#Sirena Tour

[iamwinklebottom]

“I spoke with Mother Water and she said there’s a time to be selfless and a time to be selfish. She said when opportunities come, pick wisely and to love yourself while making these divine decisions. She said there’s a lot that you know and there’s more to know. More knowledge is always on the horizon. Pay attention to days and nights.”

This is a channeled art piece that I finished quite a while ago, knowing I was channeling water, but not knowing I was channeling a specific aspect of it.

What’s callin out to you the most: shapes, colors, patterns?

I’m grateful for my connectivity and as I become more connected, my connectivity is grateful for me.

[mappinglasirena]

The Stairs Under the Bridge

If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that one of the many mysteries/points of discussion that come up repeatedly is: what is happening in the space under La Sirena's bridge? There's a door leading there from the mess hall and we see Picard walk through it in S01E06, "The Impossible Box", but we never find out what that space is being used as.

(At least, we don't know what its in-universe use is. We know from set plans that in the studio, the space apparently held the playback setup.)

We got a glimpse of a cross-section of the ship in the Blu-ray set tour, which has some impossible geometry happening under the bridge...

(That is not a proper floor and something is definitely clipping through it!)

... and if you remember my post from a while back, I speculated that the most likely explanation is that the model has an extendable ladder there, that would allow people to board/leave the ship by a means other than the loading ramp. This would fit with the early idea of the season 1 writers to have Picard board La Sirena in a space port, rather than beam him on board while she's in orbit.

Well, a couple of weeks ago, we got confirmation that this is indeed what the production team originally intended.

Dave Blass, the production designer for PIC Seasons 2 and 3, tweetet some images showcasing a cross-section of the Sirena set/model:

As you can imagine, this gave me enormous joy (and a not too small amount of glee)! I have long insisted that the panorama windows, i.e. the exit the Motley Crew use to get off the ship once she crash-lands on Coppelius, don't really work as a proper access point to the ship. There is a three foot drop right inside the window the crew needs to bridge, no proper hatch, no ladders, etc. The only reason it makes for such a convenient exit is that Sirena is buried in a few metres of dirt, bringing the window level with the ground.

And indeed, La Sirena has, or at least was originally intended to have, a proper access to the front of the ship, one with a ladder and hatch and everything! And it's located in the mysterious space under the bridge!

But, me being me, this schematic also immediately raised a question: Isn't that ladder a bit too short?

If you remember this post, it seems like one of the changes made during Sirena's design process was that the wings were dropped quite a significant amount. Where the early concept art has the ship sitting fairly low to the ground, she is raised much higher when she reaches her final form.

Essentially, we went from a configuration that might have looked something like the version on the top to the actual model on the bottom:

This change increased the ship's clearance significantly.

For the non-imperial-measuring among us, the height of the ladder given in the schematic shared by Blass, 14' 10 1/2", translates to about 4.8m. However, when you line up the orthogonal view of the ship with the cross section, the length of the ladder is not really enough to reach the ground once the ship has landed.

(The green line indicates the bottom of the stairs.)

There is some speculation that maybe Sirena can fold up her nacelles for landing, and that might be true. There are rooms extending into the wings that would end up at an odd angle, but I suppose with artificial gravity, anything is possible -- if somewhat unlikely.

Still, if we presume Sirena's wings are rigid in general, the distance from the tarmac to the belly of the ship (here: the stage floor in the schematic) is a bit larger than 4.8m.

I wanted to adapt the ladder accordingly, but getting good measurements by converting between feet, pixels, and metres is a bit of a hassle. So instead, I simply used the measurements already on the schematic and extended the ladder so that the ship's clearance would be 5.5m or around 18ft.

This brings the total length of the ladder to about 21ft or 6.5m, and overlaid on the orthogonal ship view, it looks like this:

(The green line once again indicates the bottom of the stairs.)

As you can see, this length requires for the outer engines to fold up a little bit and would have the lowest point of the nacelles basically sitting on the ground. I personally think that would make a lot of sense, and in season 2 we did see that the outer engine pods are on hinges and can definitely fold down.

(It's subtle, but they do move back into their resting position towards the end of the gif.)

It was never confirmed that the engings can fold farther up as well, but looking at how they're attached, I think it makes sense that they could.

Now, in the adjusted S1 concept art of Sirena at the space port, the outer engines are in their normal positions and the wings are actually fully off the ground, with the ship resting on extended landing gear:

So, my extended ladder is the absolute minimum length needed to account for the dropped wings. In all likelihood the ladder would have to be even longer than that, because the clearance would be over 5.5m.

One thing that playing around with all of these views and measurements made me realize, though, is that La Sirena is quite a bit larger than I usually picture her. I have this realization about once every two or three months, so to make it easier to internalize, I asked the wonderful @regionalpancake to assist me.

Google helpfully suggests that 5.5m / 18ft is about half the size of a telephone pole or of three Michael Jordan's standing on each other's shoulders. It is also the size of...

... one average adult giraffe. (This is more or less helpful, depending on when you last went to the zoo, but I really enjoyed that as a visual aide.)

And because Regionalpancake is a good sport (and extremely proficient at adding animals to La Sirena), she also gave me this second edit:

(She also helpfully removed the spacedock workers who were a little to tall in comparison to Sirena. Hopefully, the friendly Averagely-Sized Adult Giraffe will make the ship's real dimensions slightly easier to gauge.)

So, now we have an idea of what might lurk beneath La Sirena's bridge!

I imagine in-universe, there is more stuff stashed under there than just the stairs, though. Perhaps the space gives easier access to the phaser banks in the nose of the ship, or to some other flight control or power distribution machinery. And there's still the question of why Picard, after a very emotionally draining conversation, chooses to head into this space rather than going straight upstairs to his cabin or to his study on the holodeck. (Yes, I know the Doylist answer is because it was the more dramatically satisfying blocking/staging choice, but on this blog, we like to dig for Watsonian explanations, too!)

