WHERE: Altamura, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014
WITH: friends (+2)
HOW: Car from Bari (30mins)
WEATHER: Sunny
WEARING: Casual denim
Altamura fue mi hogar durante el mes de Agosto gracias a mi buena amiga Rosella quien, junto a Paolo, me invitĆ³ a pasar las vacaciones allĆ y me enseĆ±Ć³ esta preciosa parte de Italia, bastante desconocida hasta ahora! La ciudad tiene un centro histĆ³rico de lo mĆ”s eclĆ©ctico y amplio, rodeado por la muralla que le da nombre. Es un laberinto de callejones que rodea la catedral con construcciones de distintas Ć©pocas, estilos y religiones, ideal para perderse y descubrir sus claustros; pequeƱas placitas/patios donde los vecinos aun salen a tomar el fresco y regar las plantas.
Altamura was my home last august thanks to my good friend Rosella who, with Paolo, invited me over to spend my holidays and discover this unknown part of Italy. The city has an eclectic old part, surrounded by the walls that give name to it. It's a labyrinth of narrow streets around the cathedral, with buildings from different times, styles and religions, perfect to wander and end up in any claustro; small squares/patios where neighbors chitchat and water the plants.
WHERE: Ostuni, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+2)
HOW: Car from Altamura (1h 30mins)
WEATHER: Hot and cloudy
Ostuni es un pueblo blanco italiano, a unos 10km del AdriƔtico. Se puede visitar en una maƱana pero no da para mucho mƔs... al estar en una colina tiene muy buenas vistas a los campos de olivas y al mar, el lugar perfecto para un baƱito despuƩs del paseo.
Ostuni is an italian white village, 10km away from the coast. A morning there is enough to visit the town, that has a privileged spot overlooking the olives fields and the Adriatic sea, which is the perfect place for a swim after walking all over the streets.
WHERE: Bari, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+1)
HOW: Car from Altamura (45mins)/Flight from Rome (1hr)
WEATHER: Hot
Bari es la capital de Puglia y cuenta con un puerto, un castillo, una bĆ”silica y muchas cosas mĆ”s. Pero a mĆ lo que mĆ”s me sorprendiĆ³ es que, a pesar de ser una ciudad grande, en el fondo es muy pueblo! En cuanto callejĆ©as un poco empiezas a desubrir la italia profunda, con seƱoras que sacan media cocina a la calle para hacer pasta casera, los famosos orecchiette, charlan con las vecinas en bata y tienden la ropa en tendederos que plantan en mitad de la calle. AdemĆ”s en muchos recovecos hay montados altares callejeros a vĆrgenes y santos, aunque el protagonista religioso de la ciudad es San NicolĆ”s (sĆ, en quien se basa PapĆ” Noel!), cuyos restos reposan en la cripta de la BasĆlica, que es lugar de peregrinaciĆ³n sobre todo para cristianos ortodoxos.
Bari is Puglia's capital, and it has a port, a castle, a basilica and many other sights. But what really surprised me here was the small town lifestyle, even when it's a big city! If you enter the narrow streets you can observe local women who set an improvised kitchen outside their houses and make fresh pasta, the famous orecchiette, they chitchat with their neighbors in their sleeping robes and hang their laundry on the street. Moreover, you can find street altars in many corners, dedicated to virgins and saint, but the main religious character here is Saint Nicholas (the saint behind Santa Claus legend), whose remains rest in the crypt at the basilica, a pilgrimage place specially for orthodox christians.
WHERE: Trani, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+6)
HOW: Car from Altamura (1hr)
WEATHER: Hot
Trani es conocida como "la perla del sur" de Italia. Es una ciudad dĆ³nde el puerto es el protagonista y la catedral normanda parece estar flotando sobre el AdriĆ”tico. Yo la visitĆ© por la tarde-noche y disfrutĆ© de una cena espectacular en un lugar surrealista, con las mejores vistas del puerto. Os podĆ©is imaginar cenar en la azotea de una casa construida en una iglesia templaria??? Resulta que hace aƱos la Iglesia de Ognissanti vendiĆ³ un trozo a la familia de mis anfitriones, que constuyeron su original casa aprovechando parte de los muros templarios, asĆ que bĆ”sicamente su ducha es un absidiolo! Aprovecho para agradecerles la invitaciĆ³n a este lugar privilegiado.
Trani is known as "the pearl of the south" of Italy. It's a port city dominated by the Norman cathedral, which looks like it's floating on the Adriatic sea. I visited it in the evening and enjoyed a spectacular dinner in a surreal location with an amazing view of the port. Can you imagine having dinner at the rooftop of a house built in a Templar church??? Many years back, part of the Chiesa di Ognissanti was sold to my hosts family, who have built their original house sharing walls with the church, so basically they shower in an apse! I really thank them for the invitation to this extraordinary place.
