Saying "I do" in Italy

Everyone loves a wedding - right? How many of us stop and look when one is nearby? I do... especially when I'm traveling. Do I know the bride and groom - no. But, who cares? I enjoy pulling out my camera and clicking away just the same. It's fun!

From what I can see, in Italy weddings can be extravagant and with lots of tradition.

They are joyous occasion where relatives, neighbors, and strangers alike all spill out onto the street to watch and, the lucky ones catch a ringside view from a window.

And, driving up to the church with your father in a horse and buggy is definitely a crowd stopper.

In some areas, you’ll know of an upcoming wedding when you see signs plastered around the town a few days before.

These announcements of the happy day are in one of many available designs. Legally, however, they’re considered litter and must be removed immediately at the end of the wedding day.

It’s not uncommon to see the bride’s attendants and family dressed in black or a dark color, no doubt because dark colors are more formal. Weddings gowns are sometimes dark cream in color rather than white.

And photographers, oh my – do they have those!  From what I’ve seen, the photography is akin to an MGM production.  Lights! Cameras! Action!

There are often both still and video-photographers with fancy lighting systems. The photographer takes on the role as both director and photographer of the show.

And... setting up the shot just right is always a priority.

"Something old - Something new - Something borrowed - Something blue," is as common in Italy as it is here in the States. Another important tradition you will also find at Italian weddings of the Catholic faith is the "Matrimonial Booklet."

Couples take an active role in the preparation of the wedding ceremony with their choice of readings, prayers, and songs. These are published into a booklet for guests to follow during the ceremony.

Matrimonial booklets are a sentimental and personal touch. They are available in a variety of beautiful styles.

      

Throwing rice for good luck has been a long tradition common in Italy too. Recently, however, rice has been discouraged out of respect for the poor and also because it’s dangerously slippery. 

Alternatives to rice are birdseed or flower seeds, pretty and fragrant lavender buds, rose petals, soap bubbles, biodegradable paper hearts-confetti-or butterflies. There's even white or colored rice that pulverizes when crushed. For an even more romantic effect, you might see sparklers or the release of doves, butterflies, or balloons...

... Or perhaps the bride and groom might exit the church across paper ribbon as in a race.

Italian soccer player Luca Ceccarelli and his bride Irene Lanforti were the first couple to marry on Juliet’s balcony in 2009. 

Wedding style can vary depending on the region of Italy or the couple's preference, but "dramatic" is definitely a plus. Ah, yes! Wouldn’t it be nice to get married on Juliet’s balcony in Verona? 

A gondola ride in Venice is certainly romantic too.

If you attend the wedding, expect to receive “confetti” as a favor, an age-old Italian tradition still in use today. These are white sugar covered almonds tied with ribbon in white tulle. The almonds have a bittersweet taste, representing life while the sugar coating is the hope of a sweet union. The packet must have five almonds; count them! They represent: Health – Fertility – Longevity – Happiness – Wealth. Many older wedding traditions, like this one, were brought to the States by Italian immigrants.

A wedding is a big deal anywhere, but in Italy it's sure to be an extravaganza. After all, “Fare una bella figura,” the pride in making a good impression, is important as the new couple is presented to the world.

American friends Andrew & Katryna's Wedding in Rome

AND...Don't assume all those brides and grooms in Italy are Italians. Sweethearts from all over the world travel to Italy to say their "I do's."

So, when in Italy always have your camera ready. Weddings can happen any day of the week and at any time...and, they're always fun to watch and catch on camera!

(Many thanks to my dear Italian friend Elena for her help!)

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

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The Poetry of Giacomo Leopardi

Now... A little about a poet who is said to be second to Dante in the hearts of Italians.

Photo Credit: Wikepedia

Click HERE for detailed information

Giacomo Taldegardo Francesco di Sales Saverio Pietro Leopardi, also known as Giacomo Leopardi, is a name well recognized in Italy. He was a poet, philosopher, essayist, and philologist (study of language through historical literary texts and written records.)

The Square Leopardi Wrote of in the Poem "Saturday Night in the Village"

Click HERE to read the poem (scroll down on site for English) 

Photo Credit: Ilaria Magi

Giacomo Leopardi was a significant figure of the Italian Romanticism era and is known for being pessimistic toward life and the human condition at that time - not surprising since he, himself, had a hard life. Though he’s known for many writing forms, he’s perhaps most remembered in modern Italy for his poetry, which was always of a philosophical nature. 

A Statue of Giacomo Leopardi in a Recanti, Italy Square

Photo Credit: Ilaria Magi

Leopardi was born the son of a count in the small village of Recanati in 1798. As the son of a nobleman, he was unable to have a public education. Instead, Leopardi received private tutoring from priests until he knew more than they did. 

Leopardi's Home

Photo Credit: Ilaria Magi

He was also confined indoors due to his poor health and so his time was spent primarily with his studies between the ages of 12 and 19. It’s believed that his extensive time reading and writing also caused him to develop a deformity in his spine and eventually blindness in one eye. As a result of all his scholastic work, Leopardi was well educated and spoke many languages.

