Elesta Travelling Passion

A view of Verona, known as the city of Juliet and Romeo, rich in art, history and culture. Noteworthy is the Ponte Pietra, the oldest bridge in town over the Adige River, the only one remaining from the Roman era. After surviving several floods, the bridge was blown up during World War II but was later rebuilt, recomposing the stones recovered from the riverbed, by anastylosis, a restoration technique with which the original pieces of a destroyed building are put back together, element by element. In Verona, Dante Alighieri spent, starting in 1303, seven years of his life, a guest of Bartolomeo della Scala, and dedicated the Paradiso, the last canticle of his Comedy, to Cangrande della Scala, lord of the city at the beginning of the 14th century. One of our tours is dedicated to the places that accompanied the "Supreme Poet" in those years in Verona: did you know that Dante was the first writer to use, in a verse of Purgatory, the names of the Montecchi and Capuleti families? #discoverItaly #travel #Verona #DanteAlighieri

Sardinia is a special place to discover the ancient ceramic and textile traditions of the Mediterranean. In particular, Oliena, a little town not far from Nuoro, in the heart of Barbagia, is famous for its shawls and for the carved chests, used to store carasau bread. This place full of ancient charm is also renowned for the processing of ceramics, made by local artisans in both the traditional Sardinian style and in a contemporary key. Our itinerary, dedicated to the ancient traditions and Sardinian craftsmanship, could not fail to stop here. In addition to admiring the natural beauty of the Gulf of Orosei National Park, you can choose to participate in a workshop with a master ceramist, to learn the basics of traditional ceramic. All information at the link in comments #discoverItaly #Sardinia #travel #travellingpassion #ceramic

A glimpse of the historic center of Assisi, one of the most evocative medieval villages in Central Italy that, from Mount Subasio, dominates the Umbrian Valley, offering views of rare beauty. It is the city where Saint Francis, patron saint of Italy, and Saint Clare lived and died; moving among the places and ancient streets, the visitor perceives a sensation that combines history and spirituality. In 2000, the city of Assisi, with the Basilica of Saint Francis, Santa Maria degli Angeli and almost all of the municipal territory, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. #discoverItaly #travel #Umbria #Assisi

Naples is the location of ‘L'amica geniale’ ("My Brilliant Friend") by Elena Ferrante, from which the highly successful television series was based. Books and literature are one of our great passions, and among them Elena Ferrante's writing occupies a very prominent place. That is why we decided to dedicate an itinerary to Naples and the places where the story of the two protagonists of her novels unfolds. Come with us to discover Naples following in the footsteps of Elena Ferrante, in the places in the city that have been the backdrop for books and TV series. Check the details of our itinerary in comments #discoverItaly #Naples #Napoli

#news One of the most important tennis events in the world is currently taking place in Turin: the Nitto ATP Finals, featuring champions such as Sinner, Zverev and Alcaraz, among others. This major sporting event was the occasion to present our new proposal: the ‘Elesta Sports Tours’ collection. This is a series of itineraries dedicated to sports enthusiasts, designed to combine the passion for a particular discipline with visits to places - from the most iconic to the lesser known - that characterise the cultural, artistic and social life of the cities hosting sporting events. On this occasion, we are bringing some of our travellers, true tennis fans or just sport enthusiasts, to #Turin, offering them not only the chance to witness the most exciting matches of the tournament, but also to take advantage of the opportunity to discover the most hidden corners and iconic views of this beautiful city. #discoverItaly #sportstravel #travellingpassion #tennis

Culture, medieval villages, history, nature: there are many treasures to discover in Valle Camonica, in Northern Italy. Known throughout the world for its rock carvings, a UNESCO heritage site since 1979, the Valley also holds many surprises such as spas, artistic masterpieces, panoramic walks and cycle paths, fine wines and giant benches, extraordinary pictorial cycles and experiences for families. Come with us to discover them! Read more on our blog (link in comments) #discoverItaly #travel #travelblog

