The Magic of Abruzzo Blog
"We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us." Anonymous
|
I've been in Italy for almost 10 Christmas seasons now and enjoying them more and more. The holiday season doesn't start until just before Christmas day, though decorating the house can start after Dec. 8th (the Immaculate Conception) and lasts until the Epiphany which is Jan 6th, hence ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’. The Epiphany is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas. It is the time when Christians remember the visit of the three wise kings. In Italy, the Epiphany is also when the children wait for “La Befana” (a kind of good witch) to drop off sweets, chocolate to the well-behaved children, or a lump of coal for those who have been naughty. There are no huge displays of outdoor decorations or lights on houses or reindeer in the yard in Abruzzo. There’s no Santa or elves or snowmen. There is the birth of Jesus which is what it’s all about. Italians get excited about going out to see the different nativity scenes. People take great pride in crafting the perfect nativity either in their homes, churches or even in the piazza. There are contests in many towns to see ‘who has the most beautiful nativity scene’ December 24th and 25th is a time to stay at home or visit family and eat! Christmas Eve is celebrated with a feast of seven fishes where some type of fish is served at each course and then everyone attends midnight mass. On Christmas Day, family and friends gather for a large lunch that usually goes on all day, serving up traditional dishes like pasta in brodo (pasta in broth), timballo (a type of meatless lasagna) grilled meats and traditional desserts. After lunch, it’s time to brindare (make a toast) with a glass of spumante, have a slice of panettone and play tombola (a game similar to bingo played with small amounts of money). Then the eating starts all over again with dinner. Presents are not important except for small gifts for the children. Gifts for adults come from the heart and are made by hand such as homemade jams, sausages, cakes and cookies. Christmas markets and the merry bagpipers are common to see in the local piazza, where you can enjoy roasted chestnuts and mulled wine and watch the various renditions of a live nativity or an outdoor type theatre that reenacts the story of Christ’s birth. In Pratola (Domenico’s home town), there is a contest in the village square to see who can bake the best Cecio Ripieno (a sweet chickpea and chocolate dessert). I love the Christmas season here, but I do miss the American way of celebrating too. I try to add a little of what I'm used to such as decorating the house and hanging stockings with Michael Buble’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ playing in the background but I think Domenico thinks I've gone mad with all the stuff so I've narrowed it down to the essentials: a holiday tree, some garland and a few jingling bells. We bake cookies, both American and Italian with friends and I usually try to do some sort of holiday craft (last year it was wreaths made from our vines right out of the vineyard). I miss my side of the family but I don’t miss the hectic running out to the store to find the perfect gift usually spending way too much time and money, especially when we start in October! If you are looking for that simple, authentic Italian Christmas - consider booking with La Rocca Mia House B&B in Roccacasale, Italy and we will show you how the locals do Natale!
Book now for Christmas 2020! Email us at: la.rocca.mia@outlook.com If you've been to La Rocca Mia House B&B, then you most likely have tried Domenico's Pasta Carbonara!. It's so simple to make with little time and effort.
La Rocca Mia House B&B is more than a simple bed and breakfast.
Come Experience the Heart of Authentic, Unspoiled Italy with us! People tell me they love the way Italian men dress. I’m going to try to tell you how I see men’s fashion from an Italian man’s perspective and will give some tips on how to dress like an Italian.