WHERE: Alberobello, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+2)
HOW: Car from Altamura (1hr)
WEATHER: Hot
WEARING: Mediterranean summer
La arquitectura de este pueblo es tan original como su historia. Resulta que en la Edad Media las poblaciones tenĆan que pagar un tributo al Reino de NĆ”poles, y cuando esta zona se empezĆ³ a llenar de campesinos, los condes que dominaban las tierras les dejaron establecerse allĆ a condiciĆ³n de construir viviendas que se pudiesen demoler facilmente en el caso de una inspecciĆ³n por parte de NĆ”poles. AsĆ surgieron los "trulli", pequeƱas casas construidas en piedra, sin cemento, con un ingenioso tejado-cĆŗpula en forma de cono, decoradas con intrigantes sĆmbolos. Y asĆ es como naciĆ³ el fraude fiscal!
Architecture in this town is as original as the story behind it. Settlements in this area had to pay a tribute to Naples Kingdom during the Medieval era, and when farmers started coming here, the counts ruling this land let them stay under one condition; they had to build easy-destroyable houses so they won't get caught in case of an inspection by the Kingdom. This is how "trullis" were born, small stone houses, built without cement, with an ingenious cone-shaped dome/roof, decorated with curious symbols. And this is how tax evasion started!
WHERE: Matera, Basilicata, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+1)
HOW: Car from Altamura (20mins)
WEATHER: Hot
WEARING: Cruise
Matera es un lugar diferente. En el paleolĆtico se estableciĆ³ como asentamiento, con casas-cueva escarvadas en la roca llamadas Sassi. Los romanos despuĆ©s fundaron la ciudad, que estĆ” construĆda en las paredes del caĆ±Ć³n por el que pasa el rĆo Gravina. La zona Sassi es de dificil accesso, pues son callejuelas empedradas, cuesta abajo y muy resbaladizas, pero en la zona alta y nueva hay varios miradores desde donde observar esta curiosa poblaciĆ³n, que ha sido utilizada como escenario en muchas pelĆculas, como la PasiĆ³n de Mel Gibson. Forma parte del Patrimonio de la UNESCO y tiene iglesias rupestres tambiĆ©n dentro de la roca.
Matera is a unique place. It was settled during the Paleolithic, and then the Romans founded the city, with cave-houses dug into the rock walls of the Gravina river canyon. The Sassi area is not very accessible due to narrow slippery stone streets, but there's some scenic balconies on the upper and newer part of the city, from where you can see this curious town, used as a filming location in many movies, such as Mel Gibson's The Passion. It's part of UNESCO Heritage and has rupestrian churches also built in the rocks.
WHERE: Gravina in Puglia, Puglia, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: friends (+2)
HOW: Car from Altamura (20mins)
WEATHER: Hot
WEARING: Chic denim
Gravina es un pequeƱo pueblo de Puglia, fundado por los griegos y luego conquistado por los romanos, aunque posteriormente otras tribus lo dominaron. La peculiaridad del municipio es que las casas que lo rodean y alguna iglesia estƔn escavadas en la roca, pues en tiempos era un pueblo vertical. La catedral tambiƩn es curiosa, sobre todo el coro y los murales de piedras incrustadas.
Gravina is a small town in Apulia, founded by the greeks and then conquered by the romans, but also ruled by many others. It's main characteristic are the houses and churches carved on the stone hill walls. The cathedral is also curious, specially the choir and the inlaid stones work.
WHERE: Roma, Lazio, ITALY
WHEN: August 2014, 1 day
WITH: Myself
HOW: Plane from Madrid (2hrs)
WEATHER: Hot, with some clouds
WEARING: Mediterranean Summer
Estuve en Roma por primera vez hace 10 aƱos, de viaje de fin de curso. Creo que vi la ciudad con resaca, o igual es que ha pasado mucho tiempo, porque mi memoria tiene lagunas. En cualquier caso espero que, si veo estas fotos dentro de 10 aƱos, el modelito que llevo no me horrorice tanto como mi vestuario de 2004 (menudas risas os ibais a echar como subiese esas fotos!) Las sandalias que llevo son de hace algĆŗn aƱo mĆ”s, con ellas me graduĆ© de la ESO, me dieron mi primer beso y pasĆ© noches enteras bailando sobre ellas... Aunque puede que recorrer Roma con unos tacones de 10cm no haya sido mi decisiĆ³n mĆ”s acertada del verano (nota mental: la prĆ³xima vez haz caso a tus sabios consejos sobre cĆ³mo hacer el Equipaje Perfecto)
I visited Rome for the first time 10 years ago, on a graduation trip. I think I had a hangover all over the city, or maybe it's been a long time and my memory is failing. Anyways, I hope when I look back at these pics 10 years from now I don't regret my outfit as much as I regret what I was wearing in 2004 (You'd ROTFL with those images!) The sandals are even older, I wore them to my school graduation, during my first kiss and I danced on them endless nights... but maybe roaming all over Rome on 10cm heels wasn't my wisest summer choice (mental note: next time follow your awesome advice on how to pack the Perfect Luggage)
WHERE: Figueres, Girona, SPAIN
WHEN: June 2014, 1 day
WITH: Family (+3)
HOW: Car from L'Estartit (45 mins)
OPENS:9-18h (Summer 9-20h)
TICKET:12€ (included with DalĆ Theatre and Museum)
Dentro del Teatro y Museo DalĆ se encuentra la exposiciĆ³n de una fantĆ”stica colecciĆ³n de joyas diseƱadas por Salvador DalĆ. Desde iconos religiosos hasta puro arte surrealista como el Ojo del Tiempo o un corazĆ³n de rubĆes que late de verdad! CĆŗal es vuestra favorita?
