LISA! Travel Blog

Perugia’s red rooftops lie high above olive groves and sunflower fields.

Perugia is the capital of Umbria in central Italy. High on a hill, the university town lies above the blooming sunflower and vegetable fields, and the Cypress and olive groves of the region. Many steep, narrow lanes and steps wind through the historic old town of Perugia and open up to a wide view over the weathered, red-brick rooves of the houses. The ever-busy bars serve ‘Orvieto’, the regional wine, and the elegant shopping streets, surrounded by palaces, entice shoppers with their exquisite boutiques.

At the beginning of Autumn, Perugia invites all lovers of nature, science and technology to the huge Science Festival, which attracted over 400,000 visitors in 2006 alone. Apart from exhibitions and events under the themes of light, sound, celestial bodies and forces of nature, visitors can listen to excited discussions on research topics. Even the little ones can come into contact with the natural make-up of our lives through vivid descriptions and age-appropriate experiments.

Via Fra’ Giovanni da Pian del Carpine 80
06127 Ferro di Cavallo – Perugia

Next to a cliff in Vieste, a huge butte rises out of the shallow, turquoise water on the shore.

Vieste lies in the Apulia region on the ‘spur’ of ‘Italy’s boot’. High above the sea lies the picturesque old town on a protrusion of the chalky steep coast, the white cliffs turned red by the setting sun in the evening. The small town on the Adriatic coast, with its early romantic church, lies next to dark green olive groves, and magical grottos can be discovered along the coast.

On one of the long sandy beaches, the ‘tip of the world’ protrudes upwards: the breathtaking rock, ‘Pizzomunno’. The approx. 25m high white chalk monolith has been the much fabled landmark of the city for as long as anyone can remember. Passed down for centuries, the story goes that once upon a time, a strong fisherman named Pizzomunno and his wife, Cristalda, lived here. Every day, the fisherman went out to sea, where the sirens of sea would appear and attempt to seduce him. Pizzomunno resisted out of love for his wife, and rejected the Siren’s offer to become their lord and master. Enraged by his decision, the jealous Sirens pounced on Cristalda one evening while the two lovers were stargazing on the beach and dragged her to the depths of the ocean. Pizzomunno desperately searched for his wife, but, alas, it was in vain, and the next morning he was found frozen into stone from the pain of his grief.

Assisi was the hometown of Francis of Assisi and remains an important pilgrimage site to this day.

After the Vatican, this small medieval town is the most significant pilgrimage site in Christianity. Born and raised here, it was in Assisi that St. Francis founded the Franciscan Order in the early 13^th Century. Since 2000, the Umbrian town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Church of ‘San Francesco’ with its well preserved frescoes depicting the life of the saint, and the Cathedral ‘Santa Maria degli Angeli’ being specifically listed. The latter houses the Porziuncola, in which Francis of Assisi died on 3^rd October 1226.

The mendicant Francis was canonised on 16^th July 1228. Only a day later, Pope Gregory IX laid the first stone of the Basilica, which was consecrated a few years later in 1253,  and today, aside from the ‘Santa Maria degli Angeli’, is one of the seven patriarchal basilicas. The most impressive part of this magnificent sacred building is without a doubt its elaborate interior frescoes. One of the most famous fresco cycles in the world can be found here under the windows of the upper Church. The 28 images dating from the end of the 13^th century, and several scenes depicting, amongst other things, St. Francis’ well-known ‘sermon of the bird’, were illustrated by Giotto di Bondone, one of the pioneers of the Renaissance. In the subsequent decades, the church was extended, which explains the architectural differences between the Umbrian-gothic façade and the Renaissance style of the atrium. Apart from paintings by Simone Martini or Cimabue and even the church treasury, this painstakingly detailed house of worship also holds the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi.

