Picture by Luxuryitalianisland.com
Italy's Amalfi Coast is a magical destination in itself, but there's even more reason to make the trip. A dolphin-shaped island called Li Galli is a small, private archipelago made up of three atolls between Capri and Positano. The island is also known as Le Sirenuse because of its mythological background. It's believed that this is where Odysseus from Homer's Odysseyescaped the voices of the Sirens who would lure sailors to their death. It wasn't until the 1920s when a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer named Léonide Massine bought the ancient Roman site, bringing it to its current fame. Another acclaimed Russian dancer, Rudolf Nureyev, purchased Li Galli in 1988, nearly a decade after Massine's death. One of the villas Rudolf redecorated has been maintained since, complete with Turkish mosaics and tiles and lavish details. Though the island has only been recently opened to the public, it mainly serves as a luxurious and private rental property for the extremely wealthy. The resort features Nureyev's three-bedroom mansion, a ballroom-turned-villa, a chapel, an infinity saltwater pool, and more — all of which can be rented for a humble $60,400 (€55,000) to $164,800 (€150,000) a week. Though, prices could've even been raised since those figures were released in 2015. In addition to a private helicopter available for use, there's also a motorboat and a yacht in case you get island fever. And the best part of all is your small staff there to serve your every need from breakfast to dinner, at any time of day. Us normal people can still enjoy the beauty of Li Galli (at least for a day) from the fancy restaurant and bar. But hey, we'll take it. If you're looking for a more attainable island to rent, check out this private property in Belize that's available for less than $500 by Nicole Yi Naples (photo: Alexandra Svatikova/Flickr) and the tooth
A Naples geologist uncovered what he believes to be a rare prehistoric shark tooth when working on excavations at one of the city's archaeological sites.Paleontogist Gianluca Minin made the discovery at Naples' Galleria Borbonica, a vast underground site originally built as an escape route for king Ferdinand II and later used as a shelter during the Second World War. Minin leads a team of volunteers in excavation work at the tunnels every Sunday, usually unearthing artefacts from the war era. This week however, he made a more unusual find: a tooth he believes comes from a megalodon. The megalodon is an extinct species of shark, which lived over two million years ago and whose name literally means 'big teeth'. Remains of the species are extremely rare. "It's a classic stroke of luck, because it's an impossible discovery," Minin told The Local. "We were getting rid of a build-up from a well and working in a soil layer dating back to the war era, when I noticed a glossy surface." "When I realized what I'd found, I was speechless for about two minutes - the others were concerned!" Minin recognized the tooth having found a similar but smaller example at the age of 17 when working on a dig in Taormina. As for how it got there, he believes it was part of a private collection but discarded around 70 years ago. "Perhaps it belonged to some 19th-century collector whose heirs didn't understand what it was and threw it into the 30-metre pit," he said.Fossils suggest that the beasts could grow to around 18 metres long and looked similar to the great white shark, making them the largest shark to have ever lived on Earth and one of history's most menacing predators. Experts will carry out analyses of the tooth, and if Minin's hypothesis is proved correct, it could be a useful find for paleontogists in piecing together the behaviour of the mega shark. The Local The large exhibition “Pompei ei Greci” (Pompeii and the Greeks) opens its doors on April 12, 2017 exposing the magnificence of Ancient Greece beyond its borders. The exhibition will be hosted in the arena of ancient Pompeii and curated by famous Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, featuring three audiovisual installations.
Through more than six hundred exhibits, the exhibition aims to show the relationship of Pompeii with Greek culture. The initiative belongs to the general director of the archaeological site of Pompeii, Ozan Massimo and Carlo Resinio from the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli.” The very close ties of this Southern Italian city with the Greek culture are highlighted through the works of craftsmen, architects as well as through valuables. Pieces on display will include: sculptures, weapons and ornaments from Sorrento, Capua, ancient Poseidonia of southern Italy, Kymi (later Cuma), Champagne and Metapontum the Basilicata region. The exhibits come from thirteen large Italian and international museums (Greece will be participating with 28 antiquities from Ancient Agora and Ilia) to be presented for the first time in such a detailed and interesting picture, through thirteen separate sections. Particular attention is given to Greek presence before the foundation of Pompeii, the changes imposed by the founding of Naples, Italy, in addition to the Hellenistic period and the significant Greek influence on Roman civilization. According to the Italian press the exhibit also makes reference to everyday objects, even by comparing two large waste bins of the 2nd century BC (One of the ancient markets of Athens and the other from Pompeii) in which the visitor will be able to see the great similarity in lifestyles between the two cities of antiquity. “Pompeii and the Greeks introduced the public to a narrative which is captivating because it comprises multiple and contradictory identities, as well as a number of language layers reused with craftsmanship” writes the newspaper of Naples “Il Mattino.” It is an exhibit that is considered one of the most interesting cultural events of 2017 in Italy and in the wider Mediterranean region. By Katherine Filippeos If you are ever curious to know what the space looks like, you better take a trip to Italy to visit a planetarium which provides space-like conditions for astronomy lovers.
