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It’s that time of year when giving and indulging in the sweetness of sweets (especially with your sweetie) is seen as perfectly acceptable.
But, new research shows that there are more reasons than ever to NOT avoid or deny your chocolate cravings all year long.
According to some studies done in Italy, dark chocolate has many of the same benefits as vitamin C helping the body use insulin more effectively and lower blood pressure.
The research examined two out of three chocolate varieties, dark chocolate and white chocolate. Dark chocolate is made up of cocoa solids and sugar but no milk solids (prevalent in milk chocolate) and white chocolate, although referred to as chocolate had no cocoa solids, but instead is made of cocoa butter (the fat in chocolate), mil solids and sugar.
According to the study, participants who enjoyed 100 grams of dark chocolate daily for 15 days had reduced blood pressure and become more sensitive to insulin than they were prior to the “experiment”.
Researchers believe that the benefits of dark chocolate are because of the flavonoids it contains, which are associated with the ability to lower the risk of heart disease and some cancers. However, white chocolate exhibited no effect on patients since it is free of cocoa solids, where the flavonoids are found.
So what does this mean for you and me? Is it time to replace the celery and carrot platters with chocolate samplers and related goodies? Is it time to switch from “an apple a day” to “a chocolate bar a day”? The answer to this is probably a big “no”. Nonetheless, knowing this little tidbit and what other discoveries it may lead to in the future sure won’t inhibit a healthy person from treating themselves to the oh-so-desirable rich goodness of a nice piece of dark chocolate on occasion.
Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University have warned that Europe’s binge drinking and drug culture among young people could potentially cause a sexual health crisis.
The researchers came to this conclusion after undertaking a study, which revealed that many young people are drinking alcohol in order to boost their chances of having sex and a smaller number are also using drugs to enhance their sexual pleasure. The researchers found that this behaviour significantly increased the chances of people undertaking unsafe sex or having multiple partners.
The study questioned 1,341 people aged 16 to 35 and found that a third of men and a quarter of women drank alcohol to increase their chances of having sex. Of this figure, many also admitted to taking cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis in order to increase their sexual arousal or prolong sex.
Indeed, the study found that over a quarter (26%) of cocaine users used it to prolong sex. People who regularly took cocaine were also over five times more likely to have had five or more sexual partners in the last 12 months, or to have used prostitutes/paid for sex. In addition to these findings, more than one in seven regular ecstasy users said they had recently exchanged sex for drugs.
The study also found that young people who had used alcohol, cannabis, cocaine or ecstasy prior to the age of 16 were more likely to have had underage sex. Indeed, the study suggested that boys using cannabis before the age 16 were almost three times more likely to have had underage sex than those who had not, while girls were 6.4 times more likely. In addition to this, boys who drank under the age of 16 were 2.47 times more likely to have had underage sex and girls were 5.7 times more likely.
Mark Bellis, of the University’s Centre for Public Health, led the study. He explained that the findings indicated drinking and drugs were becoming “routine”, he said: “Trends in recent decades have resulted in recreational drug use and binge drinking becoming routine features of European nightlife.” He also added that the study suggested drug and alcohol use often led young people to make sexual decisions that they may later regret. He said: “Millions of young Europeans now take drugs and drink in ways which alter their sexual decisions and increase their chances of unsafe sex or sex that is later regretted.”
The cities included in the study were Liverpool in the UK, Vienna in Austria, Lisbon in Portugal, Brno in the Czech Republic, Berlin in Germany, Athens in Greece, Venice in Italy, Ljubljana in Slovenia, and Palma in Spain.
Copyright (c) 2009 Kentaro Konika
Often referred to as universal health care, national health care is a system of health care provided and run by a country’s government. The system grants free health care access to every citizen of the country. The exact healthcare services offered to citizens for free may vary from country to country, meaning that there will be some services which require personal expense to be able to access them. However, the vast majority of health services will be provided for free and paid for by national taxation. Many countries offer universal health care today, one of the first to do so successfully being Germany. The first country to ever implement such a system however, was Great Britain.
Amongst the other countries to offer such a system are France, Australia, and Italy. Almost all of the more economically developed countries around the world offer some kind of universal health care system with the exception of the United States of America. In the USA the only way to access medical care is to have medical insurance. Whilst most industrialized countries offer some kind of free medical service to their citizens the structure of this system can vary quite a bit between nations. One example of this is policies regarding private medical care. In the UK it is common practice for doctors to offer private medical services outside of the free public system, but other countries have greater restrictions on such private medical practice.
