Bella Italia! An
historic picture book, from the snow covered Alps in the north to the dreamy
lagoon city of Venice whose palaces are built on wooden stakes and whose
"Carnevale" is world famous. From the romantic hill landscape of
Tosca where the aromas once inspired Leonardo Da Vinci, to Rome, the city that
during antiquity was the centre of the Roman Empire and that is now the seat of
the Catholic Pope. To Sicily in the south, an island of gods and natural
forces. A journey through time in one of the most beautiful counties in Central
Europe.
Venice, a town with
a hundred and twenty churches. The largest and most famous is the Basilica Di
San Marco and, due to its magnificence, it is also called, "The Golden
Basilica". Byzantine elements and Late Gothic lines unite in the beautiful
domed ceiling of the Basilica. The Canal Grande is regarded as Venice's main
street. It weaves through the main lagoon city past palaces, churches and
houses. The boat service called, Vaporetto, plus gondolas and small motorboats,
replace buses, cars and bicycles.
Pope Pius The
Second was born in Corsignano. At the height of his papacy he ordered the
Florentine architect, Rosselino, to build a cathedral with a Bishop's Palace
and further palaces. In only a few years of building the only city of the
Renaissance was founded and was then renamed Pienza, The City of Pius. At
approximately one hundred and ninety seven thousand acres and divided into over
seven hundred wine growing estates in the hill region between Florence and
Siena, is a name famous all over the world for its wine: Chianti! The region's
first vines were planted by the Etruscans and in the early Middle Ages it was
the monks of Vallombrosa who cleared the uninhabited hill slopes and cultivated
the first vineyards.
Italy is always
worth a visit. With its great variety of natural landscapes and cultures it is
a land of joie de vivre that enchants both body and soul. Bella Italia - a
fairy tale come true!
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