"Alla Luna" ("To the Moon") is one of Lepardi's most beautiful poems.

Click HERE to view a beautiful video reading of this poem.

Image Credit: Biografieonline

Leopardi’s eventual travels around Italy led to disappointment because his steadily declining health made him unable to find work. He moved to the milder climate of Naples, Italy for his health and to be near his friend Antonio Ranieri. Leopardi died in Naples in 1837 only a few weeks short of his 39^th birthday. 

The Path Leading to the Hill of the Poem "L'Infinito"

Click HERE to view a beautiful video reading of this poem.

Photo Credit: Ilaria Magi

In his lifetime, Leopardi experienced poor health, depression, a poor financial situation, and a broken heart too. His short life was far from happy, but to the world Giacomo Leopardi left his brilliant works for eternity.

Giacomo Leopardi’s eternal resting place is at Parco Virgiliano, Naples, Italy.

(Many thanks to my dear friend Elena in Corbetta, Italy!)

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

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Venice: The Bridge of Sighs

Photo: Travel for Rookies

The Bridge of Sighs, designed and built in 1600 by Antonio Contino and known in Italian as Il Ponte dei Sospiri, is one of the most famous sites in Venice. It’s one of over 400 bridges and structures across the 100 canals and waterways of Venice.

“Sighs?” You ask. “Sighs for stories of romance? Sighs for its beauty? ”

Photo: Travel Is Our Drug

Not exactly. Legend has it that prisoners crossing over to the prison cells on the other side would sigh at their last look through the bridge windows at the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio.

The Bridge of Sighs is architecturally unique with its fine, white limestone and lattice-like screens covering two small windows. The bridge is totally enclosed and passes over the Rio di Palazzo. It connects the State Inquisitor's Room on the third floor of the Doge Palace to I Prigioni, the prison. The bridge was originally meant to be the passageway from the interrogation area over to the prison cells. The truth is... by the time the bridge was built the days of inquisitions and executions were over. Only small-time criminals were kept in the prison.

Photo: Lord Byron Is a Boss

In actuality, it came to be called the “Bridge of Sighs” much later after Lord Byron's 19th century reference to it in his poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.  "I stood in Venice on the Bridge of Sighs, a palace and prison on each hand."

Locals say that if lovers kiss on a gondola at sunset under the Bridge Of Sighs they will be granted eternal love and bliss. Hmmm. My guess is that the fellas who book the gondola rides started that legend! In any case, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the many special places in Venice not to miss the next time you’re in that neighborhood.

(Be sure to check out the links under the photos for more info!)

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve

Are you fortunate enough to be visiting Sicily some time soon? Do you enjoy hiking and beautiful scenery? Then, you absolutely MUST get yourself over to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve on the northwest coast! It is one of the most beautiful places in western Sicily.

Lo Zingaro is in the shadow of Mount Cófano about an hour’s drive from Palermo. This beautiful nature reserve of over 1000 square miles stretches along the Sicilian coast for 7km (almost 4.5 miles) between the small villages of Scopello and San Vito Lo Capo with several grottos along the rocky coast. There are various trails throughout the reserve; the most popular runs the entire length of the reserve along the coast. Hiking this trail will take you around five hours round trip and you'll surely stop for some photos along the way.

The park offers breathtaking views, mini beaches, nature hikes, and well-maintained trails. Sheer drops meet a clear blue sea with adjacent mountainsides rising up as high as 3,200 feet. It is one of the few protected natural grasslands in Sicily. Dwarf palms and other shrubs line most of the trails. If you’re there in spring, you’ll find the grass of the slopes dotted with thousands of colorful wild flowers.

Lo Zingaro is home to numerous species of flora and fauna. Thanks to the humid microclimate, the park boasts about 650 species of plants, trees and shrubs with paths lined by dwarf palms, orchids, crocuses, colorful wild flowers and a rare type of sea lavender. Birds of land and sea abound as well as animals like weasels, hedgehogs, foxes, and lizards.

Beautiful beaches? Lo Zingaro has them! The park’s coast is dotted with pristine, pebbly beaches tucked away in remote coves, some only reachable by water. The water at the beaches is transparent turquoise and is a pretty site to see. 

Covered Picnic Ramadas with a Delightful View

For centuries, small communities of farmers who grew wheat and kept livestock inhabited what is now Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve. Interestingly, smugglers also used the hidden grottos of the area as storage space for their goods. In 1981, Lo Zingaro was established as Sicily’s first protected nature reserve.  Today, there are few buildings and no paved roads in the park. Not too far from the Scopello entrance, there’s a small museum and covered picnic ramadas.

From the entry, a walk of about half an hour will take you to first beach. 

Walking through the tunnel toward the beach you’ll see a traditional Sicilian donkey cart.

If you plan a visit to Lo Zingaro, figure on getting there as early in the day as possible. The park shuts down at the entrance if it gets too busy, especially in summer. Wear a hat and sturdy shoes, bring sunscreen and have lots of drinking water. Note, there are no services inside the park.

