Podcasts about Duomo

Stereolab is back with its first new music in 15 years. We give it a spin on this week's show, along with the scorched rock of feeble little horse, a relentlessly catchy earworm from Yaeji and more.Featured artists and songs:1. Stereolab: "Aerial Troubles," from 'Instant Holograms On Metal Film'2. Yaeji & E Wata: "Pondeggi" (single)3. Snuggle: "Dust" (single)4. feeble little horse: "This Is Real" (single)5. Lyra Pramuk: "Rewild," from 'Hymnal'Weekly reset: Street musicians on the Piazza del Duomo, Florence, ItalyEnjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Hear new songs from past episodes in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Join host Craig Dalton and Trek Travel's Rich Snodsmith as they take you on an exhilarating journey through the heart of gravel cycling in Italy. In this episode of The Gravel Ride podcast, they share their recent experience at the Strade Bianche Gran Fondo trip organized by Trek Travel. With over three decades of friendship, these two avid cyclists reminisce about their chance meeting at the Lugano Cycling World Championships in 1996 and their shared passion for the sport. Throughout the episode, Rich and Craig discuss their incredible adventures, from vintage bikes at L'Eroica and witnessing the Strade Bianche professional bike race, to participating in the challenging 140-kilometer Gran Fondo alongside 7,000 other riders. They also share their encounters with pro cyclists and the camaraderie of the Trek Travel group. If you're looking for an immersive and unforgettable gravel cycling experience, this episode will inspire you to find dirt under your wheels and explore the breathtaking landscapes of Italy. Topics discussed: Introducing the Strade Bianche Gran Fondo trip with Trek Travel  Riding an international Gran Fondo  Experiencing the energy and spectacle of professional bike races  Meeting pro cyclists and gaining insights into the sport  Challenges and rewards of gravel riding in Italy  Stunning scenery, castles, and brick towns on the route  The supportive and well-organized nature of Trek Travel trips  Exciting plans for future cycling adventures Full Transcript: Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:00:03 to 00:00:33 Hello and welcome to the Gravelride podcast, where we go deep on the sport of gravel cycling through in depth interviews with product designers, event organizers and athletes who are pioneering the sport. I'm your host, Craig Dalton, a lifelong cyclist who discovered gravel cycling back in 2016 and made all the mistakes you don't need to make. I approach each episode as a beginner to unlock all the knowledge you need to become a great gravel cyclist. This week on the show, we welcome Rich Snodsmith from Trek Travel. Rich is one of my oldest cycling friends. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:00:33 to 00:01:00 We met over 30 years ago, actually, in Italy. As you'll hear from our story, Rich and I were recently in Siena in Italy for the Strada Bianchi Gran Fondo trip. With track travel, we were able to watch both the professional bike race as well as participate in a 140 kilometer mass start. Gran Fondo across the white roads, the white gravel roads of Siena. Fantastic trip. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:01:00 to 00:01:10 I can't wait for you to hear more of the details. With that said, let's jump right into the show. Hey, Rich, welcome to the show. Hey, Craig, good to see you. Thanks for having me on. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:01:10 to 00:01:36 Yeah, absolutely. You and I just shared a magical experience on the roads and trails of Italy, which is the purpose of you joining this call. But you, you and I have a rich history, no pun intended, of cycling experiences in Italy. That's right. We met randomly in 1996 at the Lugano Cycling World Championships and have stayed friends ever since. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:01:36 to 00:01:51 Yeah, fortunately I. I eventually moved to San Francisco a few years later. So we were able to ride together, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, we were able to ride together for. Gosh, it's hard to believe it's three decades at this point, which is crazy to think about. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:01:51 to 00:02:14 My end of our Lugano story was I was working in Italy and my colleague, who we both know, Jeff Sanchez, said to me, going to go to the World Championships and oh, by the way, we have to go pick up Rich. He's going to be at the Duomo in Milan on the way. Pre cell phones, be there at 5:00. Don't be late. Yeah, exactly. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:02:14 to 00:02:34 So super fun to finally go back to Italy together. Obviously, we've been riding on the roads and trails of Marin county for a long time, but to finally have the stars align on this trip was fantastic. Yeah, it was great to get out there and do that again. We also saw another World Championships together in Richmond, Virginia. That's right, yeah. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:02:34 to 00:02:40 The thing for the World Championships, you've. Seen a few and we've got a future one. I Think in our plans, right? Oh, yeah. Montreal 2026. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:02:40 to 00:02:55 Let's go. There we go. See you there. So this, you put the idea of this trip in my mind probably December of last year. And the trip, to be specific, because I don't think we've mentioned it, although I probably mentioned it in the intro. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:02:55 to 00:03:09 Is the Strada Bianchi professional bike race trip with Trek Travel. Was it me that put it in your mind? I was asking you where you were going to go. I thought you. I thought you convinced me, but I was down as soon as you suggested it. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:03:11 to 00:03:52 It's interesting. Obviously, we're on a gravel cycling podcast and this is sort of a. A hybrid trip almost because we're road riding, but we're riding on the Strada Bianca, the white roads of Tuscany outside Siena. And for those listeners who are fans of both professional road racing and gravel cycling, I think Strada Bianchi is the race that gets us most excited because we see the coverage, we see the professional road riders riding on gravel, and the visuals are just awesome. And they're kind of like what we experience as gravel racers and riders routinely. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:03:52 to 00:04:19 But so cool to see all the pro bike teams go through and participate in the event. So I was super stoked, obviously. I'd been on a Trek Travel gravel tour in Girona a couple years prior, so I'd had that experience with Trek, but this is the first kind of pro bike race enabled tour that I'd ever been on. Yeah, I mean, it's really interesting to blend those things together. I mean, you being more of a gravel rider, me being more of a road rider. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:04:20 to 00:04:59 But the last few trips I've taken with Trek Travel have been gravel trips. You know, getting out there and trying new things, trying the Vermont trip, trying the Dolomites last year, this was just a really cool experience to put like my fandom of the road cycling and racing world along with this, like, almost instant classic. The race has only been around for 20 years and it's like, become a real fan favorite. Yeah, I was, I was looking up some of the history of the race and I didn't realize that it started out with Laroica, which is a. An event that many people have heard about where you ride vintage bikes on this course. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:04:59 to 00:05:18 And the professional bike race emerged. So the loraca started in 1997. In 2007 is when the professional bike race emerged. So it's interesting. And obviously being in that region and riding in that region, we saw signs of Loraka all over the place, right? Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:05:18 to 00:05:38 Yeah, we Even ate at the Laroica Cafe. That was incredible. Yeah, exactly. And I came home with a Loracha sweatshirt as well. And then the, the, the cool thing, and we probably failed to mention it at this point is there's the Gran Fondo the day after, after Strada Bianchi, which was awesome. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:05:38 to 00:05:59 So we actually get to go on a 140 kilometer rides. A ride on the similar roads as the professionals. Yeah, it's not the full men's road course, but it's pretty close to the women's road course and we cover all the last, you know, climbs, you know, that the. Both the men's and the women's race covered. That was really cool. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:05:59 to 00:06:21 Especially after seeing them finish the day before and then going out and riding those roads, seeing where Poga crashed and then, you know, doing that last 20k of climbs is just bananas, beautiful and hard. It was pretty rewarding that ride. I can't wait to get into that details a little bit more of the event later. I did. I'm. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:06:21 to 00:06:46 As I'm speaking, I misspoke because I have been to Europe once before around the Tour of Flanders and did the Tour of Flanders grandson do, which I noted. And in speaking to the Trek travel guides, you've got a series of awesome trips that month in Flanders of a similar vein. Right. You do have Perry Roubaix and. Or a Flanders trip. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:06:46 to 00:06:57 Yeah. You can choose the whole Holy Week, you could do both Flanders and Roubaix or you can break it into chunks and do one or the other. So it's. Yeah. If you're a pro race fan, that's a nice companion to Strat Bianca. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:06:57 to 00:07:10 The. The Flanders Roubaix ultimate weekend or ultimate week there. And then one of the highlights of the year, presumably for Trek travel is your Tour de France tours. For sure. We take over a couple hundred people there every year. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:07:11 to 00:07:19 We do usually do five or six trips through the Alps and the Pyrenees. It's. That's a pretty exciting one too, if you've never been to the Tour. For sure. Yeah. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:07:19 to 00:07:45 Well, let's talk through the trip a little bit that we participated in because I think it'll give people a flavor. I've talked about my, my experience with track in Girona and my general love of gravel travel. But more extensively, I love traveling by bike and having these experiences because it's just, it's just so much fun. So we start off the trip, it's a pretty quick trip relative to some others because in a five day timeline. Right. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:07:45 to 00:08:01 So we flew over. You'd Already been in Europe, but I flew over to Florence and met you the night before. And day one, we basically just get picked up by our guides and head on over to Siena, which is about an hour and a half away. Yep. And then the bikes. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:08:01 to 00:08:21 Yeah, straight onto the bikes. And the beauty of. The beauty of this trip and all the truck travel trips is they've got bikes already set up for you, so you send your measurements and if you want to ride your own saddles or pedals, you can, you're welcome to bring those, but they'll basically get it dialed. And that. That first day, I think we went for maybe an hour and a half shakeout ride just to see how the bike. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:08:21 to 00:08:31 30 miles. Yeah, yeah. And how many people were in our group. We had 19 with us and then three guides. Okay, so is that pretty typical on these pro bike? Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:08:31 to 00:08:46 Sort of. They tend to sell out. They're pretty popular. And guests will go back and forth between the Strada Bianca or. I think quite a few of the guests or folks that were on our trip had done the ultimate Holy Week trip before with Flanders and Roubaix and some had done the tour as well. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:08:46 to 00:09:03 Yeah. It was pretty fascinating talking to some of the men and women on our trip to learn just how many trips they had done with you guys. Yeah, it was neat to like show up and kind of already have the camaraderie of. A lot of the guests on that trip had been with Nick or Viba or Gio on previous trips. So they were. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:09:03 to 00:09:21 There was already sort of a built in fan base there. Yeah. And I suppose it's. I suppose it's the nature of this type of trip, but I felt like everybody in the crew was quite competent on the bike and there were some people who were faster than us, some people slower than us, but everybody was mostly faster. Yeah. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:09:21 to 00:09:25 There's an impressive riders on this trip. It was pretty, pretty great. Yeah. Yeah. And the. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:09:26 to 00:09:45 And the guides were equally impressive both, you know, across the week. Just getting to know them personally, seeing their fitness. A, but B. And more importantly, they're just understanding of all the sectors and the roads that we'd be riding and their, their love of Strada Bianchi. Yeah, the knowledge and passion for the race was definitely evident. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:09:45 to 00:09:57 It was pretty cool. Yeah. So we got a shakeout ride on the Monday or, sorry, on the first day of the trip. Yeah. And then the second day we went a bit longer and kind of got our first real look at some of the. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:09:57 to 00:10:19 The white roads. Yeah, we think it was a 50. It was a nice lead up to the Fondo because it was like a 30 mile day one, a 50 mile on day two, which was pretty challenging. It was, but not like back breaking. And then we went to the race to view the race viewing day, which was like a gentle 30 miles before the Fonda, which was kind of a nice way to structure the week. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:10:19 to 00:10:42 Yeah. When I think when I first looked at that mileage, I'm like, gosh, I'm going all the way to Italy. I just want to ride my ass off. But as, as it came down to it between like travel fatigue, it being earlier in the year, and the punchiness of those climbs we were experiencing on day two, like that was enough in sort of those first couple days. And I felt totally satisfied. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:10:42 to 00:10:56 Yeah, you can put in if you're doing the big options every day. You get 200 miles in, in four days, plus the race viewing. So it's, it's, I think it's a really well designed trip. It's, it is compact. But it's surprising how tired you can be after doing those four days. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:10:56 to 00:11:10 Yeah, yeah, a hundred percent. The elevation is pretty. Every day has a nice chunk of elevation gain. Yeah. And I think for, for us, like we don't have a ton of rolling hills around where we live, they said they tend to be more sustained. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:11:10 to 00:11:28 So it definitely felt different to me. I was feeling a little underprepared that, that 50 mile day, thinking, Gosh, we've got to do 90 plus in the Gran Fondo. It's going to be a long day out there. I'm not gonna lie. I don't think I said it during the trip, but I was a little worried after the first two days. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:11:28 to 00:11:39 I was grateful for the race watching like cool down day before the Fondo. It all worked out. But yeah, yeah, yeah. So we should, I mean, we should talk through a little bit. We'll get into race day next. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:11:39 to 00:12:05 But you know, basically every day after the ride, you just leave your bike and the team cleans it, takes care of it, puts it away. You've got really nothing to do but show up and eat and enjoy yourself in Siena. Yeah, take a nap, whatever you need. We, we stayed at a great hotel, the Hotel Athena, just right outside, like in Siena, but just outside the wall. So it was easy to walk like 10 minutes into town. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:12:06 to 00:12:24 Really, really great location. I mean, one of the best things about the Fondo day was waking up to a completely clean, like just power wash, power dried, chain lubed. It was like a brand new bike getting Ready to ride out to the start. It was pretty great. Clean bike is a fast bike, so I appreciate that. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:12:24 to 00:12:40 And shammy time's training time. That's right. But yeah, those guys work their butts off to keep those bikes in great shape every morning when you show up. Yeah, no doubt about that one. Sort of topography. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:12:40 to 00:12:50 Topography note. Siena is up on a hill. Yeah. And you know, that was like warm down. There's no warm down and there's no sort of. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:12:50 to 00:13:08 In the, in the early mornings when we were rolling out, we're going downhill for 5, 10 minutes no matter what. So it was quite cool on the road out in the rollout in March, for sure. We lucked out. We, the guides every day were saying, it's not usually like this. Like it was. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:13:08 to 00:13:18 We had like mid-60s during the day, every day. And it was. Fortunately we saw almost zero rain, which was great. Would have been tough to ride those roads in the mud. A hundred percent. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:13:18 to 00:13:38 And I think it just would have taken away from how much fun we had out on the course on the third day, which is. So we, we did ride maybe 15, 20K out to, I think sector number two on the women's and men's road course. Got to see the women come through, which is a lot of fun. Right, right on one of the. Those gravel roads. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:13:38 to 00:13:49 Cheer them on. We had ridden that road the day before and then we went to a cafe. Totally overwhelmed. This local cafe with 23 people needing locusts. Yeah. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:13:49 to 00:14:07 Yeah. I think ebay went in there and basically said, I will buy your entire rack of baked goods. And he just walked him outside and he's like, get the cappuccino machine going and keep them going until we say stop. Yeah, that was great. It was a nice break between the women's and the men's race. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:14:07 to 00:14:26 It was incredible to see, like the riders go through, but then you just see the apparatus of like all the, the sort of security cars, then all the team cars. And at a certain point, both of our videos, all you can see is dust. When you're on the gravel, when everybody's raging by in the team cars, it's like, there they go. And here come. Here comes the caravan, the follow caravan. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:14:26 to 00:14:40 It's pretty cool when the safety motorcycles come by and sort of just casually brush people a little bit further to the side of the road. Get, get closer to the curb, will you? Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was interesting. I mean, we didn't. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:14:40 to 00:14:53 We couldn't see much of the run up of the women's race, but there was Seemingly a fracture. Even at the point in which we started watching, I think there might have been a crash before the women's race. Pretty broken up outside of the main pack. Yeah, yeah. So it was cool. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:14:53 to 00:15:21 Yeah, they were going slow enough that you could kind of really see your, your favorite athletes cruise by, which is a lot of fun. And to your point, it is always cool seeing all the support the professional athletes get in the team cars. Yeah, it was interesting to see the breakaway. You know, in the men's race you had like a two or three minute breakaway. To see them go by first and then their car, their follow cars and then seeing the, the whole peloton and like UAE on the front clearly just ready to rip it. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:15:21 to 00:15:43 It was pretty cool. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we should mention that the, the night before with this trip, we had the opportunity, right, to meet the Lidl track team and we got to go on the, the, the tour bus, as I would call it, the, you know, the big bus that the riders hang out in before and after the race. No photos. Yeah, I was really excited to do some photos. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:15:43 to 00:15:53 Yeah. And they said no photos, no photos. And, and then we saw the, you know, the, the mechanics van with all the bikes. Mobile service course. That was incredible. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:15:53 to 00:16:01 Like. Yeah. How many bikes, wheels, chain, chain sets, tires. It's just like a. Incredible organization to get that all set up. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:16:01 to 00:16:09 Yeah. And then it was cool meeting. We got to meet the women's team and some of the men's team members. Do you remember who we got to talk to? We talked to the whole women's team. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:16:09 to 00:16:28 They all kind of came out. We sort of had dinner that night with them in the hotel. So we got to talk to mostly Ena Tutenberg, the director, Retta Hansen, great domestique. And then Lizzie Danan was pretty, they were pretty engaging, pretty, pretty fun to see them all chatting up and answering questions from our group. And we got to met. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:16:28 to 00:16:39 It was a little bit different with the men. They kind of came and went. But we got to meet the previous year's second place finisher Tom Scoins. That was really interesting to talk to him about his race. I think you talked a bit to Quinn Simmons. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:16:40 to 00:16:53 So we got to meet like a little bit of the whole team there, which was really cool. Yeah, it was cool. And probably not giving away any secrets. Say they, they had a buffet that was separate from our meal. They had scales to weigh their food. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:16:53 to 00:17:10 They were quite a bit more disciplined than our 19 person group. Yeah, that was, I was surprised to see that as well. I was with my back to them. So they're weighing their food, really, as I'm. As I'm shoveling my pescatarian options in. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:17:12 to 00:17:39 Um, so then we going back to race day, we see the men in the same location, then we ride ourselves back to Siena that day. Um, and I think we were able to go back to that. Well, I know we were able to go back to the hotel and then make it into the piazza for the time that the women were going to be finishing, which was awesome. We couldn't have timed it better. Yeah, it was great to get back to the hotel, drop off the bikes, grab a quick shower, and then head over there. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:17:39 to 00:18:06 To watch the last, like, 20k and see him come into the finish line was super, super exciting. It's just such a beautiful, scenic place to finish a bike race. We'll get into. I mentioned that it's up at the top of a hill, so we'll talk about what it's like finishing there, but just you've got this square that's not that big, a great, beautiful clock tower. And the imagery is just stunning. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:18:06 to 00:18:24 When they come around the final corner, there's people up in their apartments cheering them on from around the corner. And then you see a rider emerge or a sprint emerge to a slight downhill to the finish line. It's just an incredible scene. Yeah, it's pretty iconic. Like, if you think about, like, that finish line, compared to. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:18:24 to 00:18:44 You could compare it to, like, the finish in Roubaix on the velodrome or the finish on the Champs Elysees in France. It's a super, super different way to finish a bike race up that steep, the Santa Catarina steep climb into the compos. Just really unique. And we were able to get, I mean, super close to the. To the women's finish. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:18:44 to 00:18:51 Yeah, it was. That was sort of shocking how few people were there. It's sort of a bummer. We were there for the women's race. We're just going to say that now. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:18:51 to 00:19:16 So we were excited to be so close and to see the podium ceremony afterwards. But you got some great shots of Demi Vollering winning. And then we were standing right where they all finish, and they're all kind of, like, bottlenecked into this little corner and their whole team is surrounding them and people are congratulating them, and they all just look destroyed, and you're just like, wow, how can you get this close to such amazing athletes? But it was. It was really, really cool. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:19:16 to 00:19:36 Yeah, super cool. And then so we watched the celebration as they got their trophy and sprayed the champagne. We're almost close enough to get hit with champagne. I feel like that was cool. And then the track team had secured a lunch spot right on the piazza in one of the restaurants with the massive flat screen tv. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:19:36 to 00:20:02 So we were able to roll over there, joined lunch that was already in progress and watch the men's race on TV for a few hours. Yeah, that was like a really cool setup to see the women's finish go stuff our faces and, and keep track of the race while we did it and then be able to run right back outside to see the men finish in the same way. I mean it was pretty remarkable. I think we like getting kind of itchy with about 15, 20k to go. We're like, you ready? Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:20:02 to 00:20:35 Let's get out there, stake out our spot along the finish line. It was awesome. You know, being in North American, we don't always get to watch these events live as they're unfolding. So just sort of feel the energy and watch on the TV obviously that the Tom Pickock Pagachar breakaway was happening and we were all, I think all eyes were on the television at the point where they've got this great shot of Tade ripping around this corner and just hitting the deck. And I didn't think he was going to get up. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:20:35 to 00:20:47 I don't know about you. It looked, and the first time I saw it, it looked like he really wailed his head and he rolled far into the grass. Got catapulted into the grass. Yeah, yeah. I was absolutely shocked he was able to get up. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:20:47 to 00:21:22 And then it was nice to see Tom Pickock do the gentlemanly thing and you know, he, yeah, kind of shook his head after the crash but you know, clearly just soft pedaled until today came back to him. It was, it's incredible when you're either in the restaurant or like on the square with the Jumbotrons and something like that happens and you hear the whole crowd gasp, you know, like that, that like collective gasp of a few thousand people right next to you is like pretty like wow, that just happened. Exactly. A shocking mid race events for sure. Yeah, totally. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:21:22 to 00:21:50 And then once it was back on, like you said, I think with, with, you know, 15k today attacked maybe with 18k to go. And by 15 or 10k we were like, we gotta get out there and get on the streets and get right by the finish line again to see this. Yeah, it was incredible to see him come over the line first all battered and bloodied and he had, was so full of Adrenaline. He didn't say much until he got into the interviewing room. It's like right before he was going to go get his trophy that it kind of hurts now. