Italy Voted Best Holiday Destination!

Travel Weekly, the main travel industry newspaper has just revealed the World's best holiday destinations in its 8^th annual Reader's Choice Awards programme.

Italy received the title of best destination, beating France and Spain in the European battle.

South Africa, Australia and Jamaica took the top awards in the categories covering Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean.

Arnie Weissmann, Travel Weekly's editor-in-chief, said: 'The professionals who read and rely on Travel Weekly have the expertise to select those businesses, destinations and hotels that provide a higher level of service to their clients.

'Our readers can be confident that these winners represent the best this industry has to offer.'

Find your perfect Italian holiday and an operator to help you:  http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/discover_italy.asp

A bit of Wedding Luxury....

I decided that this weekend and this week I would concentrate on organising the office, putting everything in its rightful place, clearing up and try to get everything computerised so that everything is in its rightful place, fully recorded.  There is just so much to do and I do not think I will get it done by Christmas!

However I came across this photoshoot we did a while back for the Swarovski complimentary members magazine, where we organised for them to go to a beautiful Tuscan castle in the San Casciano area and this was produced.  I have tried to get a little technological and have updated it onto YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ktukJO6PEc

This is a great venue for an Italian wedding as it has a range of lovely spaces which can be used for the ceremony, a small chapel, a garden/vineyard, a large courtyard..... and it is also the ideal location for a reception.  For further details just get in touch.

 

 

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Home of the Pesto Sauce

The finest, most delicious pesto sauce can be found in its home region of beautiful Liguria where basil grows in abundance and the secret Pesto recipe has been passed down through generations.

One of Italy's tiniest regions, Liguria is the long thin coastal strip that curves round to the West, (towards the South of France) at the top of the ‘boot', also known as the Italian Riviera. It is here you may well spot many A list celebrities, particularly in the beautiful town Portofino, a constant feature in ‘Ok' Magazine.

Despite the major publicity constantly surrounding some of these glamorous resorts, the stunning landscape, the medieval hill towns, the tiny fishing villages, the crystal clear sandy coastline and the gourmet restaurants are still mainly only frequented by Italians (another advantage!).

That said, the Unesco World Heritage site of the Cinque Terre National Park contains the famous once isolated five villages that are now connected by well trodden paths hiked by travellers from all over the world. And rightly so because these five stunning Cinque Terre villages are picture postcard perfect, where pastel coloured houses cling to green vine-clad cliffs, sloping down towards the glittering blue bays, harbours and tiny cobbled piazzas. The lovely coastline with its stunning views continues towards the glorious capital, Genoa (a highly recommended city to be visited in its own right), and includes the fabulous Portofino.

We can't recommend this region highly enough as having everything for the most wonderful reasonably priced holiday, for families, couples and definitely, honeymoons!

For more information on Liguria, where to go and renting villas: http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/regions.php?id=9

Hidden Gems

Here at Cottages to Castles we are always looking for those hidden gems and our quest takes us far and wide throughout Italy to find the most wonderful of holiday homes.

So when we found Apartment Rosita we just had to announce its arrival.  There are very few places in the world that afford such breathtaking turquoise views of the Sardinian coastline and being just a short walk to the elegant marina, its really a hot property.  

We can give you lots of advice on other hidden gems http://www.cottagestocastles.com/.

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Top walks in Le Marche

If you are looking for picturesque, breathtaking walks then Le Marche is the destination for you. There are walks suitable for all levels of fitness, from rolling hills to sandy beaches to mountains over 1500 metres high.

Just walking this landscape you'll discover hidden gorges, lush pastures and stunning valleys, which we believe make for some of the finest landscapes in Europe.

Even more exciting is the knowledge that when setting off on a walk you are more than likely to stumble across historic Italy, passing through prehistoric settlements as well preserved castles dating back to the Roman times and middle ages. Just don't forget your camera!!

We can highly recommend a specialist trekking company run by Daniele Petrucci, a man who knows the area like the back of his hand. He has a created a broad range of different hikes, so all you need to do is work out which one suits you best. Our favourite is the Torricchio Natural Reserve walk, an area of unmatched beauty (we think) and located amongst Mt Ferma, Mt Cetrognola and Mt Torricchio – the area is of scientific interest and will leave a permanent positive impression on all who explore it. Daniele shares historical facts and knowledge as you go.

Daniele has created 12 walks, all offering something different and all well worth looking at. He welcomes groups and prices vary dependent upon numbers, but are extremely reasonable.

If you are looking for more information and Italian holiday tips please check out the Vintage Holidays blog.

