Here is a summary of the most recent information and travel news from Italy for January 30, February 3, and February 3, 2012.
-
Fight or flight? The Venice Residents’ Debate
This article is excellent and explains the differences between Venice travellers’ knowledge and that which has been home to human beings for centuries.
As travelers, it is important to respect any place we visit – just like if we were visiting a friend’s home. It’s difficult to do that in Venice, because it is so unreal. Marjorie, author, says that Venice has been “unrealized” for so many years that people forget it’s a real city where people actually live.
This book is worth reading if your trip to Venice is imminent or you are just curious about the effects of tourism on fragile places like Venice.
-
Milan Galleria Rooftop to Open in April
Visitors will have the opportunity to view Milan from a new perspective just in time for Expo 2015. -
Nearly 600,000 bookings to Turin Shroud
Book now if you are planning to visit Turin between April 19 and June 24, and would like to see The Shroud of Turin during its rare display. There are almost 600,000 spots available. -
Mascot ‘Briciola’ welcomes new president
1. Caribinieri police have an animal mascot.
2. A mascot can be a rescue dog.
This is my favorite thing about it.
-
Ortigia’s Jewish Ritual Baths
Half-Jewish, my ears tend to open up when I hear about Jewish history and culture in Italy, a country closely linked with the Catholic church. It just so happens that the oldest European mikveh, a Jewish ritual bath, is located in Sicily. It dates back to the 6th Century. -
“Italy Explained: Italian Trains” Book Review
My Italy friends are so kind to me. I received many offers of help when I published my book on trains. Michelle, my friend, posted the first review and I am so happy she enjoyed it! -
ITALY magazine Blogger Awards 2014
Italy Magazine has listed some blogs related to Italy for its blogger awards. You can now vote for your favorite blogs. It’s great to see my friends’ websites included in this mix. I hope to one day join them! -
Amanda Knox, Raffaele Solecito convicted: One year in
This piece examines the situation of Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito after they were found guilty once again of the murder of Meredith Kercher. They are not in prison, surprise! -
Renzi’s tweet is the beginning of the end of Italy’s political pantomime TV?
It’s possible for Italy’s political talkshows to look more like the WWE on a given night than they do as programs that provide serious and informed political discourse. The shows, which are in a country that is experiencing a severe economic slump, are heavy on melodrama, long, choreographed fights and little fact-checking or hard-hitting interviews.
Recently, Matteo Renzi, the Italian Prime Minister, expressed his dismay at such shows via his Twitter account. The viewership numbers for the show have also dropped significantly in recent years. This could be the beginning of the end for these horrid shows, I think.
-
Pizzaiolo takes a bite out of the client’s ear
Bergamo pizza maker was recently convicted of biting off an ear of a customer after he said the customer had “insulted”.
This stuff is impossible to make up.
