The city of Lucca has always been my favourite. Not only because it is only 25 minutes away from our home and I go there at least two or three times a week, but also because you do not feel like a "tourist" there.
Gala Placidia's activity
Questions Asked
In this icy cold weather, hot drinks and comfort foods are a must. Preparing and consuming them are good ways to spend time when we cannot venture outdoors.
Wed, 02/08/2012 - 06:10
The cold weather is affecting most of Italy and creating difficulties concerning energy supplies. Russia, the most important supplier, has been reducing the provision of gas up to 30% due to increasing demand in their area.
Tue, 02/07/2012 - 02:22
The San Francisco Chronicle publishes today this most interesting article:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/
Sun, 02/05/2012 - 12:45
Whenever we are in Italy, we love to visit antique and vintage markets and fairs, looking for that special piece that we would love to have. Sometimes, we find it...
Wed, 02/01/2012 - 02:47
One of my favourite activities in Italy is to visit those markets that sell antique and vintage items.
Tue, 01/31/2012 - 06:38
Some members may have noticed that I have been fairly quiet for the past month and a half. The reason for this was that we have been visiting our daughters who live in San Francisco (CA).
Fri, 01/20/2012 - 02:59
The new Italian government has been announced and it is obvious that we will have a fight between technocrats and politicians.
Wed, 11/16/2011 - 14:24
A lot has been written about the dangers of overheating Teflon coated cookware. Toxic fumes can be extremely dangerous for our health. Personally, I have never liked that type of cookware and I do not buy it anymore.
Sat, 10/29/2011 - 06:24
In another thread, we were discussing Tuscan herbs and "funghi porcini". Tuscany is a paradise for herb lovers and many varieties, such as rosemary, sage and "nipitella" grow wild.
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 11:23
Comments posted
I think that you need a lawyer to sort all this out.
Welcome to our Community. We also look forward to hearing more about your plans.
Hello Cathmik and welcome to the Community. Italy is wonderful from North to South and from East to West. The more you visit it the more you fall in love with the country. Enjoy your trip.
Hi Felicity and a warm welcome to the Community.
Ciao David and welcome. Great to have you with us.
A good learning tool is to watch an Italian film that has Italian subtitles (generally for deaf people). It will help you with comprehension. If you find it too difficult at the start, get the English subtitles to help you with the translation and then play it again with the Italian subtitles. It is an excellent exercise.You are not alone, comprehension is one of the most difficult skills to acquire when you are learning a language, and the most difficult thing to do is to talk on the phone in the foreign language. It takes a lot of practice and patience.
Alma, I was about to suggest that you also look into the local fairs to find homemade products without additives. Cinnamon soap is excellent. You can also start making your own soap and home cleaning products, which will be safer than commercial varieties. Here is some excellent information: www.soapnaturally.org/soap_recipes/index.htmlAnd I have not driven through the panoramic road above the Cinque Terre, We generally catch the train from La Spezia. It is on my list of things to do, though...
Another way of preserving chestnuts would be to make your own purée. This way it can be kept for up to a year under the right conditions. Here is a simple recipewinter-recipes.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_roast_chestnuts_and_make_chestnut_pureeAlso, if you mix some purée with a good quality vanilla icecream you get a delicious chestnut icecream that you can keep in the freezer.
Alma, you have to look at the labels and those that state "senza profumo" should be fine.In Italy the sell "Dove Cream Bar Extra Sensitive" which does not contain perfume and it is available in large supermarkets. It is reasonable priced. Also, for general washing do the same or try "Vea Bucato Sapone Naturale Senza Profumo".If you find any particular product worth recommending, please let everyone know. There are many people with sensitive skins who can't use the average commercial products. It would also be interesting to mothers with young children and babies.
Great info, Gromit as I do some shopping at Esselunga Ponte a Moriano. But I had not seen them. Roasted lamb with baked sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and potatoes with olive oil, rosemary and lemon juice will be great.