2014 Travel bucket list (PART 1)

I got inspired to write this post when i found out earlier today that my region, if you didn't know Italy is divided in 20 regions, was nominated as "best value travel destination for 2014" by the National Geographic and Lonely Planet and that made me feel a little bit proud.
I always get so overwhelmed thinking about how big our world is and how many breathtaking places i am missing the chance to visit. I mean, when a foreigner thinks about visiting Italy the first places that pop into is mind are probably Firenze, Roma, Capri...he would never think about Puglia because he's probably unaware of the existence of such a place and i am afraid the same thing is going to happen to me.
There are so many places i have never been to but it's not just about going somewhere it's about having the time and the finances to be able to really explore and feel the place.
Since i'm still on my second year of university and i don't, yet, swim in gold; the only thing i can do is day dream about where i would like to go this year. So here it is, my very own bucket list for 2014.

Before i start with my bucket list, here's some pictures of my beautiful region. I have not taken these pictures myself but i wanted to share them with you nevertheless.

1) India. 
I am really fascinated by India, the colors, the culture and of course i am in love with the cuisine, even if i can't really said i ate the real thing yet. I've been fancying this trip for a very long time with a friend of mine but our adventurous spirit is not enough; to really be able to go we would need a solid plan and decide which part of the country we would like to visit. It's safe to say i haven't decided yet.

2) United States. East Cost.
I have been in the States only two times before, once for an incredible road trip with my sister and the second time i went to NYC with my brother and dad. We visited Charleston and Savannah, we saw a little bit of Virginia and the state of New York. I was so amazed by the beauty of those southern cities, when us european thing about USA we think about NYC, LA, Miami but never about the south. I am so happy i have been there first, i think Charleston is one of my favorite cities ever. Therefore i would really enjoy exploring the East Cost; i think this is a much more achievable trip for this year then India but you never know.

3) Japan 
I have an high school friend that very bravely moved to Osaka last year and i can't wait to visit him. Every picture he takes in his everyday life is fascinating. I grew up with Manga so the myth of Japan was just as big as the american one for me. I would like to visit Osaka but i would also love to go in the country, somewhere unusual.

4) Irland 
If there's is a country i have visited probably more than my own that England, i have been there every summer for the past 7 years. It where i learned english or at least i tried and i have some of my dearest memories there. But it's such a shame that i have only been to Ireland once and i have only visited Dublin and Belfast. Even if Dublin is a city very near and dear to my heart, i would like to see more and not only because one of my favorite chick flicks ever is the "Leap year" .  I would like to see the cliffs of Moher and Glendalough.

5) France
I know, i live so close to it and yet the only thing i have seen is Paris, shame on me. I would like to have a summer road trip and explore the beauty of France: la Normandie, Marseille and of course les chateaux de la Loire.

I have many more but i don't want to make this post incredibly long.
What are your top 5 destinations? Write them in the comments section down below, i would love to know.

Day 4: The night i met Zachary Levi

Hi everyone, how are you guys doing on this fine Monday? I am already tired because i recently started setting my alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual to do a booty call early in the morning. If you follow me on Twitter you might know that i joined the Toneitup team last week, it was one of my Semptemper resolutions but i'll write a separate post about that later.
Today i would like to share with you yet another of my New York adventures; i was lucky enough to attend a Broadway play called "First Date" starring the one and only Zachary Levi.
I am a huge Chuck fan, so it was great to meet him and chat with him for a while. The play was amazing, really really funny, i highly recommend it to everyone who's not really into musicals but still wants to enjoy a Broadway show and on top of that, is the cheapest show on the market!
It narrates the struggles of awkward first dates with a lot of catchy songs and smart jokes.
After the play i got to meet the cast and goof around a little bit with Zac.
He was one of the most friendly down to earth actors i've ever met, we talked about how he really likes the character he is playing and how he is really enjoying his first experience on Broadway.
Funny fact, in the play he has to drink a pint of beer and even if that's actually iced tea, he said it's still difficult to drink all of that tea three time a day (they have 3 shows per day) and that he kind of envies his co-protagonist that  has to drink just a glass of vodka that is obviously water.