My personal guess is still that there's some communal washroom down there, because those have to be somewhere on the ship, and that space would actually make sense, being in such close proximity to the bridge and mess hall.

But, since we never saw any of it on screen (and won't ever see La Sirena on screen again), I guess the space under the bridge will always remain a canonical mystery -- and thus available for any interpretation your writing /mapping/ headcanon might require ;)

[graciedaily]

ERAS TOUR OUTFIT DETAILS: Los Angeles, CA Night 4 (08/07/23)

Orseund Iris La Sirena Top: $295 SHOP

[obsidianmichi]

Location, Location, Location meets Star Trek Online... in which two plucky salespeople seek to pair quirky, heroic, and often downright homicidal starship captains with the ship that's right for them.

Will this tortured liberated borg embrace the pure, destructive joy of La Sirena, the tiny ship that packs a mean punch? Or will the price tag prove to hefty to ignore? How about this romulan captain longing to live large? Will they go with the classics or be drawn to something newer and sleeker as they unleash their inner space wizard? And how about our daring hosts? Will they survive the showing as they and their crews come face to face with the Iconanians during a sudden invasion of Starbase One? Find out this week on Star Trek's Home Sweet Ship.

It'd probably run on pure Lower Decks vibes to be honest, except with more death, explosions, and crazy MMO captains from Klingon, Federation, Romulan, and Dominion factions.

Now I'm envisioning two British real estate agents attempting to stare down a crew of menacing Jem'Hadar on a tour of Odo's flagship as Weyoun tries to mediate.

[smn-artistagency]

ADELAIDA

Adelaida lives and works in the full moon. A mermaid in winter, a witch in summer; she summons her voice in a spell. Her classical music education at Orfeó Català is intertwined with her performative nature and her Fine Arts studies at Central Saint Martins. She wishes to explore the limits and possibilities of the voice as a ritualistic and expressive tool. On stage she transforms from phoenix to rhapsode, from rhapsode to siren. The catalan singer, producer and songwriter just released her second album, Muérdago. It is an album of many questions, few answers, with carefully curated sonic mantras leading the way. In it she uses from choral ambient to dark baroque electronics, to create an ASMR labyrinth of sorrow, bliss, and angered desire.

Its sound is a mix of eclectic, avant garde and experimental sound aesthetics, which holds the voice as the main character. In the making of the album, she has collaborated with additional producers MANS O and Pura Cadera, and it has been mastered by Rashad Becker.  Its live premiered at Sónar 2024 with a mesmerizing atmospheric and pictoric set.

Her debut album, Cántaro, came out in September 2022 and was made with infinite layers of voices. With it, she toured through Primavera Sound 2022 and 2023, Fundación Miró, Festival BAM 2023, She Makes Noise 2023, amongst many others.

Adelaida :: Bandcamp :: IG ::

Press kit and stills :: download here ::

Head photo by Bo Bannink

ADELAIDA

Adelaida vive y trabaja en la luna. Sirena en invierno, bruja en verano, convoca su voz en un hechizo.

Su formación musical clásica en el Orfeó Català se entrelaza con una naturaleza performativa y sus estudios de Bellas Artes en la prestigiosa Central Saint Martin’s de Londres. Desea explorar los límites y las posibilidades de la voz como herramienta ritual y expresiva. En el escenario se transforma de fénix a rapsoda, de rapsoda a sirena...

La joven cantante, productora y compositora catalana acaba de publicar su segundo álbum, Muérdago. Un álbum replete de preguntas y con pocas respuestas, con mantras sonoros cuidadosamente seleccionados que marcan el camino. En él confluyen desde ambient coral hasta electrónica barroca y oscura para crear un laberinto ASMR de dolor, dicha y deseo enfurecido. Su sonido es una mezcla de estéticas sonora diversas, vanguardista y experimental, que tiene a la voz como protagonista.

En la realización del álbum ha colaborado con los productores adicionales MANS O y Pura Cadera, y ha sido masterizado por Rashad Becker. Su directo se estrenó en Sónar 2024 con un hipnotizante set atmosférico y pictórico.

Su álbum debut, Cántaro, salió en septiembre de 2022 y está pensado con infinitas capas de voces, fue presentado en Primavera Sound 2022 y en 2023, Fundación Miró, Festival BAM y Festival She Makes Noise, entre otros.

Adelaida :: Bandcamp :: IG ::

Dossier de prensa e imágenes :: descargar aquí ::

[hoteldanexpressportoalegre]

Vinícolas Perto de Porto Alegre: Um Passeio para Amantes de Vinho

 A região ao redor de Porto Alegre é um destino incrível para os amantes de vinho que desejam explorar vinícolas renomadas, apreciar belas paisagens e mergulhar no mundo da enologia. Localizadas a uma curta distância da cidade, as vinícolas oferecem experiências que vão desde degustações exclusivas até tours que revelam o processo de produção dos vinhos. Esta rota é ideal para quem busca conhecer o que há de melhor na produção vinícola do Rio Grande do Sul e desfrutar de um passeio encantador.

1. Vale dos Vinhedos: O Coração da Produção Vinícola

O Vale dos Vinhedos é uma das regiões vinícolas mais conhecidas do Brasil e fica a cerca de 120 km de Porto Alegre. Com uma longa tradição na produção de vinhos, o Vale abriga vinícolas consagradas que produzem vinhos de alta qualidade, reconhecidos nacional e internacionalmente. Entre as vinícolas mais famosas estão a Miolo, a Casa Valduga e a Vinícola Salton. Nessas propriedades, os visitantes podem fazer degustações e passeios pelos vinhedos, além de conhecer todo o processo de produção do vinho, desde a colheita até o envelhecimento nas caves.

