There is No Black Friday in Italy

 

In Italy there is no Black Friday. There is some reference to days of blackness in Boccaccio’s Decameron when he wrote about the Black Plague that ravaged the city of Florence in 1348. But nothing about the plague of shopping and the retail frenzy that occurs in late November.

In Italy the holiday season officially begins on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is traditionally when decorations go up (both on the streets and inside Italian homes) and when some Christmas markets start. Italians do not normally celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving Day as we know it unless you have moved there from the US or Canada so there is no Black Friday pressure to shop. Italians do celebrate harvest festivals with seasonal specialties like the white truffle, chestnuts, forest fruits, honeys, regional cheeses and of course wine. With such a bounty it’s no wonder shopping in late November doesn’t have the urgency that it has for shoppers in the States.  As in most Italian “things to do” lists, there’s always time later to take care of a task. Proverbial procrastinators, Italian’s will wander the Christmas markets, enjoy the holiday window displays and Christmas creches but as to shopping, there’s plenty of time left for that.

Six 10 Second Decisions That Can Change the Course of How You See and Savor Italy

Franco Gentilini (1909-1981)

The endless possibilities of the day ahead. Travel is exciting, invigorating and in the best possible way unpredictable. Here are six 10 split-second decisions that I would not hesitate to make on your next trip to Italy.

Should I Stay or Should I Go  . . . Off the Tourist Flow?

If your destination is one of Italy’s Big Three (Rome, Florence or Venice) and you have an opportunity to travel outside the tourist flow – go. As spectacular as these cities are, the personal charm of Italy lies just beyond. Here is where the real magic begins.

Should I Visit an Italian Terme?

Terme is the Italian word for thermal waters. Popes, pilgrims, princes and everyday Italians have traveled to these natural hot springs seeking the beneficial virtues of the waters to regenerate the body and mind since ancient times. Bagno Vignoni, a small medieval town south of Siena is a perfect place to “get your feet wet” when it comes to the terme experience. You can check in to the local term or just walk down to a trickling hot spring to sooth your tried feet. Popular termes in the same region include Montecatini and Saturnia. I prefer Antica Querciolaia near the town of Rapolano Terme which is very accessible and family oriented.

Shop Local Markets for Regional Food and Artisan Products

City markets offer a unique experience to live like a local and help support the culinary and cultural traditions of the region.

Should I Do Some Outlet Shopping?

There are many outlet malls within driving distance from most major Italian cities with high end designs at outlet prices. Why would you not go?

Should I Forgo One Large Museum to Visit a Small Lesser Known One?

When you think of Italy you think of world class museums with an archival wealth of art and history. The Vatican Museum, the Uffizi, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice,

Pinacoteca di Brera and Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Italy is an open air museum. But don’t forget to seek out some of the small, lesser known museums. A good local museum will add to your understanding of the region and as you won’t have to queue to view exhibits, you can be in and out in less than an hour.

Should I Include a UNESCO Italian World Heritage Site in My Travel Itinerary?

These have been identified by UNESCO as cultural and national heritage sites of significant importance and value to humanity that deserve the protection of our world community. A cultural endangered species that should not be missed.

Should I Order the Region’s Signature Dish?

There is nothing more evocative than eating the food or drinking the wine in its place of origin. Food immersion is the best way to experience the true Italian lifestyle. Eat locally to eat like an Italian. Be a little adventurous and try the speciality of the house, the advice of the chef consiglo dello chef.

Pappardelle con Lepre or a Ragu’ con cinghiale. Truffles in Tuscany or Piemonte. Sugo all’amatriciana in Rome. Spaghetti Bolgnese in Bologna and gelato everywhere.

Italy’s Mille Miglia – Power and Beauty

It was a good race and from Rome onwards I never had any doubt that I should win” Tazio Nuvolari – 1930 Winner Mille Miglia

On to Rome in Italy’s Mille Miglia, one of the most prestigious historic automotive events in the world has been called the “most beautiful race in the world” taking competitors through the stunning Italian countryside as they attempt to complete the 1000 mile open road race from Brescia in the north to Rome in period-correct Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Fiats and more.

Back home in Indiana excitement is building as the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to begin in 10 days, 3 hours and 12 minutes.  Racing fans all over the world look forward every May to the thrill of the Brickyard for the agony and the ecstasy of an event that has been called “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

But before the gentlemen and ladies of the Indy 500 start their engines, there is another thrill to be had on the international racing stage with the vintage and classic cars of Italy’s Mille Miglia, an open-road endurance race that began yesterday May 15th from Brescia-to-Rome 

An estimated 4 million Italian spectators  and others from around the world relive a history of road racing that begin in 1927 with cars and drivers like Tazio Nuvolari , who won the  1930 race in his Alfa Romeo, reaching celebrity status. 430 cars were selected for this year’s race from 1,500 + registrations based on their history and record of achievements with Alfa Romeo  leading the way with 44 cars in the race.  Among the cars represented (Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Porsche, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lancia, BMW, Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz -celebrating 125 years of motorsport) are two Volkswagen Beetles, the 1951 Pretzel Beetle and the 1956 Ovali Beetle have been modified to replicate their historical predecessors. Volkswagen has been instrumental in the history of the Mille Miglia with high-performance Beetles finishing  much higher up the standings than their more powerful opposition. thanks in no small part to their reliability.