The Naples Planetarium is 3-dimentional and is part of an exhibition called Corporea located in the city of Naples. It is set to open on March 19. It has a 25-metre-wide dome and one-hundred thirty seats for eager visitors to see constellations, planets and galaxies. There will also be a chance to watch various 3D movies. The planetarium enjoys the most advanced technology and will be one of the biggest in Europe. Press TV Some of the novels published under the pseudonym Elena Ferrante
CreditGabriel Bouys/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images The Italian director Saverio Costanzo has signed on to direct and to help write a 32-part television series based on the four Neapolitan novels by the author who publishes under the pseudonym Elena Ferrante. The novels, published between 2012 and 2014, have developed a cult international following. They are “My Brilliant Friend,” “The Story of a New Name,” “Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay” and “The Story of the Lost Child,” and trace the lives of two friends, Elena and Lila, from their childhoods in postwar Naples to the present. Mr. Costanzo, best known for “Private” and “Hungry Hearts” (which co-starred Adam Driver), said in a telephone interview that the biggest challenge to adapting the novels for television was how “to convey the same emotions as the books in a cinematographic way.” He added that he was writing the script with the Italian writers Francesco Piccolo and Laura Paolucci, and that Ms. Ferrante was also expected to contribute to the screenplay. (He expects to communicate with the author via email.) The series will be filmed in Italy in Italian. The first season will cover the first book, with eight episodes of 50 minutes each. Filming is expected to begin in Naples this year and the first season is expected to air in the fall of 2018. A spokeswoman for Wildside, an Italian producer making the series with Fandango, confirmed that talks were in the final stages with a major American producer, as well as with the RAI state broadcaster. Wildside also co-produced Paolo Sorrentino’s “The Young Pope,” starring Jude Law as the first American pope, a coproduction with HBO, Canal+ and Sky. Last fall, an Italian investigative journalist said financial records indicated that the Italian literary translator Anita Raja was behind Ms. Ferrante’s books, prompting an international outcry among the novelist’s protective fans. Ms. Raja has previously denied she was the author. Mr. Costanzo said he wasn’t interested in the author’s true identity. “It’s her literary reality that counts,” he said. “I’m one of those people who don’t care who she is.” The New York Times Visit the museum and observation of the stars for Valentine's Day 2017 Observatory of Capodimonte in Naples!
For 14 February 2017 it was made an event of Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory in Naples which provides for a visit to MUSA(Museum of Astronomical Instruments), an overview of the sky and the planets (weather permitting) by astronomers and dell'UAN (Union of Amateur Astronomers Neapolitans) and some scientific interventions curated by Massimo Della Valle (the director) and Edgardo Filippone (UAN). The event is the result of a collaboration between the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory and the Amateur Astronomers Union Neapolitans. The promotion is available at one ticket per couple . How to participateTo participate you must fill out a form for each member of the pair indicating the personal details of the couple . We will accept applications received by 16:00 on 13 February, subject to availability. If the reservation has had negative outcomes for inaccuracy or sold out, you will see an automatic notification message on your PC or smartphone. It is recommended that the evening event participants arrive 30 minutes before the entrance to buy the ticket directly to the Centre. About Valentine's Day under the starsWhen: February 14, 2017 Where: Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory, via Moiariello 16 (Na) Time: 18:30 Ticket price: € 5.00 per couple (no ATM or credit card) By Alessandro Ruggieri OBSERVATORY OF CAPODIMONTE Winners: Jennifer Jason Leigh won Best Supporting Actress at the Capri Hollywood Film Festival on Saturday. She's pictured with Belgian actor Matthias Schoenaerts who won a newcomer award for The Danish Girl
The experience of being in one of Quentin’s films and a part of this phenomenal cast was rewarding in and of itself, but to be honored by such an incredible institution as the Capri-Hollywood Film Festival makes it all the more meaningful,' the actress said afterwards. 'I am flattered beyond words to be recognized by them this year,' she added. Italian composer Ennio Morricone won Best Musical Score for the Western-themed revenge flick. The award marks a comeback for Leigh, 53, who has struggled during the past decade to recreate the success of her early career with hits such as Backdraft, Dolores Claiborne, Georgia and Single White Female. Honored: Samuel L. Jackson was given the festival's Best Actor Award for his performance in The Hateful Eight by Rachel Mcgrath Hike the trodden trails of the Amalfi Coast.
