Blessed Basilicata

Not many fans of Italy can say they have been to Basilicata and many no doubt, have not even heard of it.  Its one of those regions that rarely gets a mention although there are some wonderful areas to explore as well as the fabulously long Ionian coastline of pristine silver sand beaches.  The region is blessed with spectacular hill top villages and historic sites, Abbeys and volcanic lakes.

Matera Sassi – the first human settlement in Italy

Check out the fascinating Sassi di Matera -  ‘stones of Matera' - prehistoric cave dwellings in the Italian city of Matera. Situated in the old town, they are composed of the Sasso Caveoso and the later Sasso Barisano.  They originate from a prehistoric (troglodyte) settlement, and are suspected to be some of the first human settlements in Italy.

The Sassi are houses dug into the tuff rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Puglia. Many of these "houses" are really only caverns, and the streets in some parts of the Sassi often are located on the rooftops of other houses. The ancient town grew in height on one slope of the ravine created by a river that is now a small stream.

Craco – the ‘ghostly' abandoned village

The medieval village of Craco is about 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the instep of the “boot” of Italy between Matera and the Pollino National Park.  It's not accessible unless you have a car as it's on a hill that has suffered from landslides and is crumbling away.

The old centre is uninhabited and although it's not permitted to walk through the ruins, the view of the town on approach is quite spectacular. It is possible to walk up to the Castle's tower at the summit and admire the amazing panorama.

Craco was built on a very steep summit, for defensive reasons, giving it a stark and striking appearance and distinguishing it from the surrounding lands which are characterized by soft shapes. The center, built on the highest side of the town, facing a ridge runs steeply to the southwest where newer buildings exist. The town sits atop a 400 meter high cliff that overlooks the Cavone River
                                                                            valley.

Lake Monticchio  and the Benedictine Abbey

Just southwest of Melfi is Laghi di Monticchio - 2 beautiful volcanic lakes, surrounded by thick, green vegetation perfect for walking year round.  With the stately Benedictine Abbey of San Michele looking down across the lakes, high in the forests, it's a wonderful place of calm.




For information and help with a holiday to the region of Basilicata http://www.loveitaly.co.uk/regions.php?id=3

More Music More Sport More For Clean Energy A Better World, In Sicily Next Week

Palermo in Sicily, Italy hosts the World festival on the beach next week. The twenty sixth World festival on the beach event starts on the 16 May and runs through to the 22 May 2011.

There is a fantastic combination of water sports contests as well a beach sports complemented by air displays and live music, their motto is “More Music More Sport .. .. More for Clean Energy a Better World”. What more could you ask for?

The World festival on the beach attracts contestants from far and wide to the beautiful north coast of Sicily where they battle it out in the water either sailing, windsurfing, wakeboard, surfing, kite surfing, stand up paddle or zipping around in A class Hobie Cats. A great spectacle in the bay of Palermo.

The golf driving contest, the fencing events and volley ball take place on the beach. Look to the blue skies and you can enjoy watching the air show, sky diving and paragliding. The beach stage is taken by the musicians who offer classic, jazz and contemporary entertainment into the evening.

It is unusual to come across an event with quite so much variety and in many ways it highlights just how much the Italian island of Sicily has to offer apart from the rich culture and natural wonders for which it is well known. Perhaps explaining why Sicily has become such a popular holiday destination in recent years. For more information visit wwfestival.com

Villas Worldwide has a fabulous selection of over thirty holiday villas in Sicily on the northern coast, many of which have their own private swimming pool. Why not enjoy a relaxing break in a villa in Sicily combined with a lively day or two at the World festival on the beach?


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Tuscan Tennis Holidays - Why Choose Florence?

• The most beautiful example of renaissance architecture in Europe
• An amazing variety of shops, cafes and restaurants not to mention ice cream parlours!
• One of the best tennis clubs in Tuscany, with 16 courts, pool, gym, sauna, Turkish and a great restaurant
• Idyllic accommodation in a classic Tuscan settingwww.tuscanytennis.com/locations/florence/

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Roma wine festival 2011 for Frascati and the best of Italian wine

Held in the Citta del Gusto, the 2011 Rome wine festival takes place on the 7th and 8th of May

A professional event for wine producers, buyers and reviewers alike the Roma wine festival event is also open to the general public and offers an opportunity discover to more about Italian wine and talk to the experts.

Although the Lazio region is not a prolific producer of Italian wine it does have some special white wines including Est di Montefiascone and Frascati. Frascati is a delicious white wine founded on Malvasia and Trebbiano grapes, which is best when served cooled with aperitifs. The Roman's call it the golden wine and it has been produced in the area for over two thousand years, so they must be doing something right!

The Roma Wine Festival web site www.romawinefestival.it has more information of the Rome wine festival or you can email segreteria@romawinefestival.it

For anyone taking a holiday in the Lazio area in May then this is a great chance to do a little homework before stocking up with your favourite Italian wine.

Villas Worldwide has a fabulous selection of villas with pools in Lazio which are within an easy train ride of the marvelous city of Rome. In Lazio you can enjoy a relaxing villa holiday in one of the world's great cultural regions and brush up on the fine wines of Italy.


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Tuscan holidays with Children

Visiting the spectacular Cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena are high on the list of parents choice of things to do, but don't always rate highly with the children.  Tuscany is a magical place full of Castles, History and Culture.  Whilst this often gains the attention of adults, children the world over can be heard saying “I don't want to go to a stuffy museum”. 

Here at To Tuscany we have come up with some ideas and tips for those of you that are venturing to Tuscany with your family in tow in the hope that you can survive some cultural and historical visits with everyone happy at the end.  It goes without saying that you will still have to provide lots of Italian ice cream and pizzas but you may just get to see some of the things that you want to see without too many complaints!

