Greetings All! As you read this, the Iacono household is busy packing for a family getaway to Venice and Rome. This will be my daughter Liz's first time in Italy, and I am sooo looking forward to showing her around two of my favorite cities. That's one of the great things about traveling with kids, you get to see the world again for the first time, because you're seeing it anew through their eyes.
What's more, she'll have a chance to be "up close" with history, both ancient and modern, which can only give her an advantage in her upcoming high school courses and SATs. Take heed ye parents of teens! (OK, I'm being preachy huh...)
So in the spirit of our upcoming Journey, I present "Paul's Top 10 Things You Probably Don't Know About Italy" Take a look! And let me know some of the interesting things you've learned in your travels. Ciao!
1. You know Italy sits on the Mediterranean Sea, and you probably know it's also bordered by the Adriatic. But did you know there are three more seas bordering the Italian peninsula? Yep -- the Ionian, the Tyrrhenean and the Ligurian!
2. Likewise, you know that Italy borders France, Switzerland and Austria. But did you know that it also borders Slovenia, and completely encircles two fully independent "micro-nations" -- Vatican City and San Marino?
3. Think that's weird? It gets weirder! The Italian municipality of Campione d'Italia lies across the border in Switzerland, completely separated from the rest of the Italian nation!
4. You thought cologne was invented in Cologne? Nein! It was invented in Italy!
5. Italy has more hotel rooms than any other nation in Europe. (So what are you waiting for? Visit! There's plenty of room.)
6. The average Italian consumes 26 gallons of wine and 55 pounds of pasta a year. (Ok, maybe you didn't know that -- but really, is it a surprise?!)
7. Since the end of World War II, Italy has had more than sixty governments, a new government just about every year! And you think American politics is crazy...
8. The first cookbook ever published was published in Sicily. No, not by my Nana -- it was published in 1485!
9. Most of us think of The Roman Empire as ancient, ending not long after the time of Christ. But in fact, The Roman Empire -- later known as The Holy Roman Empire -- was not formally dissolved until August 6, 1806! That's when the last Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, abdicated after a military defeat by Napoleon.
10. A Vespa is an Italian-made motor scooter that is ubiquitous on the streets of every city in Italy. Ok, to be honest, I'm sure you knew that one. I just included it as an excuse to show off my rebuilt vintage 1967 Vespa Super 150!
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So there you go! Ten bits of trivia you can use to "wow" your friends at your next cocktail party. Until next week...
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