A Day in Siena

If you are planning a stay in a self-catering property in Tuscany, you might want to spend some time exploring Siena.

Renowned as one of Italy's most enchanting cities, Siena is the perfect place to spend a day. With a historic medieval town centre, several attractive churches and a collection of fascinating museums, you are sure to find plenty of places to explore.

While legend states that Siena was founded by the son of Remus, its founders were most likely Etruscan and the settlement was a fully-fledged town by the first century BC.

However, it is Siena's medieval history that is arguably the most fascinating and you'll be able to get a firsthand glimpse of art and architecture from this time as you explore the city.

Siena was allied to Florence for nearly a century from the late 1200s and it is during this period that the city enjoyed prosperous growth. This is when many of the city's distinctive Gothic buildings were constructed, as well as landmarks including the magnificent Duomo cathedral, Palazzo Comunale and the famous Piazza del Campo.

The latter is not to be missed during a holiday to Siena. Considered to be one of the finest medieval squares in Europe, the piazza is known for its striking architectural design and plays host to a number of different events throughout the year.

Of these, the Palio di Siena is among the most exciting. This horse race is held twice a year and is a great favourite with locals and tourists alike.

Since 1966, motor traffic - with the exception of scooters - has been banned from the heart of the city, so you can stroll at your leisure without worrying about speeding cars.

In fact, the entire historic centre of Siena has been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site thanks to its important medieval architecture.

If you want a deeper look into Siena's rich history, its art museums are also well worth exploring - particularly the Pinacoteca, which houses works dating back to its prosperous medieval heyday.

Whether you choose to base yourself in Siena or visit the city as part of your stay in Tuscany villas, you are sure to have a memorable break in this stunning historic destination.


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Location of the Month......

Our location for the month of February and early March must be MATERA in the region of Basilicata, southern Italy. Enchanting, magical, unique and surreal, sad yet deeply spiritual, perfect, mystical, an historical fairytale, haunting and eerie?  There is a tranquil sacredness and stillness when you are here which is only disturbed by the distant sound of a vespa or perhaps the intensity of the midday sun.  Matera shows how creative, clever and able man was and still is, managing to create a city out of a rocky ravine and transforming a landscape into living architecture. However Matera also shows the other side of man, uncaring and blind, becoming Italy's great scandal.

Matera has been loved by poets and film directors alike, from the writings of Carlo Levi to Pasolini, Rosi, Tornatore, The Taviani brothers and Mel Gibson to name but a few, each commenting on it undisputed standing amongst the best.  This is truly a place to visit and to fully appreciate this sacred place we suggest a local guide to take you round and discover its true soul. Here are some simple facts about Matera.  To read more.


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20 Romantic Things to do In Italy

1. Walk through San Marco in the early morning… best to do this in Spring or Summer just before sunrise.  It is just you and the early morning slowly stirring.

2. Take the early morning Vatican tour and get to experience the Sistine Chapel in its full glory just you, your partner and the guide.  There may be some other people there however not the crowds.  You will definitely be moved!

3. Get yourself organized and pre-book tickets for the Accademia Gallery in Florence and get to see David in the “flesh” ……… for all you others who prefer the female form how about pre booking the Uffizi and checking out Botticelli's "The birth of Venus".

4. Watch the sunset from the terraces of Ravello over a Mimosa cocktail or even better, a Rossini!

5. Book a table for 2 with candle-light at the 2 star Michelin Villa Crespi and enjoy one of the tasting menus which have been designed with you in mind.

6. Drive from a selection of classic convertibles including Alfa Romeo duetto 1967, MG MIDGET 1968, and AC COBRA 1977 to name but a few. We highly recommend that you choose to do this on the Amalfi Coast. The leather gloves, the foulard, the soft breeze in your hair, the dramatic scenery....

7. A romantic and private boat tour for 2 on Lake Como with your chilled bottle of Italian Sparkling wine.  Admire the lakeside villas which beckon you - Villa d'Este, Villa Erba, Villa Olmo, Villa Fontanelle, Villa Cassinella, the wonderful Villa Balbianello, Villa Carlotta……

8. Enjoy chocolate cuddles in Montecatini with an anti-age “Choco Energy” face treatment followed by a slimming-energizing “Choco Minceur” body treatment based on the properties of cocoa, chocolate, black pepper and honey.  If you fancy something a little more wine based… go for a purifying rebalancing wine treatment with a Chianti Sangiovese grape must  body scrub with massage followed by an ozone bath with wine nectar (Virgin Red Grape Juice), facial muscle toning massage and gel masks with Chardonnay Grapes from Lake Garda, strawberry juice and raspberry honey.

