Windmills in Italy?

Windmills in Sicily???

When we think of windmills, we immediately think of the Netherlands. But, did you know that Sicily has its windmills too?

These Dutch-style windmills pump water and grind salt. The saltpans are in the shallow lagoons of Lo Stagnone in Marsala and on the coastline of the towns of Paceco and Trapani along what is known as "The Salt Road." If you're in the area, a stop is well worth it and visit the Salt Museum too.

Some of Europe's oldest salt marshes are in Sicily. Though they do not exist in the numbers of the past, you can still find some of these ancient windmills in operation today. Salt extraction, a technology in Sicily dating back to the Greeks and Romans was a part of Trapani's past and is still used today as a source for obtaining the sea salt preferred by many chefs. 

It is said that the trace elements in the Sicilian salt give it some of its best flavor. The cooking salt from this area in Sicily is sold in Italian specialty shops but doesn't stay on shelves long. Its purity, quality, and unique flavor make it extremely popular with chefs and foodies and so it flies off the shelves quickly.

For more information on the Sicilian saltpans and windmills click  here and here.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Trevi Fountain: Toss in a Coin!

The Trevi Fountain (also known as the Fountain of Trevi) is on everyone's "Must See" list when visiting Rome. They say, toss one coin into the fountain with your right hand and you'll be sure to return to Rome. Similarly, in the late 19th century, people believed that a sip of the fountain's water accompanied by a coin thrown into the fountain ensured not just a speedy but a safe return to Rome. Another legend is that if you throw in not one, but three coins: the first guarantees your return to Rome, the second leads to new romance, and the third will lead to marriage! It's this legend that inspired the 1954 film "Three Coins in a Fountain."

BUT... Don't rush to don your scuba gear and get rich. The city of Rome collects the coins on a daily basis to finance a special supermarket serving the poor of the city through an organization called Caritas. It's estimated that the fountain's coins generate 3000 euros a day!

Trevi is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most famous in the world as well. It was originally built as a display, an idea started by the early Renaissance popes to have elaborately decorated fountains at the end of ancient Roman acqueducts. In the middle ages the fountain was purely functional and offered the only supply of pure water to Rome. Residents of the city would fill their buckets and take water home.The Trevi Fountain has been through many designs, but the current travertine and marble design with the main statue being of "Ocean's Triumph" (Greek Sea God Oceanus) was officially completed and inaugurated on May 22, 1762.

The Fountain of Trevi was the set for the famous Fellini move "La Dolce Vita" (1960) where Swedish bombshell Anita Ekberg romps around in the fountain at night calling, "Marcello, come here. Hurry up!" and he jumps in too. It's a great scene! Check it out.  Unfortunately, you can't run out to Rome today and do your own romping through the fountain. It's currently being restored and won't be viewable again until approximately fall of 2015. Click here for more info on the fountain.

Charlie and Nina, Rome, 2007

Is it the possibility of returning to Rome that is the fountain's allure? If it is, then it sure worked for us on our first trip, well sorta. Stand with your back to the fountain and toss the coin over your left shoulder. Our five returns were not all to Rome but to other parts of Italy, as well. Hmmm...Maybe that's because we threw the coin over our right shoulder instead. Ya gotta follow directions! Still, I'm not complaining. All five trips to Italy were well worth that couple of euros we tossed into the fountain.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Castelluccio di Norcia: Lentils

When I was growing up, a pot of lentil soup brewing on the stove was a common sight in my mother's Italian kitchen. Now, it’s my husband who is the talent in our kitchen brewing up the lentil soup.  I have to admit, I'd never given much thought to those little brown lentil discs and where they come from. Well, on one of our Italy trips, I became acquainted with, Castelluccio di Norcia, an Italian Town in the province of Umbria whose claim to fame is – Lentils.

The Umbrian town of Castelucci di Norcia is about a 30-minute drive from its mother town of Norcia and a beautiful drive through the Parco Nazionale di Monte Sibillini.  Castelluccio is easy to see in the distance atop a hill in the center of a plateau. It pops out of the landscape like a spot of acne on a teenager's face. The town caps the top of the hill at an altitude of 4,764 feet. A small cluster of ancient buildings make up the little town. Castelluccio dates from the 13th century or slightly earlier, but was also settled by the Romans.

Castelluccio di Norcia is quaint and small with a population of under 200. It's a quiet town of narrow winding streets, each with its own charm.

Both the climate of the area and a cultivation technique used through the centuries have contributed to a variety of lentils unique to Castellucio di Norcia. The thin skin and soft consistency of the lentils allow them to be cooked without first soaking. These small Umbrian lentils are round and flat, varying in color between dark green, pale yellow and light brown and can be speckled or striped.

The lentils are harvested in July. Women of the town shake them in a sieve to separate the lentils from the chaff.

Visit Castelluccio di Norcia between late May and early July for the spectacle of nature that the locals call "The Fiorita" or "The Fioritura" (The Flowering) of Castelluccio di Norcia. This is when the area's plateau burst with color as the flowers bloom with shades ranging from yellow ocher to red, from violet to white. Flowering lentils, gentianella, poppies, narcissuses, violets, asphodels, Eugeniae violet, clovers, oxalis and many more create a tapestry of flowers. The "Feast of the Fiorita" (flowering) takes places yearly on the third and on the last Sunday of June.

Driving to Castelluccio di Norcia will take some time, but the road through the Parco Nazionale di Monte Sibillini offers amazing views and the quaintness of the town all make it worth it.  While there, be sure to buy some of their lentils and...a bowl of lentil soup in a local restaurant is a must!

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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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

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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

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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

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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

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