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The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
English teacher tourist crushed to death by drugged-up bulldozer driver on Italian beach as she picked up shell
AN ENGLISH teacher has been crushed to death by a bulldozer driver who was allegedly high on cocaine. Elisa Spadavecchia, 66, was fatally run over by the crazed motorist as she picked up seashells on a popular Italian beach. 3 3 3 Suspect Lerry Gnoli, 54, has been accused of reversing the deadly vehicle straight over the holidaymaker as she bent down to pick up a shell. Elisa was crushed to death almost instantly, cops say. Witnesses say the bulldozer had no warning lights or audible reversing alerts as it ploughed into the retired teacher. Gnoli had been working on the 15-tonne tracked bulldozer after a long evening out on the dunes at the Pinarella di Cervia beach on north-eastern Italy's Adriatic Coast. He was quickly detained and taken in for questioning as police discovered he was high on cocaine at the time through routine tests. Gnoli has now been charged with manslaughter and labour violations as it emerged he had been banned from driving in 2023. Police enforced a road ban on the suspect after he was found to have killed an 83-year-old man in his car while also under the influence of cocaine. Despite the driving restrictions, he was still allowed to operate a construction vehicle as long as he avoided public roads. Gnoli was a part of the bulldozer team on the beach who was put in charge of flattening part of the area for redevelopment. But horrified witnesses said he strayed off the planned construction site and stormed through the packed beach where Elisa was spending her holiday. .
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
This hilltop town is one of Europe's smallest — and most unusual — countries
Borgo Maggiore, at the foot of San Marino's Mount Titano, can be reached by cable car. (iStockphoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) From the endless beaches of Rimini to the culinary corridor of Bologna, Modena and Parma, visitors to northeastern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region have plenty to explore. They might also accidentally stumble into another country entirely. Tucked away in the hilly countryside just a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast is one of the world's smallest nations — the centuries-old republic of San Marino. There are no frontiers or checkpoints marking the border of this tiny state, just a sign along the highway welcoming arrivals to the 'Ancient Land of Freedom.' Those who make the journey may think themselves in just another picturesque Italian hilltop town, but despite its diminutive size and the fact that locals speak and eat Italian, it's an entirely separate country, with a long and determined history of independence. Founded in the fourth century, San Marino is actually the world's oldest republic. It covers an area of just 23.6 square miles (61.2 square kilometers). Although bigger than the European city-states of Monaco and the Vatican City, it is the continent's smallest democratic nation. It has its own heads of state — unusually, two at the same time — its own surprisingly successful national soccer team, its own flag, and a population of 34,000 'Sammarinesi' who proudly cling to their identity and traditions. It's a quirky place, full of contradictions, that attracts curious outsiders but relatively few Italians, most of whom have never seen it and don't know how it came to be. Independent and free 'What's special about San Marino is its uniqueness,' Antonia Ponti, an official San Marino tourist guide, tells CNN. 'This republic has been independent and free for centuries, and although the local dialect and food are typical of Italy's Romagna (sub-region), never call locals 'Italians' because they'd feel insulted. San Marino The tiny state of San Marino sits on a hill above Italy's Emilio-Romagna region. (Manuel Romano/NurPhoto/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) 'They have their own flag, coat of arms, and passport; they have adopted the euro though they aren't part of the European Union.' Ponti admits that San Marino may be rivaled by other locations in surrounding Italy — 'it surely isn't the most beautiful place in the world…' — tourists are lured by the prospect of seeing what this tiny country within a country is all about. 