Scopello's Ancient Tunnery

There are two entrances to Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, the most popular is the Scopello entrance. There you’ll find an information center and pretty good parking. A less busy but farther away entrance is close to the town of San Vito Lo Capo. The entry fee to Lo Zingaro is a reasonable 5euros.

Click here for Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve's official site.

Trust me, there’s LOTS to see and do in Sicily. If, however, you’d like one day to get away from it all to enjoy nature Sicilian style, AND you happen to be at that end of the island, then Lo Zingaro is the place to go.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Octopus Salad: Insalata di Polpo

As a child, I remember my Sicilian Uncle John often making octopus salad. He was a fisherman from the old country and octopus salad was said to be one of his specialties. But…as a child, I wanted no part of that traditional “delicacy” of thick, rubbery looking tentacles covered with suction cups.

Ristorante Torre di Angelucco, Martina Franca

On our last trip to Italy, I finally decided to put on my big girl panties and taste octopus salad – the hubby and I both did. I can tell you, we became instant fans. It’s absolutely scrumptious! In fact, we ordered it at every meal just to compare.

Osteria del Porto, Savelletri

I didn’t find the texture chewy at all. It was a tender taste of the sea with not much flavor of its own – maybe a little bit sweet. Instead, it was more apt to take on the flavor of its marinade or seasoning. In some octopus salads, the octopus is just marinated and seasoned while some also include fresh vegetables. I’ll have to admit – looking at the tentacles and suction cups was a little intimidating at first, but I got over it quickly once I decided I liked the dish, no matter how it was made.

Much of Italy abuts the sea, so finding octopus salad is pretty easy. Octopus salad, however, is not unique to Italy. Most countries neighboring the sea have various versions of the dish -  Mexico, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Korea, etc. 

The octopus has no boney skeletal system, so Mother Nature has made its connective tissue tougher to support its muscles. This also makes the octopus a tougher meat to chew, so tenderizing is essential.  I found some methods used for tenderizing are brining, marinating, and boiling. I even have heard that the Italian fishermen actually beat the octopus on the stone wharfs to tenderize the meat. I’ve read that freezing also tenderizes the meat, so starting with a supermarket purchased frozen octopus may be the way to go. That’s especially helpful to know when you live in an area far from the sea.

Here are a few octopus salad recipes, if you dare to try. Just click on the links.

From: Italian Food Forever

From: Napoli Restaurant Alert

From:  All Things Sicilian and More

Unfortunately, my Uncle John is no longer with us or I would have shared his recipe too.

Never tasted octopus salad at home or abroad? Be daring! Put on your own big girl panties (or big boy boxers) and give it a try. I’ll bet you’ll be sold on it too!

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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Norcia: The Place for Sausage!

Imagine a town known for its...sausages! You might think it would be located in Germany where brats rule, but no. It’s Norcia (pronounced Nor-cha), Italy in the province of Perugia. This small town with a population of under 5,000 is located in southeastern Umbria in a wide plain at adjacent to the Sibillini Mountain range. I remember entering the historic section of Norcia through ancient walls dating back to the 14^th century. One thing I noticed immediately is that historic Norcia is almost flat…a rarity in Umbrian towns that are known for being hilly.

Beyond those ancient walls, it’s all about food... artisan food. When you visit, expect to see tempting cheeses, truffles, lentils, beans, but especially be ready to see-smell-taste pork products...fresh sausage, dry sausage, prosciuttos, hams, and salamis.

Norcia is in a lovely area welcoming hikers for its clean air and beautiful scenery. It also has the reputation of being the pork capital of Italy!

The butchers in Norcia are famous for being the best in Italy. These types of pork products have been named after Norcia. In Italian, a store selling pork products is called a norcineria.

In a norcineria, you'll also find Coglioni di Mulo (mule balls)! Fear not! That's not what they really are. These sausages were given this name because of their resemblance to mule testicles. They're actually made from lean pork meat with lard in the center.

Hunting is big around Norcia, especially for wild boar (cinghiale). For this reason, Norcia's sausages and hams are made from mostly wild boar and pork.

While walking around town, we came upon a hunter's car and in the back was one unfortunate cinghiale ready for butchering.

Each norcineria uses its own recipe for sausage, some passed down from generation to generation. Store owners will help you select the type and flavor sausage you'll like best.

                 (photo credit: R.Snow)                                                                                    

Many of the norcinerias decorate their shops with stuffed baby cinghiale (wild boar). If you’re like me, seeing the stuffed baby cinghiales will sadden you. Eating the delicious pork products, however, will make your stomach smile.

Taste the various sausages. See how they differ. Decide which you like best.  I assure you, you'll end up leaving Norcia with a grocery bag full of sausage for savoring with a glass of Italian wine as you enjoy an Italian sunset. Pick up a few local cheeses and a loaf of bread while you're at it. What a perfect end to a perfect day in Umbria.

Ciao!
- Nina Spitzer

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