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Sardinian Christmas Food

Christmas is nearly here and all good Sardinian housewives are now in their kitchens full time preparing the annual feast. With many of the dishes handmade or freshly picked from local allotments, all the wonderful fare has a truly great taste even though there will be far too much!  Typically fish will be served on Christmas Eve before attending midnight mass – then the real festivities begin. Should you wish to amaze your loved ones with a Sardinian Christmas lunch there here is an idea of what you need to serve up on the 25^th – a true feast!

Antipasti vari: A mix of beautifully prepared  bits and pieces – stuffed olives, filled vol-au-vents, tiny pizzettas, warm breads, wafer thin local ham, sliced cured sausage and much more. Overdosing is easily done here and to be avoided if possible as there is so much more to go!

Primi: Depending on family preferences, here the choices will be:  Gnocchi al ragu – tasty homemade tiny rolled gnocchi with delicious thick tomato and meat sauce.  Ravioli filled  with ricotta and fresh spinach served in melted butter with sage.  Pasta al forno – a much loved dish for children (and grown-ups!) better known as “lasagne”.

Secondi: Maialetta al forno – a wonderfully crispy roast suckling pig. Cinghiale al sugo – with the hunting season in full swing at this time of the year, wild boar is always found on the menu.

Contorni: Raw fennel straight from the earth – perfect vegetable with the pork as the freshness combats the delicious fatty meat. Patate al forno – the meat will have been slowly roasted with a large tray of oily potatoes covered in chopped rosemary.

Dolci:  Tiramisu – a favourite worldwide with mascarpone, strong coffee and sponge fingers.  Sumer fruits soaked in grappa – reminds you of the hot summer days and the grappa is pleasantly calming to a rather full tum!   Panettone – the traditional Christmas cake that is always purchased (and not home-made) in beautiful bright seasonal wrapping and full of raisins and candid fruit.

Local wine will abound throughout – fizzy Torbato so start with followed by cool white Vermentino and full-bodied red Cannonau.  Water will be the only soft drink on offer as a true Italian would never entertain a bottle of coca-cola (or the likes) anywhere near the table.  A good selection of home-made “digestivi” will help the digestion slowly get back to normal during the course of the afternoon (and also greatly help the post-lunch snooze!) – fruit liqueurs such as limoncino and the much loved “mirto” .

Should you wish to cheat a little and taste some of this wonderful food, typical dinners are often served throughout the year – if you stay at any of the following hotels you will be able to taste some of these super dishes rustled up by the experts!

Lu Ciaccaru - http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_hotels_lu-ciaccaru.php
Hotel Rocce Sarde - http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_hotels_hotel-rocce-sarde.php
Tenuta Pilastru - http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_hotels_agriturismo-tenura-pilastru.php
Su Gologone - http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/sardinia_hotels_hotel-su-gologone.php

Buon appetito e tanti auguri per un natale felice e pacifico.
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Former UK favourite on Lake Garda opens its 5 star deluxe doors after nine years

After a nine year absence, a former favourite on the UK market, set on the shores of Lake Garda, is set to re-open in Spring 2011. The Lido Palace Hotel, housed in a magnificent Liberty-style building, hosted Franz Kafka, Friedrick Nietzsche and Max Oppenheimer in its hey-day. When it closed its doors at the end of Summer 2002 it was a tired, but still popular 4 star hotel. This coming spring, following a $20 million refurbishment, it's re-opening as a five star deluxe resort.

It will be the first and only 5 star deluxe resort, not only on Lake Garda but in the entire Trentino area. Where previously there were 102 rooms, it returns with just 42, including 8 suites and 6 junior suites, 9 deluxe rooms and 18 doubles. They're classic, modern and minimalist.There's a 2000 square metre Spa and 30m outdoor pool. The hotel is set in private parkland and enjoys spectacular views of the lake. It's 65km from Verona airport and 75km from Brescia.

 The new style will be ‘former splendour and historic elegance mingling with chic contemporary style.' (please forgive the translation). Of the two restaurants one will offer a choice of innovative Mediterranean and laid-back, local cuisine, the other, old-school, sophisticated, gourmet fine dining. Award-winning AiTO tour operator Classic Collection Holidays (www.classic-collection.co.uk 0800 294 9315) which features more than 130 properties throughout Italy, offers 7 nights at the Lido Palace Hotel from £1484 per person in May ( £1522 in August) based on 2 adults sharing a lake view double room on a bed & breakfast basis. Price includes return flights Gatwick Verona and private transfers.  Junior suites add £112 per person per night.

