Friday, January 19, 2007

Vineyard to the Artists

Say Italy and there are lots of words that would immediately spring to mind like pasta, pizza, and wine. No gathering or bash is ever complete without a bottle or two of fine spirits to wash down the meal. There are diverse kinds and vintages of wine present, and only the unequaled gets the honor of being chosen as the star of the party. Italy is known for its sprawling vistas of vineyards, that supply immeasurable quantities of wine each year. This comes as of no surprise, since Italy's climate is advantageous to develop world-class grapes that are turned into great-tasting wines.

The attraction of the perfect wine for any occasion is too great, that many prosperous and popular personalities now consider buying vineyards in Italy, like Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt. According to local reports, the International idol of the blockbuster movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith is now observing into three wine estates in Italy's northern region. The actor was reported to have visited three elebrated estates that produce quality wines like Dolcetto d' Alba and Barolo. Like Pitt, many celebrities have transferred to Italy and shopped for their own villas. Brad Pitt's close associate, idol George Clooney also owns an estate along Lake Como.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Grand Almond Blossom Affair in Italy

When I was only a little kiddie, my parents had a business outing in Italy, and they brought my nanny and I with them. While mom and dad were in a business assembly in Morocco, my nanny, Mary, toured me around the town. Although we were not really assured where to go, we took advantage of the opportunity to roam around Italy.

It was sometime in February when we went to Italy, and the Italians were celebrating the Almond Blossom Festival that season. We were surprised to see a lot of people, especially vacationists, in the incident. Mary bumped into a good-looking Italian lad in the festival, and I heard the man saying some things to her. The lad said that the Almond Blossom Festival used to be just a harvest affair, which became an international gala of folklore. I also heard from the very good-looking lad that the affair started with a superb performance by kids from different parts of the world. Additionally, I learned that there were also outdoor and indoor areas for dance and music performances.Although I was very young then, I can still remember the eleganceof the Temple of Giunone, which was the festival's focal point. Entertainers from Sicily and from numerous regions of Italy performed on the stage that was filled with almond blossom and rich lighting.

I really adored the Almond Blossom Festival, and I told Mary that we will go again to Italy when I grew up. To keep my bond, I'm planning to obtain tickets today for our February trip. I can't wait to see the most fantastic affair again!

A enjoyable Italian Coffee time out

I have been roaming throughout the marvelous Roman streets for almost four hours now. I have already seen many beautiful museums, halls, and Roman architectural structures. My next stop would be to see the admirable Roman Catholic temples. But before I do that, I think I should take a pause at a nearby cafe to taste the well-known Italian coffee called the cappuccino. Everybody seems to long for for a coffee for either a morning or an afternoon break, cappuccino is a known choice. That is why, I am thrilled to take a sip of the cappuccino right in its Italian home.

There have been many techniques and variations in making the perfect cappuccino and the Italians were the first to invent the cappuccino blend. The cappuccino home brew is made by correctly mixing espresso coffee with milk. What makes the cappuccino a heavenly coffee combo is the way the milk is actually prepared. The milk should be made by an adept barman who knows how to bring the milk in foaming boil in order to have the genuine Italian cappuccino. Italians certainly know the meaning of pleasure by having a matchless blend of cappuccino, whether at home or in a coffee shop.

Monday, January 15, 2007

The Popular Name in Italian Mod

When people started making unisex items, they broke the great difference between a woman and a man, and for the famous designer Roberto Cavalli, they also began the most detrimental thing on earth. Apparently, this celebrated fashion professional designs separately for men and women because he believes that each specie in this world has its own identity. No wonder, then, that he created a name in the runway for his incomparable and impressive style.

Born in Florence on November 15, 1940, Cavalli belongs to a middle-class family with his grandfather as a celebrated impressionist painter and his mother as a diligent tailor. Roberto Cavalli began as a modest T-shirt designer with his assorted experimental prints, including a new discovery of leather printing. As a matter of fact, he was the first to know how printing was done on leathers but this discovery did not make him celebrated. After studying at the reputable Florence Academy of Art, this man began prowling the world, carrying with him his special skills in stitching denims and leathers together, which became his trademark---a revolutionary patchwork of clothing.

Until today, the name of the then neophyte Roberto Cavalli is still loud not only in the Italian mod but also in France, New York, and other parts of the world. He continues to create masterpieces of fabrics and leathers for both men and women, but this time his creations are not to break their identities; instead, he designs to solidify them with only one name---Roberto Cavalli moda.

Resplendent History in Standard Hotel Spendido

Italy is a country rich in history and boasts of several locations and personalities that have made incalculable contributions in the said field. It is therefore a territory that is genuinely worth visiting.

When visiting Italy with huge interest in history, it is most definitely a good program to stay in an Italian hotel that is itself rich in historical traditions, and one such place is Hotel Spendido.

Starting out as an abandoned monastery, Hotel Spendido ostensibly rose to become the transitory dwelling place of several prominent personalities, including those who belong to the royal family. In fact, the very first invitee of Hotel Spendido was the Duke of Windsor whose stay has been accounted with his name scrawled beside that of his wife, Wallis.

Then in 1952, other renowned visitors came to Hotel Spendido, and these included silver screen stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Clark Gable, Liza Minelli, Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Bacall, among others. They came and found great rest in the glorious hotel accommodations offered them.

Overlooking Portofino Bay, Hotel Spendido perches on a tropical garden of rich palm trees that is roughly four acres wide. One will have a spectacular time taking a stroll in these parts or simply have a stunning view of clear Italian waters once a visit is planned.