Sport’s car enthusiasts will not want to miss the stunning pictures of the cars of the Mille Miglia posted all over the Internet.

 

Italian Sentiments Of Affection For Valentine’s Day

Because no other language is more romantic than Italian here are 7 sentiments of affection to write in that special card for an Italian inspired Valentine’s Day. Pair that with a sparkling bottle of Rosa Regali Brachetto d’Aqui or  Franciacorta, a slice of Tiramisu or baci di dama cookies and a cuddle on the sofa to watch Heath Ledger in Casanova for a perfect Valentine’s Day.

The most glorious wall calendar I ever saw.

 

Every January I looked forward to buying a calendar for the New Year, displaying it like a work of art, shopping for an interesting theme customized to my taste. One year it was Welsh Corgis, another tropical beaches, wolves, 365 days in Italy and the list goes on. You can probably find a wall calendar designed to suit everyone on the planet. A recent Bing search turned up 141,000,000 results. Last year I didn’t bother to buy a calendar (relying on my mobile phone) and now I realize how much I miss turning the pages month by month. I need to replace the digital and repost the material version of my life day by day and take a clue from the Renaissance.

The fresco artists of Italy’s quattrocento were masters at interpreting the months of the year and often used their art to bring attention to the passage of time and its implications. Fresco cycles with symbols and designs that represent the astrological horoscope and seasons can be found in the salons and halls of Italy’s most renown palazzi and villas.  Many 15^th century fresco artists interpreted the months of the year with such stunning results that their work is among the great art of the western world.

One of my favorites is in the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Painted by Francesco del Cossa and Cosimo Tura, the frescoes line the walls of the Salone dei Mese (Room of Months) in the main hall. Designed for the Estense Court of Ferrara as a retreat for pleasure and diversions (schiafonia is thought to originate from the word schivar la noia meaning “escape from boredom”) Palazzo Schifanoia is a hidden jewel on a side street of Ferrara. With a rather plain and unassuming façade, the elegant marble entry with the Estense coat of arms may be the only sign that you are about to enter into a pleasure palace filled with rare beauty and  earthly delights. The allegorical frescoes of the Ciclo de Mesi (cycle of months) are considered to be one of the greatest examples of humanistic astrological Italian art making it the most glorious wall calendar I ever saw.

Interesting Observations About Eating in America . . . After Spending 3 Weeks Eating in America with our Italian Cousin

 

• The king of American food is the hamburger. You can find them in Italy but not as frequently and they definitely don’t taste the same.

• Americans talk with their mouths full. Eating in Italy is all about enjoying your food with proper digestion. Nothing is so important that it can’t wait to be said and nothing gained by not waiting.

• Americans eat way too much meat. Italians consume very little red meat. A small plate of some pasta followed by a small piece of chicken or fish with vegetables is typical to eat.

• The American view of eating “Italian” with heaping plates of spaghetti and meatballs swimming in red sauce is a caricaturized version of the Italian table. A typical Italian meal is a small plate of pasta and a small piece of protein. Like all traditional cultures Italians do celebrate special occasions with abundance but on a daily basis Italians prefer to eat small portions.

• Americans eat very fast. Italians eat at a leisurely pace and are better for it. Not only does eating slowly and mindfully help you eat less, it enhances the pleasure of the dining experience.

• Italians view dining as an experience. Planning, shopping, the preparation and cooking of the meal are as important as sitting down to eat.

• Italians find the size of a cup of coffee in America “too large” with way too many   menu options.

• Store bought salad dressings are superfluous when you have good olive oil and   balsamic.

In case you’re wondering what American food tempted our Italian cousin’s palate the most well it was  . . . Amish Fried Chicken and Country Ham, our hometown Donuts and Buffalo Wings!

 

An Italian View of Clean

According to the cleaning mavens at Proctor and Gamble, Italian women spend 21 hours a week on household chores as opposed to Americans who spend just four. Italian women supposedly wash their kitchen and bathroom floors at least four times a week. American women just once. Some of our Italian relatives don’t have dishwashers, believing that hand-washing may be better. Perhaps even  calming and therapeutic.

Italians still hang their laundry out to dry and iron nearly all their wash, even socks and sheets. They don’t understand our obsession with plug in “air fresheners” and don’t believe that food odors are offensive. They open their windows to let the fresh air in even if they live in the cities.

Italians also spend time sweeping the sidewalks and streets in front of their entry ways and like to use traditional cleaning supplies.  In Italy the Swiffer Wet Mop was such a flop that the company took it off the market. According to Federica Rossi Gasparrini, chair of Federcasalinghe (Housewives’ Association)  “No (Italian) woman will forgo a clean house, even if she works. It’s part of love for the family.”