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