| Romantic Getaways In Italy As Perceived
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| | cure of the thermal baths- although I am
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| By Maria Liberati, Author Of The Basic
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| | sure the soaking in of the scenery has a
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| Art Of Italian CookingToday, and
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| | lot to do with it also.There are also
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| Sketchandtravel.com, are pleased to have
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| | little towns to wander around in. Each of
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| as its guest, Maria Liberati, supermodel
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| | the 5 towns in Ischia has their own
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| and author of the soon to be released
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| | little square, which is very romantic,
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| cook- book The Basic Art of Italian
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| | and the main town of Ischia has its own
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| Cooking. The cookbook will contain
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| | castle. There are also little romantic
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| recipes Maria discovered as a guest of
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| | outdoor cafes, shops and coffee bars as
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| various agriturismi (country farms), as
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| | well as the glow of the moonlight basking
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| well as her family's vineyard. It also
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| | on the sea and an occasional outdoor
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| includes her encounters with chefs of
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| | musician singing old romantic Neapolitan
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| some of Italy's trattoria (dining
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| | songs accompanied by mandolin music. Oh
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| establishments). In addition, the
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| | the romance of it all!!!If any of your
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| cookbook contains stories about Maria's
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| | have seen the award winning Italian move-
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| travels around Italy.Maria is a former
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| | Il Postino- (The Postman), the island
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| Miss Pennslvania and Miss International
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| | that it was filmed on (Procida) is right
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| World, however Maria has confided in me
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| | next to the Island of Ischia.-ROME: The
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| that she wouldn't consider herself a
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| | next place I would select would be the
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| pageant junkie. It just gave her a great
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| | city of Rome. Yes it is a big city, but
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| deal of experience and self- confidence.
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| | as many well-traveled Italians will tell
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| She holds a degree from Temple University
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| | you- there is nothing like the city of
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| in Foreign Languages, and is now in
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| | Rome- if you know how to find your way
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| demand by many European type food
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| | around.WHY ROME?To walk around Rome is
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| companies to serve as marketing
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| | analogous to living in an art museum.Rome
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| consultant, as well as spokesperson on TV
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| | is made up of different hills with
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| and in print ads.The following is an
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| | magnificent views. My favorite is Monte
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| interview conducted by Norm Goldman,
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| | Mario with its breathtaking panorama of
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| Editor of Bookpleasures. Com and
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| | the city. Another is the top of the
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| Sketchandtravel.com, with Maria, who
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| | Spanish Steps, where in front of the
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| provides us with some very timely
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| | steps you have a beautiful fountain. If
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| information pertaining to romantic
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| | you go to the top of the steps you have
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| getaways in Italy. Maria now lives six
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| | gorgeous views overlooking the city and
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| months of the year in Italy.Norm: Please
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| | you can also enjoy one of those impromptu
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| tell our readers something about yourself
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| | picnics here.Don't forget Villa Borghese-
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| and your expertise pertaining to romantic
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| | it was the territory of the royal family.
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| getaways in Italy?Maria: My grandfather
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| | Borghese is now a beautiful park- dotted
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| and his family owned a vineyard in the
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| | with beautiful statues, ponds- another
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| mountains of Abruzzi, and I practically
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| | great place to savor a romantic walk and
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| grew up learning a great deal about
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| | an impromptu picnic.One of the most
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| Italian cooking. Moreover, due to my
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| | romantic piazzas (square) is Piazza
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| modeling career, I spent a great deal of
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| | Navona, particularly at night, where you
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| time in Italy.When I was not modeling, I
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| | will find many outdoor restaurants and
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| had the opportunity to study regional
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| | beautiful statues. There is the famous
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| Italian cooking at what are known as
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| | and beautiful-Bar de la Pace- which is
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| agriturismi. This is the Italian word for
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| | located at a far corner of Piazza Navona.