Buongiorno a tutti, come state questo lunedì mattina? Io sono già stanca poichè recentemente ho cominciato a puntare la sveglia mezz'ora prima del normale per completare i miei 30 minuti mattutini di esercizi cardio. Chi mi segue su Twitter saprà che la settimana scorsa mi sono unita al team di Toneitup,  completando uno dei miei buoni propositi di Settembre; ma dedicherò un post all'argomento più tardi.
Oggi vorrei condividere con voi un'altra delle mie avventure newyorchesi, ho avuto la fortuna di assistere ad uno spettacolo di Broadway "Frist Date" con protagonista l'unico e solo Zachary Levi.
Sono una grande fan di Chuck e potete immaginare quanto fossi entusiasta all'idea di incontrarlo.
Lo spettacolo è fantastico, molto divertente e sagace; lo consiglio a chiunque non sia un grande amante dei musical tradizionali ma voglia comunque provare l'esperienza di uno show a Broadway, oltretutto è anche lo spettacolo più economico sul mercato al momento.
First Date narra attraverso canzoni molto orecchiabili e battute taglienti le difficoltà e i disagi dei primi appuntamenti.
Dopo lo show ho avuto la possibilità di incontrare il cast e chiacchierare per un po con Zac. Devo ammettere che è uno degli attori più umili e con i piedi per terra che io abbia mai conosciuto. Abbiamo parlato di come lui ami e si riveda molto nel personaggio che interpreta e di come stia apprezzando la sua prima esperienza su un palco di Broadway.
Nota divertente, da copione è costretto a bere una pinta di birra che nonostante sia in realtà  un semplice thè freddo, rimane per lui molto difficile da mandare giù tre volte al giorno ( fanno tre spettacoli al dì) e ha detto di invidiare un pochino la sua co-protagonista, la quale deve solamente bere un bicchiere di vodka,il quale è ovviamente acqua.

 Il teatro

New York DAY 3: Sailing on the Hudson river

One of the experiences i would recommend if you ever go to New York City is a 2 hours cruise around the island Manhattan. There are many options you can choice from: the elegant private yacht, the classic and romantic sailing boat or the guided ferry. We went for the last option because it was included in the New York Pass and i particolarly enjoied the guide that explained everything we were seeing and the history of the different buildings while we were sailing close to them. We were even more lucky because for one thing or another we decided to go at sunset so we got to enjoy a breathtaking scenario.
The way the sunset light reflects on the building is pure magic; the quiet and charm of the Hudson river is uncomparable. Another pretty thing was admiring  the way the different Pier and old factories are used , The City really knows how to make eveything chic, the old dismissed factories are now fancy luxury appartaments and the piers are full of restourants and places to hang out.
The only sad thing was being unable to visit Ellis island due to the damage created by hurricane Sandy this year, when you see it on tv you don't realize how badly NYC was affected by the hurricane, even the Statue of Liberty was closed for a while and Pier 11 was nearly destroied. But the city that never sleeps is strong and it didn't give up, New York always gives you a second chance.

Una delle attrazioni che consiglio fortemente se doveste mai andare a New York City è la mini crociera di due ore sul fiume Hudson attorno Manhattan. Ci sono molte opsioni tra cui scegliere: dall esclusivo yacht, alla classica ed elegante barca a vela al traghetto con visita guidata. Noi abbiamo optato per quest'ultima poichè era inclusa nel New York Pass e devo dire che ho particolarmente apprezzato le spiegazioni della guida sui differenti edifici e sulla storia della città man mano che navigavamo vicino a punti di interesse. Siamo stati ulteriormente fortunati poichè per una ragione o per l'altra ci siamo trovati sul traghetto al tramonto ed abbiamo potuto ammirare uno scenario unico.
Il modo in cui la luce crepuscolare si riflette sui grattaceli specchiati è magia, la tranquillità e il fascino del fiume Hudson è indescrivibile, tutt a un tratto la City non è più così frenetica.
E' stato affascinante anche osservare come abbiano trasformato i Pier, che tradurrei come pontili o attracchi navali, e le vecchie fabbriche dismesse. I primi sono diventati luoghi di incontro con ristoranti molto chic, le seconde sono state adibite ed appartamenti di lusso molto in voga tra gli attori.
L'unica nota triste è stato non poter visitare Ellis island a causa dei danni provocati dall'uragano Sandy che ha arrecato notevoli danni alla città, anche la statua della libertà è rimasta chiusa per qualche mese. Tuttavia New York è forte e non si arrende, il bello della Grande Mela è che c'è sempre spazio per una seconda possibilità.

 

New York Day 2: Empire State and Times Square

Here we go, post number dosss from the Big City! During the train ride from the airport to the city i couldn't help but wander about my first reaction to the city, about my thoughts the first time i ever saw the skyline; to some of you this might sound silly but ever since i was a little girl i wanted to come here. I have school diaries from 6th grade with drawings of me and the city. I was expecting some emotional big reaction but it didn't happen.
I had no wow flabbergasted reaction, i felt like i was home, like i belonged there, like i never left.
Today i woke up very very early ,at 6 am, i like to think it's because i was so excited but really it's the jatlag, that bitch! After getting incredibly confused by the subway, i mean that is the most difficoult and intricate mentro i've ever seen but oh well, i guess it's part of the charm; we went to Times Square to get our New York Passes and then up on the Empire State building. What a view! It was kind of funny because my Mac screensaver has been for the longest time the view of central park from the Empire so the first thing i said when i got up there was: " hey, look at my screensaver!" If you ever go to NYC i reccomend doing the Empire douring the day and Top of the Rock at night, if you can only do one, go at sunset, you'll have the best of both worlds.
The rest of the day was just wandering up and down Manhattan, we stopped for supper in a really cute irish pub next to the 9/11 memorial so that should be financial district, right?
I hope you enjoyed this incredibly long post and i'll see you soon with day 3!

