Italophilia! Stories of My Italian Journey & More..!

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

ITALOPHILIA ON WORDPRESS

Thank you everyone for your tremendous support on Italophilia! It has been a great journey so far and I remember creating this post years back with the hope of having a few readers. This blog on Blogger has given a lot of encouragement and love to me and I plan to continue it with WordPress. Yes I am moving my blog to a more comfortable and professional environment.

So Italophilia is now heading to>>>>>> WORDPRESS!

As a reader, you have to now read and subscribe to my posts from WordPress.

The blog link changes only a tad bit; everything is the same including me!

Hope I can keep entertaining and enlightening you all, whether its Blogger or WordPress, I will appreciate a follow back on my new link on WordPress!

www.ishitasood.wordpress.com

Grazie mille everyone! See you on WordPress!

Please note that this blog on Blogger will remain active only for a few more weeks until the transition happens. After a few weeks my WordPress account will be the ONLY active blog. See you!

Sunday, 16 August 2015

Modena's Balsamic Vinegar with Vanilla and Kiwi

Today I head away from the Travel category to explore Food- the traditional Balsamic Vinegar of the region of Emilia Romagna.

For those of you who may not know what Balsamic Vinegar is, it is a dark brown syrup made from whole pressed grapes. Modena's Balsamic is famous all across the globe and has to be bottled for at least 12 years before it is tasted.

Sent very graciously to me by Emilia Delizia, a food tour company based in Italy, I used my bottle of Balsamic Vinegar to make a simple dessert with ice cream and kiwi:

Ingredients:

- Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena

- Vanilla ice cream or gelato (whatever is available)

- Three ripe kiwis

Method:

1. Cut the Kiwi in circles- preferably about 8-10 pieces.

2. Add vanilla ice cream/gelato in a glass and place the kiwi at the bottom.

3. Add ice cream on top of the kiwi and lightly graze the Balsamic vinegar.

4. Add another layer of ice cream and kiwi on top and drizzle a little bit more of the traditional vinegar.

Make sure there is a good layer of both kiwi and ice cream, until the glass is full.

Ecco! There you are!

This is a quick and modern recipe topped with tradition. Taste the sweetness of the grapes and the distinctive flavor of Modena with this dessert. I thoroughly enjoyed my share.

If you enjoy this recipe, share it on social media and don't forget to tag Emilia Delizia.
Check the product here.

Ciao Ciao!

Friday, 14 August 2015

Gubbio's Ancient Festival- Festa dei Ceri

The legend:

Gubbio's "Festa dei Ceri" in simple terms translates as the Festival of the Candles.

Image Source: Google

But let me tell you that there are no candles in this festival. Instead, you will see huge long wooden sticks or "Ceri" that are part of a wooden base or a "Barelle", each with the wax statue of a Saint.

Festa dei Ceri is Gubbio's way of honoring its Patron Saint - Ubaldo. Gubbio falls under the commune of Perugia and has always believed in the miraculous abilities of its Bishop Ubaldo. I think it is a good way to honor someone but who would have thought it would be through an ancient festival.

It is unclear how old the Festa dei Ceri is but legend says it may be as old as 8 centuries. I sure felt as if I had traveled back in time when I was in Gubbio because everything was so traditional and done as per the customs and rituals that were followed aeons ago.

The festival:

Festa dei Ceri involves the entire town and I think that is the commendable and gives a spirit of unity. Every man, woman and child, young and old, upholds the tradition and folklore behind this festival.

The town is divided in three different groups that can be distinguished by the colors of their clothes:

-Saint Ubaldo team wears Yellow
-Saint Antonio team wears Black
-Saint Georgio team wears Blue

At 5:00 a.m. on May 15 every year, there is a mass at the Church. Around 9-9:30 am people start to gather at the Piazza Grande where the Ceri has to be lifted by their respective teams. The Ceri contains a wax statue of each saint and at 11:30 each team undertakes three laps in the Piazza with the Ceri. There is shouting and general enthusiasm and merriment in the onlookers.

Image Source: Google

The octagonal Ceri, which weighs more than 250kgs each, is then taken to different streets of the town, moving around cutely and getting swayed by different hands. Its fabulous to see how the people Italians celebrate.