'San Marino is just like any other walled hilltop Italian town you'd find in Tuscany, Latium, Marche or Umbria, but it has a special history-rich vibe and boasts unique views thanks to its geographical position,' says Ponti. But, in the same way visitors want to explore tiny European principalities like Liechtenstein or Monaco, San Marino seems to attract people enchanted with the idea of a microscopic republic. Once there, they're often delighted by its medieval architecture, Ponti adds. 'Many foreign tourists who visit Emilia-Romagna, mostly to indulge in its iconic recipes, often decide to hop over and visit San Marino. At the end of the tour, they never thought they'd discover such a charming place packed with ancient monuments, artisan boutiques and traditional performances,' she says. A medieval maze The country's main highlights and monuments are concentrated in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site perched on the panoramic rocky Mount Titano, where views stretch to the Adriatic coast and on clear days across to Croatia. It's like walking in an open-air museum. The imposing medieval stone walls enclose the original settlement, a car-free maze of narrow cobblestone alleys. There are three massive towers linked by a path that runs along the ridge of the mountain. Once used as military lookouts to ward against enemy invasions, the towers are open to the public and feature dungeons, a museum of historical weapons and the so-called 'Witches' Path' walkway that offers great views. San Marino was, legend has it, founded in 301CE by a stonemason called Saint Marinus, an early Christian native of the island of Rab in Dalmatia, now in modern-day Croatia. He's said to have fled to Italy and climbed Mount Titano to escape from the Christian persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Bone relics purportedly of the saint are kept at the basilica, which also contains what is claimed to be the 'rock bed' where he slept, and which is believed to have healing powers. Marinus' masonry profession was continued by subsequent generations of Sammarinesi, according to Ponti. 'Stone cutting from the flanks of Mount Titano has been the main business here for centuries, and families were poor,' she says. 'Then after the Second World War, progress led to the flourishing of different artisan industries such as pottery, tiles, furniture and paper.' As they live on such a small patch of land the sense of community is strongly felt among the Sammarinesi, who stick together and are proud of their centuries-old identity as 'free people,' adds Ponti. Ancient protocols and rituals survive. San Marino's parliament, the Public Palace, is open to visitors and hosts a grandiose hourly changing of the guard ceremony daily during summer. It's a spectacle: the guards wear multicoloured medieval uniforms with red pants and striking pom-pom hats. Ancient traditions The country has other ancient and unusual institutions. San Marino The city has its own government and traditions. (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) There are the two heads of state. Known as Captains Regent, these have been elected every six months since 1243. Held each year, on April 1 and October 1, elaborate appointment ceremonies are regulated by a strict protocol that has never changed over the centuries. Despite its size, San Marino's democratic principles reach right down to the grassroots. The country is divided into nine districts known as castelli, each headed by a captain also elected on a regular basis. Ponti explains that all these checks and balances, which may seem paradoxical in a tiny republic, were put into place to ensure that no single leader in the hierarchy could limit the power of the others. Visitors can get a sense of these different geographical jurisdictions by taking a panoramic cableway down from the old town to the castello of Borgo Maggiore, at the foot of Mount Titano. Another attraction, back in the old town, is the Stamp and Coin Museum which displays commemorative medals, historical stamps and the first Sammarinese coins, dating from to the 19th and 20th centuries. As well as its fairy-tale-like ancient center, San Marino is surrounded by nature and mountain trails. It's ideal for trekking, cycling, rock climbing and archery. And, as you'd expect from somewhere surrounded by some of Italy's best food destinations, the culinary traditions of San Marino closely resemble those of the neighboring Romagna and Marche regions. That means all kinds of homemade pasta and piadina stuffed flatbreads. It's also known for its liqueurs, like amaretto and pistacchione made with pistachios. Traditional desserts include Torta Tre Monti, or 'Three Hills Cake' — named after the city-state's three towers — made with layers of thin wafers sandwiching chocolate and hazelnut cream. For day-trippers who overindulge, luckily the trip back to Italy is all downhill.
