From blogoscoped.com

“Google News has a new feature: custom localized news. Just visit the Google News homepage and scroll down to the “Local News” input box. Enter your location, click Add, and you’ll find a new navigation entry in the top left.

I entered “stuttgart, germany,” and as you can see in the screenshot, this section now displays news in relation to Stuttgart (like stuff about Porsche, which is headquartered around here). You can also link out to localized pages, e.g. using the URL:

news.google.com/nwshp?geo=stuttgart,+germany

Google claims that while they’re not the first news site to aggregate local news, they’re “doing it a bit differently”:

[W]e’re able to create a local section for any city, state or country in the world and include thousands of sources. We’re not simply looking at the byline or the source, but instead we analyze every word in every story to understand what location the news is about and where the source is located…”

From bellaumbria.net

Spoleto, even if shows evident traces of the Roman era even in its urban structure, substantially mantains a medieval appearance, due to the period in which it was first a flourishing longobard Duchy, and then an important city within the Papal State.

The Arch of Drusus (23 A.C.) to be found near the Romanic church of St. Ansano , the Roman theater, whose construction goes back to the first years of the Empire, and the paleocristian basilica St. Salvatore of the 4th century (at about 1.2 km’s distance to the north), are testimonials of Spoleto’s earliest origins. Close by, the church St.Gregorio Maggiore,(12th century), characterized by its evocative apsis zone and by the elevated presbitery, a Roman bridge (also called “the Bloody”) consisting of three arches in travertine stone blocks and the amphitheater of the 2nd century A.C. can be found. More modern monuments which are as fascinating are the churches of St. Dominic and St. Ponziano, both of which were built during the 12th century. The church of St. Peter is surely of great interest because of its extraordinary bas-reliefs which decorate the facade which dates back to the 12th century.
From the area found in front of the church of St. Peter one enjoys a wide panorama which encompasses all of Spoleto until the mighty Bridge of the Towers (ten arches with a total height of 80 meters and 230 meters long), which connects the Castle, which was constructed from 1352 onwards on the orders of the Cardinal Egidio Albornoz according to plans by Matteo Gattaponi, to the runners of the mountain which dominates the city. Monteluco was, in fact, the sacred mountain of the anchorites, who having settled in this zone from the 7th century on, founded the convent of St. Francesco, to be found at about 8 km’s distance from the inhabited area, and the church of St. Julian. Without doubt, on the person who has the good luck of visiting these sights, the entire Cathedral complex constructed during the 12th century and caracterized apart from the richness of furnishings of the interior also by the mosaics in the Byzantine style on its facade, and the Romanic church of St.Eufemia will make an unforgettable impression.
Among the most important manifestations taking place in the city we should absolutely mention the festival Festival of the two Worlds.

From FAI
Set in the green woods near Varese, at the feet of the Castelseprio Archaeological Park, this monumental complex in Torba bears witness to history going back more than a millennium. An outpost of the late Roman Empire, and later under the Goths and Longobards (with a tower and defensive walls dating back to the V and VI centuries), Torba later became a pious place of prayer and work for Benedictine nuns (with a church dating to the VIII-XIII centuries and monastic centre). Abandoned by the nuns in 1453, it was later used as a farm. The tower boasts rare and important frescoes from the end of the VIII century.

The hall on the second floor of the tower, used as an oratory, was completely decorated with frescoes that can be dated to the end of the VIII century. The west wall still has a group of eight nuns. A slit in the wall allowed rainwater to run-off and this obliterated the features of their faces, evidently painted with a less resistant lime-based material. Only the two figures on the far right retain certain facial features. What remains of the portraits of the nuns, however, is enriched by the sophisticated, agile movement of their hands.

The small church of the monastery essentially dates back to the XI century, except for the crypt (VIII century) and part of the apse that, with its lively motif alternating bands of river cobbles and brick and the elegant series of small hanging arches, dates entirely from the XIII century. The interior of the church has a single chamber with a wooden beam roof and plastered walls; it retains, thanks not the least to careful restoration, all the original simplicity of a poor, Mediaeval monastic structure.

Da wikipedia.it

Taormina (Sicilian: Taurmina; Greek: Ταυρομένιον - Tauromenion; Latin Tauromenium) is a comune and small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina (ancient Messana) and Catania (ancient Catana). Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century. It has popular beaches (accessible via an aerial tramway) on the Ionian sea, which is remarkably warm and the has a high salt content. Taormina can be reached via highways (autostrada) from Messina from the north and Catania from the south.

