JULY 2012

FORMER MONKS' CELL

                                                                                                                                                           

07012012 A cluster of buildings sit atop the cliffs of a small rocky island, connected to the much larger island of Ischia by a narrow causeway. It's a perfect natural defensive position – as was obvious to settlers from as early as 1400 BC. Nowadays visitors climb steps (or take the lift, deep in the bowels of the island) to wander around the ruins of the 15th century castle. Come the evening, most return to Ischia – but not all. For the lucky few, the Albergo Il Monastero hotel allows them to stay overnight in this extraordinary location. Hot spot: Castello Aragonese's Albergo Il Monastero | travelbite.co.uk
07022012 I have always found myself overcome by the irony of random displays. I especially love dolls and mannequins,  and the unintentional power these inanimate objects seem to have over me. For some reason, my beloved Naples forever feeds my gluttonous eyes and fascination with these  odd, sometimes unintentional exhibitions… Le bambole di Napoli (The Dolls of Naples): Part 2 | Slam The Local
07032012 On 25th April, Il Giorno della Liberazione (Liberation Day), the citizens of Naples were invited to celebrate the day and the new space by bringing kites to fly. My friends and I were astonished, never having seen a kite in Naples before; how many would there be? We had no need to worry; there were plenty of kites dancing in the cobalt sky and hundreds of families claiming the lungomare back from the cars. Meanwhile everyone has been invited to submit ideas for how best to enjoy and preserve one of the most spectacular coastal walks in the world. Sea Naples and Revive |  ItalianNotebook
07042012 The author designates himself “a traveling citizen,” adapting Walter Benjamin’s phrase, to distinguish himself from vast numbers of “tourists’’ visible and scurrying all around him in Italy. And, this makes way for his next striking observation concerning the spirit of the city. Naples, he tells us, was long a Greek colony, a City of Pagan devotions. From as far back at 1800 B.C, when the Mycenean traders establish themselves at Vivara, an island located between Ischia and Procida, and well into the fourth century B.C. when the Roman dominated, it remained in their hands. Taylor shows us how this spirit pervades it still. He observes that “…Naples was a civilization founded by Hellenes, and ‘Greekness’ has been, despite chances and changes, the living subterranean truth of the place.” It was named by them Parthenope, for the Siren who flung herself into the gulf and washed ashore after Odysseus rejected her. Hats Off to the City of Naples: An Underestimated Work of Art | California Literary Review
07052012 In this readable, entertaining information guide for tourists, Zaragoza takes readers from the heights of Mount Vesuvius to the ruins of Pompeii and beyond. Part atlas, part history lesson, part epicurean review, this comprehensive handbook to Naples is without peer. She knows that anyone who wishes to see “The Sanctuary of Mithras” in Capua needs to see a custodian off premises, where he or she will grab a key and beckon travelers to follow the route to the actual site. It’s tips like these that make this guide so special. Zaragoza starts off with a background history lesson before providing directions to the places she describes—some off-the-beaten-path destinations would be difficult if not impossible to find otherwise. The Espresso Break: Tours and Nooks of Naples, Italy and Beyond | Kirkus Reviews
07062012 Farnese Hercules (a.k.a. Weary Hercules) Roman marble copy after a bronze original, circa 320 BC. The Farnese Hercules is a copy of a lost masterpiece by the Greek sculptor Lysippos. Lysippos was a star of the Late Classical period of Greek art (so much so that Alexander the Great chose him to be his official portraitist) and this is the best-known copy of one of his most famous works. When the colossal statue was displayed at the Palazzo Farnese in Rome from 1545 to 1787, it was considered an essential stop for artists and travelers. So, the next time you're in Naples, go to the Archeological Museum and visit (or revisit) the Alexander Mosaic, the Farnese Hercules, the Farnese Bull and the Doryphoros ('spear bearer") inside. You tell me if you leave thinking about dust bunnies, or with the image of Hercules' fantastically muscled buttocks chiseled into your brain. The Steves Syndrome | The American
