The Italian island of Sardinia (Sardegna) brought out the adventurer in us. Our first stop was Sassari, a city of about 120,000 with a rich history dating back to the early Middle Ages. A college town, home to the University of Sassari with about 18,000 students that opened in May of 1562.

Our host, Gianluca, a treasure trove of Sardinian lore, put us up at the Hotel Vitorio Emanuele in the center of the old city. As we walked around the meticulously persevered town centre, we found cobblestone roads, ancient buildings and streets so narrow we could touch the walls on each side at the same time (yet locals navigate cars, trucks and scooters with side mirrors-tucked-in ease). The dialect of the people around us, especially the children, sounded beautiful, like music.

Sassari can seem so foreign to modern, New World eyes, yet we soon discovered that behind the ancient veneer were 21st century conveniences. In our hotel, we found motion sensor lighting, video security, wireless access and a staff that spoke an amazing repertoire of languages, seamlessly moving from guest to guest. Just a passing glance, or in Veronica’s case an intentional snoop, into the open doors of the homes revealed all of the newest gadgets. State of the art kitchens with gleaming, compact appliances, LCD screens on widescreen TVs and computers and furniture to die for.

Over the first night’s dinner, conversation turned to local food and customs. Gianluca mentioned that horse and donkey were the “national foods” of Sardinia and that people who are not from the island can find them hard to eat. It wasn’t meant as a challenge, but to us, the gauntlet had been dropped. Since David had tried horse on a previous visit to Italy, it was obvious that we must eat the ass.

The next day we noticed an intriguing little local haunt called Trattoria da Peppina in a tiny piazza near our hotel. Turns out assenello (little donkey) was one of the least adventurous menu items. Spinal cord, small heads of lamb, three kinds of snails, various entrails, and goat feet were all available, as well as several things we couldn’t decipher even with our fairly complete dictionary. This was it–we’d found our place. The obvious jokes preceded our meal–”That’s some nice ass”, “There’s just nothing like a good piece of ass”, “How’d you like to bite my…. Well, you get the idea.

We were hoping a nice sauce might cover our ass, but as we were enjoying our pasta “first plate” we heard the distinct sound of meat on the grill. Sure enough, the ass was served straight up, all alone on a plate, grilled to perfection. They even went so far, perhaps by accident, perhaps not, to serve it in a shape that could be seen as a toilet seat or a human butt.

Lemon and salt were added as we summoned up our courage. The steak was cut, rather tentatively, and the first bite sniffed and inspected. Smelled good, looked OK…. Here we go. It’s good! No, really, it’s good. Fully expecting to only try a bite or two, we ate every bit. It’s really good. So now, best of all, at dinner we could truthfully say, “No thank you, I had ass for lunch.”

After lunch, it was time for more exploring. Sassari sleeps during this part of the day, so it felt as though we had the whole place to ourselves, but we did find the Museo Nazionale Sanna open. The museum has very convenient hours and houses some of the earliest Stone Age and Neolithic finds on the island. Phoenician and Carthaginian objects like pottery and gold jewelry, Roman finds with statuary, a sprinkling of coins, bronze belt buckles and a stash of heavy Roman boat anchors that pay homage to Sardinia‘s seafaring history share the space with the art collection of Giovanni Sanna, whose family built the museum.

Next we visited the famous fountain, Fontana di Rosello, crafted in 1606, which first supplied the aqueduct for the nearby seaport of Porto Torres. Later, the citizens of Sassari hauled the water away in buckets by hand and on donkey–we assume before dinner.

At one point during our walk we happened by a souvenir shop hocking tee shirts that read “No Mirto, No Party.” Intrigued, we stepped in to ask the proprietor about Mirto. With little language in common, we learned through hand signals and interpretive dance that Mirto is a traditional Sardinian liqueur that tastes harmless, but in a half an hour all hell breaks loose. Immediately upon arrival back at the hotel, we started our research. Mirto, we found, comes in two varieties, red and white, and is made from the myrtle plant–the red (rossa) is made from the berries, the white (bianca) from the leaves. Nothing about hallucinations. Since we were not sure who to trust–Wikipedia or the guy at the souvenir shop (could he have been exaggerating just to sell us a tee shirt?)–we felt that further, more personal research must be done.

We made our way to Piazza Italia, home of the only clock in Sassari that told the correct time. It resides on the provincial capital building, the Provincia di Sassari. After dark, Sassari really comes alive. The plaza was filled with outdoor cafes, strolling families, necking teenagers and, as always, the old guys sitting on benches, watching.

