From Elegant Etruia -  A Guide to Rome’s Porta Portese

“ Every Sunday morning for the past 50 years the network of streets in the Trastevere section between Viale Portuense and Viale Trastevere is transformed from a normal neighbourhood into one huge mass of tables and stalls with over 900 vendors selling everything imaginable; new and used clothing, plants, pets, tools and bicycle parts, fake Etruscan pieces and Roman bronzes as well as some genuine antiques.

If you are looking for blue jeans, household goods or auto parts try the riverside entrance at Piazzale Portuense where eager buyers stream under the famous Roman porta that gives the market its name –Porta Portese….”

From John Hooper – Italy’s most philosophical town

“ It is not often that a town council resolution cites Socrates and Spinoza, let alone the contemporary American philosopher Ran Lahav. Then again, not many town councils are like that of tiny Corigliano d’Otranto – population 5,889 – tucked away in the heel of Italy…”

From Travels of Adam – Listen to the Sounds of Italy

“ Italy is no doubt one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Everyone will tell you this before you go. They’ll also tell you the food is amazing and the Italians are beautiful. But one thing you don’t hear (hah! pun approaching) is how beautiful Italy sounds. From church bells ringing in old Medieval cities, to the buzz of tourists through St. Peter’s Basilica. It’s not all the sounds of ancient churches, though, it’s the lyrical timber of the Italian dialect and the sound of a scooter whizzing past you on the street. The sound of an accordion player on a bridge or the plop that pizza makes as it falls onto a plate….”