Thursday, March 08, 2007

Italians Fancy Rich Espresso Relish

Coffee is the recognized beverage in Italy, taken almost after every feed and sometimes, it has served as the meal itself. Customs and habits may come and go, but the Italians' thing for coffee is one that can not be erased, exchanged, or displaced over time. It is their way of life, it determines their identities as true blue Italians that is why it is no longer a whammy to find out that the country is currently in the top 5 rank of coffee consumers all over the world. Households venerate their espresso machines more than anything else because it supplies them round the clock with the richest, finest Espresso coffee starting off early morning towards late midnight.

If the coffee habits is untouched, the way it was being supplied and the coffee joints in operation is far from their original fashion. Years ago, cafes were designed to form an avenue for people to have small chats over coffee and a couple of rounds of pool and card meetings, but today, cafes serve live music and online games with the steaming hot concoction of the delectable, rich, dark Espresso. The Italian drinking community may have turned highly technological, but the people do not mind as long as the flavor and the spice of an Espresso cup lingers the same.

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Getting Acquainted with the Temperature of Italy

Whenever I decide to travel to southern Europe, I never pass the privilege to visit the beloved Italy. Every time I arrive, I immediately feel the prosperous setting of the place.

Aside from its innovative look and state, one thing that invites me commonly to Italy is its climate. There is no spot in Italy that has the same weather; you see, the climate is varying whether you travel to the south or get back to the north. I remember also one buddy who came to the country one November night and to her shock, snow was pouring. I guess she didn't think that Italians foresee winter as soon as the month of September. The amusing thing was that she brought with her a favorite sweater during that time.

Now, fancying to experience the most scalding climate in Italy? Go there during mid-year and travel to any southern area. But, between July and August, the former unquestionably brings the warmest temperature in the northern place.

So, when you aim to go to Italy, check the calendar first, look at the month, and distuingish the season. Whether you load your sunglasses, sunscreens, and hats or your bonnet, boots, and sweaters, I bet you will have a delightful time.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Commemorate La Vigilia And Feast On Mouthwatering Seafood Dishes

Italians worldwide commemorate La Vigilia, or the anniversary of the Seven Fishes, during the Christmas Eve. This feast is focused on seven different classes of seafood meals, which are commonly served with baked dishes, exquisite wines, pastas, and vegetables. No meat dish is involved in this observance since a custom menu for La Vigilia consists of a combination of any of the following: clams, sardines, eels, octopus, cod, squid, oysters, shrimp,mussels, and anchovies.

A popular recipe intended for La Vigilia is the Stuffed Calamari in Tomato Sauce -- a mouth-watering meal made by filling the squid with water or milk, garlic, egg, and breadcrumbs. The stuffed squid is then baked with oil, tomato-based sauce, and cheese, making it a family preference among Italians along with another seafood recipe called the Oyster Shooters, which consists of raw oyster meat -- pulled out from the shells -- served in a hot sauce-filled shot glass.

The Italians' love for cooking is undeniably expressed during the La Vigilia celebration. This is further proclaimed by the Italian's tradition of using a variety of herbs and spices in the preparation of the various dishes so as to bring out the essence of each recipe. Moreover, the feast proclaims each of the Italian regions' specialties, especially when it comes to seafood servings, which pave the way for yet another set of dishes particularly prepared for Christmas.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Fashion as a Justification of Social Worth

When people babble about fashion, the phrase “Italian fashion” constantly pops out. Italy is a place where clothes are not just an expression of oneself but are also a justification of a person's social position. In Italy, clothes are everything and being out of fashion is a vicious sin. But have you ever wondered why Italians have such a substantial adoration for fashion?

Just like in Italy now, clothes reveal a person's social standing during the early times. Only the elite and the powerful people can wear gorgeous and exquisite dresses and people often buy clothes to show off their wealth. Then, Count Giorgini assembled a fashion show in Florence in 1950. After the show's initial success, he opened his home for tons of fashion exhibit and the fancy for expensive yet stylish clothes started. However, this all changed in the 1960s when social status and roles changed as a by-product of uprisings and industrial revolution. From then on, fashion was not only for the affluent but it also became an expression of one's uniqueness. People from all walks of life started to wear trendy clothes bought at a reduced price and fashion became an everyday affair.

Fashion in Italy reached its intensity in the 1970s and 1980s when Milan was chosen as a fashion capital. Since then, numerous styles were popularized and attributed to the Italian fashion and respect and reverence for the Italian style never ceased.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Italian Sights And The Juncture That Is The Domitiana

Italian sightseers will undeniably want to have access to as many tourist attractions as possible. For this reason alone, one suitable hotel is the Domitiana, located in the territory of Naples. Staying in the Domitiana Hotel gives travelers instant access to a favorite Italian landmark, the Exhibition Centre, which is close to the hotel and found within the Campi Flegrei complex.

Fully functional and contemporary|stylish, the Domitiana is a three-star hotel that boasts of customary accommodations, such as single and twin or double rooms, air-conditioning and heating systems, satellite TV, telephones, mini-bars, and bathrooms fitted with bathtubs and overhead showers.

However, it is the many attractions set within the boundaries of the Domitiana hotel that guests should really have the time of their lives. A plain five-minute walk and one can smoothly reach the San Paolo Soccer Stadium, the Naples City Zoo, and the Edenladia Amusement Park. Access to important transportation systems is likewise not a significant question as the Metro Station and the Campi Flegrei Railways are both within reach by simply taking a ten-minute walk.

Making it to to Domitiana Hotel as a tourist is also quite easy since a mere 20-minute drive is all that is needed if one is coming from the major airport of the state, which is the Naples Capodichino Airport. Not having a car should not be a notable concern because there is the service bus from Alibus Airport, which will take travelers from its starting point at Piazza Municipio up to the Napoli Centrali Railway Station. From there, one can opt to ride the train bound for Campi Flegrei, from where a short walk will lead to the principal entrance of the Domitiana.