Explorica Traveler Rachael says: It’s a tradition for our Modern Novel class (our class that goes to Italy) to attempt to make a pyramid in front of The Colosseum. Good thing we all have a sense of humor, as we struggled to stay in place!
Posts Tagged ‘Italy’
Educational Travel Photo: Class Tradition
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011featured post from skyteam: know before you fly
Friday, October 7th, 2011The following post is brought to you by proud Educational Travel Week sponsor, SkyTeam.
Looking back through sepia tinted glasses, the only travel rules we once worried about were which side of the road to drive on in Australia, how to say hello in Greece and whether we should sport that neon orange fanny pack in Switzerland. (Okay, so maybe that hasn’t changed.) But in recent years, we’ve had to add a few more to the list, particularly when it comes to packing and figuring out what we can bring back from a trip. Whether you’re traveling Delta, Air France, KLM or Alitalia, here’s a quick guide to getting an A-plus (and maybe a smile) from the men and women at airport security and customs.
Coffee Culture
Friday, August 26th, 2011
Sugar or the fake stuff? Cream or milk? There’s lots of personal preferences for a cup of coffee but spin the globe and the coffee culture nuances get nitty-grittier—and not just on the serving. The blending, roasting and grinding of the bean to the time of day coffee’s drunk or even the nibbles accompanying it all vary. If you lived in Europe you might get a short, strong brew with a piece of candy. In Asia? Something that goes down sweeter. It’s probably no surprise that the largest market for coffee is the United States, but did you know Brazil is the world’s largest producer of the “black gold” bean? And here’s an eye-opener… Coffee is the world’s second largest generator of wealth, losing only to oil, and generates about US$ 91 billion per year worldwide. Explorica gets behind the brew to learn how different countries see and sip this hot beverage—from the raw pod to the porcelain cup.
Italy by Knife & Fork
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011
Rome, Florence, Venice… Whichever Italian city you’re in, one thing stays the same. Food is calling on every corner, “Mangia, mangia!” Here’s a few ways to answer the call when not eating a scheduled tour meal.
You can’t go wrong with authentic Italian pizza. But try to think beyond pepperoni because you can’t order that from a real pizzeria. (It’s called salame piccante, actually.) Try a classic Neopolitan style made with simple fresh ingredients like tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, basil and olive oil (which you can see pressed at an olive oil making tour.) Just know this pie is a far cry from what you usually eat out of a cardboard delivery box. Even watch a master pizzaiolo knead, toss and bake the crust in a coal- or wood-fired oven. It’ll give you new respect for the word handmade. (more…)
My Favorite: Rest Stop In Italy
Monday, January 12th, 2009Our aim with these My Favorite: posts is to give our well-traveled Explorica employees a chance to share some of their favorite travel experiences with all of you.
This week’s my favorite comes from our Client Services Manager Sarah Vessenes. Take it away, Sarah…
When driving on any Autostrada (state highway) in Italy, you will inevitably come across an Autogrill–the Italian version of what in America we consider the “rest” or “truck” stop.
These little off-highway gems differ in just about every way from their American counterparts, and the differences are apparent the moment you pull over.
On any given day at the Autogrill, you’re bound to come across Alfa Romeos, Fiats, Lancias, a random Lamborghini or Ferrari, as well as more than a few of the Vespas–those classic, modern scooters favored among the young and intrepid.
Gawking at the cars is all well and good, but once inside the Autogrill, the real adventure begins.
Autogrills are a mix of rest stop, coffee shop, bar, restaurant, souvenir store…oh and gas station. As you first enter, you’ll invariably encounter a really diverse assortment of Italians bustling about the cafe, angling for their espressi, soft drinks, orange juice, or even beer or wine. *
* Make sure you go to the cashier first! Order your coffee or soda or sandwich, then bring your receipt to the counter for service. This is what real Italians do…
After you’ve loaded up on espresso, or had yourself a Mortadella sandwich with a Fanta, make sure you visit the restroom before hitting the road. Don’t forget your ‘spicci’–or change–as the restrooms at the Auto Grill usually come with a fee of 25-50 centessimi (cents) to use them. Then its back on the road to Roma.
Everyone in Italy–from your local farmer, to your Autostrada truck driver, to your Milanese fashionista stops at the Autogrill, so it is a great way to get an authentic and amazing feel for the whole region.
There is even a subculture that has grown around the Auto Grill. Just take a look on Facebook and you’ll see numerous groups devoted to the Autogrill. Which reminds me, I need to go join one.
Ora basta! See you on the A1!
