Romantic Italy-Want To Know More Why Italy Is Considered Romantic?

Romantic Getaways In Italy As Perceived By Mariayou feel after taking the water cure of the thermal
Liberati, Author Of The Basic Art Of Italianbaths- although I am sure the soaking in of the
CookingToday, and Sketchandtravel.com, are pleasedscenery has a lot to do with it also.There are also
to have as its guest, Maria Liberati, supermodel andlittle towns to wander around in. Each of the 5 towns
author of the soon to be released cook- book Thein Ischia has their own little square, which is very
Basic Art of Italian Cooking. The cookbook willromantic, and the main town of Ischia has its own
contain recipes Maria discovered as a guest ofcastle. There are also little romantic outdoor cafes,
various agriturismi (country farms), as well as hershops and coffee bars as well as the glow of the
family's vineyard. It also includes her encounters withmoonlight basking on the sea and an occasional
chefs of some of Italy's trattoria (diningoutdoor musician singing old romantic Neapolitan
establishments). In addition, the cookbook containssongs accompanied by mandolin music. Oh the
stories about Maria's travels around Italy.Maria is aromance of it all!!!If any of your have seen the award
former Miss Pennslvania and Miss International World,winning Italian move- Il Postino- (The Postman), the
however Maria has confided in me that she wouldn'tisland that it was filmed on (Procida) is right next to
consider herself a pageant junkie. It just gave her athe Island of Ischia.-ROME: The next place I would
great deal of experience and self- confidence. Sheselect would be the city of Rome. Yes it is a big city,
holds a degree from Temple University in Foreignbut as many well-traveled Italians will tell you- there is
Languages, and is now in demand by many Europeannothing like the city of Rome- if you know how to
type food companies to serve as marketingfind your way around.WHY ROME?To walk around
consultant, as well as spokesperson on TV and inRome is analogous to living in an art museum.Rome is
print ads.The following is an interview conducted bymade up of different hills with magnificent views. My
Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures. Com andfavorite is Monte Mario with its breathtaking
Sketchandtravel.com, with Maria, who provides uspanorama of the city. Another is the top of the
with some very timely information pertaining toSpanish Steps, where in front of the steps you have
romantic getaways in Italy. Maria now lives sixa beautiful fountain. If you go to the top of the
months of the year in Italy.Norm: Please tell oursteps you have gorgeous views overlooking the city
readers something about yourself and your expertiseand you can also enjoy one of those impromptu
pertaining to romantic getaways in Italy?Maria: Mypicnics here.Don't forget Villa Borghese- it was the
grandfather and his family owned a vineyard in theterritory of the royal family. Borghese is now a
mountains of Abruzzi, and I practically grew upbeautiful park- dotted with beautiful statues, ponds-
learning a great deal about Italian cooking. Moreover,another great place to savor a romantic walk and an
due to my modeling career, I spent a great deal ofimpromptu picnic.One of the most romantic piazzas
time in Italy.When I was not modeling, I had the(square) is Piazza Navona, particularly at night, where
opportunity to study regional Italian cooking at whatyou will find many outdoor restaurants and beautiful
are known as agriturismi. This is the Italian word forstatues. There is the famous and beautiful-Bar de la
country farms that are also bed and breakfastsPace- which is located at a far corner of Piazza
serving meals produced from the fresh foods grownNavona. It is a favorite of international celebrities. And
and produced in many different regions ofif you want to have some great pizza- again ask a
Italy.Generally tourists tend to know about thelocal for a forno and you will experience some great,
popular and crowded places that can be veryfreshly baked pizza and bread. The Romans are
impersonal. Traveling by car and foot throughout Italyfamous for a type of roll called a rosetta it is crusty
has provided me with windows to some of the mostbut at the same time light and airy. So ask for a
spectacular venues.Norm: You mention that you haverosetta, fill it with cheese and you have a wonderful
a great deal of experience of staying in bed andpicnic type lunch or snack.-Venice is a very romantic
breakfasts on organic farms in Italy (agriturisimi).spot. I hesitate to recommend Venice; although it is
Could you tell our readers something about theseone of the most beautiful and romantic spots in the
B&Bs and why you consider them to be appropriateworld, it has just become too touristy. However, if
as romantic or honeymoon destinations?Maria: Theyou visit Italy and can do it, you must see Venice
agriturismi, aside from being great places to learnand experience its beauty.WHY VENICE?Just riding on
about Italian foods, tend to be some of the mostone of the water taxis that take you to the island
romantic vacation spots in Italy. They are usuallycan be romantic as you take in the beauty that
located high up on a hill with breathtaking views of asurrounds you. If you really wish to have a romantic
town. If located in a city like Rome, they would beview of the city, take your taxi ride at night, when
found away from the principal areas. Consequently,the moon glistens on the water and the beauty of
