I always wondered, am I the only one obsessed with the Christmas Markets? 

I have a strange relationship with Christmas, I love the decorations, the atmosphere, the lights and of course, the markets but I don't really like Christmas day; but the beauty and the feeling that the Christmas markets give me are fantastic, and how beautiful are they? 

I am little sad this year because, of course, due to Covid I cannot go where I planned, that was Zurich, but in the past years I went almost every weekend of December to visit one, and I can say that I also saw enough for this year hahaha.

Well, I love the atmosphere of Christmas the colourful lights, the decorations on the trees and houses and all this little wood house selling handmade decorations or typical products, but the best part, in my opinion? The warm, mulled wine and the amazing food that is different from almost every market.  

I have a select bucket list for the Christmas Market, and I like, when I have the opportunity to visit one big market and some small around me. For example, last year I went to Galway and some smaller in Italy. 

(The descriptions are based on what I saw that particular year and they can change)

• London is fantastic in every season, but during Christmas, the city seems even more incredible. I went to London for just three days; I found a cheap flight I did not give me have any suitcase with me but only a small bag, I booked an affordable hotel that was horrible, and I found a lot of rain and cold. So I guess you are wondering why did I put London as first so far? Well, all the misadventure that I had in those three days hadn't stopped me from exploring the city with a beautiful Christmas atmosphere, and I spent three amazing days. First, stop in London was Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park this is a fantastic place with not only handmade artisan items or Christmas decorations but also with a lot of funny games, I also won a big Minion. Second stop, Leicester Square Christmas Market situated in the heart of the capital this market is a little bit crowded, but it is lovely as well. I guess that I don't have to say that I bought many artisan items and decorations, and it has been so hard going back home with just a bag. 

• The second market on my list is Salzburg. As London going to Salzburg was a crazy and impulsive decision. I was living in Italy at that time, so I thought that 5 hours of the car was nothing, but I wasn't expecting the snow all the way. Anyway, I arrived in Salzburg, and I fell in love with it. The city is fantastic, and all the snow around makes me feel the Christmas, was terrific. The Christmas market in Salzburg is all around the city and the most beautiful and lovely at Cathedral Square. I loved these three days in Austria. I was already happy with the great market in the streets of Salzburg, thousands of Christmas lights, the smell of good food and the many shops but then everything went even better when it started to snow, and all the landscape became even more memorable.
  

• Moving to Italy, the first market I recommend is in Merano and Bolzano; I keep them together because I usually visit both on the same trip since they only located 30 minutes apart. I went a couple of time on this market and even if the first and second times I didn't enjoy it because they were too crowded I anyway recommend them. After all, if you are able to find the right weekend without many people, these markets are wonderful. Meran and Bolzen are cities in northern Italy in the region of Trentino Alto Adige that bord with Austria and Switzerland. The markets in Meran and also Bolzen run all around the principal square and street and like every excellent Christmas market the atmosphere, the delicious food, mulled wine and handcrafted shop reign supreme. 
  

• We are always in the Trentino Alto Adige region but this time in Trento. Trento is the capital of the region and is a little beauty surrendered by high and white mountains. The Christmas market covers all the principal square and also the streets of the city with a Christmas atmosphere and amazing colourful light. I just went one time to this market, but I perfectly remember that I liked them so much, especially because I had a fantastic plate of canederli and I am crazy about this delicious. 
  

• Following with Italy, we move to Verona and its fabulous Christmas Market in the big square with Arena's view and also around the city. I love Verona; it is an amazing city because it is a huge jewel with many historical places and many things to do. A complete guide about Verona will come soon but in the meantime let's talk about my obsession of the moment: Christmas Market. Also in Verona, the markets are stunning, as I already said they run all over the city and you can find artisan products, natural cosmetics, of course, food and mulled wine and the best part… the Santa village. A giant house with a lot of Chrismas decoration that you can buy.
  

• Let's move to Austria in particular to Villach. I went to Villach for just one day on a Sunday of December, and from Italy, it took me only 2 hours and 30, not too bad at all. I particularly liked these markets because It was snowing and, in my opinion, with the snow, you can smell and feel better the Christmas time. The Chrismas market in Villach is located in a different part of the city, and they also are quite different from each other, but you will always find these fantastic little wood house and many, many lights. 
  