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Forte Village - Sardinia

Just had a client who has just booked a holiday having called us from Forte Village, Sardinia as he had turned up on his private jet (as you do) to recce it for his family holiday in 2011.

That probably tells you everything you need to know about the quality of Forte Village and if only more of our clients at Design Holidays, had private jets we could offer them the ultimate pre holiday on site visit to ensure the holiday of their dreams - now that's what we call decadent !

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Berlusconi Wins Italy Vote of Confidence - Just !

Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi has won a vote of confidence by a margin of three votes, following a tense session in the lower house of Parliament and amid heavy protests outside in Rome. Mr Berlusconi also won an earlier vote in the Senate. He had urged MPs not to jeopardise the country's stability by ousting him.

Mr Berlusconi, 74, is halfway through a five-year term but his position has been weakened by a series of scandals largely involving his relationships with women. His critics argue the personal scandal surrounding Berlusconi plus the corruption allegations should be enough for him to step down. He has also lost the support of his closest political ally, Gianfranco Fini, along with dozens of his supporters, depriving him of his automatic majority in the lower house. But in the final vote, two opposition deputies switched sides and he won the vote by 314 votes to 311.

Mr Berlusconi's endless lobbying and pressure has paid off. But the margin was very thin - not enough to give him the new mandate he had wanted. That means his immediate political future is secure, but the long-term pressure on him is unlikely to subside, and this crisis will be postponed until the new year.

For more details:  BBC news

Ensure You Choose The Right Wedding Planner

What is the role of a Wedding Planner?

There are endless definitions and at the end of it all, how do you know which one to choose?  So based on the dilemmas facing many would be brides and grooms, here are just a few pointers from someone who has been in the business for quite a long time. I also have the grey hair around the temples look to show for it!

The role of the wedding planner or any planner, from event to travel planner is to facilitate, to mediate, to counsel, to advise, to negotiate, to calm everybody down, to be a punch bag, to have a sense of humour, good communication skills so that everybody knows when, what and how, charming, with a level of sophistication and creativity, knowledge.  A wedding planner should have a good fashion sense, this does not mean that your wedding planner's wardrobe must be filled with the fashions of Emanuel Ungaro's Autumn/Winter collection 2010, Valentino, Prada or Gerard Darel shoes and accessories….it means that she or he must have an eye for beautiful things and must be able to advise regarding colours, flowers, music, the general look and theme.

The wedding planner needs to be able to create and has to have a level of imagination and be able to share it with the couple however this imagination needs to be conservative and a little traditional yet there has to be a spark of adventure and sheer fantasy, Felliniesque type?  The wedding planner is there to ensure that the realistic budget you have set aside is used to its full potential and if the budget will not stretch, your wedding planner should be able to provide you with alternative suggestions or DIY ideas or may have to try and locate if possible suppliers who can meet her or his quota.

Your wedding planner must have the “full knowledge” so in the case of an Italian wedding planner and looking at myself in all this, your planner must know the rules and regulations in Italy and if he or she does not, then they should have the ability to investigate and challenge.  Your wedding planner must be a perfectionist, a workaholic, organized, well mannered however also brutally honest as it does save a lot of time, flexible, always available to the couple, stylish, a decision maker, understanding of religion, beliefs, cultures and traditions.  Your wedding planner must be fearless!

I hope this picture of the wedding planner has not put you in complete disarray but it is important to understand that when you do take on the services of a wedding planner that all the above is considered.

  How do I choose the right Wedding Planner?

It could all come down to trial and error however there is no time for error when it comes to your once day in a lifetime event so here are just a few suggestions…..again I will be leaning towards weddings in Italy since that is my specialization, however I am sure that there are parts here which will relate to wedding planners in the rest of the world.  Being a wedding planner has become big business over the last 5 years and now everybody is a wedding specialist, the hotels have their own wedding and events section and they have wedding coordinators on site and employed by them, farmhouses and B&Bs can now organize weddings, I even know of people who got married in Italy and now believe they have the qualification to be a fully fledged wedding planner but be wary of such pretences. 

Below I have selected 10 tips for choosing the right wedding planner and the most important aspect of it all is to ensure that you the couple actually get what you pay for.

1. Be wary of the wedding planner who will come or will insist on coming to see you but you cannot go and see them.

2. Make sure that your planner has a fixed land line.  Mobile numbers are great and we get calls transferred to our mobile when we are away from the office however mobile numbers are mobile, and any planner of any worth should have a land line as this shows a certain business stability?  Do your own research and you will see that the majority of established companies also have a landline.