Universal health care is a very broad term that has many possible applications. However, the key feature is the provision of a free health service to citizens of a nation. Systems of this sort require huge sums of money to run. As such countries usually pay for such a system through national taxes which all citizens pay. In exchange for paying these taxes citizens are then granted free access to the national health system. It is the government’s decision as to who is entitled to health care and what sort of treatments are to be made available on the system. In some systems patients may have to pay for some part of the treatment whilst receiving the rest for free. This is a form of heavily subsidized treatment.
Systems such as these have been proven to work extremely well in a number of countries around the world. Whilst these systems are inevitably very difficult to manage, the benefits largely outweigh the costs. Owing to this fact, many American citizens and politicians have suggested that such a system may be of benefit to the USA. Rising rates of medical insurance in the USA have driven many to see a national health system as a good solution. In recent times medical insurance costs have risen out of reach of the average citizen meaning that many choose to go without insurance every year. The difficulty with this is that if medical treatment does become necessary the costs of such treatment are enough to make a family bankrupt. Opposition to this view states that taxes are levied on those who least need such care.
Androgens, such as testosterone, are a major component of female and male sexual health and good libido. Female sexual health can be temporarily improved using androgens such as testosterone or DHEA. You write that Viagra legitimized male sexuality not only as conversation material but as a valid health-care issue. There is, therefore, a significant issue regarding the sexual health of female partners of men who have sex with men (MSMs). This bulletin message board forum is intended to allow male sexuality discussions, men’s sexual health personal experiences, and male health issue problems. political trends on research on female sexuality with a particular focus on political attacks on sexual health research at the National Institutes of Health.
There are five major areas involved in male and female sexual health: 1. Understanding these constructions enable more effective designs for intervention strategies that enable the promotion of sexual health amongst males who have sex with males. For effective sexual health promotion amongst males who have sex with males, both these connected issues must be appropriately and adequately addressed. There are specialists who deal with urology and oncology, as well as other areas of male sexual healthcare. Consequently, health care practitioners comment that they only learn about their male patient’s sexual health problems when the condition is severe. Exercise and weight loss may improve male sexual health in obese men, researchers in Italy report. Our project approach to male involvement in reproductive health in India is based in culturally defined male sexual health problems.
Female sexual health problems have to studied using a natural approach from many different areas. Impotence or erectile dysfunction is a quite common male sexual health disorder afflicting around 10 to 30 percent of the total male population. The authors bring together the two critical areas of expertise medical and psychological explain healthy male sexual function and the problem of sexual dysfunction. PenisPillsInfo.com Male enhancement advice and information, sexual health and performance and top pill brand information. Sex-Boost is a ‘by-prescription-only’ pill designed to enhance male sexual health by enabling men to achieve an erection. The female sexual health function is a complex interaction of hormonal events and psychosocial relationships. Work on male fertility and potency have also made the UW a national leader in advancing men’s sexual health.
McCullough is a specialist in male sexual health and fertility. A report examining and summarizing the symposium held in Oaxaca, Mexico, on male partcipation in sexual and reproductive health. Since Sex-Boost’s invention the subject of male sexual health has become common in newspapers, on the television and also over the Internet. It also combats male pattern boldness and contributes to a man’s overall sexual health regimen. The program was set up as the women’s movement raised awareness about reproductive health and female sexuality. A manmade ingredient of many plastics, cosmetics and other consumer products may be interfering with male sexual health and prenatal male sexual development.
Talk with your physician or other female sexual health professional to find a good sex therapist in your area that could help you. Although trials are underway with drugs to help eliminate female sexual health problems, the current feedback is not promising. There are a lot of male nurses working in sexual health. body – sexual health Female Infertility Finding out she’s pregnant can be one of the most joyous moments in a woman’s life. I did an online search for a male sexual health supplement, and there are hundreds of them. A urologist specializes in male sexual health problems. During a recent interview, Spark discussed his version of the Clinton legacy, shifting attitudes about male sexual health and alternatives to Viagra. Synopsis: A groundbreaking comprehensive guide to male health and sexuality.
If you are male and have a sexual health concern, you can address it with your regular doctor. Blood tests are often employed in female sexual health conditions to check various hormone levels. Use regularly to promote general health and overall female sexual functioning. Ovantra is the best product for womens sexual health and it has been referred to as the Female Viagra! General women’s health issues play an important part in a woman’s overall sexual wellness. Healthy female sex organs are less susceptible to infection. Victim to abuser: Mental health and behavioral sequels of child sexual abuse in a community survey of young adult males. Thanda is a powerful tonic for female sexual health, containing a range of specially selected remedies from Africa and the Orient.
Etic and emic categories in male sexual health: a case study from Orissa. As a result, sexual health services often ignores the possibility of STD/HIV transmission resulting from such a sexual practice both for males and females. Oriental (Panax) ginseng – supports physical stamina and has long been used to support male sexual health. Training of police staff and the judiciary on issues regarding males who have sex with males and sexual health concerns. http://www.man-sexual-health.com/
Italy is not only famous for its historic monuments, its cities full of beautiful art and architecture and its long history, but also for its excellent wines and other drinks famous worldwide. Take a trip with us down through this country to discover the “spirit” of each town.
