Archivi categoria: turismo

Traveling with Awareness: How to Become a Responsible Tourist

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Tourism to unusual places in Italy is opening up new frontiers and opportunities that were once unthinkable for some areas where tourism itself was only a microscopic niche of the local economy.

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The big bang of online content dissemination began with the maximization of online content, starting from simple selfies, through specialized blogs, to videos on YouTube and much more, because with a bit of Google and patience, we can get anywhere. We are all involved in a virtual competition that mostly leads us to reveal to our universe of followers the most special places we visit, those treasures that our peninsula knows how to better preserve than many other corners of the globe, and that each of us is proud to have been able to discover.

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And yet, as a consequence of such an innocent movement, the outcry grows against too frivolous and unscrupulous tourism that often engages in deplorable behavior towards the environment, disrespectful of the visited place, or worse, towards its inhabitants. All perhaps just to frame oneself in a selfie that can offer half a second of vanity in a whirlwind of virtual hearts.

There is no currency that can repay the damage caused to an ecosystem, whether natural or economic, let alone repay it in “likes.”

So what can we do? Do we arm ourselves with shotguns and protect our lands? Do we take boats and guard the seas and lagoons deploying artillery? Absolutely not!

The solution to obtain common sense from others, I believe, is to appear endowed with common sense to those from whom we demand it.

And for logistical problems, as residents, we must hang on and pull the jackets of the powerful, so that the means of transportation are fair and efficient both for residents and tourists, because one can benefit from the other by finding the right balance (a very strong theme in Pellestrina every year, by the way).

Let’s always remember that the value of a destination is made up of two fundamental factors:

  1. What do I offer?
  2. Who is looking for what I offer? Without these two ingredients, the discussion cannot even begin.

Who is a tourist? It is a traveler driven by leisure or cultural interests towards the places they visit. (source: Treccani.it)

But at this point, do we really know who and what a tourist seeks from a destination? On the flip side, who knows what the destination itself (meaning the territory and population as a whole) expects from the tourist?

Before we go, here’s a list of simple rules that any tourist with a heart should follow:

  1. Remember that a vacation is also a moment of comparison with a different culture. Try to adapt to local customs and habits without imposing your own habits and lifestyles. Being a guest does not mean being the host.
  2. Be decent, from manners to clothing, especially if you will visit places of worship; support local micro-enterprises and discover local crafts or cuisine, you will bring home the real treasures of that country. Be honest and show gratitude.
  3. The place you visit is not your city, but it is part of your same planet. Respect.
  4. Open yourself to the universe you are discovering, interact with the locals, they are the best advisers. Discover their habits, rhythms and life from a new perspective, theirs. Empathize with the residents.
  5. Garbage can be managed well, do not make the traces of your passage barbaric, the garbage is yours until you find a bin. Cleanliness of the ecosystem.
  6. Children can have fun, but call them back when they exaggerate; smoking can be enjoyed, but only if it does not harm others and where permitted, dogs are wonderful, but someone may be afraid of them, remember that. Think about others.
  7. Something may not please you, but it is not always someone’s fault, let’s laugh about it. Keep calm.
  8. The road is not always wide, if you are many, try to line up in the narrowest passages or along the sidewalks. Giving way has never killed anyone.
  9. Prefer local transportation and accommodation activities, they are genuine experiences. Authenticity.
  10. Be honest in your reviews, if a fly disturbs your meal or a waiter appears in your selfie, it does not mean that the place is dirty or the people are rude. Many businesses depend on that damn thumb that, like a sword of Damocles, determines the choices of customers. Honesty.
  11. Your music and voice are undoubtedly beautiful, but moderate the volume. You may like it, but others may not.
  12. Your photos will be beautiful, but the landscape belongs to everyone, take the necessary time without abusing it. Altruism.
  13. Every step contains history, do not steal pieces of the country for your living room window. Protect the discovered treasures.
  14. If something did not please you, if something can and should be improved, let it be known, after all, all municipalities have an email in 2020. Help residents in just battles.
  15. On the return, reflect on the luck you had in discovering so many new things. Authenticity

 

Download the pdf of the rules for being a responsible tourist for free!

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Exploring Libreria Acqua Alta: A Hidden Treasure of Venice, the Most Beautiful in the World

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Dear Dreamers, today I want to talk to you about another place close to my heart, the Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice

Have you never visited it? What a shame! Inside, you will find books from every era and occasion, all displayed in a unique way, with a stack of books here, a bathtub filled with texts there – in short, a source of curiosity at every glance.

You can even look out to the nearby canal and see a gondola pass by simply by climbing a staircase made of books, a unique way of recycling books that have been contaminated by mold or damaged by time.

And where else can you stroke a sleeping cat in a box of postcards in a bookstore? Only here!

If happens to be in Venice, make sure to stop by and visit the Libreria Acqua Alta. I’m sure you’ll thank me later!

HERE’S THE MAP TO GET THERE

The Heart of Venice: Exploring the Symbolic Center of the Universe

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I’m not used to posting photos of myself, but this time I’ll make an exception.

First of all, I want to thank Silvia, dear wife, who perfectly captured the moment I wanted just as I had imagined it.

You can feel all the magic, poetry, and history, in fact the stories, that this corner of the world can tell us.