07072012 Ferdinando Scianna will disclose his enormous archive to help us build a road map through 25 works of art recounting a chronologically ordered story by images. His story will conclude with the pictures (15 shots) he took when he was staying in Capri; faces, portraits, home interiors and sea views. Irene Kung, a photography artist whose background is in painting, offer a vibrating representation of the mighty landscape and architecture of Capri. The formats are big. The colours are intense and saturated as to allow the power of nature and the power of the images flow in a dialogue. IV Edition of Capri Photography Festival | Fondazione Capri
07082012 There is a range of hotels and guest establishments where you can base yourself – ranging from five-star film celebrity pads to smaller, family-run hotels. It is at one of these, Hotel La Certosella, that I make my home for two nights. At La Certosella, there is a quiet, understated Italian elegance in the decoration of the large double room. With attractive ceramic tiles on the floor (a must in the heat of summer), effective air-conditioning and a top-notch bathroom, the hotel offers everything you could wish for. La Certosella is not like any mainland European chain hotel. It’s on a property which has been there for a century and a half and is more like a family villa, with a cool, well-cared-for garden and a pool deck offering a view of the western side of the island. Capri: Italy’s treasure island | Independent Online
07092012 Prepared by the European Centre for the Study of Normans (CESN), since its establishment, the Museum of Norman Civilization of Ariano Irpino plays - next to the fundamental conservative function – a broader mission and cultural nature. The museum, in fact, has established itself immediately as an effective means of active participation, promoting artistic and cultural development, and the spreading of knowledge. The entrance to the museum in the spring and summer, also allows for a scenic stroll within the city walls and towers of the castle, ending the tour with a stop on the high lookout. Museo della Civiltà Normanna | museincampania.it
07102012 From the South Italian city of Napoli, Carola was a much loved DJ on the Cocoon terrace over the last number of seasons in Ibiza and news of his move to a new, stand alone night, was greeted with surprise but quickly followed by anticipation of what is sure to be an underground Techno treat of pure quality. Fridays Techno Special : Marco Carola Presents Music On @Amnesia | Clubtickets
07102012 My street in Chiaia district of Naples has lots of character, especially now that August holidays are open and everything has reopened... the restoration and upholstery shops, the local cheese shop, wine shop and salumeria, churches at each end of the street, and many small monuments in between... will get out one afternoon and photograph the street... Spoiler alert: I'm thinking my next book will be about... | Blurb
07112012 In a quiet cathedral in Sorrento Italy, 5-year-old Harry Poitras drops to his knees in the pew, clasps his hands, and prays: “Please God, make there be something besides spaghetti and pizza on the menu.” European Travel: Taking the kids to Italy, just for fun | Toronto Star
07122012 One of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world is Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Nestled south of the bustling seaport of Naples, the tiny towns composing this scenic coastline offer some of Italy’s most breathtaking views. The Amalfi coast stretches from the Sorrento Peninsular almost as far as the port of Salerno. The town of Amalfi is in the middle and at the northern end is the scenic town of Positano, with its hundreds of houses, restaurants and hotels built into and on the mountainside. Compared to other tourist sites, the Amalfi Coast gives visitors a real taste of what life is like in Italy’s sun soaked south. 24 hours on the Amalfi Coast | FOX News
07132012 Iain Stewart sees the destruction wrought by Vesuvius in the Roman town of Herculaneum. The town destroyed by Vesuvius | BBC
07142012 The steep walk up a wide, well-maintained trail to the cone of Vesuvius takes 30 minutes, making it the briefest trek of the four volcanoes. Once at the top you can walk around half of the cone while peering directly inside — an experience that is simultaneously captivating (it’s impossible not think of the eruption that buried Pompeii) and forbidding (volcanologists predict Vesuvius will have a major eruption in the future). Hiking Italy, Volcano to Volcano | The New York Times
