's sculptures, architecture, painting, and bas relief and Michelangelo's Pieta.

Be sure to go inside Pantheon. Enjoy Raphael. I know money is tight, but consider a drink atop the Raphael Hotel, just west of Piazza Navona. It's an authentic Roman view. And nice Raphael's inside the hotel. 2 drinks = 20 euro.

If you decide to see the forum get an audio guide otherwise it is tough to understand.

My favorite time for Trevi Fountain is late at night when there are less people. Throw a coin in - then you'll return to Rome.

To take night picture turn off flash and place camera on wall so it does not shake. You will find the fountain with its own light is perfect back light for picture - much better than with the flash.

You'll found nice Rome trattoria around Via del Governo Vecchio and Via della Pace, just west of Piazza Navona. Try to find something small and local, nice organic local food versus menus with lots of items. Eat fresh and seasonal.

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Friday, November 7, 2008

Italy Travel: Best Deal to Rome

Good morning Web Vision Italy subscribers!

If you are dreaming of Italy then Web Vision Italy has very good travel news for you:

$699 Rome round trip airfare and that includes 6 nights hotel!

That is correct - Dooley Vacations is offering round trip airfare and 6 nights hotel in Rome for $699 total.

But offer expires November 14, 2008. Visit Dooley's website and book now. This offer expires November 14.

Want to stay in Italy for longer than 6 nights? Ciao Italy Travel, Web Vision Italy's sponsor for years, will be happy to help you. Guido D'Ugo and his team will arrange a wonderful Italy vacation for you, your favorite people, and groups.

If you haven't been to Web Vision Italy's website recently now is a great time to see some new shows.

Isabella Dusi, author of Vanilla Beans and Brodo and Montalcino resident, launched on Web Vision Italy her new Italy travel television series On Tour with Isabella Dusi.

Isabella brings Web Vision Italy's viewers to Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, and Veneto to meet the people, taste their food and enjoy the history of Italy.

For more information about Web Vision Italy's and Isabella's 2009 group tours in Italy send an email to:

Motorino@WebVisionItaly.com and type "Dusi 2009" in subject.

Buon Viaggio,
Web Vision Italy Editors

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Beckham going to AC Milan Spring 2009

Italy vacations to Milan Spring 2009 think about checking out AC Milan soccer match now that David Beckham's move from LA Galaxy to AC Milan is confirmed.

Click the link below for the full story:
Galaxy player is expected to return for the start of the MLS season in March.
By Grahame L. Jones
October 31, 2008
David Beckham's move from the Galaxy to AC Milan was finalized Thursday, with the England national team midfielder set to join the Italian club on loan for January and February.

The exact starting and ending dates of the loan were left unclear, however, as were most other pertinent details.

For example, neither club would reveal who would pay Beckham's $541,667-a-month salary during his absence from Los Angeles. Nor would they comment on the specifics of "a technical partnership" being formed between the Galaxy and AC Milan, or whether the Galaxy would financially benefit from lending its top player.

"Terms of the agreement will remain confidential," said a joint statement issued by the Major League Soccer and Serie A teams.

According to AC Milan's website: "The English player [David Beckham] will be a Rossonero (red and black) from Jan. 7, 2009."

Jones is a Times staff writer.

grahame.jones@latimes.com

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