 |
| keeping cool in Pza. S. Egidio |
The summer heat wave is again upon us... and since we are no longer youngsters we have had to say "no" to the many invitations and happenings this weekend.
When its this hot we get up early (6 a.m.) like the local farmers do then by 10:30 a.m. its time to stay indoors, behind the wooden shutters (persiane) which along with the ancient, thick walls keep the heat out.
 |
| no need for air conditioning |
A plus during these hot days is that there are finally lots of parking spaces, for the town is almost deserted. Most people head for a one of the nearby lakes (Lake Vico, Bolsena or Bracciano) or perhaps the grassy lawns at this ancient Roman swimming hole.
This circular pool is actually a frigidarium dating from Roman times at Le Pozze di San Sisto half way between Viterbo and Vetralla. Its icy waters are balanced by an adjacent hot pool caldarium and another luke warm one.
For tourists and visitors here are some more of the coolest places around:
- If you are a cruiser docking at Civitavecchia you could trade a hot, exhausting day in Rome for a visit to Tarquinia where the Etruscan tombs and quiet churches such as S. Maria in Castello provide welcome respite. For a glance of this magnificent church see Dietmeyer's website.
 |
| fountain in front of Tarquinia's city hall |
 |
| fountain of the Moors, Villa Lante, Bagnaia |
 |
River god fountain, Villa Lante, Bagnaia
(photo by John Ferro Sims) |
- Garden lovers will love the historic gardens of Villa Lante where the trickle of fountains and mossy pools give welcome relief from the heat.
 |
| grotto , Villa Lante |
 |
| water gurgles down the rope fountain, Villa Lante |
In the hill town of Soriano nel Cimino another fountain comes complete with a waterfall. Perfect for a cool walk is the Faggetta, the mountain top forest located above Soriano.
 |
| Papacqua waterfall, Soriano nel Cimino |
Here are a few of the romantic, cool spots I have enjoyed discovering in these past years while lecturing aboard cruise ships.
- in Montenegro the fiord (Bocche di Cattaro) leading up to the port of Kotor.
- The gardens of Peterhof, outside the city of St. Petersburg , Russia are another perfect place to catch some coolness.
 |
| Grand Cascade and canal to the gulf of Finland, Peterhof, St. Petersburg, Russia |
The majestic fountains and gardens overwhelm visitors
 |
| Peterhof fountain, St. Petersburg , Russia |
 |
| the Pyramid fountain, Peterhof gardens, St. Petersburg, Russia |
- Oia on the Greek island of Santorini is famed for its whitewashed houses and blue domed churches
The same turquoise color can be found here in Vetralla in a romantic pool inside a grotto.
 |
| a private pool half in, half out of a grotto |
Some of your images actually began to make me feel cooler, not easy as I'd just spent a couple of hours ironing! Christina
ReplyDeletethanks for the positive feedback...I put the Villa Lante photos in for you and other gardeners.
ReplyDeleteNice post! The photo of Villa lante looks a bit like the gardens of Palazzo Farnese in Caprarola. They're also a great place to cool off (after looking around the beautiful Palazzo of course).
ReplyDeletePete, you are correct--the same artisans worked in both gardens.
ReplyDeleteARen't we lucky to have such historic gardens and palazzi here ? Another is Castello Ruspoli in Vignanello. Have you visited it ?
here is another cool place just behind my house I'll try to add some photos I just took...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.italiannotebook.com/events/wash-day
my favourite cool place is certainly the Riva Fiorita at Lago de Vico ! when it was 40° C at the oliveto we found it was at least to 8° cooler in the shade of the trees near the lake. We went up there most of the afternoons during our stay in July
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos
ReplyDelete