07152012 A recent study of the Early Bronze Age community of Afragola, buried under ash fall about 3,800 years ago, has given researchers a glimpse into both life on an Early Bronze Age village and how Bronze Age farmers lived and survived with an active volcano in the background. The Campanian plain is a large, flat area in southwestern Italy on the Gulf of Napoli, that contains the modern cities of Naples and Salerno, and the ancient buried cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. There were at least twenty Bronze Age villages buried in the Vesuvius' eruption of 3760 ± 70 BP. One of the most intensively studied to date is Afragola. Other Vesuvian Eruptions | About.com
07162012 The new TV spot that is titled "Immigrants" tells the tale of the 500's departure from the beautiful Amalfi coast and Sorrento in Italy with several cars jumping into the sea and driving under water all the way to New York City. At the same time, we're listening to the sounds of a popular Italian song called 'Torna a Surriento,'(Come Back to Sorrento) sung by international artist, Arianna and composed by Flavio Ibba. New Fiat 500 Ad: The Next Wave of Italian Immigrants Has Come to America | Carscoop
07172012 "Amalfi Blue, lost & found in the south of Italy," is a story of self discovery. Author Lisa Fantino lost her heart and soul along the magical Amalfi Coast and found herself along the way. It's a true story of love and lust, men and women, friendships and family, death and re-birth, set in some of the most beautiful locations in Europe. Toss in kidnapping, intrigue, hot salsa nights and sex and you've got passion, Italian style. Join Lisa as she shares what it takes to live la vita bella. Amalfi Blue Benvenuti | Wanderlust Women Travel
07182012 Located in Praiano, a fishing village between Amalfi and Positano, Villa Mida is a two story property just 1.3 km from the center of a fully equipped town. Its privileged position, high above the coastline, grants spectacular views. The trendy style of Villa Mida is felt in the mixing luxury fabrics and splashes of color with contemporary and sophisticated pieces. Villa Mida | Bravo Holiday Residences
07192012 We sunbathed and swam our way around the Amalfi Coastline from Agerola to Positano between the 14th and 18th June. Below you will find all our favourite Instagram photos, travel tips and places we visit during our trip to help you plan your next trip to the Amalfi Coast. Live Blogging from the Amalfi Coast | Four Jandals
07202012 The Amalfi Coast - the perfect place to unwind after exploring Italy's cities. Hostels in Amalfi Coast | Hostelworld.com
07212012 Our pizza making class shows kids, step-by-step, how to mix, knead and roll out the dough. A variety of pizzas are made using local seasonal ingredients, along with local antipasto and a dessert. Everyone enjoys the pizza together after the lesson. Kids will also learn a little history on where and how the first pizza was made in Naples. Chef Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan chef and baker, created a special pizza for the Queen Margherita. Using tomato, mozzarella, and basil, in the colors of the Italian flag – red, white & green, he named it Margherita. To date, the Pizza Margherita is Italy’s most popular. Kids Cooking Programs | Cooking Vacations
07222012 The Hotel Caruso, in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, offers a breathtaking range of possibilities for our guests. Very spacious rooms, each room with its own unique style. The furniture reflects Neapolitan style and tradition and has been exclusively created for Hotel Caruso; some rooms also feature antique 18th and 19th-century pieces. The hotel has a panoramic heated pool. The fully equipped fitness centre provides everything you need to maintain your exercise routine away from home. At the Wellness Centre, guests enjoy superb treatments by Aromatherapie and Maria Galland. Hotel Caruso 5 stars luxury | italyTraveller
07232012 In the summer of 1962, at the invitation of writer Gore Vidal, Jackie Kennedy - the wife of JFK - took her children to Ravello for a three-week holiday on Italy's Amalfi Coast. Among her favourite activities was driving down to Conca dei Marini to waterski (this was a gift for paparazzi who followed her). One of the thousands of pictures of Jackie that filled the Italian papers that summer is on the wall of the bar of the Monastero Santa Rosa; it captures the First Lady effortlessly riding the waves with impressive style. Oh Amalfi: The return of Monastero Santa Rosa, Jackie Kennedy's Italian hideaway | Daily Mail
