To & From the airport.com

Clever internet site (but a bit messy in the interface) to find out how to get out of any airport of the world.
Cheap ways, fancy ways, standard ways...whatever is your budget, you get it!
Enjoy the link and click here.
D*

Portraits from the world

This is probably the kind of picture I like shooting the most.
From my many trips around the world, I've been so lucky to run into some of these amazing characters and to capture their expressions with my camera. Most of them were shot with compact cameras few years ago, and only the one from my last trips were done with my Nikon D90

Studio Portraits

I've been in the photography field for the past two years, and I've been so lucky to run into this wonderful tango dancer to realize this photo session that I'm really proud of.
The pictures you'll be watching are just the way they've been shot...any postproduction treatment can be done at any level thanks to an amazing software from Adobe called Lightroom.
If you've always dreamt about having professional pictures of your sons or some quality shooting just for yourself, just contact me through my blog and we'll arrange everything.
Cheers

Giglio island

Giglio island is defenatly one of the many treasures my country has to offer!!!
Just a couple of hours away from Rome there's Porto Santo Stefano, where you can jump on a ferry almost every hour and easily reach heaven with a short ride.
The trip itself is worth a chance, with the Argentario fading on your back and the rocky island shining in front of you with its colors.
As you approach the harbor you can already feel welcomed by Giglio Porto, one of the three little towns present on land and where most of the "night life" takes place. The colored houses and the many bars and restaurants make this part of the island the most enjoyable after a long day spent swimming in the turquoise waters. For the aperitivo (if you happen to be here around 7 o'clock) I recommend Meineken, with a rich buffet and a very friendly staff, whilst for dinner you can choose among three different restaurants: Meino for quality seafood right on the beach but a quite expensive bill, "La Pergola" for a great location and a reasonable price, and "Da Ruggero" for the great service and tradition (at a very good price).
The other town is Giglio Castello with its wonderful medieval setting and the great view you can get from there. Just take a walk into the walls and you'll never forget it. This town gets pretty crowded quite late, but still you can find good restaurants but expensive ones. If you want a "budget" (let's assume this is a pretty expensive summer place) dinner you can have a sit at "La Porta" and eat right on the main square just outside the walls.
Following the only road present on the island, you finally reach Giglio Campese, definitely the ugliest part of the island but where you can enjoy one of the best sunsets you'll ever remember. The huge bay of the town is also one of the very few beaches you'll be able to find, but on high season is totally packed with boats and way too crowded. L'Approdo is the place to be at aperitivo time, and you'd better get there early to get a table right on the sand. I'm not a big fan of this side of the island when where are not talking about "cale" (that's how the little bays present along the coast are called), then I can't really suggest any special restaurant.



But let's speak about hot bathing spots!!!
Beside the famous ones that you can easily find on any touristic map (l'Arenella, le Cannelle e le Caldane), I'd love to share with you some amazing spots I discovered with a little bit of effort and a quite hard walk.
My number one place is Capel Rosso hands down, a very tough spot to reach but for that reason very isolated and not crowded at all. The walk that takes you there leaves you breathless once you reach the light house and then the coast. The whole mediterranean sea opens up in front of your eyes and the smooth granite rocks are just perfect to lie on.
Another "cala" you can't miss is "cala dell'allume". To reach it get to Campese, follow the directions for the football field and once there ask to some locals, because you should park at the end of a dirty road and then take a wonderful walk into a small wood taking you on top of a hill. Be prepared to a great view, an intense smell of wild nature and a blinding blue coming from the bay waiting for you down there!
If you're staying at the "Baia del sole" camping then, you'won't have to walk that much to feel satisfied. The bay the have just beneath the structure is one of the most fascinating spots to relax and enjoy the italian sun surrounded by crystal waters.
Last but not least, i Faraglioni are the attraction of the island hands down.
The path to follow starts again from Giglio Campese, it's bit tougher then the others, but your effort will be payed back.
Beside all these options, you can have a great taste of the island renting a small boat with your friends. At Giglio Porto ask for Alvino and you will be super happy with his kindness and great service.

2010

As the new year is approaching, you can recap through images the "old" one and remember something you might have forgotten.

