Sardinia

Photo courtesy of Lonely Planet

The beauty of Italy is endless.  Whether it is through the exploration of northern Italy and its Alpi or Central Italy and its capital of Rome, there are endless opportunities and experiences unlike any other while exploring Italy.  Why not take a deeper look into the treasures of Italy? The region of Sardinia (or Sardegna in Italian) is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Italy’s other famous island of Sicilia.  Sardinia is geologically one of the most ancient bodies of land in Europe. What makes Sardinia so unique and famous is the way the people live their lifestyle; through cuisine, their attitudes, and their big hearts..

Sardinian locals base living off the land to be a main priority. The key to living a Sardinian lifestyle is prospering in a state of simplicity.  Sardinia happens to be one of the top five healthiest places to live in the entire world.  The island is hardy and untamed, perfect for exploration.  Historically the island is made up of farmers or shepherds who harvest what the beautiful Sardinia offers from its land.  Sardinia was repeatedly invaded and exploited by outside raiders for their riches of the land, and therefore, the natives developed an extreme connection to their families and the communities they live in.  Maybe this is the key to Sardinians longevity.  Overall, the attitude of a Sardinian individual is positive.  They find beauty in the simplest of things, and their happiness comes from this way of living.  As a result, they live on a very low stress level and diffuse arguments with others. 

Sardinian people have been known to follow a healthy diet due to the foods and beverages they consume on a daily basis.  Instead of consuming cow’s milk as Americans do, they drink milk and eat cheese from a goat.  Sardinian goats have a unique quality that is useful to humans.  The goats feed off of dwarf curry, which is used in the U.S. to create anti-inflammatory drugs.  One of the most widely known Italian goat cheese is pecorino.   Local Sardinians feast off of sardines, dark red wine, and fava beans and barley to maintain their longevity.  In Sardinian history, it is well known that the local people walk long distances daily.  Since most men work in fields as shepherds, they walk miles upon miles through rocky terrains with their flocks. 

Sardinia is a hidden gem of Italy.  Their history can help anyone learn to follow certain lifestyles to a longer prosperous life.  If one can learn anything at all from the Sardinian people it is to eat a plant based diet, put family first, respect and celebrate your elders, drink a glass of Cannanau (dark red wine), laugh with the people you love, and take a nice long walk while enjoying what nature has to offer.  The key to this lifestyle is simplicity.  The simplest of things can bring you the greatest happiness.

Works Cited:

"Blue Zones." Blue Zones. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013.

"Authentic Sardinia." Intelligent Travel. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013.

by Kiera Coskran

Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is one of the most talented, yet most controversial soccer players in Italy. He was born on August 12, 1990 in Palermo, Italy. His birth name was Mario Barwuah, until it was changed when he was sent to live with the Balotelli family by social services. Mario officially became an Italian citizen on his 18^th birthday at the Concesio City Hall.

Mario Balotelli was always a talented soccer player, but the coaches of the clubs that he was a part of have always had trouble controlling him. At the age of 17, Mario joined Internazionale, which is based in Milan, Lombardy. Internazionale is a well-known and extremely successful soccer club, not only in Italy, but also the world. Mario played well, even while fans chanted racist remarks towards him. However, the main problem with playing for Internazionale was not the fans--it was the coach. The coach and Mario clashed numerous times due Mario’s lack of effort in practice and training. This caused Mario to be suspended by the team. He left Internazionale to go play for Manchester City, a soccer club in England.

Mario Balotelli was a member of the Italian National Team during the UEFA Euro Cup in 2012. He was the first black player to appear in a match for Italy, and he was also the first black player to score a goal for Italy. Mario has been scrutinized for his lifestyle and comments he has made off the pitch. One of his recent comments was telling the members of the soccer club Real Madrid they can sleep with his girlfriend if they win the Champions League title. Mario Balotelli is a great talent, but he may be more interesting off the field.

"Mario Balotelli." Mario Balotelli. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.