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:21:50 to 00:22:15 It's like he had so much adrenaline to attack and finish the race, but as soon as the race is done, he's like, oh, I'm really scratched up. Yeah, he was totally tore up. And then the other interesting thing for me at the finish line was that, you know, not a lot of people actually finish the race, which is. I mean, as a professional, I get it. Like, you do your job, and then you and I will talk about how hard it is to get to the finish and. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:22:15 to 00:22:25 And why, if. If you weren't required to get there, maybe you don't get there. So I think maybe only, like, 20, 25 riders finished. Does that feel right to you? That sounds about right. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:22:25 to 00:22:39 Once. Once you're out of contention, there's not a whole lot of reason to struggle through. It was. It was incredible to stand there and watch the finishes that come through that just covered in dust, sometimes dust and blood and just looking shattered. Uh, and, yeah, was a little scary. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:22:39 to 00:22:53 Thinking about what we were going to do the next morning didn't help the nerves. No. Real quick shout out to Tade. I thought it was so classy. When he was being interviewed after the finish, they're like, hey, you're the first world champion to. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:22:53 to 00:23:00 To win Strada Bianche. And he's like, no, Lada Kapeki won last year. She was the champion. I love. I love that. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:23:00 to 00:23:08 It was so great. It's just, like, such a classy guy and sort of respect for the sport and his fellow athletes. Pretty cool. Yeah. 100%. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:23:09 to 00:23:26 Well giddy with our. Our race day experience, we then kind of went off to dinner and back to the hotel and needed to get our heads around what 140km on that course was going to look like for us in the gran fondo with 7,000 of our closest friends. Yeah. I'm not gonna lie. I was a little nervous about that start. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:23:26 to 00:23:33 Just not. Not about the. Well, okay. Maybe a little bit about the distance and the elevation, but just. Yeah. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:23:33 to 00:23:48 Do you want to talk about what that was like? Yeah. Like a starting bell go off and 7,000 people take off. I know you've done, like, SBT and Unbound, so it's probably not that different, but the scale was pretty large. Yeah. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:23:48 to 00:24:02 Yeah. I think, you know, the guides did a really good job of one, previewing us some of the terrain we were going to be on. Yeah. They gave us a lot of confidence that the Trek van was going to be there. So we, we had multiple drop bag locations. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:24:02 to 00:24:31 We knew they were going to be there for us, that we didn't have to go to the mass, you know, rest stop areas, which was a super luxury. So we're on the Trek Checkpoint SLR bikes with 45C gravel tires on them. So, you know, pretty robust bicycle for this kind of event. When you compare to what a lot of people were riding. I think the professionals were still on 28 or 30s and full slicks. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:24:31 to 00:24:46 So interesting from an equipment perspective. And that'll come up, I think, in our conversation. But we get up at 6am we go down to breakfast. You and I are roommates. We go down to breakfast at like 6:01 and every single table is occupied. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:24:46 to 00:25:02 We're sort of fighting for space. This is clearly everybody's fueling up. There's, you know, dozens and dozens and dozens of people in the hotel who are going to go on the same journey we are. I think our rollout time from the hotel was 7:00am does that sound right? That sounds right. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:25:02 to 00:25:12 Yeah. Yeah. So we, we had to go down a hill. This detail wasn't clear in my mind morning of. But we had to ride somewhere to start the event. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:25:12 to 00:25:29 And of course, being in Siena, we had to ride downhill. And then right back then we, and then we rode back up to another part of town. And there were multiple different staging areas based on a color on your number plate. So we kind of fumbled around. Maybe there was five or five different colors out there. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:25:29 to 00:25:41 I think we were in the, the green sector and there's. There had to have been 1500 people in our sector alone. Yeah, it was. I think it was based on distance you were doing and maybe the speed you were going to ride. I'm not sure. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:25:41 to 00:26:10 Yeah, yeah, there could be something like if you're demonstrably a fast person, you're going to go in a different color than us. But, you know, we've been, we be in particular had mentioned, like, it's crazy town to begin with in this event. And I think in addition to 7,000 people being around you, we started with a massive downhill. Yeah, there were a lot of people going really fast. It was good advice. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:26:10 to 00:26:30 He was saying, you know, kind of keep your space and kind of stay to the right because people are going to want to pass on the left. And they were certainly doing that. So, yeah, I think we stayed together or within close proximity just to, you know, for the first. Like you said, the first Hour or so to navigate some of that. But once we hit that first section of dirt, I saw the. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:26:30 to 00:26:46 I saw the robot eyes go on, and you were gone. You're like, dirt. My comfort zone. I wasn't so comfortable with all these people flying around me. I remember at one point you and I were sort of casually riding maybe like three feet apart. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:26:46 to 00:27:07 Yeah. And someone just splits the middle. And I was like, okay, I guess we gotta ride closer if we're gonna discourage these people from dive bombing. And they were dive bombing left, right, and center, no matter what we did. Yeah, there was a lot of passing on the right, passing in weird places, and a lot of people just sinistra passing on the left. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:27:07 to 00:27:13 I'm on your left. I'm going hard. It was like. And. And my problem is I never internalized which one was right or left. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:27:13 to 00:27:22 So I would just kind of keep it a straight line whenever possible. Hold still. Yeah. So, yeah, there's. I mean, I think blissfully in terms of the amount of mileage we needed to cover. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:27:22 to 00:27:57 It was nice that there was, I don't know, call it 20k of riding on pavement to break things up a little bit before we hit the first dirt section. First dirt section was 2.1km long. Still pretty packed in terms of people being around, but definitely, like, I felt more personally in my comfort zone at that point. I knew that from an equipment perspective, with the 45C tires, I had a lot more control than a lot of the. My Italian compatriots who were riding 25s and 28s on their full arrow road bikes. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:27:57 to 00:28:16 There were a lot of flat tires in that first couple hours. Yeah, yeah, no doubt there was. There was some parallels with the unbound experience where it's just crazy and flat tires are happening all the time. That was the nice thing about the checkpoint. Like, the tires are, you know, a little bit bigger, but no, no one on the ride got a flat. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:28:16 to 00:28:30 And that's just really comfortable. Like in a ride like that where it's. It can be pretty challenging, both from a elevation perspective, but also just a terrain perspective, just getting bounced around a bit. It was, if I felt pretty. Pretty good at the end, surprisingly. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:28:30 to 00:28:48 Yeah. I think for. I think for. For people who haven't done a ton of gravel riding, it was a confidence inspiring choice to set them up that way because you could go in as someone who's ridden on the road a ton and ride that gravel and not feel like the bike was all over the place. Yeah. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:28:48 to 00:29:06 Totally sketchy. I mean, it's Totally stable under you. Yeah, I witnessed some sketchy, sketchy stuff out there with people and not nothing to do with their bikes handling talents. It was just equipment choice. They like literally could not stay on their line because of their tires being. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:29:06 to 00:29:29 So much smaller and rim brakes on some of those things. The descents, I mean there's. We talk about the climbs but like even some of the descents were, you know, somewhat challenging to navigate, especially with a group. It really kind of opened up once you made the turn to the, the longer part of the event. The, the full fondo and then it kind of really opened up for us like where there was riders but not nearly. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:29:30 to 00:29:51 Yeah, yeah, a hundred percent. And I think it's a good, it's a good point. On the descending it definitely was. You could definitely see the people who had either just confidence warranted or unwarranted or the right bike for the situation. Yeah, because I was, you know, there were definitely stutter bumps from all the riders out there. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:29:51 to 00:30:11 So you definitely got into situations where you were, you were getting a lot of feedback from the trail. Yeah, it's amazing to have ridden some of those roads in the first couple of days. I think they actually go through and they grade it before the race. Like they try to kind of smooth it out a little bit. But after, you know, two races go through with all the cars and all the riders, the conditions have changed in one day pretty significantly. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:30:11 to 00:30:23 It was pretty interesting. Yeah. Yeah. In total there's 10 different gravel sectors in this event over the 140km. I think there's 50km of gravel riding. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:30:23 to 00:30:43 So it was a nice mix of. Felt like more in a good way. Yeah, for me, for me I was just like, I was way more comfortable on the. Not way more comfortable, but I was having way more fun. Yeah, I think you alluded to like after the, after the two, first two gravel sections I would just hit one and be like, okay, it's on. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:30:43 to 00:31:07 And I was having, I was just having a blast. And yeah, some of these climbs, I mean they were 15, 18% grade, both up and down and a lot of. Them are in the last 20k. Yeah, that's for sure. I remember one, one sector I was just kind of talking to myself and having fun because most everybody speaks Italian and I didn't. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:31:07 to 00:31:35 So I remember at one point a writer just closed the door on the left hand side to another rider and I, I sort of jokingly said, but fairly loud, I guess that door is closed. And it turned out the guy was from the UK and He was just dying laughing because I think he was having the same experience with me. Like, nothing I said really landed with anybody. So it's hard to kind of. You just sort of make noise to make yourself aware and obviously ride as safely as possible. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:31:35 to 00:31:55 Yeah, it was, it was a super, like, challenging experience, but it was like. I don't know if you felt the same as super rewarding, especially like getting through that last 20k and hitting, you know, the Toll Fe climb, getting up the Santa Catarina, like, those are. Those are steep climbs. I don't talk about that experience that you had coming up. A couple of those. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:31:55 to 00:32:19 Yeah, for sure. I mean, those were later in the day. And we're talking 10 kilometer long sectors at this point, which was cool because the earlier ones were shorter, you know, as I mentioned, like 4k, 5k. So to get on the longer ones and then some of the. You were just looking at these beautiful gravel roads going through the Tuscan hillsides. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:32:19 to 00:32:34 Yeah, it was super cool. And we, we sort of hadn't mentioned in the previous days we'd seen castles and old brick towns and, like, we definitely had this. It was, it was a beautiful ride. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Even when you're suffering, at least you got something to look at. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:32:35 to 00:32:45 That's pretty. Exactly. And I didn't know enough about the route. Like, I didn't agonize over it. Like, you know, I might have done unbound to try to figure out, like, how am I going to survive this thing? Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:32:45 to 00:33:06 It was kind of more by the seat of our pants. And that, that one long climb up. I think it's the Tofe pass where we met Gio in the van. Like, that was more than I had expected because it was like, just felt like a long gravel grind. And it was interesting just experiencing that and seeing the fans on the side of the road encouraging you. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:33:06 to 00:33:21 And then you, you kind of crest out on the ridge line back onto the pavement. Yeah. And the van's there and you're just. Like, oh, great, thank goodness, just where you're supposed to be. And you could look back watching everybody coming up the hill. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:33:21 to 00:33:33 And it was so funny. So you, you hadn't arrived yet. We had gotten separated for a bit, and an Irish rider comes up with two friends. And he. And he's like, hey, do you guys have any tape? Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:33:33 to 00:33:44 Oh, yeah, yeah. Maybe you were there. Gio's like, well, what do you need tape for? And he's like, my, my look pedal. The entire back end of the pedal has fallen off. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:33:44 to 00:33:54 So basically he's got Zero purchase. Yeah. And he's like, my friends are tired of pushing me up these hills. Do you have any tape? And Gio's like, don't be ridiculous. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:33:54 to 00:34:06 Like, tape's not gonna do anything. How about breaking away? Yeah. How about we give you a set of pedals, a set of cleats, you just return them. Back in Siena, we're all going to the same place. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:34:06 to 00:34:12 Yeah. Yeah. Such a nice gesture. The guy sat there, put his cleats on, then ended up finishing the race. That was cool. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:34:12 to 00:34:34 Or the ride. Yeah. That's super cool. Gio also mentioned that Quinn Simmons, the professional rider from Lidl Trek, he had flatted out of the race the day before. And it turns out he showed up at the Trek van because he was riding the Gran Fondo with his mom and dad, and he had yet another flat, and Geo gave him a tube to kick him down the road. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:34:35 to 00:34:51 Mobile bike shop. Yeah. Gotta love it. And that. Once we got on that ridgeline, it was awesome because we did have a substantial amount of road riding ahead of us for a while, which I'm sure I could speak for both of us was a bit of a relief to just be able to cruise. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:34:51 to 00:35:00 It was a lot of downhilling at that point. We got into some good groups, and we were just. Just kind of motoring and putting some kilometers under our belt. And you can start to see the city. So you. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:35:00 to 00:35:12 You got your sight line for your finish. Yeah, it's pretty cool. And then I think we were in good spirits. We rolled up with a couple of our. Our trip mates along the way, which was fun to kind of ride with those guys. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:35:12 to 00:35:17 Roll up. Patrick and Perry. Exactly. Good guys. Very strong. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:35:17 to 00:35:23 Yeah. Roll up to that van. And we're like. They're like, great. You know, great you guys are here. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:35:23 to 00:35:34 Let's get you situated. What do you need? Let's get you some more food, et cetera. And then it kind of dawned on, I think, both of us that we knew how much elevation we were needing to have done. I think It's. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:35:34 to 00:35:45 Was it 7,000ft over the course of the day? Yeah. And we hadn't yet hit 5.5,000ft of. Climbing, and there wasn't much longer to go. Yeah, I'm like, there's a. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:35:45 to 00:36:07 There's a big disconnect here. I got a big problem because it seems like we don't have a lot of mileage, and we've got a lot of vertical feet to cover. So that was a little bit of a heady moment, but it was nice to like, have sort of had a reset, get some food, get a little more warm clothes on if we needed it, and then head off on those last sectors. It's like, yeah. That's why I knew I could make it. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:36:07 to 00:36:15 I knew it was going to be hard, but I was like, okay, I'm just going to kind of strap in. Let's go. Yeah. Yeah, we had that. I think both of us misunderstood. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:36:16 to 00:36:41 We had asked about this steep climb we had ridden two days before and how far up it was, and I think they were thinking about the dirt sector, and we were talking about this vicious road, and it was right after the rest stop. Yeah, it's right after the rest stop. Like, oh, there it is. It's right here. And this was like the type of climb, even fresh, you sort of think about doing the paper boy weave back and forth on the course. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:36:41 to 00:36:50 When you. You can see it from a half mile away, you're like, oh, no. Is that where we're going? Yeah. And then a couple more tough gravel climbs after that point. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:36:50 to 00:36:55 Yeah. Then we got into. Really. Yeah, it was. It was. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:36:55 to 00:37:05 Yeah. And it's funny, I mean, that very much felt like, to me, like the. The end of a big gravel event. Where, you know, you're like almost single tracky. Like, when you get up to the ridge, there was kind of. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:37:05 to 00:37:24 Yeah. Switch back, little single track, kind of super cool. I got some good pictures of you and Perry coming up there, and. And then we kind of. We get into some small towns and starts feeling like we're getting close to Siena because we'd ridden back into Siena a few times, cruising, riding with Patrick and a few other guys. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:37:24 to 00:37:42 And then we hit the climb into Siena, and. Holy God. I mean, this thing is, I don't know, maybe 16, 17% at the end. You kind of climb up the pavement just to soften your legs up a little bit. You go through one of the gates of Siena, one of the. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:37:42 to 00:38:13 From the wall of Siena, and then you. These big cobbles, and you're riding up this chute that you just see probably a quarter mile up ahead of you, and there's fans on the side of the road, there's riders struggling to get up. And it's just this epic scene that you have seen now from watching the pro bike race. You'd seen the riders go up it. And I just remember feeling like just very part of the cycling community and cycling world in Siena at that moment. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:38:13 to 00:38:26 Yeah, it was fun. There are a lot of friends and family for tons of those riders out there. So they Were still cheering people on late in the day. So it kind of felt like you were like wrapping up your own personal strada bianchi race. A lot of people shouting at you to keep, keep pushing. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:38:26 to 00:38:41 It was really fun to kind of come into the city like that. I had a little bit of a break in my story because I kind of crusted that climb. And then we came to an intersection and there was riders going both ways. And I took a left and I'm. And then I. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:38:41 to 00:38:48 I'm riding and like, this doesn't feel right. And I. I asked some riders, I'm like, is this the way to the finish? And they're. They were. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:38:48 to 00:38:57 It was English as a second language. They're like, no, this is the pasta party. I didn't hear, Jesus. Oh, Jesus. I went the wrong way. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:38:57 to 00:39:17 So I turned around and then rolled around the corner. And then you roll into the piazza. You got this, you know, the big clock tower. You go across the same finish line as the pros that we watched before. Just super cool conclusion to an amazing day out there. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:39:18 to 00:39:25 And you get your metal, your finisher metal. Got my meter. Yeah, exactly. The 10 years of the Gran Fondo. Yeah, that was pretty. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:39:25 to 00:39:33 That was a pretty nicely designed metal. I didn't realize it was the 10th anniversary. That was pretty cool. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And then I think everybody. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:39:33 to 00:39:47 Everybody on the team finished. Yeah, on our crew, we had some doing the. The medium length one, some doing the long one, which we did. I think everybody, at minimum has some great stories to tell their friends when they went home. Yeah, it was. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:39:47 to 00:40:08 It was a big day, but it was definitely worth it. I think everybody. I think no one really said anything the night before, but I think a few people were a little bit nervous about it, but everybody was, like, super just stoked to arrive in the compo after the ride and just be like, that was amazing. Especially after watching the race the day before. Yeah, a hundred percent. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:40:08 to 00:40:19 Yeah. In hindsight, like, it was. It was a week that was packed with. Packed with things to do. There was a nice progression of the mileage. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:40:19 to 00:40:34 We didn't overcook my grits prior to the event, so I gave myself the best chance of having a good day out there. Yeah, it was hard and intimidating, which I loved. Right. But totally doable and. And certainly well supported along the way. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:40:34 to 00:40:49 Whether it was from the. The Gran Fondo organizers or Trek's additional support level. Like, it just felt like a great accomplishment and felt it couldn't be more satisfied with my trip to Italy. Yeah, I'm Glad to hear it. It was great to have you there. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:40:49 to 00:41:06 It was 30 years in the making, so, yeah, it wouldn't have been nearly as fun without you there, so. Exactly. Well, it was fun reminiscing a bit, as I'm sure we'll continue to do over the years. It's such a monumental trip we had. And thanks for coming on. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:41:06 to 00:41:42 Thanks for everything you guys do at Trek Travel, for sure. I think you're the third Trek travel person we've had over here. I've appreciated, as I've advocated to the audience, like, Trek's put a lot of energy into gravel tourism and gravel travel, and it's a great way to go see some of these communities you've read about. And particularly in the. For me, the European trips, just to experience the culture and have the guides with local knowledge has always been this, like, additional bit of je ne sais quoi about what that European experience is like. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:41:42 to 00:41:52 Yeah, there's a lot of great gravel over there. Yeah. Check us out, travel.com a good pitch. Lots of good trips in the States and in Europe, so. Yeah, exactly. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:41:52 to 00:42:03 And if you're interested in Strada Bianca, it is a trip that sells out. It's obviously in March every year. I think you can already sort of reserve a spot on Trek Travels website. It's getting close. Yeah. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:42:03 to 00:42:12 You can sort of put yourself on a wait list. Yeah. And there's still. I don't know if there's still room in the Holy Week trips to Flanders and Roubaix. Okay. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:42:12 to 00:42:19 That one goes fast. Like, we're pretty close to sold out for that one. You got to get in early. And same with the Tour. It's pretty well booked. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:42:19 to 00:42:42 Even the Tour de Familes, the Women's Tour de France, is nearly sold out for this year, which is really exciting. Amazing. And I can't wait for you to have some gravel race trips in the future as well. I think it would be a fun way of doing some of these events. People who aren't necessarily racing but want to go to somewhere like SBT or to Unbound or. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:42:42 to 00:42:53 I know you already have a trip to Bentonville, but it is kind of an interesting idea. I think you guys should play around with, connect the two. Yeah. Yeah. What would it be like to bring a group of people who just want to experience that. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:42:53 to 00:43:04 That area in a deeper way and have a little bit of extra support in some of these milestone gravel events? Yeah, for sure. I think Unbound would be an interesting one, for sure. Yeah. Cool. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:43:04 to 00:43:15 All right, well, I will let you go. Hopefully I even see you this weekend and we can do some riding and reminisce some more. Yeah. See you up in up in Marin. Sounds good. Rich Snodsmith (Guest) | 00:43:15 to 00:43:31 Take care, Craig. Good to see you. That's going to do it for this week's edition of the Gravel Ride Podcast. Big thanks to Rich for coming on the show. And a big thanks to Trek Travel for all the great gravel cycling experiences they offer around the world. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:43:31 to 00:44:13 Top notch organization that's dedicating a lot of time and energy into the gravel world. So if you're a fan of professional bike racing and want to have an experience like I did at Stradabianca, go check them out@trektravel.com obviously they've got the other spring classics and the Tour de France, both men and women, as options for you, but also a bunch of fantastic gravel trips to Bentonville, to Switzerland, to Vermont, to Girona, all over the world. So again, go hit them up@trektravel.com and let them know that the Gravel Ride podcast sent you. Until next time, here's to finding some dirt under your wheels. Craig Dalton (Host) | 00:44:27 to 00:44:27 SA.  

