There are many types of fashionable jewelries available in the market for sale that is worn on various occasions as per choice. These jewelries come in bracelets, necklaces, and earrings design. You can buy it for various occasions at nominal cost. This is such a big industry that is growing every day. It's also called as costume jewelry.
This is great news for all the girls out there looking to stay stylish with the latest trends in fashion jewelry. Girls are very much conscious towards fashionable jewelry accessories. They always wear bracelets, necklaces, belts and other jewelries to look attractive during various occasions and regular lifestyle. You can buy hand painted jewelry, ethnic, agate stone, diamond cut, carved bone, beaded jewelry and many other fashion jewelries from any fashion jewelery store.
The quality of fashion jewelry accessories has increased and there are more unique styles than ever to choose from. Fashion Jewelry combines elegance, quality and affordability.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Traveling with Medical Disabilities
Traveling America-ful with a medical disability can be challenging, but it is worth the effort you make to finally have a successful, fun filled vacation.
My wife and I were looking forward to my retirement. My wife had retired from her Licensed Therapist practice already and she was just waiting for me to make my retirement official. Our kids were “grown and gone” and we were looking forward to just picking up for weeks at a time on one of our spontaneous acts and traveling across this country of ours. We had upgraded our timeshare to accommodate our dream of traveling America.
However, strange things happen on the way to “life”. About 6 months before my official retirement my wife was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). On August 4, 2006 she began a schedule of 3-day a week dialysis treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Each dialysis treatment is at least 4 hours long.
We had a tough time trying to make sense of what was happening. Why was this happening to us in the prime of our lives? How could we possibly take trips with a regimen of these 3-day a week 4 hour dialysis treatments (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)? There was at least 1 day between treatments and no more than 2 days (Saturday and Sunday). Needless to say we spent some time with our therapists and getting in touch with our spiritual side.
I think I was more stressed than my wife. She insisted that I get out, do something. I normally fish or try to play golf, but I thought I would try to do something creative. So I wrote a few lyrics (got them copyrighted) and thought about creating a website that would allow visitors to tell other visitors about their travel experiences.
Travel America-ful advisory and tips
If we wanted to do traveling of any kind while she is undergoing dialysis we would have some “road blocks” to overcome. For instance:
Because she had been placed on the kidney transplant list, in the event of an available kidney match (I am not a match to donate my kidney to my wife) we had to be able to get back to the kidney transplant unit within 2-3 hours after we are contacted.
Not all dialysis units were the same – some were cleaner than others (the fear of infection is always a consideration). Mayo has one of the best (if not the best) dialysis units in America.
Not considering the 2-3 hours window we could only be away for no more than 2 days because of the dialysis schedule. We could probably stretch it for another day, but that would be putting additional risk into the equation. We were not willing to do that.
But, we were determined to travel. We started out by taking little excursions of one day – leave Saturday morning and returning Sunday morning. Then we extended our travel time from Saturday morning and returning Monday morning to get her to her Monday dialysis treatment. Next, we began leaving on Friday evening after her dialysis treatment – she was normally very tired right after her treatment and absolutely famished. So, I would prepare her a meal (she had some food restrictions) and she would eat it in the car as we drove to wherever we were going and then take a nap.
Next the big one! My wife said “Why not plan a trip for one month?” I was not as sure of this as she was. My wife spoke with her physician and then worked with the Mayo Clinic Social Workers for several months to line up dialysis units in various states up the Northeast coast (Washington Area, New York City Area, Atlanta Area and New London, Connecticut Area).
Through careful planning and coordination with the Mayo Clinic Social Worker we were able to schedule 12 dialysis treatments over the 1 month period in 4 different states. My wife is a master at establishing relationships with new people and she was able to do that in each of the different dialysis locations without major incidents.
Getting out was absolutely wonderful. We are from New York and it was great getting back into the hustle-bustle for a few days. Although, my wife could not get as much activity as she would have normally, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. As did I.
Our experience has led us to offer a few suggestions to those who might be holding back on traveling because of your own medical disability.
1. Discuss your plans with your physician
2. Work with the resources available to you – Social Workers, Travel Agents, etc.
3. Have alternate plans – if you run out of medication; if your condition worsens, etc.
4. Plan, plan, plan
5. Enjoy
Travel America-ful and share your experiences with friends, strangers and family.
Have an America-ful day.
My wife and I were looking forward to my retirement. My wife had retired from her Licensed Therapist practice already and she was just waiting for me to make my retirement official. Our kids were “grown and gone” and we were looking forward to just picking up for weeks at a time on one of our spontaneous acts and traveling across this country of ours. We had upgraded our timeshare to accommodate our dream of traveling America.
However, strange things happen on the way to “life”. About 6 months before my official retirement my wife was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). On August 4, 2006 she began a schedule of 3-day a week dialysis treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Each dialysis treatment is at least 4 hours long.
We had a tough time trying to make sense of what was happening. Why was this happening to us in the prime of our lives? How could we possibly take trips with a regimen of these 3-day a week 4 hour dialysis treatments (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)? There was at least 1 day between treatments and no more than 2 days (Saturday and Sunday). Needless to say we spent some time with our therapists and getting in touch with our spiritual side.
I think I was more stressed than my wife. She insisted that I get out, do something. I normally fish or try to play golf, but I thought I would try to do something creative. So I wrote a few lyrics (got them copyrighted) and thought about creating a website that would allow visitors to tell other visitors about their travel experiences.
Travel America-ful advisory and tips
If we wanted to do traveling of any kind while she is undergoing dialysis we would have some “road blocks” to overcome. For instance:
Because she had been placed on the kidney transplant list, in the event of an available kidney match (I am not a match to donate my kidney to my wife) we had to be able to get back to the kidney transplant unit within 2-3 hours after we are contacted.
Not all dialysis units were the same – some were cleaner than others (the fear of infection is always a consideration). Mayo has one of the best (if not the best) dialysis units in America.
Not considering the 2-3 hours window we could only be away for no more than 2 days because of the dialysis schedule. We could probably stretch it for another day, but that would be putting additional risk into the equation. We were not willing to do that.
But, we were determined to travel. We started out by taking little excursions of one day – leave Saturday morning and returning Sunday morning. Then we extended our travel time from Saturday morning and returning Monday morning to get her to her Monday dialysis treatment. Next, we began leaving on Friday evening after her dialysis treatment – she was normally very tired right after her treatment and absolutely famished. So, I would prepare her a meal (she had some food restrictions) and she would eat it in the car as we drove to wherever we were going and then take a nap.
Next the big one! My wife said “Why not plan a trip for one month?” I was not as sure of this as she was. My wife spoke with her physician and then worked with the Mayo Clinic Social Workers for several months to line up dialysis units in various states up the Northeast coast (Washington Area, New York City Area, Atlanta Area and New London, Connecticut Area).
Through careful planning and coordination with the Mayo Clinic Social Worker we were able to schedule 12 dialysis treatments over the 1 month period in 4 different states. My wife is a master at establishing relationships with new people and she was able to do that in each of the different dialysis locations without major incidents.
Getting out was absolutely wonderful. We are from New York and it was great getting back into the hustle-bustle for a few days. Although, my wife could not get as much activity as she would have normally, she thoroughly enjoyed herself. As did I.
Our experience has led us to offer a few suggestions to those who might be holding back on traveling because of your own medical disability.
1. Discuss your plans with your physician
2. Work with the resources available to you – Social Workers, Travel Agents, etc.
3. Have alternate plans – if you run out of medication; if your condition worsens, etc.
4. Plan, plan, plan
5. Enjoy
Travel America-ful and share your experiences with friends, strangers and family.
Have an America-ful day.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Why People Find Their Alaskan Cruise Enticing
I am not at all amazed to see so many articles on cruising in Alaska.
While it is disturbing to see no fewer than 4 gigantic liners in the small port of Ketchikan on any day in season, for instance, they do seem to time their arrival so that our shore excursion into a tropical forest (yes tropical) was as memorable as promised.
We chose Alaska because we wanted to visit North America for the first time. But also because it sounded so exotic; it would be, coming from South Africa.
It was nothing short of breathtaking. But it was also the ship itself, Holland America's Volendam that made it especially so. Imagine sitting in a leather chair nine storeys up in an observation lounge with 270 degree views. Imagine this in almost utter silence, while the ship glides through a narrow passage, with less than 100 metres on either side. We could hear the waterfalls, see the wildlife, and watch in amazement as whales and seals swam passed us. When she approached a 'corner' my naval instincts and ocean experience that goes back 30 years said no. How was she going to negotiate what was literally a corner up ahead? Keep in mind this was the largest ship I had ever embarked: over 70 000 tons. I ran below decks to call my wife, and we both watched in amazement as her pods (much like movable outboard motors) and bow thrusters allowed her to sail through effortlessly.
When we reached the glacier it was an experience that was quite simply humbling. All the statistics about the melting ice and the glacier itself retreating many metres each year were disturbing, but then again it was as a result of this that we could approach and enter what was now a 'modern' bay, not accessible 20 years ago. In fact because of the sophisticated engines and designs, few ships, even with much less tonnage, have been able to negotiate the narrow passages and actually turn around when they get there.