9. Enjoy wine tasting in the Roman cellars of this excellent restaurant in Piazza Erbe in the historical centre of Verona. With over 600 labels and a total of 7000 bottles managed and cared for by qualified and highly competent staff.  Or if you fancy something a little more intimate try a candle-lit dinner for 2 in the cellar with your own personal waiter for the night.

10. Why not spend 1 night in this wonderful hotel and enjoy a bottle of the veneto's finest in the evening under Juliet's balcony, just you, your partner and the stillness of the courtyard.

11. Try something a little different and stay in this “unique” art hotel where reality and fantasy seem to coexist in every room.  For all you lovers we suggest – La Torre di Sigismondo, an art room created by the movie director Raoul Ruiz.  With a huge round bed which revolves and occupies the entire space of the tower. Guests have the opportunity of opening up the roof revealing the starry sky.

12. What about a night at the opera? With so much romance to choose from: La Boheme at La Fenice in Venice in February/March; Romeo & Juliet at La Scala in Milan in June; Madame Butterfly in Teatro Petruzzelli Bari in July.....

13. Why not take part in the Venice Carnival and dress up for the occasion. Choose from the Commedia dell'Arte (costumes of 16^thcentury Italian theatrical characters), historical costumes of the ages, 1700 Veneziano to fancy dress.  With this comes all the accessories, the masks, the hats, the gloves, the shoes…..Be part of the mystery and make it romantic.

14. Enjoy a long bath and we have the perfect tub for you at this unique hotel Philippe Starck is in full swing here and the bathtub is just to die for… smooth and soft like marble allowing you to reach the height of total relaxation.  Add some essential oils to your water, rose petals and a few candles and I guarantee you will not want to come out.

15. When choosing your Italian coastal property, make sure that you opt for the room with an external Jacuzzi.

16. Stay in our candle-lit cave in the heart of Matera.

17. Hire a Vespa in Rome and discover the hidden treasures which await. Become Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn for the day.

18. In this section there are 3 things we feel will add to a romantic soiree a deux… Pizza in Naples. Particularly good pizzerias in Naples are rewarded with a vera pizza emblem. Some of the best are Brandi, the Lombardi in Via Benedetto Croce, 59, and last but not least da Pasqualino in Piazza Sannazzaro 78/9.  The Neopolitans eat their pizza with beer and when all is finished head to the Gran Caffè La Caffettiera in Piazza dei Martiri for a good cup of coffee and then end your evening with a Gelato (ice-cream)…and here are some of the best Naples has to offer…Bilancione in Via Posillipo 238, Otranto in Via Scarlatti 78, which specialises in seasonal fruit ice creams.  Chalet Ciro a Mergellina in Via Caracciolo and not forgetting Gran Bar Riviera in Riviera di Chiaia 181 and Remy Gelo in Via F. Galiani 30.

19. A balloon trip for 2 over Tuscany.

20. Head out to your own Italian island retreat.  Check out destinations like Pantelleria, Salina, Elba, Ponza, Stromboli…….. many more hidden gems.

Need a bit of romance?  A romantic break?  Want to celebrate something special?  Anniversary, honeymoon, a special moment?   Contact Rosa Spatola on 01424 728900.

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ASK THE EXPERTS: How to achieve a good value family holiday to Italy

If you are considering a family holiday to Italy, it doesn't mean big price tags.  If you plan your trip well with the help of tour operators who really know the country inside out and who specialize in exactly what you are looking for, you will have a fabulous value for money family holiday in marvelous Italy.  And we all know Italy IS marvelous.

To wet your appetite, we have some tips that have been provided by ABTOI  members, all UK operators organizing holidays to Italy, many you will know.

Its just common sense to consider areas where tourists do not flock but undoubtedly its difficult for you to know exactly where these areas might be, after all, the papers and magazines are full of Rome, Venice, Amalfi and Tuscany. As glorious as they all are, other areas that don't get a look in possibly because of regional tourist budgets, are often as comparative and just as gorgeous.