Massimo Arcangeli"Parole in cammino"Il festival dell'italiano e delle lingue d'Italiahttps://www.ilfestivaldellalinguaitaliana.it/Dal 10 al 13 aprile, a Siena, in numerose sedi cittadine, si terrà l'edizione 2025 di “Parole in cammino – Il festival dell'italiano e delle lingue d'Italia”.L'evento è pensato come un itinerario sull'italiano fra passato, presente e futuro, senza trascurare il contributo portato alla storia linguistica, sociale, culturale del nostro paese dalle tante altre “lingue” presenti sul territorio (dialetti, lingue minoritarie, linguaggi giovanili, lingue di contatto, gerghi tecnologici), dalle maggiori lingue di cultura (con riferimento alla traduzione letteraria, alle parole “in viaggio”, ecc.), dalla comunicazione non verbale (lingua dei segni, linguaggio del corpo).L'apertura del festival si terrà il 10 aprile, alle ore 14.30, nella Sala Italo Calvino del Complesso museale Santa Maria della Scala (piazza Duomo).Parole in cammino è un festival itinerante dell'italiano e delle lingue d'Italia nato a Siena nel 2017 e approdato a Firenze nel 2021 e a Grosseto nel 2022.L'evento, promosso dall'associazione La parola che non muore, in collaborazione con l'associazione – e testata giornalistica specializzata – La Voce della Scuola, si è sviluppato negli anni con il sostegno, il partenariato, la collaborazione di diversi soggetti, fra pubblici e privati (la Regione Toscana, il Comune di Siena, il Comune di Firenze, l'Università per Stranieri di Siena, l'Università degli Studi di Siena, l'Università degli Studi di Firenze, la Fondazione Montepaschi, la Fondazione Zeffirelli, la Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati, la Biblioteca delle Oblate, le Biblioteche Comunali Fiorentine, la contrada senese della Chiocciola, l'Accademia della Crusca, la Società Dante Alighieri, il Ministero degli Affari Esteri, il Ministero dell'Istruzione, Rai Radio 3, Canale 5, la UniCoop Firenze, le case editrici Zanichelli e Mondadori Education, la Fondazione Unicampus San Pellegrino, la Rete dei Licei Classici e molti altri), è pensato come un itinerario sull'italiano fra passato, presente e futuro, senza trascurare il contributo portato alla storia linguistica, sociale, culturale del nostro paese dalle tante altre “lingue” presenti sul territorio (dialetti, lingue minoritarie, linguaggi giovanili,lingue di contatto, gerghi tecnologici, ecc.), dalle maggiori lingue di cultura (con riferimento alla traduzione letteraria, alle parole “in viaggio”, ecc.), dalla comunicazione non verbale (la lingua dei segni, il linguaggio del corpo).Dal 28 al 30 aprile a FirenzeUn itinerario sull'italiano fra passato, presente e futuro, senza trascurare il contributo portato alla storia linguistica, sociale, culturale del nostro Paese dalle tante altre “lingue” presenti sul territorio, dai dialetti ai linguaggi giovanili, dalle lingue di cultura (con riferimento alla traduzione letteraria) alla comunicazione non verbale. Dal 28 al 30 aprile torna “Parole in cammino. Festival dell'italiano e delle lingue d'Italia”, con tanti appuntamenti in diversi luoghi della città (auditorium del Consiglio regionale, Biblioteca delle Oblate, Educandato Santissima Annunziata).Dall'esplorazione delle canzoni che hanno “fatto” l'italiano, con il linguista Lorenzo Coveri, al linguaggio delle generazioni Zeta e Alpha con Beatrice Cristalli (consulente in editoria scolastica, formatrice e linguista), alle parole che includono con Luciana De Laurentiis (formatrice ed esperta di comunicazione) e a quelle che invece escludono, con il linguista Federico Faloppa, tante le occasioni di confronto.Quest'anno i premi “Visioni” sono assegnati, fra gli altri, ai giornalisti Emma D'Aquino e Sigfrido Ranucci. Durante il festival sarà anche fatto un primo bilancio dell'iniziativa dedicata alla “parola giovane dell'anno”, ossia una parola o un'espressione dell'uso giovanile particolarmente significativa: a dicembre la proclamazione di quella vincitrice. Con il sostegno di Unicoop Firenze. Ingresso libero. IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

Sergio Colalucci, presidente della Gelato World Cup. Le novità in fatto di gusti... per la stagione calda! E poi: il gelato salato, come si mangia? Come distinguere un buon gelato artigianale fatto con latte di qualità? Che prezzo medio dovrebbe avere al chilo? Ora parliamo di musica perché viene a trovarci un artista con una carriera lunghissima, autore di successi che sicuramente conoscete e che è in tour con il suo ultimo lavoro: è con noi Amedeo Minghi! Primavera, tempo di gite scolastiche. O forse no. Troppo care, troppi rischi (civili e penali) per gli insegnanti che accompagnano. Così in molti istituti non si riescono a fare. Ne parliamo con Daniele Grassucci di Skuola.net.. Si corre oggi la Milano Marathon, di cui RTL 102.5 è radio ufficiale! Ci colleghiamo con Luigi Santarelli da Piazza del Duomo per la partenza! I numeri delle borse dopo l'annuncio dei dazi americani sono preoccupanti. E a noi cosa succede? Lo chiediamo ad Antonio Villafranca, vicepresidente dell'ISPI, l'Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale. I fatti di attualità con il direttore de Il Mattino, Roberto Napoletano.