• I could not miss a Christmas Market in Ireland of course, for this reason, I went to Galway. I went for a weekend in December and even if the market were great, the first thing I remember about this weekend was the cold and wind. I arrived by train on Saturday morning, and it was great. My friend and I had an amazing time. We went to see the markets, we played few games, we got on the carousel of horses (yeah I know it was for kids, but it was amazing), we took the panoramic wheel, and we drunk a lot of mulled wine (in my defense they have a lot of types of mulled wine, with red wine, white wine, with gin…). But then something happened: the wind from the Atlantic Ocean; It was so strong that it moved me, even though I was still. In any case, the Galway Christmas Market is smaller than the others told, but it is also worth visiting because the city is all decorated with amazing lights.

• Last but not least, Belfast. I was living in Ireland so going to Belfast was relatively easy, I took the bus, and in 2 hours and something I arrived. I went a couple of time to Belfast and all the time was raining, so I did not enjoy it, but this weekend in December the weather was perfect, and so the day I spent in the city. The Christmas Markets in Belfast is located in the ground of Belfast City Hall inside the gates, and I really liked them. The day I went to was really really crowded. Still, I enjoy them anyway because they were divided based on what they sold, for example, all the food truck were all together in the same corner of the square, and they allowed you to enjoy the food or enjoy the artisan shops. 

• The last place I want to tell you about is Amsterdam. I did not go to Amsterdam for the Christmas Market, but I went for New Year's Eve. I want to tell you about it anyway because I don't know if it is every year, but when I went, there were lights play all around the city, and I loved it. 

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media and please leave a comment and let me know what do you think about it.

Since this year I can not go to see any Christmas Market Join me on Social Media and let me see your best photos of the Christmas Markets, so I will travel with the imagination! #tastravelnow

AH, 2020 how many things has it ruined? How many events cancelled? How many things that we couldn't do… 34 days and we are welcoming 2021 hoping that everything will be better, and life will be every day again. And do you know the best thing you can do (always if allowed) a romantic escape in the best destination of the world…. Venice. (Yeah, maybe I am a little bit on the side but still we cannot deny it is a beautiful destination).

Do you want an unforgettable trip with the love of your life? Are you planning to make the big step? Or do you just want a romantic holiday with your soul mate?
​
If you answer yes to one of these questions, Venice is the answer for you! 

Venice is the answer because it is unique and also your travel should be the same. Someone once said, “Happiness is…planning a trip to somewhere new, with someone you love”. 

Venice is beauty, Venice is getting lost on its narrow street between houses and palace, Venice is sipping a glass of wine looking at the canal, Venice is the spectacle of gondolas everywhere, Venice is history, Venice is romance and Venice must be the frame of one of the best moments of your life with someone you love. 

Whatever season you decide Venice will give you all of this. All these emotions in just one city. It is not bad at all but if you wish even more magic why do you not try during Carnival surrounded by beautiful and characteristic mask and costumes or at the Redentore (July) for a magic walk along the bridge built with the boats.

If I still didn’t convince you check these out.

• I will never be tired of saying that Venice is magic. I know I can be on its side since I live close by, but every time I go there, it surprises me with its colour, folklore and hidden place that you can find them only by losing yourself.  

• Well, if you are looking for romance, what is better than a ride in a gondola? Think about it, the love of your life and you in this fantastic black and red gondola swinging from the lagoon in small canals and all around the city of Venice with its palace… So romantic.

• The uniqueness of the city should also be there on your journey and I am not going to say anything else, these amazing photos talk by themselves.

• Venice is not just beautiful; it is also historic and culture with a spectacular frame all around.

• Venice is an unforgettable city, and you will bring with you that memory forever. Even better an unforgettable memory with someone special in a remarkable city.  

• Venice in the night… What a show! I went to Venice during the night millions of times and even if sometimes I get stuck in there because no more public transportation to take, I will never regret a single night. 

• For the perfect dinner. Outside the principal street, maybe in the river of the canal or a typical looking restaurant with delicious food and of course, wine for a perfect meal.

• I am obsessed with photos because, in my opinion, they are the best souvenir you can bring home from your trips. So… What about the perfect photos to remember forever Venice and the trip in the unique city?

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media and please leave a comment and let me know what do you think about it.

