martedì 3 agosto 2010

Ile de beauté

Ok, time is right...more than 3 weeks since I finished my summer vacation. I'm still having a period of strong work (damn! Everybody was out there just waiting for me? None's on Holyday?) but I finally found the time to tell You how good has been my Holyday in Corsica.
I spent in Corsica two weeks, the warmest in Bologna people told me, simply perfect there. I reached the island with the ferry service from Livorno, in Toscana. During the travel I sew dolphins playing in the boat wake: amazing. But...they has not been the only animals I met: this puppy was luckiest than me as I could not find a deck-chair free!
I arrived in Bastia and I drove untill Portovecchio as I already visited Corsica (...16 years ago) and I didn't like that the east coast. I stopped close to Palombaggia beach 3 days. This place is beautifull. I was in the southest beach, as Palombaggia has different beaches, each one maybe more beautiful than the oterhs, but too may people for my taste. So I reached Bonifacio.
The old town...is over the white cliff, in contrast the sea is as blue as you can see here. And right in front You can see Sardegna Island as here they are really close. Bonifacio deserves a visit during the day and during the night too. It's a very old town, and the atmosphere is nice both in the Citadelle and in the old port.
The view from the cliffs is magic:
Around Bonifacio there are some stunning beaches whit white sand and blue water. Like the "Stagnoulo" I'm showing here...with this nice goat I met during my promenade. Actually I love laying on the beach, sun bathing like a Lizard...but I more often walked and took a bath in the cristal water.

From Bonifacio I moved to Sartene, one of the more tipical town in Corsica. Sartene houses are made by granite, so the town is pale grey. I had a good time there, in a bar on the main square, having an apero before (good) dinner. And I even met easy inhabitants!
From the town I captured this sunset, with the sea between the hills.
Close to Sartene is the village of Tizzano, where I spent some days: here part of the beach, in a very calm morning...don't You feel like having a swim? I did it, of course. And i'd like to do it right now!
Near are some beaches, some of them almost deserted, not the one I put here, the "silver" beach, a small corner of paradise...
As I have to see more and more, I left this part of the Island and I reached Piana, on the Route of the Calanches. Here the sunset from the street to the nice Arone beach, with the sun behind Capurossu. So romantic, isn't it?
Even during the day I found that the landscape was beautiful; I can't remember how many times I said: I could stay here days and days...but I had only a short time and so mutch I wanted to see!
Les calanches for instance, one of the stunning place I've seen so far, from the street and from the see too.

And here You are Capurossu sea, where I swam in this blue warm water...
This is Porto, the genovese tower that look after the natural harbour, surrounded by woods that reach the clear water.
...and the beaches near Porto...
Next stop was the Calvi area. I discovered that was too touristic for my taste, but the places are beautiful, mainly the small villages of the Balagne. This is Aregno, and his beach on the background.
This is a small church in Sant'Antonino, another charming village made of this warm stone...
like Pigna...
...where I guess living is sweeter (now...not only 40 years ago) than in my town: here a corner of the village.
I wonder how nice could be having a breakfast on this terrace...or a dinner when the sun in slowly going to sleep.
In Corbara, that is hidden from the sea to avoid Pirates, I spent an evening. Here it is only a few seconds before it was completly dark.
On the coast of Calvi, even if too crowded, there are some beaches that can really leave You breathless, like Bodri one: don't you love the colour of water and the Olive tree in front?
My last days I spent on the northest part of the Island, what they call the finger. A finger between Corsica and Liguria in Italy. The finger is greener than the rest of Corsica, and villages here are often smaller and nicer. This is Nonza famous for the black beach. I didn't stop here...only because I could not find a parking place!!! But it was a pity as the village is so charming and panoramic. Maybe next time I'll be here I'll stay longer in the finger.
But I could stop in Pinu, lovable so small village: only few very old homes and churches. Here You are the Marina, with the tower, the curch, the small cemetary and the microscopic port.
...one other tower...more a villa right now (argh...so gorgeous).
Here you are: me, simply happy and easy in the sunset, after my pastis in Centuri, while looking for a restaurant for the dinner (actually I choosed the right one this time).
...just in face of me the sun behind the houses of the village.
And than I spent all my last day at Barcaggio, one of the most beautiful beach of the finger. I was not alone. Even someone other thought staying here is seewt: here they are coming...
...resting...
...while i was enjoying the water (I missed it!!!!)...
...and, in the after noon, they left the beach for the pastrie.
So It arrived the time to leave Corsica. As You can see I love cats...and here I found so many lovely ones, like this one in a small garden of the Citadelle of Bastia.
In Bastia I began my vacation, here, of course, I finished it.
While waiting for the Ferry I let the sun of Corsica give me some more colour...
...as it was already sunday afternoon and on monday I returned to my Job.

domenica 25 luglio 2010

Corsica

...i'll soon have the time to tell You how beautiful Corsica is.

venerdì 11 giugno 2010

Malta

The 2nd of June is our National Holiday. So I took the opportunity (as it was Wednesday) for a short vacation in Malta.
I must confess...it wasn't love at first sight between me and this Island. But when it was time to leave I was already missing it.
I stayed in Valletta, the main and old town, in a nice and quiet Hotel. Maybe it would be better staying in a more turistic place, as Sliema or Saint Julian, as in the evening Valletta is almost dead!
I spent my time walking and travelling by bus, just enjoying the blue sky and sea and the good weather.
I share here only few pictures...even if I'm sure they can't give the atmosphere I found there.

venerdì 28 maggio 2010

a we in Bordeaux

Last w.e. I was in Bordeaux. I went there for some relaxed days just strolling through the town I already visited years ago when I spent some days in the vineyards (mostly vineyards and winery...).
Bordeaux is beautiful, charming and elegant.
I really had a good time there, so I leave here few pictures I took there...but i can't post the feeling, the sun, the beautiful people, the good food and the good wines!

lunedì 17 maggio 2010

one month ago...

Yesterday was great: at last We had sun and the perfect May weather, here in Bologna.
So, beloved roses, this is your month: bloom and colour the streets.

I took a long walk, from home to the the top of San Luca's hill. There is a long Arcade from the bottom until the top of the hill, thant links the Meloncello Arc to the Basilica.

Lots of people were walking, running, taking pictures, as I did (walking, running, taking pictures). From the pathway you can have a nice view over part of Bologna historical centre and the flat Po valley.
And You can see the Bolognesi Hills at their best.
From the Basilica the landcape was stunning! he highest Appennino Mountains were still white. Lokking at the Po valley You could easy see the Alps Mountains.
It is so strange that just around the corner We have a Heaven like this: only ten minutes from the town...



Hope Everybody could enjoy this environment...even my little nephew that today is One month old! Happy month sweet and lovely Letizia. Your adoring Uncle will bring You here as soon as possible.

sabato 15 maggio 2010

Dinner

I love good food and good wine. I like cooking and I often cook fish - when I find it fresh at the market.
Some days ago I had a not so good time at work (this is one of that time of the year that I think I'd better plough the fields)...so I took some hours of vacation as I need to leave the office.
As I can't just lay down on the sofa - I know I have a strange idea of relax - I went to the market, bought some fish too - I returned home with four heaped shopping bags - and I started cooking, while I was drinking a cold and strong Caipirinha I prepared at first.
The dinner was very good and nothing left over.

Here some pictures I took; hope You can enjoy them.