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| country farms that are also bed and
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| | It is a favorite of international
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| breakfasts serving meals produced from
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| | celebrities. And if you want to have some
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| the fresh foods grown and produced in
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| | great pizza- again ask a local for a
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| many different regions of Italy.Generally
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| | forno and you will experience some great,
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| tourists tend to know about the popular
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| | freshly baked pizza and bread. The Romans
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| and crowded places that can be very
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| | are famous for a type of roll called a
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| impersonal. Traveling by car and foot
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| | rosetta it is crusty but at the same time
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| throughout Italy has provided me with
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| | light and airy. So ask for a rosetta,
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| windows to some of the most spectacular
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| | fill it with cheese and you have a
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| venues.Norm: You mention that you have a
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| | wonderful picnic type lunch or
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| great deal of experience of staying in
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| | snack.-Venice is a very romantic spot. I
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| bed and breakfasts on organic farms in
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| | hesitate to recommend Venice; although it
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| Italy (agriturisimi). Could you tell our
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| | is one of the most beautiful and romantic
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| readers something about these B&Bs and
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| | spots in the world, it has just become
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| why you consider them to be appropriate
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| | too touristy. However, if you visit Italy
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| as romantic or honeymoon
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| | and can do it, you must see Venice and
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| destinations?Maria: The agriturismi,
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| | experience its beauty.WHY VENICE?Just
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| aside from being great places to learn
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| | riding on one of the water taxis that
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| about Italian foods, tend to be some of
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| | take you to the island can be romantic as
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| the most romantic vacation spots in
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| | you take in the beauty that surrounds
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| Italy. They are usually located high up
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| | you. If you really wish to have a
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| on a hill with breathtaking views of a
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| | romantic view of the city, take your taxi
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| town. If located in a city like Rome,
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| | ride at night, when the moon glistens on
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| they would be found away from the
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| | the water and the beauty of Venice is lit
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| principal areas. Consequently, they are
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| | up by the glow of the moonlight.You will
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| usually situated in peaceful, serene and
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| | fall madly in love with your romantic
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| picturesque settings. What could be more
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| | significant other, while experiencing
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| romantic than staying on a vineyard, and
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| | this kind of view together.Of course,
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| being able to take a peaceful walk
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| | there are the other traditional things to
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| picking a fresh piece of fruit to munch
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| | do, as a visit to St. Mark's Square, or
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| on while your walking?Moreover, staying
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| | enjoying one of the outdoor cafes and
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| in an agriturismo you are guaranteed to
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| | restaurants, and exploring the little
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| always have an abundance of the best
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| | canals and back alleyways.As for eating
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| quality freshly prepared foods. No doubt,
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| | establishments, the key in finding great
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| this is far superior to eating at
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| | food is to find smaller more intimate
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| restaurants that cater to tourists and
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| | dining places that cater to the locals
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| which often are very pricey.All-
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| | rather than the tourists.-TUSCANYTuscany
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| inclusive packages are generally
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| | is a beautiful romantic destination.WHY
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| available and in most instances will
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| | TUSCANY?Here you can find several
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| prove to be much more economical than a
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| | romantic agriturismo serving wonderful
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| stay in a hotel.Norm: Why would you
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| | fresh foods and located in out of the way
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| consider Italy a good choice for a
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| | places-you are away from the crowds, yet
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| romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon
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| | with the possibility of day trips to
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| destination?Maria: Italy is beyond doubt
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| | Florence and Pisa. In this way you avoid
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| one of the best places for a romantic
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| | the pricey hotels and at the same time
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| getaway or honeymoon- not only because of
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| | experience the feeling of really living
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| the variety of breathtaking beauty and
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| | in Italy.The wines made in Tuscany are
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| romantic views surrounding you, but also
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| | wonderful- be sure to experience
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| the Italian lifestyle.Italians love
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| | them.Florence is a city overloaded with
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| romance, their songs are all based on
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| | beautiful works of art.You have of course
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| romance and about love. People love to
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| | the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of
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| see couples walking hand in hand or arm
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| | the world's most beautiful works of art.
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| in arm. Even just the simple ritual of
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| | Outside of the Gallery there are statues
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| eating a meal has a romantic feel to it.
