Category: BlogVille in Emilia-Romagna 2012

Finding Castles in the Sky and Amazing Views in San Marino

Posted on by Keane Li

Panoramic view of Guaita Castle from top of San Marino

What do Gondor-esque castles, Duff Beer and vintage Fiats have in common?

They can all be found in the Republic of San Marino!

Located within Italy along the border shared by the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, the Republic of San Marino is an independent microstate that rises high into the sky. Constituted in part by the Apennine mountain range, its capital city, the City of San Marino, offers breathtaking views and quite the bit of exercise. Continue reading “Finding Castles in the Sky and Amazing Views in San Marino” →

36GB of Photos from Rome, Naples and Emilia-Romagna

Posted on by Keane Li
Rome - Piazza Venezia and Il Vittoriano during the rain

I’m slowly trudging through the 36GB of photos taken during my Italy trip last May. If you’re interested in seeing some unique travel photography from Italy and around the world, check out my Instagram profile.

Here are a few shots from Rome that I like in particular…

Continue reading “36GB of Photos from Rome, Naples and Emilia-Romagna” →

Palio di Ferrara – The medieval festival in photos and video

Posted on by Keane Li

Palio di Ferrara - Column in Piazza Ariostea

It was like a weight holding us down, preventing us from moving. They called it the hottest place in Europe, I later learned after reading the papers. Ferrara, serving as the host city for an annual tradition dating back to 1279, brings a number of towns together for the Palio di Ferrara. In colored vestments and heavy armor, participants paraded down the main street. How could they survive in this heat when I can barely lift an arm for my Caffè Shakerato, I wondered, already perspiring. Thankfully, they managed, and we were presented with an amazing series of colorful visuals, flag dances and marching bands. Continue reading “Palio di Ferrara – The medieval festival in photos and video” →

A Close-Up Look at the Grand Hotel Rimini

Posted on by Keane Li

Grand Hotel Rimini - Bar menu and sunglasses

Last night I had a dream I was back in Italy. I opened my eyes and saw the Roman Colosseum in front of me, as if coming up from the Roma Metropolitana. I remember feeling instantly elated. My parents were there. It was winter. Little kids were ice skating (it was a dream) and little bits of white dust or snow were falling gently like they do in every other Ridley Scott film.

Not being able to sleep, I decided to revisit Italy. Not Rome this time, but Rimini. I wanted to go back to a particular sunny day when fellow BlogVille photographer Asgeir Pedersen, writer Gina Stark and I visited the Grand Hotel Rimini, the most historic and, perhaps, the most beautiful hotel in Rimini. Continue reading “A Close-Up Look at the Grand Hotel Rimini” →

La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna – Oiled up and rubbed down in an Italian spa town

Posted on by Keane Li

Bagno di Romagna - La Notte Celeste

“Put your robe on the hanger,” the massaggiatrice said to me in Italian.

I was wearing board shorts and Calvin Klein briefs (in case you needed the image).

“Now take those off but sdfjl;aghnasmdfnsdfj.” I didn’t understand the last part, so I responded with my stock phrase of not being able to understand Italian sometimes.

“Okay. Your swimming clothes…” “Yes.”

“Are you wearing anything underneath?” “Underpants.”

“Okay. Take the shorts; leave the underwear.” “Understood.”

The important matter of how much clothes to take off demands further confirmation.

So began my first spa experience, a full-body oil massage in the Hotel delle Terme Santa Agnese in Bagno di Romagna, a popular spa town in Emilia-Romagna. The scent of steam and sulfur is apparent upon entering the city as thermal water flows naturally here. Bagno di Romagna consists of one main street and a large central piazza. Each of its many shops are charming and friendly, and the town features high-end, even Michelin-starred restaurants. The BlogVille team was lucky enough to dine at such a restaurant with the distinguished leaders of the Emilia-Romagna tourism board. Continue reading “La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna – Oiled up and rubbed down in an Italian spa town” →