Many ABTOI members suggest heading for the south and not north. Take tours of Etruscan villages instead of the Tuscan hill towns. Go to Sicily and stay on the West instead of East coast, take a trip to the beaches of Puglia instead of Sardinia. Have fun mingling with all the locals on Ponza instead of trying to rub elbows with the rich in Capri.

Some ABTOI members suggest heading for the upper northern regions of Italy, regions that only Italians know to take their holidays in.  The greatest advantage is that you are guaranteed not to hear another British accent.  Immersing yourself in the Italian way of life is a wonderful experience for your children.

ABTOI members suggest self catering and the more members of your family and perhaps friends you can bring along on holiday, the cheaper it gets! Italy is famous for their 10 bedroomed palazzo, so you can live like a king for about £200 per week. And how very Italian to go away with the complete family, we mean uncles, aunts, grandmas and cousins.

Probably the greatest invention on the tourism circuit is the wonderful Agriturismo.  What a brilliant idea they are.  Farms have converted some of their land and buildings into accommodation for tourists. These can range from rustic bed and breakfast to gorgeous villas and self catering apartments normally starting from Euro 40 per person per night. They usually have huge swimming pools and a restaurant in case you get fed up with cooking the pasta and pesto.

ABTOI members suggest concentrating on one particular area to become familiar with. You will reduce your transportation costs and this will let you increase your options on where to stay. This way you can use your self catering villa as a base to explore the region.

The beauty of self catering is not having to sit in a restaurant umpteen times a day and all week feeling like you are being ripped off.  There is something smug and satisfying about strolling to the nearest local deli to buy your fresh bread, pastries, olives and local vino.

It's a good idea to find out from locals where they prefer to eat at. You are more than likely going to be directed to a far better place to eat at a lot lower cost than if you tried to find a place on your own. Stay away from places called ristorantis and try and go with the Osterias and trattorias. You will definitely see a drop in the cost of eating out.

And another bit of advice, never tip, the Italians never do!

To find an expert Uk holiday operator to help you plan your fantastic family holdiay to Italy:
http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/contact.asp

Easter in Tuscany

Courtesy of HRH Prince William and Kate, we will all benefit from an extended Easter Bank Holiday this year.  The Royal Wedding on April 29th means many are planning on taking a break away and one of our favourite Easter destinations is ....... Tuscany. 

Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Italian calendar and Tuscany does it in style.  On Easter Sunday, hundreds gather at the world-renowned Piazza del Duomo in Florence to experience the legendary Explosion of the Cart. 


On Palm Sunday, the Cascine Park also in Florence hosts the Fiera Quaresimale (Lent Fair), an eclectic mix of clothes, leather goods, shoes, fruits, flowers and much more. 

Book now to ensure you don't miss out on this fantastic time in the Italian calendar. http://www.cottagestocastles.com/

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ITALY Steals the Show for Romance, Culture and Food

Flights comparison website Skyscanner.net has revealed the results of its Travel Awards 2010 as voted by more than 600 travellers and it seems the love affair with France is over as Italy snatches many of the top awards.

When it comes to love and the most romantic holiday, Rome, Venice and Lake Como has clearly outshone its neighbour in the awards, winning the title of ‘Most Romantic Country’ by far with 33% of the votes compared to just 19% from its closest competitor. 

Culture vultures also favoured Italy as it received the award for Best Destination for Culture. Italy also ran away with the award for Best Cuisine. And received ‘runner up’ for the Most Beautiful Country.

Yara Paoli, Skyscanner Italian country expert commented:

“Italy is a very popular destination for British tourists and it’s great to see Italy being recognised for what it can offer; excellent cuisine, romantic cities and a host of great cultural attractions.”
For your perfect Italian holidays, find an ABTOI member who can help plan and book your trip.
http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/

An Italian Wedding?

What makes an Italian wedding so different and why is it that more and more people are choosing Italy to tie the knot?

All you need to do is to watch great movies like the Godfather where Al Pacino has to leave America and takes refuge in Sicily, where he then marries a young local woman Apollonia Vitelli and here we see simplicity in motion.  Or why not watch romantic Italian movies, Much Ado About Nothing or a Room with a view and you'll know that the land of Italy is steeped in a romantic culture. The fresh flowers and purple bougainvillea, the rolling hills of green, the food and wine, the beautiful buildings and interiors, music, the colours of the facades and nature, gold, ochre…..earthly colours, all inspiration to get your heart racing and your blood pumping. This is the land of St Valentine, Juno, Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses who the Romans worshipped. Read More

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TURIN'S TURN

Whilst the majority of tourists going to Italy head for the same old, same old, those savvy travellers ‘in the know’ will take a left turn and slip into Turin with a smirk on their faces.