Vermouth is the typical aromatic wine from Turin. It was invented around 1700. The main ingredients are Muscat wines, to which are added alcohol, cane sugar and extract of crushed herbs, among them absinthe. In fact, “vermut” means “absinthe” in German. There are different types of vermouth: white, red and dry. They are often used in making cocktails.
Milano is the home of Campari, Amaro Ramazzotti and Branca drinks. Fernet Branca is a digestive liqueur unique in the world. It is made from herbs gathered in four continents and matured in oak barrels, and Brancamenta, a refreshing and thirst quenching mint flavoured drink, ideal on hot summer days!”. Campari is an alcoholic aperitif, made from an infusion of sixty ingredients, steeped in alcohol, but the recipe itself remains a secret. In recent years several versions have been produced, ready mixed with vodka and very popular with young people (Campari Soda, Campari MIXX). Ramazzotti, on the other hand, is a good digestive liqueur and can be drunk neat or with ice. The trendiest place to enjoy your aperitifs? The Happy Hour at <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_tocq/restaurant_cafe.htm”>UNA Hotel Tocq</A> in corso Como from 18.00 to 21.00.
Bellini and Spritz come from the romantic city of Venice. <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_venezia/venezia_hotels.htm”> UNA Café </A>, suggests a time-honoured long drink cocktail made with sparkling white wine (Prosecco or Champagne) and the juice of white peaches. Bellini is one of the best known Italian cocktails all over the world. Its counterpart is Spritz, a red cocktail made with dry white wine, sparkling mineral water or tonic water and a variety of alcoholic drinks.
In Bologna it is wine that has pride of place. The most famous being Sangiovese, whose name means “Jupiter’s blood”, and Lambrusco a sparkling red wine which is a the ideal companion for the typical cuisine of the Romagna region. While staying in<A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_bologna/restaurant_cafe.htm”> UNA Hotel Bologna </A>, just opposite the central station, you can enjoy the evening touring the typical inns of the historic city centre, where you can easily find yourself in the company of famous songwriters or other well-known personalities, having their glass of wine.
The Tyrrhenian coast of Tuscany , famous for its fashionable venues and exclusive wine bars, is the perfect place to taste the best of Tuscan wines. Among them Brunello di Montalcino, at the top of the league of Italian wines and a DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (Contolled and guaranteed origin). It is hard to imagine anything more romantic than sipping these wines on the terrace of <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_versilia/RoofGarden.htm”>UNA Hotel Versilia </A>looking out to sea at sunset.
The birthplace of Renaissance, Florence, is also the home of Chianti wine, one of the best red Italian wines known and appreciated all over the world. It gets its name from the surrounding hills where it is produced. This wine is associated with the typical raffia covered rounded flask with a narrow neck, invented to protect the precious contents from the light which might alter its quality. It was in Florence that the count Camillo Negroni created the cocktail which bears his name: Negroni, made with gin, red vermouth, bitter Campari and half a slice of orange. After a romantic walk in the historic centre and along the river Arno, the river which crosses this magnificent city, try the contrast of the daring design in the<A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_vittoria/florence_hotel_rooms.htm”> UNA Hotel Vittoria</A> , where doors with reproductions of Renaissance paintings lead into ultramodern rooms lined with mirrors, plate glass and a starlit sky.
Sambuca was born in Civitavecchia, a town near the capital, Rome. This is a sweet liqueur with a strong aniseed flavour and which can be served neat, after coffee or with an ice cube or coffee grain which has to be chewed while drinking this liqueur to enhance its taste.
Another wine worth mentioning is Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a red wine whose grapes come originally from Greece, like the majority of wines made from red grapes in the southern regions. Its excellent basic quality has made it famous abroad too. Enjoy sipping this wine after a long journey, stopping on the A1 motorway at the<A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unawayhotels.it/en/unaway_montepulciano_est/tuscany_hotel_montepulciano.htm”> UNAWAY Hotel Monepulciano Est</A> for those travelling south or <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unawayhotels.it/en/unaway_montepulciano_ovest/montepulciano_tuscany_hotel.htm”>UNAWAY Hotel Montepulciano Ovest<A/> for those on their way north.