Durante a visita, os amantes do vinho podem desfrutar de degustações orientadas, onde são apresentados a diferentes tipos de uvas e vinhos, como o Merlot, o Cabernet Sauvignon, o Chardonnay, entre outros. Muitos locais também oferecem harmonizações com queijos e pratos típicos da culinária italiana, tornando o passeio ainda mais especial.

2. Garibaldi: Vinhos Espumantes e Tradição Italiana

A charmosa cidade de Garibaldi, localizada a apenas alguns quilômetros do Vale dos Vinhedos, é conhecida como a “capital brasileira do espumante”. Com uma tradição italiana enraizada, a cidade é lar de vinícolas famosas pela produção de espumantes de alta qualidade, como a Chandon e a Peterlongo, além de outras pequenas vinícolas familiares.

Em Garibaldi, o visitante poderá participar de tours que revelam o método de produção do espumante, incluindo o famoso método champenoise, que confere ao espumante seu sabor e efervescência característicos. As visitas a essas vinícolas geralmente incluem degustações e uma visita às caves subterrâneas, onde os espumantes são envelhecidos em garrafas. Além disso, Garibaldi conta com uma atmosfera charmosa e acolhedora, ideal para passeios tranquilos e degustações ao ar livre.

3. Vinícola Aurora: A Tradição Cooperativa de Bento Gonçalves

A Vinícola Aurora, localizada em Bento Gonçalves, é uma das maiores e mais tradicionais vinícolas do Brasil. Fundada em 1931, a Aurora opera no modelo de cooperativa e é responsável por uma grande variedade de vinhos, espumantes e sucos de uva. Uma das atrações mais visitadas da região, a Vinícola Aurora oferece um tour completo que mostra cada etapa da produção do vinho, com direito a uma visita à área de armazenamento e às caves onde os vinhos envelhecem.

Durante a visita, os turistas podem degustar os vinhos e espumantes premiados da vinícola e aprender sobre o processo de produção que une tradição e inovação. É um passeio que agrada tanto iniciantes quanto apreciadores experientes, sendo também uma excelente oportunidade para conhecer a fundo a história do cooperativismo na região vinícola do Rio Grande do Sul.

4. Caminhos de Pedra: Uma Viagem pela História e Cultura Italiana

Caminhos de Pedra é uma rota histórica que passa por antigas construções e propriedades coloniais de origem italiana. Além de seu valor cultural, essa rota conta com vinícolas familiares e pequenas produções vinícolas artesanais, perfeitas para quem deseja uma experiência mais intimista e exclusiva. Entre as vinícolas que se destacam estão a Vinícola Salvati & Sirena e a Vinícola Casa Fontanari, que oferecem degustações e vendas de vinhos artesanais.

Ao longo do trajeto, os visitantes também encontram restaurantes, casas de artesanato e pequenos mercados onde podem provar delícias típicas e adquirir produtos locais. É um passeio que vai além da degustação de vinhos, proporcionando uma verdadeira imersão na história e na cultura dos imigrantes italianos que colonizaram a região.

5. Monte Belo do Sul: Vinhos de Produção Familiar

A Rota de Monte Belo do Sul é menos conhecida, mas igualmente encantadora para quem deseja fugir das grandes vinícolas e explorar produções menores e familiares. Situada próxima ao Vale dos Vinhedos, Monte Belo do Sul conta com vinícolas como a Vinícola Cainelli e a Vinícola Soprano, onde a produção é mais artesanal e as visitas são mais personalizadas.

Nessas vinícolas, o visitante tem a oportunidade de conversar diretamente com os proprietários e aprender sobre as particularidades dos vinhos produzidos ali. A experiência é bem mais intimista e oferece aos turistas uma visão única sobre o amor pela viticultura e a dedicação das famílias locais.

6. Caxias do Sul: O Polo Industrial e Vinícola

Caxias do Sul é conhecida principalmente como um polo industrial, mas também possui vinícolas e produtores que valem a visita. A Vinícola Zanrosso e a Vinícola Don Bonifácio são boas opções para quem deseja explorar vinhos regionais sem se afastar tanto de Porto Alegre. Essas vinícolas combinam o moderno com o tradicional, criando vinhos únicos que refletem a identidade da região.

A proximidade de Caxias do Sul com Porto Alegre permite um bate-volta rápido para quem deseja degustar bons vinhos e ainda aproveitar a hospitalidade e os restaurantes da região.

Conclusão

Os arredores de Porto Alegre são repletos de vinícolas que oferecem experiências inesquecíveis para os amantes de vinho. Desde grandes nomes no Vale dos Vinhedos até pequenas propriedades familiares em Monte Belo do Sul, cada lugar reserva uma experiência única e um sabor distinto, sempre enriquecido pelas tradições e pela hospitalidade do povo gaúcho.

Para quem deseja aproveitar uma experiência completa e confortante, o Hotel Nacional Inn Porto Alegre é uma excelente opção de hospedagem para os enófilos que querem explorar a região e depois relaxar em acomodações confortáveis e bem localizadas. Mais informações sobre hospedagem: https://www.nacionalinn.com.br/hoteis/hotel-nacional-inn-porto-alegre

Para saber mais sobre destinos e passeios em Porto Alegre, acesse o blog da Nacional Inn: https://blog.nacionalinn.com.br

[regionalpancake]

✨Fanwork that has stuck with me✨

@thelaithlyworm wrote and recorded Big Gran’ma Energy - if I’m having a bad day I’ll curl up with this story and mentally join the La Sirena cuddle pile, it’s such a comfort to return to again and again. Also Una Viudita has the line “After a long, honey-sweet, honey-sticky time…” describing Rios and Agnes in bed and I think of this line almost every day when I add honey to my tea. Can’t say I mind ;)

@jazzfic wrote little cliches and the odd ills of the galaxy which has Agnes running up and down La Sirena’s stairs. If I’m in a rush at work, dashing up the stairs, I think of this fic! Can’t forget take your rest to the stars and those places unseen which is a wonderful visit to Picard’s chateau with the motley crew. I remember reading this with a glass of wine on a summer evening - and on summer evenings since I’ve remembered this fic fondly.

