Tag Archives: markets

Morning Market Delight in Pistoia

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Market Day in Pistoia

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It was Wednesday and it was market day in Pistoia. We drove down from Bagni di Lucca and parked the car at Lucca train station and took the morning train to Pistoia.

It is just a 40 minute train ride from Lucca to Pistoia through lovely Tuscan country side and passing by dozens of local nurseries. The area of Pistoia is very well known for the cultivation of plants and flowers exported all over the world, with a long tradition of local nurseries being passed down generation after generation.

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The city of Pistoia, a distinctive medieval city, is located in northern Tuscany, halfway between Florence(Firenze)  and Lucca and about 40 km away from each. What a gorgeous town. It is so easy to fall in love with Pistoia.

 

Miky from https://passion4food4fashion.com/ was waiting for us as our train arrived at the Pistoia train station. I first was introduced to Pistoia through Miky’s blog which I started following a few years ago. Miky is absolutely passionate about her home town and must be their greatest ambassador.

Miky walked with us through the town pointing out every building, statue and landmark with descriptions and information about them all. We stopped at Miky’s favourite bar/cafe for coffee and the best Italian dolce (pastry) I can remember ever enjoying.

 

We chatted and she filled us in on her involvements in Pistoia including telling us about her family restaurant Pollo d’Oro. Miky I will definitely come to the restaurant next time I am in Pistoia.

 

 

After coffee we continued our walk to the Piazza Della Sala where we found the colourful weekly markets. The Piazza Della Sala is a piazza with charm and character, a very traditional market  that sells top quality Italian fruit and vegetables

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The piazza was crowded, and the eating places around the square were pretty busy. I always love the atmosphere and vibe of Italian markets and this one was no exception. Extending out towards the street was another market, selling all kinds of household items, clothing, shoes, jewellery, Bric-à-brac plus so much more.

 

After the markets are finished each week, and everything is packed away, the piazza transforms into a busy hive of activities with its pizzerias, restaurants and bars.  This continues on in to the evenings. We did not stay long enough for the evening activities however it is a definite must for me next time I am in Italy.

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From here I took the train on to Ferrara and Debra caught the train back to Lucca.

Thank you Miky for sharing your beautiful town with us.

Elegant Renaissance Piazza – Piazza dei Signori, Padova

22 Sunday Jan 2017

Posted by in Elegant Renaissance Piazza – Piazza dei Signori, Padova, Padova

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After about an hour train ride from Ferrara, I arrived in Padova.  I checked in to my hotel, enjoyed a late lunch and then went exploring, starting  with visiting many of the “must see places”.  My first “Must see” in any new town or village, is to find the main piazza in the town, and Padova was no exception.

I discovered Piazza dei Signori where I later ended my day.  Piazza dei Signori is one of the many piazza of this historic city. This elegant Renaissance piazza in the heart of Padova, is buzzing with bars, cafés and restaurants and is full of life and full of laughter

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It houses the most exquisite clock tower, Torre dell’Orologio,  which was built after the Venetians conquered Padova as a symbol of power and status. This public clock which was built in 1344 is possibly the world’s oldest clock. You will find this big astrological clock on the white tower of Palazzo del Capitanio at one end of the Piazza.

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Piazza dei Signori is a lovely place to sit, eat, chat and watch the day go by.

There are loads of bars and restaurants to choose from. This piazza is quite well located in the historical part of Padova and surrounded with great galleries and shops.

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Beautiful Apartments overlooking the Piazza

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On my first morning in Padova I ate my breakfast at the hotel where I was staying,  but after discovering Piazza dei Signori, I then chose to enjoy my typical Italian breakfast at one of the many bars in the Piazza.  This is café society at its best. Actually I ended up having 2 breakfasts as I found another café that I liked more than the first one.

During the day, Piazza dei Signori, is a typical market place with its stalls where you will find locals shopping.  Here I found both the tourists and locals intermingling.  These markets are quite large with a great selection. The fresh fruit and vegetable markets and the fresh food stalls were excellent.

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Markets

Also in the Piazza dei Signori are many attractive small specialty shops and cafés with most attractions well sign posted for us visitors in Padova.

Each afternoon, the markets are closed and moved away, and the tables are brought in and the entire piazza is turned in to a huge dining area.  The entire marketplace is equipped with cafe/restaurant tables: it is a true evening food celebration, completely taken over by the surrounding restaurants. The place was buzzing with people enjoying a meal and each other’s company.

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After the markets are closed

What a perfect evening. The food was good – you will leave this place with a full stomach and a smiling face!

A wonderful Piazza for Dining and People Watching. 

 

 

A Fun Day out – Markets in Lucca

14 Wednesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Martkets in Lucca, Tuscany

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The markets in Lucca are on every Wednesday and Saturday morning, in Via dei Bacchettoni.

