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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 Joe Blo
October 5th 2009

Perugia Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

DSCN0694

Beautiful Perugia - this is a short album of pictures from my 1 month stay in Perugia. I moved here with my friend Andy after we finished our Teaching Certification course in Florence to spend the month searching for jobs and doing interviews. Perugia is one of the most beautiful, historic, and culturally dense places I have ever been in my life. It is a little Medieval University town in the mountains located about halfway between Rome and Florence. Andy and I got this great apartment with our access to our own private garden with what I believe to be the [View Full Entry]

By jfloutas
September 19th 2009

greetings from Italy Europe » Italy » Umbria

Hi all Greeting from Italy You haven't herd from us because there are't many computers avaiable and we are so busy it takes so much time. So here is a short re-cap from our excelent adventure. Traveling to Italy The adventure of moving from one place to another is quite interesting. Although flying here from SFO was very uneventiful other than being very boring. Once in Italy for the first few days can be trying. Seems the people assume you know where and you are going. Take Venice for example since there is no grid to the streetss, it takes a [View Full Entry]

By maddoctd
July 20th 2009

It has been a while..... Europe » Italy » Umbria » Todi

Nice
View from our hotel in Nice

Buonjourno from Siena, Vico Equense (near Naples on the Amalfi Coast), Devia Marina (near Cinque Terre), Verona and Venice.. Have been trying to put this together for a while! I'll cover the trip to Siena now and the rest in the next exciting installment... I started composing this sitting in the tent typing this up at about 7.40 in the morning. I awoke to the dulcet tones of insects buzzing by the tent, thought they were inside but it appears the mighty Spinifex tent has come up trumps again and none appear to have made it in! So far it has [View Full Entry]

By melloTravels
July 14th 2009

Assisi, Pisa and beyond... Europe » Italy » Umbria » Assisi

Assisi

On day 4 of our trip (June 5), we took a day trip to Assisi. What an enchanting little hill town! As our train pulled into the station, we saw the prominent town, nestled into the hill...very green and pretty. Not only is it a major pilgrimage site, but it's such a serene and friendly town, surrounded by scenic countryside. From the station, we took a bus that went up the hill and into town. After visiting several basilicas and walking around town on the quaint cobble stoned streets, we had a lunch break in a pizzeria. The food was noticeably [View Full Entry]

views of the glorious countryside from Assisi

By Senta que la vem historia
July 12th 2009

Goodbye Mick! Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

No tapete VERMELHO

Sempre fui apaixonada por aqueles cabelões vermelhos cheios de drads, o rubi no dente (que eu tinha vontade de imitar) e a voz soul melody do ex-DJ de Manchester, Mick Hucknall. Conheci Mr. Pumpkinhead em 2000, numa festa apόs o show no Credicard Hall de São Paulo, esticada depois para a cobertura do Hotel Transamérica. O resto da banda que chamam Simply Red, mudou várias vezes de formação, contando inclusive com o guitarrista brasileiro Heitor T.P. (grande Heitor!) no álbum New Flame de 1989, mas eu desconhecia o motivo do movimento, até conversar com um dos músicos na tal festa, q [View Full Entry]

By ChelseaandRebecka
July 10th 2009

Perugia Europe » Italy » Umbria » Perugia

Europe2 010

July 9th I desided not to take up the girl from the conferences offer to take me down to Spolleto and the coast line. As much as it was tempting and I may even regret it later, I really wanted to forge my own ground and discover Italy on my own terms. For better or worse this is my trip my way. Perugia has vary little tourism compared to other cities Ive been to in Italy. This is great because I get to see the real Italy, especially since my hostel is in the middle of middle class urbia and not [View Full Entry]

By AJSchlarb
June 11th 2009

A Great Trip and Good Eats Europe » Italy » Umbria » Montone » Coldipozzo

I Tufi / Coldipozzo
Our Home

We just came back from a wonderful Spring month in Umbria. We are lucky to have a second home in the area of Coldipozzo, just below the most beautiful of Umbrian walled towns, Montone. It was just spectacular! Not to pat myself on the back, but we did bring the sun. We arrived in Rome on May 6th from Newark NJ in the early afternoon to a beautiful day. Got the car and headed toward Perugia. 2 1/2 hours later we were unlocking our front door. The area around the house was frantic with farmer activity. Summer wheat had been planted [View Full Entry]

By robinlnu
May 30th 2009

Norcia over the wild Piano Grande Europe » Italy » Umbria

On our way up these mountains
Leaving Norcia

Day six - May 30, Saturday; Norcia, Hotel Grotta Azzurra Today's hike features magnificent vistas over the wild Piano Grande, a vast plain ringed in by mountains. Here the colorful display of wildflowers is magnificent, especially during the spring and summer. You finish in the remote village of Castelluccio, which sits upon a hill in the midst of this stark beauty, from whence you are transferred back to Norica. (15 km). The next morning we awoke to a some very cool, damp air but the good news was that there weren't many clouds and it appeared we'd have plenty of sunshine, [View Full Entry]

By robinlnu
May 29th 2009

Preci to Norcia Europe » Italy » Umbria

Abbey where trail begins

Day Five Hike - May 29, Friday; from Preci to Norcia, Hotel Grotta Azzurra Our guide states: From Preci a splendid route ascends steadily to meet an ancient path winding through trees to the majestic Abbazia di San Eutizio, once one of the cradles of the Benedictine monastic order. From here, a medieval trail leads across the flank of Monte Macchialunga, through the village of Campi, and along the valley to another pass. The path finally descends via a couple of ancient villages to Norcia, the birthplace of Saint Benedict, 6th century founder of European monasticism. After breakfast we [View Full Entry]

By robinlnu
May 27th 2009

Abbazia San Petro in Valle Europe » Italy » Umbria

Abbazia San Petro in Valle

Day three - May 27, Wednesday; Ferentillo Terni, Abbazia San Petro in Valle You start the day with a transfer to the holy mountain of Monteluco and the scenic Porelle pass. From here, you head through deep woods to ascend to another panoramic pass where you join a medieval stone footpath. This beautiful trail, passing through an abandoned hamlet and a quaint village, winds uphill for more sweeping views. Weaving in and out of woodlands, you finish the hike with a steep descent from the Forca pass to the Abbazia di San Pietro. (17 km) The next days hike stated there [View Full Entry]

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