Piazza S. Francesco
06082 Assisi

April-October:
Lower church: Mon-Sat 6.00-17.45; Sun 6.00-19.15
Upper church: Mon-Sat 8.30-17.45; Sun 8.30-18.45

October-March:
Lower church: Mon-Sat 6.00-18.45; Sun 6.00-19.15
Upper church: Mon-Sat 8.30-18.45; Sun 8.30-18.45

Naples is chaotic, the old town Baroque and the food delicious.

Thanks to its congestion chaos, waste problems and the presence of the Camorra, Naples often receives a lot of bad press. Nevertheless, the wonderful university town at the foot of Mount Vesuvius is definitely worth a visit. The beautiful Baroque old town was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is abundant in world-famous museums, churches and underground passages.  Neapolitan specialities like Pizza ‘Margherita’ and ‘Maccheroni’ make Southern Italy’s largest city famous across the world.

In the harbour quarter ‘Santa Lucia’, the wonderful restaurant ‘La Bersagliera’ lies directly by the quayside on the street ‘Borgo Marinari’, with a view over the boats and yachts. Since its opening in 1919, the restaurant’s recipes have relied on original and modest ingredients, creating unbelievable flavour from simplicity. Every day there is fresh seafood and fish in the pans and first class, extremely delicious Neapolitan cuisine on guests’ plates.  The fresh pasta with mussels and octopus comes highly recommended.

Restaurant ‘La Bersagliera’
Borgo Marinari 10/11
80132 Naples

Turin is famous for truffles, Fiat and the Olympics.

Turin is the capital of the Piedmont region in Northern Italy, amidst the landscape of an Alpine mountain range, and played host to the Winter Olympics in 2006. The former hometown of the Savoy royal family and current university town of Turin boasts a cherished old town. Wide avenues and a Baroque architecture reminiscent of France characterise the main shopping streets. The ‘Piazza San Carlo’ is the most beautiful square in Turin and boasts one of the top fashion houses in Italian in its adjacent arcades.

In as early as 1822, Café San Carlo first opened its doors and cast its spell over artists, writers, philosophers and revolutionaries alike with its charm. And even today, guests can enjoy an insight into the cultural affairs of the 19^th century under stucco and chandeliers, thanks to the restoration in 1963, during which the dining rooms were redecorated and refurnished. Besides the architectural eye-candy, the ‘Living Room’ of Turin also offers its own coffee on top of the choice of tantalising sweet pastries and outstanding evening meals.

Piazza San Carlo 156
10121 Turin

The medieval heart of Campobasso forms a crescent around the green hill, ‘San Antonio’.

Narrow cobbled lanes and steps weave through Campobasso. Steeped in history, the city is situated in the idyllic Molise region, of which it is the capital, but to this day, Campobasso remains off the tourist radar. Some visitors know Campobasso from Jan Weiler’s novels, which are set in the town. In the cosy bars of the old town, traditional dishes characteristic of the region such as the filling ‘Brushetta caprese’, made using fresh bread and topped with garlic and anchovies, or creamy Ricotta salad, are on offer.

The ‘Villa de Capo’ in the midst of Campobasso is an outstanding place to relax and unwind. The botanical garden spans 16,000 square metres of various types of plants, like giant sequoias, cedars and cypresses and contains a former orphanage and monastery. The centuries-old site offers visitors winding roads, mythological sculptures, a fountain, a marble sarcophagus and a maze. The garden was formerly used by monks, before it passed into private ownership in the 18^th century and then into town ownership. You can even relax on one of the many stone benches which date back to the 14^th century.

Villa de Capo
Piazza Savoia
86100 Campobasso

Foggia was a residential city for Emperors in the Staufer era. Market days in late summer are particularly worth a visit.

Foggia lies in the heart of the Apulia region of Italy, surrounded by wide fields and fertile countryside. In the 13^th century, Emperor Friedrich II resided in Foggia, however, today, few tourists visit the former home of Emperors. Nevertheless, it’s worth visiting in autumn, when market stall holders sell their fresh figs and huge artichokes. The university town of Foggia is ‘untouched’ by tourists and therefore remains a piece of authentic Italy.

