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Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Event: World Championship Fireworks 2014
3:17 AM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
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This is beautiful Omegna, a small city just 25 minutes by car from Stresa. Last weekend we came here for the San Vito festival, which takes place every year at the end of August. The highlight is the fireworks exhibition, part of the World Championship of Fireworks, which features a series of fireworks shows in different locations around the area.
First of all, we somehow scored an amazing parking spot. Not easy at all, since 25,000+ people gather here for this fireworks show, the final in the summer series. We were parked near these boats below. Gorgeous day! As you can see many took advantage of the day to sunbathe, as well as save a spot for the show later.
We didn't worry at all about finding a viewing spot. Omegna surrounds a small bay, and there is a great view all around. So instead we explored. Because this is a huge festival that goes on all day, as well as extending into days before and after. There is a central stage set up for a band later...
( Continued ... )
Labels:
events,
photo gallery
Saturday, August 23, 2014
Palazzina Liberty -- Hidden Art Gallery
4:32 PM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
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The Palazzina Liberty has -- at least during all of the months of the summer season -- ongoing art exhibitions. You'll see the posters pasted and pinned around Stresa, on windows, bars, and in the supermarket; but have you ever stopped in to this small, slightly out-of-the-way gallery? You should; there's always something interesting to see. For example, now, until 26 August, the gallery is featuring a show of works by local painter Giacomo Schiari.
( Continued ... )
Labels:
art and culture
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Shopping: More Little Gifts
8:32 AM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
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These hand towels, found in the linen shop on via Garibaldi, are embroidered with a cheery "Buongiorno" greeting that I'd love to use as guest towels. The pack is priced at 15 euro.
As my visiting friend said, as we walked around Stresa on a gray drizzling day, "It's always a good day for shopping!" And of course she's right. Here are some items I've noticed recently in two shops on via Garibaldi that I think fit well into the category of charming little gifts. This bunch ranges in price from 3 euro to 15 euros.
First, some food items, because who doesn't enjoy yummy gifts from Italy?
In Pasticceria Bravi, on via Garibaldi, 6, these "Fiori di Stresa" caramelle, Flowers of Stresa, candies, cost only 3 euro per 100 grams. Wouldn't they make great little gift sacks?
( Continued ... )
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Seen In Baveno: Faux Painting
2:47 AM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
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Oh look at the cute pink building in Baveno... ooooh, there's a cat sitting in one window and a pigeon in the other... But closer inspection of course reveals that neither cat or pigeon is real, in fact those two windows are completely fake, faux, painted onto the facade of the building. On this wall, of six windows, only two were real.
Faux painting is not at all uncommon in Italy; even our La Lombarda has one faux window painted on to even out a wall. Stones are painted on for effect, molding details, etc. Here, the faux effect is made more complete by the addition of the real stone window sills and the shutter holders on the wall. But the cat and bird are pure whimsy.
Take a good look around you at buildings; is everything you're seeing really there?
Labels:
just for fun
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Heard Around Town
8:35 AM |
Dana Kaplan,
Stresa Sights |
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I've been serenaded to sleep every night this week with live music. It seems that just about every night now in Stresa, in August, there is live music on a stage somewhere in town. On some evenings there are actually several groups in different venues. These photos are of a jazz duo at Piazza Cadorna, where via Roma and via P. Tomaso meet. The night before, a dance performance in Piazza Possi, just outside my door. And a night before that, a cover band called "i Colori", singing outside my window. The music always ends relatively early, to not disturb, and it's a lovely way to end evenings here as you stroll around. Expect this to continue throughout August at least.
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