3. Make sure that you know the legal entity of your wedding planner.  Will you be dealing with a sole trader?  A partnership?  A company?  This is quite important as it confirms that your planner is serious and runs their business in the best way possible.  It also confirms that that they exist so if it is a company ask for their company number and if they charge UK VAT make sure that they are VAT registered.

4. Ask questions if facts are not clear…. And some of the best questions to ask are:

How many years have you been in business?

Can you contact the clients or the couples who got married with you as indicated on your site

How many weddings have you arranged in the last 3 years….or even less years

Ask questions which are a littler more complex like have you been there yourself?  What is it like? How can you get from A to B and so forth. If they have not been there then that is fine as it shows an honesty on the part of the planner…..

5. If there is a massive price differentiation between one planner and another there must be a reason.  Just because one planner is more expensive than the other does not mean that you have to go with the “cheaper” option. There has to be a reason why one is cheaper than the other so it is really up to you to find out and ask.

6. Make sure that you can communicate fully with your wedding planner.  Does your wedding planner understand what you mean and what you are talking about?  Some couples think that planning your wedding with an Italian based planner will be cheaper…. Think again.  I would say that the costs work out to be if not different similar however you also need to consider the following: a)   If you want to meet up you need to fly to Italy however in the case of a UK based planner for example, you can go visit them or they can come visit you if need be… b)  You are only a UK based call away… Ok with Skype nowadays you have free telephone access but what about if Skype does not work or you are not at your computer or you wish to speak to your wedding planner early in the morning when all the computers are off? Or even late at night and you can only do it via landline or mobile?  c)   What happens if something goes wrong?  How are you going to deal with it if everyone is based in Italy? If you think organizing the documents is difficult and trust me it is not…. Then what on earth are you going to think about Italy's judicial system.  Things take slightly longer than they do here and of course you will be covered by Italian and European law and of course you may also need to go to Italy every now and then as you will not be able to do it all online.  d)   The beauty and benefits of working with some overseas-based wedding planners is that prices can be cheaper especially if you are paying in cash and I leave this to you to figure out. I do not want to be bias to overseas wedding planners as there are some great planners out there who are excellent if not some of the best in the world…. However I just want you to be aware of why sometimes there are differences in costs.

7. Make sure that your wedding planner has the facility to take credit or debit cards and if not why not…. Again this just adds to the stability of your wedding planner as to be able to take this facility ensures that a range of credit checks have taken place so if your planner can authorize payments by credit or debit card then the credit check has already been done on your behalf.

8. If your wedding planner is fluent in the language of the country they are promoting, then this is also a good sign.  Yes the English language today is universal however there are so many idioms, manners of expression, cultural and traditional elements that words can sometimes get a little mixed up and confused. For example, Italian does not use the present tense to make a connection to the present like the English do and as far as some vocabulary goes there are so many “false friends” where the meaning in reality is completely different or can have up to 3 different meanings.  So if your wedding planner can speak your language pretty well and you can understand them when you are talking on the phone and also in writing but that wedding planner also speaks the same language of the country they are promoting, then this is surely a plus.

9. Before appointing a wedding planner make yourself a list of all the things that are important to you and what your expectations are and share this with your wedding planner, who if they are being honest will be able to advise you if they feel that they will be able to accommodate you.

10. Before appointing a wedding planner speak to them. In this world of technology everyone relies on the computer and emails and more computers etc…. stop for a moment!  This is the most important time of your life… and you are going to do everything by email only?  Speak to your wedding planner, if they are not around leave a message, see how long it takes them to call you back, see if you like them, do they sound nice? Do they sound as though they know what they are talking about?  You need to know that your wedding planner will be the closest person to you for the whole planning stage which could be anything from 3 years to 6 months and on occasions even less, just thinking about a recent wedding which took place this November 2010 when contact was made on the 15^th October and we organized a whole event with guests flying from New Zealand, Australia, The US and other European destinations….in a matter of a few weeks…..It is so important that you get on with the planner and this will put you in good stead.

I hope this has given you some insight into what it is all about and the one thing you need to remember and to add to this is that all wedding planners are HUMAN…. Do not forget this as a lot of couples think that wedding planners are all Jennifer Lopez lookalikes with telepathic powers. Remember that we are all out there striving for perfection and we cannot read minds and really need you to achieve the ultimate.

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ANGELINA'S LOVE AFFAIR

Although the long awaited film ‘The Tourist' hasn't quite hit the mark (according to the latest reviews), it seems Angelina Jolie started a love affair of her own off screen.