I delighted in videoing how the captain, by using a pencil sized joystick, was able to program the ship so that she turned so silently and slowly over a period of an hour, without any movement forwards or backwards. I wondered if my small frigate, of just 2500 tonnes, from the South African Navy in 1973 might have done this ' I think not. Passengers on the bow, and those sitting astern were then afforded a view of the entire bay and the cathedral-like walls of the glacier itself as the ship turned slowly in the streaming sunshine of the Alaskan summer. The glacier itself was somewhat daunting, with pieces of ice ready to calve. We desperately hoped a large one would break off and crash with thunderous applause into the mottled green bay, but alas only slivers did so on that particular day. We were acutely aware that our very presence added to the environmental changes, but were somehow willing to compromise in order to live the moment; so much like most of us on our endangered planet.
In fact the entire cruising programme must be, for many people, not excluding the planners and ships owners, somewhat of a dilemma. Hundreds of summer cruises a year do take their toll: the air pollution itself is big a factor. But owners and cruise operators do everything they can to minimize the effect. Cigarette butts are a serious no-no, for example; don't even think of throwing one overboard, and I have do doubt that with technology, our gargantuan liner was probably less guilty of environmental damage than my tiny frigate all those years ago.
Skagway gives one a chance to take a memorable train ride up over the start of the Rockies and into Canada; one follows the path up the mountain on which hundreds of pack animals fell to their death as a result of their owner's greed for gold. We were simply delighted at the Humpback Whale food festival out in the bay at Juneau, Alaska's capital (the only one in the world that is not accessible by road). This 'shore excursion' of about three hours was well worth it. Our small-boat captain guaranteed, with typical American marketing gusto, that we would see them feed. And we did. What a feast! The glaciers retreated with the last ice age and carved a vertical passage down into the bay, meaning that the shoreline has a vertical drop of hundreds of metres into the sea. It was here that a family of Humpbacks secured their lunch with their sophisticated methods of diving and bubble netting their small prey.
Believe it or not, we experienced some disappointment with regard to wildlife. One can see more whales, and really up close, in October to January in Cape Town and surrounds than we did in Alaska. We were constantly reminded that on the multitude of islands we passed on the inside passage (essential method of cruising) that for each square kilometre there was one bear. Sadly, or luckily we encountered and saw not one. I turned to my wife one day and knew what she was thinking. For all the wilderness angle pursued by brochures and guides, we realised how privileged we were to live in a country with the greatest concentration of life on the planet. Alaska seem almost desert-like, but from this aspect only.
We did visit a salmon farm and see beautiful eagles. The whale feeding-frenzy (at home they entertain us with circus tricks) is now edited and copied to a much viewed DVD back home, and we realised that Alaska was not necessarily (for us, that was) a memorable wildlife experience.
But boy, it sure put on another display. One cannot visit without feeling one has been transported to a world of sublime and inexorably, stark, and primordial beauty. It is here, as with other 'last frontiers' that the world of yester era can be experienced. The beauty is both harsh and delicate, a place where ancient forces: enemies and allies met and struggled, and still do. I shall not easily forget the sun dispersing dark and ominous clouds, just in time for us to bask in its rays and then literally gasp at the spectacularly beautiful colours that the sunshine itself was able to entice from the seemingly cold and austere glacier.
She, the sun, seemed to thrust herself down onto the orchestra of icy protrusions and phallic structures, like an excited conductor might charge at his musicians with his baton, evoking their hidden talents.
We found our very spirits dancing with every ray that fell and in some weird neurological space my brain did summersaults. I remembered the testimony of a LSD-taking patient years back, and his description of how he 'heard' a sunset and could see colours in sounds. Here Nature was the intoxicating influence, and I swore blind that night that I had smelt the very colours that danced on the back of the retreating glacier, and heard every moan of the pristine and exquisitely beautiful blue that shimmered in every crevice and corner of the dazzling bay!
It is a wonder that many of these cruises are so inexpensive (I hate to use the word cheap). On the cusp of summer: April/August, September one can find them for as little as $499. This for an entire week of sublime luxury and relaxation.
Amazingly, with at least four meals a day, and at least one gourmet tray of delights at 2am, my wife and I actually lost weight! The food was nothing short of spectacular and while my wife faithfully journeyed through the entire menu each night, my waiter soon appeased my strange penchant for dining by serving no fewer than three small main courses from around the world. I would certainly not have been able to afford such delights in Paris of Vienna, some not even back home.
Choose your cruise line carefully; while Holland America's passenger list averaged around 45 in age, a small family of kids had the children's program and a full-time child minder to themselves, this a distinct advantage. But they might have been lonely. And if it's love, sex and rock 'n roll you're after you might like to take a peek at Carnival or a cruise line that majors in another kind of wildness. Personally I would prefer this type of party cruise in the Med, Caribbean or Mexico. Somehow the breathtaking setting of Alaska itself demands a quiet and humble respect, more in tune with sipping whiskies, and silently walking on the upper deck in the clean, ancient air.
Whatever your choice, go you must. You will not be the same again.
While it is disturbing to see no fewer than 4 gigantic liners in the small port of Ketchikan on any day in season, for instance, they do seem to time their arrival so that our shore excursion into a tropical forest (yes tropical) was as memorable as promised.
We chose Alaska because we wanted to visit North America for the first time. But also because it sounded so exotic; it would be, coming from South Africa.
It was nothing short of breathtaking. But it was also the ship itself, Holland America's Volendam that made it especially so. Imagine sitting in a leather chair nine storeys up in an observation lounge with 270 degree views. Imagine this in almost utter silence, while the ship glides through a narrow passage, with less than 100 metres on either side. We could hear the waterfalls, see the wildlife, and watch in amazement as whales and seals swam passed us. When she approached a 'corner' my naval instincts and ocean experience that goes back 30 years said no. How was she going to negotiate what was literally a corner up ahead? Keep in mind this was the largest ship I had ever embarked: over 70 000 tons. I ran below decks to call my wife, and we both watched in amazement as her pods (much like movable outboard motors) and bow thrusters allowed her to sail through effortlessly.
When we reached the glacier it was an experience that was quite simply humbling. All the statistics about the melting ice and the glacier itself retreating many metres each year were disturbing, but then again it was as a result of this that we could approach and enter what was now a 'modern' bay, not accessible 20 years ago. In fact because of the sophisticated engines and designs, few ships, even with much less tonnage, have been able to negotiate the narrow passages and actually turn around when they get there.
I delighted in videoing how the captain, by using a pencil sized joystick, was able to program the ship so that she turned so silently and slowly over a period of an hour, without any movement forwards or backwards. I wondered if my small frigate, of just 2500 tonnes, from the South African Navy in 1973 might have done this ' I think not. Passengers on the bow, and those sitting astern were then afforded a view of the entire bay and the cathedral-like walls of the glacier itself as the ship turned slowly in the streaming sunshine of the Alaskan summer. The glacier itself was somewhat daunting, with pieces of ice ready to calve. We desperately hoped a large one would break off and crash with thunderous applause into the mottled green bay, but alas only slivers did so on that particular day. We were acutely aware that our very presence added to the environmental changes, but were somehow willing to compromise in order to live the moment; so much like most of us on our endangered planet.
In fact the entire cruising programme must be, for many people, not excluding the planners and ships owners, somewhat of a dilemma. Hundreds of summer cruises a year do take their toll: the air pollution itself is big a factor. But owners and cruise operators do everything they can to minimize the effect. Cigarette butts are a serious no-no, for example; don't even think of throwing one overboard, and I have do doubt that with technology, our gargantuan liner was probably less guilty of environmental damage than my tiny frigate all those years ago.
Skagway gives one a chance to take a memorable train ride up over the start of the Rockies and into Canada; one follows the path up the mountain on which hundreds of pack animals fell to their death as a result of their owner's greed for gold. We were simply delighted at the Humpback Whale food festival out in the bay at Juneau, Alaska's capital (the only one in the world that is not accessible by road). This 'shore excursion' of about three hours was well worth it. Our small-boat captain guaranteed, with typical American marketing gusto, that we would see them feed. And we did. What a feast! The glaciers retreated with the last ice age and carved a vertical passage down into the bay, meaning that the shoreline has a vertical drop of hundreds of metres into the sea. It was here that a family of Humpbacks secured their lunch with their sophisticated methods of diving and bubble netting their small prey.
Believe it or not, we experienced some disappointment with regard to wildlife. One can see more whales, and really up close, in October to January in Cape Town and surrounds than we did in Alaska. We were constantly reminded that on the multitude of islands we passed on the inside passage (essential method of cruising) that for each square kilometre there was one bear. Sadly, or luckily we encountered and saw not one. I turned to my wife one day and knew what she was thinking. For all the wilderness angle pursued by brochures and guides, we realised how privileged we were to live in a country with the greatest concentration of life on the planet. Alaska seem almost desert-like, but from this aspect only.
We did visit a salmon farm and see beautiful eagles. The whale feeding-frenzy (at home they entertain us with circus tricks) is now edited and copied to a much viewed DVD back home, and we realised that Alaska was not necessarily (for us, that was) a memorable wildlife experience.
