Salita Serbelloni, Bellagio

Painting by: 
Teresa Dominici, 
Medium: Acrylic on canvas,
Size: 48"x36" (120x90 cm),
Commission - Sold

This is Salita Serbelloni in the gorgeous little town of Bellagio (is considered by some to be one of the most beautiful towns in Europe) on the famous Lago di Como in Northern Italy.

Poets and artists have been drawn to Bellagio and Lago di Como for centuries.

"Salita Serbelloni" is a steep set of steps which ascend from the Lungo Lario Manzoni ( in Borgo all the way to Via Garibaldi on the edge of the Villa Serbelloni's property. The Salita Serbelloni is known to locals as "il Fossato" or the ditch, because long ago it was a ditch used in defending the old town. Portions of the thick town walls in which there were three gateways can still be seen.
Today, there are shops, restaurants and hotels on the town's waterfront, and the Salita Serbelloni has also evolved into a center for activity with many shops, cafes and some small, quaint hotels on each side of the many steps leading to the top.

 

Bellagio - Italy

Title, Video, Link & below text by:  

Dennis Scallan 

http://www.tourvideos.com/

Bellagio, Italy, lakeside village with staircase streets must be seen.

Soriano nel Cimino, Italy

Painting: Soriano nel Cimino, Year 2011, Medium: Acrylic, Commission - Sold.

We visited  Soriano nel Cimino twice and stayed at friends house.

Soriano is in Lazio, about one hour north of Rome. Soriano is built on a hill dominated by the Castello Orsini.  It is a medieval town and the narrow, winding, cobble stone streets lend themselves to some wonderful exploring. The large central Piazza is the hub of village life.
  

There are several churches and church bells ring frequently. The town is built on a hilltop and has winding narrow roads and lots of steps. The train track actually goes under the town and out the other side of the hill.

Every year, during the first two weeks of October, Soriano nel Cimino hosts a festival that surrounds the chestnut harvest. This festival is done on a large scale, and attracts thousands of people from surrounding areas, including Rome. The two main events of the Sagra are the Palio and the Corteo Storico. 

Soriano nel Cimino 

Title, video, link & below text by:  

Riccardo Borghesi

http://www.youtube.com/user/ricborg2006

Soriano nel Cimino è un bellissimo paese del Viterbese ed immerso nei Monti Cimini.

Cefalu, Sicily is an island of remarkable beauty

Painting By: Teresa Dominici, Year: 2011, Medium: Acrylic, the original is Sold. 

Cefalu' is located on the island of Sicily about an hour outside of its biggest city, Palermo. Upon walking into this town we,  were awe-struck by the natural beauty and sheer vibrancy of the city. 

Walking through the streets of this historic town is like taking a lesson in life and in history.

Cefalu' has so many beautiful sites to be seen. Must see is the Cathedral of Cefalu is the town’s main draw, and began life in 1131. The exterior of the building is extremely well preserved, and is instantly recognizable due to its large matching towers that flank the front porch. Built in the Sicilian Romanesque style, the interior houses a respectable collection of Byzantine art. There are a number of other churches to visit in the historic city, with the 16th Century pair of the Santa Maria dell’ Odigitria and the Santissima Annunziata just two of the fine examples of Baroque architecture. Also go to La Rocca to climb for the views.

Cefalu' has one of the best public beaches that we visited in all of Sicily. It’s clean sand and clear water makes it a popular beach, so be prepared for crowds.

La Rocca - Cefalu, Sicily, Italy 

Title, Video, Links & below text by:  

 http://www.youtube.com/user/TripAdvisorTRIPWOWa

Created at TripWow by TravelPod 

Attractions
La Rocca Cefalu
Read more at: http://www.travelpod.com/ad/La_Rocca-Cefalu
 
Travel blogs from La Rocca:
- "Shona's sweet tooth satisfied we still had a couple of hours remaining before our train back to Palermo, so we decided to climb La Rocca, up an enormous stair case (The Salita Saraceno) winding up through three tiers of the cities walls, a "
- "Georgia and I decided to push on for the highest point of La Rocca, the castello"