The Hollywood superstar often sneaked out at night with her husband Brad Pitt during her stay in Venice whilst filming.  The couple chose to relocate to the Italian city with their six children whilst Jolie shot the film.

Visiting the wonderful Museums, following the cobbled streets to find hidden gems for Sunday breakfast or late night feasts, and hopping onto the ‘Vaporetto' boats as they sailed along the canals could not have been more romantic for the glamorous couple.

As for the actual romantic caper ‘The Tourist', based on the 2005 French thriller "Anthony Zimmer", it clearly sought to evoke the feel of early Hitchcock films but according to review, failed to hit the mark.

Sure, Jolie is as stunning as ever playing Elise, a mysterious, wealthy Englishwoman who obviously has an agenda behind those beguiling eyes, and Johnny Depp is quite the charmer as Frank, an ordinary community college math teacher from the U.S. captivated by her beauty after a chance encounter.

And of course, Venice, where the film is predominantly set, is picture-postcard perfect, but for the most part, that's where the enchantment and the tension in this thriller ends.

Despite the lack of "oomph" in the plot, however, the scenery remains breathtaking, Venice is almost as beautiful as the porcelain good looks of Angelina Jolie and the charisma of Johnny Depp. If nothing else, the film will certainly make you consider a holiday in Venice.

Check out ABTOI tour operators to see who can help you plan your dream break to Venice click here

Tickling your Taste Buds in Umbria

The central Italian region of Umbria is all about food, (as most of Italy appears to be!). The simple, rustic country cooking is testimony to its rural history. We give you some seasonal specialities of Umbria that you really should not miss.

Affettati (cold cuts):  The staple meat of the Umbrian diet is pork, lovingly dried and cured into an amazing array of salame, prosciutto, dried sausage, and pancetta. Most rural families butcher their own pig during the winter, and by spring are shaving off paper-thin slices of salty prosciutto or chunks of peppery corallina.

Local foraging: Foraging for wild produce in the Umbrian mountains continues year round and local rural families rely on this to supplement their food. Delicious blackberries in the summer, mushroom hunting in the autumn and when Spring comes, wild asparagus in abundance.

Porchetta:
Everyone welcomes summer, the season of street food where you can buy a towering roast pork sandwich. This crispy yet moist, lean yet fatty, mild yet savory delicacy is a whole pig deboned, then stuffed with garlic, rosemary, fennel, and a variety of other wild herbs and cooked on a spit over a wood fire. Porchettai (vendors) can be found in piazzas across Umbria, pitching their mouthwatering sandwiches from white vans..

Torta al Testo:
Summer is also the season for local food festivals which are usually organized around a central ingredient or dish — the roast goose sagra, the porcini sagra, the polenta sagra all served with the stable diet of Umbrian cooking:  torta al testo - a flatbread (torta) cooked on a round metal or stone griddle which was traditionally set over the coals. It is usually served stuffed with grilled sausages, prosciutto, cooked greens, or soft cheese and arugula…or plain, as a substitute for bread with a meat course.

Wine:
During Autumn, local wineries harvest their grapes fom the rolling vineyard covered hills, and brew up some of Italy's best vino: Montefalco's fullbodied red (Sagrantino) and crisp whites from Orvieto and Torgiano.  Visit the boutique local vintners and taste their wines at the source. Try La Strada del Sagantino's website to help you plan a visit.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Just as the grape harvest finishes, the olive harvest begins. Across the hills and through the valleys, you can see the olive groves come alive with pickers.  During the months of November and December, small towns in the oil producing area host Frantoi Aperti when one can visit the olive oil mills, taste the peppery new oil, and participate in dinners with autumn fare and live jazz or classical concerts.

Truffles:
More precious than gold, the prized white truffle is one of the most expensive foods in the world and despite being found year round, they grow in very few places.  More delicate in flavour than the black truffle, they should be grated over pasta, used in sauces or to simply flavour frittatas and pates.

There are three main truffle fairs in Umbria every winter – Città di Castello, Valtopina, and Norcia — where you can sample truffle products from across the region.

Skiing in Livigno: resort overview and accommodation

With an altitude of 1,800-3,000m, heavy snowfall is guaranteed between Nov and May; its duty-free status means that it is exceptionally cheap  – so is Livigno the new star of the Italian ski world?
Livigno is an Italian resort with a fantastic European following. As a duty free location, Livigno offers excellent prices if you are buying designer clothes, electronic goods, perfumes, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. It therefore attracts mostly the young, families and budget conscious groups of skiers and holidaymakers. It offers good value drinks, food and accommodation. There is an excellent choice of dining possibilities in some of the best and most reasonably priced restaurants in the ski dome. In fact the whole area offers a fun, laid back atmosphere. Livigno makes no claims to sophistication or airs about being a jet set destination. It is simply a good value, good fun, "lets do it" type of ski resort surrounded by breathtaking scenery and pretty wooden chalet style structures. At times, Livigno looks and feels like the quintessential winter wonderland.  The village itself is located in the most northern province of the Lombardy region.