But boy, it sure put on another display. One cannot visit without feeling one has been transported to a world of sublime and inexorably, stark, and primordial beauty. It is here, as with other 'last frontiers' that the world of yester era can be experienced. The beauty is both harsh and delicate, a place where ancient forces: enemies and allies met and struggled, and still do. I shall not easily forget the sun dispersing dark and ominous clouds, just in time for us to bask in its rays and then literally gasp at the spectacularly beautiful colours that the sunshine itself was able to entice from the seemingly cold and austere glacier.
She, the sun, seemed to thrust herself down onto the orchestra of icy protrusions and phallic structures, like an excited conductor might charge at his musicians with his baton, evoking their hidden talents.
We found our very spirits dancing with every ray that fell and in some weird neurological space my brain did summersaults. I remembered the testimony of a LSD-taking patient years back, and his description of how he 'heard' a sunset and could see colours in sounds. Here Nature was the intoxicating influence, and I swore blind that night that I had smelt the very colours that danced on the back of the retreating glacier, and heard every moan of the pristine and exquisitely beautiful blue that shimmered in every crevice and corner of the dazzling bay!
It is a wonder that many of these cruises are so inexpensive (I hate to use the word cheap). On the cusp of summer: April/August, September one can find them for as little as $499. This for an entire week of sublime luxury and relaxation.
Amazingly, with at least four meals a day, and at least one gourmet tray of delights at 2am, my wife and I actually lost weight! The food was nothing short of spectacular and while my wife faithfully journeyed through the entire menu each night, my waiter soon appeased my strange penchant for dining by serving no fewer than three small main courses from around the world. I would certainly not have been able to afford such delights in Paris of Vienna, some not even back home.
Choose your cruise line carefully; while Holland America's passenger list averaged around 45 in age, a small family of kids had the children's program and a full-time child minder to themselves, this a distinct advantage. But they might have been lonely. And if it's love, sex and rock 'n roll you're after you might like to take a peek at Carnival or a cruise line that majors in another kind of wildness. Personally I would prefer this type of party cruise in the Med, Caribbean or Mexico. Somehow the breathtaking setting of Alaska itself demands a quiet and humble respect, more in tune with sipping whiskies, and silently walking on the upper deck in the clean, ancient air.
Whatever your choice, go you must. You will not be the same again.
Vacations in Eastern Cuba
Santiago de Cuba, located between the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra Maestra mountain range, is the Eastern capital and home of the Cuban Son, which is the father of all Cuban rhythms of this century. It is the capital of the Santiago de Cuba Province in the eastern region of the island and the country’s second largest metropolis. This city, rich in culture, tradition, and also in natural and architectural treasures, provides travelers with amazing experiences in their Cuba vacations. From hill-walking and mountaineering to historical and cultural tours, Santiago de Cuba is a destination that will not disappoint you.
For those who love nature and who enjoy mountain-climbing and hill-walking activities, Santiago de Cuba offers several points of interest like: the Sierra Maestra mountain range and Baconao Biosphere Reserve, where La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone) stands out.
The rugged topography of the Sierra Maestra, with elevations of up to 1,300 m above sea level, is unique in the island and famous for its landscapes of breathtaking beauty and unbelievable variety. Among these elevations are the three highest peaks of Cuba: the Pico Real del Turquino with 1,974 m, the Pico Cuba with 1,872 m and the Pico Suecia with 1,734 m above sea level. This scenery gives the visitor the feeling of being at the top of the island, and you can literally touch the clouds in the sky. It is an exclusive place where one can get the best view of the rivers, forests, mountains and valleys that surround the region. It’s also considered as one of the most important well-preserved areas in Cuba, due to the great diversity of its flora and fauna. I highly recommend bringing your camera along to take some pictures of endemic flowers and animals of the zone. Bird watching is also a popular activity in this area.
Moreover the Sierra Maestra is an emblematic site where decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution took place. In an intricate zone of this territory explorers can find the Comandancia de la Plata, the First Front of the Rebel Army, a place with historical value.
If you are traveling with the whole family, Baconao Park will be an excellent choice in your itinerary. Located in the Sierra Maestra, the Baconao Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve List in 1987, including three well defined biogeographic zones: the “Meseta de Santiago”, the “Sierra de la Gran Piedra” and the “Meseta Santa Maria de Loreto”. It incorporates beaches, mountains, lakes, forests and ruins of French coffee plantations. Visitors can appreciate a high biodiversity in flora and fauna, being a wonderful experience for nature lovers. Moreover, there is an International Diving Center and the Land Transport Museum, which exhibits over 2,000 miniature vehicles along with an exposition of vintage cars. Also, one can enjoy a visit to the Aquarium where dolphins and seals put an excellent show for both children and adults, exhibiting their abilities.
One of the main attractions of this zone is La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone), a majestic and magnificent rock formation. This enormous rock of volcanic origin is on the top of a mountain at 1,125 meters. Due to its gorgeous sceneries, this place constitutes a natural viewpoint. It is said that in the clear nights the lights of Jamaica can be seen from there. It’s also considered one of the largest rocks in the world.
Have children? Take them to the Prehistory Valley, an amazing collection of reproductions of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals made of stone in almost their natural size. These fantastic creatures are disseminated on a wide valley surrounded by mountains, in the same places where the legendary animals should have lived. This valley is a great venue for photography. Kids will love it!
On the other hand, Santiago de Cuba is an artistic and cultural centre of great prominence in the history of Cuba. Visitors have the chance to enjoy historical tours in the midst of marvelous natural landscapes. Characterized by a solid historical background and cultural traditions, this city offers a wonderful display of historic sites such as the Cathedral, the first one in Cuba (1522) and the Casagranda Hotel which can be found in the city centre: by the Céspedes Park. Santiago de Cuba is the home of Cuba’s oldest palaces and museums, including the Casa de Diego Velázquez also located in the Céspedes Park area. This zone continues to be a large part of the city’s social life and it is known as Céspedes Park in honor of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a national hero also called the Founding Father or Father of the Homeland.
Among other significant buildings situated in the heart of the city is the Nuestra Señora de Asunción Cathedral. The Tour of the Revolution Square is also recommended. Best explored by foot, on your own or with one of the many guided tours available, Santiago de Cuba also has numerous museums and art galleries. One of the most popular museums is the Cuartel Moncada, the yellow barracks whose exterior is marked with carefully re-opened bullet holes, remindings of the July day in 1953 when Fidel Castro and a group of rebels launched an assault. It treasures the rebels' weapons, bloodstained uniforms, photographs, letters, and other documents. There’s also the Granjita Siboney Museum, which was the place of gathering for the attack of the Moncada garrison. It now shows memorabilia of the assault.
Santiago de Cuba was the homeland of many notorious Cubans as well. That’s why travelers can find in this city numerous museums that were the birthplace of famed figures of the Cuban history. One can visit the Native House of José María Heredia, one of Cuba's greatest poets; the Native House of Antonio Maceo, a leader of the war of independence and the Native House of Frank País, a hero who fought against the dictatorship of the 1950’s. Furthermore, there are other historical sights to see in Santiago de Cuba such as the Museum of Carnival, which aims to give an overview of the great tradition of carnival in Santiago. It’s also interesting the Emilio Bacardi Museum, one of Cuba's first museums that keep a valuable collection covering the period between the Spanish conquest and the Wars of Independence (from Spain). Other remarkable sights are the Museum of Rum that exhibits all about the great beverage and the Museum “La Isabelica”, which shows some history of the French settlements in the area and displays farming implements and archeological objects.
One more historic attraction is the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery. This large cemetery is a small city of the dead, populated by elaborate marble tombs including several spectacular mausoleums. One of these belongs to José Marti, National Hero and one Cuba’s most lucid and visionary men of all times. This cemetery gathers tombs for such historic notables as Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the “Father of the Homeland”, and Emilio Bacardi, including graves from those who fought for revolution, like Frank País.
Another world heritage site: The San Pedro de la Roca del Morro Castle can be found on the outskirts of this historical city. This fortress is one of the most formidable defensive works constructed by the Spaniards in the island. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "the most complete, best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture based on Italian and Renaissance design principles". From this fortification the visitor can see the whole bay of Santiago de Cuba where took place the famous naval battle in 1898 between US and Spanish troops. The fortress now houses the Museum of Piracy.
Santiago de Cuba is also a centre of great religious importance. Located about 20 km far from the city the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Sanctuary) is the most important shrine in the island. The walls of the church are laden with gifts from people that were healed or asked for the Virgin's blessing. Many are the visitors who come to Santiago to climb the hill of this sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cuba. Some of them come to keep a promise, others take offerings which are added to the hundreds of pieces and objects that have been dedicated to the Virgin among which, is Hemingway's Nobel Prize medal. Some people often collect copper stones from the mine close to the church.
Finally, a journey to Santiago de Cuba would not be complete without sampling its cultural activities. Santiago de Cuba is famous for its celebrations, including the Festival of Caribbean Culture sometimes known as the Feast of Fire, and the popular Santiago Carnival which takes place every July. With the many festivals it holds, the city is called the cultural capital of the Caribbean.
Even though July in Santiago de Cuba tends to be extremely hot, it's probably the best time to enjoy its famous festivities. When the carnival begins in Santiago the whole city turns into one big party. What most characterize the carnival are the congas, which can be heard in areas such as Trocha or on any street. Contagious drum rhythms draw local people and visitors alike into one long flowing dance. Popular orchestras make their way to Santiago for the festivities. For the locals: music to dance to and plenty of beer is enough to make the carnival a success.
