Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Discovering villas: Villa Ada Savoia

Through their historic and typological features Roman villas have without doubts represented the maybe liveliest expression of society development. They are the most direct demonstrations of the passage from Feudalism to patronage, but more than anything expression of the policy of the Church and of the Popes who represent it.

Having their routes in the old Roman villas, generally built fuori porta (without the walls), more modern villas have lost completely their fashion during the Medieval period. In fact they were no more than a real little fort, surrounded by garden of green area. It is only during the XIV century that extra urban villas timidly reappeared  and partly spread in the surrounding of Florence, in the South of Italy and in Naples and surrounding.

Today in Rome there are astonishing examples of villas, once property of noble families, today galleries, museums and public parks.

Villa Ada Savoia is presently one of the largest parks in Rome as an arrangement of the XVIII century. The villa, as well as the surrounding land was used as a leisure and official guest place. The Pallavicinis had bought the largest part and had built there the first core of the villa, which had around a casino, landscape gardens, an artificial lake and other similar elements. The villa was later sold to the Potenzianis and then was bought by Victor Emmanuel II in 1871. He added several surrounded areas and ordered the German gardener Richter and the architect Pretagna to embellish the villa, transforming the place into a Royal Villa.

Villa Savoia

When Victor Emmanuel II died in 1878 part of the house was sold, until when was purchased by Victor Emmanuel III and declared 1919 official residence of the royal family. After the proclamation of the Repubblic in 1946, the villa became derelict and only after a long dispute it was divided between the State property and the Savoia heirs.

Recently the villa has been restored and it has passed under the Municipality of Rome. Considered one of the fundamental lungs of the eternal city, this place is a place of rest and trips, especially for the children who can run easily around.

The entrances to the park are on Via Salaria, Via del Ponte Salario, Via di Monte Antenne and Via Panama.

Next time you are on holiday and you have children, or you want to do something different, explore this immense park!

A presto!



Thursday, November 13, 2014

Loving chocolate....


No many weeks to Christmas....you can find chocolate in many shapes and forms !!!
Here an example of what I have bought last year during the holiday.....

I look forward to enjoy some more chocolate soon!


Santa Claus or Babbo Natale!!


Chocolate nativity



Monday, July 7, 2014

Tell me how you dress and I will tell you who you are....



Shorts, thongs....  Clothes represent personality and social status in Italy so people wear nice clothing almost all the time.

Italians seeing you for the first time will judge you by your appearance, and will respond accordingly. So if you dress or look like a tourist, you will be treated like one. For this reason when you go to Italy try to blend in, wear nice clothes and have fun!!

In this way you will also avoid attracting the wrong people!!





Sunday, July 6, 2014

When in Rome … drink coffee as the Romans do...including myself!!!

One thing that often perplexes Australians visiting Italy is the coffee and the whole cafe experience. Italians have some very strong rituals and norms when it comes to coffee but it’s not that hard to make your way around the cafe experience like a local if you know the basics.

This is me enjoying a coffee in New Farm
                                      

While here in Australia for me drinking coffee has become a social experience, as it is for many other people, in Italy this action is seen more of a transaction, a necessity of daily life, though an enjoyable necessity to be savoured several times during the day. 

This explains why coffee is mostly drunk al bar. It’s quick and easy to stop and order a coffee on the way to work, or during the late morning or even in the afternoon. Coffee is generally ordered at the counter to the barista after you have paid at the cashier and handed over your docket. However, if you want to try this experience in the early morning, don't be surprised if you are surrounded by many other people, who are rushing around with their busy lives. 

Anyway, if you think this is too much for you, just sit at the table and wait to be served, however expect to pay a higher price for the table service.

Different types of coffees are also drunk during the day. You would never see an Italian drinking cappuccino after a meal or after 10.30am, so next time you are in Italy don't forget this! DON'T ORDER A LATTE OR A CAPPUCCINO AFTER A MEAL. They will look at you in a funny way!!!

If you can't really drink just black coffee, order a macchiato, an espresso with a dash of milk or even better, a caffe' corretto, an espresso with a nip of Sambuca or Grappa (after dinner).

After saying that...just go and have fun!

Join me in my tours and drink coffee with me in the morning before we head off somewhere around Italy! 

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Let's Cook Italian : Italian cooking classes in New Farm

 So, you tell me...who doesn't like to eat?
Well, there's going to be a new Italian Cooking course in May!!!
Come and have fun!!!


Cannelloni 
Frappe

Simona Albanese 

More info here:


Follow me on the Facebook page : Italian Cultural Experience

Let's cook Italian

The term is gone, however there will be a new Italian Cooking course starting in May at New Farm State School. 

The course is limited to 8 people and it runs for three consecutive weeks.
In classes you cook, you eat and you meet some new friends!

So....I see you in class!




Here I'm in class with my students! We are preparing cannelloni and scaloppine!!!

                         

A presto!!!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

ITALIAN CLASSES : Traveller, Conversation, Intermediate and Advanced

Italian classes at New Farm State School with Simona Albanese

Term 1 is almost finished, as well as the Italian courses. I will be off to Europe very soon to escort a new tour, therefore I have here new courses already organised for next term.

The new classes will start in May at New Farm State School and they will last 6 weeks.

Italian Beginners/Traveller
Monday,  May 12th

Italian Conversation
Monday, May 12th

Italian Intermediate 
Tuesday, May 13th

Italian Advanced 
Tuesday, May 13th

For info in regards to class you can contact me directly.
For enrolment contact Nancy at nfsscommunityed@live.com.au

I look forward to meeting you in class!

A presto!

Simona
Your connection to Italy

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...