Read these blogs and more at: http://www.travelpod.com/ad/La_Rocca-Cefalu#blog_content

Photos from:
- Cefalu, Sicily, Italy
 
Photos in this video:
- "View from La Rocca along the coast line" by Dinoshona from a blog titled "Cefalu, Cefalu..."
- "View from the Kastello, La Rocca Cefalu" by Guykb from a blog titled "Cheerful Cefalu"
- "Diana in her temple, La Rocca Cefalu" by Guykb from a blog titled "Cheerful Cefalu"
- "La Rocca looming above Cefalu" by Dinoshona from a blog titled "Cefalu, Cefalu..."
- "View from 'La Rocca'" by Rbartorillo from a blog titled "Cefalu"
- "Climbing La Rocca" by Guykb from a blog titled "Cheerful Cefalu"
- "Back of La Rocca" by Rbartorillo from a blog titled "Cefalu"
- "La Rocca" by Juneauwoman from a blog titled "Climbing La Rocca -The Rock"

 

The town of Bellagio: between the mountains and the lake.

Painting By: Teresa Dominici, 
Title: Bellagio Town, 

Medium: Acrylic on canvas, 
Size: 25"x25",
Year: 2009, Sold.

Lake Como sits deep and cold in a valley of the Italian Alps.  At its southern end a long promontory splits it into two arms, the western side continuing as Lake Como, the other as Lake Lecce.  Bellagio sits at the end of this promontory, a stunningly beautiful little town in an unparalleled setting; some say the prettiest town in Europe.

Bellagio stands on the lake-shore and is divided by the via Garibaldi, which is criss-crossed by a series of pretty lanes which run up and down the hillside to the lake. There are many beautiful buildings along the lakeside all pastel shades with red roofs. In the Middle Ages, Bellagio was a small town fortified by walls and a castle. The bell tower of the Basilica of San Giacomo is all that survives of the fortifications. We took in the town of Bellagio itself, and strolled around the grounds of the Villa Melzi, which had wonderful gardens. 

Many of the streets are not meant for cars as they have lots of steps, many climbing at a 45 degree angle from the lake to the top of the town.  Wandering up and down the stone steps and little cobblestone streets will lead you to shops selling gorgeous pottery, antiques, leather and silk.

All kinds of water sports are enjoyed during summer and in winter, skiers head to San Primo Mountain. Public and private boat transportation is well provided and a fast hydrofoil goes to Varenna, Colico, Lecco and Como. Water taxis are plentiful.

Bellagio, Italy

Title, Link, below Text & Video by: 

Dennis Callan,

http://www.tourvideos.com/

The view of the village of Apricale (Liguria)

Apricale is a beautiful hilltop medieval village with prehistoric roots. The town is just 8 km from the sea and about 4 km from Dolceacqua…..but you’re totally in another world - this is a beautiful charming and interesting little town (filled with frescoes and murals). The town centers about the 11th century Castello della Lucertola and the village circles and falls down the hill from there — terribly evocative. The castle is a town museum and exhibition center (art shows, concerts, meetings ). 

The museum offers history and legends as well as local artifacts of the town. The town is characterized by stone walls and buildings, alleys, arches, flowers, frescoes and views: totally wonderful - thoroughly beautiful.

Painting: View of the Village of Apricale by Teresa Dominici, Year: 2009, Medium: Acrylic.

 




Italian Town of Apricale - 
Great Attractions (Apricale, Italy)

Title, Link, below Text & Video 
by: http://www.geobeats.com/

Take a tour of Italian Town of Apricale in Apricale, Italy -- part of the World's Greatest Attractions travel video series by GeoBeats.

Italy is a country bestowed with the presence of archaic and daunting towns throughout its lands.


One such town is that of Apricale, meaning "visible to the sun", which is lavishly spread across the verdant Italian terrain.


It carries the true essence of a medieval village graced with lovely architecture from that era.


A generally amicable climate sets the ambiance for visitors to experience the stunning Italian countryside.


Nestled cozily right below the Alpes Maritime, it yields a gorgeous panorama of the locale.


Not only has the town been blessed with stunning scenery but it is also a cultural center with several museums, castles, and squares.