CNN
3 days ago
- CNN
This hilltop town is one of Europe's smallest — and most unusual — countries
From the endless beaches of Rimini to the culinary corridor of Bologna, Modena and Parma, visitors to northeastern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region have plenty to explore. They might also accidentally stumble into another country entirely. Tucked away in the hilly countryside just a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast is one of the world's smallest nations — the centuries-old republic of San Marino. There are no frontiers or checkpoints marking the border of this tiny state, just a sign along the highway welcoming arrivals to the 'Ancient Land of Freedom.' Those who make the journey may think themselves in just another picturesque Italian hilltop town, but despite its diminutive size and the fact that locals speak and eat Italian, it's an entirely separate country, with a long and determined history of independence. Founded in the fourth century, San Marino is actually the world's oldest republic. It covers an area of just 23.6 square miles (61.2 square kilometers). Although bigger than the European city-states of Monaco and the Vatican City, it is the continent's smallest democratic nation. It has its own heads of state — unusually, two at the same time — its own surprisingly successful national soccer team, its own flag, and a population of 34,000 'Sammarinesi' who proudly cling to their identity and traditions. It's a quirky place, full of contradictions, that attracts curious outsiders but relatively few Italians, most of whom have never seen it and don't know how it came to be. 'What's special about San Marino is its uniqueness,' Antonia Ponti, an official San Marino tourist guide, tells CNN. 'This republic has been independent and free for centuries, and although the local dialect and food are typical of Italy's Romagna (sub-region), never call locals 'Italians' because they'd feel insulted. 'They have their own flag, coat of arms, and passport; they have adopted the euro though they aren't part of the European Union.' Ponti admits that San Marino may be rivaled by other locations in surrounding Italy — 'it surely isn't the most beautiful place in the world…' — tourists are lured by the prospect of seeing what this tiny country within a country is all about. 'San Marino is just like any other walled hilltop Italian town you'd find in Tuscany, Latium, Marche or Umbria, but it has a special history-rich vibe and boasts unique views thanks to its geographical position,' says Ponti. But, in the same way visitors want to explore tiny European principalities like Liechtenstein or Monaco, San Marino seems to attract people enchanted with the idea of a microscopic republic. Once there, they're often delighted by its medieval architecture, Ponti adds. 'Many foreign tourists who visit Emilia-Romagna, mostly to indulge in its iconic recipes, often decide to hop over and visit San Marino. At the end of the tour, they never thought they'd discover such a charming place packed with ancient monuments, artisan boutiques and traditional performances,' she says. The country's main highlights and monuments are concentrated in the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site perched on the panoramic rocky Mount Titano, where views stretch to the Adriatic coast and on clear days across to Croatia. It's like walking in an open-air museum. The imposing medieval stone walls enclose the original settlement, a car-free maze of narrow cobblestone alleys. There are three massive towers linked by a path that runs along the ridge of the mountain. Once used as military lookouts to ward against enemy invasions, the towers are open to the public and feature dungeons, a museum of historical weapons and the so-called 'Witches' Path' walkway that offers great views. San Marino was, legend has it, founded in 301CE by a stonemason called Saint Marinus, an early Christian native of the island of Rab in Dalmatia, now in modern-day Croatia. He's said to have fled to Italy and climbed Mount Titano to escape from the Christian persecutions of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Bone relics purportedly of the saint are kept at the basilica, which also contains what is claimed to be the 'rock bed' where he slept, and which is believed to have healing powers. Marinus' masonry profession was continued by subsequent generations of Sammarinesi, according to Ponti. 'Stone cutting from the flanks of Mount Titano has been the main business here for centuries, and families were poor,' she says. 'Then after the Second World War, progress led to the flourishing of different artisan industries such as pottery, tiles, furniture and paper.' As they live on such a small patch of land the sense of community is strongly felt among the Sammarinesi, who stick together and are proud of their centuries-old identity as 'free people,' adds Ponti. Ancient protocols and rituals survive. San Marino's parliament, the Public Palace, is open to visitors and hosts a grandiose hourly changing of the guard ceremony daily during summer. It's a spectacle: the guards wear multicoloured medieval uniforms with red pants and striking pom-pom hats. The country has other ancient and unusual institutions. There are the two heads of state. Known as Captains Regent, these have been elected every six months since 1243. Held each year, on April 1 and October 1, elaborate appointment ceremonies are regulated by a strict protocol that has never changed over the centuries. Despite its size, San Marino's democratic principles reach right down to the grassroots. The country is divided into nine districts known as castelli, each headed by a captain also elected on a regular basis. Ponti explains that all these checks and balances, which may seem paradoxical in a tiny republic, were put into place to ensure that no single leader in the hierarchy could limit the power of the others. Visitors can get a sense of these different geographical jurisdictions by taking a panoramic cableway down from the old town to the castello of Borgo Maggiore, at the foot of Mount Titano. Another attraction, back in the old town, is the Stamp and Coin Museum which displays commemorative medals, historical stamps and the first Sammarinese coins, dating from to the 19th and 20th centuries. As well as its fairy-tale-like ancient center, San Marino is surrounded by nature and mountain trails. It's ideal for trekking, cycling, rock climbing and archery. And, as you'd expect from somewhere surrounded by some of Italy's best food destinations, the culinary traditions of San Marino closely resemble those of the neighboring Romagna and Marche regions. That means all kinds of homemade pasta and piadina stuffed flatbreads. It's also known for its liqueurs, like amaretto and pistacchione made with pistachios. Traditional desserts include Torta Tre Monti, or 'Three Hills Cake' — named after the city-state's three towers — made with layers of thin wafers sandwiching chocolate and hazelnut cream. For day-trippers who overindulge, luckily the trip back to Italy is all downhill.