"Mario Balotelli." Bornrich. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 May 2013.

by Jamison DiGeronimo

Nightlife in Italy

Photo credit: Erin Fay

The nightlife in Italy is much different than what we are used to seeing in the states. As many other European countries as well as southern and Central American countries, the drinking age is 18 not 21.  In Rome is alive at night. If New York is the city that never sleeps, Rome is the party that never ends. Clubs don't get going until after midnight. Discos compete for extravagant themes and décor, and if they don't always keep up with the latest trends in London or L.A., they still provide a great evening for the young and footloose. Thursdays through Sundays are club nights when the whole city seems to be out on the town. Monday through Wednesday the streets are much quieter.

Italy can be a fun country to go out at night for many reasons besides nightclubs. One of them is the panoramas one may enjoy, especially in places like Rome, Florence, or Venice where walking around is already an event. Moreover, every city has often great jazz  and music clubs, which usually host prime international musicians and, in recent years Brazilian music such as Bossa Nova has became very popular. If you look for traditional Italian music you'll be disappointed as it's not very common, unless a bus-load of tourists has just arrived.

Of course, the number one reason to go out in Italy is to eat. There are plenty of restaurants and Italians enjoy international cuisines, in particular Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. A few American steakhouses and Mexican places are also popular. Culturally each major city features important theatres and opera houses, while during the summer often classical music concerts are organized in some villa or city park; Rome is very famous for its Estate Romana, (Roman Summer). Once a year, a White Night takes places and most stores and museums stay open all night long; this is becoming a traditional event.

References:

 N.a. "Night Life in Italy." Italy. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 May 2013

by Lucas Said

Enzo Anselmo Ferrari and the Rise of the Ferrari Empire

Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898 in Modena, Italy. He did not have a strong education, but at the age of  ten he went to his first race. His father took him to the race on via Emilia in Bologna. After seeing this race, he was even more drawn to the world of racing. In 1916, Enzo’s father and brother died. When they died it left Enzo to provide for the family. Enzo went to work in the lathing school at the fire service workshop in Modena. In 1917, Enzo joined the army and fought in the first World War.

Before the war ended, Enzo became ill and had to undergo two operations before he was given an honorable discharge. In 1918 Enzo looked for work and obtained a job as a test driver at a small company in Turin. He worked there for almost a year then he moved to Milan to work for a company called Costruzioni Meccaniche Nazionale (C. M.N.). He started out as test driver, but with his expertise, he made his debut as a racer and came in 4^th place in his first ever race.

By the next year, in 1920, Enzo Ferrari became the head of the Alfa Romeo racing division. In 1923 Enzo won his first race and met Countess Baracca. She gave him a signed photo of her son’s prancing horse and allowed Enzo to use it as his car’s emblem.

The Ferrari emblem

In 1929, Enzo founded the Scuderia Ferrari racing group in Modena, his hometown. His motto or purpose for his company was to allow owner-drivers to race. With his overwhelming skill in racing and education on cars, Enzo easily took over as the face of the Alfa Romeo brand. By the time 1931 rolls around Enzo put down his racing gear to maintain the work load as leader of Scuderia and a new type of life. On January 19^th, 1932 his son Alfredo Ferrari was born.

Around 1937 the Scuderia foundation buillt the “Alfa Romeo 158- Alfetta.” This car quickly began to dominate the racing scene. Seeing his potential and dreaming for a better design Enzo left Alfa Romeo in 1939.

By 1945 Ferrari began work on their first independent Ferrari car model. Enzo wanted to base his cars with the V12 engine because of its versatility. On March 12^th, 1947 he test drove his first car on the open road. His new model car was called the 125-S. After 1956 when his son died, he named all models of the 1500 cc V6 engine after Alfredo.

Through the years Ferrari made a whole line of racing and luxury cars. In 1970 Enzo Ferrari was presented with a gold medal for culture and art by the president of Italy. Enzo gave back in multitudes to the racing community. In 1971 Enzo buillt the Fiorano circuit which officially opened on April 8^th, 1972. In 1987 the “F40” was created. It was the last car created under Enzo’s management.

