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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 European Escapades
September 21st 2009

A Week In Tuscany Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Montepulciano

P1000444

Now that we had wheels, and the shops re-opened (Monday), we decided to head into Foiano Della Chiana to buy some supplies for the rest of the week. I am certain that driving on the opposite side of the road to what you are used to is quite stressful but I can almost guarantee that being a passenger in such a situation is even MORE stressful!! I was so tense and tight by the time we got there I resembled something out of a Frankenstein movie!! Suffice it to say, we made it there in one piece. However, (yes, there is [View Full Entry]

By kat 87
September 20th 2009

Having fun Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

Monastery
a good bike ride outside of Montegrotto Terme

Maybe this could be my "breakthrough" week since being in Italy... I tried strange foods, did some more traveling and met more people by overcoming some shyness. To start off, last weekend I spent Saturday riding the mountain bike around the Euganean hills surrounding Montegrotto Terme, this time finally finding the Monastero Santa Maria, that should have been an easy 45 min bike ride but took me much longer because it's route isn't labeled and I kept having to ask Italians for directions. Here's my thing with directions in another language... I understand the basic context of a convers [View Full Entry]

By European Escapades
September 17th 2009

Glaway to Pisa Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Cortona

Thatched Roof Cottages - Ireland

After leaving Galway we travelled to Killarney, via the Cliffs of Moher and Limerick. The cliffs were spectacular, with the craggy rock faces a stark contrast to the brighter than bright lush green grass that adorned their tops. We walked as far as we could (or were allowed) and were amazed at how many people had jumped the wall and ignored the ‘Do not enter/private property’ signs, to get a closer encounter with the edge of the cliff. We were further amazed at the security guards just standing watching, but were informed by them (on inquiry) that it is not for [View Full Entry]

By European Escapades
September 17th 2009

Tuscany Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Cortona

The Villa in Tuscany

Tuscany….ahhhh! Arriving at the Villa was everything I imagined, and more! After entering the large black iron gates and travelling up a tree lined drive-way, there it stood; a most magnificent old, two story house, set in the middle of no-where, overlooking hills, pasture land, and rows of sunflowers, cypress and olive tress. The building is an off white colour, with massive thick wooden entrance doors, and bottle green shutters on all of the white trimmed windows. There are five bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, with an array of other rooms serving as kitchen, formal dining and living roo [View Full Entry]

By bev barry
September 17th 2009

Fun Adventures Europe » Italy » Tuscany

Everyday leaves us enjoying Tuscany in new ways. Weather during the day has been in the mid 70's to low 80's with some rain periodically later in the day. One late afternoon and evening we had heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. But nothing has stopped us from eating most days out by the pool overlooking the Tuscany hills and valleys. We have had just the 2 of us at the villa and for a few days we grew to 12! Always a challenge to plan and feed the different size groups but everyone has pitched in and helped in some way. [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 17th 2009

Wine Tasting in Chianti Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

P1000419

Went Wine tasting today in a city call Chianti. Its sort of the Napa Valley of Italy, there are a lot of vineyards up there and its very beautiful. It was a nice change of pace because I was able to get out of the city and enjoy some of the countryside. I ended up in some Castle that was once a fortress in the 12th century and was converted into wine and olive oil vineyard. The wine and olive oil there was brilliance. We tryed about 5 or 6 different wines that they offered and I could not choose which [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
September 16th 2009

Florence; Paper lantern, Queues , Wine & the Leaning Tower Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

Dave

Day 514 (7/09/09) Steps 24323(Continued) After arriving in Florence we discovered it was the Festival of Paper Lanterns, celebrating the Virgin Mary's birthday, so we set off in search of the piazza where the parade would begin from. We arrived to only a handful of children with lanterns most appearing to be going home, disappointed we turned back forwards our hostel only to run right into the parade complete with musicians and hundreds of children and family's with handmade paper mache latterns and designer lanterns. We joined the festivities, doubling as a guided tour of Florence arriving [View Full Entry]

By Carly and Jez
September 16th 2009

Medieval Siena Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Siena

Picnic Lunch at the plaza
Piazza Del Campo

Day 514 Steps 24323 (7/9/09) We meandered into the Medieval old city, a maze of piazza's, cobblestone streets and alleyways, gourmet shops selling cheese, cured meats and Chianti wine. First stop was the Piazza del campo, home to the horse race that stops... well Tuscany. Ten horses (each representing their region), bareback, complete three laps of the piazza taking little over a minute, the only rule you mustn't pull on another horses reins but its fine if the horse finishes without its rider. Shattered to have missed the race by only a couple weeks we soaked up the piazza's atmosphere in [View Full Entry]

By Courtt
September 16th 2009

alorah Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Siena

Hey everyone! I can't believe that I have been here for two weeks. I feel like it has been forever, yet at the same time I feel like I was just in America. Things here are still great. Food's great; people are great; sights are great. Tutti bene! It's all good! This past week has been non stop Italian boot camp. Everyday we have about five hours of Italian. My teacher is very very sweet. Her name is Fiora and is extremely patient and willing to explain things over and over again. It can be frustrating learning a new language, and [View Full Entry]

By maytorenajr
September 16th 2009

Florence Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

Woke up today I was feeling super lazy. I had no desire to go anywhere except to maybe a pub. Considering it was 9 in the morning I figured I should save the pub for night and head to some more freaking muesums. I hate them so much I only go because I would feel terrible about myself if I did not see some the most famous pieces of artwork. For example, the sculpture of David, that statue was amazing it was a trip looking at it in person. I was not expecting it to be such a huge statue. I [View Full Entry]

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