Cyprus. Part 1. Paphos and the surroundings

I know it probably would be a little unexpected to see and read something here, but unfortunately sometimes it's not so easy, really, to calm your mind and try just to enjoy the time of writing. For me this moment has come. Here in Moscow during summer, with all the entertainment we have, sometimes in the daytime, sitting in the office you just can't bare the feeling of nostalgia to the sea and vacation-period. Heh, actually, now more and more I have nostalgia to the student-time, when I was much more free inside than now. But it's another theme of discussion ;)

So in one of these moments I started remembering our family trip to Cyprus last may 2012, about which I haven't ever written anywhere, nor have I posted any photo. And it seems to me quite strange, but at the same time clear — this vacation was very interesting and full of exciting trips. Maybe even too much to tell it easily in one post. But anyway, I really feel that it would be great to share our experience — what have we visited and seen there.

This would be the first part about Cyprus - Paphos and the places nearby. What to do, without going with a car too far. Next time I will tell you about monasteries that we've visited inside of the island - in my opinion, the pearl of Cyprus - it is so fresh, green, with beautiful mountains and fresh air. And the third part will be about one of the most shocking travels of my life — visiting the turkish occupied area — the so-called Northern Cyprus.

Dream life near Cortona

It's been a while since I wrote here last time, but unfortunately I can't make writing here my only job, it's just a place for expressing my emotions that I've got in the places I've been to.

This time I'm eager to share with you one very beautiful place right down the hill of Cortona. It's called Podere Giogo. I've come there with my friends to visit one amazing villa in the most prestigious location. I could compare that to Rublevka near Moscow. I must admit that even after almost a month I'm still really impressed. The view, the villa itself, the owner - everything is so special.

Fabrizio Dionisio - winery Il Castagno

This time I'm eager to tell you guys about one of my most favorite places in the region of Cortona (dintorni di Cortona) - the winery Fabrizio Dionisio. And also, about one of the best wines here and, probably, in all Tuscany. Not that I am such a big expert. But it is the opinion of many experienced sommeliers and wine experts. The person who brings life to this winery is Marina about whom I will tell later here.  The winery is situated in the beautiful place called Ossaia, and consists of the vineyards, the winery itself with several buildings where they produce and mature wine, - and the big main house. Also there is a little church where the countess is buried, and, by family legends and by the observations of people visiting this place, this countess's ghost still lives in the house. But anyway, the most beautiful place there is some kind of a terrace in front of the house, where, if there is a good weather, the they do wine tastings accompanied by a home-made focaccia or cheese pie. A table in the center, chairs around, under tall trees and with a view on vineyards, fields and on a Cortona hill. What can you ask more? Wine, friends around, amazing nature, peace and quiet and... home-made tuscan lunch or dinner. Time seems to stop when you get there.

Tuscany. Cortona - at first sight

Well, I think it's fair to start my blog from Italy. I have a lot to tell about - many countries, places, different people. But its always right to talk about what inspires you mostly. At this very moment it is Tuscany. Cortona.

A little town in the neighborhood of Arezzo, that most of russians have barely heard about, has kept my mind from last october when I first found myself there (or here?..) Rich in its etruscan history, founded on the top of the hill, Cortona has this spirit of these old little italian towns. That actually we, russians, find very attractive - mostly, moscovites, being tired of the mess of a big city. It is very funny for us, because in russian "carton" is the kind of a cheap material for the packaging - cardboard. So all of my friends are smiling every time when I tell them the name of this small but proud town.

And now... Push for more down below!

The beginning of the journey

DJ Zoi playing in my iTunes... Its 1:50 when I start my first page in my first english blog.
In the blog I was dreaming to create - the one about my passion. The one about the part of my life, the one about many worlds and about one at the same time. About different people, different cultures, about beautiful and unique nature, about people's hands' creations - palaces, castles, cities, villages, galleries. About history and today. This blog will be about travelling. My travelling.

My name is Anna, I'm 23 and I am "russian-moscovita", how some of my italian friends call me. Hello everyone! Well...

I am thankful to my parents who gave me the start for that since I was very little. So I got used to sit in the plane and look forward for new adventures waiting for me after I land on a new land. They grew in me this curiosity or it was in my caracter since I was born - I don't know. The only thing I'm sure in - is that finally I will share with you guys my photos and impressions of different places I've visited.
This is a blog for both my russian and not russian friends so that everybody can understand what I feel or felt at some certain moment. For those who don't know me yet, I have a blog in russian - NEVELICHKA, where "nevelichka" means exactly "piccolina". I'm sure you will enjoy as well, welcome here!

And yes, last detail - the place that pushed forward my will to share yet unshared - is Italy, and more precise - Cortona. A little town famous mostly among americans after the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun". Funny, but I have never been there in summer, only from october till now, but I absolutely have fallen in love with the town, with the people and with the atmosphere of it. Everytime I leave it - I feel that a part of me stays there. And I return as soon as possible.

Giamma, Marco, Joanna, Chrisian, Daniele, Marco, Terry, Simone and all others - my beloved cortonese (I know, I know, that you all were not born in Cortona, just for me now Cortona doesn't exist without you)! Thank you for being yourselves. Thank you for everything! Without you I wouldn't become myself. And now it's the beginning of a new period i my life, I've found new strength. It's my turn to tell you some interesting stories ;)

PS Thanks to the culinary school "Belonika & Les Chefs", where I've been working near Cortona with my boss Veronica Belotserkovskaya (aka BELONIKA) - in Il Falconiere. And because of this work I got to know this amazing region. But it is different story - I will tell about it more later.