The Art of Stillness

A Timeless Craft Preserving Sacred Beauty

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time"- Thomas Merton

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Today’s Newsletter Presented By

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Mosaic depicting a biblical scene with figures -Shutterstock

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Today’s email

• The Art of Stillness

• Italy’s Top 6 Best-Kept Secrets

• Experiences Likely To Sell Out

• Around The Web: The Janiculum Hill; Fortress of the Angels;

  The Flying Angel Town and more

• 🌟 New: Travel Quizzer is Here!

• From Social Media: Castel di Tora is a small village in the Lazio region

• Food in Italy: How to Make PIZZA SAUCE at Home Like an Italian

• Extra: Vatican Mosaic Studio - Rare Footage

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The Art of Stillness

Founded in the late 1500s, the Vatican Mosaic Studio was established to decorate the domes of St Peter’s Basilica using intricate mosaics. Painters like Cavalier d’Arpino and Pietro da Cortona prepared the original designs, while mosaicists applied them using a unique stucco formula still in use today. By the 1700s, altarpieces were being replicated in mosaic to prevent deterioration. This led to the creation of over 28,000 enamel shades. In 1727, the studio was formalized by Pope Benedict XIII. The 18th century saw the rise of micro mosaics - miniature works made using “spun enamel”, which became popular across Europe. Today, the studio preserves and restores Vatican mosaics and produces exquisite commissioned artworks

Vatican, mosaic tile - Italy - Shutterstock

Italy’s Top 6 Best-Kept Secrets

Italy is filled with famous landmarks like Rome’s Colosseum, Venice’s canals, and Florence’s art. But if you’ve already seen the big names and are looking for something a little quieter, a little more meaningful, this list is for you. These are places where you can slow down, take a deep breath, and really feel Italy. Here are six of the best-kept secrets in the country—places that many visitors miss, but once you see them, you’ll never forget...

Cala Goloritzé, Sardinia – Shutterstock

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Experiences Likely To Sell Out

Top Experiences In Italy Likely To Sell Out

2024 is going to be a busy year - Here is a list of the top experiences that will most likely sell out and you should book in advance. Don’t delay!

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Around The Web

The Janiculum Hill

Sometimes called the “Balcony of Rome,” the Janiculum Hill offers a stunning panorama over the city. Being situated across the river from Rome’s historic center, the Janiculum doesn’t count among the fabled Seven Hills of Rome

A Fortress of the Angels

Walking along the Tiber at night, the idle wanderer will inevitably come across a miraculous sight as they follow along the river’s bend; a team of heavenly angels, their gleaming white forms shining in the dark, spans the waters between the city center and the Vatican

A Renaissance Legacy

Commissioned by Agostino Chigi in the early 1500s, Villa Farnesina is a Renaissance masterpiece in Rome, blending architecture and frescoes by Raphael and other great artists. Though later named after the Farnese family, it remains a testament to Chigi’s vision, wealth, and patronage of the arts

A Timeless Jewel in Sicily’s Crown

Beneath the sun-kissed skies of Sicily lies a hidden gem that beckons the cultured traveler- Erice, an enchanting medieval village perched high on its namesake mountain, embracing both history and myth

Rome’s Michelin-Starred Marvel

Perched high above the Eternal City, La Pergola offers not only exquisite cuisine by renowned chef Heinz Beck but also breathtaking panoramic views of Rome. As the city's only three-star Michelin restaurant, it’s an unforgettable fine dining experience for any traveller

The Flying Angel Town

High above the Lucanian Dolomites, two stone villages cling to the cliffs like mountain eagles—Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa. These timeless towns, built into the craggy peaks of southern Italy’s Basilicata region, are connected not by road or trail, but by cable. Welcome to the Volo dell’Angelo—Italy’s most breathtaking zipline experience....

Pietrapertosa, Italy at dusk during autumn in the southern Dolomites - Shutterstock

🌟 New: Travel Quizzer is Here!

Are you ready to prove your travel smarts? Don’t miss the chance to play the hottest new trivia game for travel lovers!

Here’s a taste: Where is the famous Kylemore Abbey located?

Think you know? Don’t wait—thousands of trivia buffs are already hooked. Play Travel Quizzer now!

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From Social Media

Castel di Tora is a small village in the Lazio region, built on a rocky hill about 607 metres above sea level, looking out over Lake Turano

We Love Italian Food

How to Make PIZZA SAUCE at Home Like an Italian

Extra

Vatican Mosaic Studio - Rare Footage

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