This soundwalk takes the listener right up to the foot of one of the world's most iconic structures, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Recorded by Colin Hunter. ——————— This sound is part of the Sonic Heritage project, exploring the sounds of the world's most famous sights. Find out more and explore the whole project: https://www.citiesandmemory.com/heritage

In this episode, Kimberly and Tommaso recount their visit to Modena, Italy. They describe the city's attractions, from balsamic vinegar to Ferrari. They also discuss travel safety tips and the upcoming changes to the podcast schedule. Key Points: Podcast Schedule Update: Beginning the first Wednesday of April, the podcast will switch to two episodes per month for a few months. This change is due to scheduling constraints. Travel Safety Advice: Travelers to the Napoli area should be aware of recent earthquake activity. Visitors should note the location of their country's consulate. A grab-and-go bag with essential documents is recommended. Recent heavy rains caused flooding in Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and parts of Emilia-Romagna. Modena's Centro Storico: Kimberly and Tommaso visited Modena, known for its balsamic vinegar and Ferrari. Kimberly recalls fond memories of buying balsamic vinegar during her time in Milan. The city was decorated for Christmas, with a unique style of lighting the streets. The hosts admired the lack of crowds in Piazza Grande. Modena was originally a Roman colony called Mutina. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Modena has three UNESCO-recognized architectural masterpieces. The Duomo is a Romanesque building that took 220 years to build. The Bell Tower of the Duomo is known as Ghirlandina. The Piazza Grande is the third UNESCO site. Famous Modenese Figures: Luciano Pavarotti, the famous tenor, was from Modena. His home slightly outside the city is now a museum. Chef Massimo Bottura, who runs Osteria Francescana, is also from Modena. Giuseppe Giusti Balsamic Vinegar: The Giusti family has been producing balsamic vinegar since 1605. The shop on Piazza Grande has a very alluring interior. Kimberly and Tommaso tasted and purchased various vinegars. They paired the vinegar with parmigiano and Brunello upon returning home. Ferrari Museum: The museum focuses on the life and work of Enzo Ferrari. The museum showcases noteworthy Ferrari automobiles. The design and color of the cars, as well as the devotion to each car, stood out. The exit features a quote from Enzo Ferrari: “The best Ferrari ever built, is the next one.” Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

Verso la fine del secolo XIX, in Italia, la didattica organistica iniziò ad ammiccare lo sguardo verso nuovi orizzonti. La disciplina dell'accompagnamento alla tastiera del canto gregoriano, infatti, andò ad affiancarsi allo studio di una prassi tanto antica quanto difficilmente codificata in forma scritta e in maniera sistematica nei secoli precedenti: l'improvvisazione organistica. A prestare attenzione a questo dato di fatto, riferendolo alla prestigiosa attività musicale svolta nel Duomo di Milano è Claudio Cardani. Partendo dalla fine del Seicento per arrivare agli inizi del Novecento. Cardani ha pazientemente raccolto - in una pubblicazione edita dall'Associazione Serassi - gli elementi che fanno la storia del ruolo dell'improvvisazione organistica nella pratica liturgica della Cappella milanese. Lo ha fatto descrivendo le modalità con cui la Fabbrica del Duomo gestiva i diversi incarichi musicali, l'analisi dei regolamenti e dei bandi di Concorsi le cui prove dimostrano che la quasi totalità degli interventi organistici erano di carattere improvvisativo. Claudio Cardani è ospite al microfono di Giovanni Conti.

Chaque semaine dans Destination RTL, Bernard Sabbah vous accompagne avec ses meilleurs conseils et vous inspire pour vos futurs voyages. Dans cet épisode, partez à la découverte de Florence, la « cité du Lys » et le berceau de la Renaissance. Laissez-vous séduire par cette ville-musée en flânant sur la Piazza del Duomo, en admirant un coucher de soleil depuis l'esplanade Michel-Ange et en traversant l'emblématique Ponte Vecchio.

MILANO (ITALPRESS) - Bagno di folla per la Ferrari a Milano, davanti al Castello Sforzesco, dove è andata in scena la presentazione della Scuderia di Maranello in vista della nuova stagione di Formula 1, con il primo Gran Premio in programma in Australia il 16 marzo. In un evento in grande stile organizzato in collaborazione con UniCredit, i due piloti della "Rossa" Lewis Hamilton e Charles Leclerc hanno entusiasmato gli appassionati, effettuando dei giri dimostrativi lungo un tracciato cittadino allestito per l'occasione. La collaborazione tra la Rossa e il gruppo bancario è un'alleanza basata sull'innovazione e la creazione di nuovi servizi ed esperienze per i clienti di UniCredit e i tifosi della Scuderia Ferrari, con il motto “Legati nella passione. Uniti nell'eccellenza”. xh7/sat/gsl

MILANO (ITALPRESS) - Bagno di folla per la Ferrari a Milano, davanti al Castello Sforzesco, dove è andata in scena la presentazione della Scuderia di Maranello in vista della nuova stagione di Formula 1, con il primo Gran Premio in programma in Australia il 16 marzo. In un evento in grande stile organizzato in collaborazione con UniCredit, i due piloti della "Rossa" Lewis Hamilton e Charles Leclerc hanno entusiasmato gli appassionati, effettuando dei giri dimostrativi lungo un tracciato cittadino allestito per l'occasione. La collaborazione tra la Rossa e il gruppo bancario è un'alleanza basata sull'innovazione e la creazione di nuovi servizi ed esperienze per i clienti di UniCredit e i tifosi della Scuderia Ferrari, con il motto “Legati nella passione. Uniti nell'eccellenza”. xh7/sat/gsl

MILANO (ITALPRESS) - Bagno di folla per la Ferrari a Milano, davanti al Castello Sforzesco, dove è andata in scena la presentazione della Scuderia di Maranello in vista della nuova stagione di Formula 1, con il primo Gran Premio in programma in Australia il 16 marzo. In un evento in grande stile organizzato in collaborazione con UniCredit, i due piloti della "Rossa" Lewis Hamilton e Charles Leclerc hanno entusiasmato gli appassionati, effettuando dei giri dimostrativi lungo un tracciato cittadino allestito per l'occasione. La collaborazione tra la Rossa e il gruppo bancario è un'alleanza basata sull'innovazione e la creazione di nuovi servizi ed esperienze per i clienti di UniCredit e i tifosi della Scuderia Ferrari, con il motto “Legati nella passione. Uniti nell'eccellenza”. xh7/sat/gsl

Viu el món amb Viatges Magon és un espai en el que podem apropar-nos a l'oferta de viatges que han preparat des de l'agència de viatges. En el calendari del 2025 és fàcil trobar diferents ponts; el pont del 1 de març, el pont de Setmana Santa, el pont del dia primer de maig,... Segons si disposes de la possibilitat d'aprofitar aquests ponts, pots gaudir de petites vacances dins l'any, a preus increibles i amb la possibilitat de visitar indrets increíbles com Nàpols, Marrakesh o destins similars.  Si busques una destinació plena d'història, cultura i gastronomia, Nàpols i Marràqueix són opcions excepcionals. Cadascuna ofereix una experiència autèntica i inoblidable. Nàpols, la ciutat del caràcter mediterrani Nàpols, al sud d'Itàlia, és una ciutat vibrant amb un patrimoni històric impressionant. Els seus carrers plens de vida estan marcats per edificis barrocs, mercats bulliciosos i vistes espectaculars al Vesuvi. Destaca el seu centre històric, Patrimoni de la Humanitat per la UNESCO, amb joies com el Duomo, el Castel dell'Ovo i la Via San Gregorio Armeno, famosa pels seus artesans de pessebres. Gastronòmicament, Nàpols és el bressol de la pizza. No et pots perdre una autèntica "Margherita" en una pizzeria històrica. A més, la seva proximitat a Pompeia i la Costa Amalfitana la converteixen en una base ideal per explorar la regió. Marràqueix, la perla del sud del Marroc Marràqueix és una ciutat exòtica i fascinant, plena de colors, olors i sons que et transporten a un altre temps. La seva famosa Medina, amb el soc animat, ofereix artesania, espècies i tèxtils tradicionals. La Plaça Jemaa el-Fna es transforma cada vespre en un espectacle de cultura viva amb músics, encantadors de serps i parades de menjar. Els seus palaus, com el de Bahia, i els seus jardins, com els Majorelle, aporten un toc d'elegància. La gastronomia marroquina, amb el cuscús i el tajine, és un altre punt fort. Nàpols i Marràqueix ofereixen experiències autèntiques que et faran viure la seva essència al màxim.

Per la 100esima puntata, un luogo speciale di Milano: il Duomo!Testo: https://bit.ly/41DY0DS

Quelli seri scriverebbero che è una trilogia: ho scritto tre post sull'attenzione e su come averla al minor prezzo possibile, che è uno dei modi più semplice per descrivere la P di promozione del marketing. Dopo il FantaSanremo e il sistemone di engagement e loyalty (come TIM Party), oggi tocca al marketing fuori dal duopolio. E dall'influencer marketing.Grazie a Ecommerce School – prima scuola di formazione e agenzia ecommerce in Italia – per il supporto a questa edizione. Sei tra le circa 25.000 persone iscritte tra qui, LinkedIn, Telegram e WhatsApp: grazie, spero che le 3,8 ore per scriverla ti siano state utili. A proposito, che ne dici di presentare il tuo brand nella newsletter come ha fatto oggi Ecommerce School? Dai un'occhiata per sponsorizzare nel 2025. Il quiz della settimanaNeinver, uno dei principali operatori di outlet in Europa, ha fatto segnare uno scontrino medio per visitatore nel 2024 di: Risposta in fondo.(Ehi, ti chiedo un attimo di attenzione per lo sponsor!)A che punto è il tuo e-commerce?Che tu stia cercando di lanciarne uno nuovo o voglia scalare verso nuovi mercati, capire il livello di maturità digitale della tua azienda è fondamentale, per non sprecare tempo e risorse.Per questo ecco un Test di Maturità Digitale che ti posizionerà in uno di questi quattro profili:* Hai un brand forte ma il canale e-commerce è ancora da costruire* L' e-commerce esiste ma fatica a crescere* Il tuo canale digitale funziona ma vuoi aumentare significativamente il ROI* Hai un e-commerce maturo e cerchi strategie di scalingScoprirai quali sono i tuoi punti di forza e le azioni per il tuo livello di sviluppo.Per chi legge [mini]marketing è disponibile una consulenza gratuita con un tutor: un'occasione per valutare l'evoluzione digitale della tua azienda e le sue specifiche esigenze.E per chi vuole accelerare davvero, Ecommerce School propone il Master Executive in Ecommerce Management: parte il 14 marzo 2025. È un percorso con focus su strategia, tecnologia, processi, marketing, growth e scaling.Fare marketing fuori dalla bollaQuanto spendiamo fuori dalle piattaforme come Meta e Google e dall'influencer marketing? A parte quella manciata di brand che va in TV e radio con regolarità, o quelli che fanno i grandi concorsoni, o un'altra parte di brand che spende in costi di vendita verso Amazon, probabilmente meno del 10%. Prendetela come mia stima a braccio. Oggi l'ottanta per cento va in quello che possiamo misurare facilmente (ROAS, sei tu). O che (spesso) ci cura dalla FOMO (influencer marketing), nostra o di chi ci sta sopra. L'allocazione di budget verso social ads/influencer spesso risponde a pressioni dell'effetto gregge (herd mentality) anziché a una strategia data-driven.La storia economica funziona per bolle (la mia speranza è che anche la politica segua il trend). L'economista Hyman Minsky ha descritto il ciclo delle crisi finanziarie con la teoria della Financial Instability Hypothesis, che identifica le fasi della speculazione: dal displacement (un'innovazione che attira l'attenzione degli investitori), alla boom phase (quando i prezzi salgono esponenzialmente e il pubblico entra in massa), fino alla euforia irrazionale data dal cosiddetto “denaro gratis”, quei continui aumenti di valore dei titoli acquistati che a loro volta fanno reinvestire ancora più soldi, e al successivo crash, quando qualcuno fa “profit-taking”, che precede il panic stage e il crash finale, in cui qualcuno rimane con il cerino in mano.La storia dell'advertising non fa (molta) differenza, salvo che tra bitcoin e pubblicità io investirò sempre in pubblicità, che è un umile e immortale scarafaggio, si sa. Le piattaforme digitali e gli influencer tradizionali mostrano secondo molti (e un mio vecchio post) segni di sopravvalutazione analoga alle bolle finanziarie, con costi crescenti che ne abbattono il ROI effettivo anno dopo anno. C'è nel prezzo a CPM un sovrapprezzo di duopolio (Meta e Google fingono di competere), c'è un sovrapprezzo di filiera (il 50% degli investimenti in ads programmatici viene assorbito dai costi degli intermediari, con tracciabilità spesso limitata e frequenti problemi di qualità del placement). Famigerata la storia di eBay, in cui al taglio di venti milioni di dollari di ads sulla keyword “eBay” non è corrisposto una riduzione né di traffico, né di conversioni, o quella di JP Morgan, che tagliò 5.000 siti su 12.000 nei quali finiva la pubblicità per problemi di reputazione di questi. Non aiutano le regolamentazioni sulla privacy (es. GDPR) che stanno dalla parte del cookie-paurosizzato abitante europeo (che probabilmente dovrebbe avere più paura di Putin), e l'ad-blocking sta erodendo l'efficacia residuale degli ads tradizionali, e quello che funziona, appunto, costerà.C'è un disclaimer da fare: chi ha vissuto la bolla dot-com del 2000 è un po' troppo predisposto a vederne altre: una specie di venuta messianica al contrario. E io forse sono tra questi. Detto questo, oggi è ora di uscire dalla bolla.Sì, ci sono tanti svantaggi nel farlo. La bolla è confortevole: puoi dare la colpa alla AI se qualcosa non funziona nel targeting, produce risultati costosi ma misurabili (e – lo dico sempre – il marketing aborre l'incertezza proprio perché tratta della cosa più incerta esistente: le persone) e ci rende uguali agli altri. Nessuno viene licenziato perché è uguale agli altri. Almeno nel 99,99% dei casi. Solo il nostro famigerato Elon licenziò l'intero ufficio marketing di Tesla dopo qualche mese perché, sostenne, la pubblicità prodotta era uguale a quella degli altri. Ogni tanto anche l'orologio rotto, ecc. ecc.C'è il problema principale: fuori dalla bolla niente è scalabile. Siamo in quattro gatti è la frase che ho ascoltato e pronunciato più spesso nella mia storia professionale. Non so, magari la dice anche chi lavora in amministrazione, ma credo che nel marketing italiano sia particolarmente pressante come problema. E del resto in pochi Paesi come in Italia ci si rivolge così tanto alle agenzie per fare qualunque cosa.Ci sono solo l'unicità e l'antifragilità in palio.Quindi, a vostro rischio e pericolo, da dove partire in questa ricerca di vita fuori dalla bolla? Non dalle agenzie (scusate agenzie), almeno non da subito. Il rischio è la guerriglia sull'asfalto, che può essere un'idea finale, ma non la partenza. Io userei alcuni sentieri di esplorazione.* vita quotidiana del nostro target fuori dal brand (la gente ci pensa molto meno di quanto pensiamo, e il customer journey e il targeting fatto strategicamente servono ancora eccome, anche al tempo di Performance Max ecc.).* valore da offrire che abbiamo dimenticato a magazzino (o di cui abbiamo materie prime disponibili a basso costo). Come quando Vodafone offre le colonnine di ricarica del cellulare in aeroporto, come concetto.* vita delle comunità locali in cui le persone abitano (e oggi secondo me è più urgente fare piani Diversity-Equity-Inclusion di plastica, almeno in Italia).* spazi (vuoti) di altri brand nella stessa cliente-sfera: retail media de' noantri, insomma. Shopify ha una lista interessante.* contenuti di chi non li produce per soldi e basta. Non solo roba glamour, può essere una radio locale low-cost (anche se spesso costano un occhio, lo so) o una fanzine (non lo scrivevo da un po') o una newsletter di nicchia.Campi di skateboard fatti di cemento low-cost? Campetti di basket da sponsorizzare al costo della vernice? Sono comunità molto più coese del calcio, e meno problematiche nell'associare il brand. Content marketing vero? Cioè pagando gente che ne sa davvero per insegnare cose alla vostra audience, oppure offrire template, calcolatori, ecc.? Gli sponsor di questa newsletter con i migliori risultati di clic hanno usato questi strumenti. Un laboratorio di ceramica solidale da regalare ai vostri clienti in bundle al posto del solito concorso scemo? Arredamenti sponsorizzati di locali di comunità o locali frequentati? Cacce al tesoro ma sensate, come sponsorizzare-organizzare bonifiche di giardini pubblici o simili? Pagare street art partecipate dalla comunità in muri e zone “brutte”? Pagare l'albero di Natale, non solo in piazza Duomo, ma anche a Corvetto?Il problema, l'avete già in mente prima di me, è “come giustifico?” e “come misuro?”. Di sicuro posso misurare il costo a contatto, ma poi con cosa lo confronto, con la visualizzazione di TikTok e Instagram da (forse) un millesimo di secondo? Io consiglio di raccogliere email (o cell o WhatsApp consent) come KPI intermedio, solitamente. E poi vedere quanti si trasformano in clienti nel medio periodo. Si possono fare anche interviste, per capire il sentiment e l'intenzione verso il brand di almeno un campione di persone, e poi estrapolare l'impatto sul numero di contatti.Capisco, capisco, calma! Troppo sbatti. Lo sappiamo, lo so. Però per un 10% di budget (almeno come test) fuori dalla solita bolla del duopolio non è mai morto nessuno. Magari possiamo trovare esterne che ci diano una mano professionale (richiamate l'agenzia, a questo punto, e dite “no guerrilla prefabbricata”) per confrontarsi con le occasioni fuori dalla bolla, che spesso sono gestite da (professionalmente) scappati di casa.Fatemi sapere. Dopo il 60% vs 40% (brand+influ vs performance) di Binet & Field (che mi bullo di aver importato in Italia), potremmo fare 50/40/10, dove 10 è la riga “fuori dalla bolla del budget”.Il marketing insegnato dai negoziantiAdoro il display in tempo reale, come a Wall Street.ilmarketinginsegnatodainegozianti.info è un progetto gonzo-collettivo a cui puoi contribuire senza pietà. No screenshot o inoltri dai social, solo foto vostre. Segnalazioni * La scorsa settimana ho parlato dei megaprogrammi fedeltà ed engagement, come TIM Party, e dei loro pro e contro.* Marta Impedovo de Il Post mi ha chiesto alcune cose sulla mania di fare (o non fare) le code, in questo mondo sottosopra di motivazioni di consumo. Un articolo particolareggiato.* È uscito il mio editoriale per Tendenze: parlo della fine dell'età dell'oro (per l'ecommerce).* Con Giuseppe Stigliano commentiamo il marketing contemporaneo usando come scusa il libro di Seth Godin, Questa è strategia, in un free webinar live su Zoom il 4 marzo alle 16:00. Ci si registra qui.That's all folks!Se ti è piaciuta, inoltrala o stampala sulla stampante condivisa dell'ufficio, qualcuno la raccoglierà. Ah, se stai pensando di supportare questa newsletter, clicca qui. Grazie ancora a Ecommerce School. Se stai pensando a un workshop nella tua azienda o a uno speech al tuo evento, rispondi alla mail.Ci leggiamo venerdì prossimo, gluca Grazie a Daniela Bollini per la paziente correzione e a Cristina Portolano per i separatori.Quiz: a) circa 25 euro (fonte). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit lettera.minimarketing.it