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Lucca Markets

I am a big fan of the local markets in Italy and always make a point of visiting them if my visit coincides with the days they are on.  Sometimes, I buy lots of different items, sometimes I buy just some lovely fresh local produce, and sometimes I just go to enjoy the local atmosphere and sit centrally and enjoy a locally made delicacy.

On this last trip to Lucca, we headed out from our apartment early to not only enjoy these rather large markets but also to beat some of the crowds. After wandering and exploring for a while, we took time to sit on some “child-size”chairs to enjoy our first coffee and dolce of the day, and, of course, people watch.

These markets set up in the early morning and start taking down about 1 or 2 pm, so remember to go early.  The area around the markets is total chaos so make sure you walk to them as finding a car park is just about impossible.

The majority of the stall-holders make their living from the markets, so in general, the prices and quality are good, and there are bargains to be had.

Get a real taste of the local culture while watching the bustling shoppers banter with vivacious vendors. But most importantly: Don’t forget the food! Seasonal fruits and veggies, farm-made cheeses, fresh fish and meats, and local wines are to be found in the friendly stalls. Italy can boast some of the best food in the world and that food is at its very best in the local markets.

Lucca markets are really very good with an array of everything from shoes to bedspreads, clothes, fruit and vegetables, household items and hardware and everything in between.

dscf8504dscf8507dscf8510The markets are usually cash-only so you should always carry enough cash to get you through the day, and don’t expect vendors to accept credit cards or any other form of payment.

Although visiting the local markets is a great outing they are specifically for the locals and by no means oriented towards tourists so very little of the “cheap” imported products are to be found. However, you will find some items from China etc.

A visit to these local markets, can be a fun, inexpensive day out.

Prepare your Senses – San Lorenzo Markets, Florence.

10 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by in San Lorenzo Markets, Tuscany

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If you enjoy markets you will enjoy these markets.  They are a great experience and are found in the centre of Florence.

The San Lorenzo markets are actually comprised of two separate markets. One is better known as the Central Market (mercato centrale), which is a two-level, indoor food market. The other is the outdoor market full of stalls selling leather, clothing and souvenirs. These outside markets are incredibly popular and always crowded, day and night.

The food markets, which are a must see in Florence, are amazing.  They are the ultimate food experience and very good if you wish to buy Italian delicacies. These markets are very complete. You can find just about everything there including fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheese, wine, olives, dried fruits and nuts and much more.

The stall holders are friendly, helpful and allow you to sample their goodies. There is a sit down eatery where the food is excellent and surprisingly cheap. The menu changes daily so just ask what they have, they are happy to oblige and talk you through it.

This fresh food market on the ground floor is a favourite place of mine in Florence. The smells and sounds and infinite choice of things to nibble on are a must for foodies.

This food market is a fascinating place to stroll around & gaze at the most fabulous array of Italian foods. Everything looks so appetising & delicious, displayed in a really lovely way and is a photographer’s playground.

Upstairs is a massive surprise that anyone visiting Florence must not miss…..the dining! Wow!  We were surprised by the excellent quality & the stylish surroundings of the place. The prices are very reasonable considering the extremely high quality of the foods & drinks on offer.

Settle in for a gastronomical experience and enjoy a meal of almost anything Italian.

                           If you are in Florence, even if it’s just for a day,                 visiting these markets is a must!

My reasons for travelling to Italy – the Series – Markets

08 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Markets

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​I am often asked by friends,
“What is your infatuation with Italy?”
“Why do  you go to Italy so often?”
 ​

So I thought I would tell you some of the  reasons I enjoy Italy and why I return often

There are actually many reasons I do return regularly so I thought I would just tell you about a few at a time, rather than write a very long blog story.

So, here goes
One of my favourite outings is the local markets

The markets in Italy, which range from flea markets to antique and food markets, all tell an interesting and unique story. I have been to many markets all over Italy, including very small markets in little local villages to the large markets in the cities, including Campo dei Fiori in Roma, San Lorenzo in Firenze, the fish markets in Venezia, and one of my favourite markets is in Verbania on Lago Maggiore.  The atmosphere is always exciting and fun.  I always find something to buy and when I stay in the area I purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and often cheeses, pastries and meats from these local markets.

 

Going market shopping is one of the nicest things to do during your free time. But if you think you need to spend a lot of money in Italy to get real good buys, you’re wrong, as there are lots of places where to find beautiful objects and clothes for relatively cheap.

From books to clothes, from house bric a brac to jewellery and toys, you can really get lucky at the flea market and buy a treasure in charming little stalls at one of the many street markets.

Wherever you go in Italy, you’ll always find a town or a village with an open street market.

Generally speaking, towns will have one day a week when the market comes to town and usually in the mornings. They start quite early and pack up to leave just after lunch.  However, the San Lorenzo markets in Firenze are open 7 days a week.