A little further south we find the area where Limoncello or Limoncino is produced. This is distilled from lemon peel and often home made. It is excellent as a digestive liqueur after typical Neapolitan fish dishes, or as served at the American Bar on the panoramic terrace of <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unahotels.it/en/una_hotel_napoli/restaurant_cafe.htm”>UNA Hotel Napoli</A>, added to lemon ice cream for a refreshing sherbet. Continuing inland along the motorway, between Naples and Avellino you’ll find the restaurant of <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=”http://www.unawayhotels.it/en/unaway_mirabella_sud/restaurant.htm”>UNAWAY Mirabella Sud </A>where you can sip the delicate Fiano di Avellino, which goes perfectly with fish starters, fresh cheeses and white meat (it is a good idea to book in advance).
And if all this were not enough, you can make a last stop in Sardinia to taste Cannonau, a red wine which is probably the oldest wine in the Mediterranean, and Mirto, a popular liqueur, often home made from steeping myrtle berries in alcohol.
…..To your health!
Recently there has been a lot of talk about Neuro-linguistic Programming, also in Italy several schools have been created and various courses have been organized in the last years, but what is NLP and how does it really work?
NLP is defined as “a model of interpersonal communication chiefly concerned with the relationship between successful patterns of behavior and the subjective experiences (esp. patterns of thought) underlying them” and “a system of alternative therapy based on this which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behavior”.
NLP originated in the United States in the ’70 thanks to the research of Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who are now considered the founders. These two co-founders claimed it would be instrumental in “finding ways to help people have better, fuller and richer lives”. NLP was originally promoted by its founders, Bandler and Grinder, in the 1970s as an extraordinarily effective and rapid form of psychological therapy, capable of addressing the full range of problems which psychologists are likely to encounter, such as phobias, depression, habit disorder, psychosomatic illnesses, learning disorders. It also espoused the potential for self-determination through overcoming learnt limitations and emphasized well-being and healthy functioning.
According to the developers, these methodology is an application model able to encourage the change, through a range of techniques and instruments (the result also of the integration among psychology, linguistic, cybernetic and the system theory) related to communication, perception and subjective experience.
Neuro-linguistic programming is often proposed in the researches in the human communication field, as education, learning, negotiation, sales, leadership, team-building, etc., it is considered as finding an application even in decisional and creative processes, in the medical field, in sport and in the psychotherapy, but it is not endorsed from the Academic Community. Despite that, it has an influence also in Italy (active from the ’80) on private psychotherapists, on management training, life coaching and self-help courses market.
Even the NLP itself affirms that its applications don’t necessary have a scientific base, because the main basic principles are “work hypothesis that can be true or not. The problem is not if they are true, but just if they could be useful”. In Italy it is still young, but recently it has been greatly promoted on the web through the numerous courses talking about self-esteem, seduction and professional training (especially on the sales field), with the final result to attract a lot of critics.
In the various institutes that utilize the NLP, the techniques implemented use also the theory of the Time Line.
The Time Line is the way in which a person memorizes his past memoirs at the unconscious level and how this person project these memories also in the future. According to these theories, to free yourself from negative emotions and theirs influences on your daily life, it is necessary to discover their deep and temporal root, so going back in the time along your family tree to reach the moment of the trauma and so to be able to release the negative effects of these past experiences.
Also in Italy many centers are developing these theories and techniques, to help people change their lives and to live better lives, no more limited from the past negative experiences.
This article was written by Martina Meneghetti with support from costellazioni famigliari. For any information on Fotoregali.com, visit emisfero destro or surfing on-line neurolinguistica pnl
Within Italy, form North to South, there are about 200 spa bath locations. Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia are the most popular destinations for Italians and foreigners. The ingredients of well-being have been borrowed from nature to create new
treatment trends for taking care of the body. One of the most popular are hot springs. The
thermal water often comes from a subterranean spring that lies at a depth of 200 meters and more. They are said to help skin troubles, respiratory system, loco motor and vascular
system and more. Treatments are based on technology and experience. Today, therapies
performed by specialized medical teams and clinical treatments – some with centuries of
history behind them – have given rise to the most important medical school of hydrology in Italy, a reference point for clinics throughout the world.
Italians consider a stay at a spa bath a special occasion for relax, and are unwilling to give up this pleasure. We recommend experimenting regions with a strong spa tradition such as Tuscany, Emilia Romagna and Veneto. One of the most famous places in Northern Italy are Abano and Montegrotto in Veneto which are known throughout the world for their mud-bath treatments (the beneficial properties of their natural mud, which has a calming and decongestant effect and is ideal for the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, were already famous in the days of the ancient Rome). A bit northern you’ll find the Island of the Sun – Grado – looking over the Adriatic Sea in Friuli Venezia Giulia and frequented at the end of the 19th Century by the upper middle class and Austro-Hungarian nobility, who elected it their favourite health resort.
