by katty | Apr 14, 2025 | Lifestyle
A Bed and Breakfast that feels like home in Arzignano
I went to Corte di Emma, a bed and breakfast in Arzignano, to take some pictures for their social media and website.
I started from the breakfast. The morning light was coming in from the window, painting beautifully the cups and biscuits.
I later moved to the bedrooms. I like to photograph the un-made beds and the small details that show that someone was staying there.
In the “relax” room, where you can find complimentary coffee, tea, water, books and magazines, I tried to underline the small things that make the place so welcoming and “homey”.
With my photography I like to highlight what makes a place special.
The Corte di Emma is a very welcoming and colorful b&b, that make you feel at home.
by katty | Mar 17, 2025 | Lifestyle
photography
tomato preserve
a must of the italian summer
Making the tomato preserve (conserva di pomodoro) is a staple of the Italian summer.
With ripe juicy tomatoes we prepare the tomato we need for the winter, when the only other option would be canned tomatoes (or flavorless fresh tomatoes).
Tomatoes are washed, cooked, pressed and boiled again.
They are later put into clean glass containers that vacuum-seal with the heat of the sauce.
Of course along the way you need to eat and drink something to keep you going.
Finally there’s the part I like the least, cleaning everything.
Making the tomato preserve is not easy. It takes a lot of time and patience. But it’s a nice moment of conviviality because quite often 2 or 3 families make it at the same time so as to work in a production line and save time.
But I think it’s a tradition that won’t last very long. Once my parents won’t be able or willing to do it, I don’t think I will, despite the fun and the big satisfaction at the end.
by katty | Mar 10, 2025 | Lifestyle, vietnam
Cute places for food and coffee we found during our trip
Vietnam is a nice mixture of tradition and modern, and you can see this in the eateries you can find around the country: next to the restaurants serving traditional Vietnamese food there are cafes and homestays beautifully decorated and with a modern menu, not only for tourists, but appreciated by young locals as well.
Bom’s Coffee, Tam Coc
In Tam Coc I fell in love with this very simple cafeteria because of the many plants and the big space where my son had a lot of fun. The first time we went for coffee there, they were arranging a family dinner, with a lot of food that they lay on the floor. And they invited us to share it.
Le Robinet Homestay, Hue
Le Robinet Homestay in Hue was my favorite accommodation in the whole Vietnam. It was very welcoming, with a beautiful architecture and design, a large garden where my son had fun with the two cats of the house. They also serve delicious vegetarian food. Plus it’s in the old part of the town and very close to the Imperial City.
Fika, Hoi An
We found this lovely place by chance, cycling around the old town of Hoi An. They serve some excellent coffee and cakes. I fell in love with the books corner and the decadent look.
Lagan Bakery, Hoi An
It’s the sister bakery of Fika above, very different in style, equally great food. A great place for digital nomads that need a quiet and neat place to work.
Cam Coffee, Hoi An
This place was very close to our hotel in Hoi An. There were people working or meeting friends and colleagues. Many plants, good food, beautiful design. One of those places where you could spend hours.
Capulus, Da Lat
Another place we found by chance, walking along the canal in Da Lat. I was attracted by the people sitting on those tiny chairs by the small road, most of them really into their mobile phones. It was very busy at any hour.
By the way, Da Lat was my favorite place in Vietnam, the most authentic in my opinion.
The Joi Factory, Ho Chi Minh City
A vegetarian restaurant and shared workspace at the same time.
Vietnam is famous for its great coffee and food. Recently places like these full of character are spreading around the country, making drinking and eating even more pleasant.
by katty | Apr 9, 2024 | Blog
We love the beach in September, it’s hot but bearable, accomodation is much affordable and it’s less crowded. Sure, you have to be lucky enough to be allowed to take some time off work.
We often choose Sottomarina because it’s close to home and it’s well organized. There’s a nice cycling path along the beach and in town, the old centre is alive and full of cafes and shops. Plus it’s close to Chioggia, which is a lovely little town verly similar to Venice, which makes a great day off the beach.
In Chioggia there’s a lovely fish market that s a great place to watch people and buy the catch of the day.
What I also like about a holiday in Sottomarina is that from Chioggia you can take a boat to Pellestrina, and if it’s cloudy or you want to take a break from the beach, it’s a nice day trip. I don’t think we would have been able to do a trip like that, with our bikes, on a hot day in July or August.
In September there’s a chance it might rain or be stormy. The air can get chiller soon, but storms make the overall much more interesting. Plus I love the sea and the beach in all seasons and with all weather conditions.
In the years we tried different camping sites (I think camping and mobile homes are the best options with a toddler) and we like to go back to the Oasi camping. It’s at the Southern end of the beach, very quiet, the mobile homes are not too close one to the other and big trees make a pleasant shade.
So, if you’re lucky enough to be able to take time off work in September, consider this month and Sottomarina for your beach holiday.
by katty | Apr 9, 2024 | Italy
Bolsena
Infiorata
Corpus christi
Bolsena, a medieval village on the shore of a lake with the same name, on the day of the Corpus Christi becomes even more beautiful with the Infiorata.
The infiorata is an exhibition of drawings made with flowers, seeds, leaves and peat along the streets of the town.
(Bolsena is also famous for the hydrangeas, there are plenty around town and there’s even a festival a couple of weeks before the infiorata, dedicated expressely to this flower)
Unfortunately in 2020 and 2021 the event was canceled due to Covid, but now it’s back in full swing and in 2023 it’s due in June 11, day of the Corpus Christi.
I was in Bolsena during the Infiorata in 2019 and I took loads of pictures, that I obviously would like to share.
but first, a bit of history…
In 1263 AD in Bolsena during Mass a consecrated host started to bleed, as if it was flesh. This miracle was considered proof that the body of Christ is in fact in the Eucharist.
So the following year Pope Urban IV established the feast of Corpus Christi, that previously was only celebrated in Belgium.
From that date, during the Corpus Christi the Eucharist is exhibited and carried around the towns.
In Bolsena the procession is particularly important because with the Blessed Sacrament there’s also a “Sacred Stone” that is taken around, the stone where the blood dropped.
Moreover, since 1995 the celebration got even bigger with the Infiorata.
Works for the Infiorata start a few days before the Sunday on which the procession will take place.
Along the streets of Bolsena you can meet groups of women that separate petals from the flowers, the main material used in the Infiorata.
The Infiorata and procession are held on a Sunday, but some groups start to draw on Saturday night, because it’s very hot during the day and it’s more difficult to work in the sun.
Creating the drawings is a team work, everybody is busy, from the youngest to the elderly. It’s a nice party of the town that involves everyone.
On Sunday works start early in the morning and continue without break.
Flowers are kept wet throughout the day, so that they stay fresh and they don’t fly away.
Here are two galleries of images (click on the arrows to see all the pictures)
Many drawings represent religious images, but there’s more.
At 4 pm starts the procession during which Eucharist and Sacred Stone are carried around the town of Bolsena, followed by representatives of the town, of the Church and of the communities.
The procession follows the drawings on the streets. Only the priest carrying the Sacred Stone can walk on the flowers, the others must walk on the side.
Once the procession is finished you can walk on the drawings. If you are strong enough.
Personally I didn’t feel like ruining these works of art that took days to prepare, just an hour after they were finished.
Another gallery. I took so many pictures, and the drawings were all so special, it would a shame not to share them all.
I was impressed by the quality of the drawings made with products found in nature
and there are actually many people involved in the making of the Infiorata, with great care and attention
truly beautiful
It’s Going to be Perfect!
vieni con me!