Egadi islands part four...Gioacchino

Again the rooster...but today we feel like two real explorers so we decide to go find some special unspoiled spots. Blacky leads us to Scaro Cavallo where she decides to stop and to be parked considering the view. On our left the little town cemetery and in front of us Levanzo and the Trapani coast to turn everything into a painting. Again tuff rocks and caves make the surroundings astonishing, and the entrance to one of these caves leads us to an unknown path following an unbelievable cliff on the turquoise sea.
Spotting hares, getting needles in our feet and stuffing down figs and mellon just bought from the local farmer, we reach this huge tuff pit where Daniele wants to get down to find an outlet to the sea...but not succeeding. The view is so incredibly beautiful that we decide to postpone our swim of the day to enjoy Cala Rossa on the background, the sailing boats looking like millions ants in the sea and a little hawk playing with the currents!!!
Once back to Blacky at Scaro Cavallo we opt for staying there a bit and spread our bodies under the sunset light till 7 p.m, to have dinner at Bar Cavallo where a peacefull atmosphere and the genuine and simple cuisine make their garden a tale come true...a little paradise. Hammered and satisfied we head to town where the crazy Favignana night is waiting for us.
And that's where we met him, the Rais, Gioacchino (http://www.gioacchinocataldo.it), very Gioac and not so ino. A man, a mountain, a mith for the island inhabitants, the man portrayed on many pictures rapresenting him struggling 500 Kilograms tuna fishes in the mattanze.
Daniele, just like a terrier does, spots him in the middle of a huge crowd while talking with some tourists in front of a good glass of local wine and gets close to the grand fisher man to solve his doubt: "Are you the one from the many pictures I saw around?". The Rais stands up in all his majesty and gives his massive hand to shake and introduce himself. Daniele nearly reach his hips, but he manages to book a day trip around the island on Gioacchino's boat for the coming up days.

Portraits on a location

Specialized in protraits, natural enivroments and social photography, here's a sample of a photo session I realized in Tuscany.
Planning everything together, from the location, to the dressing style and the mood you want to express, I can deliver you a high quality product you'll be totally satisfied with.
You can contact me through the blog and I'll be back to you right away.
Enjoy!

Egadi islands part three...the rooster

On time like a bank asking for money, at 9 a.m the rooster screams loud from the camping's speakers and following the official resident voice at the reception informs us about the weather and the wind blowing in order to choose the rigth side of the island to go enjoy the day under the sun.
On our bike we head to our favorite grocery store on the way, to buy fruits for lunch and two carpets to lay comfortable on the rocks and then we park next to Lido Burrone. The first impression is good even if a bit over crowded for our standards. Maybe families like it because it's close to the street and there's few beaches to sun bath on, but the colors are still amazing so we decide to stay and take great naps on some uncomfortable tuff rocks (that's why we bought the carpets) and wake up only to refresh sometimes, bite the delicious fruits we have, and read few lines of our books.
Around 7 p.m. we decide to save some good 50 euros and we choose to head to Camarillo Brillo for an enormous aperitivo.

Montepulciano area, Tuscany

I don't need to spend too many words describing such an amazing place. Montepulciano is world wide famous for its wine, its surroundings (as any other part of this Italian region) and its architectural beauties. But as you can see from the pictures I focused more on the natural aspect of the area, since you'll be able to find as many pictures as you want on the medieval buildings and squares of the town, but in particular this are shots taken from a friend of mine's country house, deepen in the hills and where you could spend some days if you book in advance. The place is called Poggio Golo and you'll be delighted by its well furnished appartments, the big swimming pool placed in a wonderful garden and their own production of Nobile di Montepulciano and olive oil.
I can assure you it's worth it to give it a try...you'll totally want to go back there again and again.
If you need any more information about the area and palces to visit, you can contact me here, and I'll be more then glade to help you arranging your perfect staying.
Coming up, in any case, some more good hints on this wonderful slice of Italy called Tuscany.
Enjoy

PANTONE HOTEL

I'm sure every designer knows what I'm talking about.
This hotel in Brussells is the latest awesome idea in the hotel business.
But we're talking about something that has to be seen and not described, so please have a look and get ready to will a ticket to the Belgium capital.
Check it out on this link...Pantone Hotel

Vivo Altrove

This morning, while on the car to come to work, I was listening to an interesting radio program where I heard about this book and its internet site.
I've always been sensitive about the issue covered in it...and here I am to report the site as a very well done work.
For all of those who have been thinking for ever about leaving their country to go live abroad, for those who never found the courage to do so or just have so many doubts about it, and for those who are already living somewhere else outside their home country, this is where you could find all the answers to the questions you never had the courage or chance to ask.
Surf it wisely: Vivo altrove
Cheers.

Amazing Bed Covers

As the demand is going up and the quality of my goods never disappoints, the collection is growing bigger and bigger, with more bed cover designs and colors.
Here is a sample from one of my many satisfied clients, enjoying the colorful and precious fabric on her ethnic bed.
Please don't hesitate to contact me for more informations.
Cheers.

Apple Old Software Database

"Mac Old Apps"
How many times you've been looking for an old app for your Mac, and just couldn't come up with a solution?!
Well, guys...don't need to roam around the infinite internet universe anymore!
Simple and useful, this site has it all...you just need to type the right world and you'll bring home what you were looking for.
Just click on the link..."Mac Old Apps"
Have fun!