The history of Siena, in the heart of Tuscany, begins with its foundation, in the Etruscan era, and then developed in the Middle Ages with traditions and architecture that make it a lively and fascinating place. Among its beauties, the Duomo stands out, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and a symbol of the power and wealth of the Sienese Republic. Its white and green marble façade features sculptures and mosaics, while the interior houses artworks by masters such as Michelangelo and Donatello. Of particular note is the marble flooring, with biblical and allegorical scenes, which is considered one of the most beautiful in Europe. Siena is also known for the Palio, a historic tradition dating back to the 17th century, mainly made up of the famous horse race, each of which represents a "contrada", but also completed by a series of rituals and celebrations that involve the entire community. In fact, every "contrada", each with its own symbol and colors, prepare months before the race, with events ranging from convivial dinners to costume parades. The race itself, which takes place in July and August, is an exciting experience, with the horses running in the beautiful Piazza del Campo and the deafening cheering of the residents in the hope of winning, in fact, the Palio, a banner every time different from the previous one because it's painted by artists chosen each year. This event is therefore not just a competition but a true celebration of Sienese culture and of its deep connection with the world of horses. And this is the reason that we've chosen #Siena as one of the stops on our “Horses in Tuscany” itinerary, dedicated to those who love to match tourism and the passion for that splendid animal that is the horse. Details at the link in comments #discoverItaly #travel #passion #horses

Venice is known for the beauty of its architecture and the charm of its canals, but it's also a city to be discovered through its arts and ancient crafts. For example, there's an ancient tradition that has spanned the centuries and continues to fascinate the entire world: the art of gold leaf. Used by master craftsmen to decorate frescoes, furniture and sculptures, this technique has given splendor and brightness to countless pieces of art that we can admire today in the palaces and churches of the Serenissima. Working with gold leaf required precision and mastery. Through a series of hand beatings, the precious metal was reduced to very thin, almost transparent sheets, which are then applied to a surface prepared with a special base, called “bolo”, which served to make the gold adhere perfectly. Then, the craftsman delicately laid out each leaf using soft brushes and, sometimes, a breath of air to avoid creases or breaks. The final result of this process, which has remained unchanged over time, is a golden surface that reflects light in a unique way, creating an evocative effect. Venice, one of the stops on our itinerary dedicated to mosaics in northern Italy, which is taking place right these days, is also the destination of one of the weekends we propose to our travellers, to let them discover the charm of high craftsmanship, both traditional and contemporary. Our itineraries always include a visit to a historic Venetian furnace, where the processing of gold leaf has been handed down for generations. All details at the link in comments. #discoverItaly #travel #artsandcraft #Venice

The Vittoriale degli Italiani, located on the splendid shores of Lake Garda in Gardone Riviera, is a residence-museum desired and designed by Gabriele D’Annunzio, a poet and writer with a multifaceted soul, and with a taste for luxury and esotericism that is reflected in the rooms, full of symbolism. Built in 1921, this residence is decorated with art objects, rare books, and memorabilia: a sort of scenography for the daily life of the poet, whose passion for aesthetics gave every detail a profound meaning. One of the most evocative attractions of the Vittoriale is the Nave Puglia, a real warship nestled among the gardens, donated, in 1923, by the Navy. It is oriented towards the Adriatic Sea, almost to symbolize the eternal bond between Italy and the sea. In the park of the residence there is also a suggestive Amphitheater, where D'Annunzio wanted art, music and theater to be celebrated here, and from which you can enjoy a splendid view of Lake Garda and the hills that surround it. #discoverItaly #Lombardy #LakeGarda

Monferrato, a land of hills dotted with medieval villages and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see, is much more than just a tourist destination. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this corner of Piedmont preserves an authentic soul made up of centuries-old traditions, genuine flavours, landscapes and traditions that make up a unique cultural heritage. Here, every step tells a story. From the castles that dominate the valleys to the wineries, Monferrato invites you on a slow journey to discover a beauty that lives in the attention to detail and the warmth of the local welcome. Among our tours there are several opportunities to discover these wonderful areas, both for the beauty of the territory and for the excellent food and wine. Furthermore, there are often initiatives for the promotion of these areas through art and culture, such as the recent 'PanoramaMonferrato'. Discover more at the link in comments 👇🏻 #discoverItaly #Piedmont #Monferrato #travelblog