If you are planning a trip to Venice and need any advise please contact me I will be glad to help you or check out my post about " Best and Must things to do in Venice" .

And don't forget to tag me on your photos of Venice on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter!

All these amazing photos are from Michael Zennaro a portrait and wedding photographer based in Venice. If you want to find out more about the beautiful photos and also about what he can do for you, I highly recommend visiting his website www.weddingphotographyvenice.com 

After Burano, that you can check it here 12 photos that will make you fall in love with Burano!​ , the tour of Venice’s Islands brings us to Torcello.

Just 5 minutes by ferry from Burano is Torcello island. Although today it is an island of vegetable gardens and inhabited by only 11 people the archaeological make it clear that Torcello is an island that housed the inhabitants of Altino who fled the Longobard invasion around 639. This is where the first great lagoon settlement developed. As soon as you get off the boat, it seems to go back in time almost in another era. The best thing about Torcello is walking around the island and why not enjoying some relax in the quiet; but don’t worry there are also some places to visit as well. Oh, I almost forgot, there are also some nice restaurants and bar with delicious wine, spritz and food.

• ​The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Built-in 639 is the oldest construction of the Venetian lagoon. It is in Venetian-Bizzantino style and is unique for the arcades all around and the mosaic inside. The Cathedral and the bell tower at its side dominate the whole island and it is a must to visit.

• Throne of Attila. In the square in front of the Cathedral, there is a stone throne dating back to the fifth century. Legend said that  Attila, king of the Huns used the throne but historical sources say Attila did not reach Torcello, so it is thought that the governor of the island used it during meetings.

• Devil’s Bridge. Along the main road, you meet the Devil’s Bridge. This bridge is unique because it has no parapet and for the mysterious legend that concerns him. It is said that during the period of the Austrian domination in Venice, a young girl fell in love with an Austrian soldier but her family, as opposed to the union, killed him. The girl, desperate, turned to a witch, to make a deal with the Devil. The Devil revives the young beloved, and the two lovers fled together, but in return, the Devil asked the souls of 7 children died prematurely. The witch promised him that, for seven years, she would bring him the soul of a newly dead child on the night of Christmas Eve. The witch died shortly after in a fire and could not honour his pact and still today, on the night of December 24, the Devil, taking the form of a black cat, would wait for the souls of children on the Devil’s deck.

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media and please leave a comment and let me know what do you think about it.

If you are planning a trip to Torcello and need any advise please contact me I will be glad to help you. ​

And don't forget to tag me on you photos of Torcello on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter!

Burano, the amazing colourful island with small canals and a lot of character in Venice and known all around the world to be one of the most coloured city. 

Burano is in the North Lagoon of Venice near Torcello, Murano and Venice. It is possible to arrive at the island with a ferry, it is around 45 minutes from Venice or always with a ferry from Treporti, and it is approximately 10 minutes. ​

Burano is known all around the world for its colourful houses and the processing of lace making. In summer it is possible to see in some small street of the island some old women seat on a chair all together making this beautiful lace, it is a real art. ​

I love Burano because it is a small paradise in the lagoon with unique places to see and these coloured houses that reflect on the green water of the canals; for me that I have a big passion of photography here in Burano, I always take thousand of photos. Ok, I have to admit that I also love Burano because here there is my favorite fish restaurant! ​

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media and please leave a comment and let me know what do you think about it.

If you are planning a trip to Burano and need any advise please contact me I will be glad to help you. 

And don't forget to tag me on you photos of Burano on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter!

2019 the hills of Prosecco have been listed on the World Heritage List as a cultural landscape. A wonderful heritage to preserve, protect, taste and visit. ​

One year after I decided to take the car and my camera and visit this beautiful place again, but this time with the aim of writing a piece for my web page to make the territory known to the rest of the world and also always with the idea of helping the economy of my country in this difficult time for everyone. ​

The hills of prosecco, a World Heritage Site, are located in the north-east of Italy and extend in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. The hills of prosecco have been shaped by man over the years that have built terraces where they then planted the vines. This area is very popular for wine thanks to the microclimate that characterizes it; the location between the sea and the Prealps ensures a temperate climate with an annual average of 12.3 C and a constant ventilation , which allows the grapes to dry quickly after the rains. The hills extend from east to west, with a south-facing slope, where the vineyards enjoy the best sun exposure.