Skiing in Livigno
For skiers, Livigno has excellent possibilities and is blessed with a more than adequate selection of skiable terrain. As the highest liveable resort in Europe, Livigno often has snow when lower resorts do not. Snowmaking facilities now also cover more than half of the pistes. The skiing on both sides of the valley is best suited to those of beginner and intermediate talents with little on tap for the real expert. With more than 30 lifts on both sides of the mountain and scores of ski pass sales points you will never be too far away from either a ski area or a place to buy your ticket. You might also like to know that each of Livigno's ski areas (6 in all) has its own website and most have their own ski school. Ski buses in Livigno are free with a valid ski pass.

Livigno has 12 black, 37 red and 29 blue pistes. Experienced skiers can satisfy their desire for speed on steep and long slopes among which the exciting Giorgio Rocca run. Families and beginners can use the easy runs and many of the well equipped fun areas for learning the basic techniques. The Little Tibet offers a modern network of lift installations: 6 cabin lifts, 13 chair lifts and 11 draglifts with a total capacity of 47.300 people per hour. For info about ski pass and prices: http://www.skipasslivigno.com/
Ice climbing can be undertaken on a range of frozen waterfalls. Livigno also has 3 rock climbing walls. There is also a bowling alley, sports centre, night-ski-dooing and many other activities to keep you busy off the slopes.


Refuges and après-ski
The distinguished gastronomical delights of the area are offered by the mountain refuges: from fast food, to self-service, to restaurants with wonderful alpine views. There are 10 or so mountain huts in Livigno. Mottolino, Camanel di Planon, Costaccia and Carosello refuges are able to satisfy the most demanding tastes with renowned Italian dishes that bring out the typical local products. Besides its refuges on the slopes and on the summits of the mountains, close to the lifts there are various bars and pubs that offer a wide range of drinks and snacks.
Livigno is also known for the liveliness of its "apres-ski". Those seeking an après-ski culture that is more than hearty need not look any further. One of the few places with real ambience is Kuhstull with live music, cabaret and karaoke.


Accommodation:
Holiday Homes in Italy offer a lovely chalet with self catering studio apartments only 150m from the lifts: Chalet Livigno


How to get to Livigno by Plane
- Innsbruck (Austria): 180 km
-Zurich (Switzerland): 200 km

Airport Transfer:
Livigno Express offers you the possibility to get to the ski slopes in a fast and comfortable way.You can choose one of the transfers from and to the major airports of Milano Malpensa, Bergamo Orio al Serio and Inssbruck and with a simple click you can create the service most suitable to your needs. Visit the website www.livignoexpress.com to have more information about the schedule, the prices or to buy your ticket online.


By Car:
From south-east via the Passo del Foscagno (2.291 m) and the Eira (2.210 m) along route nr. 301, connecting Livigno with Bormio and the Alta Valtellina
From south-west via the Passo della Forcola (2.315 m), connecting Livigno - from June to October - to Switzerland via the Poschiavo, the Tirano and the Media Valtellina
From the north via the Bernina (2.323 m) to the High Engadine (Pontresina, St. Moritz, Samedan and SilvaPlàna)
From north-east via the Strada del Gallo and the De La Schera tunnel to the Lower Engadine (Zernez).

By Train;
TRAIN AND BUS FROM MILAN: Train from Milan to Tirano - Ferrovie dello Stato Tirano -Tel. 0342.70.13.14 (information on local traffic only); or 89.20.21 www.trenitalia.com with bus connection from Tirano to Livigno (change at Bormio) Autobus Perego Bormio - Tel. 0342.90.50.90 http://www.busperego.com/

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Celebrity Chef Locatelli relaxing at soloSicily Villa Olga in Menfi, Sicily

Villa rental specialist soloSicily chose the magic of Sicily Southern coast to charm celebrity Chef Locatelli during his holiday in Sicily at Villa Olga in Menfi. Villa Olga's ultra modern style, stunning pool area and amazing endless front sandy beach deeply impressed Giorgio Locatelli, who declared: "...Having stayed all over Sicily for the past twelve years, this is the most relaxing and beautiful place that I have stayed in so far. The sea view is breath taking, the peace and quiet totally rejuvenating (...) I would recommend a stay at Villa Olga to all..."

