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All Things Italian
  • Robert Bernstein
  • Robert Bernstein

All Things Italian

A 34-day adventure by Robert Read more
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  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    A Visit to Testaccio

    May 25, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Today was a busy day! Started with my 1.5 hr. semi private Italiano lesson and then on to visit Testaccio and the a little bit of the area around it. Amazing Mercado ( market) with all sorts of produce, and take a look at the artichokes, fruits, meats, cheese and other items. There are many small shops that sell a wide variety of different types of food. I also saw the Pyramids (I read about why they are in Roma but I don’t remember). There was an art exhibition in a building that was once a slaughter house.
    Then on to my 3 hr. regular italiano language class. After class there was a meet up for an aperitivo with a few of others attending Scuola Leonardo di Vinci. I will be honest learning is very difficult most of the others were so much better spoken but I keep challenging myself to be exposed to the language hoping it will come to me.
    Tomorrow on to Venezia for the weekend! 🤗    Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    A First Day with a Taste of Venezia

    May 26, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Lots of pictures! Arrived in Venezia mid afternoon. Just incredible that you come out of the train station and you are immediately on the Grand Canal. My college roommate lives here and today there was a water taxi strike and he navigated to find a private water taxi to take us to the apartment. Did just a little wandering and then dinner and a stroll to St. Marks Sq. There were places where a small ensemble was playing theme songs from James Bond movies! They say Venezia is magical and I got a small taste of it today! 🤗 And the weather is great!Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    A few Pictures in Venezia

    May 27, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    What can I say, Venezia is a magical place! With only a couple of days it’s hard to see it all. Today started w/ boat taxi to Murano for a cappuccino and a cornetto . Then on to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. There is temporary exhibit of the artist Bacci and another side the permanent collection with world renown artist Pacasso, Miro, Salvador Dali and many more. I never realized what a patron of the arts she was. She supported artists who were just starting out and then helped them become world renowned.
    Then on to an absolutely incredible lunch. An appetizer with barrata and black truffle on a heart of artichoke and a branzino for a main course. Then on to Doge’s Palace. FB cut me off after a certain number of pictures. Spent 2 1/2 hrs there will post pictures of the Palace.    Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Said Farewell to Venezia

    May 28, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    Said goodbye to Venezia today! What a magical city! Made a stop this morning at a church very well known but in the usual tourist areas. Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari. Huge! A little wandering thru the streets. A stop at the “most beautiful in the world!” Libreria Acqua Alta. Then a final lunch with my friend and his wife at Trattoria Da Johnny’s. Grilled octopus starter. Had a very different aperitivo made with a local brand called 1920 Select, different than the Aperol Spritz. There was some kind of boat race (30 km.) that people come from all over the world. From dragon boats to gondolas everywhere. The main water ways were restricted but my friend arranged for a private water taxi to take me to the train station. (Nice way to ride!) In Venezia you either walk or take a water taxi. No cars or buses, just water! 🤗Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler
    1

    Villa Borghese

    June 3, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Last day with Alec and Kristin; they had grabbed a reservation at a very difficult ristorante- Armando Al Pantheon. Very special! And then on to theGalleries at Villa Borghese. Best known for it’s collection of Bernini sculptures. A great guide to provide incredible insight to the many works of art!Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    A Visit to a Unique Museum

    June 8, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 73 °F

    The Museo dell’Ara Pacis is housed in a modern architecture designed by Richard Meier. Artifacts from the 9th century BC. it includes the sacrificial altar of Ara Pacis (yes they sacrificed sacred animals here). There is the history of the Augustus’ family.Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    All About Sperlonga