After some time, each Ceri is rested on a base in Via Savelli della Porta while the teams go for lunch. Unfortunately, I missed that because there was a bus strike in Perugia (yes that happens a lot in Italy) that day and since I could not get a hotel in Gubbio, I had to head back to Perugia by 4:00 p.m.

But a few locals that I befriended there told me that at around 6:00 p.m, the Ceri are to return the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo, which is located on top of Gubbio, in Mount Ingino.

Image Source: Google

In the paper next day, I saw a shot of the festival from above. I was stunned to see it for a minute and it was hard to believe that I really managed to stay intact among all that crowd and chaos.

If you ever plan to go to Gubbio during the Festa remember that as a tourist or a spectator try not to do anything that upsets the locals of the town. Always make sure you get a good spot as you may be pushed and shoved in that crowd especially when the Ceri arrives at the piazza. I really regret not booking a place sooner in Gubbio, so whenever you visit try to stay in the area for a day or two and get the general vibe of the town.

I planned my entire trip to Italy to just view this festival and I am thrilled and proud to have been involved in something that is so ancient and medieval in some way.

Festa dei Ceri is something no one should miss if they are going to Italy.

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Photo Series on Gubbio- Part II

Continuing the photo series on Gubbio, here is a peek into the Festival of Candles. The festival takes place every year in Gubbio on May 15. These pictures will give you an insight on the atmosphere in Gubbio.

There are people clad in traditional dresses-- yellow, blue and black, along with a red flag tied to Their shoulder. ( I am a proud owner of the same flag)

The festival attracts a crowd of more than 150,000 every year and I am so happy That I was part of it in 2015. The crowd, the mayhem and spirit is addictive- I could go again someday just to feel it.

More details on the race of the festival soon!

Saturday, 8 August 2015

Photo Series on Gubbio- Part I

After visiting several hilltop towns in Umbria I can safely come to the conclusion that there is no place quite like Gubbio.

The gothic architecture, stunning views, Roman theatre, medieval gates.. not to forget an English garden. But most of all its charming ancient"ness".

This post is to familiarize YOU with this medieval town that an author has aptly described:

"Gubbio produces an absolutely stunning effect and has something unreal and perturbing about it."

There will be more on Gubbio and its strange Festival of Candles. Stay tuned!

You might also like: The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli

Monday, 3 August 2015

Hiking to the Ljubljana Castle

Ljubljana is a complete walking town. It is very comfortable to see this beautiful capital by foot. In 10-15 minutes you can reach from the centre of the town to the Ljubljana Castle. The Ljubljana Castle is on top of a hill and is visible from below.

There is a provision of a funicular that takes you from the old town to the medieval castle (cost is EUR 4 for return) in 2 minutes. However, I chose to give that a miss and hike to the castle instead.

I bumped into Iva of Ljubljanajam when I was hiking to the castle and asked her whether I was in the right direction. She jokingly said that every side of the city leads to the castle so I can't possibly get lost. Ljubljana is a compact town. She was right!

The hike is very small and exceptionally pretty. It gives you amazing vistas of the city and a clear view of the town and mountains beyond.

The "Pink Church" in the centre

I could see the "Pink Church", an icon of Ljubljana, majestically in the centre. The Pink Church is also where Free Walking Tours of the city are conducted daily.

Moving my way up, I saw parts of the castle. It was magnificent especially in the sun.

The castle is simple yet spectacular. It was owned by the Hapsburg family in the 14th century and there are parts of the enchanting castle that require an entry while others that are partly free. I was quite surprised about the latter because everything in Europe seems to be paid.

Everything is quite modern and I was surprised to find several open air movie screenings, a restaurant and a souvenir corner. Throughout the year there are also performances and concerts in the premises.

I spent some time at the premises and skipped the guided tours. Instead, I chose to enjoy my view of the city with a sandwich and found great company in Allison of HeadElsewhere. On the way back we took the funicular together.

A spectacular view of the town of Ljubljana left me spellbound! #IFeelsLOVEnia

Image Courtesy: VisitLjubljana

For more information on Ljubljana and the castle visit Slovenia Info.