@curator-on-ao3 ’s The Light Before Dawn has some beautiful imagery - Chris in the warm light of his New York apartment window really left an impression on me. Sometimes when I’m driving home, I see the light in our kitchen window, and I think of this lovely story.

@song-spero has forever RUINED (affectionate) the Borg and xB’s for me. Canon has zero hope of living up to the nuance that song-spero lovingly gives the xB’s. Human (n.) is an all time favourite and now whenever I make myself jasmine tea I think of Hugh.

@moonxshape is responsible for making me unable to walk past cherries in the supermarket without daydreaming of B’Elanna - Treat Night is a sweet, fluffy, poly, tour de force!

@weimarweekly frequently hits me where I live - in the intersection of food, architecture, and found family and Things Elnor Knows To Be True changed my brain chemistry around photography with line “The image is of Seven, who is younger but less beautiful”. I think about her writing other times too, like the when my dyslexic ass used tablespoons instead of teaspoons of gochugaru and I created noodles so spicy that my husband described them as “delicious… after the pain goes away” and I immediately thought of Las Penas Con Pan Son Menos!

(Shoutout also to the extended ElnorBreadverse - I think of all those Elnor making flatbread references whenever I make pitta)

@asteriski created gorgeous fanart for my fic Bitter/Sweet showing Raffi sitting on the floor with Seven’s arms slung around her shoulders; and every time, EVERY TIME, I sit on the floor I think of that artwork (a frequent occurrence as I am a certified Can’t Sit Properly bi) I remember her messaging me saying about slouching in a chair at work to get the reference for Seven’s pose just right. Agh! 💕

@frogfrizz wrote The slow walk towards a better life which as well as being one of my favourite Saffi works ever, has ruined all Star Trek space battles for me! There’s a moment where Rios is chatting and suddenly there’s an explosion and the action and suspense is Just So Good. Now when a spaceship takes damage in an actual episode I always think “eh, it’s ok, but frogfizz did it better.”

When (inevitably) I grow too many courgettes I immediately think of @droids-in-disguise ’s DS9 fic Cucurbita pepo (before I make like Garak and inflict the glut on everyone I know)

@grissomesque has made it so that every time I see Tom Paris I think of J/P - this is a mighty feat achieved through utterly stunning fanvids

@the-goofball writes kink negotiation so well it warms my heart. A Stolen Moment in Time is a SG1 Sam/Janet fic that springs to mind when I see clothes pegs.

In 2020 @procrastinatorproject wrote Game Night and I made fanart for it. In 2023 she visited me for the second summer running- I have such happy memories of her standing in my art studio and choosing which cucumbers to pick for lunch. Kudos on that fic can’t show that! Fanwork interactions are so much more ✨

So grateful to all these fan creators! Hopefully this is a reminder that the little AO3 ‘❤️’ or even a comment doesn’t tell the whole picture of how much your work sinks into the fabric of other peoples lives.

Tagging anyone who reads this and would like to join in :)

To any fic writers who worry they are wasting their time... I read a fic for a relatively small and inactive fandom about three years ago. And there was one specific scene where a character watched another dancing like an idiot to a beyonce song and it was so sweet and loving that even now years later I have that song on one of my spotify playlist so every once in a while it will play and remind me of that fic, and every time it does I smile and feel a little happier.

The stats on a fic will never really tell you if your writing touched someone. There's no numerical way to show you what impact you made. Maybe you are wasting time, or maybe you are writing something that someone will remember for a long time, something that will never fail to make them smile.

[hotelnacionalinnportoalegre1]

Vinícolas Perto de Porto Alegre: Um Passeio para Amantes de Vinho

 A região ao redor de Porto Alegre é um destino incrível para os amantes de vinho que desejam explorar vinícolas renomadas, apreciar belas paisagens e mergulhar no mundo da enologia. Localizadas a uma curta distância da cidade, as vinícolas oferecem experiências que vão desde degustações exclusivas até tours que revelam o processo de produção dos vinhos. Esta rota é ideal para quem busca conhecer o que há de melhor na produção vinícola do Rio Grande do Sul e desfrutar de um passeio encantador.

1. Vale dos Vinhedos: O Coração da Produção Vinícola

O Vale dos Vinhedos é uma das regiões vinícolas mais conhecidas do Brasil e fica a cerca de 120 km de Porto Alegre. Com uma longa tradição na produção de vinhos, o Vale abriga vinícolas consagradas que produzem vinhos de alta qualidade, reconhecidos nacional e internacionalmente. Entre as vinícolas mais famosas estão a Miolo, a Casa Valduga e a Vinícola Salton. Nessas propriedades, os visitantes podem fazer degustações e passeios pelos vinhedos, além de conhecer todo o processo de produção do vinho, desde a colheita até o envelhecimento nas caves.

Durante a visita, os amantes do vinho podem desfrutar de degustações orientadas, onde são apresentados a diferentes tipos de uvas e vinhos, como o Merlot, o Cabernet Sauvignon, o Chardonnay, entre outros. Muitos locais também oferecem harmonizações com queijos e pratos típicos da culinária italiana, tornando o passeio ainda mais especial.

