Our itineraries provide unique access into incredible Italian experiences and an inside look into Italy. We wanted to share some of our personal favorites with you. Contact us today to help incorporate some of our favorite experiences into a personalized Italian itinerary you will never forget.
We wouldn't be true to our Roman roots if we didn't give recognition to our favorite Roman dish in this journal - Spaghetti alla Carbonara.
The magic of Italian cuisine lies in its simplicity. Most iconic Italian specialties rely on just a few high-quality ingredients brought together in a celebration of flavor, and nothing reflects this more than Spaghetti alla Carbonara. The simplicity of the recipe hides its genius - it's all about timing and the quality of just a few ingredients: eggs, pecorino romano, guanciale, and black pepper.
Nobody is exactly sure where Carbonara comes from, but our favorite theory ties the dish to Italian coal miners. In fact, Carbonara means "coal miner style". The simple ingredients in the dish would have lent themselves well to an easy, portable meal for workers to prepare. Who knows - maybe the specks of cracked pepper even are symbolic of coal dust!
Eating Carbonara in Rome is truly a celebration of life, and we'd love nothing more than to show you where to experience our favorite carbonaras. Contact us today to begin the planning process for a trip exploring the culinary delights of Italy.
The best way to describe this one-of-a-kind experience is to provide a transcript of Alex's journal entry from the first time we all had the privilege of being at the Palio.
Journal Entry
The 36 hours I just experienced may have been the most exhilarating of my life. Our football rivalries pale in comparison to the multi-century old rivalries of the contrade (Sienese neighborhoods) that race in the Palio. The Porcupine (one of the contrade) is currently suspended because they beat up and broke the femur of the jockey of their archrival neighborhood in the last Palio to ensure they couldn’t race.
Washington politics seem simple and trivial after you see the last-second negotiating among jockeys to solicit the Turtle jockey’s help right before the race, since the Turtle was picked in the last position and thus would start the race.
The sound of a Formula 1 car engine is nothing compared to the pounding hooves of 10 saddle-less horses entering the first turn, with jockeys whipping each other, other horses, and who knows what else. You see, there are no rules in the Palio other than no jockey may grab another jockey’s reins.
And I truly understand what it means to FEEL the tension in the air. To actually believe you could cut through it with a knife. It was this feeling I had when 60,000 people collectively held their breath. You could hear a pin drop as the members of the various contrade awaited the announcement, one by one, of the starting order of the horses, something that is only revealed minutes before the race. Eagle – Aquila – in first position. Pantera – panther – in second position. Cries of despair – two arch-rivals have been randomly selected to be next to each other at the start – will the race even ever get going? And so on through the list of 10 contrade racing.
We arrived in Siena two days ago. We were randomly assigned to the contrada of the Eagle for dinner. Although my allegiance is with the Goose (Oca), as my father was part of this contrada when he lived in Siena, unfortunately they were not selected to race at this Palio (only 10 of the 17 contrade race at each Palio). The Goose has the distinction of being the winningest contrada ever with 66 victories. The dinner was incredible – 1000 people singing songs, partying, raising toasts to their jockey for the races the next day. Prior to the dinner, we were treated to a tour of the museum of the Selva contrada – amazing to see the custom banners of the former Palio wins of the contrada, the church of the contrada, and costumes.
On the day of the Palio, we went to San Domenico to see the blessing of the horse of the Dragon (Drago) – all of the horses are randomly assigned to the contrade only days before the race. The Drago horse was small and grey. Six priests provided a blessing, at the end of which, the contrade members scream in unison – “Go, and come back a winner!” Then all of the contrade parade through streets and into the main square of Siena (Piazza del Campo) – location of the race.
As fortune would have it, after the multi-hour fantastic parade of all the contrade, God looked favorably upon the contrada of the Dragon, because after 22 years, and a brilliantly run race that took the horse from 4th to first, the Drago won the race. I can’t even describe the pandemonium that ensued. Italians are emotional people, but other than a World Cup victory, I’ve never seen this amount of emotion concentrated – Drago contrada members started rushing the track before the race was even over. They were kissing and hugging the jockey AND the horse. And then singing their song and parading for a long night of partying. Incredible. Captivating. Perfect.
History
The Palio di Siena is a historic horse race dating back to medieval times in Siena, Italy. Held twice each summer (July and August) in the magnificent Piazza del Campo, ten horses and riders representing different city districts (contrade) race bareback around the square. The tradition began in the 6th century with buffalo races, evolving to horse races by 1656. More than just a race, it's a deeply cultural event where each contrada has its own colors, symbols, and rivalries. The winning district earns immense pride and celebrates with grand feasts.
Let us help you design an itinerary to experience the magic of the Siena, and perhaps even the Palio. Contact us today to begin the planning process.
The Redentore Festival is a Venetian celebration that dates back to 1577. It was established as an annual tradition to honor Venice's deliverance from a devastating outbreak of the plague that claimed the lives of over 50,000 people, including the famous painter Titian.
Doge Alvise I Mocenigo vowed to build a grand church dedicated to Christ the Redeemer if the plague were to end. Shortly after his vow, the Republic of Venice commissioned the renowned architect Andrea Palladio to design the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer (Il Redentore) on the island of Giudecca. Construction of the church was completed in 1592.
The festival was established to commemorate Venice's survival and the church's dedication. Held annually on the third weekend of July, the highlight is a grand procession across a specially constructed pontoon bridge that connects Venice’s main islands to Giudecca (the only time each year this happens), allowing pilgrims to walk to Il Redentore in a symbolic journey of gratitude. Festivities include a spectacular fireworks display over the Venetian lagoon on Saturday night, which reflects beautifully on the water, filling the canals and squares with vibrant colors.
We have enjoyed the Redentore Festival on three separate occasions. Words or pictures cannot do the fireworks justice. Imagine the absolute best firework display you’ve ever seen, then make it ten times better, put hundreds of boats in the Grand Canal, and have the beautiful Venetian skyline as the backdrop. If you do so, you will come close to giving the Redentore Festival firework display a fraction of the justice it deserves.
The multi-colored display is both artistic and awe-inspiring, and frequently lasts well over 35 minutes. After the Redentore Festival, you will never need to see another firework display.
Let us help you navigate the crowds and craft a unique travel itinerary that includes enjoying this uniquely Venetian once-in-a-lifetime experience. Contact us today to begin the planning process.