Sacramento California

Natural Beauty History Cultural Attractions Cutting Edge Cuisine and Wineries

Sacramento sits at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers, and is an ideal destination for a Northern California itinerary and getaways to visit the Wine Country, Gold Country, the Redwoods, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Reno, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic National Park and the Central Valley.

History Sacramento has a colorful history filled with humor, steam trains, ghosts, heroes and villains, the California Gold Rush and other tales of the Wild West.

Arts and Culture Sacramento has a vibrant arts and culture scene with Broadway series musicals shown downtown, murals painted all over the city and fine arts from ancient times to today showcased in museums and Midtown’s galleries, artists’ studios and performing arts groups.

The Performing Arts Sacramento has several top-caliber performing arts groups, including the Sacramento Ballet and the Sacramento Opera. Visitors can see shows in a variety of venues, including the historic Memorial Auditorium in downtown Sacramento and the Community Center Theater, parts of the Sacramento Convention Center complex.

The Museums in Sacramento cover everything from art and history to aviation and design. Explore the California Impressionists at the Crocker Art Museum, historic architecture at the Governors' Mansion and the California Museum for exhibits on all aspect of California life.

The Best Railroad Museum in North America

Outdoors with more than 250 days of sunshine a year and just a short drive from the Sierra Nevada this city offers whitewater rafting, hiking, bicycling, skydiving and other extreme sports.

Bicycling on a 32 miles bike trail along the scenic American River Parkway.

River rafting down the American River from historic Folsom to Sacramento. Launch a boat on the Sacramento River and explore the waterway, passing under Tower and I Street Bridges.

Parks Capitol Park is full of statues and monuments as well as the trees native to California. McKinley Park in East Sacramento has a beautiful rose garden, Southside Park features a unique playground, a pond that reflects fall colors and the city skyline. Also, 28-acre Old Sacramento State Historic Park.

Festivals include the Save Mart Grape Escape, Gold Rush Days and the Farm-to-Fork Celebration.

Walk around Old Sacramento, visit fully restored Gold Rush-era buildings then head through the bustling downtown and Midtown’s vibrant restaurant scene and nightlife venues.

Food Wine and Brew Sacramentans love to eat outside and many restaurants have outdoor seating, cafes settings, secluded courtyards or even an entire wall opening to the elements.

Farms from the Sacramento region supply the world’s best restaurants with fresh ingredients every day and has recently been proclaimed the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America recognizing the area’s local farmland, food production, export practices and a vibrant culinary scene shaped by the growing number of top rated chefs and restaurants in the region.

Wineries the city is surrounded on all sides by a diverse selection of wine regions that have achieved an international reputation and the local winemakers enjoy greeting visitors personally!

Breweries get an inside look at a brew house, grounds, sustainability practices and packaging facilities. Learn about the history of Sierra Nevada and its role as a pioneer of the craft brewing movement.

Ferrara Italy Historic Center Walking Itinerary

Medieval and Renaissance History Architecture and Culinary Traditions

Ferrara has one of the best preserved medieval historic centers in Europe and was declared a Unesco Patrimony in 1995; a classic Italian Renaissance town characterized by its walls, alleys, gothic churches, the Jewish Ghetto and Synagogues.

The Este Dynasty ruled this city for 350 years contributing the Castle, the Erculean Addition, the urban expansion created in 1492 by the enlargement of the walled city limits celebrated as an example of renaissance urban planning, and many works of art, paintings and letters. The Estensi cultural contributions began in 1391 with the founding of the university that led to visits to Ferrara by humanists, scientists and artists including Piero della Francesca, Tiziano, Mantegna, Copernicus, Pico della Mirandola, Pietro Bembo, Ariosto and Tasso.

The Estense Castle dates back to 1385 as home to the Estense militias and the local nobility

The Ferraresi preferred mode of transport is the bicycle and the local culinary specialties range from the coppia ferrarese bread to pasticcio di maccheroni, a dish that dates back to the time of Lucrezia Borgia, salama da sugo and cappellacci di zucca.

Piazza delle Erbe features sidewalk 12 meters wide and 120 meters long and is the site of Ferrara’s fruits, vegetable and other outdoor markets. Around it are the San Giorgio Cathedral, the Medieval era City Hall and courthouse Palazzo della Ragione, the Loggia dei Merciai where wool and other cloths were traded, and the unfinished bell tower by Leon Battista Alberti.
 

Schifanoia Palace was built during the 14th Century and expanded in 1470s. The name, mythology and astrology frescoed halls imply a place of entertainment where you are not likely to be bored.

 

Arts and Food Courses in Ferrara

Corso Ercole d’Este is a pedestrian only avenue that preserves the renaissance features of building facades, doors and windows. It passes the Quadrivio degli Angeli is the meeting point of the Diamanti, Turchi di Bagno and Prosperi-Sacrati Palaces. It ends at Ferrara’s ancient city walls.

The Diamanti Palace dates back to 1493 and is so named for the 8500 white marble blocks used to decorate its exterior while the interior features a renaissance courtyard with cloister and well. The Ferrara National Picture Galley is on the first floor and holds works by Cosmè Tura, Andrea Mantegna, Ercole de Roberti and Dosso Dossi. 

Renaissance Art Archeology History and Regional Cuisine

 

The Medieval Town via delle Volte winds for two kilometers in Ferrara’s historic center and was a major commercial artery with goods stored on the Po River waterfront, easily reached through the maze of alleys and arches. The warehouses are now apartments and restaurants. 

The Jewish Ghetto is characterized by alleys, artisan shops, old fashioned food stores and the Jewish cemetery.