Our Top 10 Italian 'Hit List' To Visit In 2011

We have decided to kick off the new year with our Top 10 Italian destinations which we think are really going to excite you in 2011.  We want to introduce you to some beautiful places in Italy which only a few people know about and which I am sure will be a great distraction for you this week and allow you to plan your Italian Escapade.   Without further ado, here is our Top 10 hot list of Italian destinations to experience this year, Italian Connection and Spirito Italiano stylee !!!!

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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