Ruins and archaeology

The teatro greco, the “Greek theatre”

The present town of Taormina occupies the ancient site, on a lofty hill which forms the last projecting point of the mountain ridge that extends along the coast from Cape Pelorus to this point. The site of the old town is about 300 m above the sea, while a very steep and almost isolated rock, crowned by a Saracen castle, rises about 150 m higher: this is undoubtedly the site of the ancient Arx or citadel, the inaccessible position of which is repeatedly alluded to by ancient writers. Portions of the ancient walls may be traced at intervals all round the brow of the hill, the whole of the summit of which was evidently occupied by the ancient city. Numerous fragments of ancient buildings are scattered over its whole surface, including extensive reservoirs of water, sepulchres, tesselated pavements, etc., and the remains of a spacious edifice, commonly called a Naumachia, but the real destination of which it is difficult to determine. But by far the most remarkable monument remaining at Taormina is the ancient theatre (the teatro greco, the “Greek theatre”), which is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, on account both of its remarkable preservation and of the surpassing beauty of its situation. It is built for the most part of brick, and is therefore probably of Roman date, though the plan and arrangement are in accordance with those of Greek, rather than Roman, theatres; whence it is supposed that the present structure was rebuilt upon the foundations of an older theatre of the Greek period. With a diameter of 109 metres (after an expansion in the 2nd century), this theatre is the second largest of its kind in Sicily (after that of Syracuse); it is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances and for concerts. The greater part of the original seats have disappeared, but the wall which surrounded the whole cavea is preserved, and the proscenium with the back wall of the scena and its appendages, of which only traces remain in most ancient theatres, are here preserved in singular integrity, and contribute much to the picturesque effect, as well as to the interest, of the ruin. From the fragments of architectural decorations still extant we learn that it was of the Corinthian order, and richly ornamented. Some portions of a temple are also visible, converted into the church of San Pancrazio, but the edifice is of small size.

Heineken Jammin’ Festival is the most popular live rock event in Italy.

It started in mid-June 1998 at the Imola Autodrome and has garnered record attendance figures of more than 100,000 over the people attend over the three-day marathon of live music, which features many international and Italian rock stars.

Some of the featured acts have included Vasco Rossi, Robbie Williams, Green Day, Lacuna Coil, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Garbage, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Marilyn Manson, Santana, Pixies, Lenny Kravitz, The Cure, and Chemical Brothers.

The 2008 edition dell’Heineken Jammin Festival is back to the park in June San Giuliano di Mestre, a stone’s throw from Venice.
Despite the controversy and the many against, the rock festival is therefore in San Giuliano in the park that overlooks the lagoon of Venice, where during its last edition a strong storm brought down in a few minutes 9 towers amplification, and wounded 25 children caused the suspension of the event.

Although they expect the results of the accident expert to make a final decision, the voice is already turning some weeks between Milan and Venice.

According to some indiscretions from Milano Concerti, the organisers of the rock concert, the Police could be with a band that will play at next Heineken Festival 2008…

More info here

From Wikipedia.com

Maremma extents from Tuscany to Lazio; generally speaking it’s considered Maremma the region between Cecina and Tarquinia ( the distance between these two cities is about 180 km).

The landscape of the Maremma is extremely varied, because the Maremma extends over plains and hills, and has a fabulous and not yet polluted coastline.

It is a very wild and low densely populated area (one of the lowest in Italy), with very little industrialization.

The mediterranean maquis alternates with olive groves and vineyards, and sandy beaches with a rocky coastline.

The inland hills are rich in natural hot springs too.
The Maremma can be ideally divied into 5 main areas:

* Grosseto and the Tyrrhenian Coast

Grosseto can be considered the capital of the Maremma. The area around Grosseto and the coast, with Marina di Grosseto, Castiglione della Pescaia and the small villages that lie in the plain between the city and the coast, represents the heart of the Tuscan Maremma.

Grosseto itself has a beautiful cathedral and preserved city walls.

