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.

A relatively quick and cheap bus ride took us from Rimini to the entry door for the mountain enclave. A leisurely walk up yields old churches, quiet parks, comfortable cafes and the Fortress of Guaita, a fortification that looks as if it came straight out of the Lord of the Rings.

I didn’t skimp on the photos and videos below. If you like what you see, please follow me on Flickr and YouTube, and do plan on making a trip to this amazing place in the future. It’s both fun and beautiful, and it’s one of the most affordable things you can do in Italy.

The post Finding Castles in the Sky and Amazing Views in San Marino first appeared on Keane Li.

I’m slowly trudging through the 36GB of photos taken during my Italy trip last May. If you’re interested in seeing some unique perspectives on Rome, Naples and towns within Emilia-Romagna, check out my Flickr page (I’ll go back and add descriptions and tags after I’m done uploading everything).

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

The post 36GB of Photos from Rome, Naples and Emilia-Romagna first appeared on Keane Li.

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.

Reserved seats at the racetrack within Piazza Ariostea meant we had the perfect view of the games. First the boys and girls ran, then a bunch of donkeys. (Have you ever actually seen a donkey in person before? They’re huge!). Sadly, we missed the horse race as they had to tender the ground over and over for safety reasons. By then it was late and we had to head back to take our own ride out of town.

The Palio di Ferrara was an unforgettable experience. Despite the heat and the fact that my time at BlogVille (and in Italy) was winding down, I had a magical time.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. For videos of the race, scroll down to the bottom of this post!

The post Palio di Ferrara – The medieval festival in photos and video first appeared on Keane Li.

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.

The five-star hotel opened in 1908, instantly becoming a popular destination for those staying along the Adriatic Coast. The hotel’s most notable resident was Federico Fellini, the legendary director of international classics like La Strada, La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2. The room in which he lived is available for guests, though, not surprisingly, it is quite popular. And while the hotel can’t officially say it (legal reasons), there’s also a “Fellini menu” in the hotel’s restaurant, a set meal offering a collection of his favorite dishes in one extravagant course. Food writers Tim and Nat of A Cook Not Mad tried it and gave it four enthused thumbs up.

Anyway, the three of us were offered a tour by Cristina Bernagozzi, the hotel’s Communications Manager whom I was in touch with for a potential hotel project. She showed us everything from the guest rooms to the hotel’s beachfront. And when we were done, we enjoyed smooth caffè freddi and biscotti by the hotel’s bar.

Not a bad way to spend a hot Rimini afternoon.

The post A Close-Up Look at the Grand Hotel Rimini first appeared on Keane Li.

“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.

It was perhaps one of the most festive nights of the year in spa towns across Emilia-Romagna, La Notte Celeste, when all the spas in Bagno di Romagna open to the public and the town celebrates with live entertainment throughout its streets. Of all the local festivals I’d been to, this was the most fun. Families stayed out late as both young and old danced to festive music, a blend of Italian and classic 80s tunes.

It was also a complete honor to be invited on stage to say a quick “ciao” to the audience in the main square. It’s inspiring to see such a small town so welcoming to bloggers, something I feel is still misunderstood even in America. The festival also celebrated the importance of water with a team of little kids dressed as water droplets (cute) and a long film about water and space travel (strange but cool).

And while we were interviewed by an Italian film crew, I bit the bullet and responded in Italian, scratching off one from my bucket list of things I didn’t know I wanted to do.

I suppose my Italian isn’t entirely bad.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

The post La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna – Oiled up and rubbed down in an Italian spa town first appeared on Keane Li.

I don’t want to be that guy.

Anyway, I’ve been reminiscing about all the great moments I had in Emilia-Romagna as a part of BlogVille. There are so many reasons to visit this beautiful region in Italy; here are my top five.

1. Food

A huge majority of Italy’s most delicious exports originate from Emilia-Romagna. There’s Modena’s balsamic vinegar, the great cheeses of Parma, prosciutto, lasagne, ravioli, tagliatelle al rag๠(oddio!), Sangiovese wine and the amazing piadina. Along the coast, fresh seafood is in abundance, often served as a mixed platter of fried goodness. In short, it’s impossible not to get a little grasso here.

That’s Italian for “fat.”

2. Fairy Tale Towns

It only takes a short train or bus ride to get from one idyllic town to the next. Many cities, like Pennabilli, Brisighella or Santarcangelo di Romagna offer panoramic views from their highest points. Others, like Verucchio, feature amazing castles that seem to come straight out of fairy tales.

3. Street Fairs

I was fortunate enough to experience three large town festivals during my two weeks in Emilia-Romagna: Pennabilli’s Artisti in Piazza, the Palio di Ferrara and La Notte Celeste in Bagno di Romagna. During the latter, we met the president of the tourism board of Emilia-Romagna, were interviewed by the Italian press (I responded in Italian, guys!) and were invited on stage in front of the entire town to say hello.

