Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini

Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini is a park with a view... and, what a view!

Back in 2012, we were on our way to visit yet another remote Italian town when we came upon Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini in the Sibillini mountain range. It was gorgeous and a good reason to stomp on the brakes and check it out.

 The area was established as a national park in 1993 in an aim to safeguard the environment. The park encompasses 172,973 acres of rolling hills spreading across the regions of both Umbria and Marche with views as far as the eye can see. It’s breathtaking. 

It’s an area popular with cyclers, paragliders, hikers, and tourists looking for a good excuse to stop and enjoy the scenery. We just happened to have Italian snacks and wine with us, which made for a great spur of the moment picnic.

Evidently, the area was home to those in the past who appreciated its remote magical beauty and panoramic vistas. We found a great fixer-upper that we considered, but hubby nixed the idea - Home Depot was just too far away for the many remodeling needs we would have.

Strolling around Sibillini Park feels as if you are in a heavenly place. Even signs in the sky let you know it's a place that's been touched by God. For us, it started out as just another day of driving around the Italian countryside, but ended up being a beautiful day to remember...and share.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 
go to
http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Ribbons & Bows & Babies

Ribbons and bows sometimes have a way of speaking with their silence. So is the case in Italy where a ribbon, bow, or sash on a main entry door quietly announces to the local community an event of significance has occurred within.

A sighting of a pink or blue ribbon shouts out the arrival of a new life into the household. It is a "fiocco nascita," or a ribbon of birth. Pink for girls expresses their femininity. Blue for boys signifies their heavenly importance and hence the blue of the sky.

In the past, the hanging the ribbon on the door was a superstition of protection for the baby, especially boys since they were of more importance. Nowadays, it's a way to celebrate and announce to the world the joy of a new arrival.

The fiocco nascita can be accompanied with the child's name and is sometimes elaborately decorated with a sewn and embroidered decoration like a heart, angel, or stuffed animal. They can be handmade by the mother, relative, or friend - or purchased at a store.

Whatever way it's done, fiocchi nascita are a fun way of shouting out to the world "Hey, we've got a new kid at our house!"

We've just recently celebrated the arrival of our new grandson, Rhys Michael! Welcome to the world, sweetheart! Hmmm...I wonder if grandparaents can hang one on their door too! 

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 

go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Streets of Italy: Donkeys Yes - Cars No!

Renting a car on your next Italian vacation? 

                                                                     Make sure the car's small and your courage - Big!

Driving around the back streets of old Italy can be daunting, to say the least. Don't be surprised to find fragments of taillights and mirrors at corners where cars were too large or forget to fold back side-view mirrors. Most of all, if it's a one way street, be sure you're going the correct way! Turning around is near impossible and a comical sight for onlookers.
(Been there - Done that.)

In the past, Italian roads and streets were built to accommodate walkers, people on donkeys and horses, or small donkey carts. Since streets were for walking, there was no need for sidewalks. Narrow streets meant cooler, shaded streets and more space for housing too.

Stepping stones in ancient Roman streets let the wheels of carts pass easily while walkers had a way of avoiding dirty water and excrement when they crossed.

Pompeii

In modern times, larger streets and main thoroughfares in new areas changed with the times, becoming wider to accommodate modern sized vehicles and increased traffic. 

Most neighborhood streets, however, remained the same – small! They are frequently narrow, steep, one way, and with blind turns and tiny (if any) sidewalks. Hence, negotiating the back streets of Italy today can sometimes be quite challenging. 

Italians, however, have adjusted. Modern, smaller vehicles are popular for both their ease of negotiating the narrow roads and gas economy too. 

Miniature garbage truck in Florence.

Most cars used by Italians are smaller, trucks are designed mini-sized, plus bicycles and motorbikes are extremely popular, as well.

Motorbikes are the donkeys of today. They're small, economical and make driving the narrow streets easy. If you're walking, watch out! They buzzzz by quickly and get points for each tourist they clip. 

                                                                              ; )

Bicycles are extremely popular in both small towns and big cities - not just for recreation and exercise, but for transportation and accomplishing daily chores. Need plants for the yard? Pick them up with your bike? Grocery shopping? Take your bike? Have to buy new tools at the hardware shop? Hop on the bike? Narrow streets - no problem. Parking - easy! Gas expense - none.