For those who appreciate other cultural pursuits and those who favor music and nightlife, Santiago de Cuba has its share of things to offer. Many music and dance venues exist such as the Casa del Caribe where tourists go for authentic Afro-Cuban shows and lessons; but Tropicana Santiago deserves a required visit. It is called the Cabaret of the Caribbean and it is considered one of the largest nightclubs in Cuba. The fame of Tropicana Santiago's shows has gone beyond Cuban borders, thus is a popular place if you are seeking night-time entertainment. However, there are other trendy places like the Trova House, a bar club where visitors can enjoy Cuban and Santiago’s traditional music. Furthermore, the Heredia Street, very famous for its intense cultural and social life, leads visitors to better discovery of the best exponents of "son", bolero and a unique movement of troubadours.
For those who love nature and who enjoy mountain-climbing and hill-walking activities, Santiago de Cuba offers several points of interest like: the Sierra Maestra mountain range and Baconao Biosphere Reserve, where La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone) stands out.
The rugged topography of the Sierra Maestra, with elevations of up to 1,300 m above sea level, is unique in the island and famous for its landscapes of breathtaking beauty and unbelievable variety. Among these elevations are the three highest peaks of Cuba: the Pico Real del Turquino with 1,974 m, the Pico Cuba with 1,872 m and the Pico Suecia with 1,734 m above sea level. This scenery gives the visitor the feeling of being at the top of the island, and you can literally touch the clouds in the sky. It is an exclusive place where one can get the best view of the rivers, forests, mountains and valleys that surround the region. It’s also considered as one of the most important well-preserved areas in Cuba, due to the great diversity of its flora and fauna. I highly recommend bringing your camera along to take some pictures of endemic flowers and animals of the zone. Bird watching is also a popular activity in this area.
Moreover the Sierra Maestra is an emblematic site where decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution took place. In an intricate zone of this territory explorers can find the Comandancia de la Plata, the First Front of the Rebel Army, a place with historical value.
If you are traveling with the whole family, Baconao Park will be an excellent choice in your itinerary. Located in the Sierra Maestra, the Baconao Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve List in 1987, including three well defined biogeographic zones: the “Meseta de Santiago”, the “Sierra de la Gran Piedra” and the “Meseta Santa Maria de Loreto”. It incorporates beaches, mountains, lakes, forests and ruins of French coffee plantations. Visitors can appreciate a high biodiversity in flora and fauna, being a wonderful experience for nature lovers. Moreover, there is an International Diving Center and the Land Transport Museum, which exhibits over 2,000 miniature vehicles along with an exposition of vintage cars. Also, one can enjoy a visit to the Aquarium where dolphins and seals put an excellent show for both children and adults, exhibiting their abilities.
One of the main attractions of this zone is La Gran Piedra (The Great Stone), a majestic and magnificent rock formation. This enormous rock of volcanic origin is on the top of a mountain at 1,125 meters. Due to its gorgeous sceneries, this place constitutes a natural viewpoint. It is said that in the clear nights the lights of Jamaica can be seen from there. It’s also considered one of the largest rocks in the world.
Have children? Take them to the Prehistory Valley, an amazing collection of reproductions of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals made of stone in almost their natural size. These fantastic creatures are disseminated on a wide valley surrounded by mountains, in the same places where the legendary animals should have lived. This valley is a great venue for photography. Kids will love it!
On the other hand, Santiago de Cuba is an artistic and cultural centre of great prominence in the history of Cuba. Visitors have the chance to enjoy historical tours in the midst of marvelous natural landscapes. Characterized by a solid historical background and cultural traditions, this city offers a wonderful display of historic sites such as the Cathedral, the first one in Cuba (1522) and the Casagranda Hotel which can be found in the city centre: by the Céspedes Park. Santiago de Cuba is the home of Cuba’s oldest palaces and museums, including the Casa de Diego Velázquez also located in the Céspedes Park area. This zone continues to be a large part of the city’s social life and it is known as Céspedes Park in honor of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a national hero also called the Founding Father or Father of the Homeland.
Among other significant buildings situated in the heart of the city is the Nuestra Señora de Asunción Cathedral. The Tour of the Revolution Square is also recommended. Best explored by foot, on your own or with one of the many guided tours available, Santiago de Cuba also has numerous museums and art galleries. One of the most popular museums is the Cuartel Moncada, the yellow barracks whose exterior is marked with carefully re-opened bullet holes, remindings of the July day in 1953 when Fidel Castro and a group of rebels launched an assault. It treasures the rebels' weapons, bloodstained uniforms, photographs, letters, and other documents. There’s also the Granjita Siboney Museum, which was the place of gathering for the attack of the Moncada garrison. It now shows memorabilia of the assault.
Santiago de Cuba was the homeland of many notorious Cubans as well. That’s why travelers can find in this city numerous museums that were the birthplace of famed figures of the Cuban history. One can visit the Native House of José María Heredia, one of Cuba's greatest poets; the Native House of Antonio Maceo, a leader of the war of independence and the Native House of Frank País, a hero who fought against the dictatorship of the 1950’s. Furthermore, there are other historical sights to see in Santiago de Cuba such as the Museum of Carnival, which aims to give an overview of the great tradition of carnival in Santiago. It’s also interesting the Emilio Bacardi Museum, one of Cuba's first museums that keep a valuable collection covering the period between the Spanish conquest and the Wars of Independence (from Spain). Other remarkable sights are the Museum of Rum that exhibits all about the great beverage and the Museum “La Isabelica”, which shows some history of the French settlements in the area and displays farming implements and archeological objects.
One more historic attraction is the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery. This large cemetery is a small city of the dead, populated by elaborate marble tombs including several spectacular mausoleums. One of these belongs to José Marti, National Hero and one Cuba’s most lucid and visionary men of all times. This cemetery gathers tombs for such historic notables as Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the “Father of the Homeland”, and Emilio Bacardi, including graves from those who fought for revolution, like Frank País.
Another world heritage site: The San Pedro de la Roca del Morro Castle can be found on the outskirts of this historical city. This fortress is one of the most formidable defensive works constructed by the Spaniards in the island. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "the most complete, best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture based on Italian and Renaissance design principles". From this fortification the visitor can see the whole bay of Santiago de Cuba where took place the famous naval battle in 1898 between US and Spanish troops. The fortress now houses the Museum of Piracy.
Santiago de Cuba is also a centre of great religious importance. Located about 20 km far from the city the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre Sanctuary) is the most important shrine in the island. The walls of the church are laden with gifts from people that were healed or asked for the Virgin's blessing. Many are the visitors who come to Santiago to climb the hill of this sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint of Cuba. Some of them come to keep a promise, others take offerings which are added to the hundreds of pieces and objects that have been dedicated to the Virgin among which, is Hemingway's Nobel Prize medal. Some people often collect copper stones from the mine close to the church.
Finally, a journey to Santiago de Cuba would not be complete without sampling its cultural activities. Santiago de Cuba is famous for its celebrations, including the Festival of Caribbean Culture sometimes known as the Feast of Fire, and the popular Santiago Carnival which takes place every July. With the many festivals it holds, the city is called the cultural capital of the Caribbean.
Even though July in Santiago de Cuba tends to be extremely hot, it's probably the best time to enjoy its famous festivities. When the carnival begins in Santiago the whole city turns into one big party. What most characterize the carnival are the congas, which can be heard in areas such as Trocha or on any street. Contagious drum rhythms draw local people and visitors alike into one long flowing dance. Popular orchestras make their way to Santiago for the festivities. For the locals: music to dance to and plenty of beer is enough to make the carnival a success.
For those who appreciate other cultural pursuits and those who favor music and nightlife, Santiago de Cuba has its share of things to offer. Many music and dance venues exist such as the Casa del Caribe where tourists go for authentic Afro-Cuban shows and lessons; but Tropicana Santiago deserves a required visit. It is called the Cabaret of the Caribbean and it is considered one of the largest nightclubs in Cuba. The fame of Tropicana Santiago's shows has gone beyond Cuban borders, thus is a popular place if you are seeking night-time entertainment. However, there are other trendy places like the Trova House, a bar club where visitors can enjoy Cuban and Santiago’s traditional music. Furthermore, the Heredia Street, very famous for its intense cultural and social life, leads visitors to better discovery of the best exponents of "son", bolero and a unique movement of troubadours.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
London Tourist Attractions around Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a famous public square and tourist attraction in the centre of London. It was created to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars in 1805.
Trafalgar Square was originally intended to be called the King William VI Square. However architect George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name Trafalgar Square.
The architecture around Trafalgar Square dates to between 1820 and 1845, when the Prince Region engaged John Nash, the imminent landscape architect, to redevelop the area. The project became known as the Charing Cross Improvement Scheme. The architecture of the square was the work of Sir Charles Barry, and was completed in 1845.
Trafalgar Square consists of a big public area bordered by roads. The roads that lead into Trafalgar Square or are within its vicinity include Whitehall, Northumberland Avenue, The Strand, Charing Cross Road, Haymarket, Pall Mall and The Mall. Also within the area are Trafalgar Square road and Cockspur Street.
