In general the rule is that the further north you go in Italy, the more entrenched is the habit to enjoy the appetizer. Not surprisingly, the Piedmont area is known for the production of vermouth with brands such as Martini, Cinzano and Carpano.

The vermouth was invented in the cellar of Antonio Carpano’s in Turin in 1786 and from there the Piedmontese nobility made it fashionable. There are other versions that trace their origin to Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician who mixed white wine with plants like the wormwood to create a beverage for medicinal purposes. But it was not until 1838 that the brothers Giuseppe and Luigi Cora began to develop it industrially and distributed it worldwide.

Now the word vermouth has a more generic meaning. It refers both to the drink and to eat a tapa before lunch. In Italy the starter is not at noon as in Spain, but after work. It usually starts from 18:00 and end at 21:00 AM and is an economical way to take a break from work while sipping a drink and snacks, which can be alcoholic or not.

A very common option is the spritz, -with aperol, champagne, an orange slice and ice- the Negroni -with gin, campari, vermouth and an orange slice- the mascerotti -with wine, soda and champagne- or the Amaretti di Voltaggio, which goes along with their famous focaccia, savory pastries and other delicacies.

In Genoa, a port where botanical species from around the world arrived, the habit is strictly fulfilled and the tastiest appetizers are prepared. Here vermouth is a deeply ingrained habit, a social act that almost no one renounces. A moment to enjoy after work, listening to the tinkling of ice crashing.

You can have it in the historical premises or in the modern establishments that agglutinate especially in the Piazza delle Erbe, San Donato, Via San Bernardo or Porto Antico area.

Here’s the theory, now let's put it into practice!

Pasticceria Liquoreria Marescottis Cavo
Via di Fossatello, 35R and 37R

In the old town of Genoa, -the largest medieval quarter in Europe- you can find this historic café, bakery and liquor store. A local that dates back from the eighteenth century, which retains its old Charles X style furniture and a floor designed by Rubens himself. Tourists come to the establishment to observe the "prettiest pastry Genoa", to try their high quality confectionery and the Marescotti appetizer, a herbal vermouth.
You must keep an open mind to find the restaurant on the first floor because they have no sign.

Le Corbusier
Via di San Donato, 36R

Another historic local is Le Corbusier, specialists in cocktails-some self-created- and that has gained prestigious national and international awards. Martini itself can be found in twelve different variants.

Caffè il Barbarossa
Piano di Sant Andrea 23
www.cafeilbarbarossa.com

With an enviable location -very close to the house where Christopher Columbus lived-, and one of the most fun places to enjoy the most original appetizer in Genoa with its pleasant outdoor area, especially during summer.
The Caffè Barbarossa offers a wide range of whiskeys, cocktails and international wines and sparkling Genoese, in their restaurant, you will find vegetarian and vegan dishes. Look closely at their walls where the original rates of the brothels of the historical town hang.

Libreria delle Erbe
Piazza delle Erbe, 25R

An old bookstore downtown now transformed into a modern place. It still retains the spirit of the literary coffee -to consult and buy books-but, while enjoying cultural interventions you can also have a good coffee, snacks, cocktails, wines and beers.
They have a full weekly program of activities for lovers of art and culture.

Picture by Termolan

We’ll be there. If you want to come too, check out our flights here.

The magnificent sea port of Genoa, situated in the north of Italy, is the perfect spot for a two-day getaway. There you can discover the jewels yielded by the sediment of numerous stories that took place in that city over the years.

The old harbour is undoubtedly Genoa’s major attraction. To mark the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America – one of the city’s most celebrated citizens was Christopher Columbus – the harbour was renovated, a make-over that was long overdue. The result of that restoration includes the Bigo, a futuristic structure designed by Renzo Piano affording interesting views over the city, in addition to the Aquarium, the Biosphere and the Galata Sea Museum, one of the largest marine exhibitions in Europe.

But, apart from its harbour, the capital of Liguria offers many other enticements, such as strolling through the Old Town and wandering around the caruggi or dark, narrow back streets. Also worth visiting are the Palazzi dei Rolli, a system of 16th- and 17th-century Renaissance and Baroque palaces, forty-two of which are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Not to be missed either are Genoa Cathedral, dedicated to St Lawrence, and the spectacular Piazza de Ferrari. For those eager to delve into Italy’s history, the place to head for is the Museo del Risorgimento, housed in the erstwhile residence of Giuseppe Mazzini, a key figure in the unification of the country.

The Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno

Apart from these monuments and landmarks, which you are sure to come across in the course of any tourist itinerary through the city, Genoa has another unusual attraction well worth visiting, the Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno. Located on the outskirts of Genoa, on a hillside next to the Bisagno Valley in the Staglieno district, lies one of Europe’s largest cemeteries, celebrated for its interesting sculptural and architectural ensembles on tombs and pantheons.