To visit all soloSicily Villas: www.soloSicily.com
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Venice Under Water

It was only a few months ago that I was ambling across Piazza San Marco watching the pigeons being chased by smart Italian waiters in starched white aprons.  You can imagine the shock when I saw the recent pictures of Venice under water!
Apparently, it was the deepest flood in 22 years, reaching a depth of 1.56m (5ft, 1 in.), the fourth highest flood level in recent history.  Although this flood was severe enough for the mayor to ask tourists to temporarily stay home, Venetian floods are fairly routine and residents usually take it all in their stride.                                                            

Alitalia Wins Award

Alitalia, Italy's largest airline, has scooped the "Best Airline Cuisine" award.

More than 25,000 travellers responded to the lastest Readers Survey from Global Taveler to determine the best in business and luxury travel for 2010.

The introduction of showcasing culinary specialities from Italy's regions in its Magnifica Class cabin has been very successful.  It is part of a new initiative by Alitalia to ensure clients receive 'an authentic taste of Italy'. 

The wines served in Magnifica Class are paired with each menu and are hand-selected by the Italian Sommelier Association.  Magnifica Class service also includes linens designed by Italian luxury brand Frette, tablewre designed by Richard Ginori and personal care items created by Culti.

Italy in shock return to the Eurovision song contest!

Italy is poised to make a comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest after a break of 13 years reports the BBC today (must be a slow news day!)

The country is expected to take to the stage in Dusseldorf, Germany, where the competition is due to be held next May. Italy participated in the first contest in 1956 and has won twice in its history, most recently in 1990. Financial reasons and a lack of Italian public interest in the annual event have often been cited for their decision to stay away since 1997. Jorgen Franck, the acting director of Eurovision TV, said it was a "great compliment" that Italy has applied to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest again. "We are eager to show the Italian people how the contest evolved over the past 13 years. I am sure they will be positively surprised!" he added.

Countries taking part in the 2011 contest have until the end of the year to confirm their participation, but a spokesman said there is "no reason to believe Italy will pull out".

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Sardinia - the Vandal invaders & Gerri Halliwell

Around this time each year we review the content on our website (www.sardinianplaces.co.uk) to make sure everything is up to date and still relevant. Today I came across an article a colleague had added during the summer about well known people holidaying in Sardinia. In particular the article mentioned the walking role model that is Naomi Campbell and Prince Andrew. Co-incidentally Prince Andrew is in the news again at the moment following a few outspoken remarks whilst heading a trade delegation in Kyrgizstan. Now I know Sardinia has long been regarded as a glamorous summer retreat for the rich and famous, but how true is this? Most of the customers that travel with us, often families with younger children always seems quite grounded and down to earth, is Sardinia really awash with film stars, media moguls and international jet-setters? 

A quick google of “celebrities in Sardinia” threw up a few names, some more familiar than others, Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Paul Smith, Sebastian Vettel, Christiano Ronaldo.....delving deeper into the search results revealed a footballing holy-trinity of “Lampard, Redknapp & Crouch” followed by Christine Bleakley, Gerri Halliwell one particular search result screamed “Janet Jackson vacations in her bikini!” as if wearing a bikini on holiday were strange or extraordinary. So it would seem there is some credence to this whole Sardinian celebrity appeal. So what is the draw? As an island (and a big one at that) located in the Mediterranean, for exploring and expanding nations Sardinia was a place that would be hard to miss. From Phoenicians to Romans, Vandals to Arabs, Genoans to Spaniards all have held and lost control of the island. I guess you could say that Sardinia has always been popular.

Sardinia of the modern era, whilst indisputably Italian retains a fiercely independent character, shaped over time by its interaction with many nations. Different cultures have all contributed to the art, architecture and cultural life of Sardinia. Is this what draws Gerri and Christine, Frank and Jamie? Probably not, I suspect it is the great beaches, climate and fashionable reputation that pulls in the celebrity crowd.  In reality if you visit Sardinia it's probably not that likely that you are will bump into Rod Stewart (it depends on who you are as much as where you go on holiday), you will off course get to breathe the same air, bask in the same gorgeous sunlight and dip a toe in the same turquoise sea....

Discovering Southern Sicily with The Guardian

I came across an interesting article on The Guardian website about Southern Sicily by Lisa Allardice. Here is the opening paragraph...