Some streets are still too small for even the mini-sized motorized vehicles and so have remained walkways...

...and scenic places to enjoy an afternoon meal.

So, have fun driving around Italy and don't let the narrow streets be intimidating. Just keep your eyes open and ears tuned in to what's going on around you. GPS? Great! It's a wonderful tool to have along, BUT may not be updated on street directions, closures, and construction. A sharp passenger directing the way and pulling in the side mirror is a big help and great company too!   Enjoy!!!

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 

go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Gelato - A Lick of Italy

Gelato is the Italian word for ice cream. It comes from the Latin word "gelatus," meaning frozen.  But if you've tasted gelato in Italy, you'll agree it's more than just ice cream. Gelato has less air whipped into it, so it's denser than ice cream and is usually lower in fat, sugar and calories yet has a much higher YUM factor. For tourists in Italy, a daily "fix" of gelato is mandatory.

Flavors include different kinds of chocolates, nuts, fruits, creams, and creative flavors you'd have never dreamed of. Choose one - choose a few. Have it in a cup - have it on a cone.

Ahhh - The flavors! Choices are many and mind-boggling. - stracciatella, fragola, cannella, nocciola, and cioccolato con peperoncini to only name a few.

Gelato isn't a new invention in Italy. It dates back to frozen desserts of Sicily and ancient Rome. Snow and ice would be brought down from the mountaintops, flavored, and then preserved in cold areas below ground. Talk about going miles for an ice cream!

Today, gelaterias (gelato shops) are easily found all over Italy. You might want to resist, but don't! Step into the shop and peruse the huge selection of flavors. Deciding is the hardest part. Then, place your order and enjoy!

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 
go to
http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Vino Sfuso - "Fill 'er up!"

To Italians, wine isn't a special occasion treat; it's a daily staple like salt and pepper. Italian kids grow up on watered down wine at the dinner table like American kids drink soda pop. So, do Italians opt for expensive wines at every meal - no. If it's not wine that grandpa made, it's sfuso.

Sfuso is fresh, bulk wine that hasn't been aged in wooden barrels for one or two years. There's no brand name, no label, and no bottle to add up costs.  Sfusos are local wines said to be made from the grapes that are not bottle worthy. Known as vino da tavola (table wine) or vino della casa (house wine), it's the wine families drink and restaurant serve and, honestly, can be damned good! Sfuso has no additives or preservatives and is best drunk quickly - And who wouldn't?

Gotta find a sfuso shop when I'm in town!

Sfuso stores are typically small, family owed shops filled with huge bottles or stainless steel tanks tapped by hoses. Why the hoses? So you can "fill'er up," of course. It's a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) situation of wine on tap. You bring an empty bottle (water bottle, corked jug or whatever) and hose into it the wine you like. Then, you bring the bottle up to the cashier and are charged by the liter for the type wine you've selected. Prices are as low as 1 to 3 euros a liter.

You'll be overwhelmed in a sfuso store because there'll be many varieties of wine from which to choose. Don't know which one you'll like? No problem. Pull up a plastic cup and do a tasting until you find the one that suits your tastebuds. The fella or gal behind the counter is happy to answer questions and give suggestions.

The next time you're in Italy, ask a local where to find their favorite sfuso store and head over with your empty bottle. Then, go to the local cheese and salame store and fill a bag with some goodies. Next, sit yourself down at a park bench with a pretty view (lotsa them in Italy) and ENJOY! Having your wine outdoors is legal in Italy. Or, if you're at a restaurant in Italy, ask for vino della casa or vino da tavola - it's sfuso and you'll enjoy it there, too, plus save a load of money on your bill.

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 

go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Say "Cheese"...When in Italy!

Italy is known for many wonderful things, among which are art, music, architecture, ancient history, wine and food! Tops on the food list, with over 300 varieties is - CHEESE! Yup. Over 300 varieties. I strongly suggest you not walk into an Italian cheese shop hungry or you'll want them all.

Whether it's a grocery store...