    June 10, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

    Sperlonga has so much history but unfortunately it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. The town dates back to the time of Emperor Tiberius and the Greeks had influence over this area. This a very large cave that was inhabited and originally had several large sculptures that are in a museum. Tiberius built a villa here. The area was invaded many times by pirates and the Watchtower you can see in the pictures did protect the citizens but eventually in 1534 it was not strong enough to fortify the town and was razed to the ground by the Turks. Sperlonga has been abandoned but but slowly was rebuilt. Skip ahead many centuries and in 1957 a coastal road was built and Sperlonga started to become a resort town for the beaches and clear waters. Took a boat ride up the coast to the see more caves and interesting terrain. And tasted some local wines!Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Doria Pamphilj Gallery & Prati

    June 12, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Today was a tale of two different sights. This morning I visited Galleria Doria Pamphilj. It is a private collection of over 400 paintings and some sculptures dating back from the 15th century. It is in a palace and owed by the Doria Pamphili family. There are a few paintings by famous artist Caravaggio as well as a Bernini sculpture of Pope Innocent X and a famous painting of this Pipe by Diego Velazquez.
    Then this afternoon I was just exploring the neighborhood called Prati which is just north of the Vatican. This area is not very touristy and is one of the more expensive areas to live. I discovered this fascinating market called Castroni that sells all sorts of interesting food items.    Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Villa Farnesina in Trastevere

    June 13, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Well the weather today was pretty miserable! Thunderstorms on & off all day!
    After my italiano lesson this morning I made my way over to Villa Farnesina located in Trastevere. Built in 1510 for Agostino Chigi. He was the Pope’s wealthy Sienese banker. This villa is famous for several frescos by Raphael ( the same guy who has many works of art in the Vatican) . While Chigi originally built it in 1577 it was bought by the Farnese family.Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    A Day in Trastevere & Dinner

    June 15, 2023 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 70 °F

    After my italiano language class it was a day to just wander thru Trastevere. Interesting part of Roma on the other side of Tiber River.
    Then this evening discovered a great ristorante (had to get off the “pasta train”). Great veal and I got to practice a little italiano with the waiter. Finished off the night with a recommendation from my landlord for the best gelato (20 people in line) you know it has to be good!Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Villa Medici

    June 18, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Yesterday was Villa Medici. Built between 1458/62. It’s next to Villa Borghese. Owned by Medici family until Ferdinand’s died in 1737. No heirs and Napoleon came into possession of villa. It become owned by French and has been the French Academy in Rome since 1803. Every year 16 artists of different disciplines are selected to live here for 1 yr. and create works. The “crashed cars” in the courtyard is just one of the unusual exhibits. Some great views of Roma. While there they were prepping for some huge event. Some thought it might have been a launch party with Tom Cruise for the next Mission Impossible movie.
    Most of the original artwork in Villa Medici was moved to Florence to Uffizi Gallery before Napoleon took possession.
    Last night I saw a light exhibition on the Tiber. Very unusual the pictures don’t do it justice.    Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Appian Way - Outside Roma

    June 19, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    Did a 4 hr. Electric bike tour of the Appian Way today.
    The Appian Way was a Roman road used as a main route for military supplies for its conquest of southern Italy in 312 BC and for improvements in communication. One can see much of the water aqueducts that provided water to Roma. Beautiful sights along the way!Read more

  • Robert BernsteinAll Things ItalianTraveler

    Jewish Ghetto Roma & Evening Food Tour

    June 22, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Very interesting tour of the Jewish Ghetto in Roma. Ordered by Pope Paul IV the ghetto was constructed in 1555 in the undesirable area of Roma. There were2 gates that were locked at night. The people became shrewd clothing merchants and band bankers. The ghetto expanded it’s footprint until 1849 when following the proclamation of the Italian Republic.
    The most tragic event occurred in 1943 when the Nazis surrounded the neighborhood and captured over 1000 Jews and sent them to Auschwitz. Only 16 survived. There are gold plaques in front of the homes where people were taken. There is a picture of the Turtle Fountain that built by Bernini. Quite a moving experience with a very passionate guide.
    That evening a food tour of the Prati neighborhood.    Read more

    Trip end
    June 1, 2023
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