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| | of some of Florence's most famous
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| When you sit down to eat dinner at a
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| | citizens including Michelangelo and
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| restaurant or even at a bed and breakfast
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| | Galileo- all who had a rich Florentine
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| it is meant to be a long, drawn out
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| | patron to support them in their works.Two
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| ritual. In other words, an activity that
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| | romantic spots in Florence are: the main
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| is shared and enjoyed between two people,
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| | square, which is the Piazza Della
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| and not something over with in 10
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| | Signoria, where you will find a replica
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| minutes.Take for example picnics in
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| | of the statue of David (or as the
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| Italy. If you opt to have spontaneous
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| | Italians know him- the Davide), and the
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| romantic picnics, you have access to some
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| | Ponte Vecchio. This bridge crosses over
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| of the most romantic locations in the
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| | the Arno River and from the bridge you
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| world. Moreover, at your disposal are a
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| | have a beautiful views of the city. Add
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| variety of fresh bread and pizza at the
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| | to this, the walking tours of the
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| local forno (pronounced for-noh), as well
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| | vineyard regions- like Chianti or
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| as cheeses found in local cheese shops or
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| | Montepulciano and you have yourself a
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| supermarkets.Even some of the major
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| | winning spot.-OLTRANTOOltranto is located
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| cities such as Rome, Milan or Florence,
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| | in Puglia and is a sea resort.WHY
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| all have their quiet venues, where you
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| | OLTRANTO?If I may use again an Italian
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| can savor your food and enjoy the
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| | film to give you the feeling of this
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| romantic ambiance.The center of Rome has
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| | landscape- see the award winning
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| the Villa Borghese, and of course, if you
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| | film-Meditteranneo- a wonderful comedy
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| don't mind the noise and crowds, there
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| | about the war, but the scenery is
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| are the Spanish Steps.Not to omit the
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| | breathtaking. Most of the film takes
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| Coliseum and the Roman Forum that are
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| | place in parts of Greece. However,
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| popular areas for impromptu picnics.If
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| | Oltranto's deep intense blues of the
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| you are in a small town, it is certainly
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| | water and stark pristine white colors of
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| not difficult to find a beautiful view in
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| | the surrounding buildings will bear a
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| a quiet place. One word of advice, please
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| | deep resemblance to the colors and
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| always remember to respect the property
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| | waterfront scenery in this film made
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| you are on and clean up after your
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| | mostly in Greece.Due to a lack of
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| picnic.Norm: Why have cooking classes in
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| | industry in Oltranto, the water is
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| Italy become so popular?Maria: Actually
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| | crystal clear.Oltranto is also filled
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| it is a new trend and my own company has
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| | with outdoor cafes and shops that
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| received many requests to put together
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| | overlook the deep blue sky and clear
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| these packages for couples. In fact, I am
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| | water. There are many other beautiful
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| working with a journalist on an article
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| | towns near by that are worthy of day
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| that will shortly appear in February 2005
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| | trips. Lecce, which is about 30 minutes
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| in Women and Fitness Magazine. Of course
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| | away is a beautiful, elegant art-filled
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| it is themed around St Valentine's Day.
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| | city, most of the churches and statues
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| Anyways, it is a trend for couples to
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| | are Baroque. Lecce is a perfect spot to
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| take cooking classes not only in Italy
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| | take a romantic walking tour. In any of
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| but also in the USA. What better way to
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| | these venues you won't find the crowds of
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| share a wonderful experience and create
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| | tourists found in other popular venues.
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| something together, and then enjoy the
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| | Also worth a day trip is Alberobello. It
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| romantic experience of eating what both
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| | is a very touristy town, but worth it to
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| of you just created?It is time that
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| | appreciate the Trulli.Trulli are these
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| Americans catch on to what the Italians
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| | cone shaped houses that are in certain
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| have known for years- that cooking is a
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| | areas of Puglia. These were actually used
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| wonderful romantic experience. It is
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| | as houses many years ago. In Alberobello
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| non-threatening in that you can be
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| | most of the specialty shops are located
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| creative at your own pace together- and
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| | inside the Trulli. You can really
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| then partake in a romantic meal together.