2. Garibaldi: Vinhos Espumantes e Tradição Italiana

A charmosa cidade de Garibaldi, localizada a apenas alguns quilômetros do Vale dos Vinhedos, é conhecida como a “capital brasileira do espumante”. Com uma tradição italiana enraizada, a cidade é lar de vinícolas famosas pela produção de espumantes de alta qualidade, como a Chandon e a Peterlongo, além de outras pequenas vinícolas familiares.

Em Garibaldi, o visitante poderá participar de tours que revelam o método de produção do espumante, incluindo o famoso método champenoise, que confere ao espumante seu sabor e efervescência característicos. As visitas a essas vinícolas geralmente incluem degustações e uma visita às caves subterrâneas, onde os espumantes são envelhecidos em garrafas. Além disso, Garibaldi conta com uma atmosfera charmosa e acolhedora, ideal para passeios tranquilos e degustações ao ar livre.

3. Vinícola Aurora: A Tradição Cooperativa de Bento Gonçalves

A Vinícola Aurora, localizada em Bento Gonçalves, é uma das maiores e mais tradicionais vinícolas do Brasil. Fundada em 1931, a Aurora opera no modelo de cooperativa e é responsável por uma grande variedade de vinhos, espumantes e sucos de uva. Uma das atrações mais visitadas da região, a Vinícola Aurora oferece um tour completo que mostra cada etapa da produção do vinho, com direito a uma visita à área de armazenamento e às caves onde os vinhos envelhecem.

Durante a visita, os turistas podem degustar os vinhos e espumantes premiados da vinícola e aprender sobre o processo de produção que une tradição e inovação. É um passeio que agrada tanto iniciantes quanto apreciadores experientes, sendo também uma excelente oportunidade para conhecer a fundo a história do cooperativismo na região vinícola do Rio Grande do Sul.

4. Caminhos de Pedra: Uma Viagem pela História e Cultura Italiana

Caminhos de Pedra é uma rota histórica que passa por antigas construções e propriedades coloniais de origem italiana. Além de seu valor cultural, essa rota conta com vinícolas familiares e pequenas produções vinícolas artesanais, perfeitas para quem deseja uma experiência mais intimista e exclusiva. Entre as vinícolas que se destacam estão a Vinícola Salvati & Sirena e a Vinícola Casa Fontanari, que oferecem degustações e vendas de vinhos artesanais.

Ao longo do trajeto, os visitantes também encontram restaurantes, casas de artesanato e pequenos mercados onde podem provar delícias típicas e adquirir produtos locais. É um passeio que vai além da degustação de vinhos, proporcionando uma verdadeira imersão na história e na cultura dos imigrantes italianos que colonizaram a região.

5. Monte Belo do Sul: Vinhos de Produção Familiar

A Rota de Monte Belo do Sul é menos conhecida, mas igualmente encantadora para quem deseja fugir das grandes vinícolas e explorar produções menores e familiares. Situada próxima ao Vale dos Vinhedos, Monte Belo do Sul conta com vinícolas como a Vinícola Cainelli e a Vinícola Soprano, onde a produção é mais artesanal e as visitas são mais personalizadas.

Nessas vinícolas, o visitante tem a oportunidade de conversar diretamente com os proprietários e aprender sobre as particularidades dos vinhos produzidos ali. A experiência é bem mais intimista e oferece aos turistas uma visão única sobre o amor pela viticultura e a dedicação das famílias locais.

6. Caxias do Sul: O Polo Industrial e Vinícola

Caxias do Sul é conhecida principalmente como um polo industrial, mas também possui vinícolas e produtores que valem a visita. A Vinícola Zanrosso e a Vinícola Don Bonifácio são boas opções para quem deseja explorar vinhos regionais sem se afastar tanto de Porto Alegre. Essas vinícolas combinam o moderno com o tradicional, criando vinhos únicos que refletem a identidade da região.

A proximidade de Caxias do Sul com Porto Alegre permite um bate-volta rápido para quem deseja degustar bons vinhos e ainda aproveitar a hospitalidade e os restaurantes da região.

Conclusão

Os arredores de Porto Alegre são repletos de vinícolas que oferecem experiências inesquecíveis para os amantes de vinho. Desde grandes nomes no Vale dos Vinhedos até pequenas propriedades familiares em Monte Belo do Sul, cada lugar reserva uma experiência única e um sabor distinto, sempre enriquecido pelas tradições e pela hospitalidade do povo gaúcho.

Para quem deseja aproveitar uma experiência completa e confortante, o Hotel Nacional Inn Porto Alegre é uma excelente opção de hospedagem para os enófilos que querem explorar a região e depois relaxar em acomodações confortáveis e bem localizadas. Mais informações sobre hospedagem: https://www.nacionalinn.com.br/hoteis/hotel-nacional-inn-porto-alegre

Para saber mais sobre destinos e passeios em Porto Alegre, acesse o blog da Nacional Inn: https://blog.nacionalinn.com.br

[sevenstarae]

https://sirenasports.com/why-you-should-book-a-jet-ski-tour-in-abu-dhabi-sirena-water-sports/

[bkale12]

Savor Virtually: Restaurant Tour Experience

Savour the experience before you even arrive with our virtual restaurant tour. Take a mouthwatering journey through our ambiance, decor, and culinary delights from the comfort of your screen. Discover the perfect setting for your next dining adventure, all with the click of a button.