The construction of cemeteries on the outskirts of towns got under way after the 1804 Napoleonic Edict of Saint-Cloud, by which burials in churches or within city walls were banned. In the case of Genoa, Carlo Barabino was tasked with designing the city’s new cemetery in 1835. Construction work began in 1844 and the precinct was inaugurated in 1851, although building continued until 1880. The precinct was extended over time and areas dedicated to other religions were added, notably the Jewish, Orthodox, Protestant and English cemeteries – the latter houses the tomb of  Oscar Wilde’s wife, Constance Lloyd.

Its origins coincide with the rise of a markedly affluent bourgeoisie, intent on extolling their merits for posterity, to which end they commissioned artists to adorn their opulent mausoleums. These artists included such sculptors as Leonardo Bistolfi, Augusto Rivalta, Giulio Monteverde and Edoardo Alfieri.

A walk through this graveyard effectively becomes a tour of the different art styles that emerged in the 19th and 20th century, as visitors are regaled with works of Neoclassicism, Symbolism, Liberty and Art Deco. This is augmented by the presence of nature, in the guise of plant growth interspersed among the various architectural features, making for an unsettling yet inspiring experience.

Many a visitor has succumbed to the charms of this monumental cemetery. Friedrich Nietzsche and Paul Rée used to discuss philosophy as they strolled through it, while Hemingway described it as “One of the wonders of the world”. Peter Saville, for his part, used photos by Bernard Pierre Wolff of some of the sculptures in the cemetery when he designed the Joy Division album covers for Love Will Tear Us Apart and Closer.

Book your Vueling to this fantastic Mediterranean city – discover its old harbour, stroll through itscaruggi,soak up the beauty of its palaces and drop in on this very special cemetery.

Text by Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS

Images by jeff kerwin, Enrico Sirola, Superchilum

It never fails to surprise that the main – and intensely photographed – claim to Pisa’s fame should be a leaning tower with an inclination presaging a long overdue fall. It is not the only tilting building in the city, but it is the most famous one. That’s what comes from daring to site architectural creations of some considerable height on marshy ground. However Pisa is worth a lot more, so take your time to discover all the other facets of this beautiful Tuscan city.

1. Piazza dei Miracoli – The Stellar Landmark

A World Heritage Site, it has the honour of hosting the city’s most visited landmark, as well as being one of the most immortalised in Italy – the Leaning Tower. That is what draws tourists to the square, but there are other architectural gems here, too. Apart from the tower, there is the Duomo with its spectacular central body in bronze, and the pulpit, masterfully carved by Giovanni Pisano from 1302 to 1310; the Baptistry, built from the Romanesque period to the 14th century, its standout feature being the pulpit by Nicola Pisano, regarded as a forerunner of the Renaissance, and the Camposanto with its 600 tombstones, prominent being the frescoes decorating the gallery walls.

2. Pisa’s Other Piazzas

Pisa has other piazzas apart from the Miracoli and more monuments to see than those in the celebrated square. A case in point is the Piazza dei Cavalieri (Knights’ Square) with its magnificent palaces, notably the Palazzo del Popolo e degli Anziani (Palace of the People and the Elders), the Palazzo dell'Orologio (Clock Palace) and the stunning Church of Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri. For many, though, the greatest attraction is the university atmosphere that pervades the square. The same atmosphere can be had in the Piazza Dante Alighieri, where the standout landmark is the Sapienza, a building housing the Law Faculty and Library of Pisa University.

3. Pisa’s Other Leaning Buildings

Building on marshy ground like in Pisa has its drawbacks, as constructions are likely to become unstable. Thus, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the only building affected by this phenomenon. Others which reveal their walls to be tilted include the Duomo and the Baptistry and the campaniles of the Chiesa di San Nicola and Chiesa di San Michele degli Scalzi.

4. Keith Haring’s Mega Graffiti

The only graffiti Keith Haring executed in 1989 as a permanent mural, marking a departure from his custom of producing temporary works, one of the essential traits of graffiti. It is located on the south wall of the Chiesa di Sant'Antonio Abate and covers a surface of 180 square metres. Entitled Tuttomondo, it is a tribute to peace and harmony in the world and is immediately recognisable from his unmistakeable style of simplified human figures.

5. Strolling Along the Arno Riverbank

The river Arno passes through Pisa on the last leg of its journey before flowing into the sea, having left behind the irresistible Florence and much of Tuscany. On its passage through Pisa, the Arno is flanked by splendid palaces, so be sure to wander along the lungarni as the streets bordering the river are known.

6. Upbeat University Atmosphere

Pisa has one of Italy’s most prestigious universities, which accounts for the atmosphere one breathes throughout the city, filled as it is with students. This is also the reason for the host of café terraces and venues where you can stop to refuel on a tour of the city. Apart from sightseeing breathers, it is also the ideal spot for those who like to go out in the evening.

Now that you have the essential pointers for visiting Pisa, all that’s left is to book your Vueling and enjoy it!

Text by Los Viajes de ISABELYLUIS

Images by bvi4092

We've been waiting a while but it's here at last: snow season! What if we travel a little further afield this time instead of going to the same old resorts? Today we're going to take a look at the highest and most famous peaks in the Alps and tell you about the best ski resorts in that 1,200-km-long mountain range.