Bolsena, a medieval village on the shore of a lake with the same name, on the day of the Corpus Christi becomes even more beautiful with the Infiorata.
The infiorata is an exhibition of drawings made with flowers, seeds, leaves and peat along the streets of the town.
(Bolsena is also famous for the hydrangeas, there are plenty around town and there’s even a festival a couple of weeks before the infiorata, dedicated expressely to this flower)Â
Unfortunately in 2020 and 2021 the event was canceled due to Covid, but now it’s back in full swing and in 2023 it’s due in June 11, day of the Corpus Christi.
I was in Bolsena during the Infiorata in 2019 and I took loads of pictures, that I obviously would like to share.Â
but first, a bit of history…
In 1263 AD in Bolsena during Mass a consecrated host started to bleed, as if it was flesh. This miracle was considered proof that the body of Christ is in fact in the Eucharist.
So the following year Pope Urban IV established the feast of Corpus Christi, that previously was only celebrated in Belgium.
From that date, during the Corpus Christi the Eucharist is exhibited and carried around the towns.
In Bolsena the procession is particularly important because with the Blessed Sacrament there’s also a “Sacred Stone” that is taken around, the stone where the blood dropped.Â
Moreover, since 1995 the celebration got even bigger with the Infiorata.
Getting ready
Works for the Infiorata start a few days before the Sunday on which the procession will take place.
Along the streets of Bolsena you can meet groups of women that separate petals from the flowers, the main material used in the Infiorata.
The Infiorata and procession are held on a Sunday, but some groups start to draw on Saturday night, because it’s very hot during the day and it’s more difficult to work in the sun.Â
Creating the drawings is a team work, everybody is busy, from the youngest to the elderly. It’s a nice party of the town that involves everyone.
Sunday
On Sunday works start early in the morning and continue without break.
Before
After
Flowers are kept wet throughout the day, so that they stay fresh and they don’t fly away.
Here are two galleries of images (click on the arrows to see all the pictures)Â
Many drawings represent religious images, but there’s more.Â
The procession
At 4 pm starts the procession during which Eucharist and Sacred Stone are carried around the town of Bolsena, followed by representatives of the town, of the Church and of the communities.Â
The procession follows the drawings on the streets. Only the priest carrying the Sacred Stone can walk on the flowers, the others must walk on the side.
Once the procession is finished you can walk on the drawings. If you are strong enough.Â
Personally I didn’t feel like ruining these works of art that took days to prepare, just an hour after they were finished. Â
Another gallery. I took so many pictures, and the drawings were all so special, it would a shame not to share them all.Â
I was impressed by the quality of the drawings made with products found in nature
and there are actually many people involved in the making of the Infiorata, with great care and attention
Where to enjoy the best views of London for free (or almost)
London has a beautiful skyline that keeps changing and hunting for the best panoramic view spot is a favorite pastime.
It’s almost impossible not to see the skyline while in the city, a simple walk along the Thames offers great glimpses, but here are my favorite places with the best views.
Greenwich
Greenwich has a village vibe and is a nice trip regardless. You can get there by underground (Cutty Sark or Greenwich DLR) from the centre of London, but my favorite way to reach the place is the ferry. Taking a public ferry from Westminster for example to Greenwich Pier is a nice river cruise at an excellent price (9.40 pounds in April 2023, 8.20 with a travelcard).
In Greenwich I recommend a stroll in town and a visit to the market for some shopping and food before you head to the park and the Royal Observatory.
Up on the hill, where the Observatory is located, you can see the famous line of the Prime Meridian and from there you can also enjoy a great view of the Docklands and the rest of the city.
View of the Docklands and City of London from Greenwich Park
Instead of taking the train (DRL) from Greenwich, for a different experience you could go back to Central London through the pedestrian tunnel that runs underneath the Thames and connects Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs, where you can walk to the closest DRL (Island Gardens). I would suggest to walk further more in that area, Canary Wharf is lovely with its skyscrapers and canals.
View of London from the National Portrait Gallery
On the top floor of the National Potrait Gallery there’s the Potrait Restaurant with a beautiful view over Trafalgar Square with Nelson’s statue, the Parliament and the Big Ben.
The NPG itself is worth a visit (entrance is free), I find it funny to see how fashion changed in the centuries!
You can have a drink while enjoying the view or ask if you can just take a look.
Unfortunately though the Gallery is currently closed for works but is due to open on June 22, 2023.
I have been on the London Eye only once (at the time there was a big discount if you had a Travelcard for public transportation, but I can’t find anything similar now; still, if you book online it’s slightly cheaper than on site, 30.50 instead of 40 pounds as of April 2023. It has become so expensive!).
From up there you get a nice view of the Thames with its bridges and lights, the Parliament and the Big Ben.
It’s the only panoramic view of this list that has a cost, I guess if you are visiting London for the first time it’s a nice experience.
In the South Bank, my favorite strolling area, there’s the Tate, a gallery with free entrance (excluding some temporary exhibitions that have an entrance fee).