See the best thermal hotels in Italy and check Dream Destination Europe. www.dde-europe.com
If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Calabria region of southern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Ionian Sea. Calabria is the toe of the Italian boot. There are excellent tourist attractions, and you won’t have to fight crowds, but you may have to fight hot, hot summers. With a little luck you’ll avoid tourist traps, and come back home with the feeling that you have truly visited Italy. This article examines tourist attractions in northern Calabria. Be sure to read our companion article on southern Calabria.
Our tour of northern Calabria starts in Diamante, on the western Tyrrhenian coast. Then we head south along the coast as far as Paola and a bit east to Rende. Theoretically we proceed in almost a straight line east, except that the roads are hardly straight and that’s part of the fun, to Cosenza, pop up a bit north to the Parco Nazionale della Calabria, and then southwest to Crotone on the eastern Ionic coast. We follow the coastal road north and east to the little town of Cerchiara di Calabria. We turn left (east) and finish our tour in Castrovillari, about forty-five miles (seventy kilometers) northeast of our starting point.
Diamante (can you guess what the name means?) is a beautiful fishing village of about five thousand on a protective rock along the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike so much of southern Italy, its climate is sunny and yet mild. It’s quite an artist colony, boasting plenty of narrow streets and alleys. Diamante’s walls are covered with murals, an old tradition that is still maintained. You’ll love the century-old stucco houses and their balconies. You’ll never guess which little red objects are hung out to dry on the clotheslines in late summer, red-hot chili peppers. These peperoncini are so much a local specialty that in early September the city holds a Festival de Peperoncini, called “The South’s Carnival” that attracts one hundred thousand visitors. There is dancing in the street, men on stilts, traditional music, and plenty of peroncini-flavored food.
Rende is home to the University of Calabria in the green hills of suburban Cosenza (see below). The city itself has a population of about thirty-five thousand, but the university population is about twenty-five thousand. Stop by on your way to Cosenza, you’ll appreciate the cobblestone streets even if you get a bit winded negotiating the staircases and escalators.
Cosenza’s population is about seventy thousand but almost triples when you consider the urban area including the University. It is located at the confluence of two rivers: the Crathis and the Busento, home of the legend of the Visigoth King Alaric who in the year 410 captured Rome, the first to do so in over eight hundred years. Naturally he amassed quite some treasure. Two years later he died under unclear circumstances. He was buried with his horse and his treasure under the riverbed; the Busento was temporarily turned aside from its course during the grave digging. Once the tomb was completed, the river was returned to its original site and the tomb covered with water. To ensure that no one would reveal this location Alaric’s troops killed all of the slaves. Perhaps not surprisingly his grave and his treasure have never been found. If you like history you can learn about the multiple occupations of this beautiful city and how it was destroyed and rebuilt on several occasions during the first millennium and the following centuries.
Cosenza was known as the Athens of Calabria. Its academy was founded almost five hundred years ago making it one of the first in Italy. To this day Cosenza is home to numerous libraries, museums, and theatres. It is a very picturesque city about seven hundred feet (two hundred forty meters) above sea level. You’ll love the castle and the old town. The Castello Svevo is mostly in ruins, but not for the reasons that you might imagine. First came several earthquakes. Then a lucky (unlucky) lightning strike set off gunpowder stored on the premises.
Nobody is sure when the Duomo (Cathedral) was first built, but estimates favor the mid-Twelfth Century. At that time Calabria was a feudal Norman dukedom and Cosenza was its capital. An earthquake destroyed the cathedral in 1184 and it was rebuilt within forty years. It is one of the most interesting such buildings in southern Italy. Over the years there have been many additions (and subtractions) in a multitude of styles including Baroque, Gothic, and Provencal Gothic.
Be sure to visit the Fifteenth Century Church of San Domenico which combines Renaissance and Medieval elements. Don’t miss the rose window with tufa (limestone) columns, the wooden portal decorated with floral motifs, and the high altar made of polychrome marble. Nearby stands the “Convent of the Virgins” which boasts many historic paintings. Other Cosenza churches include the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis of Assisi, and the Sixteenth Century Church of Sant’Agostino, also known as the Spirito Santo. In this area in 1844 the famous Italian patriots, the Bandiera Brothers, were executed during the struggle for Italian independence.
Of course the new city isn’t going to be as interesting as the old town. But it does include an open-air museum Museo all’aperto Bilotti named for the guy with the checkbook. The sculptures include Saint George and the Dragon by Salvador Dal?br />
Would you believe that there’s lots of good skiing in southern Italy? The Sila is a vast forested kilometer high plateau in the Calabrian interior. This is the largest such formation in all Europe. It is split into three parts and forms the Parco Nazionale della Calabria (Calabria National Park) whose largest section is east of Consenza. Most of the forest has been replanted and, as a sign of ecological health, the park’s symbol the wolf is on the way back. As you may well imagine, local farmers are not overjoyed.