If you’re not a foodie when you arrive in Italy, you just might be one by the time you leave.  At these markets  you don’t need to have a big travel budget to get into traditional Italian Food. Just  have a sense of adventure, and seek out the  market days where you are staying or visiting. Each and every market offers its own uniqueness selling the local produce which is in season.

While most tourists only happen upon markets by accident other people treat these markets as attractions all by themselves. They’re colourful and lively, and in my opinion a great day out.

Depending on the size of the market, you could buy just about everything you’d ever want from a hastily set-up table or from the back of a van that only pulls up once a week.

Generally in the smaller villages , the markets are usually  small and specialize mostly in fresh fruit, veges and foodstuffs. However sometimes there are vendors offering clothing and or household items for sale.  Just a word of advice,  Don’t touch the merchandise!  You don’t get to touch what you’re buying until you have paid for it. This may seem strange, because, you’re thinking, how do I know if the fruit etc is to my liking?  But in Italian markets, unless you have been given permission to serve yourself by the vendor, you’ll tell them what you want and how much of it you want and they’ll get it for you. This rule usually only applies to foods, eg fruits and vegetables.

If you are looking for a fun and interesting outing with the locals, check out their local street markets.

Boat Trip to Verbania – Open Air markets at Intra

09 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Boat Trip to Verbania – Open Air markets at Intra, Lake Maggiore

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This was another fabulous day out on Lake Maggiore. We took the ferry-boat from Stresa to Verbania/Intra which only took about 35/40 minutes. As always when travelling on Lake Maggiore the scenery was stunning including these beautiful villas along the way.

 

Verbania is a city and commune on the shore of Lake Maggiore, about 91 km (57 mi) north-west of Milan and about 40 km (25 mi) from Locarno in Switzerland. Verbania is another “garden” on the lake with its many magical gardens and breathtaking landscape.

The little town of Intra, in a beautiful situation on the Borromean Gulf, is part of the municipality of Verbania

This is where the open air markets happen each Saturday. The all-day market is near the ferry dock in Intra, which makes it an easy walk of a few minutes into the markets from the ferry. We learned about these markets at our hotel and by all accounts are very popular, attracting locals, tourists in the area and also visitors from Switzerland. It is a great atmosphere and very entertaining.

I have been to many many open air, street markets, in Italy but this is by far the best I have visited. The list of products one can buy at these markets is endless from top quality, fashionable shoes, clothing, handbags to the very reasonably priced items. Just about everyone’s taste could be satisfied with something for everyone.

The local produce is in abundance including local cheeses, meats, breads, dolce, dried fruits, fresh fruit and vegetables etc.  We did not stop for lunch so we munched on some lovely treats while wandering around. We were at these markets for over 3 hours but did not get to see them all as they are so large with many stalls.

This is the best selection of hand-made dolce that I have ever laid my eyes on. How do you choose? I just said, I will have one of this this this this etc and walked away with a nice size bag of assorted dolce and a big smile. I enjoyed these delightful dolce (sweets) over the next few days. Take a look at the size of the loaf of fresh bread that the man is starting to cut.

 

After we left the markets we took a stroll around this pleasant little town with its cafes and variety of little shops and stopped for coffee in the main piazza.

There is so much to see and do in this lovely area of Verbania. I must return one day.

Market Day in Castelnuovo Garfagnano

16 Friday May 2014

Posted by in Market Day in Castelnuovo Garfagnano, Tuscany

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It did not take us long to learn that one of the best markets in this area is held on a Thursday in the picturesque village of Castelnuovo Garfagnano.

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So yesterday morning we headed out early to this gorgeous part of the world.  It is only a few minutes bus ride from our village Ponte a Serraglio down to the train station where we took the 25 minute train ride up to Castelnuovo Garfagnano.

From the train station it was a short 10 minute walk to the centre of town where the market stalls were.

It was magnificent scenery along the way.

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Once we walked across this bridge and into the town centre we were in the markets.

We explored for several hours and were not able to resist buying from several of the fabulous stalls.

I could not help myself from visiting this gorgeous shop along the way.

The weather was perfect, the atmosphere was super and there was a  variety of things to buy, including, clothes, handbags, shoes, children’s clothing,  women and men’s clothing, kitchen ware, wonderful linen and manchester and so much more.

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The town is such a pretty town with lots of lovely shops and of course history

After several hours it was time for us to refuel so we stopped at a little café for a bite to eat. One of the specials of the day was roast beef with roasted vegetable, delicious, and washed down with a cold white wine. Great lunch.

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Then it was time to head back to the train station and return to our little village in Bagni di Lucca.

This is one of the many advantages of staying in one area for an extended period of time. We have the time to really live and experience the local way of life.