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| | experience a lot of unspoiled countryside
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| It can be a prelude to watching a
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| | and the beaches are clean and not as yet
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| romantic movie. You can even go shopping
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| | commercially organized.Norm: How far in
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| together at a local fresh food market
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| | advance should a couple prepare
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| before you cook the meal. So it is a
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| | themselves for a honeymoon or getaway in
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| wonderful romantic trend and it is
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| | Italy?Maria: For a honeymoon or romantic
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| becoming more and more popular.Norm: What
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| | getaway, you should really start getting
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| is the best time to visit Italy from the
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| | your ideas and plans together at least a
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| point of view of weather, costs, and
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| | year in advance. For reservations, etc
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| crowds?Maria: I have visited Italy during
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| | for hotels, destinations, you need to
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| every season and there is almost no bad
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| | plan that at least 3- 6 months in
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| time to be there. However, if I had to
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| | advance. Italy is a favorite destination
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| select my favorite time it would be
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| | for many, especially for weddings and
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| summer and fall, when I can enjoy the
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| | romantic getaways.Certain times of the
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| beautiful Italian sun shining down on the
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| | year tend to be more overbooked-
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| colorful scenery.August is usually the
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| | especially in the summer. SO it also
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| most the sunniest, however it is also the
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| | depends on the time of the year.Norm:
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| busiest.If you don't want to chance the
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| | What people should know about planning a
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| crowds of August, July can be a great
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| | wedding in Italy as far as requirements,
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| month because the weather is usually
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| | etc.Maria: If you are an American citizen
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| warmer.Early fall can be great cost wise,
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| | you mainly need three documents to apply
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| and usually by the end of August the
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| | for the proper documents for an Italian
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| Italians, as well as the tourists, are
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| | Wedding:*A US Passport
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| back to school and work. Late fall you
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| | *A Birth Certificate
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| would be into the rainy season.Christmas
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| | *If you were divorced or widowed- a
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| is another possibility, and a very
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| | death decreeThe documents that the
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| beautiful season. However, it can be
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| | Italian government requires are:*The Atto
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| crowded and pricey, unless you stay in
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| | Notorio, which can be acquired on your
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| agriturismo. It is less commercial than
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| | own in the USA. This basically consists
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| in the States, as houses are not all lit
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| | of you meeting in front of an Italian
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| up with Christmas bulbs. The foods you
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| | Consulate (go to one in the closest city
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| will experience and the feeling in the
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| | near you in the USA) with your own
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| air are so romantic! Spending New Year's
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| | witnesses. Each consulate has different
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| Eve in the center of Rome and watching
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| | requirements. (Call your closest local
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| the spectacular fireworks display over
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| | Italian Consulate to get their
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| the Coliseum is something that I do every
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| | requirements for the Atto Notorio).*The
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| year and is an experience like no
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| | next document is the Apostille. This is a
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| other.Norm: If you had to choose 5
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| | document you get from your Secretary of
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| unequalled venues in Italy for a romantic
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| | State's office. It is just a matter of
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| getaway, honeymoon or wedding
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| | contacting your Secretary of State's
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| destination, what would they be and
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| | office filling out a form and sending it
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| why?Maria: First, I must say that it is
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| | to them and they send back to you a seal
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| really difficult for me to narrow my
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| | that is considered an Apostille.*Your
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| choices down to 5 venues. Please also
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| | birth, divorce and/or death certificates
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| note that some of my picks are not the
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| | will need to be translated into Italian
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| usual places people may choose. I like to
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| | by your Secretary of State's office.These
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| find the unusual and the not highly
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| | documents expire after three months. You
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| commercial favorites.-The Island of
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| | cannot get these completed more than
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| Ischia: In August 2004 I visited friends,
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| | three months in advance.Thank you Maria
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| who own and operate a wonderful bed and
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| | and good luck in all of your future
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| breakfast in the town of Forio. Located
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| | endeavors.Maria has her own WEB SITE that
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| atop a 30-mile island that is divided
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| | is presently under construction and will
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| into about 5 separate, tiny cities, of
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| | be completed by the spring of 2005 in
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| which the city of Ischia is the principal
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| | time for the launching of her cookbook
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| one.Why Ishcia?It is famous for its spas
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| | The Basic Art of Italian Cooking.For over
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| as a result of the thermal waters. You
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| | thirty- five years, Norm Goldman
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| find saunas that are not man made but
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| | practiced as a Title Attorney and Civil
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| actually exist inside a cave on the side
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| | Law Notary in Montreal, Canada. After his
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| of the volcano in Ischia.The view of the
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| | retirement from the legal profession,
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| sea, while you are at one of the outside
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| | Norm pursued two of his passions - book
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| spas enjoying a thermal bath or on the
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| | reviewing and travel writing,
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| beach, is absolutely breathtaking and you
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| | implementing many of his research skills
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| will imagine you are in paradise. The
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| | he had been practicing for 35 years.Norm
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| blue of the water and the sky is so
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| | and his wife Lily are a unique husband
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| intensely blue that you will feel like
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| | and wife team, writer and water colorist,
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| you are in the middle of a living
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| | who write and paint about romantic
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| painting- so to speak.It is amazing how
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| | destinations and wedding destinations.
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| revived you feel after taking the water
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|