Crotone whose population is approximately sixty thousand was a major city in the days of the Greeks. The famous philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras founded a school here about twenty five hundred years ago. Be sure to see the Ninth to Eleventh Century neo-classical Cathedral home to an icon of the Black Madonna said to come from the East in the early days of the Christian era. Then go by foot to the island and its Sixteenth Century Castle of Charles V, home to the archeological Town Museum.
Cerchiara di Calabria is a town of about three thousand located on the eastern coast of the Ionian Sea. The site has been settled since the days of the Ancient Greeks. It is best known for the Tenth Century Sanctuary of S. Maria delle Armi, which includes a historic pilgrim hospice. The streets are cobblestone, the view is stupendous, and I’m told that the La Locanda di Alia restaurant is out of this world, if you watch the spices.
Castrovillari is the last stop in our tour of northern Calabria. Its population is about twenty two thousand. There is a historic synagogue, a Spanish castle, and a Sixteenth Century Church. Castrovillari is a gateway to the national park mentioned above. But one of the major reasons that people stop by is to visit the La Locanda di Alia restaurant. Next time I’m in the region…
What about food? The Sila mountain range that somewhat resembles the Swiss Alps is famous for its mushrooms, especially porcini and truffles, and Caciocavallo Silano cheese. As good as that sounds, I think I’d like the wild boar even better.
Let’s suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Macco di Fave (Broadbean Soup). Then try Costolette d’agnello alla calabrese (Lamb Chops with Olive Oil, Tomatoes, Sweet Peppers, and Olives). For dessert indulge yourself with Mostaccioli (Anise-flavored Biscuits.) Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal.
We conclude with a brief look at Calabria wine. Calabria devotes about sixty thousand acres to grapevines; it ranks 13th among the 20 Italian regions for the acreage devoted to wine grapes. About 91% of its wine is red or rose, leaving 9% for white. The region produces twelve DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, often translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Only 2.4% of Calabria wine carries the DOC designation.
The best-known red wine is Ciro, which some say is the oldest wine in the world. Given the region’s high altitude, temperate climate, and poor-quality soil one can hope for excellent wines. Right now, it’s a question of hope. But sooner or later, as in other regions of southern Italy, Calabria wines should step forward.
If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Friuli-Venezia Giuli region of northeastern Italy, bordering on Austria and Slovenia. For simplicity’s sake we abbreviate the region’s full name to Friuli. Depending on your interests, Friuli may be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food and other specialties, and wash it down with fine local wine. While Friuli is not exactly undiscovered by tourists you usually won’t be fighting crowds to see what you want. Like most regions of Italy, it has belonged to many nations over the years. Unlike most regions of Italy it remains multicultural, an exceptional mixture of Italian, Austrian, and Slavic influences. This article explores Trieste, Friuli’s capital. A companion article examines several other attractions in this beautiful region.
Trieste with a population of some two hundred thousand is the largest city of the Friuli region. Like so many other Italian cities, Trieste was originally settled thousands of years ago. Like so many other cities in Italy, Trieste went from one occupier to another changing rulers over the centuries. Unlike any other Italian city, Trieste was definitely part and parcel of Mittleleuropa (Central Europe). It was the major port of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. And unlike any other Italy city, Trieste only joined Italy in 1954 putting an end to the short-lived Free Territory of Trieste founded in 1947. The 1975 Treaty of Osimo dealt with the question of ethnic minorities and the border with Yugoslavia. Slovenia became independent in 1991 and in 1992 declared that it would recognize this treaty. One can well imagine that with such a unique history Trieste would be a unique place to visit. It is.
As soon as you get to Trieste you’ll notice its ubiquitous coffee houses. Some of them have been in business for hundreds of years. Among the best is the Antico Caffe San Marco, as old world as you can get. See if you can wow the regulars; ask for a Bicerin, which is coffee served in a glass. As you hang around one of Trieste’s alternatives to Starbuck’s your thoughts might turn to Trieste’s most famous expatriate, James Joyce, who resided here from 1904 to 1915 and from 1919 to 1920. It was in Trieste that he finished Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and began his masterpiece Ulysses. You might try to track down the 45 plaques on buildings associated with his life in Trieste.
As befits its internationality, Trieste is home to a variety of historic religious buildings representing many faiths. The Serbian-Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity and Saint Spyridion was built in the mid-Nineteenth Century and shows a strong Byzantine influence. Be sure to go inside to view its beautiful frescoes and icons. The Israelite Temple of Trieste was built slightly more than a century ago. Its exterior style is said to be late Roman of a type found in Fourth Century Syria. The building was closed in 1942 because of the Italian Fascist race laws but reopened after World War II. It is the largest synagogue in Italy.