The point where the Strand meets Whitehall was the original location of the Charing Cross. This is where the City of London meets the City of Westminster, and is accepted as the very heart of London. From here all distances are measured.
Exploring Trafalgar Square in clockwise fashion beginning from the north, we see the stairs that lead up to the National Gallery. The National Gallery began when the British government bought 36 paintings from banker John Julius Angerstain in 1824. From that minuscule collection, the National Gallery today houses over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. Two thirds of the collection comes from donation. The collect is small compared to national galleries of continental Europe, however, it has important works with a broad historical representation, covering Early Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
The present structure at Trafalgar Square was built in 1832-8. However only the facade is recognizable from the original, with much of the inside having been renovated and expanded. This is the third building to house the National Gallery, and despite the many expansions, is still inadequate.
The site at Trafalgar Square made creating an impressive gallery a challenging task. It cannot be extended in further than one room, as there was a workhouse and a barracks immediately behind. The architect whose design was chosen, William Wilkins, also had to comply to several stipulations, among them, he has to used columns from the demolished Carlton House, and sculptures which were intended for John Nash's Marble Arch. As a result, the National Gallery opened to much public ridicule.
To the east of Trafalgar Square is the St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, an Anglican church dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours.
A burial dating back to Roman times was discovered here during an excavation in 2006. It led to a reappraisal of the importance of Westminster during Roman times. The reason is, although the Romans usually bury their dead outside city limits, the site of St Martin was way outside the Roman city limits, so it surprised archaeologists to find a burial spot so far out of the city.
The earliest documentation of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church was found in 1222, where a dispute between the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of London over who had control over St Martin was recorded. King Henry VIII rebuilt the church in 1542, so that plague victims do not have to pass by his residence at the Palace of Whitehall. At that time, the church was literally "in the fields", isolated and away from the cities of Westminster and London.
Although the old St Martin-in-the-Fields building was not destroyed by the Great London Fire of 1666, it was nevertheless replaced with a new building, by James Gibbs, in 1726. Though the new design was greeted with much criticism, it eventually found favor and became famous, leading to many similar copies built in the United States.
Due to its strategic location, St Martin-in-the-Fields is one of the most famous non-cathedral churches in London. It is famous for the social work done for the homeless. It is also a regular venue for lunchtime and evening concerts. A 36 million pound renewal project began in January 2006 is scheduled to be fully completed by early 2008.
At little to the south of the St Martin's church, past South Africa House, still to the east, is the Strand, towards the present location of Charing Cross and the Charing Cross station. To the south is Whitehall, towards the direction of the Palace of Westminster. To the southwest is the Admiralty Arch with The Mall passing through it towards Buckingham Palace. Finally, to the west is Cockspur Street in the direction towards the Haymarket.
There are several statues at Trafalgar Square, the most prominent of which is Nelson's Column. It commemorates the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The entire monument is 50 metres (169 ft 5 in) from the bottom first step to the tip of Nelson's hat, according to laser survey done during restoration in 2006. It includes the 5.5m (18 ft) statue of Nelson facing in the direction of the Palace of Westminster and along Pall Mall. Nelson stands on top of a Corinthian column based on one from the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome. At the top of the column are bronze acanthus leaves cast from British cannons. Below the column is a square pedestal, and on each face is a bronze panel cast from captured French guns. Each panel depicts one of Nelson's four great victories.
Nelson's Column was made in 1838. It was designed by William Railton. The sandstone statue of Nelson was sculptured by E.H. Baily. The four bronze panels were done by sculptors Musgrave Watson, John Ternouth, William F Woodington and John Edward Carew. The whole monument costs 47,500 pounds, equivalent to 3.5 million pounds in 2004 terms. Four lions, by Sir Edwin Landseer, were added in 1867.
Nelson’s Column is surrounded by four huge bronze lions cast from cannons of the French fleet. At the four corners of the square are plinths. Three of these have statues on them: King George IV on the northeast plinth, cast in the 1840s; Henry Havelock on the southeast plinth, cast in 1861; Sir Charles James Napier on the southwest plinth, cast in 1855. The fourth plinth remains without a permanent statue on it. Initially it was intended for a statue of King William IV, but there was insufficient funds to complete it. As of now, the plinth continues to be used for temporary works of art.
On the lawn in front of the National Gallery are two more statues: King James II to the west of the entrance portico, and George Washington to the east. The Washington statue was a gift from the state of Virginia in US. It stands on soil brought over from the United States, in honour of Washington's declaration that he would never again set foot on British soil.
To the south of Nelson’s statue is the roundabout where the original Eleanor Cross stood. There’s a statue of Charles I there. It is the only English king to ever be beheaded.
To the southwest of the round about is Admiralty Arch. It is an office building facing Trafalgar Square. It incorporates an archway for road and pedestrian access between The Mall and Trafalgar Square. The Admiralty Arch was built in 1912, and adjoins the Old Admiralty Building. The Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII, in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, though he died before it was completed.
These are just some of the sights around Trafalgar Square. There is indeed a lot to see at every corner, and for that reason, it is still one of the main attractions in Lon
Trafalgar Square was originally intended to be called the King William VI Square. However architect George Ledwell Taylor suggested the name Trafalgar Square.
The architecture around Trafalgar Square dates to between 1820 and 1845, when the Prince Region engaged John Nash, the imminent landscape architect, to redevelop the area. The project became known as the Charing Cross Improvement Scheme. The architecture of the square was the work of Sir Charles Barry, and was completed in 1845.
Trafalgar Square consists of a big public area bordered by roads. The roads that lead into Trafalgar Square or are within its vicinity include Whitehall, Northumberland Avenue, The Strand, Charing Cross Road, Haymarket, Pall Mall and The Mall. Also within the area are Trafalgar Square road and Cockspur Street.
The point where the Strand meets Whitehall was the original location of the Charing Cross. This is where the City of London meets the City of Westminster, and is accepted as the very heart of London. From here all distances are measured.
Exploring Trafalgar Square in clockwise fashion beginning from the north, we see the stairs that lead up to the National Gallery. The National Gallery began when the British government bought 36 paintings from banker John Julius Angerstain in 1824. From that minuscule collection, the National Gallery today houses over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. Two thirds of the collection comes from donation. The collect is small compared to national galleries of continental Europe, however, it has important works with a broad historical representation, covering Early Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
The present structure at Trafalgar Square was built in 1832-8. However only the facade is recognizable from the original, with much of the inside having been renovated and expanded. This is the third building to house the National Gallery, and despite the many expansions, is still inadequate.
The site at Trafalgar Square made creating an impressive gallery a challenging task. It cannot be extended in further than one room, as there was a workhouse and a barracks immediately behind. The architect whose design was chosen, William Wilkins, also had to comply to several stipulations, among them, he has to used columns from the demolished Carlton House, and sculptures which were intended for John Nash's Marble Arch. As a result, the National Gallery opened to much public ridicule.
To the east of Trafalgar Square is the St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, an Anglican church dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours.
A burial dating back to Roman times was discovered here during an excavation in 2006. It led to a reappraisal of the importance of Westminster during Roman times. The reason is, although the Romans usually bury their dead outside city limits, the site of St Martin was way outside the Roman city limits, so it surprised archaeologists to find a burial spot so far out of the city.
The earliest documentation of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church was found in 1222, where a dispute between the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of London over who had control over St Martin was recorded. King Henry VIII rebuilt the church in 1542, so that plague victims do not have to pass by his residence at the Palace of Whitehall. At that time, the church was literally "in the fields", isolated and away from the cities of Westminster and London.
Although the old St Martin-in-the-Fields building was not destroyed by the Great London Fire of 1666, it was nevertheless replaced with a new building, by James Gibbs, in 1726. Though the new design was greeted with much criticism, it eventually found favor and became famous, leading to many similar copies built in the United States.
Due to its strategic location, St Martin-in-the-Fields is one of the most famous non-cathedral churches in London. It is famous for the social work done for the homeless. It is also a regular venue for lunchtime and evening concerts. A 36 million pound renewal project began in January 2006 is scheduled to be fully completed by early 2008.
At little to the south of the St Martin's church, past South Africa House, still to the east, is the Strand, towards the present location of Charing Cross and the Charing Cross station. To the south is Whitehall, towards the direction of the Palace of Westminster. To the southwest is the Admiralty Arch with The Mall passing through it towards Buckingham Palace. Finally, to the west is Cockspur Street in the direction towards the Haymarket.
There are several statues at Trafalgar Square, the most prominent of which is Nelson's Column. It commemorates the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The entire monument is 50 metres (169 ft 5 in) from the bottom first step to the tip of Nelson's hat, according to laser survey done during restoration in 2006. It includes the 5.5m (18 ft) statue of Nelson facing in the direction of the Palace of Westminster and along Pall Mall. Nelson stands on top of a Corinthian column based on one from the Temple of Mars Ultor in Rome. At the top of the column are bronze acanthus leaves cast from British cannons. Below the column is a square pedestal, and on each face is a bronze panel cast from captured French guns. Each panel depicts one of Nelson's four great victories.
