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Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.

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By mshaw
October 31st 2009

Oria Europe » Italy » Puglie » Brindisi

This is going to be a short entry because I don't have much time. I don't have internet on this farm, and right now I'm at an internet cafe. I'll explain the longer story later. The gist of it is, this farm isn't so hot. But don't worry, I'm OK. I'm leaving on Monday for another farm where there are a bunch of WWOOFers that are 18. Party! I hope. But anything will be better than where I am now... I arrived at this farm to find that not only are there no other WWOOFers, but the couple who was running [View Full Entry]

By trappeti
October 9th 2009

Underground “Trappeti” Europe » Italy » Puglie » Lecce » Alessano

Salento 5

Underground “Trappeti” Olive oil is a fundamental element of Lecce’s material culture and is symbolically represented by the undergroung oil mills or “trappeti” that abound in the area. There are several reasons for their being subterranean - firstly ,the far lower labour costs, since digging an oil mill underground was far cheaper than building it abouve ground. Furthermore, it was by far the mostconvenient solutionfor rapid processing and storage , since the olives were unloaded directly into the cells below throught openings in the vault of the trappeto. The [View Full Entry]

By Ursa Major
October 7th 2009

Calabria, Puglia & Basilicata Italy Europe » Italy » Puglie » Alberobello

Adriatic coast

Trip to Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia (southern Italy) - October 2008 My husband was born in Italy, but left when he was a little boy and grew up in Ontario, Canada. Since 1990 he has been back 5 times and we have criss-crossed the entire length from north to South, including Sicily many times. Three years ago while on a trip with a friend, my husband travelled through a corner of Puglia (Apulia in English) and was very impressed. He has been planning a return trip for 3 years. Although this was to have been 3 weeks in Puglia, we actually [View Full Entry]

By trappeti
October 6th 2009

The cloth "chiaccherino" Europe » Italy » Puglie » Lecce » Alessano

the cloth " a chiaccherino" is a traditional product of the Apulian workhops, for example in Alessano , where the specialists make beautiful laces and knots with threads by quikly manipulating a small bobbin. The hands of many skilled Apulian artisan continue to create delighful lacework and embroidery which can make presents and look lovely an diplay in the shops [View Full Entry]

By Noz
September 30th 2009

To the Balkans Europe » Italy » Puglie » Bari

Coliseum

Tuesday night in Rome I spent trying to sleep through the demands of the never-ceasing traffic through the open window, and the snoring, restless turning and conversational Spanish of my nine room mates. It was an experiment in travelling cheaply, and all good experience! The frustration of having my new, unused travel towel stolen - my own fault for carrying such a desirable, light-weight, micro-fibre piece of kit in the first place. And leaving it unattended on my bed for at least a minute. It didn't put me in much of a mood to make friends with my bedroom fellows, but [View Full Entry]

By trappeti
September 28th 2009

The beaches and caves of Salento Europe » Italy » Puglie » Lecce » Santa Maria di Leuca

torre pali 2 (6)

The beaches and caves of Salento Between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca , the Salento coast boasts some wonderful beaches at Marina di Marittima and Marina di Andrano , Tricase, Marina di Novaglie and the Ciolo .The sea is stunning here ,alongside beaches ,cliffs and some extraordinaire natural caves . On arriving at the extreme southern point of Apulia ,Santa Maria di Leuca , you can admire the impressione cave Grotta Treporte (where discoveries from the time of Neaderthal man have been made) , and the cave , Porcinara , Diavolo ,Fiume , Bambino and Giganti , in which the [View Full Entry]

By trappeti
September 27th 2009

Salento - the magic of the sun Europe » Italy » Puglie » Lecce

Campo di papaveri

Salento - the magic of the sun Fragrances and flavours from a landscapes have been preserved intact for centuries Lecce, capital of Salento region and a supreme example of the Baroque style predominant in this area, has maintained its historical and cultural identity more than any other city in Puglia. Lecce dominates a vast and in some parts slightly undulating plain- a frontier land placed at the furthermost eastern tip of the peninsula and encircled by two sea , the Adriatic and the Ionian . The low , jagged coastline ,interrupted now and then by pine forests, suddenly gives way to [View Full Entry]

By fenice
August 31st 2009

HOME SWEET HOME Europe » Italy » Puglie » Lecce

Lecce

SALENTO it's great to enjoy beautiful natural scenaries....all so quiet and relaxing. It's so enthrallig how nothing feels like home. Moving away from this place really uprooted me from my own earth. But even if London has always been my dream city, I couldn' t help but coming Home. The mild climate, our beautiful sandy beaches, our natural beauties. that's why I decided to write down a bit about this amazing land. There are many things to be seen. I live in a small town named Otranto or as it was called by the Greek Hydruntum. It has a huge castle [View Full Entry]

By Nathan1986
August 24th 2009

Padre at Foggia Europe » Italy » Puglie

Padre Pio

We left Rome for Foggia on a blistering hot 40° Express train which had no air conditioning! You can imagine the heat inside the cabins for the 3 hour train ride! Even first class air-conditioning wasn't working! The train ride was a complete ride off, and ive lost all confidence in the Italian Railways! Although, the beautiful sleepy town of Foggia definitely makes up for it! The main reason why we are hear is for Nonna to vist her beloved Padre Pio, Italys latest patron saint to be ordain. He was born in the late 1880 or something and died in [View Full Entry]

By jacqandbrett
August 22nd 2009

San Marco in Lamis - walking in the footsteps of my family Europe » Italy » Puglie

San Marco in Lamis

OK… So this is a very personal blog for me as its definitely one I’ll want to look back on and remember. Before we started on this holiday, I asked mum if she knew any of her relatives in Italy and whether we could meet up with them. As mum left Italy at such a young age, I don’t think she ever had much to do with her extended family, but Nonna has been in constant telephone contact with the family and they mostly still reside in the San Marco in Lamis area. So Nonna made some calls and let the [View Full Entry]

using dictionaries to communicate - Bretto didn't want me to take a photo of him doing it so he hid his dictionary!

From L-R - Giovanni (3rd cousin), me, Luigi (2nd cousin) and Mimi (family friend) at The Farm

The house my mum was raised in until she moved to Australia

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