Posts tagged ‘journeys’

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March 9, 2011

Invitation to Tuscany: New Properties for 2011!

New Properties for 2011
We have been gathering some wonderful new properties for this year: large ex-farmhouses with never-ending views (Casa Michelangelo, Casa Cerfone), luxurious villas close to Florence (Villa da Vinci, Villa Lucia), Eco-friendly homes by to the sea (Casa dei Fichi, Bernardino) and many more – you can find them all listed under “New for 2011”. There is even a beautiful sailing boat, an elegant sloop moored in a Marina south of Livorno and available for sailing round the Mediterranean, visiting little coves and bays and seeing a very special side of Tuscany and Italy.

Goodbye Ortone
Many of you will have stayed at Ortone and met Elisabetta, the charming owner there. She has now decided to sell the house and move to France. We’re very sad to see Ortone and Elisabetta go – I think we’ve been renting it for around 25 years!

Visit Sicily
We now also have villas for rent in Sicily! Sicily is a wonderful region and is an excellent place to visit out of season; March, April and May are as warm and summery as one could wish for, and just the thing for blowing away those winter blues. See the whole (growing) selection here: Western Sicily.

Royal Offers
If you want to take advantage of the flurry of Bank holidays around Easter and the Royal wedding, take a look here: Special Offers. We have 10 days for the price of a week, or 2 weeks with a 20% discount in selected properties. Pipistrelli, a beautiful house for 14 close to Siena, has a 50% discount! Pipistrelli.

Contact me to see all your options.

Colleen Lamont
503.546.1058 – direct
866.297.1058 – toll free
Email: CLamont@peaktravel.com

Copyright (C) 2011 Invitation to Tuscany All rights reserved.

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March 4, 2011

“Tuscany without the crowds”

When I read this article I thought of one of our properties. Perched high in the Apuan Alps, above Camaiore and Pietrasanta, Argentone looks out over stunning views of the Mediterranean sea, all the way to Corsica. It is set in a fold above the village of S.Anna di Stazzema, a famous centre of Partisan resistance during the second world war, the story recently told in a film by Spike Lee.

jacuzzi

Sleeps: 2 to 3
7 nights from £786.00 / €864.00

In Lucca, Tuscany without the crowds

By Joan Charlotte MatelliGlobe Correspondent / February 27, 2011

LUCCA — When it feels like the popular Tuscan destinations are more crowded with English speakers than Italian, it’s time to head to Lucca. Nestled in the foothills of the Apennines, only a short detour from the tourist magnets of Pisa and Florence, Lucca is an authentic, immersive Tuscan experience.

The historic center of the city is surrounded by the original, intact, Renaissance-era defensive walls. Enter from Porta Santa Maria, the northern gate to the old city, and you arrive in a bustling piazza with cafes and a few bike shops. If you want wheels, it is best to rent a bike. It is almost impossible to get around by car within the walls, as car traffic is prohibited on most streets for all but residents.

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February 28, 2011

Featured Property: Matchless, Marina di Scarlino



An elegant and rare sailing sloop on the Mediterranean

Unusually for Invitation to Tuscany, a sailing boat. But this is no normal sailing boat; it is a Swan 57, considered by many to be the Rolls Royce of yachts. Large enough for comfort yet fast enough for Regattas, this is a beautifully crafted vessel, built in the Nautor ShipYard in 1978 from a Sparkman & Stephens blueprint. Owned by a very good friend of ours, these vessels are rarely up for charter and are a delight to spend time on. Leave from Marina di Scarlino, in southern Tuscany, and navigate round the Mediterranean Isles, Corsica, Sardinia and the smaller islands. With an expert skipper on board you can participate in the sailing or lay back and sip your Campari as the mood takes you.

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February 16, 2011

Carnevale, the Festival of Masks

Carnevale, also known as carnival or mardi gras, is celebrated in Italy and many places around the world 40 days before Easter, a final party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent.

Carnevale in Italy is a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music, and parties. Children throw confetti at each other and play tricks one each other in fun.

Although carnival is actually one day, in Venice and many other places in Italy the carnival celebrations and parties may begin  2 weeks earlier.  This year February 19th,  the “Grand toast in Venice” will be the opening event, an elegant and joyful “cheers” for tourists and locals alike  to officially welcome the Carnival. The main attraction will be a big wine fountain spouting vino for all.   The dancing commences and a full agenda of activities continues  throughout the 2 week long festival.

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February 14, 2011

Romance, museums and history in one of Italy’s top cities, Milan

Romance is on everyones mind this week, but one of Italy’s romantic cities is also rated as a top destination! Can you guess which city?  Well, it’s Milan that I want to tell you about today.

“Romantic Italy beckons lovers of all ages to its magical countryside. Couples can tour several of its beautiful, historic cities including Milan, Florence, Naples, and Rome. Each of these beloved cities has a unique Italian flavor just waiting to be experienced.

Milan’s history dates back to 400 B.C., and contains many wonderful museums, galleries, churches, and other historical buildings for couples to tour. Some of the most famous museums include the Cenacolo Vinciano which houses the painting of The Last Supper, and the La Scala Theater Museum which is home to wonderfully historic costumes and theater sets. Historical and breathtaking churches that must be visited include The Duomo, which includes nearly 3500 statues and Santa Maria delle Grazie, the church where Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper.

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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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