Nelson's Column was made in 1838. It was designed by William Railton. The sandstone statue of Nelson was sculptured by E.H. Baily. The four bronze panels were done by sculptors Musgrave Watson, John Ternouth, William F Woodington and John Edward Carew. The whole monument costs 47,500 pounds, equivalent to 3.5 million pounds in 2004 terms. Four lions, by Sir Edwin Landseer, were added in 1867.
Nelson’s Column is surrounded by four huge bronze lions cast from cannons of the French fleet. At the four corners of the square are plinths. Three of these have statues on them: King George IV on the northeast plinth, cast in the 1840s; Henry Havelock on the southeast plinth, cast in 1861; Sir Charles James Napier on the southwest plinth, cast in 1855. The fourth plinth remains without a permanent statue on it. Initially it was intended for a statue of King William IV, but there was insufficient funds to complete it. As of now, the plinth continues to be used for temporary works of art.
On the lawn in front of the National Gallery are two more statues: King James II to the west of the entrance portico, and George Washington to the east. The Washington statue was a gift from the state of Virginia in US. It stands on soil brought over from the United States, in honour of Washington's declaration that he would never again set foot on British soil.
To the south of Nelson’s statue is the roundabout where the original Eleanor Cross stood. There’s a statue of Charles I there. It is the only English king to ever be beheaded.
To the southwest of the round about is Admiralty Arch. It is an office building facing Trafalgar Square. It incorporates an archway for road and pedestrian access between The Mall and Trafalgar Square. The Admiralty Arch was built in 1912, and adjoins the Old Admiralty Building. The Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII, in memory of his mother, Queen Victoria, though he died before it was completed.
These are just some of the sights around Trafalgar Square. There is indeed a lot to see at every corner, and for that reason, it is still one of the main attractions in Lon
Saturday, December 29, 2007
I Love Touring Italy - The Basilicata Region
If you are contemplating touring Europe, you should consider the Basilicata region of southern Italy. Basilicata forms the instep of the Italian boot and has two small seacoasts, one on the Ionian Sea in the east and one on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west. Depending on your interests, Basilicata may be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Basilicata is among the few regions of Italy as yet undiscovered by tourists. There's a tradeoff; you won't have to fight the crowds to see what you want to see. On the other hand, you'll have a hard time finding fancy hotels. And its roads are not always the best, hardly surprising when you consider the region's mountainous terrain.
Basilicata's population is only slightly above six hundred thousand. While quite mountainous this is the only region of Italy in which farm workers outnumber industrial workers. Until the 1970s Basilicata steadily lost population to other Italian regions and to emigration abroad. But all is not lost. Its east coast has become an important agricultural area. And the mountainous interior with poor soil and lots of sun; what could be better for producing fine wine? Let's not forget that many consider Basilicata's native Aglianico (also found in Campania) to be Italy's third best red grape, after Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Many feel that there could be a major breakthrough in Basilicata's wine industry.
We'll start our tour of this region in the northeast at Matera. Then we head south and east to Potenza. From there we proceed southeast to Aliano and then south and east to Terranova di Pollino and the Parco Nazionale. For some seaside you could continue to the little town of Maratea on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. When driving in this part of the world, you'll need a good map and good reflexes; the roads here don't always go directly from Point A to Point B and rarely go in a straight line.
Matera, population sixty thousand, lies just south of the Apulia border. This area has been settled since Palaeolithic times, in other words for at least twelve thousand years. The Romans claimed to have founded the city in the Third Century B. C. Like so many other parts of Italy it was occupied by an almost never-ending stream of invaders. One of the proudest moments in Matera's history was in September 1943 when it rose against the German invaders, the first Italian city to do so. We'll start with the usual sights and finish with something truly unique.
Matera's Duomo (Cathedral) dates from the Thirteenth Century and was built in the Apulian-Romanesque style (Apulia is the region north of Basilicata, its architecture reflects Greek, Arab, and Norman influences.) There are frescoes and sculptures to admire. Check to see if the Thirteenth Century Romanesque Church of San Giovanni Battista has been reopened for tourists. If so, stop by. But these sights pale in comparison to Matera's unique old town in which the streets are often rooftops and the houses, churches, and chic restaurants are caves, hewn out of solid rock.
The Sassi di Matera (Stones of Matera) are caves that have been occupied continuously by human beings for an estimated nine thousand years. At twenty years per generation, (remember they didn't wait to finish law school before starting a family in those days) this works out to an incredible 450 generations possibly living in the same neighborhood. The area has been named a World Heritage Site and numerous bars and restaurants now take advantage of this unique location. What a turnaround from the days when Matera because of the Sassi was called ''la vergogna nazionale,'' Italy's shame.
Potenza with a population slightly under 70 thousand is the capital of Basilicata. Here in a famous battle Carthage definitively lost to Rome. The city has endured many invasions and earthquakes, the latest in 1980. During the Second World War the Allies heavily bombarded Potenza. Monuments to see include the Twelfth Century St. Gerard Cathedral, and the Eleventh Century Church of San Francesco which includes a Renaissance painting entitled Madonna del Terremoto (Our Lady of the Earthquake). The Romanesque Church St. Michael the Archangel was also built in the Twelfth Century as was the Church of St. Mary of the Sepulcher. You should also see the Castle's Tower built prior to the year 1000 and the ruins of a Norman fort, probably built on Roman and Byzantine foundations. All in all there's a lot of old stuff to see for a small provincial capital that was almost destroyed by earthquakes.
With less than twelve hundred inhabitants you might be tempted to skip the village of Aliano. Don't, it's living proof of the phrase - good things come in small packages. The scenery is spectacular; cliffs and rivers, and gullies, and local growing things include olive, peach, and citrus trees. This lovely scenery may be typical of the region. However, unlike any neighboring village Aliano is famous thanks to an involuntary visitor who stopped by more than seventy years ago. Between May, 1935 and October, 1936 Aliano was the home in exile of the well-known author Carlo Levi. Levi, a painter educated as a doctor, was a founder of an Italian anti-Mussolini movement. This explains his unintentional extended Aliano visit. After his release from exile Levi spent two years in France but returned to Italy and was imprisoned once again. After the war he wrote a book, Christ Stopped at Eboli, describing his Aliano experiences. This book exposed the problem of poverty in Southern Italy to the relatively prosperous North. Levi served nine years in the Italian Senate where he continued his fight against poverty. He is buried in the village. The house where he lived is still standing; it is now the Museo Storico Carlo Levi (Carlo Levi Historical Museum).
Terranova di Pollino is a southern Basilicata mountain village quite near the border with Calabria. It lies at the entrance to the Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Pollino National Park) the largest in Italy at just under 750 square miles (more than 1900 square kilometers.) Let's quote their website "With its 192,565 hectares, Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy between Calabria and Basilicata, has a wealth of landscapes to offer: great areas of wilderness where the cuirassed pine -the true emblem of the park- clings to the rocky slopes as the wind shapes its twisted trunk; not far away, rolling hills and valleys, lush slopes with flowering plants in springtime, and then endless upland plains where the sheep still graze like in ancient times."
But that's not all. The park is home to a wide variety of endangered species. Many fossils have been found including a very well preserved skeleton of a giant elephant that lived between 400,000 and 700,000 years ago. Other fossils date from the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. You'll have no trouble finding historic churches in the neighboring villages. Many of these villages are home to ethnic Albanians who managed to maintain their language and culture for over five hundred years. Look for their festivals during the spring and summer months.
What about food? Basilicata is very traditional when it comes to cooking. As expected in an economically deprived area meat consumption is limited. The major meat is pork and the locals know how to extract the maximum from their porkers. Hot peppers are popular and can be quite hot. Basilicata bread is consumed in many parts of Italy. Locals make a special pasta from wheat and lard. The Pollino mountains are known for wild mushrooms and for game.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Zuppa di Pesce alla Santavenere (Ionian Fish and Seafood Soup). Then try Spezzatino di Agnello (Lamb stewed in an earthenware pot). For dessert indulge yourself with Frittelle alla Lucana (Doughnuts). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We'll conclude with a quick look at Basilicata wine. Basilicata ranks 17th among the 20 Italian regions for the acreage devoted to wine grapes and for total annual wine production. About 73% of the wine produced is red or rosé, leaving 27% white. The region produces two DOC wines, Aglianico del Vulture and Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri. DOC is short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Only 2.4% of Bascilicata wine carries the DOC designation.
If you like powerful wines, try the Aglianico del Vulture from a local grape that grows on the extinct Mount Vulture volcano or its surrounding hills. This wine may be cellared for up to twenty years. The sparkling version may be either dry or sweet. The red Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri is made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and possibly some local red grapes. The rose version may include some local white grapes as well.
Basilicata's population is only slightly above six hundred thousand. While quite mountainous this is the only region of Italy in which farm workers outnumber industrial workers. Until the 1970s Basilicata steadily lost population to other Italian regions and to emigration abroad. But all is not lost. Its east coast has become an important agricultural area. And the mountainous interior with poor soil and lots of sun; what could be better for producing fine wine? Let's not forget that many consider Basilicata's native Aglianico (also found in Campania) to be Italy's third best red grape, after Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Many feel that there could be a major breakthrough in Basilicata's wine industry.