Situated at an outdoor table, we decided to start with the Mirto Rossa. Very sweet, 32 percent alcohol, with a back taste of herbs. We enjoyed some people watching, letting some time pass, hoping that the effects of the drink would not be too harsh. Still coherent, we decided to share a Mirto Bianca. The herbal taste of the Bianca is more obvious, as the sweetness of the berries has been eliminated. Again we wait for the hallucinations. Nothing.

Our study concluded that while Mirto will warm your spirit, it’s probably best not to expect a mind-expanding experience, but it may make you want to exclaim the local howl of “Aiooo!”

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Discover how to taste cheese. Academia Barilla Chef Sergio Maria Teutonico will teach us how to taste cheese. The short film is focused on Pecorino Gran Cru by Academia Barilla, and explains you how to find all the flavors hidden in the cheese. If you want to know more about Italian food and the Italian products have a look at our web site: http://www.academiabarilla.com/

Palermo and Taormina are amongst the best cities of Sicily. Sicily happens to the largest Island in these parts of Europe, and it is a sure terminal for all tourists, hence Sicily is densely populated with tourists from different parts of the world.

Why have you come to Sicily or Sardinia or even any part of Italy? Is it for business or pleasure? Whatever the reason, here are some important steps to follow to actually maximize your time spent in these parts. Before traveling contact car hire Italy for the latest information on how to get a car at your arrival to enable all the process carried out in Italy or Sicily.

Since you got the ride set to move around Sicily through the car hire Sicily service, your first point of call should be Taormina. This is the treasure base of Sicily; all types of its treasures are here, both ancient and modern. On the eastern part of Sicily, you will find Mount Etna; it’s an enormous mountain, what a beautiful sight. Then you will also find Palermo is fruitful field of Sicily, in fact, it is the most fruitful land in all of Italy.

The valley of the Temples in Agrigento containing the tombs of all the great Grecian personalities is another good tourist attraction in Sicily. This site has become an archeological spot, a great point of reference for the Greeks. To be able to go from one site to another with ease, the rented car is really a much needed relieve since one would not need to hop from one bus or train to another.

One of the most alluring cities is Sardinia, located somewhere in the west, but encompassed by the sea. This city has remained to be a good tourist attraction over the years. Whether you are a tourist or just on an official assignment, a tour around this lovely city will be worth your while. There are many rocky high areas with many rivers in between, producing a vivid picture of the perfect ness of nature.

Once you get into Sardinia for the first time, you will be entrapped by its serenity and beautify. If you need a car, you can use the car hire Sardinia services. All that will be needed is a little deposit and you will have the car to yourself all through your stay in Sardinia. While you are in Sardinia, you will enjoy their good food, something that is very common to all the Italian cities. The rich cultural heritage of Sardinia is endearing. Flumendosa, Triso, and Coghinas are the main rivers flowing through all the parts of Sardinia – making it so enchanting. You can stay in any of the hotels or apartment, there are very good accommodation provided in this city. There are a lot to learn and enjoy here.

Sicily and Sardinia are cities that will attract and satisfy any visitors need for experiences and exploration. You will never be bored in either city for there is just too much for you to do.

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Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and is often the premier destination for Europe’s elite. Many celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Sting go to Sardinia for relaxation and seclusion. Travel to Sardinia is not difficult, as there are three international airports on the island. You can also travel to Sardinia by ferry or ship, as well.

Once you have arrived, you’ll need to make some choices concerning your transportation around the island. Many of the hotels offer shuttle service from the airports to the hotel. When you travel to Sardinia, make sure you inquire if this service is available. There are also car rentals available in every airport and in some of the towns.

You can get around Sardinia by train and bus, but not very quickly. It is definitely worth the money to rent a car. There are also many enchanting, remote areas to visit on the island and it could take you quite awhile to get there by commercial transportation means.

Unlike Italy, travel to Sardinia and on the island is not as dangerous as you might expect. Traffic moves much slower here due to the narrow, winding roads. These roads are quite often deserted, so when a driver meets another vehicle, it could be quite unexpected.

If you want to find the best deals on travel to Sardinia, here are some tips to help locate great savings:

1. Plan Your Vacation Ahead of Time: It is a well known fact that the farther in advance you plan your trip, the lower the cost. So pick your dates as soon as you are able to. Travel to Sardinia can be somewhat expensive if you wait to the last minute to book your airfare.

