Venice... floating to you!

Immagine a place where the sound of traffic is banned, where streets become "Calle" which form an intricate labirinth , where floating to your destination is a normal day activity, where markets are made of caracteristic boats docked to the canals shores, where people come hoping to find that romance missing through the buildings and streets of their own city or maybe just to take a deep breath on the Bridge Of Sighs while the sun slowly melts into the water, immagine a city which hide behind a mask once every year....

it's a symbol, a place that has provided inspiration for artits and writers with its 118 islands and

453 bridges: meet Venice!

Every visit offer something new, a fresh experience to take home, a jump into an immaginary tale....

Thanks Reb, it was fun meeting you and your friend after such a long time!

Costa Rica.... Truly Enriching!

White sand, crystal blue water, palm trees gently leaning on the water, the sound of waves breaking on the shore and the warmth of the pulsing sun up above your head... but wait! A phone rings.... rings... and rings... in a moment an unpleasant letter "e" with its satellite saying "Internet explorer" stands between you and the palm tree, you look better and catch sight o a trash bin and countless folders crowding up your view... and then… there you are, reality kicks in: you've been staring at your tropical island windows desktop! You’re not on a paradise island but it's only a cloudy Monday morning in your office...... Has this ever happened to you? No...!? You're not a day dreamer? Well, whatever is the case, all the above can be found in Costa Rica, a strip of mountainous and volcanic terrain linking Nicaragua to Panama, a jewel right in the heart of Central America!
Being embraced by the warm Caribbean sea and the tumultuous Pacific Ocean this is a land that strikes you with the lush, green beauty of the countryside. It seems that everywhere you look, you see palm trees, banana plants, and sugarcane as well as coffee plantations and many kinds of exotic plants, bushes, and flowers. It’s a precious holder and preserver of many species of birds and animals… I read in a book that despite covering less than 0.03% of the earth’s surface, Costa Rica is home to 5% of all the plant and animal species known to exist… Impressive isn’t it!
The heart of the country in San José.. the capital. A city encircled by mountains and volcanoes, but that, in my opinion, has forgotten the colonial and exotic taste to make room to modernity resulting in the turning of old theatres into food malls, shopping centres around every corner, but I guess that’s the price we have to pay to progress…
San Jose is a must stop even because those who want to switch from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast or vice versa have to drive thorough the capital.
But it’s when you hop on a bus or a car and drive away from S. José that you can really taste the true colours of Costa Rica!
The Caribbean cost is absolutely stunning and the Rain forest National parks are preservers of many animal specie such as butterflies, whose vivid colours make you fall on your knees in amazement.... Walking along the trails or wading the rivers you observe the aggressive and intricate vegetation, the beauty of the colourful flowers, or the stunning beach hidden behind the next palm tree and you can’t help but respectfully stop and ponder how no human made creation will ever reach such a spectacular splendour…

Take a look yourself!

Another German story...

Another cloudy vacation in Germany.... Frankfurt and Seleters
What's more exciting than picking up your bags and hop on a plane?
No planning, no forethoughts, just a handbag, few friends and a destination!
This is how this short holiday came together.
German countryside can really be relaxing with its green valleys and hills, and the small towns you enconter throughout your journey really have that old northern flavour.... But the city, Frankfurt in particolar, is modern, the river donates to thecity a romantic outlook, and having a pint in one of the many pubs wih outdoor seating is a rewarding experience....

Picture here...

Thanks to Arianna, Barbara, Mary, Sam & Katia, Mark & Sandra for the hospitality

2009 International Convetion - Rome

Rome - International Convention

"Keep on The Watch"

August 7-9 2009

The stage - English section

Baptisim Candidates

The Stadium

Piazza di Spagna at night - all brothers and sisters

A Neverending sunset

Have you ever wondered what's the part of the day that you like the most? Well, I have and I can say with any certainty that it's not the morning...., Lunch? Hmm... maybe! No, what I really enjoy is that fraction of time during which the sun gently slides behind the horizon. When the sky is set on fire blushing in a orange pinkish glow. At this time reality is altered...even shadows on the ground become abnormally long... you know a day has gone, was it good or bad it doesn't matter, it's like the sun drags every attachment with it beyond the horizon.

I often think how short is this moment, but in Finland is possible to enjoy a never ending sunset and even if the sun does disappear the pinkish glow never stops to paint the sky granting the possibility to enjoy this moment to the full.

Pictures here

Thanks again to Sanna, Kriistina, Bruna and Marco.

Aperitivo a Firenze

A Firenze non è difficile trovare locali che offrano una piacevole ambientazione, ovunque posi gli occhi c'è un particolare, uno scorcio che ruba l'attenzione, ma per chi qui ci vive tutto questo non è sufficiente, il giudizio di un Fiorentino non è alterato come quello di un turista il cui sguardo vaga da una meraviglia all'altra come un bambino in un negozio di dolciumi.
Il bar e sky lounge Continentale offre un spettacolare ambientazione, dalla terrazza con il pavimento in legno e i divanetti in pelle bianca si gode una veduta di Firenze a 360° da Piazzale Michelangelo, Ponte Vecchio fino alla cupola del duomo con la torre di Giotto. Se amate il momento aperitivo, specialmente in estate, non potete fare a meno di fermarvi qui e godervi lo spettacolo.

Continentale
Contemporary Pleasing Hotel
Vicolo dell’Oro, 6r
50123 Firenze
Phone +3905527262
Prezzi: medio/alti
Web site

In the heart of Europe: Slovakia

Maybe it doesn't represent the dream destination but Slovakia has a lot to offer. It's perfect for a quick and low cost break away! Our first stop is Bratislava, maybe less know among Europe's capitals.... but in this city everything is reachable: The castle, Grassalkovich palace, the new bridge with its UFO shaped restaurant! The city centre has a pedestrian area which is not lesser than any other big metropolis’s: shops, bars, coffee shops, restaurants and a lot of streets art. You'll find an unusual statute around every corner. But a peculiarity of the city is the Danube river which donates a precious and romantic outlook! Our stay in Bratislava is short, the day after we head up to Poprad where a cheap an wonderful SPA awaits us: outdoors and indoors swimming pools, saunas, Turkish baths, steam baths, ice rooms and Jacuzzis.... no need to say more... Just in thing, the night bath under a starry sky in a bubbling water while smokes gently ascends from the surface can be a real treat!

Slovakia has a quite dignified mountain chain (up to 2600 m) and it's nice to take a walk on the many pathways, but remember that some paths are one way only, so make sure to get a map if you don't want to get a fine!

Hostel in Bratislava:

Vegas - It's Clean and cheap, a simple breakfast is included. Very close to the centre. (http://www.vegashostel.sk/)

SPA:

Aquacity - http://www.aquacityresort.com/

Here's some pictures!

Thanks to Kristiina (who organized everithing), Sanna, Bruna, Marco!