On August 14, 1988 Enzo Anselmo Ferrari died at the age of 90.

Sources:

"Enzo Ferrari." Ferrari.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013.

"Enzo Ferrari." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 05 July 2013. Web. 08 May 2013. 

by Rasool Adkins

Italian Music: More Than Dean Martin

Italian band Ex-Otago
Photo credit: Elena Curotto

The first thing that pops into mind when hearing the term “Italian music” might be the stereotypical light guitar accompanied by accordion, like something you’d hear in Dean Martin’s “That’s Amore.” But there’s more to Italian music than just singing about wine and having a fun time. After all, some of the most famous pieces of music were Italian- like the classical composers of the Baroque Era or the Italian operas. Even many musical terms are Italian, such as “crescendo,” and “piano.” Of course, music has evolved since that era; it is no longer the 17^th century, and Italian music these days is much different. Nowadays, the focus is on pop, rock, indie, and rap, and there is an infinite amount of Italian musicians these days--some more well known than others. 

For example, one internationally-known singer and song-writer is Tiziano Ferro. He first jumped into his career with the single “Xdono,” also known as “Perdono,” which became an instant hit, especially in Europe and Latin America. He has released a few albums since then, and plays worldwide. Click here for his website.

To shed a different light on modern Italian music, are the lesser-known bands--the more forgotten indie music, so to speak. Although not as famous as somebody like Tiziano Ferro, it could be argued that their music is just as good. As another example, the band known as Ex-Otago is somewhat known in Italy. They formed in Genoa, at first only with three members, just as acoustics, but then soon added another member as a drummer. They have a Tumblr and Myspace in which they keep in contact with fans and can update about concerts.

One last musician, Marco Mengoni, is another pop musician, similar to Tiziano Ferro. He became very popular in 2009, after winning a season of the Italian X Factor, a singing competition. He has then released a few albums, won several awards, and has done a few tours. His official website can be found here.

Although only three artists can’t cover it all, it’s obvious to see just from their music that even though they are all from Italy, their style in music is much different from each other. Sure, they have influences from their culture, but each artist branches out in their own way and makes their own unique sound, which people love and will continue to love.

For more links on modern musicians in Italy, here are few sites to take a look at:

Indie Italy blog

Italian Pop Music blog

by Stephanie Brundige, Katrina Compagna, and Casey Mello

Le belle montagne d'italia

Sentiero degli Dei, or “God’s Trail,” on the Amalfi coast

Imagine yourself on a mountain top with breathtaking views as far as the eye can see. With the sounds of a running river and the smell of the crisp mountain air, one might gain a sense of freedom and a connection with Mother Earth when totally immersed in true wilderness. All over the Italian peninsula some of the most beautiful and majestic mountains in the world can be found. Whether in the Alps, the Apennines, or the Dolomites, a hiking excursion in Italy is sure to be one of the most spiritual and transcendental experiences a nature enthusiast can have.

Walking in Italy is perhaps the best way to see the country, by getting off the beaten path and away from the chaos of the cities. One of the best aspects about trekking across Italy is the fact that the majority of the country’s parks, mountain ranges, and nature reserves contain seemingly endless trails and hiking paths that can be found almost anywhere. Depending on the type of adventure you are looking for, these trails include anything from strenuous hikes in the mountain regions to leisurely strolls throughout the countryside. No matter what type of physical shape you may be in, there is guaranteed to be a journey that is just right for experiencing some of the most beautiful landscapes the European continent has to offer.

Pictured above are the Brenta Mountains in the Dolomite mountain range, located in North Eastern Italy. These mountains have some of the best hiking in the country and are easily reachable from Venice, Verona, and Milan. They also contain wheel-chair accessible paths and routes with iron cables so people of all abilities may enjoy the gorgeous scenery. There are many day hike options as well as long backpacking excursions in which people can call the wilderness home for an extended period of time. The Bocca di Brenta pass is one of the most popular hikes that can be done in a single day, or multiple nights out on the trail. For overnight hikes, you must book a rifugio (refuge), which is best to do in advance. Popular trails such as these often get crowded so to experience more solidarity it is best to go between mid-June and early October.