Since I was a child I knew that the clothes I wore needed to be chosen carefully. So I would look at store windows and magazines to learn how others combined fabrics and colors. As a teenager, I wore the newest trends but now I stick with the time-honored styles. I buy the highest quality that I can afford and hope it will last for many years (as long as I keep my weight steady, I should be fine). A man doesn’t need to have a huge wardrobe, he just needs the right clothes. They need to be classic and well-thought-out. Not like you just woke up and threw anything on. Italian men pride themselves on their appearance and on the attention to detail. They watch fashion trends to see what’s new. They think about what colors look good with their complexion and which styles go well with their body. Keep it simple but chic. Italian men almost always wear a jacket and elegant trousers that are usually tailored so that it fits you like a glove. I never wear anything baggy. Our clothes are meant to show the shape of our body. A jacket is good in summer or winter. Linen jackets are such a major part of Italian style. Rolled up sleeves bring a casual look to the jacket. Italians normally wear slim-fit trousers and always have the hem of my pants tailored because they are never the right length when you buy them! I like them to just touch the top of my shoes. Some men like them even a bit shorter especially in summer, but that’s not for me. Bare ankles are the style for the young guys but I do it too when I’m going out for the evening. My dress shirts are fitted. I sometimes turn back the shirt cuffs over the jacket’s sleeves. Shirts of cotton or linen are my favorites. I rarely wear a short-sleeved dress shirt. Colors? Italian men are not afraid of color, though I tend to stick with shades of sand and stone or navy for pants, with pale-blue or white shirts. T-shirts with a printed message are popular too. I wear leather bracelets, usually more than one at a time and have several watches that I change depending on the shirts. Make sure your watch fits where the wrist meets the hand. Don’t wear it too big so that it spins around the wrist. And yes, I wear a gold chain with a cross. I guess that’s pretty typical but don’t wear one that’s oversized. Some cool sunglasses, a scarf and the right belt can upgrade your look to dapper. And finally, you need at least two pairs of shoes: lace-up ones for elegant evenings out and then for casual wear a leather loafer or tennis shoe. Soft leather loafers come in lots of colors and shades and they are almost always worn without socks, and with slim-fit trousers. If you are going to wear sneakers out for the evening make sure they are not the sporty kind but the fashion ones. You can be comfortable in a stylish way. If you'd like to go out shopping with me in the Peligna Valley. Bring an empty suitcase and meet me in Abruzzo! “Made in Italy” is a synonym for quality. In food and beverage, fashion or art, with Italian products you can rest assured - they will not let you down. Italy continues to take pride in maintaining excellence in craftsmanship and quality. Shopping is something that we like to do with our friends. Finding those ‘off the beaten track’ or hidden shops and treasures is exciting. And if you can get a good deal… that’s even better. But some things are expensive no matter where you go to buy them. A few examples: art, name brands and precious metals. Come with us and we will show you where to find interesting and unique gifts for yourself or for your friends in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Leather Goods: Florence isn’t the only place where you can buy fine Italian leather goods. Browse exquisite bags, wallets, shoes, and boots that showcase artistry in fine Italian leather and suede all around the Peligna Valley. Margiotta Shoes is one of my favorite shops where they feature my favorite Italian handbags made by GABS. Jewelry: Rose gold is especially popular at the moment, Pandora – a traditionally Italian brand can be found in most village jewelry shops, the town of Scanno is famous for its handmade jewelry. For centuries family-owned shops have been designing and producing one of kind pieces to be treasured for years. Confetti, Chocolates, Sweets, and Pasteries: Sulmona is famous for its candy covered almonds also known as confetti. Or, you can't go wrong with Baci chocolates (chocolate-encased hazelnuts that come with a sweet message) or the popular Italian Christmas cake panettone. Wine: There are so many great wines here in the Abruzzo region. Choose from whites – Pecorino, Trebbiano, or Brut, and/or reds – Montepulciano, Cerasuolo. Bottles can be bubble wrapped and packed right in your suitcase. Religious Items: Rosary beads, statues, crosses, cards, framed paintings, pendants, and medals can usually be found in every village center. There is always a religious store right around the corner. Prices vary from cheap souvenirs of little value to pieces that are quite expensive such as religious art or statues depending on the quality. Foods: There is much to choose from in this category: Balsamic glazes, pasta, honey, dried or oiled pepperoncino, olives, cured meats, truffle oils/sauces, salts, cheeses, coffees, Italy has 138 products of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO or DOP in Italian). This means that they are authentic and of high quality. Everyone enjoys the true taste of Italy once they are back in their home country…definitely worth packing and taking back home!