 

 

 

James Street Markets

28 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by in Brisbane, James Street Markets

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Whenever I have overseas visitors I make sure that I show them as much of Brisbane as possible. One of the special places we visit is the James Street Markets which are located in popular New Farm in Brisbane city.  I always feel special when I go to these unique markets and I know that my friends always appreciate visiting them.

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The wide, open building with high ceilings, big windows, and outdoor areas really allows the shops and cafes within it to shine.

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I love so many things about this urban oasis which include the many eateries, bars, cafes & shopping  which are all under one roof.  The highlight has to be the fruit and vegetable market with the freshest excellent quality fruit and vegetables available.

Then right next to the fruit and vegetables there are shelves and chilled sections with gourmet cheeses, yoghurt, dips, condiments, pasta, sauces, gelati etc.

James Street Markets is a must for any gourmet food lovers in Brisbane.  Fresh meat, fresh fish and fresh fruit and vegetables are plentiful.

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James Street Market also has a top quality  butcher, a florist, a gelato bar,  cafe/deli,  bar/restaurant,  bottle shop, and a couple of other miscellaneous stores. There is a really nice, casual, urban vibe at James Street Market, where you can shop for groceries, have a drink, or have a meal all in one place.

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This is the perfect place to find food for a special occasion and the perfect spot to spend a lazy afternoon

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Vibrant and Exciting Bangkok, Thailand

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Bangkok

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After a 9 hour flight from Brisbane we arrived in this unbelievable city. Words could not describe the atmosphere here. It is very humid even though it is now autumn, the traffic is non stop incredible with the persistent tooting of car horns.

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Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and probably the most well known city in Thailand.

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Everywhere you turn there are people and shops in every available space. Everywhere there are people cooking and selling their foods, some smelling so delicious and some with smells I would rather forget.

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I have visited Bangkok a few years ago so this trip is mainly a stop over on the way to other places including a trip to the River Kwai, 5 nights in Chang Mai and 4 nights Pataya.

So while we are here, it is all about the shopping, exploring and eating.

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We have visited many shopping malls and of course shopped at the markets which are along the streets and in all the little lanes. One of the grandest malls is Pantip Plaza and that is a story on its own. Pantip Plaza is an indoor IT shopping mall where you can purchase counterfeit software and genuine knockoff dvds.

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Getting around is easy as there are many tuk tuks for when you are tired of walking. These tuk tuks come with natural air conditioning as they have no windows, they are totally open. Driving them would take nerves of steel as they are so brazen and bold. I just find that I laugh the entire time while holding my breath and hanging on tightly. Is that possible, yes it is.

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The shopping here in Thailand is hard to believe with people looking for bargains and vendors trying to get through with their merchandise on their carts. I have found so many weird and wonderful things that I didn’t even know existed. It almost feels that if you cannot find it in Thailand then it doesn’t exist. For someone who loves to shop, this is heaven even though it is hot and humid which wins in the end. That is when you go back to your room for a rest and to cool off or to a restaurant with air conditioning to escape the heat. Or of course stay in one of the many large shopping malls.

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I suppose this is not for everyone, but for me, I love the excitement even though I don’t like humidity.

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Bangkok is exciting, fascinating, busy, noisy and so much fun. There is something to do and see no matter where you turn.

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Passeggiata at Coffs Harbour Jetty

30 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by in Coffs Harbour, Coffs Jetty

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The old timber jetty in the harbour at Coffs is the place to go for a passeggiata or a promenade(walk) as we call it in Australia.

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Or you can just sit and fish, photograph sunrise or watch swimmers, seabirds, fishing boats, outrigger canoe paddlers and cruising yachts come and go.

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This is where much of the local seafood for the mid north coast is brought in by the commercial fishing boats.  And, where the whale watch cruise boats set out between June and November

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The marina breakwall now joins the mainland to the once isolated Muttonbird Island. This allows pedestrian access to viewing platforms at the top and eastern end of the island. From the top the panorama is 360 degrees – ocean, islands, marina and mountains. At the eastern end, the scene is of rocky coast, harbour entrance and the Pacific horizon. This is a perfect location for whale spotting.

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There is a great collection of restaurants and cafes both on the Jetty and at the entrance to the Jetty which is called the Jetty strip.

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Today we chose to eat at Lattitude 30 which is a Mediterranean style restaurant with amazing views out to sea or looking back towards the mountains

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Each Sunday the Jetty and harbour area come alive with the Harbourside markets selling local fresh produce, hand made crafts, jewellery, clothes, plants and much more. You can enjoy a snack or meal from one of the many vendors and sit back under the trees by the beach and listen to live music. After the markets you can go for a swim at the Jetty beach, or sit in the park and barbeque your lunch at one of the many free barbeques.

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No matter what time of year you visit, the Jetty Coffs Harbour Marina is always alive with activity .

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If you want to stay there is a good choice of accommodation, including serviced apartments , resorts, hotels, motels, b&b’s, backpackers, pubs and more.