Needless to say, that was one of the greatest experiences of my trip; a huge honor.

4. Unbelievable Cultural Attractions

While pretty much all of Italy is a hotbed for culture, Emilia-Romagna offers its own unique offerings. It was in Savignano sul Rubicone where Caesar “crossed the Rubicon,” Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire before its decline, and the famous Gothic Line of World War II passed straight through Rimini where a great battle was fought between the Allied and Axis forces.

A favorite of mine was the Basilica di San Vitale in Ravenna. The mosaics were simply breathtaking. Even compared to all the churches I saw in Rome, this one really stood out.

5. The Great Outdoors

I have to admit that nature and active life weren’t high on my list of things to do in Italy, however Emilia-Romagna really offers something for everybody, whether it’s hiking through the Apennines or biking down the official Ferrari race track. My favorite outdoor activity, however, was the grueling task of enjoying a Spritz on the warm Rimini beach.

La dolce vita davvero.

The post Five reasons to visit Emilia-Romagna first appeared on Keane Li.

Everyone loves a nice horse-drawn carriage ride, so it should be of no surprise that the BlogVille crew had such a great time at Foce Bevano, a natural reserve in the Parco Regionale del Delta del Po in Savio, Emilia-Romagna. The Centro Visite Cubo Magico Bevanella sits at the heart of the reserve, providing a multimedia, educational introduction to the wildlife residing here. From colorful birds to foxes, the protected area hides a variety of interesting creatures. The plant life and ecological offerings are equally as expansive. Services include bike and boat rentals, as well as the aforementioned horse-drawn carriage tour, providing a multitude of fun and affordable methods for exploring the grounds.

It’s a great attraction for those looking for nature and tranquility. My only advice is to cover up if you’re sensitive to mosquitoes (even still, they bit me through my shirt!) and to be sure to catch the beautiful sunset. The strong wind that Dante described in his literature still exists today, creating a sweeping effect of grass against the light.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

The post A carriage ride through the Parco Delta del Po in Savio first appeared on Keane Li.

The name of the city derives from two formal rivals, those living in the castles at Penna and those at Billi. In the 16th century, they joined together to form the city now known as Pennabilli. Today, the city houses notable art installations by poet and intellectual Tonino Guerra, as well as attractions like meditation gardens and Tibetan bells donated from the Dalai Lama. More relevant to this post, Pennabilli hosts an annual three-day festival known as Artisti in Piazza – Festival Internazionale dell’Arte in Strada (“Artists in the Piazza – The International Festival of Street Art”), drawing innovative entertainers from around the world to their cobblestone streets.

If you should ever find yourself in Emilia-Romagna during the time of this festival, do yourself a favor and join in on the fun. It’s full of good people, great shows and really delicious food. Even without Artisti in Piazza, Pennabilli is a beautiful place to visit, as evidenced by the videos and photos below.

If you like what you see, please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

The post Artisti in Piazza – Closing down the medieval village of Pennabilli for an annual street artist festival first appeared on Keane Li.

Terremoto Emilia 2012 – Emilia (Italy) Earthquake May 2012 from Roberto Mettifogo on Vimeo.

The above video is a quick representation of the devastating effects of the recent slew of earthquakes in Italy’s region of Emilia-Romagna. Occurring in May and well into June—the most recent of which I felt a few days ago in Rimini, an earthquake centered in Ravenna—the earthquakes destroyed many historic buildings and left important businesses in shambles. Over 15,000 people were left homeless and many lost their lives. In short, much of Italy’s perhaps most productive region was left shattered.

Emilia-Romagna produces much of the world’s most revered food products (prosciutto, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Sangiovese, aceto balsamico di Modena, etc.) and maintains timeless art, while housing a population of some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. The beautiful medieval towns are irreplaceable, and they provide as tourist attractions for a country that really needs it.

But how can you help if you live in the United States?

The fine folks at L’Italo Americano Newspaper are currently running a campaign to raise funds for the victims of the Emilia-Romagna earthquakes. While any donation amount is accepted, anyone contributing over $50 and fans them on Facebook gets a free annual subscription to the publication.

The post Taking a break from BlogVille – How to help the victims of the Emilia-Romagna earthquakes if you live in America first appeared on Keane Li.

But perhaps the most glorious attraction of Brisighella is its clock tower, the Torre dell’Orologio, from where those who make it up the steps can witness brilliant views of the town’s hilltop fortress, its timeless palazzi and the rolling mountains that surround it all.

Photos of Brisighella, including a video of the view of the city from the Torre dell’Orologio and the chiming of the bells.

The post The amazing view from Brisighella’s Torre dell’Orologio first appeared on Keane Li.