The Unesco Heritage said: “The vines that climb the poles are developed following the iron wires of the structure and form a vineyard that, from an aerial view, looks like a gigantic hive, a geometric embroidery of nature, which draws the territory in an almost abstract way. This ancient method still allows a viticulture exclusively by hand.” (Available at: http://www.unesco.it/it/PatrimonioMondiale/Detail/675). ​

The Prosecco hills, as already mentioned, extend from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene and you can travel the entire route along the Wine Route. The Wine Road was created in 1990 and the itinerary is a beautiful sight; you drive along this road surrounded by hills and vineyards on the right and left passing through small villages consisting of some houses, of course, a church, hectares of white grapes and cellars where you can buy the wine and in some of these place taste the different type of Prosecco. ​

Living in the province of Venice for me it is very easy to get to both Conegliano and Valdobbiadene; for this day out of town I chose to go to Valdobbiadene which I reached in about 1h and 50. I chose this city because it not only has beautiful wine hills but also because it has a spectacular view from Pianezze. The Pianezze are the highest part of the pre-alps and from here you can admire the whole city of Valdobbiadene, the Alps and if the sky is clear also the sea all in a silence broken only by the cowbells of the cow that graze.

The best season to enjoy the gold grapes of wine is from the end of August to the beginning of September instead if you wish to see the harvest in September.

I think that the wine Prosecco is well known all around the world but I don’t think that a lot knows that there are different types of it. I love to sip a glass of prosecco in complete relaxation, maybe with an amazing landscape in summer and these hills are absolutely the right place to do it. ​

Prosecco stands out for its sweetness and for its quality. Let’s see specifically:

QUALITY (determined by the geographical area of the grapes)
From Conegliano to Valdobbiadene called DOCG 
Outside the are of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene DOC

SWEETNESS
Brut - lower sugar residue
Extra dry -more sweetness than the Brut
Dry - it is even sweeter like a sparkling wine ​

It is a typical Italian aperitif wine. Excellent with cold cuts, appetizers and with the typical and delicious melon and ham.

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media. Share your pictures on social media using #tastravelnow or tag me so I can see them! You can also follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my email list so that you will never miss a new post!

During the lockdown, when it was only possible to go around the Veneto, I went north of the Venice Lagoon. Near Cavallino-Treporti I found the small but beautiful Lio Piccolo.

By boat or through narrow streets you get to Lio Piccolo. Today Lio Piccolo is a small village formed by a small church with a bell tower and some houses surrounded by the waters of the lagoon, but in the past, it was an important village. Finds of villas and mosaic floors attest that this place was already inhabited in Roman times.

Lio Piccolo in Roman times was an important commercial port of call with Altino but living in this place was difficult because the conformation of the ground often changed since the water of the lagoon surrounded the whole. The thriving past has been waning with the depopulation of the area caused by severe climatic conditions and diseases that affected the population.

The inhabitants who remained in these lands were mostly fishermen and farmers who sold the harvest in Venice. Even today, you can find artichoke and jujube crops throughout Lio Piccolo.

Even if today Lio Piccolo is a small village consisting of a small church and a couple of houses, the beauty of this place is all in the panorama around canals to the right and left, and the silence is broken only by the animals that populate the area.

I suggest you take your bike and ride along Lio Piccolo surrounded by the lagoon and stop to observe the spectacle of nature and listen to the noise of the many birds that live there.

After a nice ride, you can not miss the refreshment stop with delicious food and a breathtaking view.

Have you ever been to Lio Piccolo? I highly recommend to visit this part of the Venetian Lagoon and If you need any type of advice to organize your trip do not hesitate to contact me I would love to help you discover this part of my land. 

I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it on Social Media. Share your pictures on social media using #tastravelnow or tag me so I can see them! You can also follow me on Instagram or subscribe to my email list so that you will never miss a new post!

I am not a big fan of Halloween probably because I grew up in Italy and there it is not a "thing"; I never wore a scary costume, I never went to a Halloween party, and I think I went just one time to trick or treating.
 
When I moved to Ireland it was the end of September, and I immediately saw that Halloween was a big deal. Many amazing decorated houses and shops, fireworks for almost a month, party for two weekends and of course, dressed up people with amazing and scary costumes. Even at work, there were a "party" and prizes for the best costume; as I said, Halloween is a big deal!