they are usually situated in peaceful, serene andVenice is lit up by the glow of the moonlight.You will
picturesque settings. What could be more romanticfall madly in love with your romantic significant other,
than staying on a vineyard, and being able to take awhile experiencing this kind of view together.Of
peaceful walk picking a fresh piece of fruit to munchcourse, there are the other traditional things to do,
on while your walking?Moreover, staying in anas a visit to St. Mark's Square, or enjoying one of the
agriturismo you are guaranteed to always have anoutdoor cafes and restaurants, and exploring the little
abundance of the best quality freshly prepared foods.canals and back alleyways.As for eating
No doubt, this is far superior to eating at restaurantsestablishments, the key in finding great food is to
that cater to tourists and which often are veryfind smaller more intimate dining places that cater to
pricey.All- inclusive packages are generally availablethe locals rather than the tourists.-TUSCANYTuscany
and in most instances will prove to be much moreis a beautiful romantic destination.WHY
economical than a stay in a hotel.Norm: Why wouldTUSCANY?Here you can find several romantic
you consider Italy a good choice for a romanticagriturismo serving wonderful fresh foods and
getaway or wedding and honeymoonlocated in out of the way places-you are away from
destination?Maria: Italy is beyond doubt one of thethe crowds, yet with the possibility of day trips to
best places for a romantic getaway or honeymoon-Florence and Pisa. In this way you avoid the pricey
not only because of the variety of breathtakinghotels and at the same time experience the feeling
beauty and romantic views surrounding you, but alsoof really living in Italy.The wines made in Tuscany are
the Italian lifestyle.Italians love romance, their songswonderful- be sure to experience them.Florence is a
are all based on romance and about love. People lovecity overloaded with beautiful works of art.You have
to see couples walking hand in hand or arm in arm.of course the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of
Even just the simple ritual of eating a meal has athe world's most beautiful works of art. Outside of
romantic feel to it. When you sit down to eat dinnerthe Gallery there are statues of some of Florence's
at a restaurant or even at a bed and breakfast it ismost famous citizens including Michelangelo and
meant to be a long, drawn out ritual. In other words,Galileo- all who had a rich Florentine patron to support
an activity that is shared and enjoyed between twothem in their works.Two romantic spots in Florence
people, and not something over with in 10are: the main square, which is the Piazza Della
minutes.Take for example picnics in Italy. If you optSignoria, where you will find a replica of the statue of
to have spontaneous romantic picnics, you haveDavid (or as the Italians know him- the Davide), and
access to some of the most romantic locations in thethe Ponte Vecchio. This bridge crosses over the Arno
world. Moreover, at your disposal are a variety ofRiver and from the bridge you have a beautiful views
fresh bread and pizza at the local forno (pronouncedof the city. Add to this, the walking tours of the
for-noh), as well as cheeses found in local cheesevineyard regions- like Chianti or Montepulciano and
shops or supermarkets.Even some of the major citiesyou have yourself a winning
such as Rome, Milan or Florence, all have their quietspot.-OLTRANTOOltranto is located in Puglia and is a
venues, where you can savor your food and enjoysea resort.WHY OLTRANTO?If I may use again an
the romantic ambiance.The center of Rome has theItalian film to give you the feeling of this landscape-
Villa Borghese, and of course, if you don't mind thesee the award winning film-Meditteranneo- a
noise and crowds, there are the Spanish Steps.Not towonderful comedy about the war, but the scenery is
omit the Coliseum and the Roman Forum that arebreathtaking. Most of the film takes place in parts of
popular areas for impromptu picnics.If you are in aGreece. However, Oltranto's deep intense blues of
small town, it is certainly not difficult to find athe water and stark pristine white colors of the
beautiful view in a quiet place. One word of advice,surrounding buildings will bear a deep resemblance to
please always remember to respect the propertythe colors and waterfront scenery in this film made
you are on and clean up after your picnic.Norm: Whymostly in Greece.Due to a lack of industry in Oltranto,
have cooking classes in Italy become sothe water is crystal clear.Oltranto is also filled with
popular?Maria: Actually it is a new trend and my ownoutdoor cafes and shops that overlook the deep blue
company has received many requests to putsky and clear water. There are many other beautiful
together these packages for couples. In fact, I amtowns near by that are worthy of day trips. Lecce,
working with a journalist on an article that will shortlywhich is about 30 minutes away is a beautiful, elegant
appear in February 2005 in Women and Fitnessart-filled city, most of the churches and statues are
Magazine. Of course it is themed around StBaroque. Lecce is a perfect spot to take a romantic
Valentine's Day. Anyways, it is a trend for couples towalking tour. In any of these venues you won't find
take cooking classes not only in Italy but also in thethe crowds of tourists found in other popular venues.