07242012 The name Villa Cimbrone comes from the rocky ridge on which it stands known as “cimbronium.” Englishman Ernest William Beckett, Lord Grimthorpe, purchased the property in 1904 after his grand tour –– a trip through Europe the sons of Englishmen of the time took to see the world and finish their education. Lord Grimthorpe sought to create a garden for the villa like no other. He consulted a French botanist for the choice of the trees and plants for the flowerbeds. According to recent studies, the English writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West may have helped plan the garden. She was a friend and admirer of the English garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, whose numerous books line the shelves of the villa’s private library. Jekyll represented the latest fashion for the English garden at the turn of the 19th century, especially with her herbaceous borders. Today the park-like garden covers what seemed acres. Thomas Mickey: An English garden on Italy’s Amalfi Coast | Chronicle-Express
07252012 It has an impressive list of former guests. Goethe, the Duke of Wellington and Shelley are among those who have graced La Cocumella with its presence. Even in 1825, when it opened as a hotel, the building was well-established. In fact it is the oldest building on the entire Sorrento peninsula, having been originally constructed as a Jesuit monastery in 1597. We were lucky enough to visit on the evening of a concert taking place in the cloister, the hotel's largest indoor space. The acoustic is excellent, allowing audience members to hear even the subtlest performances from a distance. La Cocumella has a reputation for its musical programme: as well as a series of early season concerts it also offers further events in September organised by a local impresario. Hot spot: Grand Hotel La Cocumella | travelbite.co.uk
07262012 Nocelle is one of the access points for the Sentiero degli Dei, or Path of the Gods, perhaps the most spectacular of the ancient footpaths that criss-cross the hills here. You could start the walk in Positano but you need to climb a lot of steps from Positano to get to Nocelle and the view is just as good from the bus. From Nocelle, the walk heads out into the pristine hillside and from here it's only about two hours until you finish in the village of Bomerano, rather than closer to four. Walkers enjoy gorgeous views of the coastline and its scalloped bays. Along the way, the terrain changes from lemon groves to scrubby hillsides to shady glens to terraced vineyards. Splendour by the sea | The Age
07272012 The non-stop presence of the green woodlands on each plateau, the wonderful views you can enjoy from the summits of Montevergine, Vallatrone, Toppola Grande and Ciesco Alto over the Gulf of Naples, the town of Avellino, and the Plain of Noli, enchant the tourist visiting Partenio. Discovering Partenio means reliving the emotions of a millenary history in symbiosis with Nature! In the Heart of Campania, A Trail between Nature and Man | Parks.it
07282012 Luckily for those of us who love Rosé, low demand means high supply at low prices, so it's often possible to get some of the best wines available at $15 or less. We had the opportunity to taste three great examples recently. The most delicate and easiest to drink was Terredora di Paolo's Rosæ­novae ($15), a delightful Italian wine from the Campania area. It's made from the free run juice of the Aglianico grape. This method provides the least amount of violence to the grape, and offers a light, fragrant drink ideal for a hot summer evening. Favorite Rosés for the Summer | Austin Chronicle
07292012 Sorrento coastline, the island of Capri and the Amalfi coast, which are Campania’s jewels, abound in the terrace cultivations of lemons which make the scenery even more colourful, and since the 19th century, there is proof of the tradition of offering the blend made out lemon known as limoncello to visitors and nobles that passed by the coast. In Capri, Sorrento and Amalfi, there are many legends and stories on the origin of this liqueur; some say the limoncello is as ancient as lemon cultivation itself. Others say that it was used by fishermen and farmers to fight off the cold of the morning. Some others say that the recipe was originated in a monastery. How about some limoncello? | Bit Community
07302012 Day 1: Coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice on the sunny Piazza San Domenico close to the apartment. Following Patrick through the back streets and marvelling at the extravagance of the Baroque churches. Eating vast quantities of gelato. A late afternoon climb up to San Martino to visit the museum and macabre charterhouse cloisters. Naples - a couple of weeks ago. |  sarahhickson
07312012 About 40,000 years ago, a huge volcanic eruption west of what is now Naples, Italy, showered ash over much of central and Eastern Europe. Some researchers have suggested that this super-eruption, combined with a sharp cold spell that hit the Northern Hemisphere at the same time, created a “volcanic winter” that did in the Neandertals. Humans Blamed for Neanderthal Extinction | Wired