Kitchen Gadgets: For your foodie friends, there is the Biaglietti coffee Moka maker for that perfect espresso, a breadboard, ravioli cutters, a chitarra cutter (typical Abruzzese pasta press), copper pots, a pasta-maker or a recipe book for fresh inspiration. Ceramics: Traditional Italian ceramics is a great gift that people often overlook because of the fear of traveling with breakables in their luggage. But giving the gift of a hand-painted pasta bowl or platter could become that one piece that gets handed down from generation to generation. I give them as family wedding gifts and have the artists paint the family name within the design. Second-Hand Treasures: There are two second-hand ‘Mercatino’ here in the Peligna Valley. Both are loaded with special treasures from the past. We often find that one-of-a-kind piece that just isn’t made anymore or is very expensive in retail shops. Art: Italian art can sometimes be very expensive. Look for the many local artists with the various styles that can be obtained for reasonable prices. Or, you can stock up with more purse-friendly presents for your arty friends at any gallery gift shop. There are several options such as buying a simple print or an arty mug, tea towel, or other souvenirs. I once read an article about the MUST buys while visiting Italy. Murano glass from Venice, leather goods from Florence, hand-made leather sandals from Positano, ceramics from the Almafi Coast, and limoncello from Capri. But the fact is that you can buy any of those things anywhere in Italy. You don’t have to be traveling within the FAB FIVE (Rome, Venice, Florence, Almafi or Tuscany) to be able to find quality “Made in Italy” gems. So where did I find all these amazing, gift options? Right here in the Peligna Valley… so come to Abruzzo and Shop with us! Pratola – shopping along the main street Sulmona – shopping along the street Il Nuovo Borgo (Mall) Scanno – Armando Di Rienzo Jewlers Pescara – Corso Umberto for luxury shopping with all the top brands Castelli – a town filled with hand-made ceramic shops Citta Sant’Angelo Outlet Mall
Enjoy your shopping in Abruzzo! We can help plan your perfect trip…we hope to see you soon… email us today at la.rocca.mia@outlook.com “Happiness: a state of emotional well-being that a person experiences as a positive evaluation of one’s life.” as defined by Webster’s dictionary. I bought my house here in Abruzzo in the winter of 2013. Since then, I’ve lived here on and off (coming back and forth from the Middle East where I taught school). Two years ago, after marrying the love of my life, who is from a local village, I settled in permanently. I love it here. A highlight of my life is welcoming guests to our B&B and being able to learn and live in our small community of Roccacasale. Yes, of course it’s not perfect, but that’s not what I’m striving for. I have lived outside my home country of the United States for the past 32 years. Though I love my home country (which I visit every year) I also love meeting new people and experiencing other cultures. When it came time to settle in one place (retire from teaching internationally), I choose Italy. I feel comfortable here. I often reflect on my current situation, and I came up with 15 reasons why Abruzzo, Italy makes me smile, here they are: 1. The Sea – The Adriatic Sea lies on Abruzzo’s eastern coast. It is stunning. It’s not commercialized like many other coastlines around the world. You can find the famous “Trabocchi” (stilt structures which were an early form of putting a fishing net into the sea – no longer used for fishing. They remain in a form of architecture ingrained in fishing communities along Italy’s Adriatic coast) or a small seafood restaurant hidden away. 2. The Mountains – I’ve always dreamed of living in the mountains. Abruzzo’s mountains are clean, fresh and full of life. Hiking, biking and canoeing are everyday events. 3. Spectacular Views – It doesn’t matter which way you look, north, south, east or west, there are amazing views. Of course, I found the best one of all right outside my door right here in Roccacasale. 4. Farm to Table Food – The nourishment is amazingly fresh right from the earth. We have a wonderful garden full of all the fruits and vegetables we need. And yes, we have an olive grove that we harvest each year in the Fall. 5. The Pasta – made by hand. Every restaurant here serves it. 6. The Festivals – especially the summer “sagras” are full of people, food and music. Always a good time. 7. Wineries – if you like wine, which I do, Abruzzo has the finest; Pecorino, Trebbiano and Montepulciano D’Abruzzo... award winning wines! 8. Olive Oil – extra virgin, extra fresh, extra delicious! NOTHING compares to ‘freshly pressed’ 9. Friendly People – no matter where you go you will always be greeted with a happy “Buon Giorno”. 10. Medieval Villages – everywhere! Sadly many of them are dying out in this region but many of the local ‘mayors’ are trying hard to bring them back to life. 11. Fresh Spring Water and Clean Air – Free refreshing water from mountain springs. Air that is clear and crisp. No need for bottled water here. 12. Castles – I think I heard that there are over 900 castles in the region of Abruzzo. I’m determined to see them all. 13. Abruzzo’s Connection to the Past – this region has an amazing past that the locals boast about. 14. Four Seasons – having lived in the Middle East for over 20 years, being back to having four seasons makes life interesting. 15. Cost of Living – it’s not expensive here, what can I say that makes me smile! It’s a simple life , and I love it! Come visit us here in Abruzzo, we’ll be happy to show you around … you may just want to stay – like I did! |
About the authorThis blog is curated by Margaret Gigliotti, B&B owner, teacher, explorer, wine drinker and creative writer. Looking for ideas of places to visit in Abruzzo. Download our free guide of the best places most people miss.
Categories |
Check us out on: |
Find out more about our latest news and offers by receiving our free monthly publication.
Just click on this photo. |
email us at: la.rocca.mia@outlook.com
website: www.laroccamiahouse.com Telephone: +39 3888 272982 |