[destinationsomeplace]

Festivals in Puglia - Italy

Puglia, the land of the marvellous Trulli (traditional, dry stone dwellings with conical roofs), like all of Italy, loves festivals, and in Puglia, there is a whole range of festivals taking place every single year.  This article gives you the specifics on some of the festivals in  Puglia by month and location.  Dates and locations are approximate, so always confirm dates and timings with the local tourist office before you make firm plans.Due to Puglia’s great climate, the majority of festivals are outdoor proceedings and take place in the warm Summer months, and often focus on the twin Italian passions of food and religion.This post may contain affiliate links to things like hotels, tours or products.  These help us earn a small commission at no additional charge to you and help keep the lights on at Destination Someplace.

Festivals in Puglia

January

Lecce – Puccia dell’Ampa Festival:  In mid-January, the attractive town of Lecce takes an entire weekend to celebrate ‘Puccia dell’Ampa’, which is local wood baked bread, often stuffed with aged ricotta or pickles.  An excellent event for all the foodies out there. Putignano –Carnivale di Putignano: This is said to be one of the oldest carnivals in the world, this annual event is nothing short of spectacular, featuring processions of elaborate, allegorical floats featuring an array of over-the-top characters such as priests, nuns, widows, madmen and cuckolds. The festival officially starts on the 26th of December (but really gets into gear from January 17 th, with the feast of Sant'Antonio Abate, and finishes on Shove Tuesday.RESOURCES - PUGLIAAccommodation:  Booking.comActivities: ViatorFlights: SkyscannerTrains: Rail EuropeBus: FlixBusCar Hire: AutoEurope

February

Celenza Valfortore – Fest  della Pignata:  Puglia has a well-deserved reputation for being the best in seafood and this particular festival is dedicated to the eight-limbed mollusc - the octopus.

Flag throwing, often a part of festivals in Italy

March/April

Easter is a massive celebration throughout the whole of the Italian peninsula, and this is equally true for the festivals in Puglia:San Marco - “Fracchie” Procession: Taking place on Good Friday, the town of San Marco in the north of Puglia plays host to the ‘Fracchie’ procession, where the townsfolk split cone-shaped tree trunks in two and stuff them with kindling, splinters and dry branches, and turn them into enormous, fiery torches for a spectacular procession through the town and to illuminate the path of the Madonna.There are too many festivals celebrating Easter in the Puglia region to mention here, so if you do find yourself in this part of the world over the Easter period, be sure to check in with the local tourist office to see what other festivals are happening locally.Alongside the religious Easter celebrations, there are many other festivals in the region over this period including the ones below:Vieste – Festival of San Giorgio:  This festival celebrates the humble ‘frittato’, which is an omelette a little similar to the Spanish tortilla.Alberobello – Sagra dei Tarallucci e Vino: This festival, which usually takes place in late April, celebrates the traditional ‘taralli’,  ring-shaped biscuits – in either sweet or savoury variants and taken with wine.

Foodand wine = the pefect festivals

Where to stay in Puglia

Puglia (aka Apuglia) is a diverse and geographically long region, so there are many options for staying in the area.If you want to be near the beach, then the Hotel Sirena located near Peschici is a good option.Or if you head South, then the Signuria Dimora Esclusiva which is in the provincial capital of Lecce could be a great base.  If you are staying in Puglia for anything more than a few days, it may be worth considering booking two bases (North and South of the region) to minimise any long drives and make the most of Puglia.  As always we recommend Booking.com for maximum accommodation flexibility.

Summer: The Busiest Time For Festivals in Puglia

May

Bari – Festa di San Nicola:  This festival is in honour of Bari’s patron saint (who also happens to be the patron saint of sailors).  This very popular event is one of the key festivals in Puglia and draws visitors from around the world with flotillas of boats, parades and of course, the obligatory fireworks. Ortranto – Truffle Festival:  Yet another food festival, this time the focus is on that pungent, expensive and hard-to-find delicacy, the truffle.  No sniffer dogs (or pigs) are required for this festival, as the streets will have plenty of stalls dedicated to this delicacy.Leverano, Conversano, Turi and many other towns – Sagra della Ciliegia Ferrovia Festivals:  Taking place in many towns throughout Puglia in May and into June, the region celebrates the wonders of the unassuming cherry.  The town of Turi is the epicentre of this Cherry-Fest, as it is home to the most cultivated cherry in Italy, known as the ‘Railway Cherry’ due to it being originally found growing close to the railway tracks heading south-east towards Sammichele di Bari. 

Getting to Puglia 

Fly:  At the last look at flights started from £20 from destinations including the UK to the main airport in Puglia - Bari (also known as Karol Wojtyła Airport), although not all flights are direct.  We generally check with Skyscanner for flights and if you are flexible with your travel dates, use the 'search by month tool' to find the cheapest flights.Train: Train connections, like the rest of Italy, are generally good, especially between the major hubs. However getting to the smaller, out-of-the-way towns may not always be possible on trains. Use Rail Europe to search for trains in Puglia and Italy.Bus: The Flixbus service covers the main towns and also can get you from/return you to the main hubs of Bari and Brindisi.  Otherwise, the local bus services are also very good and inexpensive.  

How to get around Puglia

Puglia is a very long, thin region, so we often find the best way to travel is by car, especially if you want to catch some festivals in Puglia.  That way you have the option of travelling to the less well-known spots in Puglia such as appear in this guide.  If we hire a car we tend to use AutoEurope as our first choice as this website compares car rentals across Europe and further afield.If you planning to visit the main towns then local buses or trains as above will generally suffice.

June

Brindisi – Negroamaro Wine Festival:  Usually taking place in the first half of June (but it does vary, so check with the tourist board), this festival celebrates with streets lined with wine tasting stations (of course), street food and live music and dancing.Otranto - Festa San Pietro e Paolo: Featuring a series of events based around food (of course) and folklore, this festival combines fun and culture with great local food, and usually takes place towards the end of June.