USA. What better way to share a wonderfulAlso worth a day trip is Alberobello. It is a very
experience and create something together, and thentouristy town, but worth it to appreciate the
enjoy the romantic experience of eating what bothTrulli.Trulli are these cone shaped houses that are in
of you just created?It is time that Americans catchcertain areas of Puglia. These were actually used as
on to what the Italians have known for years- thathouses many years ago. In Alberobello most of the
cooking is a wonderful romantic experience. It isspecialty shops are located inside the Trulli. You can
non-threatening in that you can be creative at yourreally experience a lot of unspoiled countryside and
own pace together- and then partake in a romanticthe beaches are clean and not as yet commercially
meal together. It can be a prelude to watching aorganized.Norm: How far in advance should a couple
romantic movie. You can even go shopping togetherprepare themselves for a honeymoon or getaway in
at a local fresh food market before you cook theItaly?Maria: For a honeymoon or romantic getaway,
meal. So it is a wonderful romantic trend and it isyou should really start getting your ideas and plans
becoming more and more popular.Norm: What is thetogether at least a year in advance. For reservations,
best time to visit Italy from the point of view ofetc for hotels, destinations, you need to plan that at
weather, costs, and crowds?Maria: I have visited Italyleast 3- 6 months in advance. Italy is a favorite
during every season and there is almost no bad timedestination for many, especially for weddings and
to be there. However, if I had to select my favoriteromantic getaways.Certain times of the year tend to
time it would be summer and fall, when I can enjoybe more overbooked- especially in the summer. SO it
the beautiful Italian sun shining down on the colorfulalso depends on the time of the year.Norm: What
scenery.August is usually the most the sunniest,people should know about planning a wedding in Italy
however it is also the busiest.If you don't want toas far as requirements, etc.Maria: If you are an
chance the crowds of August, July can be a greatAmerican citizen you mainly need three documents to
month because the weather is usually warmer.Earlyapply for the proper documents for an Italian
fall can be great cost wise, and usually by the end ofWedding:*A US Passport
August the Italians, as well as the tourists, are back*A Birth Certificate
to school and work. Late fall you would be into the*If you were divorced or widowed- a death
rainy season.Christmas is another possibility, and adecreeThe documents that the Italian government
very beautiful season. However, it can be crowdedrequires are:*The Atto Notorio, which can be acquired
and pricey, unless you stay in agriturismo. It is lesson your own in the USA. This basically consists of
commercial than in the States, as houses are not all lityou meeting in front of an Italian Consulate (go to
up with Christmas bulbs. The foods you willone in the closest city near you in the USA) with
experience and the feeling in the air are so romantic!your own witnesses. Each consulate has different
Spending New Year's Eve in the center of Rome andrequirements. (Call your closest local Italian Consulate
watching the spectacular fireworks display over theto get their requirements for the Atto Notorio).*The
Coliseum is something that I do every year and is annext document is the Apostille. This is a document
experience like no other.Norm: If you had to chooseyou get from your Secretary of State's office. It is
5 unequalled venues in Italy for a romantic getaway,just a matter of contacting your Secretary of State's
honeymoon or wedding destination, what would theyoffice filling out a form and sending it to them and
be and why?Maria: First, I must say that it is reallythey send back to you a seal that is considered an
difficult for me to narrow my choices down to 5Apostille.*Your birth, divorce and/or death certificates
venues. Please also note that some of my picks arewill need to be translated into Italian by your
not the usual places people may choose. I like to findSecretary of State's office.These documents expire
the unusual and the not highly commercialafter three months. You cannot get these completed
favorites.-The Island of Ischia: In August 2004 Imore than three months in advance.Thank you Maria
visited friends, who own and operate a wonderfuland good luck in all of your future endeavors.Maria
bed and breakfast in the town of Forio. Located atophas her own WEB SITE that is presently under
a 30-mile island that is divided into about 5 separate,construction and will be completed by the spring of
tiny cities, of which the city of Ischia is the principal2005 in time for the launching of her cookbook The
one.Why Ishcia?It is famous for its spas as a resultBasic Art of Italian Cooking.For over thirty- five
of the thermal waters. You find saunas that are notyears, Norm Goldman practiced as a Title Attorney
man made but actually exist inside a cave on the sideand Civil Law Notary in Montreal, Canada. After his
of the volcano in Ischia.The view of the sea, whileretirement from the legal profession, Norm pursued
you are at one of the outside spas enjoying atwo of his passions - book reviewing and travel
thermal bath or on the beach, is absolutelywriting, implementing many of his research skills he
breathtaking and you will imagine you are in paradise.had been practicing for 35 years.Norm and his wife
The blue of the water and the sky is so intenselyLily are a unique husband and wife team, writer and
blue that you will feel like you are in the middle of awater colorist, who write and paint about romantic
living painting- so to speak.It is amazing how reviveddestinations and wedding destinations.