Happy 2008! Will it take you to Italia? Before your departure, take a bit of coffee knowledge with you. We would not want you to order a “latte” and  wonder where  the coffee is. You see, in Italy a “latte” is steamed milk. The “latte” in USA translates to a “latte macchiato” in Italy. In other words, the barista will start with steamed milk and add the espresso coffee to create an artful glass of coffee. On the other hand, “caffè latte” is a cappuccino with little or no foam and more milk. Let’s continue the lesson.

• Cappuccino: only served after 10 AM to children and tourists. This hot beverage starts with espresso coffee and is topped with steamed foamed milk
• Caffè corretto: an espresso served with a grappa or brandy
• Caffè freddo: cold coffee
• Lungo: espresso coffee with hot water added to dilute the strength, also known as caffè americano
• Ristretto: extra strong espresso, like a double shot

With this bit of education, you are ready to order your morning beverage.

Buon viaggio!

Olive Oil
In
Review

Thank you on behalf of the Bencini Family and Gina’s Italy for your continued support and enjoyment of the finest olive oil. The Bencini family is proud to produce a superb product of virgin oil cold-pressed without any chemical additives or inferior olives from other areas. This year’s shipment proved to be a success.
Of their olive oil, Doctor Favaro says, “Olive oil was considered by the Egyptians a medicinal and cosmetic product with multiple purposes. Ingesting the extra virgin, cold-pressed product assists the skin cells to regenerate and maintain themselves. Modern science confirms the extraordinary qualities and in addition rates it as the most important fat in medicine.”
Remember not all olive oils are created equal. Be assured of the quality guaranteed by the Bencini farm.

Sicily,
The Big
Island

Gina’s Italy is happy to announce the addition of a tour to the island of Sicily. We spent 10 days traveling Western Sicily to find interesting and historical centers for you. From Palermo in the north and Agrigento in the South, we found monuments, museums, churches, and wineries with great history. The question is who did not conquer Sicily. Her history is rich with influences from the Carthaginians, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and more. As Goethe wrote in 1788, “ To have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is to  not have seen Italy at all, for Sicily is the clue to everything”
Read on for more details.

2008
Travel
Opportunities
With
Gina’s Italy

Did you know that 75% of the world’s art treasures are in Italy? Italy offers sites, tastes, sounds, food, and traffic like no other country. Many are called back to her numerous opportunities over and over. Pick a place, anywhere in Italy and you will find hidden treasures for the sampling. This year, we are offering Sicily a delight in sights, history, culture and food.

In 2008, we are happy to offer you a choice of Italian adventures.
Take an escorted customized tour with Gina at the helm. With her language and introductions, you will enjoy a side of Italy experienced by a few. Are you an independent traveler? Look below to see how Gina’s Italy can assist you.

Save your spot in one of these escorted small group tours:

• Experience Italy – Available May & September 2008-Visit Rome & Florence and the countryside in between
• Grand Tour – Available October 2008- See Rome, Florence & Venice for an introduction to this country
• Sicily, A Looming Legacy- Available May & October 2008-Walk the paths of a rich history
• Custom tour groups are always welcome. Pick the place, dates and travel companions.

Contact us for a  brochure of the tour you like. Remember to include your mailing address. Please send me a 2008 brochure.

Independent
Travelers

Do you shy away from group itineraries? Do you like personal adventures, solo? Gina's Italy can provide information on car rentals, travel insurance, hotels and itineraries. For a minimum fee, you can take advantage of preferential tariffs and expert advice for travel within Italy. For discounted car rental pricing anywhere in Europe go to Car rentals in Europe.

Also, remember to protect yourself with travel insurance. Make the inconvenience of tight connections and mishandled luggage less of a negative in your travel experience. Follow this link: Travel Insurance

Grazie for your kind attention to this issue of Il Bollettino di Gina. Please, feel free to forward the Bollettino to family and friends. We invite families to consider Gina’s Italy for a customized trip. Mom and Dad can enjoy time alone and know the children are busy. Travel is a wonderful education.  Until next time,

Buone cose,
Gina