Italy – Chow Bella

Torino… All About the Porticos

Posted on October 11, 2019December 17, 2020 by ChowBella

Turin is a beautiful city. Its space goes beyond anything that has ever been imagined before.
Mark Twain

We arrived in Torino late on a Friday night and we were there until Monday night. We stayed at the Flaneur Bed and Breakfast and the owner was so friendly and knowledgeable about the city. He took the time to highlight, on a map, all the places we needed to go and also gave us some café recommendations in the area. One thing you will notice as you walk around the city is an abundance of porticos. It was King Victor Emmanuel I who wanted to build up Torino and wanted to have a way to walk from building to building without having to bring an umbrella with him. Now all the locals can have shade in the summer from the heat, protection in the winter from the snow, and cover on those rainy days. It was Mark Twain that said, “Turin is a beautiful city. Its space goes beyond anything that has ever been imagined before.” This area was created for a reason and it is beautifully laid out.

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Path of the Gods: Amalfi Coast

Posted on September 28, 2019April 25, 2020 by ChowBella

If bliss could be a colour, today would be Amalfi Blue.
Lisa Fantino (author)

Visiting the Amalfi Coast always seems like a dream with how beautiful it is. We got the opportunity to check off hiking the Path of the Gods (bucket list item of things to do while we are living here), explore more Amalfi towns, and try more delectable restaurants with two of our amazing friends that were visiting us! It was Lisa Fantino that said, “If bliss could be a colour, today would be Amalfi Blue.” The water was so electric and endearing. We had a great time enjoying the views as we took a private car ride through the Amalfi Coast cliffs to our weekend hotel in Amalfi town at the end of September.

Here are more things to do, towns to see, and restaurants to try in Amalfi Coast! Missed our first blog on Amalfi? Read it here.

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Catania Made Us An Offer We Couldn’t Refuse

Posted on June 20, 2019November 4, 2019 by ChowBella

All that nature has of great, all it has of pleasant, all it has of terrible can be compared to Etna and Etna cannot be compared to anything.
Dominique Vivant Denon

It was Dominique Vivant Denon that said, “All that nature has of great, all it has of pleasant, all it has of terrible can be compared to Etna and Etna cannot be compared to anything.” While we were in Catania we heard so many locals talk about how throughout time they try to never upset Etna. They think of Etna as a mother because at times she can get upset, but mostly she is there to support and give things to them (e.g., the volcanic soil is rich and helps their agriculture).

The city of Catania sits below Mount Etna in Sicily’s east coast and has so much history. It is a beautiful port city with some great local cuisine. While we were there we stayed at Casa Provenza Bed and Breakfast from Thursday night until Monday and it could have not been in a better location. It was in the heart of the city, just two blocks away from Piazza Universita and Piazza del Duomo. Also, we enjoyed an amazing breakfast on the balcony that overlooked the dome of Chiesa della Badia di Sant’Agata.

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Unearthing Pompeii and Ercolano

Posted on May 16, 2019September 7, 2019 by ChowBella

Archaeology holds all the keys to understanding who we are and where we come from.
Sarah Parcak

When people think of Naples, they often think of Pompeii first (or pizza). Most forget about Ercolano, or Herculaneum in English. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, both cities were tragically buried. Archaeologists were able to unearth these lost cities, giving us a chance to walk the streets and see how these people lived. It is the archaeologist Sarah Parcak that said, “Archaeology holds all the keys to understanding who we are and where we come from.”

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Amalfi and Ravello: Cliffs as Far as the Eye Can Sea

Posted on March 15, 2019August 29, 2019 by ChowBella

For the people of Amalfi who go to heaven, Judgment Day will be a day like any another.
Renato Fucini

It was the poet Renato Fucini that said, “For the people of Amalfi who get to heaven, Judgement Day will be a day like any other.” Amalfi Town is a beautiful part of the Amalfi Coast that lies right on the water’s edge. It used to be a powerful maritime republic during the 9th and 11th century and has transitioned to become a prime tourist destination today. Try not to go in June, July, or August — those are the busiest months.

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