On top of the building on the right (the Blavatnik Building), there’s a terrace with my favorite view of the city. I love to go there just before sunset and see how the light changes and the sun reflects on the skyscrapers.
There’s an amazing view of St. Peter’s, just across the river. Thank me later.
Sky Garden
This place is quite recent. The skyscraper hosting the Sky Garden was designed in 2004 and construction was completed in 2014.
The highest garden in London, it offers a 360 degree view of the city. A priceless experience that you can enjoy for free.
London seems to be back to normal life after the restrictions due to Covid. But with the pandemic and the Brexit, prices have gone up creazily! London can be very expensive, but it also offers a lot of free entertainment, like the views that I listed in this article and a lot of museums.
Because I travel mostly on a budget, I always look for the best things to do at the lowest price, and these views of London might be some of the best experiences you can gift yourself.
The first part of the shooting took place at the bride and groom’s house, where they were getting ready for their Big Day, surrounded by family and friends.Â
The bride was helped by her mother and sister while she was getting dressed.
Because it was Covid time, the celebration took place at the public park near the Town Hall.Â
It was a nice end-of-Summer warm day, and the location was stunning.Â
After the celebration we took some group photos and some of the newly weds, at the same parco Pretto.
The party then moved to Locanda Perinella, where the newlyweds entertained their guests with dancing, singing and fireworks.Â
It was a simple yet elegant wedding, happy and joyful.
I hope my pictures will help the couple keep a nice and vivid memory of their special day.
 I love the beach. The sand between the fingers and the sound of the waves just relax me.
The beach also has a nostalgic feeling to me. When I was little, we only took pictures at birthdays or while on holiday, and that is why most of the pictures I have of my younger self are at the beach.Â
There’s little to say, the beach and the sea are very seductive, in every season.Â
For this reason I like to shoot at the beach when I can.
Our children grow up so quickly, don’t let time fly by without creating photography memories.Â
If you are interested in a shooting with your family at the beach near Venice, contact me at: tiakatty@gmail.com or 338 7732357
The Carnival in Venice is one of of the most beautiful carnivals not only in Italy, but in the whole world.
After a few years of stop due to Covid, the Carnival in Venice is back in full swing. You can see the whole program at the official website, carnevale.venezia.it.Â
I have been to Venice during the Carnival more than once and I have a few pictures and information about it that I would like to share with you.Â
The fame of the carnival comes mainly from the beautiful masks and costumes that wander around the calli and campi during this time of the year.Â
We usually link masks and costumes to carnival (and Halloween), a time of parties and change, we dress up to be somebody else for a few hours.
But in Venice it hasn’t always been this way…
History of Carnival in Venice
Carnival has very old origins, it probably derives from the Saturnali in Ancient Rome, a time at the end of the month of December when civil rules were temporarly suspended.
It was time of banquets and subversion of the social order: for a few days slaves were free and a princeps was elected and dressed with a mask and bright colors.
A few centuries later, when Venice was administered by the Serenissima Republic, wearing masks and costumes was popular and an ordinary affair.
At the time masks were used to hide one’s identity during illegal meetings or activities.
For instance, the mask was used to go to casino or brothels.
Hidden under the tabarro (a mantel) were often carried arms.
For this reason in 1269 the use of masks and costumes was legally forbidden, allowed only during Carnival.
Bauta (the cocked hat with a mask that was open at the bottom and permitted to eat and talk) and tabarro could be worn at official parties and on national holidays.
In the meantime the Carnival (that lasted from Christmas to Mardi Gras) and Venetian masks became more and more important, and in 1436 was established the statute of mascherari, the artisans that create the masks.
Carnival continued to be a time of transgression, where you could do anything, with the anonymity given by the mask.
In 1776 married women were forced to wear bauta and tabarro to go to the theatre.
In 1700, when Carnival was at its highest, new costumes became popular, those coming from the Commedia dell’arte theatre pieces, and they continue to be among the most popular: Pulcinella, Colombina, Arlecchino, Pantalone.Â
From 1797, with the end of the Republic of Venice and the invasion of Napoleon first and the Austrian Empire later, the Carnival was suspended and prohibited. Masks could only be worn at private parties.
Carnival was organised again only recently, in 1979.
The carnival today
Nowadays curious and enthusiastic from all over the world come to Venice not only to see the beautiful costumes, but also to wear them.
It is possible to buy or rent a costume in the few ateliers that can still be found in Venice.
Some of the costumes you can see in Venice during the Carnival are traditional, with the white mask and the rich headgear.
Others are inspired by movie characters or exotic cultures.
Carnival is one of my favorite times to visit Venice; during about two weeks you can see costumes on gondolas, prizes are given to the best masks and all type of events are organized.
And don’t forget the frittella, an equally important protagonist of the Carnival in Venice.
Venice during the Carnival is particularly busy and sometimes it’s difficult to move around, but I think it deserves a visit at least once in a lifetime.
I have always loved traveling, since I was in my mother's womb. I love to see new places, meet new cultures, eat the food of the world. Recently I discovered that pictures can sometimes show more than I can do in words.
Destinations
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