Archive for the 'tips and tricks' Category

Lake of Castel dell’Alpi

admin September 28th, 2007

The small town of “Castel dell’Alpi” is located between Bologna and Florence, in the appennines, in the Comune of San Benedetto val di Sambro, counting about 4000 people.

It is an artificial lake, and it’s quite popular in the nearby area during the summer. It is possible to take short boat trips and do pic-nic on the fields nearby. It is easy to reach from Bologna, taking the highway and exiting in “Pian del Voglio”. We went there some years ago and was very crowded, hard even to find a parking place!

In the photo below you can see it, and in the distance the main bridge passing over it.

vista del ponte sul lago

Lost in time…

admin July 14th, 2007

Nearby “Passo Colla”, 1000m of height on sea level, past 4km of rough road you can find an old abandoned small village called “Dugara”. Some houses are completely broken, only the walls left with some ivy growing on them. Others are still in good conditions, only waiting for someone to come there and open their windows again, to gain a new life.

All around, nature and a weird silence. You can only hear the sound of a nearby water fountain. Some birds, the wind that moves leaves. Apart for that nothing but silence.

The life goes on, and the bells of the small church located in village’s entrance are ready to sing again.

chiesina abbandonata

the small chapel nearby village entrance

particolare della chiesa

closeup of an ivy climbing on the old walls

gruppo di ruderi
a group of wrecks

Tour in the italian region of “Romagna”

admin June 20th, 2007

The area around the town of “Rimini” is rich of medieval villages, located on hills full of vineyards and fruit trees that during the spring are decorated with wonderful white and rose flowers. So in the month of April of a couple of years ago we decided to take the car and do a short trip there.

vigneti e uliveti

Near the border of the region “Romagna” and “Marche” you can find th town of Montegridolfo, a nice town surrounded by ancient walls that once were the defense of the local lords, the Malatesta, in their war against the Montefeltro of the town of Urbino.

As I said the village, completely renovated, is completely surrounded by walls and you can enter only from a single gate that still has an original massive wooden door. In the small town center you can find all sort of little shops that sells local products, like honeys or wines. In some restaurants you can eat on open terraces and admire the surrounding landscape, which is very romantic.

verrucchio A few km away lies Saludecio, famous for his churchtowers, the towers and walls. Even here, you can find lot of local shops and seasonal markets, full of local specialities. A particular event that takes place here every year is called SalusErbe, and focuses on natural products, from herbs to plants, and local artisans.

Another great place to visit is Verucchio. Located on a top of a hill, it was once a very important strategic location for the Malatesta family.

Walking around the town you can still feel the atmosphere of those times, and the churches still keep precious treasures.

It was originally an Etruscan possession, and you can find tangible traces of its origins in the local museums.
If we can suggest you one of the best restaurants to taste the local dishes, we recommend “ Al Mastin Vecchio” which is located in the town center (you can’t miss it) and was really great!

mastin vecchio ristorante

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