Archive for 'Northwest Italy'

Torba Monastery was originally built in the 5th century as a Roman stronghold against barbarian invasions and was used for military purposes under various rules and guises until it came into the possession of a group of Benedictine nuns in the 8th century. The building was expanded and adapted into a religious complex and the interiors were decorated with elaborate murals and frescoes.

Later still, the monastery fell into disuse as a religious building and was adopted by local farmers with far more practical goals in mind. They decided to cover the paintings with plaster and, in some cases, merely ignored the works, letting them fall into disrepair.

Much was lost, as a result, but some of the works managed to survive, despite the neglect. One particular example that remains has become famous and has led to the creation of lots of legends and rumours.

The Via Dell'Amore is the most famous walk in the beautiful Cinque Terre area – a string of five centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline, which is linked by the Sentiero Azzurro cliffside hiking trail.

This stretch is the easiest section of the Sentiero Azzurro (Blue Trail) which takes walkers from Riomaggiore to Monterosso and is known for being particularly romantic and offering especially beautiful views across the ocean and surrounding landscape.

In the high season it can be incredibly busy and the ambience can be completely ruined but if you time it right and catch the walk at a peaceful time of year and the right time of the day, you will find few spots that are as spectacularly romantic around the world. Just find a holiday rental in Liguria, explore the stunning region and stop by the Via Dell'Amore with a special someone for a stroll.

Art, architecture, culture, history, the finer things in life, these are all on offer in Italy in abundance. There is no shortage of museums, art galleries, architectural gems, castles, palaces, churches and other attractions all over the country and many are incredibly famous worldwide. These are things that make it onto bucket lists and can be the single motivating factor for people when deciding to visit Italy. However, for every Uffizi Gallery, Sistine Chapel and Medici palace there are also plenty of outstanding museums that you have probably never heard of. We thought these lesser-known heroes deserved a mention so we compiled a list of museums and galleries where you'll avoid the crazy lines and floods of tourists and will get to experience wonderful highlights of Italian art, architecture, history and culture.

We often lump all food from Italy together as “Italian cuisine”. However, considering the complex history and cultural heritage of the country this is hardly accurate. The food of Italy and vary quite a bit from region to region and, even, town to town. For example, there are dozens of types of stuffed pasta which are no longer unique to, but originate specifically from, particular towns or areas. One of these types of stuffed pasta that you're less likely to have ever heard of before is Casoncelli. This stuffed pasta dish originates from Bergamo in Lombardy and is a typical dish of the town. It is a kind of stuffed pasta with a very particular shape, filled with sausage, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs and garlic. In modern times, cheese and a few other more “noble” ingredients were added too. Casoncelli alla Bergamasca (Bergamo style) are served with a butter and sage sauce and sautéed Italian Speck (or Pancetta). The best place to try the dish is, of course, in Bergamo. However, if you want to try it out as you plan your trip and look for the perfect vacation rental in Lombardy, follow the recipe below!

The Medieval Village in Turin is a very special tourist attraction, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else. While you will find villages, towns and cities all across Italy that have medieval quartres or centres, they have all been altered to some degree by the passing of time and progress. The Medieval Village, placed in Valentino Park, however, is an unchanging glimpse into the past. Built in the 19th century, it may not actually be authentically medieval but it is a very faithful, perfect replica of a 15th century Piedmontese Village and the closest thing you will get to actually travelling back through time and space. For history lovers or those merely intrigued by novelty, the “village” is a beautiful architectural feat in a city of architectural feats that is sure to delight. Just find a vacation rental in Piedmont and you can spend a pleasant day exploring the city of Turin and this hidden curiosity.