Road Sharing

"RoadSharing" is for all those people who like traveling on low budget, meet new friends, share costs and save the world from pollution.
Here's a great site to enjoy and make your dreams come true."RoadSharing"
I haven't used it yet (I will as soon as I can), but in combination with "CouchSurfing" this could be an amazing chance to travel around the world in a different way.
Please sponsor it as much as you can and let's try to make the world a better place.
Cheers!

Egadi islands, part 2

FAVIGNANA DAY 1

The revange is just around the corner though. At a glance, the following morning, Francesco delights the two of us with a supreme spot that has 10 cm of space around it. Elena is satisfied with it! Her new house is now pitch number 208.
Blacky (our Ducati) can't wait no more, and we leave right after sunrise to explore the island. First dive at Cala Rotonda that is not so crowded considering is aug 15th, but as soon as some people start to show up, we start one of our crazy explorations ending at the tuff caves. Danny was almost put under arrest for showing off his moray in public spaces, during one of his water tricks he was performing for being so happy about the beauty of the spot. A lady relaxing on a boat anchored just out there, did not really enjoy the show and called the cops.
Aperitif over the “Camarillo Brillo” that gives that little sweet buzz to Elena, enough to leed the two of us (on our elbows) over “La bettola” (better to book in advance!!!). Service is great (ask for Umberto, a smart and nice boy working and owning the place), price is good related to the quality!

The Green Side of my Soul

Hera are some interesting sites where you can find cool stuff good to our planet.
If you have to buy, do it consciously...it's just a matter of using the brain.
Enjoy!

Great Green Goods

Great Green Shoes

Earth Lover Shopping

And if you wonna learn how to live in a sustainable way...here's comprehensive guide on how to act in your everyday life to make a better world:

10 Ways 2 Go Green

Egadi islands, Sicily, 2010

THE DEPARTURE.

Finally, our holidays!
Departure from our office with Blacky the legend, Elena and Daniele’s "Ducati". Luggage on the tank and one small backpack, the minimum necessary (Daniele doesn’t even bring his mobile).
First destination the harbor of Naples to board at 8 PM for Palermo. At the harbor, a guy from Naples tries to sell us not succeeding , for 50 euros, a pair of sunglasses that, five minutes later, will sell to a girl sitting right next to us (no decency!) for 10 euros!
Once on board, the famous Frova & Colangelo firm, buys the “gotta-enjoy-life” kit and prepares a superlative aperitif on the deck facing the Vesuvio.
To follow, dinner over the extra luxury restaurant on board served with a precious wine "SNAV", whose vineyard is located at abaft.
Tired, we decide to lie on the soft cashmere moquette in the corridor of deck n.6, lulled by the supreme smell of the powerful engine’s gasoline.

SICILY

Get off the ferry and straight to "Scopello" and its world famous tonnara for the first dive. A couple of hrs later, our hungry stomachs pull us uphill where the sweet town is. Those rumors from friends were right about that restaurant called “Il Baglio”. As a starter a little silent square paved with white marbles and furnished with a wonderful secular tree. And as main dish, pappardelle ai fiori di mare (sea urchin, shrimps, mussels and pistachios) for me, and a tipical local pasta called busiate served with tomatoe, eggplant, sword fish and pepper mint...simply delicious!
A horrified old guy from the main square watches Elena getting on the Ducati, and the two of us taking off towards the mountain where Erice lays. We're short on time and the ferry taking us to Favignana is already warming up its engines at the harbor, but our faithfull Blacky takes us there just on time to start our real holiday.
Obviously the only camping on the island (Camping Egad) is totally full! The mighty Francesco from the reception, driven by compassion (considering Elena's age), parks the two of us on a pitch right on top of a sewer, right next to the Favignana's freeway and right behind a group of horny teenagers that won't make us sleep till sunrise.
Our dinner at the “Nautilus”, the only restaurant on the beach in town, is the right way to end up our day, in front of a great meal (but quite expensive).

Silk fever goin' up

Here are some more goods from India.
The silk is premium quality, coming from one of the most famous areas for the production of this precious material...Varanasi.
From scarfs, to fancy shirts, to bed covers...I've got them all, in any color, any texture and any size.
With a direct and trusted connection with the producer, I can satisfy any need, so don't be afraid of asking and get ready to feel the softness and warmth of the silk on your skin during any season!
Meanwhile check out some goods on sale:
Scarf and more

Alarm Clocks

Having a hard time waking up in the morning?! Click on the following link:
Unusual Alarm Clocks

Cool Mac Apps

Here's a site where you can satisfy your Mac sickness...Cool Mac Apps
Enjoy.