2. Buy a Vacation Package: Many of the online travel sites can give you great deals on travel to Sardinia when you book a complete package. You can include airfare and accommodations, as well as excursions for diving and sightseeing.

3. Call the Airlines Directly: Occasionally you can find a better deal when you call the airline than if you go through a travel website or agent. However, most of the travel sites and agencies reserve blocks of seats, which is how they get the best rates.

4. Travel Mid-Week: When you travel to Sardinia during the middle of the week, you could end up saving hundreds of dollars in airfare. Most of the cheapest airfare is available on Tuesday and Wednesday. While this is the best time to travel to Sardinia, they are also the best days to book your reservation.

5. Make Use of Those Travel Rewards: Why let your frequent flyer miles expire? Use them to grab up an airline ticket for free or to purchase a reduced companion fare. Many restrictions usually apply to these types of tickets, so be sure you read the fine print.

6. Check with Specialty Charters: Many charter services are available for Mediterranean destinations. If you are looking for deals at the last minutes, this may be your best bet. Most of the time, these charter companies have already purchased a block of tickets. If it is close to the departure date, you may be able to get a ticket at a really reduced rate. The charter companies would rather make a little money on a ticket than lose the fare altogether.

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The Balsamic Vinegar from Modena has a unique flavor, discover how to recognize it with this tips. Academia Barilla Chef Sergio Maria Teutonico will show us how to taste Balsamic Vinegar. Follow the video to discover all the hidden savours and smells. If you want to know more about Italian food and the Italian products have a look at our web site: http://www.academiabarilla.com/

fter years of experience in Hotels, Tour Operator Companies and Public Offices for Tourism, with Sleep in Sicily you can get a high quality Bed and Breakfast accommodation in the province or all around Sicily. The entire package is complemented by the typical Sicilian warm welcome and helpfulness. For this purpose the team is dedicated to operate and give complete information on some outstanding cities, which represent the cultural heritage of Europe.

Palermo is the Sicilian Capital and it is sited on a wide bay at the foot of Mount Pellegrino. The Phoenicians have made of the settlement a trading post together with the early Sicilian and Greek people then occupying this territory, in fact to date Palermo is a busy port. The city was also one of the greatest cities of Europe under Arab domination. During this prosperous period it was known as ’splendid’ (ziz), and as from this date Palermo maintained a clear historical and cultural identity; Zisa Castle holds testimony of Arabic culture in Sicily. The Arabs built the Royal Palace or Palazzo dei Normanni, but later it was abandoned, successively the Normans (which made Palermo the capital city of the Kingdom of Sicily) have made of it a sumptuous residence where Federico II established the Sicilian School of Poetry. As from 1947, the Palace has become the seat of the local Regional Parliament.

The historical centre boasts one of the most beautiful squares, that is, Piazza Marina in which there is the superb Medieval Steri Palace once seat of the Inquistion. The Palace amalgamates various inheritance of architectural designs form the past up to the date of its construction. The name derives form the term ‘Hosterium’ meaning fortified dwelling featuring explicitly its structure. The stunning historical centre hosts the famous feast of Saint Rosalie held in July; the Saint lived in Palermo in the 12th Century, whose sanctuary is found of Mount Pellegrino and is venerated with great devotion by the local people. Mount Pellegrino is rich in flora and offers the tourist an extraordinary seascape of Mondello. Other must see in Palermo are: Teatro Massimo which is one of the largest theatres in Europe and the Regional Archaeological Museum which exhibits important collections of Sicilian art, from prehistoric times to the late Roman period.

For a full immersion in the Sicilian culture and Folklore, the visitor must not miss the ‘Vucciria’ the highly picturesque city market where one can enjoy the intense aroma of the typical local produce from land and sea. The market has been described in the book ‘Midnight in Sicily’ by Peter Robb and was immortalised by the famous painter Renato Guttuso in the homonymous painting. Also not to ignore is the Puppet Museum, founded in 1975 and dedicated to the traditional Sicilian puppet theatre.

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Going on an island getaway? Travel to Italy is probably one of the best options you will have. The coastal Sardinia Island is definitely worth a try as it is steadily becoming a top choice for tourists around the world seeking to relax on its idyllic beaches. Sardinia used to be a country of hooligans but government efforts to develop the Italian island into a major tourist destination has finally reaped positive results.