Last April we donned our hiking boots to walk along some of the trails of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. There was peace and quiet. There was time for contemplation. There was time to chat with our fellow hikers. Up here on the cliffs, high above the shimmering water of the Mediterranean, we were far away from the hordes of tourists who crowd the narrow streets of the coastal fishing villages. Until the 19th century, these spectacular footpaths were the main highways and principal means of communication between the hillside settlements. They wind past grand villas, cultivated terraces, neatly planted vegetable patches, vineyards, lemon groves and centuries-old churches. Our first guided hike was to the Valley of the Paper Mills. We soon discovered that just getting from Sant’Agnello to Amalfi was an adventure in itself. Our bus journey was made even more interesting because of our guide’s running commentary. The road, formerly a mule path, was built after the Second World War and extends for 80 kilometres. In some places the road is suspended on stilts and seems to be hanging on fresh air. Once in a while the precipitous drop to our right was stomach-churning. There was an endless stream of traffic and constant road repairs. Traffic accidents were not uncommon. Motorcyclists overtook recklessly on blind curves. As we passed the village of Positano – nicknamed the Kingdom of Stairs – our guide pointed out that this was the most nearly vertical town in Italy. Houses cascaded down to the waterfront. An hour later , our driver pulled up at the harbour in Amalfi. Our group of eight hikers followed our guide along a narrow walkway to the central piazza. Above a wide flight of 62 steps, the elaborately decorated Romanesque cathedral, the Duomo, dominated the square. The exterior is a strange mixture of architectural styles, the Arab influence being particularly noteworthy. There are arches and peaked roofs, tiles of all shapes, colours and sizes, and an eclectic onionstyle dome which sits atop a square bell tower. Some of our group saw ugliness in this structure whereas others saw beauty. There was just time for a caffe latte at L’Abside before beginning the hike. The shade from the overhanging trees provided a welcomerespite from the sun. Further on, the trail ran beside a rushing stream and cascading waterfalls. In the 12th century, this area was renowned for its papermaking, and until the 1950s many mills were still operating. Only one mill remains as a museum. As we neared the hillside village of Pontone, we espied the ruins of a medieval basilica, which still stands in ghostly vigil. Soon we were settled comfortably under the colourful umbrellas at the Blu Bar in the piazzetta, enjoying a well-earned lunch and refreshing ice-cold lemonade. After a short descent, we reached the main road. We piled onto the bus for a brief journey to hilltop Ravello, where our day’s outing would end. It was a peaceful place, and over the years the quiet serenity has inspired many writers and musicians. The next day’s delight was Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods, the most famous hike on the Amalfi Coast. We started in the hamlet of Nocello and ended in Bomerano, a distance of about eight kilometres. Not surprisingly, this was a busy trail. There were hikers from Germany, France and England, and a large group of teenagers on a school trip. We never tired of the amazing vistas to Positano and the glittering water in the gulf below. We heard the tingling of bells as goats scampered over the rocky terrain. The mountainside had been painstakingly terraced and the ground lovingly planted, and the well worn path climbed steadily upwards. There were many uneven steps, several rocky patches and some challenging parts. The mixed terrain kept this trip interesting. At last we reached the pass, the Colle la Serra, our halfway point and a good lunch spot. Now facing inland, the scenery changed. We could see our trail winding its way to Bomerano, where the promise of an ice-cold beer awaited. We truly enjoyed both these beautiful hikes. Walking along the ancient pathways of the Amalfi Coast will forever remain one of our fondest memories of our holiday in the Sorrento Peninsula. Lindsay Salt, Postmedia News |
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