Inside DalĆ Theatre and Museum you can find the fantastic jewels collection designed by Salvador DalĆ. From religious icons to pure surrealist art, like the Eye of Time or a rubies heart that actually beats! Which one is your favorite?
LO MEJOR/THE BEST: las joyas con movimiento / jewels with movement
LO PEOR/THE WORST: La multitud de turistas / the touristic crowd
ConocĆ©is el Museo? Os gustarĆa ir? Comentad abajo!
Have you ever been the Museum? Would you like to visit? Comments below!
WHERE: Pubol, Girona, SPAIN
WHEN: May 2011, 1 day
WITH: Family (+4)
HOW: Car from Barcelona (90 mins)
WEATHER: Cloudy
WEARING: Casual denim
PĆŗbol es un minĆŗsculo pueblo del EmpordĆ”, pero con mucha fama gracias a su castillo, reformado por DalĆ. Fue un regalo para Gala, su esposa, y aquĆ pasaron sus Ćŗltimos dĆas, pero no al mismo tiempo. El Castillo se puede vivistar como casa/museo, estĆ” lleno de curiosidades como los elefantes del jardĆn, la fuente con cabezas de Wagner, los coches de Gala, un ajedrez en forma de dedos y la fantĆ”stica colecciĆ³n de vestidos de Alta Costura de la mujer del artista. Pasen y vean!
Pubol is a ridiculously small town in the EmpordĆ”, but well known for its castle, rebuilt by DalĆ. It was a present for Gala, his wife, where they spent their last days, but not at the same time. You can visit the house-museum filled with endless pieces of art: elephant sculptures in the garden, a fountain with Wagner heads, Gala's cars, a finger-shaped chess game and the wonderful Couture dresses collection, all worn by the artist's wife. Check it out!
WHERE: Peratallada, Girona, SPAIN
WHEN: May 2011, 1 day
WITH: Family (+4)
HOW: Car from Barcelona (90 mins)
WEATHER: Sunny, fresh
Peratallada es un pueblo medieval muy pequeƱo del EmpordĆ”. Se visita rĆ”pido en un dĆa y es muy tranquilo para pasear.
Peratallada is a medieval town in the EmpordĆ”. It doesn't take long to visit, and is really quite to walk in the streets.
WHERE: CadaquƩs, Girona, SPAIN
WHEN: June 2014, 1 day
WITH: Family (+14)
HOW: Sailing from L'Estartit (3hrs)
WEATHER: Sunny
WEARING: Boho Chic
CadaquĆ©s es uno de los pueblos pesqueros con mĆ”s encanto del EmpordĆ”, y famoso por haber atraĆdo a artistas como Picasso, Duchamp, Lorca y, por supuesto, DalĆ, cuya casa-museo se encuentra en la cala de Port Lligat. Es un lugar perfecto para una excursiĆ³n en barco desde cualquier punto de la Costa Brava.
CadaquĆ©s is a charming fishermen village at the EmpordĆ”, famous thanks to artists such as Picasso, Duchamp, Lorca and, of course, DalĆ, who has his house-museum at Port Lligat. It's the perfect place for a day excursion if you are sailing the Costa Brava.
Las empinadas callejuelas del pueblo, encaladas en blanco, con ventanas pintadas en azul y buganvillas trepando por las fachadas son una delicia. Las terrazas de la bahĆa el lugar ideal para tomar algo y observar el ajetreo de la plaza con su mercadillo, las barcas saliendo del puerto saliendo a pescar y los locales que van a las playas con sus alpargatas y sus capazos.
The white up-and-down narrow streets are splashed with blue windows and colorful bougainvilleas climb up the walls. The terraces by the bay are the perfect spot to have a drink while you observe the hustle and bustle of the plaza market, the small boats going fishing and the locals walking to the beach wearing espadrilles and carrying their towels in straw baskets.
LO MEJOR/THE BEST: la entrada desde el mar / arriving sailing
LO PEOR/THE WORST: la carretera hasta allĆ no es muy buena / reaching by road is not that great
ConocĆ©is CadaquĆ©s? Os gustarĆa ir? Comentad abajo!
Have you ever been to CadaquƩs? Would you like to visit? Comments below!t