admin December 16th, 2006
Magazines talk about it, your friends recommend it: I’m talking about the Forte dei Marmi street market. I went to see it and my dog, Artù, came along with me, although I’m sure that he would’ve preferred a walk in the woods. But my curiosity was such that I found myself wandering around the stands of the famous street market. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I was looking for and the stands that sell cashmere sweaters immediately attracted my attention: they came in so many colors, styles and various prices, from 45 euros and up.
It seems like they were the most sought after items judging from the crowd trying to get a spot in the beginning of the line to pick their desired sweater. Ribbons and laces are the protagonists of the stands that sell pajamas and nightgowns. The sugared almond colors and the smooth ribbons make me think back to the time of white telephones and certain De Sica films, romantic evenings and a romantic prince charming. I almost bought this beautiful nightgown. The pajamas with the cow printed on the shirt were so cute; but I had already seen this at another street market for a lower price!
Moving along. There are many stands that sell designer label purses at acceptable prices and many sell quality linens for the home. All of the German tourists are here, busy in the search for towels, bed and table covers. The ceramics and china are my favorite: cups, coffee cups, teacups in Occitan style or simply white, decorated with floral or fruit motifs, and then large and small lampshades, plate sets and so much more. Two hours later and having spent the entire budget that I had set aside for “operation street market” I reluctantly returned towards the hotel thinking that I would definitely return in the spring.
I forgot to say that the street market is open on Wednesday mornings, but during the summer months also on Sunday. You can find further information and some photos of the market in the official site of the town Forte dei Marmi.
admin December 14th, 2006
Croatia has been in style again lately. Since it is so close to Italy, either by land or by sea, is becoming a good alternative to Italy. Maybe for the beautiful, uncontaminated beaches that characterize it, or for the prices that are still favorable to the demands of many Italian zones, even though they are higher every year.
In the above photo you can see the beautiful Stara Baska Sea, an antique fishing village that’s very small in size but charming, on the island of Krk (the italianized name, L’Isola di Veglia (The Half Asleep Island). The place is really beautiful, whether for the sea or for the vegetation ( ginestre flowers, etc). The town is really small, but you can still find 2-3 restaurants to eat very well at prices that are even more affordable!
admin December 12th, 2006
When the streets and highways are congested and the classic Sunday outing becomes more and more of a burden than a pleasure, it’s good to rediscover places right near home that we normally ignore, but that have pleasing surprises. That’s what happened to me today. It was impossible to get on the road: the county fair mobilized herds of people that invaded the streets with their cars. The day, however, was splendid: blue skies without a cloud and a light breeze, an ideal climate for a stroll. And that’s how we decided to “explore” the cycling lane that skirts the river. We had seen it so many times while passing by in the car, we’ve even parked near its entrance but we never had the curiosity, the desire or the time to go for a walk in it. I didn’t imagine that it would be so relaxing, no one was there and the dogs could run free, sniff in freedom and swim in the river. Even the vegetable garden with its shacks seemed beautiful to me, and they usually confuse me with their dumps but today they seemed comically naïve. From one side of the path there were beautiful ripe fruits and sunflowers with bowed heads, the grapevines twisted around the fence, and on the other side was a green field, white pebbles and the clear, fresh water of the river. And we weren’t in Austria or in Tyrol; we were in our own backyard!