LISA! Travel Blog

Amongst red-brick buildings in Siena stands the bright and shining ‘Confectioners’ Cathedral’.

The red-brick walls of the mighty palaces and buildings surrounding the medieval square, ‘Il Campo,’ form the backdrop of Siena. Today, with its unique architecture and many small stairways, the ‘Campo’ is one of the most significant squares in the world. Only five minutes’ walk from here is the imposing Gothic cathedral, which sits atop the highest hill in the sprawling pedestrianised heart of the city. Striking black and white marble stripes adorn the cathedral both inside and out. Visitors can relax on stone benches or stairs anywhere in Siena and merely observe the lively bustle of the city.

Every July, the sound of classical music fills the air as the city plays host to the two-week classical music festival ‘Settimana Musicale Senese’ in various venues all over Siena. Another series of concerts of this variety take place in July, August and September- the ‘Estate Musicale Chigiana’. Both concert series are organised by the internationally acclaimed music academy in Siena, the ‘Accademia Musicale Chigiana’. Ensembles from all over the world travel to the city to show off their skills. From majestic orchestras to small ensembles, often accompanied by ballet or pantomime, this festival will strike a chord in the heart of any classical music lover.

In Pescara there are white sandy beaches, red fish soup and dark chocolate cakes.

Pescara is renowned for its long white sandy beaches. From spring to autumn, the city is one of the most popular bathing spots along the Adriatic coast. As an important fishing town, surrounded by pine groves, Pescara boasts a sea-life museum and the house in which famous poet Gabriele D’Annunzio was born. Bars and restaurants characteristic of the region serve delicious ‘Brodetto’, a pleasantly seasoned, spicy fish soup, in addition to a gorgeous chocolate cake by the name of ‘Parozzo’ for dessert.

Homemade fresh pasta, hearty fish and meat dishes, such as the ‘Pignata di Pecoro’ with tomatoes and pecorino-refined lamb stew, served with a traditional peasant bread all come from the kitchen of the restaurant ‘Antica Osteria Marconi.’ For afters, the friendly service recommends ‘Dolci’, a small Italian dessert, and fine cheese.

Viale Guglielmo Marconi 233-235
85100 Potenza

In Palermo, Italian life blossoms. Here, market criers loudly advertise fresh fish as it was done in Medieval times.

Palermo is the capital of Sicily and lies beneath the foot of Monte Pellegrino. Inhabited by Arabs, Normans and Swabians through the ages, the city is adorned by magnificent architecture from the different eras. Museums and the biggest opera in Italy make Palermo the cultural heart of Sicily. Unusual fish and vegetable markets serve as a backdrop for the talkative traders, whose produce will often end up in a delicious menu in one of the restaurants of Palermo.

The culinary arts of Patrizia di Benedettos are known worldwide. The passionate chef opened the high-quality restaurant ‘Bye Bye Blues’ in 1991 with Antonio Barraco,  resident wine connoisseur and barman. Since then, diners have been offered appetizing Sicilian and Mediterranean dishes, which are created with passion and imagination, such as ‘al dente Spaghetti with potatoes polished with the rasping of a lemon peel.’ The ambience is warm and guests enjoy a selection of more than 350 fine wines from across Italy and Europe.

Restaurant ‘Bye Bye Blues’
Via del Garofalo, 23
90149 Palermo

Genoa’s lanes are steep, winding and lead to splendid Baroque buildings.

The capital of the Liguria region and the home of ‘Pesto alla Genovese’ and ‘Troffie Pasta’, Genoa was built on the steep and rocky slopes of the Apennine Mountains. The grand mansions of the former nobility and some of the steepest and endlessly intertwining lanes in Europe adorn the city’s image. In 2006, the Baroque old town, which has always been an important port town, was declared a World Heritage Site. Genoa serves not only as a starting point for journeys along the enchanting Riviera di Ponente, but also as an interesting place to stay – the town has enjoyed an remarkable history since the first century as an important trading centre and has countless museums, churches and castles to offer.

The 117m high lighthouse ‘Lanterna di Genova’ was built in the 12^th century, destroyed in the 16^th century during the French invasion, and then rebuilt some years later. Since then, the lighthouse, which has 365 steps, has shown ships the way to the harbour in Genoa day and night. Today, the lighthouse also has a museum and a viewing platform. After its 2004 renovation and with a view of the town and the sea, the lighthouse is today one of the most popular sights and landmarks of Genoa.

Sat-Sun 10.00-19.00

Entrance: €6, concessions €4
The lighthouse is only accessible by foot.

At the command of Frederick II, L’Aquila was created in 1230 from 99 villages.

The cultural, multi-faceted university town is an outstanding example of a medieval city. With 99 city districts, it lies on a hill in the valley of the Aterno river in central Italy and is the capital of the Abruzzo region. Surrounded by the mountain chain of ‘Gran Sasso’, the town is home to a colossal fort, originally built under Charles V, which now houses the national museum of the Abruzzo region. Lively L’Aquila is still adorned today with numerous Roman monuments, historical and cultural establishments, like ‘Santa Maria Collemaggio’- the church built of white and pink stone, an astounding fountain, the ruins of the Sabine town of Amiternum approximately 10km away, as well as a pleasant theatre and orchestra scene.

The fountain ‘Fontana delle 99 Cannelle’ was built in 1272 by the architect Tancredi da Pentima. From the three side walls of the fountain protrude 93 stone heads, out of which water flows into the basin in front. The wall built of white and pink-coloured stone, which frames the fountain, probably dates from the 15^th century. The number of spouts as mentioned in the name of the fountain symbolises the founding of L’Aquila, a saga in which 99 different castles are said to have been involved. However, this figure is not historically proven.