And quite justified too. The beautiful old baroque city is more than just the ex capital of Italy when the nation was born 150 years ago. Amongst a host of other things, Turin is also responsible for Gianni Agnelli and the Fiat, the Alfa Romeo and home to the Slow Food movement’s Salone del Gusto. 

If ever there was an excuse to visit this glamorous city, it’s at the end of October for this five day slow food feste – the Salone del Gusto.  It’s a fantastic biennial food festival that showcases quality small-scale producers from around the world.  More than 200,000 visitors turn up to sample the fabulous food and drink from more than 900 stallholders.

When you finally drag yourself away, there are 155 palazzi, museums and churches to explore as well as the fabulous shopping in Via Roma. In total, almost nine miles of grand marble arcades to pop in and out of and when the going gets tough, sink into a richly velvet and gilt decorated belle époque cafe for a bicerin - a rich blend of coffee, cream and hot chocolate.  

And just when you think you may have covered the lot, someone reminds you to visit the Duomo di San Giovanni which is where the Turin Shroud is kept!

A weekend is hardly enough but if that’s all you have, try to lay your head in one of the many art deco hotels or elegant 300 year old palazzos.  

Turin is breathtaking.

Contact a member of ABTOI, an operator who can help you plan your break to Turin. More information on Turin, Piedmont and the tour operators  

For more details on the Slow Food Movement and Salone del Gusto: Salone del Gusto

TAKING THE TRAIN IN ITALY

One of the most frequent questions asked when planning to travel around Italy by train is whether one should buy an Italy rail pass.

Italian trains are still relatively inexpensive so while having an Italy rail pass may be convenient it doesn't usually save you money unless you are taking several long distance train trips (from northern Italy to southern Italy and back for example) or traveling to Italy from another country. If you buy an Italian train pass you will still have to make (and pay for) seat reservations on high-speed trains.

Regional trains in Italy are inexpensive so using a train pass for regional trains and even most Intercity trains is not saving any money.

There are many types of European rail passes available including passes good for train travel in a single country or for multiple countries. Train tickets in most other European countries are generally more costly than those in Italy so if you're traveling by train in another country in addition to Italy you may want to consider a two-country pass

Eurostar (ES or Treni Eurostar Italia)
Italy's premier train, not to be confused with the Eurostar. Seat reservations on Eurostar Italia are manditory. Eurostar travels swiftly between major Italian cities.

Intercity and the newer Intercity Plus trains
Relatively fast trains that run the length of Italy, stopping at the large cities. First and second class service is available. First class coaches offer slightly better seats and are generally less populated. Seat reservations are compulsary on the Intercity Plus trains, and the fee is included in the ticket price.

Regionale (Regional Trains)
These are the local trains, often running around work and school schedules. They are cheap and usually reliable--but seats can be hard to find on major routes. Many regional trains have only second class seats, but if available, consider first class, asking for Prima Classe, per favore, it's less likely to be full.

Helpful Tip:                                                                                                    

Before board your train--validate your ticket! Find the yellow box and insert the end of your ticket. This prints the time and date of the first use of your ticket, and makes it valid for the journey. When the guard comes round to inspect your ticket, if it’s not validated, the fines are stiff! (around Euro 50)

For more detailed information on Italy's rail system, check with ABTOI member International Rail, the specialist Italian Rail travel provider who can help you with all your concerns:   http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/company-details.asp?Company=33

Carnival Capers at Half-Term

If you've ‘done' Venice and Rio and are looking for a colourful new   carnival experience, head for Acireale where Sicily's oldest and most spectacular carnival takes place on the island's east coast.

Dating back to the 16th century, the Acireale Carnival (19 February-8 March)  is best known for its spectacular floral displays and floats.  Today, celebrations include street parades and entertainers and fortunately, the former egg and orange-throwing has been replaced by marching bands, dancers and masked performers.

Acireale is a seaside city at the foot of Mount Etna, just a few miles from   Taormina and with some fantastic Baroque architecture.  Stay at one of our properties (http://www.solosicily.com/), either in the heart of Acireale at the Melaverde apartment or in an independent cottage at The Queen's Jewels, a farm estate in the stunning Taormina countryside.