The Local Eyes
Do you remember your last experience to Italy? Was it one of the best holiday that you have ever had or not? It was………we know that, but we also know that you feel that you missed something in that occasion, isn’t that right? You now want to go back exactly for that feeling. Surfing the net in search of inspiration, hasn’t help much. Tips, suggestion, experts interview, or maybe packaged holiday are there to inspire you and they did give you a glimpse on what the real Italian experience really is. However, you are still not 100% confident on what to choose, where to go. That “something is missing” feeling is still there isn’t it?
We feel you, we believe you. We know is like that. Wouldn’t be good if you knew a genuine and local Italian person? Someone that has been born in the country? Raised there and learned to love it. Passionate about it, but also passionate about spreading the knowledge to anyone who is willing to ask?
RepItaly started exactly for that reason, and the team has been forged exactly to address that question. We are all Italians by birth but moved to the UK or other part of the world. London is now our home and British or non-Italian people as our friends. Of course, we still love our country but learned to live elsewhere.
We are not friends yet, but we would like to share all our insight with you. Let’s hear us!!
When you are a tourist and visiting a new country for the first time your head is overwhelmed with information. Deciding what to do and where to go is not easy and when you are in a big country with a lot of things to see it is easy to miss a few. On your first trip you have been to Rome, Florence and Venice and they are splendid. They collect and concentrate the whole country beauty and attraction all by themselves. However, it is in this city that the “something is missing” feeling raise and stay with you since you are back. You now know a bit more of the country and you are now able to understand and decide by yourself.
So, what did you missed the first time?
Photo of Viale XX Settembre courtesy of TripAdvisor
The day is now turning into night, phone ring. Another friend asks to meet for an “Aperitivo” and as you are getting a little hungry you manage to convince the group to go and you do. Bar Basso in Milan is one of the best and where the fashion of Aperitivo started. It is quiet tonight, strange but better, it is easier to find a table.
Hey, look! The people on that table over there seems friendly. Let’s have a drink and a chat with them. They are very interesting. One of them is a physiotherapist very fit, has two degrees and about to finish a further course, you would not tell only by looking. The other one is a Receptionist in one of the major hotel in town, how many stories he did tell you about strange guest. They are going to a club. Why not, you decide to join them. WOW, the Cocorico’ in Rimini is mesmerising, never seen such a beautiful club and the music and the people it makes the night magic. However, is getting late, it almost dawn. Your new friend knows a little and very private beach with a natural pool. It is in Salento Puglia. It has a natural pool forms by rocks and if you hurry you will get to Marina Serra Natural Pool early enough to assist to a beautiful sunrise. You must be tired now. Luckily enough your room overviewing the sea and Isola Bella in Taormina is the perfect spot to rest.
Saturday you overslept but its ok. Your mum call to remind you to go and pick her up, today is market day. The street markets it always attires you, not for the items for sale but for the atmosphere. Over there the sound, the smell, the colours are all magnets for your senses.
Maybe some small shopping for the house. You have lunch with the parents today so back with your mum. At home your dad is on the garden, he is always there and always saying that there is always something to do so you decide to give him a hand. Lunch is ready, and the mushroom risotto of your mum is the best. You do not have time for a nap. Your dad wanted to look for more mushrooms in the hills. On the hike the view down the “Langhe” is beautiful and while strolling your dad he is asking about your life and moan about the family, the garden and mum!! Dad I have to go. The weather is so beautiful, and some friends are waiting for me on the beach. Chia (Sardinia) in the summer is unbelievably relaxing, it might be the white sand, or the crystal water over there with a delightful book, some good music or some friends it is a recharging experience for the whole week.
You now have to prepare for the evening. The new friend of yesterday ask you out for a date and the restaurant that you are going to is on top of the Red Path (Cinque Terre) you have a wonderful view of Manarola while eating the best fish you have ever had.
Mum and dad of course and your little brother who’s having a rough time in looking for a job. You need to be there also to console him. During the lunch the memories of your youth flow through your head and for an afternoon you feel like you are 10 again.
Oh dear, you are stuffed, lunch in Sicily are not a mean of nourishment, they are a ceremony of colour and taste. Antipasti: Caponata (Vegetable ratatuille), Carciofini sott’olio (Artichokes), olive (olives), salame (cured dry pork sausages), formaggi(cheese of different kinds). I Primi: Anelletti al Forno(Typical sicilian pasta shapes with bolognese suace). Meat: Bistecca panata alla Palermitana (steak with breadcrumbs grilled), and the fish catch of yesterday adventure of Zio Gregorio (Uncle Gregorio). Oh no, some more, the Desserts: Fiorelli, Cannoli, “biscotti di marzapane”…. (..can’t describe them have to try).
Wow, is already time to go. Time really fly when you are enjoying yourself and with this company in these locations it is very easy to lose yourselves in paradisiac limbo that you wish it would last longer.
You are back home, and a nap is a must. You close the shutters so that the sun does not get in too much but leave the windows open to let the air flow through. The quietness of the little street are like a swinging cradle, you do not realise it but you are already asleep. The phone ring, you forgot that you had to meet that other friend. Luckily Cefalu is a very small place and you can reach them very quickly and easy.
Sunday late afternoon is the perfect moment for a stroll. A nice coffee to recover from the hectic last couple of days and you are back in shape to meet and chat with few friends and acquaintances that you meet in the street.
It is now time to go home, you do not want to eat out and you are tired. However, Pino call, the pizzeria he own in the middle of the Amalfi coast is strangely quiet, in exchange for a free wonderful real Neapolitan pizza you will have to listen to him moaning about the slow business. Pino is a great guy so why not. After this few beers and the “amaro” you have to go. Tomorrow is another working day.
On the way home, you are passing by some of the most beautiful scenery that the human eye can catch. Piazza Unita d’Italia (Trieste), S’ Apollinare church (Ravenna), Arena di Verona, Gran Sasso Mountains, Castel Del Monte (Bari), Alberobello and its Trulli, Matera, The Greek Teather in Taormina, Historical Centre in Ortigia (Syracuse), Scala dei Turchi beach (Realmonte), The Valley of the Temples (Agriggento), Teatro Massimo (Palermo), La Rocca di Cefalu.
It has been a long way home, but it was worth it.
Does any of this sound familiar to you? This is the locals view. A very traditional weekend for any Italians. Maybe not that easy to experience if you there just for few days but this is why Repitaly is here for you. We now reckon you now know what you did missed before. The human touch, the locals view is well embeded in all our hearths ask us any question and please, come and visit Italy again. Repitaly is here to make all the above happen for you.
