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| Montefiascone's wine barrel fountain |
May is the season for festivals, processions and country fairs but this year the weather has not been cooperating. Some may prefer to stay huddled indoors with the heating on, but if you are a visitor with little time to see the area, the only thing to do is grab an umbrella and warm sweater and brave the inclement weather.
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| Shadesofparadise from Grosseto |
The top sites of Tarquinia's Etruscan tombs and Etruscan Museum then the Sacro Bosco of Bomarzo, followed by a day in Civita di Bagnoregio and Orvieto: it can be done as visitors from America discovered.
Stay tuned for their whirlwind tour of Etruria in a future guest post.
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| lavender from northern lakes |
Those of us who live here usually take things more slowly choosing novelty happenings over the tourist spots.
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| box in alder wood by Massimo Falchi of Rieti |
This weekend was unusually chilly for late May, with temperatures hovering around 10-15° C,
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| dresses in a vintage vehicle |
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| promoting Nepi and Università della Tuscia |
rain and high winds.
This made the organization of outdoor happenings very problematic.
In the
face of many difficulties, the Arti e Orti country fair organized by
Ville e Casali magazine was a
success which saw hundreds of visitors descending on Tenuta Valle Cento on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
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| Luana and Tiziana came to the presentation |
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| animals in tin |
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| farm animals for the kids |
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| Ville e Casali magazine's stand |
I was there on Saturday to give a short
presentation of my latest book, to encounter old friends and to meet some of the more than 80 exhibitors
in the arts, food and gardens
categories who exhibited their wares and artistic creations often in stands that included vintage vehicles.
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| vintage Fiat also provided shelter from the showers |
Farm animals were on hand and kids were able to ride ponies, enjoy a carriage ride or learn about plants and gardens.
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| one of the many outdoor exhibits |
Montefiascone located at the 100th kilometer north of Rome was the destination on Sunday. Here we were greeted by glorious skies above the 3rd largest cupola in Italy and views over Lake Bolsena.
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| view of Lake Bolsena and islands from the Enoteca |
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| mosaic table at Enoteca Volodivino |
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| corner of Montefiascone |
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| Giancarlo Breccola with author Gina Crocoli |
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| Sunday aperitivo in Montefiascone |
The excuse was the presentation of two interesting books
at a local wine bar and enoteca.
Art historian Fulvio Ricci spoke of the nude in art followed by Giancarlo Breccola who presented the book Viaggio in Tuscia by Gina Crocoli.
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| Fulvio Ricci's book published by Edizioni Archeoares |
How did you spend this chilly weekend? Your comments in English or Italiano are welcome. Share with friends by using the Facebook and Twitter icons at the bottom of the page.
