The patron saint of Portofino is San Giorgio and the annual village 'festa patronale' is celebrated on the first Sunday in April.
March 2004 Archives
Sig. Giuratrabocchetti recounts his early exposure to the world of wine:
"I think I was about seven years old and I remember as if it was yesterday. I went to have a look at Grandpa's vineyard and I found him bent over near a vine stalk. He was a grumpy man and I was in awe of him, but there among his vines he had a serene and unusually sweet expression.
The internationally known architect Richard Meier's church is built in a working class district of Rome.
December, 1979, the Marquesa Margaret Rockefeller de Larrain, granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, donated her father's estate, Villa Le Balze in Fiesole, to Georgetown University.
The delicate nine bay arcade of this elegant square was designed by Brunelleschi in 1419 and forms the facade of the Ospedale Degli Innocenti or House of Orphans.
The "explosion of the cart" takes place on Easter Sunday in front of the Duomo in Florence.
Founded in 1970, Luigi and Alessio di Majo Norante have been producing good Molise wine in Campomarino.
A gastronomic destination in Molise recommended by Marina Colonna.
Looking for a good place to stay when visiting Monte Cassino or on the way from Rome to Positano?
The original proprietor Prince Francesco Colonna founded this important olive producing estate, now operated by his daughter, Marina Colonna.
Nearly the smallest region in Italy (in order of size and population it ranks 19th) Molise has a fascinating gastronomy.
Looking for a fine expression of Marche viticulture? Forget Fazi Battaglia!
Proprietor Nazareno Migliori also known as Zè owns this gastronomic emporium that has wonderful take-out, Marche wines, "whiskey" and the best fried Ascolano olives!
Contained within the Palazzo Ducale this museum is included in a visit to the Palazzo.
The Urbino palace is the work of architect Luciano Laurana, who was commissioned in 1465 to extend the old building on the Piazza Rinascimento.
Built in 1270, the fresh water supply from this fountain sustained L’Aquila's residents through plagues, earthquakes and sieges.
This remarkable lace school is located in Pescocostanzo, Abruzzo. Signora Carmela Faraglia teaches young women how to deftly operate up to 56 wooden bobbins to re-create intricate Renaissance designs.
Founded in 1970, Delverde is located within the spectacular Maiella National Park. They produce almost 600,000 pounds of pasta a day in more than 130 shapes.
Established in 1993, the Gran Sasso Laga National Park of Abruzzo spreads on 203,000 hectares through the territory of 57 communes divided among the provinces of L'Aquila, Teramo, Pescara, Ascoli Piceno and Rieti.
The Torciata di San Giuseppe of Pitigliano is a traditional procession dedicated to the Saint that culminates with an evocative "Ritual of the Fire".
La Furatola in Venice makes a specialty of ultra-fresh fish, served simply. Try pasta with clams or fish sauce.
The Armenian Monastery with a garden, cloister and cypress groves can be found on this small island in the Venice lagoon.
Pellestrina, a small island between the shore of the Venice Lido and Chioggia is filled with multi-colored, picturesque houses and gigantic murazzi (walls), built to defend the shore that divides the lagoon from the sea.
Lying next to the Giudecca and across the Venetian lagoon from the Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace), is the island of San Giorgio Maggiore.
A rather undiscovered area of Venice is Cavallino. It is located on the Punta Sabbioni, a peninsula jutting into the Venetian lagoon. It has a coastline (littorale) of broad beaches and shallow, safe waters.
