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Wines and wine regions of TuscanyWine Regions in Florence, Italy Famous for it’s olives, elegant cypress trees, hilltop villages the colour of burnt orange, artistic culture and beautiful architecture, the Tuscan region has been producing wines for thousands of years. Grape vines grew naturally on the sunny hills and these natives were later refined into the Sangiovese and Lambrusco grapes found here today which are blended with local Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and other varieties to create local staples like Chianti, Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. White grapes don’t account for much of Tuscany’s annual harvest, but there are some good Chardonnays and the famous Vin Santo dessert wine. The Chianti region runs from Florence to Siena. One of the best Chianti Classico producers to visit is Badia a Coltuono. To Florence’s south lie the medieval towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano in the vineyards surrounding which their namesake wines are bred. Tuscan mixes, or Super Tuscans (wines not able to receive a region and blend specific qualification due to their blending with French varieties.) like Ornellaia and Tignanello are produced around Maremma. Many visitors will miss this region out because it doesn’t have the named varieties of it’s neighbours but the area, especially around San Gimignano, is classic Tuscany, with rows of vines separated by neat lines of cypresses and there are many interesting traditional boutique wineries to visit. Some of the great producers in the Tuscan region are Schiena d’Astino, Brunelli and Siro Pacenti for Brunello de Montalcino, Del Cerro and Boscarelli for Montepulciano and Fonterutoli, Antinori and Castello de Brolio for Chianti. This is a large region with plenty of other draw cards including beautiful towns and villages and traditions of good food and exceptional art, so probably top of the list for people wanting to taste wine in beautiful surroundings.
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Review by Photo by flickr user roblisameehan |
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Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands)Islands in Aeolian Islands, Italy Right off the coast of Sicily on the Tyrrhenian Sea lies a chain of islands that appear from above to have been scattered by the winds. Named after Aeolus, the keeper of the winds in Greek mythology, the Aeolian Islands are home to beautiful and scenic vistas, sunny beaches, sulphorous mud, and towering, active volcanoes. Simply speaking the names of these islands -- Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi -- makes you want to hop on a plane - or rather a boat - and go there forthwith. Unhappily these once uncrowded hideaways are starting to attract visitors in great numbers. And for good reason. So be warned: summer will be crowded. When you arrive on the Aeolian Islands, it will most likely be on the island of Lipari. The most popular, Lipari is home to picturesque beaches, stunning trails and crystal clear waters which, for skilled swimmers, are ideal for exploration -- though you need to beware of strong currents. There are also plenty of ruins and archeological sights to explore: in particular a reconstructed Norman church and Greek and Roman ruins in the Diana District Archeological Park. The smell of sulphur pervades the island of Vulcano. Taking a dip in the mud baths here is a popular and allegedly healthy experience. The volcano which produces this sulphur gives the island its name. If you're not already jaded by the endless throbbing of the hydrofoil, head for the island of Salina, which offers up a very odd and interesting landscape. Large salt mines, green pastoral layout and the island's twin peaks give it a unique character. For diving, Stromboli, another volcanic island (with a recent eruption on 2007), has deep waters and caves which are perfect for underwater exploring. Studied since at least the 18th century, these islands have provided the science of vulcanology with examples of two types of eruption (Vulcanian and Strombolian) and have featured prominently in the education of geologists for more than 200 years. Despite the increasing numbers who visit, they retain their alluring magic.
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Review by Photo by flickr user tore_urnes |
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DolomitesMountains in Veneto-Dolomites, Italy The Dolomites are a vast complex of limestone pinnacles and towers soaring above lush valleys where quaint ski towns offer every amenity one could want. In summer the hiking opportunities are endless, and there is fantastic skiing in winter. One could spend months exploring the Dolomites and still fail to exhaust the scenic potential.
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Review by Photo by Photography: Mike Lyvers |
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The Roman ForumArchaeological Sites in Rome, Italy The Roman Forum is a must visit site at any time of day - the ancient Roman market place, centre of Imperial power, location of the Senate (still standing) and of Julius Caesar's assassination. To get in amongst the stones, rather than just gawp from the fence like the bus tours, has to be done by day, and can be dusty, hot and exhausting. Rome was never comfortable!
However, there's a little experienced (though much photographed) view of the Forum, by night, that is truly spectacular. Of the tens of thousands of visitors lodged in Rome each night, maybe only a few hundred make it up the steep steps of the Campidoglio - designed by Michealangelo - behind the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument on Piazza Venezia. Head down the hill to the right of the town hall in the centre of the small square at the top of the hill - and prepare to have your breathe taken away after dark..
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Review by Photo by flickr user beggs |
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San GimignanoMedieval Towns in Tuscany, Italy Tuscany’s San Gimignano is known for its architecture, and provides a recognizable postcard image all over Europe. The 13th century towers give the walled town a one-of-a-kind medieval skyline. In addition, the Duomo and the People’s Palace carry significant art collections. You should also sample a glass of San Gimignano’s famous Vernaccia wine, a trademark of the town since the 13th century.
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Review by Photo by flickr user ho visto nina volare |
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