Rossetto aveva 67 anni. Lascia la moglie e due figli. E' mancato all'ospedale di Arzignano, da dove lunedì la salma sarà trasportata per il funerale al Duomo a partire dalle 15. Autore di affreschi e murales, è stato apprezzato anche come pittore. Alla sua passione per l'arte ha abbinato quella per la politica, impegnandosi contro le guerre e le ingiustizie.

"L'art va ser molt necessari per conservar la dignitat enmig del setge de Sarajevo", diu Priscilla Morris, l'autora de "Papallones negres". Un llibre que indaga en la viv

In this episode of Kimberly's Italy, Tommaso and I explore the unique charm and benefits of traveling off-season to lesser-known destinations like Cortona in the Tuscany Region of Italy. We dive into the rich experiences and vibrant cultural events that made our visit memorable. Highlights from Our Visit: Cultural Events: We were captivated by an enchanting evening in Cortona, filled with drummers, trumpet players, and flag throwers adorned in historical costumes. The atmosphere was truly magical and offered a glimpse into the town's vibrant traditions. The remarkable flag-throwing performance by local teenagers and 20-year-olds showed their dedication to a tradition that dates back to Medieval times. Exploration and Sightseeing: Our mid-December visit allowed Kimberly to explore the Accademia Etrusca Museum basically by herself due to the lack of other tourists. She admired its stunning architecture and diverse collections from the Etruscan era and on. We enjoyed breathtaking views from the Duomo and undertook a challenging uphill walk through the village's unique stone structures. Historic churches, such as San Cristoforo, and the climb to the Fortezza di Girifalco rewarded us with stunning panoramic views. Local Insights:. Reflecting on our own driving experiences, we noted the impressive skill of local drivers, and how they so expertly maneuver their cars on those steep Medieval stone streets. Dining and Socializing: Meeting fellow Americans at dinner was a highlight, acknowledging that we all appreciated the off season travel while sharing hysterical driving mishaps. This episode provides insights into the benefits of off-season travel, offering listeners a taste of Cortona's cultural richness and scenic beauty. Join us as we share our experiences and recommendations for a truly enchanting Italian adventure. Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

Send us a textIn episode 63 of The Designer Within Podcast, recorded LIVE as he walks the streets of ever-inspiring Italy, host John McClain shares his transformative experiences from a trade show in Verona to the picturesque streets of Florence, and finally, the bustling city of Milan on a solo soul finding trip through Italy.John reflects on much-needed inspiration and offers insights on refueling creativity, maintaining originality, and setting realistic expectations in the business world. Key lessons include the importance of stepping out of routine to find inspiration, standing firm on pricing and deliverables, and balancing creative passion with business acumen. Join John as he uncovers invaluable lessons for both personal and professional growth.0:00 - Introduction to the episode and podcast 1:30 - Description of Italy trip and inspiration behind the episode 4:45 - Recapitulation of a challenging past year 6:00 - Initial experiences in Verona: Trade show and meeting people 7:30 - Walking through Florence and finding inspiration 10:15 - Embracing personal time and solo travel 13:20 - An epiphany by the Duomo in Florence 15:45 - Importance of soaking in moments and scenes 17:30 - Recording an unscripted episode 19:10 - Finding inspiration as a designer 22:00 - Encouragement to create unique ideas and stand firm in creativity 25:40 - Perils of social media: Copying and regurgitation 28:15 - Designing beyond clients' comfort zones 30:00 - Capturing live experiences in Italy 35:50 - Revelation about expectations and mindset 39:10 - Episode closes in Milan with more reflections on design and creativityFinally learn how to find, prepare, and land luxury interior design projects. I will share the exact methods that I use to curate luxury projects, charge the right fees, and get referrals for more!This course includes downloads galore, a 2 HOUR LIVE Group Coaching Call with me, and for a limited time my Designer Calculator to calculate your own flat fees. Head to www.designsuccessacademy.com to sign up now! Support the show

Milaan Design Week begint over 2 maanden! Voor veel interieurprofesisonals het hoogtepunt van het jaar. En wij gaan natuurlijk ook dit jaar weer vooruitblikken in een tweedelige podcastserie. Deze week zijn te gast Nicole Uniquole, de curator van Masterly - the Dutch in Milano en interieurarchitect Paul Linse.Paul Linse is interieurarchitect bij Studio Linse. Hij zette z'n handtekening al onder vele ontwerpen, van Rotterdam CS tot InterScaldes en Royal Opera House en recent het National Gallery in Londen. En in 2025 een van de deelnemers van Masterly. Het Nederlandse Paviljoen tijdens Milaan Design Week! En uiteraard zijn wij er ook weer bij op woensdag 9 april met de jaarlijkse Netwerkcocktail voor de Nederlandse interieurbranche in het prachtige paleis naast de Duomo!De Interieur Club is hét inspiratieplatform voor interieurprofessionals en interieurondernemers. Bij De Interieur Club hebben wij de wekelijkse interieurpodcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠De Interieur Business Club⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, De Interieur Club Academie met cursussen, netwerkborrels en interieurnieuws zodat jij jezelf kan ontwikkelen. Iedere week een inspirerend en informatief gesprek voor de interieurprofessional. Kijk voor meer informatie en de agenda onze website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.deinterieurclub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music from #Uppbeat:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/clear-sky

Una terrazza a un passo dalla Madonnina. Unica. Siamo in piazza Duomo 21 e la cornice è una delle più suggestive che il capoluogo lombardo possa offrire. Di fronte abbiamo la Cattedrale, a sinistra la Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. Il bar Terrazza Duomo 21 con la sua vista quasi unica in città è un punto di ritrovo esclusivo per i turisti, per chi ama il lusso e per la Milano dell'alta finanza.

One year to go. A un anno esatto dall'inizio delle Olimpiadi di Milano Cortina, al via il 6 febbraio 2026, è scattato il conto alla rovescia: in piazza Duomo, è stato inaugurato il Milano Cortina 2026 Sport Village Powered by Samsung & Enel. Uno spazio aperto al pubblico nel cuore del capoluogo lombardo che per quattro settimane, fino al 6 marzo prossimo, permetterà di vivere tutte le emozioni e l'entusiasmo degli sport invernali. Turisti e cittadini milanesi potranno partecipare gratuitamente a workshop culturali e digitali, e conoscere l'hockey su ghiaccio e il curling grazie alla presenza di due campi sportivi e attraverso lezioni gratuite, della durata di trenta minuti, con gli istruttori.xp9/f18/fsc/gsl

One year to go. A un anno esatto dall'inizio delle Olimpiadi di Milano Cortina, al via il 6 febbraio 2026, è scattato il conto alla rovescia: in piazza Duomo, è stato inaugurato il Milano Cortina 2026 Sport Village Powered by Samsung & Enel. Uno spazio aperto al pubblico nel cuore del capoluogo lombardo che per quattro settimane, fino al 6 marzo prossimo, permetterà di vivere tutte le emozioni e l'entusiasmo degli sport invernali. Turisti e cittadini milanesi potranno partecipare gratuitamente a workshop culturali e digitali, e conoscere l'hockey su ghiaccio e il curling grazie alla presenza di due campi sportivi e attraverso lezioni gratuite, della durata di trenta minuti, con gli istruttori.xp9/f18/fsc/gsl

One year to go. A un anno esatto dall'inizio delle Olimpiadi di Milano Cortina, al via il 6 febbraio 2026, è scattato il conto alla rovescia: in piazza Duomo, è stato inaugurato il Milano Cortina 2026 Sport Village Powered by Samsung & Enel. Uno spazio aperto al pubblico nel cuore del capoluogo lombardo che per quattro settimane, fino al 6 marzo prossimo, permetterà di vivere tutte le emozioni e l'entusiasmo degli sport invernali. Turisti e cittadini milanesi potranno partecipare gratuitamente a workshop culturali e digitali, e conoscere l'hockey su ghiaccio e il curling grazie alla presenza di due campi sportivi e attraverso lezioni gratuite, della durata di trenta minuti, con gli istruttori.xp9/f18/fsc/gsl

In this episode, we take you on a journey to the medieval village of Cortona, Italy, where we experienced a delightful and unexpected Christmas celebration in December. Join Kimberly Holcombe and Tommaso il favoloso as they delve into the rich tapestry of Cortona's history and charm. Highlights of the Episode: Cortona's Ancient Roots: Discover the fascinating history of Cortona, a village with a legacy spanning approximately 3,000 years. Learn about its significance as one of Italy's oldest continuously inhabited villages, offering a glimpse into its storied past. The Journey to Cortona: Our drive through the narrow entrances and ancient city walls was an adventure in itself. Navigating tight spaces and construction blocks tested our driving skills but also provided moments of humor and relief. Stunning Views and Local Culture: Enjoy the breathtaking views from the Duomo over the Val di Chiana valley. Experience the vibrant holiday atmosphere in the main piazza. A Heartwarming Surprise: Encounter the magical moment of children singing Christmas carols, including “I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas” and John Lennon's “Happy Christmas.” The enthusiastic performance by 10-year-olds and colorful projections on the facades of the piazza's buildings created a festive and heartwarming atmosphere Dinner at the Osteria: Our day concluded with a meal at a bustling Osteria. We engaged in a pleasant conversation with a young couple while eating a delicious Tuscan meal. Reflect on a memorable day filled with joy at seeing Christmas celebrated in such a unique and different way that what we are accustomed to. Join us as we share this charming and heartwarming experience in Cortona, a place where history and festive spirit come together in a truly unique way. Stay tuned for more adventures in the coming weeks! Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

Fluent Fiction - Italian: From Shadows to Stardom: A Fashion Dream in Milan Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2025-01-31-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: La piazza è viva e vibrante.En: The piazza is alive and vibrant.It: Il Duomo di Milano, con le sue guglie gotiche, si erge maestoso contro il cielo invernale.En: The Duomo di Milano, with its Gothic spires, stands majestically against the winter sky.It: La folla si muove come onde intorno all'edificio, mentre le installazioni di moda moderne punteggiano i ciottoli lucidi del pavimento.En: The crowd moves like waves around the building, while modern fashion installations punctuate the glossy cobblestones of the pavement.It: Luca, un giovane fotografo con occhi pieni di speranza, cerca l'angolazione perfetta.En: Luca, a young photographer with eyes full of hope, searches for the perfect angle.It: È inverno e San Valentino è alle porte, un periodo in cui l'aria fredda è carica di anticipazione e romanticismo.En: It is winter and San Valentino is approaching, a time when the cold air is filled with anticipation and romance.It: Luca sa che questa può essere la sua occasione per brillare nel mondo della moda, ma il peso del dubbio lo opprime.En: Luca knows this could be his chance to shine in the fashion world, but the weight of doubt oppresses him.It: A pochi passi da lui, Sofia osserva lo spettacolo con un blocco di schizzi in mano.En: A few steps away from him, Sofia watches the scene with a sketchbook in hand.It: È lì per cercare ispirazione per le sue creazioni di moda.En: She is there to seek inspiration for her fashion creations.It: Tuttavia, si sente piccola in mezzo ai grandi stilisti che dominano la scena.En: However, she feels small amidst the great designers who dominate the scene.It: Ad un tratto, i loro mondi si scontrano.En: Suddenly, their worlds collide.It: Forse è il destino.En: Perhaps it's fate.It: Luca vede Sofia, notando le bozze di vestiti che escono dalla sua borsa.En: Luca sees Sofia, noticing the dress sketches peeking out of her bag.It: Sente che c'è qualcosa di speciale, qualcosa che vale la pena immortalare.En: He feels there is something special, something worth capturing.It: Decide di avvicinarsi, il cuore che batte forte.En: He decides to approach, his heart beating fast.It: "Posso fotografare i tuoi disegni?"En: "Can I photograph your designs?"It: chiede timidamente Luca.En: Luca asks timidly.It: Sofia esita un istante, sorpresa.En: Sofia hesitates for a moment, surprised.It: Non è abituata a simili offerte.En: She is not used to such offers.It: Ma poi vede nei suoi occhi lo stesso desiderio di dimostrarsi.En: But then she sees in his eyes the same desire to prove oneself.It: Acconsente con un cenno, vedendo un'opportunità di crescita reciproca.En: She agrees with a nod, seeing an opportunity for mutual growth.It: Cominciano a collaborare.En: They begin to collaborate.It: Luca posiziona Sofia e i suoi disegni sotto la luce drammatica del Duomo.En: Luca positions Sofia and her designs under the dramatic light of the Duomo.It: Con precisione e passione, scatta la foto.En: With precision and passion, he snaps the photo.It: L'immagine cattura tutta l'essenza della creatività di Sofia.En: The image captures all the essence of Sofia's creativity.It: Le luci e le ombre del Duomo accentuano i dettagli dell'abito disegnato da Sofia.En: The lights and shadows of the Duomo accentuate the details of the dress designed by Sofia.It: All'improvviso, un influencer di moda, noto per scoprire giovani talenti, passa e nota il lavoro di Luca e Sofia.En: Suddenly, a fashion influencer, known for discovering young talents, passes by and notices the work of Luca and Sofia.It: Rimane colpito dall'immagine e la condivide sui social media.En: He is impressed by the image and shares it on social media.It: La foto diventa virale.En: The photo goes viral.It: I follower commentano entusiasti, e presto, l'attenzione è su di loro.En: Followers comment enthusiastically, and soon, attention is on them.It: Sofia riceve un'email: è stata invitata a presentare i suoi lavori in una grande mostra.En: Sofia receives an email: she has been invited to present her works in a major exhibition.It: Luca, dal canto suo, vede i suoi seguaci crescere e riceve proposte da riviste di moda.En: Luca, in turn, sees his followers grow and receives proposals from fashion magazines.It: Luca e Sofia sono cambiati.En: Luca and Sofia are changed.It: Luca ha scoperto di avere talento e si sente finalmente fiducioso.En: Luca has discovered he has talent and finally feels confident.It: Sofia impara a fidarsi del suo istinto creativo e capisce che collaborare può portare lontano.En: Sofia learns to trust her creative instinct and understands that collaboration can lead far.It: Insieme, sotto il cielo invernale di Milano, hanno trovato la loro strada.En: Together, under the winter sky of Milan, they found their way.It: La piazza del Duomo, testimone silenziosa, continua a ospitare incontri che cambiano le vite.En: The piazza del Duomo, a silent witness, continues to host encounters that change lives. Vocabulary Words:the piazza: la piazzavibrant: vibrantethe Duomo: il Duomospires: gugliemajestic: maestosoto punctuate: punteggiarecobblestones: ciottolithe photographer: il fotografoanticipation: anticipazioneromance: romanticismoto oppress: opprimerethe sketchbook: il blocco di schizzidesigners: stilistithe scene: la scenafate: destinosketches: bozzespecial: specialeto approach: avvicinarsito capture: immortalareto nod: cennocollaboration: collaborazionedramatic: drammaticaprecision: precisioneshadows: ombreto accentuate: accentuarefashion influencer: influencer di modayoung talents: giovani talentito go viral: diventare viraleto trust: fidarsicreative instinct: istinto creativo