Ci siamo, post numero doss dalla grande mela. Durante il tragitto in treno fra l'areoporto e la city non ho fatto che chiedermi quale sarebbe stata la mia prima reazione posando per la prima volta lo sguardo su Manhattan; ad alcuni di voi potrà sembrare sciocco ma sin da quando ero bambina il mio sogno è sempre stato quello di andare a New York. Conservo diari di prima media in cui scarabocchiavo me e la city.
Mi aspettavo una reazione clamorosa, un grande wow, un tuffo al cuore. Non è successo.
Era come essere a casa, quel senso di tranquillità e di normalità come se non fossi mai andata via.
Oggi mi sono svegliata prestissimo, alle 6 di mattina, mi piace pensare che fosse perchè ero impaziente di eslporare ma era solo il jetleg, quel disgraziato! Dopo essere stata confusa dall'intricatissima metro, voglio dire non ho mai visto una rete metropolitana così difficile da sbrogliare, ma credo sia parte del fascino di New York; siamo andati a Times Square per ritirare i New York Pass e da lì sull'Empire.
Che vista! E' divertente perchè il mio screensaver è da molto tempo ormai una foto di Central Park visto dall'Empire quindi la prima cosa che ho detto appena salita in cima è stata:" Hey, guadate, è il mio screensaver!"
Se mai doveste andare nella Big City, consiglio di fare l'Empire di giorno e Top of the Rock di sera, se potete scegliere solo uno dei due, andateci al tramonto, avrete il meglio dei due mondi.
Per il resto della giornata abbiamo semplicemente gironzolato su e giù per Manhattan,  ci siamo fermati a cenare in un caratteristico pub irlandese vicino il 9/11 Memorial, dovrebbe essere financial district, giusto?
In ogni caso, spero vi sia piaciuto questo post spropositatamente lungo e al prossimo post: day 3!

 my screensaver :P

Heartwarming days

Hello there lovebugs! How is August treating you so far? Are you having a good time?
I'm still in Bari and hopefully tomorrow i will go to my summer cottage in Calabria for a few days and then it's New York City time! I'm very excited because i've never been there before, i'm open to any suggestions so if you want please leave a comment down below telling me what is your favourite thing to do in the big apple.
The pictures i'm sharing with you today are from my week end trip to Fasano, a town near Bari, with my best friends, these are truly the best memories.
I don't want to be cheesy and stuff but i'm very grateful to have them in my life.
Anyways, i hope you'll like them. If you are kind of pale like me, try a white bathing suit it will enhance whatever tan you have.

Hello there lovebugs! Come vi sta trattando agosto? Vi state divertendo?
Sono ancora a Bari e spero di trasferirmi per qualche giorno nella mia casa al mare domani, dopo di che è il momento di New York City, non ci sono mai stata prima e nessun vocabolo può descrivere quanto sia esaltata per la partenza. Sono aperta a qualsiasi consiglio, quindi se vi va, lasciatemi un commento qui sotto raccontandomi la vostra attrazione preferita nella grande mela.
Le foto che condivido con voi oggi sono state scattate durante il mio week end a Fasano, una città vicino Bari, con i miei migliori amici.
Non voglio essere melensa ma mi ritengo veramente fortunata ad averli nella mia vita.
In ogni caso, spero vi piacciano. Un'utlima cosa, se siete pallidi come me provate un costume da bagno bianco, estalterà anche la più flebile delle abbronzature.

 isn't black sand really cool?

Swimsuit: Calzedonia

Pictures courtesy of Mushj (monica amenduni)

Venezia adventures

Day 2 of my summer adventures around Italy, today i'm going to take you along with me in Venezia, one of the most charming cities in my country. We spent the day wondering around the canals and small streets, admiring the amazing architecture and the art that surrounded us. I had never been to Venezia before and one of the things that impressed me the most was the public trasportation made of motor boats, i makes sense since there are no actual streets but it was still really weird and fascinating. My outfit was kind of nautical, i'm in love with the braded blue navy necklace. How you guys on holidays yet?

Secondo giorno delle mie avventure in giro per l'Italia, oggi vi porterò con me a Venezia, una delle città più incantevoli del bel paese. Abbiamo passato la giornata a girovagare tra canali e viuzze, ammirando l'incredibile architettura e l'arte che ci circondava. Non ero mai stata a Venezia prima d'ora ed una delle esperienze che mi ha colpito maggiormente è stato usare come mezzi pubblici un motoscavo, ovviamente a causa della mancanza di strade ha perfettamente senso che i pulman siamo sostituiti da barche ma mi ha ugualmente colpito. Il mio outfit ricordatava i motivi marinareschi, il mio particolare preferito è sicuramente la collana intrecciata blu oltremare. Voi siete già in vacanza? 

 

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