Author Archives: Jennifer Avventura

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About Jennifer Avventura

Canadian Freelance writer living in Sardinia, Italy. A serial immigrant who has lived in Australia, England, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. When she's not out running 6k you will find her sitting at the computer - writing her novel and searching for worldwide work.

Looking at the little things in life

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Sometimes in life the big things take over, they are uncontrollable and we lose focus. I prefer to look at the little things that make this world spin, that make me spin. The little things that get inside my head and complete me. Jennifer Avventura My Sardinian Life (31)The little things that seem so insignificant to the bigger picture that I’ve forgotten how I got here. It was the little things that built my grand picture, the little things that held me up, the little things that make me believe, make me hold on to the dream that I will see you again.

Have you looked at the little things in your life lately?

The naked truth on nude beaches in Sardinia, Italy

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Sardinia is a mecca for beach lovers, and with over 1849 kilometres of beautiful, pristine coastline, it’s no wonder naked vacationers return year after year. It’s easy to see why, with miles of glorious, sandy beaches and award-winning panoramas. It’s a place where endless turquoise waters meet rugged coastlines and where the world comes to play each summer.

Did you know?

It’s illegal to get naked on a Sardinian public beach.

That Sardinia hosts very few, secluded nude beaches (so few, in fact, I can’t find any resources on legal nude beaches in Sardinia) and if caught in the buff on a beach in Italy that the fine is hefty – very hefty!

Do you know the difference between a topless beach and a nude beach?

What is a topless beach?

A topless beach is a public beach where upper body clothing is optional for men and women. Most beaches in Italy are topless beaches.¹

A general rule of thumb is to look around and see what others are doing. If there are hundreds of people on the beach – dressed in their beach best, then you should stay dressed in your beach suit.

A little incident that happened…

I parked my pasty-white Canadian butt on the hot, white sand and noticed that every other woman was topless and thought – I’m in Italy, I’ll go topless too! Continue reading →

Inside Sardinia: Cork from the Gallura

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Sardinian cork oak grows in abundance in the northwestern part of the island. The forests are large and breathtaking and the capital of cork in Sardinia is a small mountain town called Calangianus in the province of Olbia-Tempio.

Cork planks are used to create some fascinating items like: kitchen utensils, serving trays, containers, insulation, spice stands and various souvenirs like: purses, notebooks and postcards.

85% of Italy’s bottled cork comes from the northwestern region of the Gallura.

June cork by Jennifer Avventura

Cork oak is first harvested when the tree reaches the age of 25-30 years and then harvested every 10 years after. The lifespan of a cork oak 150 years.

Have you checked your cork lately?

An ode to the island of Sardinia

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Jennifer Avventura Sardinia 2012

Gosh, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen your face, twenty-one months precisely. I can only imagine your sun-kissed shadows, the way the wind whips in the cold winter months, the sound of your animals going out to pasture and the lingering sensation of a well aged mirto sipped between my lips. For one day soon, I shall return to your green pastures, and help seed our own garden, made from love.

The Case of the Mysterious Canadian Ensign Lost & Found in Sardinia

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Do you know the owner of this ensign that washed up on the shore of Sardinia?

Jennifer Avventura's avatarMy Sardinian Life

In life, I believe everything happens for a reason.

Why did a brand new, ensign of Canada land in my hands yesterday morning? Coincidence? Fate? A message in a bottle ensign? Or just the sweet generosity of the man who found it?

Our conversation went something like this:

The Italian Version

Sweet Man – Boungirono. Ho trovato una bandiera canadese e pensato a te, ti piace?
Me – Oh, buongiorno. Ma, hai trovato una bandiera canadese? Dove?
Sweet Man – In Costa Paradiso. Qualcuno l’ha buttato via.
Me – Perché qualcuno dovrebbe buttarlo fuori? Non e giusto.
Sweet Man – Non lo so, ma vuoi?
Me – Ma, certo. Grazie.
Sweet Man – Io te lo darò a te ora.
Me – Sei molto gentile. Grazie.

English Version

Sweet Man – Good Morning. I found a Canadian flag and thought of you. Would you like it?

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The Descent of the Candle Bearers | I Candelieri 2012

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The second biggest festival in Sardinia is about to kick off tomorrow night in Sassari, I Candelieri. Will you be there? I went in 2012, the following post is my awesome experience there. I hope you have fun too!

Jennifer Avventura's avatarMy Sardinian Life

Sassari– August 14th, 2012 – The 2nd largest festival in Sardinia owes its name to the large ‘candlesticks’ which men parade though-out town for a six-hour parade of strength, endurance, song and dance.

I Candelieri was born around 1500, a vow to the Virgin Mary; and to give thanks to the survival of three plagues during the 1600’s, which killed thousands of people on the island of Sardinia.

I Candelieri – The Descent of the Candle Bearers is a festival which embodies the spirit and traditions of Sassari. Its origins date back to the Middle Ages, when Sassari, under Pisan domination, adopted a modified version of the Pisan tradition of an offering, similar to a large wooden wax-covered altarpiece to the Madonna on the eve of the Assumption.

10 candlesticks with 8 men per candle parade throughout the town to the beat of drums, clapping and chanting in local…

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Mega marketing failure by Classico

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I did a little shopping this morning, at a store I never go to and was delighted to see Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto – made in Sardegna. Happily, I added it to my cart, even though I was giggling to myself, saying – there’s no way this pesto is made in Sardegna.

Upon unpacking my goods, I noticed one mega marketing failure, it’s a colossal failure, such a failure that I had to share it with the world, such a loss that it rubs me totally the wrong way to which I will never buy Classico again.

And the mega marketing failure is:

Classico marketing failure by Jennifer Avventura 2015

On the front label (left) it clearly states – PESTO di Sardegna. The mega marketing failure is on the lid. Can you see it?

Where is Sardegna?

There is the mainland of Italy and Sicily, but where is the island that this pesto comes from? It’s off the map, gone AWOL or someone at Classico doesn’t know their geography.

Have you noticed any mega marketing failures? Share your thoughts below.

Top 5 Beaches in The Gallura | Sardinia, Italy

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Jennifer Avventura's avatarMy Sardinian Life

Are you seeking a private haven where you can sit on the beach and do nothing, for hours? Or maybe, it’s a family beach oasis that you are after. Which ever beach vacation you are looking for The Gallura will fill your senses with peaceful shorelines and endless turquoise waters.

The name ‘Gallura’ derives from a shortened Latin term ‘Galli-Rura‘ or ‘Galilensi Islands.’ The Romans marked the map to show the boundaries of the islands, known as Sardinia. The Gallura is located east of the Tyrrhenian Sea, North of the Straits of Bonifacio and west of The Gulf of Asinara.

The Gallura is family friendly, offering various styles of housing to suit every budget.There are plenty of recreational sports and activities to choose from. It is here that you find unspoilt private havens, coves, bays and inlets. The Gallura is composed of twenty-eight provinces…

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