The town museum, ‘Museo Civico’ is situated on Palazzo Arpi and hosts to a gigantic archaeological collection, which comes from the excavated sites of Herdonia and Arpi. Both towns belong to the oldest settlements of Daunia, which occupied the territory of the Apulia region more than 3,000 years ago. Apart from very well preserved vases and everyday items, bones and burial items can also be admired here.

Besides the generous collection of archaeological finds, you can catch a glimpse of Hannibal’s time with a visit to the village of Ordona, around 20km outside of Foggia. In an open field on the outskirts of the town on the road, ‘Strada Comunale Scoli Satriano-Ordano,’ the ruins of the antique town Herdonia can be found. The ancient remains show through the arrangement of pillars and other ruins that a basilica and an amphitheatre among other buildings were once located here. In this Roman town, Hannibal defeated a Roman army in the Second Punic War, driving them out of Puglia. The ruins were discovered in the 1960s.

Museo Civico
Piazza Nigri
71100 Foggia
Strada Comunale Scoli Satriano-Ordano
71040 Ordona, approx 20km outside Foggia

Winding medieval lanes, high towers and the ‘certified’ best ice-cream in the world make up the landmarks of San Gimignano.

This small, very well preserved medieval town lies nestled in the cypress groves of Tuscany and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1990. Several towers loom high above the rooftops of beautiful palaces as both former status symbols of resident patrician (post-Roman) families and defences against rivals. Particular culinary delights offered in San Gimignano include: delicate wild boar bacon, characteristic of the region; creamy pecorino cheese, which is still produced in Tuscany using fresh sheep’s milk; and the world’s best ice-cream from the world famous ice-cream parlour ‘Gelateria di Piazza’ on the Piazza della Cisterna.

On the upper-left side of the Piazza Duomo, one of the main attractions of San Gimignano can be found – the ‘Palazzo Communale’, which was opened in 1288. Since 1255 its 54m high tower, also known as the ‘fat tower’, has served as a benchmark, which no other tower is permitted to surpass in height. In the crest-emblazoned inner courtyard with wall frescoes, arches and a draw well, medieval trials were held and verdicts announced. From the courtyard, you can also access the covered outdoor staircase, which leads to the ‘Museo Civico’ in the upper floor of the building. In addition, there is the chance to climb the so-called ‘Torre Grossa’ from where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the town.

Museuo Civico
Piazza Duomo
53037 San Gimignano

Mar – Oct: Mon-Sun 9.30-19.00
Nov – Feb: Mon-Sun 10.00-17.30
Entrance €5, concessions €4

Sunbathe by day and dance all night in Rimini.

Rimini lies in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and, due to its legendary nightlife, is probably the best known bathing resort on the Italian Adriatic. A wide sandy beach stretches along the coast for 20km. Rimini’s old town is steeped in history and so by day, the city is a paradise for sun worshippers, but at night, the many clubs, bars and restaurants along the seafront and ‘Viale Vespucci’ come to life and entertain night owls with loud music and hours of revelry.

Boats and ships leave the harbour in Rimini at the crack of dawn to cast their nets and catch fresh fish. Some boats offer a day of fishing for keen anglers. Those who go along spend several hours at sea, get to see the professionals at work up close and personal and have a go at deep-sea fishing on the Adriatic themselves.

Potenza boasts contemporary architecture and a lively student atmosphere.

Approximately 850m above the former Lucan city of Potentia, the younger city of Potenta, the capital of the Basilicata region, can be found. On the map, the city lies roughly halfway between Naples and Bari, round about where the ankle would be situated on boot-shaped Italy. Built on the hillsides and the mountains of the southern tip of the Apennine mountain range, narrow streets and lanes through the town, which was newly built after both the severe earthquake of 1857 and World War II. Today, Potenza is a lively university town. In the historic heart of the city, there are two romantic medieval buildings still standing, the San Michele church and ‘Palazzo Biscotti’.

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