My Own Italy: Tuscany, Montepulciano & Val di Chiana

Tuscany countryside With My Personal Touch

Welcome my friends in My Own Italy: today I'll introduce you to the land of the richest traditions of the Italian territory.

Val di Chiana (Arezzo), Tuscany

I'm talking about Tuscany and Montepulciano the land of the most famous wines, olive oil more fragrant, the beautiful landscapes, medieval villages. 

Montepulciano,Tuscany

 

I'm talking about the birthplace of the literature, of modern financial activities of the oldest banks.

 

I'm talking about My Own Italy: Tuscany with my Personal Touch! 


Montepulciano is situated in the province of Siena (Tuscany). The town is located about 600 meters above sea level, between the Val di Chiana and the Val d'Orcia.

Montepulciano, Pulcinella Tower, sec XVI

Montepulciano is also famous for its wealth of excellent vineyards from where we get the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.

Montepulciano vineyards, Tuscany

Here you are surrounded by a landscape graced by the clever man that is in harmony with the natural environment. 

The urbanization coexists with rural towns full of historical memories and wonderful works of art, all set in an agricultural landscape, often highly specialized. 

 Our thoughts turn naturally to the gentle hills covered with olive trees and vineyards, the Val di Chiana, recovered again from the great works of rehabilitation of the Grand Duke.  
 

Montepulciano, Tuscany

In this area of southeaster Tuscany there are mixed forest of pines, oaks and chestnut trees.


The vineyards in Montepulciano dates back to Etruscan times, but the first written document dates to 789.  

Wine and oil shop in Montepulciano

The production of fine wines on the Mons Politianus was already settled in the Middle Ages to the mid-fourteenth century the city enacted rules to regulate trade and export.

Vineyards in Montepulciano

The Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG is now protected by a consortium that brings together all the wineries.

 

Val di Chiana, Tuscany

The Rosso di Montepulciano has the same blend of Vino Nobile but also allows other authorized grape varieties in the area.

I had the opportunity to spend a couple of days in this land, and I was a guest od Relais La Solaia: read more about this on My Own Italy in Where to sleep page!

If you are interested in having a particular gourmet experience, I suggest you to visit my personal  "Where to Eat" page: find out "Lo Steccheto" and enjoy!

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Ciao,  Carlotta!

Rome: The Dream of Italian Cinema

Cinecittà Studios (Rome): Welcome!

Ciao a tutti, my friends! Welcome in My Own Italy, to discover Italy with my personal touch!
 I'm sure that everybody knows Rome, of course: the city of the big Romans Emperor, the Capital of Italy.

Cinecittà Studios, Rome (Italy)

Today I want to introduce you to a particular site of Rome, with my Personal Touch as I always do.

I want to talk about Factory of Dreams: Cinecittà Studios.

The legendary Cinecittà is the birthplace of thousands of international and Italian feature films.

Suits worn by E. Taylor and R. Burton in "Cleopatra", 1963

More than 3,000 productions have been made there: from recent features like The Passion of The Christ, Gangs of New York, HBO’S Rome, The Life Aquatic, Miracle at St Anna, Amalfi, Fifty Seconds .

In Cinecittà Studios were also shot cinema classics as Ben Hur, and the so famous "Cleopatra", with Elisabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (look at my picture!)

Venusia, da "Il Casanova" di F. Fellini, 1976

Last but not least, in these studios were shot many films of the great Director Federico Fellini.




Today, you have an excellent opportunity to visit and enjoy this magic world, and have a the possibility to visit the exhibition “Cinecittà Shows off”.
 

"Cinecittà Shows Off"

A spectacular journey through the Cinecittà studios to discover the secrets of cinema.
 

Marte from "The Gladiator", 2000

Cinecittà Shows Off traces the History of Cinecittà: scenes, costumes, sets, characters - actors, directors, producers - who passed through we call "The Dream Factor".

I  asked Giuseppe Basso, the General Manager of Cinecittà Studios, to explain the goal of this exhibition, and the results achieved.

Giuseppe Basso, General Manager of Cinecittà Studios, and I

"The exhibition was seen by over 100,000 people last year, with a growing interest: our aim is to improve and enrich even more the exhibition space and bring our visitors to interact with the film through the journey in our rooms".

Interaction at Shows Off

"Moreover, adds Giuseppe Basso, in our Studios every year a number f Feature Films and TV dramas are shot and Post produced.

Cinecittà Studios, the External Exibition

The same Facilities, including permanent Sets and Sound Stages, are dedicated to Incentive and Corporate Events".

Well, I think you can't miss this fantastic opportunity to "enter" in the cinema.
Enjoy Cinecittà shows off!
Follow me: www.myownitaly.com 
Ciao, Carlotta