Rent-your-Vespa

14 July 2008 at 23:30

If you are in Alba, Piedmont, why not rent a vespa and visit the beautiful 'Langhe' with it's breathtaking views and vineyards? You won't be disappointed. I might just give it a go myself.

Tel. +39 0173 979086 or visit www.ferreromoto.it for more information

Campionato Italiano di Treeclimbing

28 June 2008 at 23:30

A little known fact. Turin is the European Tree Capital for 2008. I only found this out last weekend and I live there! On 21 & 22 June, as part of this celebration, the Italian Tree Climbing Championships took place in Valentino Park. It was quite spectacular and included 5 different disciplines:

• Climb with secured footlock
• Speed climb
• Throw line - above photo
• Aerial rescue (simulation of the rescue an 'injured' man from a tree)
• Work climb

Turin, after hosting the 2006 Winter Olympics, has hosted many other international events. It is one of Italy's most beautiful cities (I am biased but have been told this by many people who have visited). It is home to the Egyptian Museum (second only to that of Cairo) and the National Museum of Cinema (located inside the Mole Antonelliana). It is full of historic cafés (coming up in a future post), more than I have ever seen in any other Italian city. And what is best of all is that it is relatively tourist free. Why not come and visit?

To see more images of this amazing city visit www.torinodailyphoto.blogspot.com. Also I have started to compile a list of things to visit in Turin..

Out with the old, in with the...

27 June 2008 at 10:05

...old! Roberto Donadoni, the Italian coach during the European Championships, has been relieved of his duties for failing to secure the national team at least a place in the semi-final. The new 'c.t.' (coordinatore tecnico) will be Marcello Lippi, the manager when Italy won the World Cup in 2006. He will be presented to the public on Tuesday.

Speaking of old, 'tanti auguri di cuore' to Paolo Maldini who yesterday turned 40. The 'capitano' of AC Milan has played 1009 official matches over a 23 year career. He has vowed to continue with the 'rossoneri' for another season. Congratulations! More information about this true Milanese legend can be viewed on the official website of AC Milan, the only club Maldini has played for.

Euro Tears

23 June 2008 at 09:15

Italy 0 - 0 Spain (Spain win 4 - 2 on penalties). De Rossi and Di Natale both missed in the penatly shoot-out to hand Spain a place in the Semi Final of the European Championships. On reflection the result was a fair one as Spain were the better team for most of the match. It is the first time they have beaten Italy in the last nine encounters and even more surprisingly they have not won a major trophy for 88 years.

This is probably the end of the line for Roberto Donadoni, the Italian manager. Marcello Lippi to return? Don't bet against it!

The photo shows the scene in Piazza San Carlo, Turin, in what was a night of high tension around many of Italy's large piazzas where big screens had been put up for the occasion.

More information, statistics, comments etc can be found at Gazzetta dello Sport.

Italianissimo!

18 June 2008 at 09:46

Italy 2 - 0 France. Goals from Pirlo (penalty) and De Rossi saw Italy beat France in a repeat of the 2006 World Cup Final. They secure a place in the Quarter Final of the European Championships. A big 'grazie' must also be given to Holland who beat Romania.

This morning, surprisingly, the sun is shining (it's been raining almost constantly recently!). Spirits have been lifted. Roll on Sunday when Italy take on Spain for a place in the Semi Final.

Read the Gazzetta dello Sport for more about the game.

Disastrous Start to European Championships

10 June 2008 at 09:46

Holland 3 - 0 Italy. The European Championships could not have started worse for the current world champions. The next game for 'gli azzurri' of Donadoni is on Friday 13th (an unlucky day) against Romania. In bocca al lupo Italia!

Read the Gazzetta dello Sport for more about the game.

Tribute to Dino Risi

9 June 2008 at 10:00

On Saturday Dino Risi, one of Italian cinema's great directors, died at the age of 91. His films starred some Italy's most famous actors including Sophia Loren, Nino Manfredi, Totò, Vittorio Gassman and Alberto Sordi. Rai Tre began a season of his most celebrated films with 'Operazione San Gennaro', followed by 'Profumo di donna' (Scent of a Woman). Many of his films are regarded as comedy classics and for those who have never seen them (including me) it is an opportunity not to be missed.

For more details about his films see http://www.imdb.com.

Flooding - River Po, Turin

4 June 2008 at 10:00

Flood damage caused to open air bars in Turin (Saturday 31st May).

Where has the good weather gone?

30 May 2008 at 9:45

The north of Italy is having a terrible time with the weather and for the last couple of months it has been very unsettled, with lots of rain. Piedmont seems to be suffering more than other regions (at least in my opinion), and yesterday 2 people were killed in Turin due to a weather related incident. There doesn't seem to be an end in sight either and Italians are feeling quite down - this is a culture that relies heavily on its outdoor activities at the weekend and many events in small towns have been washed out and ruined.

People say the English are obsessed with the weather. Whilst this is true I also think the Italians are too. With the constant clouds and rain I may as well have stayed in England! At least I have more than 30 years of experience behind me dealing with bad weather so I should be able to get through this bad patch!

A weather forecast website I highly recommend is www.meteo.it. It's easy to use and can give a detailed breakdown of the weather in each of Italy's regions.

Inter Milan - Champions of Italy

19 May 2008 at 09:45

Inter Milan won their 16th 'scudetto' yesterday beating Parma 2-0. Roma finished second only managing a draw against Catania. It was an exciting climax to the season. At the start of play Inter had only a 1 point advantage over Roma. With 20 minutes remaining it looked like Roma, leading in their match, would be the new champions. Then Ibrahimovic scored twice for Inter to bring them their second successive championship. However, the big surprise of the season is that AC Milan only finish 5th and miss out on a Champions Leauge place.

Final Classification Serie A (after 38 games)

• 85 Inter Milan - Champions - Qualify for Champions League
• 82 Roma - Qualify for Champions League
• 72 Juventus - Qualify for Champions League (preliminary phase)
• 66 Fiorentina - Qualify for Champions League (preliminary phase)
• 64 AC Milan - Qualify for UEFA Cup
• 60 Sampdoria - Qualify for UEFA Cup
• 57 Udinese - Qualify for UEFA Cup
• 50 Napoli
• 48 Genoa
• 48 Atalanta
• 47 Palermo
• 46 Lazio
• 44 Siena
• 42 Cagliari
• 40 Torino
• 40 Reggina
• 37 Catania
• 36 Empoli - Relegated
• 34 Parma - Relegated
• 30 Livorno - Relegated

Fiera Internazionale del Libro, Torino

11 May 2008 at 00:40

This year Turin's international book fair takes place from 8 - 12 May. The guest country is Israel. Entrance €8. The event includes conferences with many top international authors. Well worth a visit. See some images from Saturday by viewing this Flash Slideshow.

More information can be obtained from www.fieralibro.it

24 Years of La Repubblica

27 April 2008 at 11:20

La Repubblica has made available its archive of articles, photos, and videos from 1984 onwards. Use the search bar at the top right of its home page to query stories of interest. Visit www.repubblica.it and Repubblica, la storia in un clic - Online l'archivio gratuito dal 1984 for more information.