Rocco Galatioto, nice photos and good food

These are the unique pines that are seen all over Italy. Respighi based it's tone poem, The pines of Rome on these types of pines. They are called pini marini or maritime pines and have that characteristic tree like shape. They are not conical like the other pines. Needless to say, they ornament the Italian countryside with their grace and dignity. These images were made just outside the walls of the old city of Siena in Tuscany. I used the Nikon Coolpix 7000, a point and shoot camera.

This tiny fishing hamlet located in the territory of Castellammare del Golf o has always been famous for it's beauty, splendid views of the sea, it's sea boulders that rival those of Capri and it's tonnara or tuna fishery. It was always a tourist stop but these images show how much it has changed. The top image is from 1972 while the other two are from last spring. In the old days the place was more real now it's very touristy and it  has lost much of it's soul. It still has great vistas and the restaurants are superb so it's not a total loss.

You really do not have to go very far to find  nice shots. This purple tulip proves the point.

Almost at the outskirts of Washington DC. on  New York Avenue lies a true wonder. This is the National Arboretum a very peaceful place away from the bustle of the big city. We visited at the time when the azaleas were  at their peek.

Every major city in Italy has a cathedral. This is the see of the bishop and Italy has many bishops. This is the cathedral of Cremona a wonderful small city in Lombardy that created the string instruments used in the orchestra. The food is incredible here. I have reached the point where a good picture is fine but a great meal is a great event.

This shot was taken from the window of our hotel in Assisi, Italy. iPhone image

iPhone image