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Travel + Leisure
11-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Tranquil Italian Town Is the Perfect Dupe for Venice—With Similar Canals, Footbridges, and Boat Tours but Fewer Visitors
Venice is a bucket list destination for many, but as the city buckles under the crushing weight of overtourism, savvy travelers are beginning to look for alternatives. Enter Comacchio, a small town less than two hours away in Italy's Emilia Romagna region. Located where the Po River Delta meets the Adriatic Coast, Comacchio is sometimes called the 'Little Venice' because of its lagoon and canals. Fulvio De Bonis, the A-List Travel Advisor behind Imago Artis Travel suggests going for 'a stroll along its small alleys and canals, between glimpses and bridges (such as the Ponte dei Trepponti), which recall the metaphysical atmosphere of De Chirico's paintings.' Aside from the canals and bridges, the town is known for its culinary specialities, in particular eels. The fish market dates back to the 17th century and local fishermen still sell their daily catch there. According to De Bonis, a visit to the ancient Manifattura dei Marinati is a must. He calls it 'a splendid example of industrial architecture, today a museum and workshop that preserves boats, equipment, documentaries and interviews that bear witness to the tradition of eel processing.' The marinated eel produced in Comacchio is recognized as a Slow Food presidium. 'Throughout the year you can watch the fish being marinated and in the months of November and December the scenic fireplaces are lit to roast and marinate the eel according to the ancient Comacchio technique,' he explains. This takes place in the Sala dei Fuochi, a massive room with 12 fireplaces, which is considered the heart of the complex. Marinated anchovies and sardines are also produced here. Unsurprisingly, the town's restaurants serve eel in more ways than you can imagine, but plenty of other seafood specialties appear on tables as well, from appetizers made with scallops or clams to spaghetti with crabs or risotto alla pescatore . Whatever you order, wash it down with some Bosco Eliceo, the crisp local white wine that falls under a DOC (Italy's protected appellation system). History buffs will want to visit the Ancient Delta Museum inside the Antico Ospedale degli Infermi, which contains the cargo of an ancient Roman ship discovered in Comacchio in 1981. For nature lovers, De Bonis suggests 'a boat or bike excursion to the Salina di Comacchio and Valle Campo to discover the nesting places of numerous bird species, specifically the beautiful pink flamingos.'
Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Why every car (and food) lover should take a road trip through Italy's Motor Valley
Few places are more exhilarating to car enthusiasts than Motor Valley. Spread across northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, this fabled stretch of road is home to some of the world's most prestigious car and motorcycle brands – including Ferrari, Lamborghini and Ducati. Steeped in automotive tradition, Motor Valley links the cities of Piacenza, Parma, Modena and Bologna, extending east to Rimini on the Adriatic coast. Little more than 150 miles long, it forms the spine of what remains a manufacturing and exporting powerhouse. Along with factories where you can watch master craftsmen at work, Motor Valley boasts four internationally renowned racetracks and a dozen motor museums. With an array of iconic names symbolising luxury and speed – Bugatti, Maserati and Pagani are also local – this region is the beating heart of Italy's deep-rooted love for mechanical artistry and style. But the broader Emilia-Romagna region is a food-lovers' paradise too. The three-Michelin-star Osteria Francescana in Modena is consistently ranked among the world's best for its innovative take on regional cuisine; as is Franceschetta, its more casual sister restaurant nearby. Tucked away in Motor Valley's backstreets, though, are countless humble osterias and more formal trattorias serving simple and affordable yet superb local dishes – lasagne, tortellini en brodo (meat-filled pasta in broth), cotechino (a slow-cooked pork sausage, often served with lentils) and piadina and crescentine (hot flatbreads and filled muffins). From tagliatelle al ragù bolognese (the original dish that's worlds apart from the spaghetti bolognese often found abroad), to prosciutto di Parma (delicate cured ham) and torta barozzi (a dense, fudgy, subtly spiced chocolate cake, often paired with mascarpone cream), regional specialities are served with pride here and often washed down with lashings of lambrusco – Emilia-Romagna's ubiquitous sparkling red wine. So, amidst the supercar test drives and tours of vintage classics, car lovers can enjoy food-related adventures as well. Whether it's watching artisan producers make Parmigiano Reggiano in centuries-old dairies, touring