Our comprehensive free guide book includes a dedicated page to entertaining children in Tuscany, for when they have finished playing in the pool.

My children's favourite was the ice cream making and tasting in Castellina, one of the 5 main Chianti towns, make sure you book with Simone though!

 http://www.to-tuscany.com/local-tuscany/tuscany-for-children/foodylicious-fun/

Personal knowledge of villas in Tuscany   http://www.to-tuscany.com/

Picture sent by To Tuscany client staying in Hamlet Pretaccione which has added advantage of tennis court on site.

Lisa Leggate To Tuscany Ltd


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Villas Worldwide reports an upsurge in demand for the Italian island of Sicily

Villa holiday specialist Villas Worldwide reports increased demand and interest for villa holidays in Sicily this year as well as Italy as a whole. With 2011 bookings for Italy up by over 100% compared to the same time last year Italy is proving one of the major success stories.

Sicily can be easily reached by its many airports access using some of the budget airlines.  It has a diverse appeal from gorgeous sandy beaches, stunning scenery, beautiful coastal drives, important archeological sites, crystal clear warm sea as well as historic Italian villages and towns with their cobbled streets and elegant shops.  This collectively with the delicious Sicilian food and wine makes for the perfect holiday throughout the year.  As Sicily is one of the most southern mediterranean destinations, it has a mild year round climate although the Summer can be extremely hot.

Villas Worldwide has a selection of over 100 villas in Italy, mainly in the regions of Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and Sicily. Around one third are located in Sicily, many with private pools, some that share and many close to the beautiful beaches. Pices begin from £600 per week per villa in low season.

Follow the highlighted links to view our fabulous range of villas in Italy and our selection of Sicily villas.

Villas Worldwide celebrated five years of trading this year, is independently owned and all holidays are fully bonded.


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Pre and Post Easter holidays tips from soloSicily

Visit the town of San Biagio Platani in Agrigento and admire the amazing Archi di Pasqua (Easter Arches). Made with reeds, asparagus, laurel, rosemary, cereal and bread, these spectacular arches decorate the town's main street and will remain visible even after Easter for a few weeks.

Where to stay? soloSicily has the finest collection of villas in Agrigento.
http://www.solosicily.com/9_villas-in-sicily-near-by-agrigento.aspx

soloSicily - Sicily Villas & Sicily Holidays
website: www.solosicily.com
Tel UK: 0044 (0)20 7193 0158
Tel DE: 0049 (0)69 5960 3981
Tel IT: 0039 091 687 0639

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Sicilian wine, an age-old tradition from ThinkSicily

According to legend, Dionysus (aka Bacchus) was the God who brought pleasure to mankind, and wine to Sicily.

Legend aside, it is certain that wine has been made in Sicily for millennia. There is evidence that Mycenaean traders cultivated grapes in the Aeolian Islands as early at 1,500 BC and when the Greeks began to settle in Sicily in the 8th century BC, they too were unable forgo their favourite libation, "oinos", and introduced several varieties of vines.

The next important date in Sicilian wine history is 1773, the year John Woodhouse started producing what was to become one of the island's most famous products: Marsala.

Woodhouse understood immediately that the decent local wine could be transformed, using in perpetuum techniques (similar to the solera system used to make sherry), which, through the addition of alcohol, would not only fortify the wine but also help it survive the sea journey back to England in tact. It was an instant success with the British, and other entrepreneurs, such as Ingham and Whitaker, soon hurried out to exploit the wine's popularity.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the English dominion in Marsala-making was brought to an end by the arrival of Vincenzo Florio, one of Italy's first tycoons, who bought up much of the land around Marsala. Cantine Florio, though in different hands today, remains one of the best producers of Marsala and a visit of their enormous barrel-filled winery is recommended.

For most of the 20th century, Sicily continued to produce enormous quantities of grapes, most of which, however, were exported to be added to wine made elsewhere in Italy.

The last 20 years have seen enormous changes to the island's wine culture and, as the many international prizes won by Sicilian producers confirm, some of Italy’s finest wines are now being made in Sicily. A new generation of Sicilian producers are realising the full potential of the island’s enviable climate, its autochthonous grape varieties and its fertile soil.

Sicily is a wine-lover's paradise, such is the variety, complexity and abundance of Bacchus' unique gift!

Find out more at the ThinkSicily blog http://goo.gl/J1NRE

Octopus Carpaccio - from SoloSicily's monthly newsletter

Octopus (Purpu in Sicilian jargon) is prepared in most Sicilian restaurants and served as a starter, presented as a whole octopus on a colourful plate or sliced into thick chucks.
Celebrity Chef Ed Baines chose a fragrant Sicilian dressing for his delicious Octopus carpaccio.

soloSicily advices to pair this starter with exquisite Planeta Chardonnay, an amazing wine produced between Menfi and Sambuca. With its delicate aromas of peach, apple, white figs, vanilla and meringue, it is suitable to pair any seafood starter.
Buon Appetito!


To read the recipe visit the Solosicily April newsletter


http://www.solosicily.com/sicily-holidays/food-and-wine/sicilian-recipes.aspx

Welcome to LunaRosa weddings - new ABTOI member

A romantic start to the week with a post about one of our new members LunaRosa, planners of bespoke weddings and honeymoons in Italy. LunaRosa founder Emma Wood is on hand, along with Aimee & Glyn to take care of every tiny detail.....to find out more about LunaRosa you can visit their site http://www.lunarosa.co.uk/about-us/about-us, they are also quite like tweeting so you can also follow them at https://twitter.com/#!/LunaRosaEvents