West of the town centre
near Via S. Jacopo, the train station and the Porta Riviera
L’Aquila

From Brindisi, backpackers head to over the sea to Greece.

Brindisi is one of the most important Adriatic ports in the Apulia region. The town is known more as a harbour town than a tourist destination. Every year, backpackers descend on the campsites of Brindisi to take one of the many ferries to Greece. In the region surrounding Brindisi, grapes important for the production of regional Italian wines, such as ‘Aurora’ or ‘Arcione,’ grow in abundance.

Approximately 26km from Brindisi is the premium vineyard, ‘Cantine Due Palme’ in Cellino San Marco. The wine-grower presses various select wines, like Negroamaro or Primitivo, which are particularly characteristic of Apulia, as well as Montepulciano, Carbernet Sauvignon and Merlot. A wine tasting here is a must for any wine connoisseur.

Via S. Marco 130
72020 Cellino San Marco

Bari is a typical Mediterranean town in Southern Italy.

The annual average temperature is 19ºC and the sun shines approximately 10 hours a day. Bari is the capital of the Apulia region and lies on the coast of the Adriatic. The harbour town has around 330,000 residents and with travel connections to Croatia and Greece, the town is home to some of the most important ports on the coast of Italy. Countless backpackers descend on the campsites of the university town year after year to begin their journey across the sea.

Approximately 700,000 students study at Bari’s university, making it one of the largest in Italy. The university building on ‘Piazza Umberto I’ is home to an important archaeological museum, which has information on Bari and the region of Apulia during the time of antiquity.

In the old town, a tower of the ‘San Sabino’ cathedral, which dates back to the 12^th Century, lights up the old town whenever the sun light hits its chalk white façade.  Also dating back to the 12^th century is the slightly more northern ‘Basilica San Nicola’, which is a beautiful testament to the Romantic architecture of Italy. This pilgrimage church plays host to the antique relics of St. Nicholas and is a key pilgrimage site in Europe.

‘Orecchiette’ are particularly characteristic of Bari – delicious noodles made from durum wheat flour that resemble little auricles, traditionally served with a sauce made from turnips. The most famous shopping street in Bari is ‘Via Sparano’ and ‘Corso Cavour’ in which huge fashion houses and small boutiques can be found side by side. The people of Bari have a penchant for good taste and elegance and can often be found window-shopping on both these streets. At night, ‘Piazza Ferrarese’ comes to life, with its many bars. Nights here are mild, and so the bars are busy all year long and are particularly popular with students. There is always a concert going on somewhere. For information about concerts and other events in the city, the newspapers ‘City’ and ‘Leggo’ are handed out free in the city centre.

The international trade fair ‘Fiera del Levante’ has been coming to Bari every September since 1930, bringing up to 800,000 traders to the capital of Apulia. Around 3,000 exhibitioners present the latest trends here in everything from furniture and interior design to fashion and accessories.

While not completely overrun by tourists, Ancona is a popular starting point for a trip to one of most beautiful areas in Italy.

Many travellers know Ancona solely as a starting point for a ferry journey to Greece or Croatia. The city is well worth visiting in order to discover ‘unspoilt’ authentic Italian life. This small, once heavily war-torn city is the starting point for a journey into Le Marche region, one of the most beautiful in Italy. The port town itself is home to very good restaurants, which serve Italian dishes of the highest quality.

One such restaurant is the elegant ‘Opera Nova della Marca’, which lies approximately 15 minutes by car out of Ancona, a distance worth travelling to enjoy a romantic ambience, and refined food perfected with freshly-picked herbs. In summer, the spacious, green terrace is very inviting, and in winter, an open fire warms guests after a walk through the snow-capped mountains of Le Marche.

Via Varano 127, Parco del Conero
60021 Camerano (AN)

Cagliari lies on the coast, and is a musical and dazzlingly colourful city.

Cagliari is the capital of Sardinia and with 170,000 residents, lies on the gulf of Cagliari. Surrounded by miles of sandy beaches, forests and mountains, the town was built on a hill above the sea. Its colourful panorama of pastel house facades is best seen on arrival by boat. Numerous historic buildings, a world-famous opera, galleries and wine bars also bestow an air of glamour upon the city.

One of the concert-opera houses is the ‘Teatro Lirico’. Since its opening in 1993, the theatre has impressed its patrons with its fascinating glass façade, and can accommodate up to 1,600 people to watch its many classical concerts, operas and ballets. The original intention in the theatre’s construction plans was to recreate the ‘Teatro Civico’, which was badly damaged by bombing.

Via Sant’Alenixedda

Lucca is red, romantic and surrounded by the enormity and luscious greenery of the Tuscan hills.

Lucca lies gently embedded in the graceful, green, rolling hills of Tuscany. With its red tiled roofs, the town contains an abundance of romantic churches, chapels and houses of worship. The birthplace of the famous composer of ‘Madame Butterfly’, Giacomo Puccini, is surrounded by miles of protective town walls.

The home of the renowned opera composer Puccini is found in ‘Villa Giacomo’ on the shore of lake ‘Lago di Massciuccoli’ and is now home to the Puccini Museum. Every year since 1930, at the wish of Puccini, one of his famous operas, such as ‘Tosca’ or ‘Madame Butterfly’ is performed on the open-air stage here. Librettist Forzano initiated bringing this Lucchese Festival to life, the scenery and elaborate costumes of which are particularly astounding.

Open air theatre on Lago di Massciuccoli.