The Trieste Cathedral is dedicated to its patron saint, San Guisto (Saint Justus), martyred at the beginning of the Fourth Century. It was constructed in the Sixth Century over Roman ruins. Shortly after it opened for worship a Lombard invasion destroyed the Cathedral. Then in the Ninth and Eleventh Centuries two basilicas were constructed on the ruins. In the Fourteenth Century these basilicas were joined and in a sense the Cathedral was rebuilt. Excavations during the 1930s revealed the remains of a Roman forum and other buildings. The Cathedral is adjacent to a castle of the same name. Walk on its ramparts for a great view of the city and its surroundings.
Other Trieste churches of interest include the Eleventh Century Roman-Gothic Basilica of San Silvestro built on the site of the city’s oldest church, the Seventeenth Century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Chapel of Madonna della Salute (Madonna of Health) with a Seventeenth Century Sculpture that some believe to have saved Trieste from a cholera epidemic in 1849. This church is next door to the Protestant Church of Saint Sylvester.
There’s one great characteristic that Trieste shares with other Italian cities; demolitions often unearth hidden treasures. For example in 1938 during a routine excavation the Teatro Romano (Roman Amphitheater) emerged from the rubble so to speak. This amphitheater is nestled in the middle of the central business district, near the foot San Giusti hill and is very well preserved. Make sure that you see the Arco di Riccardo (Arch of Richard), named for King Richard the Lionhearted. This Augustan gate built in the Roman walls approximately two thousand years ago is located in Trieste’s old town.
Like other international historic cities, Trieste boasts a fine collection of museums. Here are some of them. The Civico Museo di Storia ed Arte (City Museum of History and Art) contains Egyptian, Greek, and Italian antiquities including art and artifacts from the Roman Amphitheater. Make sure to see the museum’s Orto Lapidario (Lapidary Gardens.) The Civico Museo Revoltella e Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Revoltella City Museum and Modern Art Gallery) started with the personal collection of Baron Revoltella, one of the guys who constructed the Suez Canal (not with his own hands). It focuses on Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Italian artists. For a change of pace visit the Museo del Mare (Museum of the Sea), one of the best such museums in the Mediterranean.
The Castle of Miramar, about four miles (seven kilometers) northwest of Trieste is quite recent, dating from the 1850s. It was built for the Austrian Archduke Maximilian and his Belgian wife Charlotte and includes beautiful extensive gardens and a greenhouse featuring tropical plants and butterflies. The chapel includes a cross constructed from Novara, the flagship on which Maximilian set sail to become Emperor of Mexico.
Trieste is an international academic and research center. Its internationally-known institutions include the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the International School for Advanced Studies also specializing in physics, the National Institute of Nuclear Physics, and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
The Gratta Gigante (Giant Cave) about 9 miles (15 kilometers) north of Trieste is the biggest tourist cave in the world. Its main room is over 160 feet (100 meters) high, almost three times as long, and about 100 feet (65 meters) wide. It’s big enough to contain Saint Peter’s Cathedral in Rome, the largest religious building in the world. The lighting of the cave’s stalactites and stalagmites is spectacular. You’ll find a Speleological Museum at the entrance to the cave. There are an estimated 1500 caves in the Trieste area.
What about food? Trieste cuisine is surely one of the most international in all Italy. Its foreign influences include Hungary for meat and fish goulash, Austria for coffee and a wide variety of pastries, Yugoslavia for grilled meat, and Germany for wurst and sauerkraut. Let’s not forget Italy’s influence and even that of the nearby Carso plateau, known for potato, bread and plum gnocchi (dumplings), pasticcio and crespelle (filled pasta envelopes), potato and spinach rolls. And the list goes on. We suggest a sample menu, one of many. Start with Paparot (Spinach Soup). Then try Gulash Triestino (Goulash Triestino Style). For dessert indulge yourself with Gubana (Nut and Dried Fruit Roll.) Be sure to increase your dining pleasure by including local wines with your meal. We’ll conclude with a quick look at Friuli wine. Friuli ranks number 14 among the 20 Italian regions for acres planted in wine grapes and number 13 for total wine production. Approximately 48% of its wine production is red or ros?only a little ros? leaving 52% for white. The region produces 9 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine and 1 DOCG white dessert wine, Ramandolo. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Over 60% of Friuli wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation, this is the second highest percentage in all Italy.
Carso DOC is a red or white dry white wine raised in the small region between the Isonzo River and the city of Trieste on the Slovenian border. Carso is produced in a dozen styles, sometimes from international grape varieties and sometimes from local ones. Some parts of its growing area are subject to a vigorous winter, while others near the sea have a Mediterranean climate. Surprisingly enough these zones may be separated by only a few hundred meters. Look for the red Carso Terrano and the white Carso Malvasia.
