Posts Tagged ‘Italy’
Milan’s Renaissance castle – Castello Sforzesco
Smack dab in the middle of Milan is an imposing reminder of its past. As a tourist wandering Milan’s compact historic center, you’d be remiss to not notice its Castello Sforzesco, Milan’s most importnat Reniassance monument. Completely restored at the start of the 20th century, the Sforza Castle was once the headquarters of the noble…
Read MoreCanalside living in Milan’s Navigli
When I was a student earning my Master’s degree, I lived in Milan, in its picturesque canal district in the city’s south: the Navigli. I loved my time there, I loved the busy nightlife as the bars and restaurants came alive after dark. I loved the silence of early weekend mornings, and even the way…
Read MoreA Milanese landmark since the 4th century – San Ambrogio
I used to live in Milan many years ago. While everyone knows Milan’s famous Duomo, and I never fail to visit when I’m back, I also made a point to get back to my second favorite Milanese church on my last visit. San Ambrogio. San Ambrogio is a must of any trip to Milan. San…
Read MoreMedieval skyscrapers in Bologna
Italy’s Bologna, in medieval times, would have been a city filled with medieval-era “skyscrapers”. It s estimated that up to 180 towers may have existed during the medieval period. The reason for the construction of so many towers is not known. It is assumed that these constructions would have been built for defensive purposes, but…
Read MoreViews over Bologna from the terrace of San Petronio
During the holidays, my younger son and I decided to take the fast train up to Bologna for a day trip. I hadn’t been to Bologna for years, and my son was visiting for the first time. He and I both have a passion for finding the highest object in town and climbing to the…
Read MoreViews over Gubbio from atop Mount Ingino
Last week I wrote about the charming, medieval town of Gubbio – located in Italy’s Umbria region. If you’re there on a clear day (as we were), you don’t want to miss out on spectacular views over the medieval tile rooftops from the peak of Mount Ingino – a small peak of the Apennine mountains…
Read MoreMedieval splendor in Gubbio
It’s been years that I’ve wanted to visit the town of Gubbio – in Italy’s Umbria region. I have travelled all throughout the pretty region of Umbria, but Gubbio is on its far eastern side, and I never managed to get there. That’s why I was so happy to visit during the Christmas break. It…
Read MoreVisiting the birthplace of the nativity scene – in Greccio, Italy
For years I have “meant to” visit Greccio. My luck changed when my youngest son joined the track team in nearby Rieti, about 16 kilometers from this tiny town. Since we are often in Rieti for races, and since this last visit coincided with sunny skies, I finally got my wish post-race. Greccio is a…
Read MoreFrom the top of the world. The Pizzo di Ovindoli, Abruzzo
On a hot summer weekend, I took my kids out to our place in Ovindoli – in the mountains of Abruzzo, Italy. An hour and a half away in Rome, it was sweltering, but at 1400 meters/4500 feet from sea level, we could be active all day, without succumbing to heat stroke. My older son…
Read MoreEnjoying the passeggiata in Rieti
I’ve already written about the hillside town of Rieti, in the north of Italy’s Lazio region. You can read my earlier post here and learn how Rieti claims to be the town at the center of Italy. My younger son does track and field, and runs for Rieti’s team. Although he trains in Rome, we…
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