acetaie vinegar lofts where thick sweet-tart balsamic matures like fine wine, or taking fresh pasta-making lessons with smiling nonnas who've done it their entire lives, Motor Valley will supercharge your culinary senses too. My Motor Valley journey began where many do: in Bologna, via a flight from London Stansted. A marvellous medieval centre, with a thriving university (thought to be Europe's oldest, dating back to 1088), this is a true gastronomic capital, with atmospheric restaurants, colourful markets and bustling bars. The first night I stayed at the reasonably-priced Hotel Touring. Smart, centrally-located and family-run, it has a fabulous top-floor terrace offering views of Bologna's medial towers and terracotta rooftops. Dinner was at Salumeria Simoni – a downtown deli stuffed to the rafters with all kinds of cheese and hams, including a celebrated local delicacy of lean pork speckled with lumps of lard, made in Bologna using a method legally codified by the papacy in 1661. Whether ground into meatballs, grilled with aged balsamic or eaten simply in slices, mortadella is melt-in-mouth fantastic. My first stop the next morning was Piazza Maggiore and San Petronio Basilica – Bologna's largest church, which dates back to 1390. Famous for its music chapel, with a still-functioning organ built around 1470, San Petronio also boasts the world's longest sundial. I then took a stroll along the vast Portico di San Luca, which, more than two miles long, and featuring 666 arches, took me out of the city and up the hill to San Luca Basilica for elevated views of Bologna from the church dome. Then it was time to drive. With winding country roads, vine-covered hills and charming medieval towns dotting the landscape, the entire Emilia-Romagna region is perfect to explore by car. I took a short trip to Sant'Agata Bolognese and Museo Automobili Lamborghini, a shrine to the daring design and extreme engineering of classic models like the Miura and Countach. Tours here include a walk along the production line, where you can see Lamborghini's famously throaty V10 and V12 engines being hand-assembled – a testament to the precision and care that goes into every car with the raging bull emblem. Then it was on to Borgo Panigale for the Ducati Museum and Factory tour. Showcasing its origins from 1926, dozens of Ducati's famously red motorbikes are displayed, with interactive multimedia providing technical insights into each model – from the legendary 916 to the adventure touring Multistrada and the liquid-cooled Monster. Even if you're not a motorcyclist, the engineering prowess is impressive. After one night downtown, I shifted to Palazzo di Varignana, an elegant health and gastronomical resort nestled in the hills outside Bologna, which worked well as a base for the rest of my visit. Among several superb meals in the resort's various restaurants, dinner at Il Grifone stood out. Faced with three separate tasting menus – Sea, Land and Garden – I chose Sea. The old-style squid, wild herb ravioli and tuna belly was sensational, as was the sommelier's choice of Collio, a premium pinot grigio. A particular highlight of my Motor Valley stay was a day trip to Modena. Even using the more scenic, single-lane route via Castelfranco Emilia, it's less than an hour's drive from Bologna. Modena's Ferrari Museum is built around the restored house where Enzo Ferrari was born in 1898, combined with a futuristic exhibition hall designed by architect Jan Kaplický. Packed with historic models, from the first late-1940s pro-types to modern-day supercars, alongside engines, memorabilia, and trophies, the museum is superbly curated. I spent three hours but could easily have spent far longer. And while my budget wouldn't stretch to Modena's most celebrated restaurants, I was delighted to have a late lunch at Trattoria Pomposa al Re Gras, a short walk from the very charming Piazza della Pomposa, the heart of Modena's historic centre. The owner's daughter recommended a wonderful gramigna (wheat pasta) with sausage, which didn't disappoint. Another day trip from my billet just outside Bologna was to Rimini – where Motor Valley meets the sea. Famed for miles of sandy beaches, Rimini has a festive vibe as well as a rich Roman heritage, including the Arch of Augustus and the well-preserved Tiberius Bridge, along with the Malatesta Temple showcasing Renaissance art and architecture. Rimini is no culinary slouch, either. With countless options, I wandered into Il Re Dei Mari, just inland from the seafront. I had pulled up at the wheel of a Ferrari, and yet despite this lofty bar, the highlight of my trip was the mixed grilled seafood, followed by the traditional tiramisu that arrived at my table – worth the journey not just from Bologna, but from London. Essentials Liam was a guest of Ducati. Hotel Touring has doubles from £145 per night, including breakfast. Palazzo di Varignana has doubles from £245 per night, including breakfast.