Si torna a parlare d'insicurezza nelle grandi aree urbane italiane ed a Milano in particolare.Dai disordini nel quartiere Corvetto in seguito alla morte di un giovane egiziano inseguito dai Carabinieri, alle nuove possibili aggressioni a piazza Duomo durante il Capodanno come nel 2022.Ne parliamo con Franco Gabrielli, ex capo della polizia e consulente del sindaco di Milano per la sicurezza. Il rientro a Roma della giornalista Cecilia Sala detenuta a Teheran dal 19 dicembre per non ben specificati motivi (aver violato le leggi della Repubblica islamica) ben descrive la condizione del Paese.Ne parliamo con Pegah Moshir Pour, attivista e scrittrice iraniana.

Everything you need to know about conquering Florence's magnificent Duomo! Johnny Mac guides you through the 463-step climb, sharing crucial tips about timing, tickets, and what to bring. Learn the fascinating history behind Brunelleschi's architectural marvel and discover the best spots for photos. Perfect for first-time visitors and architecture enthusiasts.For our recommended Florence tours, visit Our GuideTo enjoy this episode commercial-free, visit caloroga.com/plus

fWotD Episode 2788: Tomb of Antipope John XXIII Welcome to Featured Wiki of the Day, your daily dose of knowledge from Wikipedia’s finest articles.The featured article for Sunday, 22 December 2024 is Tomb of Antipope John XXIII.The Tomb of Antipope John XXIII is the marble-and-bronze tomb monument of Antipope John XXIII (Baldassare Cossa, c. 1360–1419), created by Donatello and Michelozzo for the Florence Baptistry adjacent to the Duomo. It was commissioned by the executors of Cossa's will after his death on December 22, 1419 and completed during the 1420s, establishing it as one of the early landmarks of Renaissance Florence. According to Ferdinand Gregorovius, the tomb is "at once the sepulchre of the Great Schism in the church and the last papal tomb which is outside Rome itself".Cossa had a long history of cooperation with Florence, which had viewed him as the legitimate pontiff for a time during the Western Schism. The tomb monument is often interpreted as an attempt to strengthen the legitimacy of Cossa's pontificate by linking him to the spiritually powerful site of the Baptistry. The evocation of papal symbolism on the tomb and the linkage between Cossa and Florence have been interpreted as a snub to Cossa's successor Pope Martin V or vicarious "Medici self-promotion", as such a tomb would have been deemed unacceptable for a Florentine citizen.The tomb monument's design included figures of the three Virtues in niches, Cossa's family arms, a gilded bronze recumbent effigy laid out above an inscription-bearing sarcophagus supported on corbel brackets, and above it a Madonna and Child in a half-lunette, with a canopy over all. At the time of its completion, the monument was the tallest sculpture in Florence, and one of very few tombs within the Baptistry or the neighboring Duomo. The tomb monument was the first of several collaborations between Donatello and Michelozzo, and the attribution of its various elements to each of them has been debated by art historians, as have the interpretations of its design and iconography.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:02 UTC on Sunday, 22 December 2024.For the full current version of the article, see Tomb of Antipope John XXIII on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Ruth.

Biba Giacchetti"L'arte della fotografia di moda: Giampaolo Barbieri"E' scomparso all‘età di 89 anni Gian Paolo Barbieri, una vera istituzione nell'ambito della fotografia di moda. I suoi ritratti iconici di dive di ieri e di oggi, come Audrey Hepburn e Monica Bellucci, e la sua lunga collaborazione con Vogue Italia, hanno reso il suo stile inconfondibile.Nato nel 1935 in via Mazzini, appena a fianco del Duomo di Milano, da una famiglia di grossisti di tessuti dove acquisì le prime competenze utili per la fotografia di moda, Barbieri mosse i suoi primi passi nell'ambito teatrale come attore, operatore e costumista, tanto che ebbe anche una piccola parte non parlata in Medea di Luchino Visconti. Fu il cinema a dargli quel senso del movimento che trasferì nella fotografia, prima applicata alla Dolce vita romana e poi alla moda, a Parigi.Nel 1964 il ritorno a Milano e l'apertura del primo studio fotografico: iniziò in quel momento quella sfolgorante e sessantennale carriera che lo portò a collaborare con personaggi di primo piano della moda come Diana Vreeland, Yves Saint Laurent e Richard Avedon, a ritrarre le attrici più iconiche di tutti i tempi, da Audrey Hepburn a Veruschka, da Monica Bellucci a Jerry Hall, a scattare le campagne pubblicitarie di marchi internazionali come Valentino, Gianni Versace, Gianfranco Ferré, Armani, Bulgari, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Vivienne Westwood.Classificato nel 1968 dalla rivista Stern come uno dei quattordici migliori fotografi di moda al mondo, nel 2018 Barbieri ha vinto il premio Lucie Award 2018 come Miglior Fotografo di Moda Internazionale. Le sue opere sono presenti in istituzioni culturali come il Victoria & Albert Museum e la National Portrait Gallery di Londra, il Kunsforum di Vienna, il MAMM di Mosca e il Musée du Quai Branly di Parigi.    Steve McCurry "Children"Dal 20 dicembre 2024 al 4 maggio 2025 le sale del Palazzo dei Priori di Fermo ospitano la mostra Steve McCurry - Children, ideata e curata da Biba Giacchetti. Oltre cinquanta fotografie dedicate all'infanzia vista attraverso l'obiettivo del grande fotografo Steve McCurry, realizzate nell'arco di quasi cinquant'anni di carriera.Una galleria di ritratti per esplorare tutte le sfaccettature dell'infanzia, accomunate da un elemento universale: lo sguardo dell'innocenza. Le immagini, provenienti da ogni angolo del mondo, ritraggono i più piccoli in scene di vita quotidiana. I bambini negli scatti di McCurry, pur diversi per etnia, abiti e tradizioni, condividono la gioia di vivere e la capacità di giocare anche nei contesti più difficili, spesso segnati da povertà, conflitti o condizioni ambientali estreme. Il pubblico sarà accompagnato in un viaggio ideale in paesi come India, Birmania, Pakistan, Tibet, Afghanistan, Libano, Etiopia e Cuba.“Ogni immagine offre uno spaccato delle condizioni sociali più disparate, rivelando una condizione umana universale fatta di sentimenti comuni e sguardi che affermano la stessa dignità”, spiega la curatrice.“Incontriamo bambini profughi e lavoratori, giovani che trasformano un cannone arrugginito in un gioco, che rincorrono un pallone sotto la pioggia, che creano musica con chitarre fatte di materiali di scarto. Bambini che vivono nelle grandi metropoli o nei villaggi più remoti, protagonisti di storie di gioia e aggregazione, solitudine e resilienza, solidarietà e stupore”.IL POSTO DELLE PAROLEascoltare fa pensarewww.ilpostodelleparole.itDiventa un supporter di questo podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/il-posto-delle-parole--1487855/support.

In this episode, join hosts Kimberly and Tommaso as they recount their captivating journey through Italy, highlighting both cultural encounters and humorous adventures. Bergamo's Città Alta: The episode begins with a vivid recollection of a memorable experience in Bergamo's historic upper city. While Kimberly explored the local churches, Tommaso recorded a violinist performing Vivaldi outside the Duomo, which left a lasting impression.  Starting in Rome: The hosts embarked on their month-long trip in Rome, where they met with Italian colleagues and visited hotels for client recommendations. They humorously compared their travels to a Rolling Stones tour. Tuscan Adventures: The journey took them to Cortona, a picturesque village in Tuscany, where they navigated its steep and narrow streets, luckily without incident. They attended a magical Christmas festival featuring children singing at Palazzo del Capitano. A lively dinner with two other American couples resulted in a humorous exchange about driving in Italy. Continuing to Montepulciano and Beyond: Kimberly and Tommaso recorded a podcast in Montepulciano and connected with friends, including new acquaintances from England. Their travels also included visits to Arezzo and Modena, with a stop at the Museo Ferrari. Cultural Insights and Future Plans: Currently in Bergamo, they enjoyed dinner with a local friend and discussed the complexities of Italian dialects. Despite travel fatigue, the hosts are excited about their upcoming visit to the Dolomites where they will finally stay out for 5 days.  The episode wraps up with well wishes for a Buon Natale Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

"I wanted something gentle to go along with the setting, like someone was in the piazza playing with the sounds all around them. To create the music I took a picture of the Duomo I found online, turned that into midi data using a Python script I wrote and that was used as the basis for the track." Midday bells in Treviso reimagined by thebot.

Bells for midday chime first in the Duomo cathedral in Treviso, Italy, then we walk down to the main Piazza dei Signore e Signori to heard the noon bells there too.  Recorded by Cities and Memory. 

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Milano's Christmas Miracle: Luca's Journey of Courage Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2024-12-14-08-38-20-it Story Transcript:It: Nel cuore dell'inverno, la Piazza del Duomo di Milano brillava sotto le luci natalizie.En: In the heart of winter, the Piazza del Duomo in Milano shone under the Christmas lights.It: L'aria era fredda e frizzante, e profumava di caldarroste e vin brulé.En: The air was cold and crisp, and it smelled of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.It: La cattedrale guardava dall'alto, con le sue guglie come braccia protettive sopra il vivace mercato di Natale.En: The cathedral loomed above, with its spires like protective arms over the lively Christmas market.It: Tra i suoni di risate e chiacchiere, emergeva la figura di Luca, un giocoliere concentrato sul suo spettacolo.En: Among the sounds of laughter and chatter emerged the figure of Luca, a juggler focused on his performance.It: Luca era un professionista.En: Luca was a professional.It: Faceva volteggiare le clave con precisione sopra la testa, creando un arcobaleno di colori.En: He skillfully tossed the clubs above his head, creating a rainbow of colors.It: La folla applaudiva e lasciava cadere monete nel suo cappello ai suoi piedi.En: The crowd applauded and dropped coins into his hat at his feet.It: Ma ogni lancio nascondeva un peso nel suo cuore.En: But each toss hid a weight in his heart.It: Luca non era lì solo per divertire; aveva bisogno di quei soldi per la cura del suo nipotino malato.En: Luca wasn't there just to entertain; he needed the money for the treatment of his sick little nephew.It: Quel giorno, però, qualcosa non andava.En: That day, however, something wasn't right.It: Mentre il freddo penetrava, Luca si sentiva stanco e debole.En: As the cold seeped in, Luca felt tired and weak.It: Continuò a esibirsi, ignorando il senso di vertigine che lo assaliva.En: He continued to perform, ignoring the dizziness that overtook him.It: Doveva farlo, non poteva fermarsi.En: He had to do it, he couldn't stop.It: Ma poi, in un attimo, tutto girò.En: But then, in a moment, everything spun.It: Luca si piegò e crollò a terra.En: Luca bent over and collapsed to the ground.It: La sua mente si spense come una luce.En: His mind shut off like a light.It: Fu Gianna, una giovane donna di passaggio, a correre immediatamente verso di lui.En: It was Gianna, a young woman passing by, who immediately ran towards him.It: "Ehi, stai bene?"En: "Hey, are you okay?"It: chiese con preoccupazione, cercando di sollevargli la testa.En: she asked with concern, trying to lift his head.It: Marco, un altro artista di strada e amico di Luca, accorse subito dopo.En: Marco, another street performer and friend of Luca, rushed over right after.It: "Ha bisogno di aiuto," disse Marco, chiamando la folla a raccolta.En: "He needs help," Marco said, calling the crowd together.It: Luca riaprì gli occhi con fatica, trovandosi circondato da volti preoccupati.En: Luca opened his eyes with difficulty, finding himself surrounded by worried faces.It: "Devo continuare," mormorò, cercando di rialzarsi.En: "I need to continue," he murmured, trying to get up.It: Ma Gianna lo fermò con gentilezza.En: But Gianna gently stopped him.It: "Non sei solo," disse, guardandolo con calore negli occhi.En: "You are not alone," she said, looking at him warmly.It: Con il supporto di Gianna e Marco, Luca si rimise in piedi.En: With the support of Gianna and Marco, Luca got back on his feet.It: Decise di finire il suo spettacolo.En: He decided to finish his performance.It: La determinazione brillava più forte delle luci natalizie.En: Determination shone brighter than the Christmas lights.It: Con un respiro profondo, riprese le clave e iniziò la parte finale della sua esibizione.En: With a deep breath, he picked up the clubs and began the final part of his show.It: La folla si fece silenziosa, colpita dalla sua forza di volontà.En: The crowd became silent, struck by his willpower.It: Luca terminò con un lancio spettacolare, le clave danzavano sopra di lui come stelle cadenti.En: Luca finished with a spectacular throw, the clubs danced above him like shooting stars.It: L'applauso fu fragoroso.En: The applause was thunderous.It: Gianna e Marco, ispirati, incitarono la folla a fare donazioni per aiutare Luca.En: Gianna and Marco, inspired, encouraged the crowd to donate to help Luca.It: "Questo giovane ha un cuore grande," esclamò Gianna.En: "This young man has a big heart," Gianna exclaimed.It: Le persone iniziarono a contribuire, commosse dal coraggio e dalla storia di Luca.En: People began to contribute, moved by Luca's courage and story.It: Al termine della giornata, Luca aveva raccolto più di quanto avesse sperato.En: By the end of the day, Luca had collected more than he had hoped for.It: Mentre guardava la cattedrale illuminata riflettendo sul giorno appena trascorso, comprese una cosa fondamentale: non era solo.En: As he looked at the illuminated cathedral reflecting on the day that had just passed, he understood one fundamental thing: he was not alone.It: Con gli occhi luccicanti di gratitudine, si voltò verso Gianna e Marco, ora più che amici, e sorrise.En: With eyes shimmering with gratitude, he turned to Gianna and Marco, now more than friends, and smiled.It: Con l'aiuto degli altri, poteva affrontare qualsiasi sfida.En: With the help of others, he could face any challenge.It: E così, quel Natale a Milano, Luca non solo riuscì a raccogliere i fondi necessari, ma scoprì anche il potere dell'amicizia e del sostegno reciproco.En: And so, that Christmas in Milano, Luca not only managed to gather the necessary funds, but also discovered the power of friendship and mutual support.It: La piazza del Duomo continuò a risplendere, avvolgendo tutti nei suoi caldi abbracci invernali.En: The Piazza del Duomo continued to shine, wrapping everyone in its warm winter embrace. Vocabulary Words:the heart: il cuorethe winter: l'invernocrisp: frizzantethe cathedral: la cattedralethe spire: la gugliathe juggler: il giocolierethe crowd: la follathe coins: le monetethe performance: lo spettacoloto loom: guardare dall'altoto applaud: applaudirethe nephew: il nipotinodizziness: il senso di vertigineto collapse: crollareto murmur: mormorareto support: supportarethe throw: il lanciospectacular: spettacolarethe applause: l'applausoto donate: fare donazionito encourage: incitareto gather: raccogliereto reflect: riflettereto contribute: contribuireto face: affrontarethe friendship: l'amiciziamutual: reciprocoto shine: risplenderethe embrace: l'abbraccioto discover: scoprire

