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WHERE NOW GRAND TOUR

The very famous Chianti zone, are the best in the world. Apropos of coffee,
renowned for its vineyards, there’s a tradition that sums up the city better
verdant valleys, rows of cypresses, than a thousand words: the Neapolitans call it STROLLING THROUGH THE CITY
olives groves, towns and abbeys “caffè appeso” and it involves buying a coffee
built on hilltops, is around for yourself, and then purchasing another
half an hour by car from the one for someone else who doesn’t have the originally covered the Colosseum. They
centre of Florence. money to pay for it. were ‘recycled’ to build several historic
Roman buildings including the Basilica
Naples is the ideal starting point to explore of St. Peter’s and Palazzo Barberini.
the other beauties of Italy: the islands of the
archipelago, Capri, Ischia and Procida, and
the Amalfi Coast infused with the scent of Florence
lemons. There is also Pompeii, the city, buried How can one describe a city which
by layers of volcanic ash during the eruption originated in the Renaissance in just a few
of Vesuvius two thousand years ago, and one words? It’s impossible! The only solution
of the most incredible archaeological sites in Venice is to visit the Duomo or Santa Croce, the
the world. masterpieces housed in the Uffizi, the
Tuscan Ponte Vecchio or Piazza della Signoria,
Venice
Michelangelo’s “David” or Palazzo Pitti. It
Matera, the hidden pearl With canals in the place of streets, and is really no surprise that the entire city
boats instead of cars, Venice, the city
of the South is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since
of a thousand bridges, spectacular there is not one centimeter that is not
When it became the European capital of facades, and breathtaking views, offers a
culture in 2019, Materia has got the visibility dreamlike vision. This romantic city par worthy visiting, we strongly suggest that
it deserved. Matera was founded in the dark excellence, has a wealth of historic and you make time to lose yourself amidst
ages, and is one of the most intriguing places artistic treasures that would be difficult its art and architecture, its history and its
in Southern Italy, renowned, above all, for the to find in any country other than Italy. landscapes. There’s just one thing that
uniqueness of it charming historic centre. Its To enjoy them to the fullest, climb to you need to remember: this is the place
so-called ‘Sassi’ (cave dwellings) are houses, the top of St. Mark’s bell tower, or the where Stendhal experienced what was
churches and, now, even hotels, literally carved lesser known spiral staircase of Palazzo later to become known as the Stendhal
into the tufa stone. Lying one on top of the Contarini del Bovolo, and let your gaze syndrome…
other, they overhang a gorge to create an wander over the lagoon.
incredible nativity-like scenario. Located just
a few kilometers from the beaches of Puglia, Rome
the city is well worth a visit. In addition to the
Sassi, it includes a Romanesque cathedral, the Fifteen square kilometers and twenty-
Matera Portofino Convent of Sant’Agostino, the church of San five-thousand attractions: Rome’s
historic centre has been a UNESCO
Giovanni Battista and the Baroque church of
San Francesco. Located off the beaten tourist world heritage site since 1980. A symbol
times, this beautiful coastal village has been There’s Siena, with its unmistakable square. northern Tuscany. It is here that the majority track, Matera has often been used as a film among symbols and the most widely
a highly sought-after holiday destination. There’s San Gimignano with its sixteen towers of the area’s most fashionable seaside resorts set. In 2003, thanks to its arresting landscapes photographed monument in the world, Florence
And, even now, with its ‘piazzetta’, Portofino and Pisa, whose one and only tower is unique are located. The summer getaway for the rich and timeless atmosphere, Mel Gibson the Colosseum is considered one of
is a reference point for international tourism. throughout the world. Ultimately, there and famous including financiers, big names chose Matera to re-create the biblical city of the 7 wonders of the modern world. Turin
Although its hotels are astronomically are Tuscany’s cities and art, its man-made in sports and showbiz celebrities, Forte dei Jerusalem for his controversial blockbuster ‘The The memory of its performances –
priced, a drink by its yacht-filled harbor, artifacts and its vestiges of history. Above Marmi was founded in 1788 by the Grand Passion of Christ’. gladiators, wild animals and naval battles A Roman colony, the first capital of
or a stroll around its designer shops can all, there’s the lyrical landscape with which Duke of Tuscany Pietro Leopoldo I of Lorraine – re-enacted in the arena have always Italy and an industrial city. From its
be easily enjoyed on a day trip. There are Tuscany continues to enchant both Italians who commissioned the building of a ‘fort’ to The Kingdom of Baroque fueled the fantasy of history and film origins to the present time, Turin has
many anecdotes about the town which was and foreigners. There are gently rolling defend the shipment of the precious marble buffs. However, everyone is aware of had several different incarnations,
used as film set for the Antonioni/Wenders hills, cypresses, sunflowers, narrow winding quarried from the nearby town of Carrara, Caltagirone, Militello, Catania, Modica, Noto, what happened to the 100,000 cubic each of which has left profound traces
movie ‘Beyond the Clouds’. One in particular streets and stone houses scattered around thus making it an important crossroads for Palazzolo, Ragusa and Scicli: these are the metres of shining white marble that in its architecture and urban layout.
concerns Villa Altachiara. Its first owner, Lord the countryside. The Tuscan experience is trade. The town is also a mecca of luxury names of Sicily’s magical Baroque towns. Extending over a surface area of less
Carnarvon, who financed the expedition that bound to win over your heart. However, if you shopping. Protected by UNESCO, and located in south- than 150 square kilometers, crossed by
led to the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, haven’t had your fill of marvels, stop at San eastern Sicily, they are sure to steal your the Po, the longest river in Italy, Turin
is said to have brought the ‘Curse of the Galgano, the abbey with the sky for a roof! heart and leave you awestruck. Although is characterized by a checkerboard-like
Pharaoh’ upon himself. He died shortly after Ah, the wonders of Tuscany! Naples and then… almost all of these towns existed during grid of streets that makes getting your
the tomb was opened and his villa became a “See Naples and die” is an Italian saying of medieval times, they were razed to the bearings easy. One of the city’s most
site of sinister, inexplicable happenings… Forte dei Marmi: the sea unknown origin. Believe it or not, all the ground by a devastating earthquake in 1693. distinctive architectural features is its
However, this tragedy resulted in a miracle
18km of porticoes which house shops
of Tuscany clichés about Naples are true: it’s opulent, of beauty: architecture, urban planning and and cafés: its porticoes and its elegant
Tuscany, the Italy that
In addition to being the birthplace of a queen passionate, musical, contradictory, chaotic PHOTOS © SHUTTERSTOCK.COM the ornamentation of buildings constitute squares have given Turin the nickname
everyone dreams about (Paola Ruffo of Calabria, the Queen Consort and neglected. People are friendly and the crowning achievement of one of the last Rome of a ‘drawing room’ city.
There’s Florence, boasting the magnificent of Belgium until 2013), Forte dei Marmi is the ‘trained’ over the centuries to ‘get by’, for periods of the flourishing Baroque movement
works of Michelangelo and his marble statues. jet-set paradise of Versilia, on the coast of better or worse. And, yes, its pizza and coffee in Europe. An absolute marvel!
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