There is plenty to do and see in Sardinia but the bulk of activities take place of course, along the island’s beautiful beaches. San Pietro Island, 30 minutes away from the island’s southwestern coast, is a top choice for visitors out for the perfect Sardinia island vacation. As most of neighboring islands, it hosts various beach hotels and is located near historic cities.

San Pietro’s Carloforte town is another interesting place to visit in Sardinia. It has a harbor complete with ferries and fishing boats. Restaurants in the area offer the best dining options, serving seafood specialties like casca, panisse, buridde, and farinate that will surely tickle the palates of the most meticulous diner.
If you wish to go on a relaxing a beach holiday, the La Caletta is another good option. It has magnificent white sand beaches that will surely make your beach holidays in Italy memorable. The island boats of impressive rock formations and water so clean you could see the seabed. Sardinia’s highest peak, the Guardia dei Mori, will give you breathtaking views of pine woods.

Sardinia Island Accommodation

Banking on the growing popularity of Sardinia as a holiday destination, more hotels and inns have been established over the recent years. Many of them could provide comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices. There are also luxurious accommodations available for those who can afford it. Four-star Riviera, located close to the harbor front, is a favorite accommodations provider in the area.

Sardinia is also dotted with resort hotels, which is best if your idea of an Italian island getaway is lying down on the beach and enjoying the scenery all day. You will not have a hard time finding comfortable accommodations in close proximity to the main cities of Alghero and Cagliari. The two cities offer fresh sights if you wish to go around. They are famous for their markets, historic churches, cobbled streets, magnificent bastions, and shops and boutiques.

The stylish resort of Santa Margherita de Pula is one good place to check out west of Cagliari. It offers white sand beaches ideal for your honeymoon or romantic getaways. Guests are also treated to a backdrop of the pine forest. Here lies the four-star Hotel Costa dei Fiori which is spread across scenic gardens and a private sandy beach.

Three-star Hotel Residence Oasis is a more affordable property located three kilometers off Alghero. It is adjacent to the beach and provides visitors access to its pool and gardens. It also has three in-house dining service providers.

Maximize your Sardinia Island vacation by searching for deals online before going on a trip. Usually, providers offer great bargains, which could include flight arrangements and hotel packages.

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Witness, firsthand, the passion that goes into each wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese! Taste the unmistakable sweetness of Prosciutto di Parma, which comes from waiting patiently for it to age to perfection! Taste the aroma of Balsamic Vinegar from Modena. A Gourmet Tour around Parma, the capital of Italy’s food valley.

Torino is located in the Po area in the northwest of Italy. It, with a population of 1.17 million, is the capital city of Piemonte. Also, Torino is an important center for industry, commerce and culture in Italy.

Torino is a famous city for its history. It was once the capital city of Lombardy Kingdom and Sardinia Kingdom. Until the year of 1865, it was still the capital of the Italy Kingdom. So this city owns a lot of historic sites of which the most famous is Madama palace built in the Middle Ages. During the Barocco time, many architects designed and built lots of fine buildings such as the palace, the castle, the villa, the city hall, the Cathedral, the Piazza San Carlo and so on for this city. The wood minaret of Antoneli which was built in the nineteenth century is still the symbol of this city up to now.

The industry of Torino is in high level. The Fiat Company, a famous Private business in Italy, is located in Torino. The entire city is developing rapidly by its lead. The auto exhibition held in every year is one of the most important exhibitions in the world.

Pisa is in northwest of Florence. In history, it was a city by sea. As the land expands, the distance from Pisa to the sea becomes farther and farther. But this can not make people forget the history of Torino which was once a republic at sea with great power and the importance it made as the tache between the west and the east. More over, it just owes to its history and the construction art that Pisa becomes a famous city for travel.

At a most extent, the repute of Pisa should owe to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. This tower is finished in the year of 1350 although the project started as early as 1174. When building the third floor of the tower, people found that there was some slope of the tower for the reasons of the groundsill, the structure and so on. So the project stopped. Later on, another governor employed new architects to carry on this project. For more information about traveling; please have a look at http://www.affordable-cruises-tours.com

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A new delicious and easy Italian recipe from Academia Barilla Chef. Matteo Carboni will show us how to prepare this tomato pesto for your pasta, using raw tomatoes, nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Sicilian Cherry Tomato Topping, unforgettable! Perfect for your summer! To discover other Italian recipe: http://www.academiabarilla.com/