Raccolta di tre riflessioni, in preparazione al Natale 2023, di don Luigi Maria Epicoco predicate presso la chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffraggio in piazza Duomo a L'Aquila. Timestamp (00:00:00) || 1. La vocazione di Zaccaria (00:37:54) || 2. La vocazione di Maria (01:13:02) || 3. La vocazione alla gioia

Simonie Giorgi, general manager of the Park Hyatt Milano, talks with Michaela Guzy of Insider Travel Report about the hotel's success, its location near Milan's Duomo and its unique features, including renovated suites, standout dining, and a boutique spa. Giorgi highlights his focus on personalized guest experiences, sustainability efforts, and the importance of embracing competition and continuously improving service to maintain the hotel's high standards in Milan's competitive luxury market. For more information, visit www.hyatt.com. All our Insider Travel Report video interviews are archived and available on our Youtube channel (youtube.com/insidertravelreport), and as podcasts with the same title on: Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Listen Notes, Podchaser, TuneIn + Alexa, Podbean,  iHeartRadio,  Google, Amazon Music/Audible, Deezer, Podcast Addict, and iTunes Apple Podcasts, which supports Overcast, Pocket Cast, Castro and Castbox.

In this enriching episode of “Kimberly's Italy,” hosts Kimberly Holcombe and Tommaso dive into the heart of Italian culture, focusing on the vibrant city of Verona. Joining them is special guest Valeria Biasi, a Verona native and co-founder of Verona Tours. Key Highlights: Personalized Tours in Verona: The episode emphasizes the benefits of small walking tours, which allow for meaningful interactions and a deep dive into local culture. Listeners are introduced to a variety of tours in Verona, including food tours, wine tastings, and historical explorations, all designed to offer enriching experiences. Wine Experiences: A spotlight is placed on wine tours in the regions of Soave and Valpolicella, known for their famous red and white grapes. These tours often include transportation and customized itineraries, featuring unique experiences such as winter picnics. The distinctive production process of Amarone wine is also highlighted. Responsible and Slow Travel: Inspired by an interview with a Slow Foods USA Board memeber, the conversation encourages responsible tourism. Valeria and her partner Lorella make the effort to show their clients the less crowded destinations, advocating for travel that supports local communities and authentic experiences. Authentic Local Discoveries: Personal anecdotes illustrate the joy of discovering hidden gems, such as a charming pasticceria and a lesser-known cloister of the Duomo. Valeria's role in enhancing these experiences is praised, and she comes highly recommended by Kimberly and Tommaso since they thoroughly enjoyed their walking tour with her. Overall, the episode champions the values of personalized and responsible tourism, urging travelers to engage in genuine interactions and uncover the hidden treasures of Italy. Whether through a leisurely stroll in Verona or a tailored wine tour, the hosts encourage an exploration of Italy that is both enriching and sustainable. Link to:  Valeria Biasi Verona Tours Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

The Renaissance was an age of sweeping transformation in politics, literature, science, art and architecture. Perhaps nothing better represents the latter achievements than il Duomo di Firenze - the Cathedral of Florence, the city where the epic Ezio trilogy of Assassin's Creed - and the Renaissance - began. The story of the Duomo is both more complicated and more controversial than you'd expect. Matt Lewis is joined by architectural historian Emma Wells to shed light on the marvels and mysteries of Florence Cathedral.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Alex JonesProduced by: Matt Lewis, Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Coordinator: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Approaching Target by Jesper KydEarth by Jesper KydTour of Venice by Jesper KydThe Madam by Jesper KydSanctuary by Jesper KydIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MKTell us your favourite episode or Assassin's Creed game at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Marco's Noisy Shoes & an Unexpected Cathedral Adventure Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/it/episode/2024-11-18-23-34-02-it Story Transcript:It: Marco camminava con entusiasmo verso la maestosa Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, meglio conosciuta come il Duomo di Firenze.En: Marco walked enthusiastically towards the majestic Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, better known as the Duomo di Firenze.It: L'aria era fresca, e le foglie d'autunno ballavano con il vento nella piazza.En: The air was fresh, and the autumn leaves danced with the wind in the square.It: Marco era affascinato dall'architettura italiana e non vedeva l'ora di partecipare al tour guidato da Giulia, una guida locale famosa per la sua passione e conoscenza.En: Marco was fascinated by Italian architecture and couldn't wait to join the guided tour led by Giulia, a local guide famous for her passion and knowledge.It: Al momento di unirsi al gruppo, Marco sentì un suono strano.En: As he was about to join the group, Marco heard a strange sound.It: Ogni suo passo produceva uno squittio acuto e penetrante.En: Each of his steps produced a sharp and piercing squeak.It: "Oh no," pensò Marco, dopo aver realizzato che il suono proveniva dalle sue scarpe nuove.En: "Oh no," thought Marco, after realizing that the sound was coming from his new shoes.It: I turisti intorno iniziarono a gigghettare, e anche Giulia si fermò un attimo, infastidita, mentre cercava di continuare la sua spiegazione sugli affreschi della facciata.En: The tourists around began to giggle, and even Giulia paused for a moment, annoyed, as she tried to continue her explanation of the frescoes on the facade.It: Luca, un altro turista con un grande sorriso, non poteva trattenere le risate.En: Luca, another tourist with a big smile, couldn't hold back his laughter.It: Prese il telefono e iniziò a registrare, conquistato dall'esilarante scena.En: He took out his phone and started recording, captivated by the hilarious scene.It: Per Marco, però, non era così divertente.En: For Marco, though, it wasn't so funny.It: Cercò di essere più silenzioso camminando in punta di piedi, ma il rumore continuava.En: He tried to be quieter by walking on tiptoe, but the noise continued.It: Provò a fermarsi e fingersi una statua, ma ciò attirò solo più attenzione.En: He tried to stop and pretend to be a statue, but that only attracted more attention.It: Finalmente, con un sorriso imbarazzato, Marco si scusò con Giulia e disse: "Forse è meglio se mi tolgo le scarpe."En: Finally, with an embarrassed smile, Marco apologized to Giulia and said, "Maybe it's better if I take off my shoes."It: Giulia, che aveva cercato di ignorare la distrazione, annuì con un mezzo sorriso di approvazione.En: Giulia, who had tried to ignore the distraction, nodded with a half-smile of approval.It: Marco si sfilò le scarpe velocemente, e il gruppo riprese la visita in un silenzio rispettoso.En: Marco quickly slipped off his shoes, and the group resumed the tour in respectful silence.It: Con i piedi coperti solo dai calzini, Marco camminava tranquillo accanto agli altri turisti, immergendosi nella bellezza della cattedrale.En: With his feet covered only by socks, Marco walked quietly next to the other tourists, immersing himself in the beauty of the cathedral.It: Intanto, Luca continuava a filmare e caricare il video sui social, ricevendo rapidamente like e commenti divertiti da tutto il mondo.En: Meanwhile, Luca continued filming and uploading the video on social media, quickly receiving likes and amused comments from around the world.It: Alla fine del tour, mentre il gruppo si disperdeva, Marco sorrise realizzato: a volte, ammettere un problema può risolverlo meglio di qualsiasi tentativo di nasconderlo.En: At the end of the tour, as the group dispersed, Marco smiled, realizing: sometimes, admitting a problem can solve it better than any attempt to hide it.It: E senza saperlo, era diventato una piccola star, ricordando a tutti che anche l'imbarazzo può portare a qualcosa di buono.En: And without knowing it, he had become a small star, reminding everyone that even embarrassment can lead to something good.It: Quella sera, mentre festeggiava il Giorno del Ringraziamento con un pasto italiano, Marco sorrise al suo telefono, stupito dai commenti positivi.En: That evening, while celebrating Thanksgiving with an Italian meal, Marco smiled at his phone, amazed by the positive comments.It: Scoprì che il suo piccolo incidente aveva non solo reso il giorno memorabile, ma gli aveva anche insegnato una lezione preziosa: affrontare le difficoltà con leggerezza può regalarti momenti inaspettati di gioia.En: He discovered that his little incident had not only made the day memorable but had also taught him a valuable lesson: facing difficulties with lightness can bring unexpected moments of joy. Vocabulary Words:majestic: maestosacathedral: cattedraleautumn: autunnofrescoes: affreschifaçade: facciatato giggle: gigghettareembarrassed: imbarazzatoto apologize: scusarsirespectful: rispettososilence: silenziosocks: calzinito immerse: immergersibeauty: bellezzato upload: caricarelikes: likecomments: commentito disperse: disperdereto realize: realizzareproblem: problemato hide: nascondereembarrassment: imbarazzounexpected: inaspettatijoy: gioiato celebrate: festeggiareThanksgiving: Giorno del Ringraziamentomeal: pastoto discover: scoprireincident: incidentememorable: memorabilelesson: lezione

Florence Italy, know as Firenze in Italian, is a very popular destination.And rightly so as it's an amazing city.As the regional capital of Tuscany, Florence is home to the Renaissance.You could walk around the city and not step foot inside a museum or church and still feel as though you were walking in history and that you had experienced the city.However there are a few places you'll want to go into (and pay for) as well some spots you can experience for free.So in this episode, I'm going to recommend some of my top places to go in Florence.And I'll offer up some tips for when to go and how to best utilize your time.Want to chat more about Florence Italy?Email me at Lynne@WanderYourWay.com.In this episode:1:47: Intro3:12: Placing Florence on the map5:49: Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiori (Duomo) and the buildings around 10:53: Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze / Michelangelo's Statue of David12:23: Uffizi Gallery14:15: Piazza della Repubblica15:04: Ponte Vecchio16:48: Palazzo Vecchio & Piazza Vecchio19:44: Other Churches21:30: Piazzale Michelangelo23:28: Other Museums 26:09: Oltrarno sites and experiences30:14: Other experiences34:16: Travel Tips for Florence42:26: Wrapping it upImportant links:Duomo of FlorenceLa Galleria dell'Accademia di FirenzeUffizi GalleryPalazzo VecchioMuseo GalileoPalazzo PittiPalazzo D'OltrarnoIl Santino Wine BarHotel Cavour Rooftop BarFlorence Food StudioLa Cité (bistro)10 of My Favorite Amazing European CitiesWhy a Walking Tour of a City Is a Great IdeaWander Your Way AdventuresSupport the showThanks to Callisa Mickle who edits the audio.Follow Wander Your Way:InstagramFacebookPinterest

This week, hosts Teffer Adjemian (@tefferbear) and Tom Zalatnai (@tomzalatnai) talk about gooey, starchy, delicious risotto! From its bizarre connection to Milan's Duomo to a fabulous use for leftovers, risotto has something for everyone! Support the show on Patreon! patreon.com/nobadfoodpod Contact us and keep up with everything we're doing over on Instagram @nobadfoodpod! Check out The Depot! www.depotmtl.org Want to be on the show? Tell us why! https://forms.gle/w2bfwcKSgDqJ2Dmy6 MERCH! podcavern.myspreadshop.ca Our logo is by David Flamm! Check out his work (and buy something from his shop!) at http://www.davidflammart.com/ Our theme music is "It Takes A Little Time" by Zack Ingles! You can (and should!) buy his music here: https://zackingles.bandcamp.com/ www.podcavern.com

In this episode, the FAQ is: How do I manage increasing technology and security for travel?   Today's Destination is: Milan, Italy   Today's Misstep- I almost took a train to Switzerland at the Milan station   Travel Advice: Bring a handheld portable fan for the heat. It can be oppressive.   FAQ: The level of technology and security has stepped up for travel and entertainment. How do I manage it as a senior citizen in a very busy world?   Answer:    There is a growing level of distrust in today's environment. For some venues, you can no longer use a screenshot of a QR code to access a ticket, so it must be a live link if you don't have the paper ticket. If you are not on Wi-Fi, you may have trouble accessing the venue, like I did in July at the Symphony, where we used handwritten paper tickets.  The Crowdstrike tech shutdown of computers in July 2024, with thousands of airline flights canceled, was a peek into what could be an even longer period of shutting down air travel, train travel, and more. So, you need to develop options for adapting your transportation.  Get educated. The questions will keep coming, but you can figure it out. Keep listening here for more confidence-building guidance.   Today's destination: Milan, Italy   Milan is in northern Italy and is known for its history, culture, and fashion. Many styles originate here, so people-watching is a favorite activity.   The famous Duomo Cathedral, a Catholic Church, is in the city's center. I walked around twice to get the full picture and people-watch. I also did some pigeon watching, as there were plenty of them here in this vast square, filled with tourists in the middle of July. Metro stops were plentiful below the square, and the church filled the plaza. People are walking above the church's structure, near the roof, and you can see them below.  Shopping: You can shop at great stores, especially in the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II. It's great even just for looking for fashion ideas.     Tip 2: Don't be afraid to ask for help.     Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYouTube In the news

Seconda parte dell'itinerario alla scoperta di due piazze  - adiacenti al Duomo - cariche di storia, di arte e di vicende milanesi.In questa puntata si approfondirà piazza Missori.Testo: https://bit.ly/4fjjvxU

Episode No. 678 features curator Stephan Wolohojian. Along with Laura Llewellyn, Caroline Campbell and Joanna Cannon, Wolohojian is the curator of "Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The exhibition examines the role of Sienese artists such as Duccio, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini in the dawn of the Italian Renaissance and before the onset of the plague in around 1350. While Florence is typically considered the most important city of the Italian Renaissance, "Siena" argues for a broadening of our understanding of the dawn of a new era. "Siena" is on view through January 26, 2025. The excellent exhibition catalogue was published by the National Gallery, London. Amazon and Bookshop offer it for about $45. Some of the works referenced on the program are most easily seen via websites that aggregate multiple paintings into single pages, including: Ambrogia Lorenzetti, The Allegory of Good and Bad Government, 1838-39, Palazzo Pubblico, Siena. Duccio, Maestà, 1311, Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Siena. Ugolino di Nerio, Santa Croce altarpiece, 1325-28.

