Travel Around The Clock

Rome is an amazing city, one of the most beautiful in the world, and in addition to the cultural and artistic heritage, it has ancient food and wine traditions.  But while the quality of its gastronomic culture is renowned around the world, most people don't know much about the local wines. This is probably due to the fact that, despite its long viticultural history and good potential, the regional wine production has always been more directed towards quantity rather than quality. Nonetheless, things have changed lately, and the local producers have started to focus on indigenous varieties and the use of modern technologies, so that it is now possible to find very good local wines. Most of the local wines come from the Castelli Romani , an area of ​​great traditions in the field of viticulture. Since the time of the ancient Romans, the hilly area of ​​the hinterland produced wines for the capital. The beautiful exposures and the moderate climate, still affected by the breezes of ...

In the heart of the Dordogne Valley, the Chateau de Castelnaud , built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop, is one of the most visited castles in the South-West of France . Chateau de Castelnaud Standing opposite to the Château de Beynac, its rival during the  Hundred Years War , it has a troubled and eventful history, made up of successive battles for its possession and numerous reconstructions. It was first owned by the Cathar lord Bernard de Casnac, then it was taken by Simon de Montfort in 1214, during the crusade against the Albigenses.  The fortress was then taken and retaken seven times during the Hundred Years War, but the French won it definitively in 1442.  When the conflict was over, the castle was returned to the Caumonts, owners since 1368. They reinforced the defensive system: the low enclosure and the new barbican were equipped with gunboats and the artillery tower was built. The various works of fortifications, however, will only have a dissua...

When talking about wines from Friuli Venezia Giulia , most people immediately think of the famous whites of Collio and Colli Orientali, the precious and rare passito Picolit and Ramandolo, the Refosco and the other wines from Grave, but they often tend to forget that piece of land that stretches towards Trieste , along the Adriatic coast; the Karst .  Indeed, despite being so rocky and arid, the Karst is actually a DOC area. International vines such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Semillon, Cabernet and Merlot grow successfully among its hills. But it's the native vines such as Vitovska, Malvasia, Terrano that stand out for their peculiarity. And that's what you should drink when visiting Trieste and tasting the local cuisine . Photo by Jordon Kaplan on Unsplash The most typical wine of the area of Trieste is the Terrano, also named 'Karst blood'. The reason for that is the high concentration of Iron in the soil that gives the wine, made from Refosco d'Istria grapes, a d...

Built at the end of the 15th century and later transformed by François de Caumont out of love for his wife, the Chateau des Milandes became famous thanks to Joséphine Baker who acquired it in 1937. Often called a “woman's castle” because of its history and its architecture with soft and harmonious lines, it perfectly combines the spirit of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Chateau des Milandes A stately chapel to the south of the castle was built in 1503. True gem of Gothic art, this funeral chapel  chapel, mutilated during the Revolution, is now under restoration. During excavations inside the building, 16th century paintings and wall frescoes were discovered; a true unsuspected and inestimable treasure. A painting restoration project has been launched by the owner of the castle, to safeguard this heritage. Chapel, Chateau des Milandes Let’s not forget the architectural beauty of the Château des Milandes with its delicate, regular and elegant lines and its typically Gothic so...

Susa is a small town with a very old story to tell. Located in the homonymous valley , along the banks of the Dora Riparia, at the foot of Rocciamelone , it's also called "key of Italy "  due to its location close to the French border. But what really makes this little town extremely interesting, other than its proximity to many hiking trails and the ski slopes of Sestriere, it's the historic centre particularly rich in history, from the memories of the ancient Roman dominion to the most recent medieval buildings.  Susa, Italy Susa, Italy Susa, Italy In the 1st century B., and until 63 AD, Susa was the capital of the kingdom of Susa. Then, after annexation by the Roman Empire, it became the capital of the province of the Cottian Alps.  Traces of ancient Roman art are still visible in the Arch of Augustus and in the Amphitheater, freely open to the public. Here is where the fights between gladiators and animals took place. Susa, Italy In the medieval city centre, the ...

On the banks of the Beune river, 10 km from the center of Les Eyzies de Tayac and close to the prehistoric shelter of Cap-Blanc , the magnificent ruins of the Château de Commarque are nestled in a small valley, in front of the Château de Laussel, surrounded by woods and reachable after a pleasant 800m walk under the trees, on a gentle slope. Chateau de Commarque Built in the 12th and 13th centuries. by the de Commarque family, it was, for a long time, the possession of a younger branch of the de Beynac family. It was occupied by the English, then taken again, and finally abandoned from the end of the 16th century, gradually sinking into relative oblivion, with only the powerful keep still emerging from the vegetation. Chateau de Commarque In the 1962, the castle was acquired by a descendant of the family that built it, Hubert de Commarque with the intent of restoring it. A tremendous human adventure then began, testimony to the passion and perseverance that heritage lovers can demons...

The cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia is the result of a gastronomic tradition strongly influenced by the foreign dominations that have characterized the history of this region over the centuries, and by its geographical characteristics. Friuli Venezia Giulia is, in fact, a territory that extends from the sea to the mountains, and the local culinary preparations offer a variety of dishes characterized by a strong connection to the territory.  Food market From a historical and traditional point of view, which also concerns gastronomy, the region can be somehow divided into two parts: the western part, occupied by Friuli , including the provinces of Pordenone, Udine and a part of that of Gorizia, and the eastern part of Venezia Giulia, that includes the rest of the province of Gorizia and Trieste . The Friulian cuisine is more rustic and simple with many soups, game, polenta and gnocchi, while the culinary traditions of the rest of the region involve more fish and show more of the ...

Aquileia is an ancient Friulian village, located on the road that connects the lagoon town of Grado to Cervignano del Friuli. It is one of the most important historic villages in the region and its artistic and archaeological value is among the most important in Italy , so much so that in 1998 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Capitoline Wolf , Aquileia Founded by the Romans as a colony in 181 BC, it was the capital of the 10th Augustan region and metropolis of the Christian church. Together with Ravenna and Brescia it is the most important archaeological site in northern Italy, and with Cividale del Friuli and Udine it was one of the historic capitals of Friuli . Aquileia, bell tower The most important landmark in Aquileia is the majestic and solemn Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta also called di Poppone since the church was rebuilt between 1021 and 1031 under the patriarch Poppone, a period in which the 73 meters high bell tower was also erected.  Basilica of Sa...

Friuli-Venezia-Giulia , in the North-Eastern corner of Italy , is a border region with a turbulent past. Its cultural atmosphere has been strongly influenced by the various historical dominations that have finally created a melting pot of culture and traditions making it a very peculiar place. Thanks to its geo-morphological diversity, the region offers endless opportunities to visitors: a beautiful coastline, imposing mountains, a relaxing hilly countryside covered in vineyards and plenty of cities and small towns with an impressive historical heritage.  History buffs, foodies and wine lovers or those that like outdoor activities, will find plenty of opportunities to fulfill their interests. Nonetheless, for those that like less touristy destinations, this is a region that is still relatively out of the radar of the mass tourists. Here is our top 5 of places to visit in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia :     1. TRIESTE Home of the famous writers Svevo and Saba , Trieste is the e...