The Borgias (part one)

The Borgia family originated in the Valencia region of Spain: Their full Spanish name was de Borja y Borja (sometimes spelt Borya or Borjia) (Don Pedro Luis de Borja )....

Pius II wrote a letter to Rodrigo after hearing about one extremely wild party:

"Beloved Son, We have heard that, four days ago, several ladies of Siena - women entirely given over to worldly frivolities - were assembled in the gardens of Giovanni di Bichis and that you, quite forgetful of the high office with which you are invested, were with them.........."

In Search of a Venice wedding?

I went to Venice in search of a ceremony. I had read about Lo Sposalizio del Mare in the history books. Since the eleventh century, every year on Ascension Day the Doge of Venice had thrown a wedding-ring into the lagoon to symbolise the marriage of the city of Venice to the sea. I had listened to the music which traditionally accompanied it. I knew it had been celebrated in Venice for almost a thousand years and the word was that it was celebrated still. If so, I wanted to witness it.

The breakthrough came from an unlikely source..

Carpets of Flowers

An "infiorata" has come to mean carpets of mainly flower petals formed into colourful and decorative designs and laid out along the streets. It can be linked to ancient Greek festivals such as Anthestria. Flowers often played an important part in Greek mythology and the tradition has been carried on in many places, especially in Cyprus where there are many flower festivals held in the spring.

Peperonata

In the summer I like to make a lot of dishes to serve cold - bits and pieces rather than one big meal. It is especially good if I can freeze the various foods so that all I have to do is pull a few bags out of the freezer and I have our dinner!

One of my favourities is the "peperonata" - it is colourful, tasty and easy to prepare! You can also serve the peperonata hot as a regular vegetable dish.

Italian Bars

The next question to ask is do you sit or do you stand? Italians generally stand at the bar to have their coffee or whatever. In touristy type places it costs more if you sit down at a table. In a small-town local bar the price should be the same if you stand or sit, as long as you are not served at the table but carry your own drinks etc. If you are going to be charged extra to sit at a table there will be a notice...........

San Gimignano

We left on Wed just after John took me to the shop where this wonderful craftsman, Stefano, created the most wonderful silver and gold jewellery, plates, mirrors, etc. He hammers each design by hand-takes him a whole day just to do a bracelet! He even made chalices for the Pope...................