The area around Grosseto has been inhabited for millennia, and therefore spending a day or more visiting the many archaeological sites of this part of the Tuscan Maremma is well worth it. Roselle, which was once one of the twelve main Etruscan cities, and the Etruscan necropolis of Vetulonia are among the most remarkable historical sites in Italy. The area around Grosseto has been inhabited for millennia, and therefore spending a day or more visiting the many archaeological sites of this part of the Tuscan Maremma is well worth it. Roselle, which was once one of the twelve main Etruscan cities, and the Etruscan necropolis of Vetulonia are among the most remarkable historical sites in Italy.

Grosseto is very close to the coast: Castiglione della Pescaia and Marina di Grosseto are just a short drive.

* The Coast, the Beaches and the Sea of the Tuscan Maremma

For those who enjoy the sun and the sea, the Maremma represents a real nature paradise. Each year, the coast of the Maremma is awarded the Blue Flag [4] recognizing the quality and the cleanness of the waters along its 160km of shoreline. The stretches of sandy and rocky coastline allow all sea lovers to find the perfect place for them. Moreover, the vast pine tree forests which border the beaches of the Maremma are a real naturalistic treasure and so are the few areas where the lagoon and swamp ecosystems have survived urbanization, reclamation or simple draining, such as the nature reserve of the Diaccia Botrona near Castiglione della Pescaia.

Among the most remarkable coastal towns of the Maremma: Castiglione della Pescaia, Follonica, Punt’Ala, the Argentario Peninsula, Marina di Alberese in the Maremma Nature Park [5], Ansedonia, Capalbio, Orbetello and Talamone.

The Tuscan Archipelago, with the island of Giglio and the little island of Giannutri, is very impressive, and can be visited on a minicruise leaving from one of the many harbours of the coast of the Maremma.

In this part of the Maremma there are many places of remarkable historic and artistic interest. This region has been populated since the Etruscan and Roman eras, and which then - in the sole case in this part of Italy - experienced the domination of the Spanish Empire, which left behind incredible stories of treasures and pirates. Last but not least, the Orbetello seaplane station hosted the takeoff of the first transatlantic flight in 1930.

* The Tufo Area: Pitigliano & co.

The Tuff Area is named after tufo, a volcanic, porous rock commonly used as a building material. The tuff has been carved over the centuries to build houses, cellars, tombs or used to make “tufi”, big square bricks which are typical of the villages and towns of this area of the hills of the Maremma.

The major centres of this area, which has still not experienced mass tourism, are Pitigliano, Sorano and Manciano. The unique feel of the Tuff Area derives from the mesh of Etruscan and Roman ruins, such as the tombs and the roads carved in tuff, and of medieval architecture, since it was in the Middle Ages that the Area del Tufo saw its second splendour after the glories of the Etruscan Empire. The perfectly preserved necropolises in Sovana and Poggio al Buco, the vie cave (amazing roads carved in tuff that pass through the woods), and medieval villages like Magliano in Toscana contribute to make this area one of the most beautiful in Tuscany. It also boasts naturalistic treasures such as the hot springs and spas of Saturnia, and the hills of the river Fiora, which supplies water to the vast majority of the Maremman villages and towns.

* The Colline Metallifere: the North of the Maremma

The Colline Metallifere (literally, the metalliferous hills or the hills which produce metals) have always been the industrious heart of the Maremma and some places still point to times when the life on these hills was much harder. As their name says, the soil of these hills, which spread from the border with the Province of Siena to the Gulf of Follonica, are rich in minerals and mines have been excavated for centuries in search of iron, copper, lead, zinc, pyrites and silver.

A very impressive natural phenomenon connected to the geological richness of the soil of this area is the presence of “soffioni”, borax fumaroles near Monterotondo Marittimo and Travale. Vapour rises high through the tree-branches of the “macchia mediterranea”, the maquis.

The heart and capital of the Metalliferous Hills is Massa Marittima, a real architectonic jewel of the Middle Ages. However, many villages and castles in the area are of great historical and artistic interest. Roccastrada, Sassofortino, Roccatederighi, Montemassi, Monterotondo Marittimo and many other villages in this area should not be missed.