"Excuse me," says Gioacchino Sortino – who looks every sharp-suited inch the Sicilian businessman – reaching for his mobile. "It's my mama, she worries about me." And Gioacchino is worried about us. Wild, beautiful, unpredictable – and a little bit scary, Sicily has lived up to its tempestuous reputation by staging the most spectacular electrical storm

Great intro! Lisa travelled with ABTOI member SoloSicily, if you would like to read some more here is the link to the article Southern Sicily

Italian restaurants keep their 3-star Michelin ratings

Whoops of delight across Italy as no less than six Italian restaurants have retained their top-three star rating in the 2011 Michelin Italy guide. The six are (in no particular order...)

• Sorriso di Soriso near Novara
• Le Calandre at Sarmeola di Rubano near Padua
• Dal Pescatore at Canneto sull'Olglio near Mantua
• Florence's Enoteca Pinchiorro
• Da Vitorio in Brusaporto
• Heinz Beck's La Pergola at the Rome Hilton

If that weren't enough there are a further 32 restaurants awarded two Michelin stars and a further 233 with a single star. So how does that compare to old blighty I hear you ask, well in 2010 the UK had a total of 4 (yes, FOUR) 3-star Michelin restaurants - this was cause for major celebration at the time -  and a total of 140 restaurants with any kind of star rating. You can read more about the sterling efforts of the Italian chefs here;
ITALIAN RESTAURANTS KEEP THEIR THREE-STAR MICHELIN RATINGS

Superfast pizza delivery service

Italy is renowned for many things, not least fabulous food and high performance cars. Alberto Valotta, an Italian restaurant owner in Hemel Hempstead has come up with the genius idea of combining both by offering a pizza delivery service in a 552bhp Lamborghini Gallardo. This, surely unique, service is sadly only available to the residents of Hemel Hempstead and even then for one night only - Friday 26th November. 


Alberto's supercar service mark's his restaurant's 12th birthday, not only will your dinner arrive in style you will also receive a 10% discount on your order (now you can't say fairer than that!). After Friday the Lamborghini can be requested by customers, but with regret, Alberto says there will be "an additional modest surcharge of £700 per delivery".  

"Tuscany still the most popular holiday region in Italy!"

The results of the most recent survey of ABTOI members has revealed that Tuscany continues to be the leading holiday region to Italy for UK travellers. 55% of UK operators named Tuscany as the top area for bookings between July and September this year.  


Read more at Opodo Travel News


Find out more about Tuscany - visit LoveItaly.co.uk

Naples, a city misunderstood

A city which has been greatly misunderstood during the years and my dedication to Naples is because it was the city and still is, the one that strikes me the most. Naples like Venice is unique and incomparable.  Arriving in Naples is like eating ice cream for the very first time. Naples is a living city, it moves, it breathes, it feels and eats and drinks and sings….

Everything in Naples is on a grand scale, the piazzas, the monuments and the churches and there are more than 30 churches in this city and more than 200 shrines.  Here grandeur coexists with the cobbled alleyways, washing put out to dry dripping from the rusty balconies, women lowering buckets from the top floor windows and getting them filled with groceries or letters from the Postino who is called Salvatore, where the children play at being Maradona in Piazza del Plebiscito or where the goal posts are the doors of the magnificent Duomo where San Gennaro’s (Naples Patron Saint) remains are kept.  Naples is fascinating as it has no order and in this chaos there is an identity which has manifested itself into a philosophy, which is the Neapolitan’s way of life, getting on with it!

Read on here
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Weddings Tips for An Italian Summer Wedding

Every time we speak to our wedding clients there is always this desire to have everything outside, the ceremony, the reception everything which is a great idea and of course an Italian wedding in the open air is lovely.... but with everything in life there are also many negatives to think about. of course my role is to not put a dampner on things but to help couples so that you are aware and can think about things. So here are my top 20 tips if you are intent on having a Summer wedding. italiansummerwedding

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A Wedding in Venice

Is there any place like this in the entire world, that is the question I keep on asking. Venice is just incredible, everything about it is sheer perfection but of course if you do not like water then this is not really the place for you.

Interested... Read on

www.weddingsmadeinitaly.co.uk/links.asp


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Green travel - train is the answer!

Why not travel by rail the next time you are planning to go to Italy? Rail travel is possible, greener, more affordable and less stressful...

No check in, no check out, no need to take your shoes off (unless you travel in a comfortable sleeper from Paris overnight of course!), no queue, no small seats and problems to stretch your legs - basically a different way for getting from A to B, and a civilised way!


Contact International Rail on sales@internationalrail.com and ask us about it!

Enrico
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