29 March 2007

Italian footballers in pants

A friend just sent me this link to Dolce and Gabbana's website with the comment "and they wonder why other countries think they're gay!?"
> Footballers modelling underwear

28 March 2007

Free wireless internet connection in Rome

Just came across a recent article on the Repubblica news website:
> Internet gratis e senza fili. Roma raddoppia gli hot spot
Even if you don't understand Italian you can scan down the article to the list of free wireless internet 'hotspots'. The first twenty listed should be activated by the end of this month, the others are still at the planning stages. Here is the official website of the project:
> Roma Wireless
There is an English version although the translations aren't great. I don't know anyone who's tried to use any of the wireless connection sites yet, so add a comment here if you give it a go. Italy Heaven will report back in a few weeks.

The future is upon us! Only a few years ago the internet was an alien concept to many of the Romans we met. Now when they can tear themselves away from social networking sites they're developing great projects like this.

27 March 2007

More Venice travel journal

Burano's painted houses
As usual my travel journals have been sitting in an untidy pile. I will endeavour to stick more of them on my online blog in the future. My latest entry is for a trip to Venice a couple of weeks ago. I will be spending a lot more time in the city over the next few months so expect plenty more tales from Venice.



New Italy Heaven pages following this trip:

> Burano (as pictured on the right)
And, featuring a few of my Carnival photos from February:

8 March 2007

Italy event in London

There is an Italian show on in London at the moment. Running from 8th-11th March 2007, the Dolce Vita exhibition at Olympia features property/food/travel stands and a number of activities and events. It's not cheap (£16 admission) but if you're obsessed with Italy you might find it an interesting excursion.

1 March 2007

Italy in the news

Italy news-watchers have a fair number of stories to interest them this week, from the country's unsteady politics to its unstable geology.

Prime Minister Romano Prodi offered to resign and is currently between votes of confidence, and now (you're right if you thought you haven't seen the last of him) Berlusconi offers Prodi support.

Meanwhile down off the southern coast, two new craters have opened up on the volcano island of Stromboli. The Aeolian Islands are exciting holiday destinations, particularly for volcano-watchers, but if you're heading there you should obtain comprehensive travel insurance and make sure your plans are flexible.
From the BBC: In pictures: Stromboli erupts and Volcanic Italian island on alert.

The Telegraph, meanwhile, is covering an entertaining new chapter in the story of Italy's ludicrous exiled royal family: Royal cousins fight for defunct Italian throne. Worth reading the article in its entirety.