The day began to look as if rain could begin at any minute, and so, we decided to head over to the new Rinascente Department Store. Set in a seven-story palazzo, on Via del Tritone, the store was relatively new and, according to all we had read about it, quite nice. We thought we would…
Author: rchabala
I am 56 years old. I live in New York City and for the last 11 years, have been traveling to Italy at least twice every year. I love everything Italian. From the art and museums to the people, to the incredible food, my heart skips a beat when I think of Italy, and the many places and things that I've been lucky enough to experience. Now, I want to share my excitement and passion with the world. I will take you to both major Italian cities, and small mountain villages. I will talk about things to do in these places, and places to explore which are off of the beaten path. I will also talk about the restaurants that I've dined in, and the places that I lay my head down in, while staying in each of these locations.
Rome – Day 6 – Part 2 – A Museum of Barbershops and More
Founded in 1627, to train missionaries, the Collegium Urbanum de Propoganda Fide, or the Pontifical College for the Propagation of the Faith, would then travel around the world, teaching Catholicism. At that time, Italians were not admitted into the school. All the students came from other countries, mostly from Northern Europe and the Middle East. …
Rome – Day 6 – Part 1 – High-End Shops and Historical Palaces
The photo above shows the small square known as Largo Goldoni. The people most familiar with the spot are those heading to the Fendi store, which occupies the western side of the space. What draws me there, though, is the artwork that sits in front of the Fendi location. The name of the sculpture is…
Rome – Day 5 -A Morning Stroll Before Lunch with Friends
A plaque marks the building where the Austrian poet, Ingeborg Bachmann, lived. Bachmann’s love for Rome was unquestionable. She suffered from ill health, while living at this address, but she was firm in her belief that the frequent walks she took around the neighborhood, with friends, and also by herself, helped to restore her mental…
Rome – Day 4 – Part 2 – An Arch, A Gallery, and An Ancient Fountain
As we continued to explore, we passed another section of the Music School of Santa Cecilia. For many years, the school has been regarded as the most important place of learning, specializing in the training of musicians. As a matter of fact, over the years, thanks to the different papal concessions that were passed, one…
Rome – Day 4 – Part 1 – Exploring Our New Neighborhood
Our fourth day in Rome was a nice one. The sun was trying to burst through a few overhead clouds, and we were settled in the new apartment. Things were beginning to look up for us. The apartment was in the neighborhood known as Campo Marzio, and while we had been in the area many…
Rome – Day 2 and Day 3 – Finally Getting Settled!
Our second day in Rome was a bit of a washout, and a nightmare. First of all, it rained profusely all day long. That was when we discovered a leak in the ceiling, over the swimming pool. Secondly, we kept going back and forth with the rental agency, as to what the best thing to…
Rome – Day 1 – A Happy Return
Anyone who has followed this blog in the past will know that we love Rome, and being in Rome is the highlight of every trip to Italy for us. I was even more excited about this stay in the Eternal City, as we had rented an apartment I always wanted to stay in. Little did…
Carini – Day 2 – Part 3 – A Farewell Walk Around the City
We continued to make our way through the Castello di Carini, or the Castle of Carini. One room contained a model of the castle, as it would have looked at the time of its completion. As you near the end of the visit to the castle, you proceed along a suspended walkway over what appears…
Carini -Day 2 – Part 2 – Beginning to Explore the Castle of Carini
Near the local fruit and vegetable market, there stood an old, abandoned church. A local toy store had an unusual collection in its window, including the Kevin Relax Steffi Love Doll! The Castello di Carini, or the Castle of Carini, dates from 1075, and was built by the first Norman feudal lord, Rodolfo Bonello. The…
Carini – Day 2 – Part 1 – A Sunny Sunday Morning
The Duomo of Carini, pictured above, and also known as the Chiesa Madre Maria Santissima Assunta, is right in the middle of Piazza del Duomo, and was directly in front of our B&B. The facade of the church dates from the 18th century, while the rest is from the 15th century. We wanted to visit…
Carini – Day 1 – Part 3 – A Private Tour
The Chiesa Parrocchiale del Sacro Cuore can be found at Corso Italia, #47. That is the road that connects the older, historical section of Carini, with the more modern, lower part of town. The Auditorium Toluccio Aiello, at Via Rosolino Pilo, #15, is the city’s theater/cinema. One stop we were determined to make, on our…