This summer holiday destination fulfilled the need for familiarity after an out-of-comfort zone period. The trip by train through Swiss green pastures and white mountain picks was a delightful invitation to slow down. Emilia Romagna has welcomed and continuously surprised us.
Our holidays are child-centered. Hence the choice of destination. I love the beaches close to Rimini as the water is not too deep for fun splish-splash; and the flow and ebb make it a fantastic research ground for exploring the small sea creatures. It also reminds adults of flow in life. All beaches have good and safe playgrounds for kids to play and interact.
Acquario de Catolica is advertised as the biggest aquarium on the Adriatic side. It has four itineraries: blue – for sharks, penguins, turtles and jellyfish in about 100 display tanks and pools with some presentations of the history of our planet; yellow – for rivers and streams and a cute otters natural habitat; green – chameleons, frogs, insects and snakes; purple – for sounds of the sea in an interactive itinerary thanks to the various display tanks you can discover how fishes, marine mammals and invertebrates communicate.
Italia in Miniatura is a thematic park which invites children to feel as giants. You’ll enjoy a walk of beautiful reproductions of famous Italian monuments and landscapes and some 30 European monuments. Kids and adults alike enjoy climbing the Mont Blanc, taking the mini cars for a short visit into Pinocchio’s story and the gondola ride in Venice.
Ravenna was no doubt the highlight of the trip. It is home to eight UNESCO monuments. I wished I could turn off the sound of the city to emerge into the atmosphere of middle ages. Our visit started with San Giovanni Evangelista, which is one of oldest churches in Europe dated from year 500. In San Dominico you can watch a documentary about a range of sites to visit in Ravenna, along with a precious art and books exhibition. We stopped at Cupido for a traditional piadina. It has also the vegan version made of kamut flour, which I enjoyed very much.
We visited then Basilica San Vitale, which is considered one of the most important monuments of Early Christian art in Italy, especially for the splendour of its mosaics. It astonishes with the blend of oriental and western art and architecture. The light and shadows play is fascinating. Next to it, The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia is a Roman building in Ravenna, Italy. It was listed with seven other structures in Ravenna in the World Heritage List in 1996. The UNESCO experts describe it as “the earliest and best preserved of all mosaic monuments, and at the same time one of the most artistically perfect”.
We had the Chapel of Sant’Andrea or Archiepiscopal Chapel, which is the only existing archiepiscopal chapel of the early Christian era that has been preserved intact to the present day, followed on our itinerary. Very close to it, you’ll find the the Baptistry of Neon also called Orthodox Baptistry, the most ancient monument remaining in the city, partly erected on the site of a Roman bath.
Summers in Italy remind me to take holidays habits into daily routine. Make time for a walk, make time for play, go with the flow, stay in the present and enjoy it all.
Tag Archives: Italy
What I love about Italy
2 of 3 kids at the play ground are with their daddies.
The internet connection knows it’s Sunday and there is no need to hurry.
Poetry on receipts: caffetteria -pasticceria Dolci Penseri, Caffe Diemme, Coronelli, gelateria Dovesi, cafe Pascuci, Sbagliato, sbagliatissimo, Gianduoso, Montebianco caramel, café Medaglia d’oro, café saccaria, La Scintilla il gelato di classe, ….
Two platforms number six in a railway station.
Waiters asking for my kid’s name every time we come for dinner.
Best risotto marinara by a handsome chef
You can never tell for sure whether two Italians argue or simply talk
Large terraces for an espresso to enjoy for an hour.
A seventy something waitress serving you an amazing cappuccino and flirting with your husband at the same time.
A cook speaking your language.
Italian mood like weather.
Almost deserted beaches/bagno in mid September
Piazze and piazzale that take you by surprise around the corner
No need to speak Italian to play football on the beach with Italian kids and have great fun
Vero gelato: best stracciatella magnum wrapped in a huge owner’s smile. And the owner is a vero gelato award winner!
The joy they meet you at the coffee shop the second and third and forth time you come back for the best latte macchiato
When strangers you meet call your daughter bellissima and you know it’s a compliment to mothers as well
Open air theater performances in piazze and piazzale on Sundays
Mondays are naturally days off
3 hour lunch breaks
Wifi free beaches
Italian style breakfast: espresso with newspapers. Well, we also ask occasionally for a croissant to add it a personalised touch
My first vegan ice cream: panna riso
Flower terraces on every roof
The sounds of marcato / markets
Train connections to every corner you wish
Italians name their Ville & Villette
Ladies in evening slim dresses and yellow Valentino high heels on a bicycle
Wine producers selling their wine in an open air market and insisting that you taste it first. How can you refuse to buy it afterwards?!
Love advice on sugar packets: “Se ami una persona lasciala libera, se poi torna da te e tua per sempre.”
Same goes for my love for Italy 🙂
You must be logged in to post a comment.