* The Inland hills

This area is generally ignored by guidebooks and portals because its most valuable resource is probably its naturalistic heritage. These hills have always been an area of transition, located on the obligatory route between Siena and the sea. Inhabited since the Etruscan era, the internal position of these hills has protected and preserved its original character of rural areas developed during the Middle Ages. +

The inland hills of the Maremma extend over three “Comuni” (the territory of the local governments): Civitella Paganico, Campagnatico and Cinigiano. This area of the interior has become more and more popular among travellers during the past few years, especially because of its location at the crossroads with some of the most popular areas of Tuscany: Siena and Chianti, Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata, the plains of the Maremma and the beach. It is the ideal base to explore Southern Tuscany without having to choose between the Siena area and the Maremma. Highway SS223 Siena - Grosseto, now called E78 Grosseto-Fano, runs through these hills. Its perfect location has influenced deeply the nature of this land. It can certainly be considered a real combination of “senesità”, traits which characterize the area and people of Siena, and “maremmanità”, traits which characterize the area and people of Grosseto and the Maremma.

The text of this section is courtesy of Casina di Rosa

The 2008 edition dell’Heineken Jammin Festival, the event’s most important rock Europe, back to the park in June San Giuliano di Mestre, a stone’s throw from Venice.
Despite the controversy and the many against, the rock festival is therefore rifarà San Giuliano in the park that overlooks the lagoon of Venice, where during its last edition a strong storm brought down in a few minutes 9 towers amplification, and wounded 25 children caused the suspension of the event.

Although they expect the results of the accident expert to make a final decision, the voice is already turning some weeks between Milan and Venice.

According to some indiscretions from Milan Concerts, the organisers of the rock could be the Police Sting with a band that will play at next Heineken Festival 2008…

Da chianticlassico.com

Not all the wine produced in Chianti is Chianti Classico. Provenance from a determined territory is not sufficient to permit use of an appellation. The producer must respect all the rules stipulated in the production code. The first version of the DOCG production code for Chianti and Chianti Classico dates back to 1984, when Chianti Classico was still considered a sub-denomination of the omni-comprehensive Chianti DOCG, although with separate regulations that imposed production rules more stringent than those stipulated for the other Chiantis. But it was only in 1996 that Chianti Classico obtained the definitive consecration of its importance and its precedence. With the issuance of the Ministerial Decree of August 5, Chianti Classico was recognized as an independent appellation, establishing once and for all its diversity and independence of the other Chianti wines. With the latest modification of the production code, new rules were adopted that benefit the quality of the wine and the appellation. An important change concerns the ampelographical base (the types of grapes that can be used in the production of the wine). In the new production code, the minimum percentage of Sangiovese, the typical red variety of the zone, that must be used is increased from 75 to 80%. Obviously, that grape can be used alone (100%). In addition to Sangiovese, producers may use other native red grapes, like Canaiolo and Colorino, or “international” types, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with a maximum ratio of 20%. Trebbiano and Malvasia, both white grapes, can no longer be used, beginning with the 2006 vintage. The minimum alcohol level is 12° for the regular wine and 12.5° for the Riserva. For a wine to be described as a Chianti Classico, other extremely important production requirements must be met. A new vineyard may only begin production four years after planting. Yield per hectare must not exceed 75 quintals (3.34 tons an acre), the equivalent of 52.5 hectoliters (559 U.S. gallons an acre) of wine. Output per vine is limited to three kilos (6.6 pounds). To ensure that all the various components of Chianti Classico wine will be harmoniously balanced, its release for consumption is authorized only after October 1 of the year following the harvest. For the Riserva type, minimum maturation of 24 months, including at least three months of bottle aging, is required.

In addition to the alcohol level already indicated, Chianti Classico wine must have the following precise characteristics, as prescribed by law:

Color: a bright ruby-red tending to garnet with maturation.

Odor: vinous, with a scent of violets and a pronounced finesse that develops in the maturation phase.

Flavor: balanced, dry, sapid and lightly tannic, fining in time to a velvety softness.

Sugar: maximum of 4 grams per liter of reducing sugars.

Minimum net dry extract: 23%.

Minimum total acidity: 4.5 ppt.

Another element of the production code, which is of fundamental importance, is the requirement that, in addition to vinification, all operations involving the preservation and bottling of the wine as well as its fining in the bottle must be carried out within the production zone.