Every year, the U.S. Tour Operators Association, a professional association of travel agents and tour operators who arrange travel for more than 10 million travelers every year, runs an informal survey among members to name the worldâs top vacation destinations. Year after year, one country tops the list of international vacation destinations â Italy, the heart of civilization, the cradle of romance and the home of the Holy Sea.
What is it that makes Italy so special? The spectacular scenery and warm, wonderful climate are only the background of the picture. Italy is a colorful mosaic of travel experiences, a delicious mélange of flavors and cultures that offers something for every traveler. From cosmopolitan culture buff to adventurer, from the serious student of history to the socialite, Italy truly is the country that caters to them all and everyone in between.
Italyâs cities and countryside offer a true embarrassment of riches. You could easily spend months touring the countryside and never see half of what the country has to offer. What is it that brings so many to bella Italia every year?
See Italy for the Art
Italy was the center of the Renaissance, and is one of the most artistically rich countries in the entire world. According to UNESCO, half the worldâs artistic and historic treasures are located in Italy. In Florence, Venice, Rome, Naples, Milan and other cities, youâll find artistic and architectural wonders that you wonât find anywhere else. Michelangelo, da Vinci, Botticelli, Tintorello, Correggio, Donatello â the most famous artists of all the eras worked and left their legacies in frescoes, paintings and statues throughout the country. And while much of the art is held in museums in nearly every city, there is art everywhere, from the stunning stained glass windows in a tiny chapel in Abruzzi to the painted ceilings of cathedrals.
See Historic Italy
History lives in Italy. Long known as the cradle of Western civilization, Italyâs cities and countryside are a treasure trove of historical sites. You can walk the Via Appia and feel the weight of centuries drop away as you realize that two thousand years ago, this very road was traveled by the armies and citizens of Imperial Rome. Visit the Coliseum in Rome, or wander through the preserved city of Pompeii and become a part of history. And of course, there is the Vatican, the walled city inside Rome that is the home and the heart of the Catholic Church, where scholars come to study ancient texts and treasures.
Visit Italy for the Scenery
The scenic vistas of Italy are as varied as its twenty regions. From snowcapped mountains to sweeping, white sand beaches, the natural beauty of Italy is as alive and vivid as the paintings of its most famous artists. When you venture beyond the cities, youâll still find the untamed beauty of the Tuscan hills with their craggy, winding paths and terraced vineyards. You can wander through twenty three national parks and nearly 500 protected nature preserves that are protected by the government. There are sea cliffs and alpine mountains, rolling hills and open plains. And there is always, of course, the sea with its ever-changing yet everlasting face.
Come to Italy for the Food
Italian food and hospitality is famous the world over for its abundance. Abondanza is a concept that is well-understood in the Mediterranean country. Everywhere you go, youâll find groaning tables and open, welcoming arms inviting you to mangia! Mangia!! A full tour of Italy is a gustatory delight, for there is no single style of Italian cooking. Instead, each region of Italy has its own unique flavors and combinations that are drawn from the local specialties and available foods. Tuscany is famous for its seafood, Milan for its rich sauces and complex flavors, Bologna for its traditional red sauce. Eating and drinking well is a way of life in Italy, and whether you treat yourself to a fine meal in one of Romeâs five-star restaurants, or stop at a roadside ristorante in a small province, youâre sure to be served the best of the best.
To Your Health!
Italy has been famous for its thermal spas and springs since the times of Hippocrates. Italian spas enjoy the benefits of both sea and fresh water springs. Hot water thermal springs are plentiful, thanks to the countryâs geological peculiarities and the network of underground volcanic springs. Today, the thermal spas are a popular attraction in nearly every region of Italy, and have become popular holiday destinations in their own rights. Italian health spas offer more than just the baths. Many are located close to cultural and leisure attractions, and make a wonderful base of operations for your stay in the country.
Travel Gems in Italy
If you visit Rome, spend at least one day just walking around the city. Youâll discover many tiny sites and historical finds that are not on any tourist map. These sites may have been uncovered during the construction of another building and never completely excavated, but are there to stumble across and enjoy away from the bustling crowds.
By all means, visit the well-known museums in the major cities, but for a real treat take a drive outside the cities and seek out small towns and villages. Youâll discover some of the most amazing and unexpected treasures tucked into alcoves or painted on the walls of village churches throughout the country.
Skip the hotels and rent a villa or cottage in a small town if youâre staying in Italy for more than a few days. In many cases, it wonât cost much more â and will often be less â than a stay in a good hotel, and your hosts will treat you as part of the family while youâre there.
Italy is a country of contrasts and beauties whose charm grows deeper and warmer with every visit. Itâs no wonder that it regularly tops the list of holiday destinations worldwide, or that so many who visit return again and again to its warm and welcoming arms.
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