When I stop there for a moment, I feel like I’m at the center of the universe; thanks to this photo, I’ll be able to remember the feeling forever.

❤️ Thank you Punta della Dogana

❤️ See you soon Venice

HERE’S A MAP FROM GOOGLE OF WHERE I AM IN THIS PIC.

Piccola farmacia letteraria in Florence: A Hidden Gem for Book Lovers

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Can a book heal us?

Well, yes, we all know by now that there are infinite “healing” philosophies, and mind you, I am not delving into an unofficial universe of sciences, but rather I am delving into the microcosm of “Literary Healing”.

We live in years that are far from carefree, made up of a speed and rhythm that perhaps not even the least astute futurists (members of the eponymous movement) would have been able to imagine.

With just a click, we can order anything, at any time and with delivery times that are incomparable to the past.

And yet, the soul of things, that authentic taste, made of waiting and conquest, no longer has the same intensity.

It’s beautiful then to discover that, among so many videos, so many ideas and tutorials that want to solve everything, but never truly solve anything, someone has thought of creating the “Piccola Farmacia Letteraria” for our soul and emotions.

We must thank Elena Molini and her deep conviction that a good book can heal our soul. She, together with her sister Ester and two other fearless women, is the staff behind the success of: Piccola Farmacia Letteraria.

As they themselves say on their official website, they have been able to identify and catalog many books that today cover about eighty different moods, attitudes, and feelings.

A real panacea against inner maladies and the offspring of these times that are so little projected towards introspection.

In this blog, there has always been room for curiosity, poetry, and the unusual. I myself recently made a gift from their wonderful catalog of “products for every need,” choosing a BOX to better manage my resentment.

But the “symptoms” and “moods” curable with these BOXes are many, here are some: Resentment, Anxiety, Love with Heart Fixers, Luck with Continuous Bad Luck, and then Take it with Philosophy and Smart Working for Young Groundhogs.

The genius lies in simple ideas, and Elena’s idea is truly incredible and is garnering enormous success.

Given the current historical period, I hope to be able to visit their store in Florence as soon as possible, but for those who want and can, here is the address: La Piccola Farmacia Letteraria is located at Via di Ripoli 7/R, Florence.

Instagram: @piccolafarmacialetteraria

And finally, if you too are annoyed by people who bother you with their opinions while you build your life… well… here’s a perfect gift idea “branded” by the Farmacia Letteraria.

Towel…

To all my dear readers, thank you for your continued support. Please feel free to share this article far and wide… sending a virtual hug your way!

Venice’s Canals and Calli: Unraveling the City’s Toponymy

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“Latin, what does Latin have to do with anything, let’s not joke…” I can already hear the surprise and disappointment for what I’m about to make you read, but the truth, even when it’s “uncomfortable,” still needs to be revealed.

Venice is a labyrinth of infinite connections, between bridges, alleys, small squares, and much more, but do we know the meaning behind each of the typical names of Venetian toponymy?

Here’s a brief guide to help you “orient” yourself among these concepts:

CALLE: Here we are with Latin, this word, also declined as “calle larga,” “colletta,” or “callesella,” derives from Latin “Callis,” which means: path, alley.

SALISADA: Paved street; a term present in the toponymy of Venice to designate the first streets with pavement.

CAMPO: The main characteristic is the wide size, and they were often not paved and, therefore, used to be full of crops.

LISTA: These are the streets that, with special white stones, marked the end of the diplomatic immunity zone of the diplomats who lived in the city. The famous Lista di Spagna, which takes us from the Venice railway station to Campo San Geremia, is an example.

RIO TERÀ: Indicates a pedestrian street built over a buried canal;

PISCINA: Places where high waters formed real pools of water in which, once the tide had receded, fish remained trapped, ready to be caught.

RAMO: These are small branches of alleys, often ending in a dead-end.

In addition, the names of the alleys indicate the professions carried out there, such as “calle del forno” (baker’s alley), “calle del tagiapiera” (stone cutter’s alley), “calle dei fabbri” (blacksmith’s alley), “calle dei botteri” (barrel makers’ alley), “calle del spezier” (spice maker’s alley), “calle delle rasse” (rope maker’s alley). In other cases, the names refer to altars or sacred corners, such as “calle del Cristo” (Christ’s alley), “calle della Madonna” (Madonna’s alley), “Calle del Paradiso” (Paradise’s alley). Alternatively, alleys were named after noble families who frequented or lived there, such as “calle Dolfin,” “calle Benzoni,” “calle Da Ponte,” “calle Vallaresso,” “calle Bressana.” Finally, there are alleys whose names are derived from significant events or specific functions, such as murders, as in the case of “Calle degli assassini” (Assassins’ alley).

The width of the alleys ranges from 53cm to 8m. If you want to experience a thrill, try passing through Calle Varisco, which with its 53cm imposes an alternating one-way traffic.

Near the Arsenale, in the vicinity of Calle Venier, there is one of the narrowest passageways in Venice, and as you can see from the image, I can barely fit through it.

But why is Venice so rich in narrow passageways? It’s simple! Venetians were required to leave a passage in order to obtain building permits, which forced them to be clever in leaving as little space as possible for people to pass through in the spaces granted.

Did you know that?

Thank you for reading the article, and I’ll see you soon on these pages.