The grape that makes the most important contribution to the production of Chianti Classico, with a ratio that ranges from 80 to 100%, is Sangiovese. That variety is now used in all the leading DOC and DOCG red wines of central Italy. This grapes is extremely sensitive to external factors, such as terrain and climate, and it certainly does not ripen precociously or uniformly. However, it is rare to find another variety that so faithfully interprets the characteristics of the soil in which it grows and modifies its odors in accordance with the terrain. Sandstone is responsible for the wine’s flowery bouquet, calcareous soils produce scents of wild berries and tufa or volcanic soils yield fresh odors of tobacco. But a scent of violets, which the production code identifies as a characteristic and specific element of Chianti Classico, is always present no matter where the vines grow. Producers may combine typical grapes of the zone, such as Canaiolo Nero, Colorino and others, as well as international varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and others still, with Sangiovese. Since Sangiovese is the grape of the greatest importance, the real soul of Chianti Classico, the production code has authorized its use alone in producing the wine as long ago as 1996.

Abbiamo di recente provato il beta privato di VibeAgent, un interessante progetto sul turismo 2.0, made in USA.
Il progetto ci è piaciuto, VibeAgent assomiglia molto nelle funzionalità a TripAdvisor ma ha una maggiore componente social. Gli utenti possono aggiungere le loro segnalazioni, aggiungere testi, foto, votare la qualità degli hotel provati personalmente. Inoltre possono pianificare un loro soggiorno in una città ottenendo delle indicazioni ottenete dalle recensioni pervenute, tenendo però anche conto del proprio profilo personale di viaggiatore.
Ogni segnalazione è infatti attribuita all’utente che l’ha inviata. Il profilo personale può completarsi con la partecipazione a gruppi di interesse tematico: Italian travel, Carabian ect.

Insomma attenzione al valore della reputazione indotto dai i reali viaggiatori, concetto molto familiare a noi di segnaloItalia.

Naturalmente al momento l’elemento critico è la creazione di sufficiente numero di segnalazioni turistiche che possano permettere ai membri della comunità di poter scegliere l’hotel nella località di soggiorno desiderata.

Il progetto, per essere in beta privata, è già molto curato, le segnalazioni si possono inserire con estrema facilità, l’interfaccia di navigazione è chiara e funzionale, ovviamente tutto sempre georeferenziato con Google Map.

A chi fosse interessato a dargli un’occhiata possiamo girare qualche invito.

Sono stati presentati prima del caldo Agosto i risultati dell’Osservatorio eCommerce B2c. (Politecnico di Milano, Anee, Consorzio Netcomm)
Dedicheremo alcuni articoli a descrivervi i dati e gli scenari.
In questo primo post un serie di dati sul eCommerce B2c e il turismo in particolare
Il valore dell’eCommerce B2c cresce del 45% rispetto al 2005 attestandosi a 4.107 (valore a consuntivo) mln di Euro. Ma la stima dice che crescerà nel 2007 soltanto del 30% rispetto al 2006.
In termini assoluti crescono tutti i settori: Turismo, Elettronica e Informatica, Grocery, Abbigliamneto, Editoria, Musica e audio, Assicurazioni, Altro (c2c, prevendita biglietti, ricariche telefoniche, collezionismo, preziosi, auto-moto, fiori,ecc).
I settori che brillano di più sono Abbigliamento e Turismo: +40%.
Gli altri settori invece crescono con tendenze di aumento tra il 15% e il 25%.In termini assoluti il turismo rappresenta il 46% del mercato.
La stima dice che questo valore l’anno prossimo sarà del 49%.
In sostanza il turismo arriva a pesare circa la metà del paniere eCommerce.
Un dato importante per quel che riguarda il Turismo ben il 97% delle transazioni di pagamento vengono effettuate tramite carta di credito.
Cresce la concentrazione del mercato con 12 merchand in ambito servizi nel turismo tra i 20 top del mercato e il 59% della penetrazione del mercato tra i primi i operatori.

Cresce ancora il valore di venduto all’estero attestandosi a un valore del 18% del valore complessivo, quasi esclusivamente riconducibili al turismo e all’abbigliamento.
Confrontando i valori con i corrispondenti europei il valore l’eCommerce B2c risulta un decimo di quello inglese e un sesto di quello tedesco, se pur crescendo a un tasso più alto.
Dati che ci dicono che, se la crescita italiana non aumenterà il divario, si farà ancora più ampio, sia in termini di mercato che di prenetrazione.