We'll start our tour of this region in the northeast at Matera. Then we head south and east to Potenza. From there we proceed southeast to Aliano and then south and east to Terranova di Pollino and the Parco Nazionale. For some seaside you could continue to the little town of Maratea on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. When driving in this part of the world, you'll need a good map and good reflexes; the roads here don't always go directly from Point A to Point B and rarely go in a straight line.
Matera, population sixty thousand, lies just south of the Apulia border. This area has been settled since Palaeolithic times, in other words for at least twelve thousand years. The Romans claimed to have founded the city in the Third Century B. C. Like so many other parts of Italy it was occupied by an almost never-ending stream of invaders. One of the proudest moments in Matera's history was in September 1943 when it rose against the German invaders, the first Italian city to do so. We'll start with the usual sights and finish with something truly unique.
Matera's Duomo (Cathedral) dates from the Thirteenth Century and was built in the Apulian-Romanesque style (Apulia is the region north of Basilicata, its architecture reflects Greek, Arab, and Norman influences.) There are frescoes and sculptures to admire. Check to see if the Thirteenth Century Romanesque Church of San Giovanni Battista has been reopened for tourists. If so, stop by. But these sights pale in comparison to Matera's unique old town in which the streets are often rooftops and the houses, churches, and chic restaurants are caves, hewn out of solid rock.
The Sassi di Matera (Stones of Matera) are caves that have been occupied continuously by human beings for an estimated nine thousand years. At twenty years per generation, (remember they didn't wait to finish law school before starting a family in those days) this works out to an incredible 450 generations possibly living in the same neighborhood. The area has been named a World Heritage Site and numerous bars and restaurants now take advantage of this unique location. What a turnaround from the days when Matera because of the Sassi was called ''la vergogna nazionale,'' Italy's shame.
Potenza with a population slightly under 70 thousand is the capital of Basilicata. Here in a famous battle Carthage definitively lost to Rome. The city has endured many invasions and earthquakes, the latest in 1980. During the Second World War the Allies heavily bombarded Potenza. Monuments to see include the Twelfth Century St. Gerard Cathedral, and the Eleventh Century Church of San Francesco which includes a Renaissance painting entitled Madonna del Terremoto (Our Lady of the Earthquake). The Romanesque Church St. Michael the Archangel was also built in the Twelfth Century as was the Church of St. Mary of the Sepulcher. You should also see the Castle's Tower built prior to the year 1000 and the ruins of a Norman fort, probably built on Roman and Byzantine foundations. All in all there's a lot of old stuff to see for a small provincial capital that was almost destroyed by earthquakes.
With less than twelve hundred inhabitants you might be tempted to skip the village of Aliano. Don't, it's living proof of the phrase - good things come in small packages. The scenery is spectacular; cliffs and rivers, and gullies, and local growing things include olive, peach, and citrus trees. This lovely scenery may be typical of the region. However, unlike any neighboring village Aliano is famous thanks to an involuntary visitor who stopped by more than seventy years ago. Between May, 1935 and October, 1936 Aliano was the home in exile of the well-known author Carlo Levi. Levi, a painter educated as a doctor, was a founder of an Italian anti-Mussolini movement. This explains his unintentional extended Aliano visit. After his release from exile Levi spent two years in France but returned to Italy and was imprisoned once again. After the war he wrote a book, Christ Stopped at Eboli, describing his Aliano experiences. This book exposed the problem of poverty in Southern Italy to the relatively prosperous North. Levi served nine years in the Italian Senate where he continued his fight against poverty. He is buried in the village. The house where he lived is still standing; it is now the Museo Storico Carlo Levi (Carlo Levi Historical Museum).
Terranova di Pollino is a southern Basilicata mountain village quite near the border with Calabria. It lies at the entrance to the Parco Nazionale del Pollino (Pollino National Park) the largest in Italy at just under 750 square miles (more than 1900 square kilometers.) Let's quote their website "With its 192,565 hectares, Pollino National Park, the largest protected area in Italy between Calabria and Basilicata, has a wealth of landscapes to offer: great areas of wilderness where the cuirassed pine -the true emblem of the park- clings to the rocky slopes as the wind shapes its twisted trunk; not far away, rolling hills and valleys, lush slopes with flowering plants in springtime, and then endless upland plains where the sheep still graze like in ancient times."
But that's not all. The park is home to a wide variety of endangered species. Many fossils have been found including a very well preserved skeleton of a giant elephant that lived between 400,000 and 700,000 years ago. Other fossils date from the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth. You'll have no trouble finding historic churches in the neighboring villages. Many of these villages are home to ethnic Albanians who managed to maintain their language and culture for over five hundred years. Look for their festivals during the spring and summer months.
What about food? Basilicata is very traditional when it comes to cooking. As expected in an economically deprived area meat consumption is limited. The major meat is pork and the locals know how to extract the maximum from their porkers. Hot peppers are popular and can be quite hot. Basilicata bread is consumed in many parts of Italy. Locals make a special pasta from wheat and lard. The Pollino mountains are known for wild mushrooms and for game.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Zuppa di Pesce alla Santavenere (Ionian Fish and Seafood Soup). Then try Spezzatino di Agnello (Lamb stewed in an earthenware pot). For dessert indulge yourself with Frittelle alla Lucana (Doughnuts). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We'll conclude with a quick look at Basilicata wine. Basilicata ranks 17th among the 20 Italian regions for the acreage devoted to wine grapes and for total annual wine production. About 73% of the wine produced is red or rosé, leaving 27% white. The region produces two DOC wines, Aglianico del Vulture and Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri. DOC is short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Only 2.4% of Bascilicata wine carries the DOC designation.
If you like powerful wines, try the Aglianico del Vulture from a local grape that grows on the extinct Mount Vulture volcano or its surrounding hills. This wine may be cellared for up to twenty years. The sparkling version may be either dry or sweet. The red Terre dell Alta Val d'Agri is made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and possibly some local red grapes. The rose version may include some local white grapes as well.
Friday, December 28, 2007
I Love Touring Italy - The Isle of Capri
If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Isle of Capri in the Bay of Naples. This tourist attraction popular with jet setters and many others lies in the Campania region of southwestern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Frankly, Capri is the opposite of undiscovered; it ranks with Rome, Florence, and Venice at the top of Italian tourist destinations. In fact, it is probably one of the most visited little islands in the world. Make sure to see our other articles on Campania destinations in this series; they cover Campania's capital city Naples, the historic ruins east of Naples, the area west of Naples, and finally Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
The British singer and vaudevillian Gracie Fields was the first (1934) to popularize the song The Isle of Capri whose initial stanza we quote: "'Twas on the Isle of Capri that he found her; Beneath the shade of an old walnut tree; Oh, I can still see the flowers blooming 'round her; Where they met on the Isle of Capri." Many others recorded this song including Frank Sinatra in 1957.
The island is quite small, only 4.2 miles (about 2.6 kilometers) long and 1.7 miles (1.1 kilometers) wide at its widest point. In general tourist cars are not permitted. If you are not in the mood for walking in this hilly terrain, there are usually plenty of taxicabs and buses. We'll start our tour at Marina Grande on the north shore of the island, about one third of the way in from its easternmost point. We'll head westward not far from the northern coast. Then we go south and back east until we get to the coast and head mostly north. Our final destination is Villa Jovis in Capri's northeast corner. There are too many destinations to list. Depending on your time and your interests, and on your pocketbook as well, you may not visit them all. Once you have decided what you want to see, get a good map and plan out your specific itinerary.
Take a walk on the Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Stairway), steps cut out of rock, from Marina Grande to the Rock of Capodimonte at the city gate of the medieval city of Anacapri described below. The view is really great, but you will have quite a climb. On your way you pass the Byzantine Castello Barbarossa (Barbarossa Castle) named for the Saracen pirate who devastated the island. The Villa San Michele and its spectacular grounds mark Anacapri's ancient entrance. During the summer Friday night is evening concert night. Swedish cultural workers and researchers are really in luck, they can stay at the guesthouse.
Do you want to remain in Capri forever? Walk to the nearby Sphinx Parapet overlooking the Bay of Naples. According to a local legend, if you touch the sphinx's hindquarters with your left hand while making a wish it will be granted.
Anacapri, population about six thousand, is the second largest town on the island. This town is definitely less expensive than Capri Town, to be described later. From the main square, Piazza Vittoria, take a chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, the island's highest point at slightly less than 2,000 feet (650 meters). This mountainette is living proof that you need not ascend very high in the air to obtain absolutely spectacular views. By the way, Monte Solara features over 850 species of plants. Casa Rossa is an unusual looking old red mansion that houses a permanent art exhibition called "The painted island," illustrating daily Capri life in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Anacapri boasts historic churches including the Thirteenth Century Church of St Maria of Constantinople, the Fifteenth Century Church of Santa Maria a Cetrella, the Sixteenth Century Church of Sant'Antonio (known as the sailor's church), the Sixteenth Century Church of Santa Sofia, and the Church of St Michele Arcangelo, built in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.
The Villa di Damecuta is one of the three standing villas built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius. It's only a short ride from Anacapri. If the weather's good and you're feeling a bit ambitious you can walk it in about 30-40 minutes. Be sure to visit the tower and the two rooms that reputedly were Tiberius's summer hideaway. This villa may have been hit by cinders when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. destroying the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Villa di Damecuta actually served as a fort when the English and French were fighting for ownership of Capri.