July

Crispiano – Carnevale del Brigantino:  The Carnival of the Brigantino, takes place at the end of July (check locally for exact dates).  This festival features a masked procession that winds through the streets of the town, along with wine(of course), music art and local delicacies such as liver, sausage, snails and bread.

August

Felline – Sagra della Polpetta: This festival focuses on one of my Italian food favourites – Polpette! (also known as meatballs).Sannicandro di Bari – Orecchiette:  This small town pays tribute to the local Orecchiette pasta (literally ‘little ears’ because, well, that’s what they look like).Melpignano – Taranta Festival: Involving around 15 towns of the Lecce province this month-long festival of dance culminates with a grand finale in the town of Melpignano.  Featuring late-night dancing in the streets and piazzas until into the early hours celebrating the region's unique folk music and dance known as the "tarantella" or "pizzica", whose origins are centuries old, and believed to date from pagan times. One of the best-known festivals in Puglia.

Top Tips - Puglia 

Use Omio to compare buses versus trains, very useful.For Hotels including self-catering apartments we use Booking.com, where you can filter by review score and many properties have a pay later/late cancellation policy should your plans suddenly change.For travel insurance we use and recommend using  Staysure - specialists in over 50's travel insurance, as we have always found them fair and easy to deal with.   Check our resources page for more budget tips and discounts from our days in transit! 

September

Bari – Sammichele: The port town of Bari celebrates its local sausage speciality in this festival, culminating in a great feast with mozzarella and plenty of vino rosso.

October

Muro Leccese and Ortelle  - Maisle Celibrations:  Both these towns celebrate roast pork (maiale), a traditional dish for many generations, now used to create speciality dishes in many Puglian restaurants.Whenever and whichever festivals in Puglia take your fancy when you visit Puglia, always check dates and times with the local tourist boards when making your plans.  This is especially important due to the disruption over the last few years or so due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We endeavour to keep this list current and accurate, but it’s always best to check before dates and locations locally. Read the full article

[ginaraemitchell]

Mei's Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee | Spotlight #ChildrensPictureBook #MeisMermaidMission  #mermaidbooks #AsianMythology @iReadBookTours @crystal.z.lee 

Mei's Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee | Spotlight ~ Giveaway 2 Books, 1 Winner | #ChildrensPictureBook #MeisMermaidMission  #mermaidbooks #AsianMythology @iReadBookTours @crystal.z.lee  The mission of the Mermaids International Rescue Alliance (MIRA) is to guard the ocean and protect the sea creatures. There are many mermaid members in MIRA from all over Asia, such as Princess Hwangok (Korea), Roro (Indonesia), Jiao (China), Ningyo (Japan), Songkhla (Thailand), Duyung (Malaysia), Sovann Macha (Cambodia), Sirena (the Philippines), and Mei (Taiwan). Mei's Mermaid Mission is an exquisitely illustrated picture book that follows Mei as she travels all over the Asia Pacific region to gather the team of heroic mermaids in order to stop the pirate from polluting. Can Mei and the MIRA mermaids stop the pirate in time? Over twenty sea animals and over twenty locations in Asia are introduced in this story, as well as Asian mermaid mythologies in the book's backmatter. Children and adults will delight in this cultural story emphasizing empathy, friendship, collaboration, and environmental protection. Enter #giveaway for a chance to win! @crystal.z.lee @iReadBookTours @AcornsiReadBookTours

Mei’s Mermaid Mission by Crystal Z. Lee | Spotlight ~ Giveaway 2 Books, 1 Winner | #ChildrensPictureBook #MeisMermaidMission  #mermaidbooks #AsianMythology @iReadBookTours @crystal.z.lee  A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours. Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Book Details Quick Summary: Over twenty sea…

[fashionography]

By Sirena Kuo Serpenti Infinito Exhibition in Shanghai Bvlgari marked the arrival of the Year of the Snake with an awe-inspiring event in Shanghai on January 8, 2025. The Serpenti Infinito Exhibition, a celebration of art and transformation, debuted at Zhangyuan—a historic compound that mirrors Shanghai’s cultural evolution. This unique showcase brought together 19 international and Chinese artists to reinterpret the iconic serpent motif through 28 striking artworks. Eleven of these creations were crafted exclusively for the event, making it a true fusion of history, artistry, and innovation. “Infinito: Ai Data Sculpture” by Refik Anadol At the heart of the exhibition was Refik Anadol’s "Infinito: Ai Data Sculpture," a mesmerizing centerpiece set in a mirrored 360-degree room. The piece epitomizes the infinite transformations of the snake, a motif deeply intertwined with Bvlgari's identity since 1948. This immersive art journey unfolded through three distinct chapters: Crafting Serpents in History, Snakes in the Arts, and Contemporary Transformations, each featuring standout pieces from Bvlgari’s heritage, watches, and fine jewelry collections, including new High Jewelry designs. Bvlgari Heritage Collection Python Robe with Colored and Yunjian Patterns, Wanli of Ming Dynasty (1573-1620) Serpent Teng in the Golden Realm” by Luoming Snake Scales Mirror” by Daniel Rozin Spring Encounter” by Mo Lijuan The event’s opening cocktail, hosted by Bvlgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, brought together an eclectic mix of global media, artists, and brand ambassadors. Anne Hathaway and Liu Yifei turned heads in signature Serpenti pieces, joined by regional stars such as Cinta Laura Kiehl and Ho Ngoc Ha. Chinese celebrities Meng Ziyi, Li Yunrui, and others added local star power to the evening. Around 350 guests, including Andrew Wu, LVMH Greater China President, and Tiziana D’Angelo, Consul General of Italy in Shanghai, experienced a private tour of the exhibition followed by an atmospheric live band performance. Jean-Christophe Babin Anne Hathaway, Jean-Christophe Babin and Liu Yifei Management Group Photo Anne Hathaway Liu Yifei He Ruixian Li Yunrui Ho Ngoc Ha Xia Zhiguang Strengthening the connection between the serpent and Chinese culture, the exhibition hosted a Chinese New Year Bazaar featuring traditional crafts like Serpenti shadow puppets and personalized lucky cards. Guests also explored an interactive postcard experience, blending student artistry with works by children with autism, emphasizing art’s universal humanity. Chinese New Year Bazaar Chinese New Year Bazaar Chinese New Year Bazaar Bvlgari further enhanced the celebration with an immersive Serpenti Suite experience at its Shanghai hotel, complete with VR headsets for a virtual tour of the exhibition. This activation will roll out globally during the Chinese New Year, cementing the serpent’s timeless allure across cultures. Shanghai’s Serpenti Infinito Exhibition is more than an art display; it’s a tribute to transformation, creativity, and the enduring symbolism of the snake. Maison's exceptional craftsmanship Postcards with Serpenti artworks Read the full article