Outdoor market...

Indoor Market...

or at the farm,

deciding on which to purchase is a challenge in itself.

On a past trip to Sicily, my Italian relatives took us to a small ricotta cheese farm. Watching the cheese making process was fascinating. 

We even met the cows who were to be involved in their own part of the process.

And the ricotta - was absolutely AMAZING! Delicious and unlike any we'd ever tasted before.

Of course, enjoying it with my Italian family made it even more special.

One thing I've never understood is how my 100% Italian father didn't like cheese or wine. Really! He wouldn't touch either one.  Strange! As an Italian, shouldn't the love of cheese and wine be a part of one's  genes? Thank goodness I didn't inherit that from him! When it come to Italian cheeses and wine I say, "Bring it on!"

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 

go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Italian Graffiti - Update from Our 2015 Trip

One thing I've noticed on our trips to Italy is how creative Italians can be with their graffiti. I suppose it's because throughout history, Italians always been a very artistic and expressive people.

We visited Sicily again this May and, as always, my camera is on the lookout for graffiti. Scroll down to the end of this post are some of the new ones I found. You'll even find one 50 feet long! It's interesting that no graffiti did I see in Sicily that was obscene or negative. Instead, they were all romantic and/or philosophical. 

The author of this graffiti certainly had an opinion of McDonald's food!

Translation:  McDonald's is shitty food - Boycott it.

The pressing question is...

Who would even want to eat McDonald's food in Italy with all the marvelous Italian food available everywhere?

Italians have always been romantics and so their graffiti is frequently about love.

Here, it looks like someone got ditched and was looking for a second chance.

Translation:  Shall we start over?

(little scribbled heart and all)

Unfortunately, I never snapped a picture of the very first "love" graffiti I saw in Italy. I believe it was in the city of Siracusa. Stretched across a huge cement overpass, in letters perhaps 3 foot high, was painted a graffiti that read,

"Ti amerò per sempre, per sempre, per sempre,per sempre...per sempre!"

Translation:  I will love you forever, forever, forever...forever!"

The graffiti started at one end of the bridge and the "forevers" extended repeatedly to the other end.

That's a LOT of forever - and a lot of love too!

(The lovers probably split the next week.)

I say, if ya have to look at graffiti, it should at least be about love. Right?

I'll make sure to be on the lookout for more good Italian graffiti on our next trip to Italia.

Ciao!

Graffiti Update from Our May 2015 Sicilian Trip

We visited Sicily again this May and, as always, my camera is on the lookout for graffiti. Here are some of the ones I found. It's interesting that no graffiti did I see that was obscene or negative. Instead, they were all romantic and/or philosophical.  Take a look:

"Piccola mia, ti amo da morire. La mia principessa. By Il tuo cucciolo!"

Translation:  "My little one, I love you to death. My Little Princess. By Your puppy!"

"Dove c'é odio...io porti amore."

Translation:  "Where there is hatred...I will bring you love."

"Tu che della mia esistenza sei l'essenza."

Translation:  "You who are the essence of my existence."

"L'uomo e irragionevole, illogico, egocentrico: Non importa..Amalo."

Translation:  "The man is unreasonable, illogical, self-centered: That's not important..Love him."

"P. Ti Amo. Sei tutta la mia vita."

Translation:  "P. I love you. You are my whole life."

"La vita é preziosa, abbine cura."

Translation: "Life is precious, take care."

And...this was the best one of all, covering over 50 feet of cement wall. It took six photographs to capture it all. You'll be amazed at the translation of this lengthy statement at the bottom.

"Scusa per non averti dimostrato quanto é forte il mio amore per te...ormai é tardi ma non smetto disperare che un giorno sarai di nuovo mia. 25-11-11 (E+V)"

Translation: "Sorry for not having shown how strong is my love for you ... now it is late but I do not stop to despair that one day you will be mine again. 11/25/11 (E+V)"

Does that one tear your heart up or what! That griffiti was written over three years ago. I can't help but wonder if they ever got together again.  Hmmm...Maybe not if the graffiti is still there. 

Well, that's Italians for ya. Romantics to the end. 

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, 

go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/