Creamy Gelato
Italian gelato. Like / not like?
I think it is oh so delish. Very light and creamy with great flavors.
I love Italian gelato. I wish there were places that served it! I especially like the fact that it is better for you than ice cream and much richer taste.
Once in Italy twenty-something having to do
Sitting around the dinner table one night, after a few bottles of Chianti with some old friends, most of whom had spent time as European tour guides and backpackers, I asked them to name the best thing to see or do while remaining in Italy. There was a lot of great discussion as some tried to compliment the more obvious things over the more mainstream, but there are also many quite united agreement for others. In no particular order, I can present you the top 20 things to do in Italy as decided by my mates.
1. Nun Piazza San Pietro watching
There is something cozy about watching a line of Nuns on tour, especially on certain Saint's day, getting photographs of the facade of St. Peter's or trailing behind each other within the large Basilica. These are just the number of pigeons, the parents, who hate their children, encouraged to sit their children are headed in the hope they will pick them up and fly away, maybe dropping them around the Forum.
2. Eating Gelati 3 times a day
It is mandatory for anyone traveling during the month of June, July and August. How the Italians get it to creamy, tasty and dribbly is beyond me but you feel full. This is the best thing after a long hot day queuing up for hours to see all these wonderful artworks. It is made with completely natural ingredients and everybody claims to have the best gelato shops in Italy, which is likely, but some even go further, experiment with exotic flavors such as tomato and basil believe it or not.
3. Holding up the leaning tower of Pisa
You all saw it. The mandatory photograph of a person and their mates holding up the leaning tower, finger either one or both hands. Perhaps the next best thing to surge, that if which is all anybody goes to Pisa to do. And holding it is about the cheapest thing there.
4. Dodging Cars in Rome
After sky diving in Switzerland and a taxi ride to the Czech Republic it is probably the most adrenaline packed activity you can do in Europe. To cross the road should keep walking, make sure you keep eye contact with any coming into operation of a bullfighter and keep moving. The cars and bikes came very close, not really hold , so long as you keep going.
5. Parking on a Kerb
Everyone else has it.
6. Singing a duet a gondolier
He will be the next Pavarotti but your gondolier should have a pretty good voice. They know all the old favorites and it makes the experience all the more real. They usually ask for a bit extra for services above the fee to rent. The most favored time is around the lights dim when it comes to making reflections on the water add to the atmosphere.
7. Hanging out with Pope on Wednesday
Tourists, Nuns, the priest, Local and pigeons flock to Piazza San Pietro for the weekly address from His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at around 10:00. Then you can examine the inside of the Basilica and the crypt where St. Peter's remains were kept.
8. Ae checking out David's
You can line up and pay for view the original in the Accademia, where it has been shifted to the end of the 1800's to protect it from vandals and the elements. Or you can check out his copy up close to Piazza Signoria for free, or you can climb the hill above the Ponte Vecchio to see the bronze version of Piazza Michelangelo situated. Or you can see all 3 and make a comparison.
9. Drinking wine and watching the sunset in Cinque Terre
There's something quite unique about sitting on the rocks next to where the fishing boats pull up, bobbing lanterns along the wires around in the breeze sea cove, listening to a man baring his training opera through an open window, watching the sun sinking into the horizon sipping a locally made red after eating home made pasta and pesto sauce. Perfect.
10. Eating Pizza Napoli
Home of Margherita pizza. A popular local pizza maker Rafaelle Espositi heard the Queen of Naples are interested in trying a pizza so he made a patriotic one with basil, tomato and Mozzarella for the colors of the Italian flag. He liked it so much he gave his name them. To be enjoyed while observing the kamikaze scooters and cars going hell for leather down the narrow street.
11. Cliff diving in Sorrento
Not for weak heart. Local, in general men scramble up the steep cliffs to jump off dropping tens of meters in the big blue underneath. If that means is too over the top you can always make a mask and snorkel and wait around at the bottom.
12. Calling your mum from the top of the Campanile Venice
Believe it or not there is a public pay phone at the top of the campanile so you can make that all important call to your mum, or perhaps a order a pizza for dinner.
13. Tasting wine in Chianti
There's a theory that the word Chianti comes from the old water Etruscan word for 'Clante' which is a clear connection to do if you drink a lot of Chianti. The stringent standards set by the Consortium production means that quality All types of alcohol is consistent and it is difficult to find a bad one.
14. Tossing a coin in Trevi Fountain
But do not go swimming unless if you want to pay a large fine. One coin means you will return to Rome, two coins means to go back and get kissed and three coins means come back and get married. All the money gets swept up regularly and given to charity. The authorities also did not take kindly to anyone stealing from the fountain. Put the coin (s) on your right hand and leave your left shoulder. This is something fun to do with the change from your third gelato.
15. Visit to the Sistine Chapel
If you survive a 3km walk through the rich instead of bedrooms papal Vatican Museum you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Created in situ by Michelangelo, he often painted freehand straight onto the wet plaster, by papal belligerent outbursts, financial hardship, search Staff of problems, slipping foundation, war and finally ended after 4 years in 1512. Take mini field glasses and some types of keys in each painting on the wall. The noise everything is just saturated whispering outside the guard bellowing 'silencio' every so often. And not sit on the steps.
16. Walking the planks in a flood Venice
One of the more original experience when visiting this watery city. Winter rains flood the lagoon and when the water level can rise to your knees. Practical Locals have come to the solution to form a raised platform so you can walk around Piazza San Marco planks without getting your toes wet. Or you can invest some fashionable rubber booties.
17. Getting Grappa-ed (drink too much Grappa)
Every country has it's fire water. Russia and Poland it is vodka, tequila in Mexico is, in this Czech Absinthe and in Italy it Grappa. Distilled from the leftovers from pressing grapes for wine, all the pips, skins and stalks, It is usually drunk at the end of a meal after the espresso. The first shot takes care of any sensation in your throat and the second and third take care of the rest the nervous system.
18. Buying a Ferrari hat
After football, the Pope and their own mother came to the country of almost religious following the little red cars from Maranello. Most Italian drivers appear to fancy themselves as the next Schumacher along the major streets, including The truck driver, but you must admit the car is cool.
19. Riding a scooter in Tuscany
Winding country road between Green rolling hills, vine rows smooth slicing down the hillsides, wild flowers in the fields and cypress trees lining the high driveway in a medieval villa. All that fresh air and the opportunity to take life and the local pace while unpacking a picnic tasty with some farmer's field.
20. Finishing a Bistecca download Fiorentina (T Bone Steak)
The resurrection of the Florentines made steak favorite national headlines. Local celebrity meat from Panzano, Dario Cecchini is held a public funeral and memorial service when the EU banned the sale of beef bone products after mad cow scare a few years back. Today is back and everyone is celebrating. Just make sure you are really hungry for this one because it was huge.
The general consensus is that These are all things that should be done during a trip to Italy, with all the usual art and history of things of course, in order that the most out of the trip.
About the Author
Find tips about growing parsley and growing parsnips at the How To Grow Vegetables website.