[silviascorcella]

Marco De Vincenzo p/e 2018: stile libero dentro un’estate siciliana

È questione di caparbietà a sapersi divertire con l’equilibrismo perfetto come fosse un piacevole trastullo giocoso: è una dote, semplicemente, quella di reggersi gloriosamente in bilico tra l’istinto puro che dalla profondità del cuore, come fosse un’incantevole voce di sirena, richiama alla necessità irrinunciabile di raccontare la propria creatività con l’arte della stoffa e dei materiali pregiati, e la contemporaneità del mondo fuori che esige sempre nuove forme di bellezza frettolosa. 

{photo backstage © shotbygio e Elle}

È questione di talento: intenso e caleidoscopico, sincero e per questo sempre più applaudito. Questa è la mischia caratteristica e imprescindibile di Marco De Vincenzo: che dalla sua vocazione sartoriale passa attraverso l’instancabile mente creativa e si trasferisce in forme d’eleganza sempre nuove, eppur sempre mirabilmente riconoscibili.

Forse forse…si potrebbe sospettare un lieve penchant squisitamente personale nella penna che sta tracciando questo ritratto: ed in parte è vero, grazie ad in incontro in un’esordiente intervista di svariati anni fa che, oltre ad essere un ricordo prezioso, è una riconferma felice di come l’essenza estetica e stilosa di Marco De Vincenzo muti nel tempo in nuovi racconti, senza mai osare diventare altro dalla fedeltà alle proprie passioni e al desiderio di sorprendersi. E di sorprendere: come accade felicemente nella collezione Primavera-Estate 2018!

Un carosello di creazioni sartoriali che nascono da un’ispirazione solo in apparenza rischiosa, ma che nella sostanza si è rivelata… una bellissima sorpresa, per l’appunto. La collezione sorge da un viaggio di ritorno a casa, in quella terra sicula che di Marco De Vincenzo è terra natìa, ma che nella moda è spesso fonte di citazionismi perigliosi: ma eccola la cifra stilistica che lo contraddistingue, qui la Sicilia non è macchietta da tour turistico pregno di folklore, bensì è la delicatezza di una miscela sensuale, di ricordi e piacevolezze intime, personalissime, che diventano una sorta di storia di un’estate siciliana trasognata e vissuta nelle percezioni piene, libera nei pensieri e nelle non-regole d’abbigliarsi, attraversata da guizzi per nulla retrogradi di memorie pop.

 Il tipico piglio colto, però, resta: nel pretesto che dà il titolo alla collezione, ovvero due fra i numerosi antichi nomi che l’isola ha ricevuto lungo la storia, Ultrapharum e Triskelion. 

Cosa farne? Di certo non c’è bisogno di accorrere a tomi antichi per approfondire le conoscenze storiografiche e mitologiche racchiuse nell’etimologia: bensì, basta divertirsi a vederli tramutarsi in caratteri pop assai vivaci che invadono le t-shirt, stampe dalle tinte psichedeliche che a loro volta diventano motivi grafici che sanno di clubbing e anche un po’ di Seventies, patch con l’emblema della Trinacria immerso nel glitter e applicato a mo’ di decoro sulla giacchetta in scuba o moltiplicato in sequenze optical. 

La collezione è dunque un omaggio alla sua Sicilia interiore, ai contrasti intensi che la rendono unica, a quegli stessi contrasti che della poetica stilistica di Marco De Vincenzo sono il segreto della sua sofisticata, perfetta imperfezione.

La cornice estiva che rievoca lunghe feste e nonchalance di guardaroba giustifica la levità dei tessuti fluidi, la camicia maschile sbottonata, i pantaloni che rivelano la caviglia e quelli che terminano in un’ampia corolla mentre scoprono l’ombelico: poi arriva l’amore per l’ornamentalismo, che arricchisce tale semplicità con dorsi di macramé, con ruches che profilano i cardigan morbidi e diventano balze nell’abito lungo, con quelle sue frange sottili e brevi, fitte fitte a pennellare gonne e abiti di tinte degradé e per questo assai chic proprio come i sandali -da quelli flat agli stiletto vertiginosi- che ne sono percorsi, con i bagliori del lurex per le maglie a mo’ di vestito e con la rete per i top. 

La dote dell’equilibrismo vien fuori anche nel saper bilanciare quel sentimento del colore, che Marco De Vincenzo usa come fosse un vero maestro d’arte, con un gesto d’affettività semplice condivisa: guardatele bene quelle borsette a mano, guardate l’immagine creata dai ricami, e divertitevi tutte con i richiami ai manifesti cinematografici dei grandi classici sempre imperdibili, da guardare nei cinema locali in una stellata notte d’estate siciliana.

Silvia Scorcella

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