The world famous Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) on the northern coast of Capri lies a mere two miles (three kilometers) from Anacapri. Some feel that this tourist attraction put Capri on the map, so to speak. To get inside the Grotto you have to lie down inside a tiny boat that navigates its narrow passageway. On windy days the Grotto is closed to traffic because of the waves. The lovely blue color of the water inside the grotto must be seen to be believed. As an added bonus objects in the water take on a silver color. Be prepared for a long wait outside the grotto before spending your allotted few minutes inside. The best view is between 11 AM and 1 PM.
With a population exceeding seven thousand Capri Town is the island's largest municipality. From the port you can get there by rail, bus, or taxi. If you are ambitious you can climb your way up. The town center is officially called Piazza Umberto I, but most people say the Piazzetta home to the Museo Caprense Ignazio Cerio (Ignazio Cerio Centre of Capri) named for a doctor, archeologist, and naturalist. Its two thousand exhibits include specimens from Capri and all over the globe.
Our next stop is the beautiful Giardini di Ausgusto (Augustus's Gardens) that didn't belong to the Roman Emperor Augustus but to Friedrich Alfred Krupp, son of the founder of a German industrial empire. Krupp resided in Capri towards the end of the Nineteenth Century and built a villa upon Roman ruins. Later he donated the gardens to the Town of Capri. A nearby road called Via Krupp is a rock-hewn staircase. Unfortunately it is closed to the public.
Our final stopping place is Villa Jovis, the largest of the twelve villas built by Emperor Tiberius to honor twelve Roman gods. The view is what one might expect from a built-for-the-ruler-of-the-world kind of villa. There's a cliff and you might guess its use given that there were no checks and balances in those days.
What about food? One can imagine that precious little food is now raised on this upscale island. At the same time fancy restaurants abound. You can probably get just about anything you want cooked to order. And much of the food is produced close by.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Insalata Caprese (Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil, and Olive Oil). Then try Ravioli alla Caprese (Parmesan and Ricotta Egg Ravioli). For dessert indulge yourself with Torta Caprese (Chocolate and Almond Cake). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We conclude with a quick look at Campania wine. Campania ranks number 9 among the 20 Italian regions when it comes to acreage devoted to wine grapes and to the total annual wine production. The region produces about 64% red and and close to 36% white wine, as there is little rose. Campania produces 17 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Only 2.8% of Campania wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the red Taurasi, the white Greco di Tufo, and the white Fiano di Avellino. I have tasted the Fiano and found it to be top of the line.
Capri was well known for its wines even before becoming the headquarters of the Roman Empire. As an expression of continuity some Capri's vineyards are situated among the ruins of Tiberius's villas. Capri actually produces its own wine, imaginatively named Capri DOC. Capri DOC wine is mostly white but may be red. Both wines are made from some specified Italian grape varieties with a given percentage of local grape. Because the local real estate is quite pricey, unscrupulous growers may try to overload the vineyards effectively diluting the wine. Be careful that when you pay for Capri wine you aren't buying wine from the neighboring island of Ischia.
The British singer and vaudevillian Gracie Fields was the first (1934) to popularize the song The Isle of Capri whose initial stanza we quote: "'Twas on the Isle of Capri that he found her; Beneath the shade of an old walnut tree; Oh, I can still see the flowers blooming 'round her; Where they met on the Isle of Capri." Many others recorded this song including Frank Sinatra in 1957.
The island is quite small, only 4.2 miles (about 2.6 kilometers) long and 1.7 miles (1.1 kilometers) wide at its widest point. In general tourist cars are not permitted. If you are not in the mood for walking in this hilly terrain, there are usually plenty of taxicabs and buses. We'll start our tour at Marina Grande on the north shore of the island, about one third of the way in from its easternmost point. We'll head westward not far from the northern coast. Then we go south and back east until we get to the coast and head mostly north. Our final destination is Villa Jovis in Capri's northeast corner. There are too many destinations to list. Depending on your time and your interests, and on your pocketbook as well, you may not visit them all. Once you have decided what you want to see, get a good map and plan out your specific itinerary.
Take a walk on the Scala Fenicia (Phoenician Stairway), steps cut out of rock, from Marina Grande to the Rock of Capodimonte at the city gate of the medieval city of Anacapri described below. The view is really great, but you will have quite a climb. On your way you pass the Byzantine Castello Barbarossa (Barbarossa Castle) named for the Saracen pirate who devastated the island. The Villa San Michele and its spectacular grounds mark Anacapri's ancient entrance. During the summer Friday night is evening concert night. Swedish cultural workers and researchers are really in luck, they can stay at the guesthouse.
Do you want to remain in Capri forever? Walk to the nearby Sphinx Parapet overlooking the Bay of Naples. According to a local legend, if you touch the sphinx's hindquarters with your left hand while making a wish it will be granted.
Anacapri, population about six thousand, is the second largest town on the island. This town is definitely less expensive than Capri Town, to be described later. From the main square, Piazza Vittoria, take a chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro, the island's highest point at slightly less than 2,000 feet (650 meters). This mountainette is living proof that you need not ascend very high in the air to obtain absolutely spectacular views. By the way, Monte Solara features over 850 species of plants. Casa Rossa is an unusual looking old red mansion that houses a permanent art exhibition called "The painted island," illustrating daily Capri life in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries. Anacapri boasts historic churches including the Thirteenth Century Church of St Maria of Constantinople, the Fifteenth Century Church of Santa Maria a Cetrella, the Sixteenth Century Church of Sant'Antonio (known as the sailor's church), the Sixteenth Century Church of Santa Sofia, and the Church of St Michele Arcangelo, built in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries.
The Villa di Damecuta is one of the three standing villas built by the Roman Emperor Tiberius. It's only a short ride from Anacapri. If the weather's good and you're feeling a bit ambitious you can walk it in about 30-40 minutes. Be sure to visit the tower and the two rooms that reputedly were Tiberius's summer hideaway. This villa may have been hit by cinders when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. destroying the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Villa di Damecuta actually served as a fort when the English and French were fighting for ownership of Capri.
The world famous Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto) on the northern coast of Capri lies a mere two miles (three kilometers) from Anacapri. Some feel that this tourist attraction put Capri on the map, so to speak. To get inside the Grotto you have to lie down inside a tiny boat that navigates its narrow passageway. On windy days the Grotto is closed to traffic because of the waves. The lovely blue color of the water inside the grotto must be seen to be believed. As an added bonus objects in the water take on a silver color. Be prepared for a long wait outside the grotto before spending your allotted few minutes inside. The best view is between 11 AM and 1 PM.
With a population exceeding seven thousand Capri Town is the island's largest municipality. From the port you can get there by rail, bus, or taxi. If you are ambitious you can climb your way up. The town center is officially called Piazza Umberto I, but most people say the Piazzetta home to the Museo Caprense Ignazio Cerio (Ignazio Cerio Centre of Capri) named for a doctor, archeologist, and naturalist. Its two thousand exhibits include specimens from Capri and all over the globe.
Our next stop is the beautiful Giardini di Ausgusto (Augustus's Gardens) that didn't belong to the Roman Emperor Augustus but to Friedrich Alfred Krupp, son of the founder of a German industrial empire. Krupp resided in Capri towards the end of the Nineteenth Century and built a villa upon Roman ruins. Later he donated the gardens to the Town of Capri. A nearby road called Via Krupp is a rock-hewn staircase. Unfortunately it is closed to the public.
Our final stopping place is Villa Jovis, the largest of the twelve villas built by Emperor Tiberius to honor twelve Roman gods. The view is what one might expect from a built-for-the-ruler-of-the-world kind of villa. There's a cliff and you might guess its use given that there were no checks and balances in those days.
What about food? One can imagine that precious little food is now raised on this upscale island. At the same time fancy restaurants abound. You can probably get just about anything you want cooked to order. And much of the food is produced close by.
Let's suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Insalata Caprese (Mozzarella, Tomato, Basil, and Olive Oil). Then try Ravioli alla Caprese (Parmesan and Ricotta Egg Ravioli). For dessert indulge yourself with Torta Caprese (Chocolate and Almond Cake). Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We conclude with a quick look at Campania wine. Campania ranks number 9 among the 20 Italian regions when it comes to acreage devoted to wine grapes and to the total annual wine production. The region produces about 64% red and and close to 36% white wine, as there is little rose. Campania produces 17 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Only 2.8% of Campania wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. There are three DOCG wines: the red Taurasi, the white Greco di Tufo, and the white Fiano di Avellino. I have tasted the Fiano and found it to be top of the line.
Capri was well known for its wines even before becoming the headquarters of the Roman Empire. As an expression of continuity some Capri's vineyards are situated among the ruins of Tiberius's villas. Capri actually produces its own wine, imaginatively named Capri DOC. Capri DOC wine is mostly white but may be red. Both wines are made from some specified Italian grape varieties with a given percentage of local grape. Because the local real estate is quite pricey, unscrupulous growers may try to overload the vineyards effectively diluting the wine. Be careful that when you pay for Capri wine you aren't buying wine from the neighboring island of Ischia.
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