In questo episodio vi porto ad Orvieto, una città unica e imperdibile per il vostro prossimo viaggio in Italia! Parliamo di: Orvieto: un borgo con il Duomo più "bello d'Italia" La città sotterranea: una passeggiata nelle grotte Un viaggio nella storia in compagnia di Etruschi e Romani LINK UTILI: Area membri “Il Caffè”: ⁠CLICCA QUI PER ISCRIVERTI!⁠ Newsletter: ⁠LINK QUI.⁠ I corsi di Italiano con Amore ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SONO QUI!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Il mio libro: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠STORIE DI VITALIA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Let's travel to Florence— I'll provide a little bit of historical background to the birthplace of the Renaissance and then we'll dive into the treasures of this Tuscan capital. In this episode, I'll talk about my summer experience in Italy starting with visiting Pisa and then going to Firenze aka Florence. Florence is an art history/architectural nerd's dream. From the beautiful Piazzas (Piazza del Duomo, Piazza del Santa Croce), mega cathedrals with unimaginable scale and so much art. From the Uffizi to the Piazza della Signoria, Florence is truly an open air museum. Shop along the gold and jewelry shops of the medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge overlooking the Arno. Just be on the look out for pickpockets. Treat yourself to quality Florentine leather goods at the Scuolo del Cuoio or Galleria Michaelangelo. And most imporantly, eat gelato. My favorite spots in Florence: La Galleria Michelangelo Scuolo Del Cuoio La Strega Nocciola Gelateria Della Passera Trattoria Casa Toscana WHERE TO FIND ME: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@busygallivantingpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@BusyGallivantingPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email: busygallivantingpodcast@gmail.com Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠busygallivantingpodcast.com⁠ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/busygallivanting/support

Fluent Fiction - Italian: Luca's Leap: Finding Friendship in Milan's Historic Heart Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.org/lucas-leap-finding-friendship-in-milans-historic-heart Story Transcript:It: Il sole autunnale illuminava la maestosa Piazza del Duomo, colorando le guglie della cattedrale di un caldo oro.En: The autumn sun illuminated the majestic Piazza del Duomo, painting the cathedral's spires in a warm gold.It: Il rumore della città si mescolava alle voci eccitate degli studenti, freschi d'iscrizione all'università, intenti a esplorare il centro storico di Milano.En: The city's noise blended with the excited voices of students, freshly enrolled in the university, as they explored Milan's historic center.It: Tra questi volti nuovi, c'era Luca, uno studente al primo anno, con lo sguardo diviso tra la meraviglia del luogo e l'ansia della nuova avventura che lo attendeva.En: Among these new faces was Luca, a first-year student, his gaze torn between the wonder of the place and the anxiety of the new adventure awaiting him.It: Luca era determinato a reinventarsi.En: Luca was determined to reinvent himself.It: Non voleva più essere il ragazzo timido del liceo.En: He no longer wanted to be the shy boy from high school.It: Sperava di iniziare questo nuovo capitolo con coraggio e fare nuove amicizie.En: He hoped to start this new chapter with courage and make new friends.It: Ma mentre osservava i gruppi di studenti che ridevano e chiacchieravano, il suo cuore batteva forte e le sue mani erano sudate.En: But as he watched groups of students laughing and chatting, his heart beat fast, and his hands were sweaty.It: "Devo trovare il coraggio" si ripeté sottovoce.En: "I have to find the courage," he repeated to himself quietly.It: Accanto alla fontana, vide una ragazza con un sorriso cordiale e un libro in mano.En: Next to the fountain, he saw a girl with a friendly smile and a book in her hand.It: Sembrava gentile e approcciabile.En: She seemed kind and approachable.It: "Ecco la mia occasione," pensò Luca.En: "Here's my chance," thought Luca.It: Con un profondo respiro, si avvicinò.En: Taking a deep breath, he approached her.It: "Ciao, io sono Luca," disse timidamente.En: "Hi, I'm Luca," he said timidly.It: La ragazza sollevò lo sguardo e sorrise.En: The girl looked up and smiled.It: "Ciao, io sono Sofia," rispose lei con una voce amichevole.En: "Hi, I'm Sofia," she replied in a friendly voice.It: Iniziarono a parlare dei corsi e delle prime impressioni sull'università.En: They started talking about their courses and first impressions of the university.It: Sofia era appassionata di letteratura italiana, e questo li portò a discutere dei loro autori preferiti.En: Sofia was passionate about Italian literature, which led them to discuss their favorite authors.It: Con stupore, scoprirono di condividere l'ammirazione per Italo Calvino.En: To their surprise, they discovered a shared admiration for Italo Calvino.It: Ridendo delle sue storie bizzarre, Luca sentì il ghiaccio dentro di lui sciogliersi.En: Laughing about his quirky stories, Luca felt the ice inside him melting.It: La conversazione scorreva fluida, e Luca si sentiva sempre più a suo agio.En: The conversation flowed smoothly, and Luca felt increasingly at ease.It: Finalmente, chiese se potessero scambiarsi i contatti.En: Finally, he asked if they could exchange contact information.It: Sofia accettò volentieri, proponendo di esplorare insieme Milano dopo le lezioni.En: Sofia readily agreed, suggesting they explore Milan together after classes.It: "Mi farebbe davvero piacere," disse Luca, sentendo nascere un sorriso dal cuore.En: "I'd really like that," said Luca, feeling a smile bloom from his heart.It: Con un nuovo numero salvato nel telefono e una promessa di avventure future, Luca si allontanò dalla piazza con una nuova luce negli occhi.En: With a new number saved in his phone and a promise of future adventures, Luca walked away from the square with a newfound light in his eyes.It: La paura del primo giorno si trasformò in entusiasmo per ciò che lo aspettava.En: The fear of the first day turned into excitement for what lay ahead.It: Aveva fatto il primo passo per sentirsi parte di qualcosa di più grande.En: He had taken the first step to feel part of something bigger.It: L'università, d'ora in poi, non sarebbe stata solo un posto di studio, ma un'opportunità per crescere e connettersi.En: From now on, the university wouldn't just be a place of study but an opportunity to grow and connect.It: E con una nuova amica al suo fianco, Luca sapeva che ce l'avrebbe fatta.En: And with a new friend by his side, Luca knew he would succeed. Vocabulary Words:the sun: il soleilluminated: illuminavamajestic: maestosathe cathedral: la cattedralespires: guglienoise: rumoreblended: mescolavaenrolled: iscrizionehistoric: storicowonder: meravigliaanxiety: ansiaadventure: avventuradetermined: determinatoreinvent: reinventarsishy: timidoimpressions: impressionifriendly: cordialekind: gentileapproachable: approcciabiledeep breath: profondo respirotimidly: timidamenteamazed: stuporequirky: bizzarreice: ghiacciomelt: scioglieresmoothly: fluidacontacts: contattiexplore: esplorareopportunity: opportunitàsucceed: riuscire

Fluent Fiction - Italian: A Comedy of Errors: A Proposal in Florence's Heart Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.org/a-comedy-of-errors-a-proposal-in-florences-heart Story Transcript:It: L'aria fresca d'autunno avvolgeva la Piazza del Duomo a Firenze.En: The cool autumn air enveloped Piazza del Duomo in Florence.It: Era un giorno perfetto per una passeggiata; il sole splendeva alto nel cielo e la cattedrale si innalzava maestosa sui turisti che riempivano la piazza.En: It was a perfect day for a walk; the sun shone high in the sky, and the cathedral towered majestically over the tourists filling the square.It: Luca camminava nervosamente al fianco di Emilia, il suo cuore batteva forte.En: Luca walked nervously alongside Emilia, his heart pounding.It: Aveva pianificato tutto: oggi sarebbe stato il giorno in cui le avrebbe chiesto di sposarlo.En: He had planned everything: today would be the day he asked her to marry him.It: La piazza era viva, i suonatori di strada creavano una colonna sonora allegra e i venditori ambulanti offrivano gelati e piccoli souvenir.En: The square was alive, with street performers creating a cheerful soundtrack and street vendors offering ice cream and small souvenirs.It: Tutto sembrava perfetto.En: Everything seemed perfect.It: Ma le cose iniziarono a complicarsi subito.En: But things started to get complicated immediately.It: Mentre Luca cercava il momento giusto per inginocchiarsi, la scatolina con l'anello scivolò dalle sue mani, rimbalzò sul pavimento e rotolò verso un gruppo di turisti in posa per una foto.En: As Luca looked for the right moment to kneel, the little box with the ring slipped from his hands, bounced on the ground, and rolled towards a group of tourists posing for a photo.It: "Oh no!" esclamò Luca, rincorrendo la scatola sotto gli sguardi confusi della folla.En: "Oh no!" exclaimed Luca, chasing after the box under the confused gazes of the crowd.It: Riuscì a recuperarla, ma il suo cuore era ormai un caos di emozioni.En: He managed to retrieve it, but his heart was now a jumble of emotions.It: Deciso a non lasciarsi scoraggiare, Luca trovò un nuovo punto vicino alla fontana.En: Determined not to be discouraged, Luca found a new spot near the fountain.It: Si preparò, fece un respiro profondo, ma non si accorse del suonatore di tamburo che lo avvicinava pensandolo parte dello spettacolo.En: He prepared himself, took a deep breath, but didn't notice the drummer approaching him, thinking he was part of the show.It: Prima che potesse accorgersi, Luca si ritrovò con un tamburello nelle mani mentre Emilia rideva divertita.En: Before he realized it, Luca found himself with a tambourine in his hands while Emilia laughed amusedly.It: "Che fai, Luca?" chiese lei con occhi scintillanti.En: "What are you doing, Luca?" she asked with sparkling eyes.It: Luca sorrise imbarazzato e restituì il tamburello al musicista.En: Luca smiled, embarrassed, and returned the tambourine to the musician.It: Una folla di turisti si radunava a scattare foto e Luca, impacciato, si spostò verso un angolo più tranquillo della piazza, dove la musica era meno forte.En: A crowd of tourists gathered to take pictures, and Luca, awkward, moved to a quieter corner of the square, where the music was less loud.It: "Questa è la volta buona," mormorò a sé stesso.En: "This is the right time," he murmured to himself.It: Infine, Luca fece un passo indietro per creare spazio, ma perse l'equilibrio e cadde.En: Finally, Luca took a step back to make space but lost his balance and fell.It: L'anello, ironia della sorte, volò fuori dalla scatolina e finì direttamente dentro il cappello di un giocoliere che si esibiva poco lontano.En: Ironically, the ring flew out of the box and landed directly into the juggler's hat performing nearby.It: Le persone attorno scoppiarono a ridere, inclusa Emilia, che osservava la scena con occhi brillanti di affetto.En: The people around burst into laughter, including Emilia, who watched the scene with eyes bright with affection.It: Emilia si avvicinò al giocoliere, recuperò l'anello e tornò da Luca che, ancora a terra, la guardava con un sorriso timido.En: Emilia approached the juggler, retrieved the ring, and returned to Luca, who was still on the ground, looking at her with a shy smile.It: "Dirai che volevi solo darmi una lezione di coordinazione?" scherzò lei, tenendo l'anello tra le dita.En: "Are you going to say you just wanted to give me a coordination lesson?" she joked, holding the ring between her fingers.It: Luca si alzò, prese la mano di Emilia e, finalmente, le chiese: "Vuoi sposarmi?"En: Luca stood up, took Emilia's hand, and finally asked her, "Will you marry me?"It: Il suo viso era arrossato e il suo cuore andava a mille, ma nei suoi occhi c'era solo sincerità.En: His face was flushed, and his heart was racing, but his eyes showed only sincerity.It: Emilia scoppiò a ridere, felice.En: Emilia burst into laughter, happy.It: "Sì, certo che sì!" rispose, abbracciandolo forte tra gli applausi dei presenti.En: "Yes, of course I will!" she replied, hugging him tightly amid the applause of onlookers.It: Quel giorno, Luca imparò che non è necessario che tutto sia perfetto.En: That day, Luca learned that not everything needs to be perfect.It: Ciò che conta è essere insieme alla persona amata.En: What matters is being together with the one you love.It: E così, in quel caos meraviglioso, la proposta più imperfetta divenne il ricordo più bello.En: And so, in that wonderful chaos, the most imperfect proposal became the most beautiful memory. Vocabulary Words:the autumn air: l'aria d'autunnomajestic: maestosato tower: innalzarsinervously: nervosamenteto kneel: inginocchiarsilittle box: la scatolinato bounce: rimbalzarecrowd: la follaconfused gazes: gli sguardi confusijumble of emotions: un caos di emozionidetermined: decisofountain: la fontanadeep breath: un respiro profondodrummer: il suonatore di tamburotambourine: il tamburelloembarrassed: imbarazzatoto gather: radunarsiawkward: impacciatobalance: l'equilibrioto lose balance: perdere l'equilibriojuggler: il giocolierehat: il cappelloto burst into laughter: scoppiare a ridereshy smile: un sorriso timidoto joke: scherzareto blush: arrossireto hug tightly: abbracciare forteapplause: gli applausito learn: impararewonderful chaos: il caos meraviglioso

Episode Highlights: Join us ( Kimberly and Tommaso) as we shine a light on the lesser-known gems of Italy—Piacenza and Pistoia. This episode is packed with insightful tips to inspire your next Italian adventure beyond the usual tourist hotspots like Rome and Florence. Introduction to Piacenza and Pistoia: Discover the charm of these lesser-known cities that offer a rich blend of history, culture, and architectural beauty. Learn why venturing beyond the typical destinations can provide a more fulfilling and less exhausting travel experience. Trip Planning Tips: We discuss the common challenges of trip planning in Italy and offer practical strategies for managing tourist crowds. We highlight the benefits of exploring smaller cities to truly appreciate local culture without the overwhelm. Spotlight on Pistoia: Known as a quieter alternative to Florence, Pistoia boasts natural beauty, thermal baths, and unique architecture. Suggestions for staying in Pistoia and taking day trips to Florence or Lucca for a balanced experience. Highlights include the architectural wonders of Piazza del Duomo, the Bishop's residence, the bell tower, and the baptistery. A nod to Pistoia's designation as the capital of culture in 2017, enhancing its appeal. Exploring Piacenza: Piacenza offers a peaceful atmosphere, contrasting with the bustling vibe of Milano. Despite fewer hotel options, Piacenza provides lovely accommodations and a welcoming ambiance. Key sites include Piazza San Antonio, Piazza Cavalli with its equestrian statues, and Palazzo Gotico. Delve into the city's rich history, including notable visits from Leonardo da Vinci. Indulge in Piacenza's local salumi for an authentic taste of Italian cuisine. Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook 

We love Milano but it's often misunderstood. So we asked our friend tour guide and passionate Milan resident Inge de Boer to share with us the missing pieces that can help you understand this city beyond its obvious attractions - the Duomo and Last Supper.Read the full episode show notes here > untolditaly.com/232Support the showJoin our mailing list and get our FREE Italy trip planning checklist - subscribe here | Join us on tour: Trip schedule | Discover our Trip Planning Services | Visit our online store | Follow: Instagram • Facebook • YouTube • Italy Travel Planning CommunityThe Untold Italy travel podcast is an independent production. Podcast Editing, Audio Production and Website Development by Mark Hatter. Production Assistance and Content Writing by the other Katie Clarke - yes there are two of us!

Welcome back to our podcast, where Tommaso and I, Kimberly, celebrate Italy's rich history, culture, cuisine, architecture, and art. In our latest episode, we took a deep dive into the enchanting region of South Tyrol. We were thrilled to share some of the glowing listener reviews that perfectly capture the simple pleasures of Italy. Our mission is to inspire and educate you on planning your next Italian adventure, fueled by our passion for this incredible country. Recently, Tommaso and I embarked on a delightful journey to Trento, a charming city nestled in the Trentino Aldo Adige region. Our adventure began with a picturesque drive from Lago di Garda, and to our delight, we found free parking upon arrival. Trento's unique blend of Venetian and Austro-Hungarian architectural influences left us in awe. One of the highlights of our visit was the Piazza del Duomo, where we marveled at the impressive Romanesque and Gothic styles. We also loved the vibrant atmosphere of the student-filled piazza near where we enjoyed a delightful lunch at a local trattoria. Our exploration didn't stop there. We visited the historical Castello Buonconsiglio, a fortress with sections dating back to different periods. Strolling through Trento's Centro Historico, we couldn't help but appreciate the city's clean, cohesive design and distinctive reddish stone tiles. As our visit to Trento concluded, we made plans to see come back to Trento and strongly recommended that you explore lesser-known destinations like Trento instead of the usual tourist hotspots. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more travel tips and updates. We can't wait to share our next Italian adventure with you! Follow us on Social Media Instagram Facebook