Archive for ‘Travel Tips’

January 16, 2011

My Favorite Destination is…

Veneto Trip 2010Though I love so many destinations around the world, when asked which is my favorite….I must say ‘Italy’.  I by no means limit my travels to Italy, but I do visit Italy with more regularity than any other single destination.  I have yet to find anything I don’t like about Italy.  The culture, cuisine, history, architecture, art, sea, mountains, wine, and song all blended together with the incredible genuine  warmth of the people make it a destination that draws people back over and over.

Since we are just a few days into 2011,  and most of us setting goals and making plans for things we wish to accomplish this year …that means decisions need to be made about where you will journey.

Springtime travel to Italy holds many advantages.  Temperatures are warming up, the flowers are blooming (my favorite red poppies in Tuscany), airfares and hotel prices are reasonable, and most of Italy gets less rain in the Spring than the Fall. Italian holidays like Easter, Liberation Day, and the Festa della Republica offer many festive concerts and processions!

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January 15, 2011

Invitation to Tuscany – Featured property: Casa Marta

Casa Marta

Featured Property

Exclusive Villas for rent with pools in Tuscany, Amalfi, Sicily, Italy, Umbria from respected agency. Local knowledge, on-site reps to help. www.invitationtotuscany.com

This is an independent upper floor apartment with tall, airy rooms with Victorian proportions. It is approached from an open fronted courtyard and has a pleasant, walled, furnished garden at the rear with beautiful views of the estate. Living room with wood-burning stove, large eat-in kitchen with dishwasher, ground-floor laundry room. Secluded garden and furnished pergola.

The estate buildings form a small complex with some farmhouses, the villa and agricultural buildings in a beautiful position on top of a hill, with extensive views of the surrounding countryside. Wide, sandy floored cypress lined avenues traverse the forested hills of the estate, often terminating in belvederes at the most impressive viewpoints. Through the tangled woodlands, across the cultivated plain below, one can see Siena and the Chianti hills in the distance, and there is a rare abundance of wild flowers and animals.

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January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

Piazza in Venice Italy

Piazza in Venice Italy

The piazza is the center of life in Italy, so it goes without saying that there are many important public squares in every Italian city. And many of these piazzas are where New Year’s Eve will be celebrated, not unlike Times Square in NYC.

Venice is one of the most romantic places to celebrate New Year’s Eve and the biggest party is in Piazza San Marco with a huge group kiss at midnight.

Rome’s big New Year’s party is in Piazza del Popolo, in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, with music and dancing into the early hours of the New Year. On New Year’s Day the square is still buzzing with activity, this time aimed at entertaining the children.

I Migliori Augui de Felice Anno Nuovo!