Do you know the story about Halloween?
 
Halloween was born in Ireland; people thought that October 31 was the end of the light part of the year and the beginning of the dark part of the year. During this passage, souls who had died during the year could return to give a final goodbye to their loved ones, but evil souls could come back too. To prevent evil souls from leading you to the side of the dead, people began to dress as monsters in order not to be recognized. In addition, to prevent evil souls from inside the houses, they began to decorate the houses with scary witches, ghosts or monsters. And, of course, you could not miss some food-based treatment to keep evil souls away from home (in the past the treatment was nuts and fruit now are candy; just trick or treat).

This year 2020, the shitty year, of course, you cannot celebrate Halloween, but I still found something to do which is complete safety, and I must say that I loved it and it was very fun!
I went on a dark tour. The tour consisted of a two-hour walk around Dublin with a guide telling us ghost stories and dark stories, and I liked it for three main reasons:
 
1. It was a fantastic sunny day, and other people on tour were Irish or lived in Ireland for many years, so the atmosphere was more "familiar" to everyone.
 
2. The guide was amazing. He was happy to share with us the stories, and you could feel it because he was enthusiastic and very friendly with us. He was also an amazing storyteller.
 
3. Finally, but not least, Ireland and the Irish people of the past (and in a different way also now) were very dark, some stories are really disturbing and scary, while others, fortunately, are funny.

The tour started from Dublin Castle with a creepy story set on the only left tower of the castle. Then we moved to Saint Patrick Cathedral, a long stop to Christchurch with scary stories, and we finished to the other side of the river; in total 2 hours walk surrounded by dark and mystery.
 
I want to share four stories that I liked most.

• The first story of the tour was about a ghost living in the Olympia Theatre. It is said that a funny ghost haunts the theatre. The ghost is funny because it is used to makes jokes with humans like flush the toilet while you are still sitting or close door with you inside... The guy also told us that if you go for an interview at the Theatre Olympia, they are going to ask if you are afraid of the ghost; is this just to scare you or it is a true story?? 

• The second story is about a famous character: Bram Stoker (writer of Dracula). Bram was working inside the present Dublin Castle in an office when during a dark night he was thrown against the wall opposite his desk; the whole scene was seen by a groundskeeper who was working outside. Immediately the groundskeeper entered to ask Bram what had happened and Bram Stoker, after much hesitation, he told him that a platoon of skeletons began to run from one side of the room to the other; he was inside the path of the race, and for this reason he was thrown against the opposite wall. For this story, there may be two reasons: first: at that time to work more hours people used drugs and opium and Bram Stoker was one of them; second: many years before the birth of Bram there were people who tried to climb the walls of the Castle to enter inside, but when they were pushed back, they fell right under the window where Bram Stoker worked, and in fact, the remains of people with broken necks were found right underneath. Which one do you believe?

• In Dublin near Christchurch, there is now a pub called Dark Kelly but, in the past, it was a whorehouse. Kelly was the owner of the whorehouse and the first murderer in Dublin. Kelly killed many clients, men with stab wounds to the back, and buried them under the floorboards in front of the bordello... I found it exhilarating that there is a pub in Dublin named after the city’s first mass murderer, but as I said, the Irish like dark stories.

• The last story is about Billy in a bowl. Billy was a very handsome man with no working legs and for that, he used to walk around the city in a bowl. How "work" robbed women with a particular technique. He hid behind the bushes and made noises similar to the cries of children or animals and when a woman looked into the bushes, he stole her jewellery. One day a woman tried to fight him, but he had strong arms, and she choked to death. From that day on, Billy realized that he had no regrets for killing the woman and that it was even easier to kill because he could steal more things. So he started killing women, and, of course, no one was thinking about him because of his leg problem. But one day he decided to steal from two women together loaded with jewels. He attacked the first and was about to choke the other when the first woman, after a while, recovered and attacked Billy. The two women fled the attack and Billy died. Apparently today it seems that near Smithfield at night you can hear Billy in a Bowl whispering behind a bush.

Do you like Halloween? I would love to hear stories form your city, your traditions during this holiday and what you like about it. Leave a comment and let me know :)