Italy is also famous for its beautiful lakes, such as Lago di Garda, pictured above. Located in Northern Italy, about half way in between Venice and Milan, this pristine body of water attracts thousands of visitors each year. Surrounded by mountains and formed by glaciers at the end of the last ice age, it is a popular vacation destination for people all over Europe. Hikers are also attracted to this region because of the stunning views from mountains such as Monte Baldo, which is the highest around the lake, and makes up most of its Eastern side. It has a peak of just over 2,000 meters which can be reached by funivia from Malcesine (although the true nature lovers will surely benefit from hiking to the top themselves!) Whichever road you decide to take, it is a guarantee that you will have a truly unforgettable and spiritual experience in le belle montagne d'italia.

Photos and information are credited to the following sites:

The Walks of Italy Blog: "Hiking in Italy-Beyond the Cinque Terre"

The Walks of Italy Blog: "Lake Como or Lake Garda: Choosing an Italian Lake"

Zainoo: "Lake Garda and Monte Baldo"

by  Courtney Brooks, Andrew Oughton, and Victoria George

Jewelry the Italian Way

Italy has become a center of jewelry making, harboring some well-known designers, and melding the past to the present to create modern designs. For women all around the globe, jewelry provides an outlet for expression, regardless of the clothing they are wearing.  In European countries such as Italy, where high fashion and professional styles may not always allow for that small quirk in character, jewelry adds shine and glamour to the blandest work suit. 

Mario Garavelli was the founder of the jeweler store known as Garavelli. Located in Valenza, Italy, the factory is well known for its high quality designs and its fresh perspective within the industry. Now led by the fourth generation since its founding, Garavelli gears its designs towards the women of today. To ensure that the design is authentic, there is a distinctive mark set into the piece. With its new Globo collection, Garavelli supports ethically mined gold as part of an environmental and social project geared towards protecting the world. The Coil collection is a new and innovative style which allows for rings to be made flexible, their pieces fitting together like a puzzle on some sort of material that allows them to stretch around the finger. 

Marco Bicego is among the modern age designers, utilizing a blend of old world Italian craftsmanship with modern touches. After launching a jewelry line in 2000, Bicego has gained fame with his new designs, recognized as the “King of Emerging Jewelry Companies” by Italy’s “Sole 24 Ore” newspaper in 2004. In 2005, he won “The Town and Country Design Awards” for Excellence in Gold Jewelry at The Couture show. The inspiration for many of his designs seem to come from the ocean atmosphere, among some of these is the Goa collection and the Siviglia Collection.

If you are looking to order jewelry within your price range, Simona’s Fine Italian Jewelry has a team of twelve jewelry designers. Simona sells jewelry comprised of high-quality metals and jewels, coupled with ancient techniques and skilled craftsmanship. She promotes the designs, encouraging their artistic value and unique designs. If you would rather design your own pieces of jewelry, visit Flo’ New Age. They employ the lost-wax casting technique to create and reproduce original designs as well as custom designs.  Flo’ New Age has been in business since 1969 and uses precious and non-precious metals with metal, glass, and other materials such as leather. Their design team is dedicated to drawing out custom designs to customer approval for free before putting the piece into production.  

Italy’s artistic culture has influenced the design of their jewelry. The pieces are a testament to the thriving culture of fashion and design which has always been a large part of Italy’s tapestry. It is the hope of the industry that the jewelry lends confidence to the modern day woman while maintaining beauty and elegance. 

Visit the links below to find out more:

Garavelli

Marco Bicego

Simona's Fine Italian Jewelry

Flo' New Age

By Jillian Cormier, Kyle Daudelin, Kiera Coskran