16 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Stresa is located in the middle of Lake Maggiore, and enjoys a unique panoramic position, opposite the Borromean Islands.Stresa church tower

From the mid-19th century, when the first British tourists arrived, to the early 20th century, Stresa has been adding to the elegant appearance that still distinguishes it nowadays, with its Liberty hotels and villas, notably Villa Pallavicino and Villa Vignolo.

Today Stresa is a much sought-after holiday destination and an important venue for cultural events such as the “Stresa and Lake Maggiore Musical Weeks”, set up in 1961 by Italo Trentinaglia de Daverio, a noble Venetian lawyer, whose father was a composer, a musical event organizer, the theater director  of La Scala in Milan and La Fenice in Venice. The Trentinaglia family owned a villa in Stresa where used to gather together musicians and writers, and where Italo Trentinaglia had first the idea of setting up a musical event.

13 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Stopping in Tuscany is the highlight of any tour of Italy.  Many travelers are caught up by the artistic charm of Florence and by the exquisite vineyards in the countryside.  However, tasting relax in the amazing Tuscan countryside is not impossible. As a break from a hectic tour of Florence, a luxury spa is the perfect solution for a moment of relaxation with your partner and family.Tuscany Immerse yourself in the ancient Tuscany thermal waters and succumb to real pleasure with the best hot springs in the area, according to us!

Terme di Chianciano Terme di Chianciano deserves a spot on any list of top spas in Italy, thanks to its diverse selection of treatments to its therapeutic properties, which were already famous in ancient times: as a matter of fact, Roman spas and Etruscan sanctuaries were built close to the sources. The local municipality is actually well known for the health benefits that its spas can provide.  Travelers like you will for sure want to stop off here to try out the wide range of treatments which this ancient hot spring can offer.

12 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Events

Delicious food, great shopping opportunities, traditional culture and a welcoming European atmosphere… what better way could there be to prepare for the festive season than to visit some of Italy’s famous Christmas markets? The Christmas Markets in Italy or ‘Mercatino di Natale’ as they are known locally, takeChristmas Market in Bolzano place throughout Italy from late November to early January. Italian Christmas markets are held in many cities, and boast a wonderful, celebratory atmosphere. Elaborate nativity scenes, which form a focal point of many of the markets, are something for visitors to look out for.

One of the most traditional and enticing Christmas markets is to be found in Merano, in South Tyrol, in the very north of Italy. It is perhaps its proximity to its northern neighbors, Switzerland and Austria, that leads this market to feature delicious home-baked goods, often sweetened with cinnamon and spices. Traditional artisan crafts are also popular here. There is truly nothing as magical as meandering around this traditional Italian market whilst admiring the magnificent mountain scenery that surrounds the town.

09 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Events

Two floors of pure Italian style and gastronomic bliss for an investment of 28 million dollars: Eataly opened its umpteenth store in Chicago in which the Chicago Tribune defined it as “a giant food and Italian culture theme park”.  Inaugurated by Mario Batali, New York’s celebrity chef, who is one of Oscar Farinetti’s (founder of Eataly) American partners.Oscar Farinetti, Eataly founder

Farinetti, who opened the first Eataly store in Turin in 2007, “landed” in the United States in 2010 bringing the great Italian Food emporium to New York along with Batali and chefs Lidia and Joe Bastianich. New York’s Eataly is presently in third place (after MoMA and the Empire State Building) among the ten most visited tourist sites of the Big Apple.

06 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Sammezzano Castle (in Italian: Castello di Sammezzano) is located in the picturesque area of Reggello, near Leccio, on the outskirts of Florence. Benefitting from the climate and natural beauty that typifies central Italy, Sammezzano Castle is one of the elegant pieces of architecture standing majestically in an area of outstanding natural beauty.Sammezzano Castle in Tuscany interior The castle is surrounded by a sizeable park which boasts dense, unspoilt woodland and offers tremendous panoramic views of the region. This beautiful castle was built in 1605 at the request of Ximenes of Aragon. It was bequeathed to and later redesigned by another generation of the Ximenes family, namely, Ferdinand Panciatichi Ximenes, who welcomed the then King of Italy, Umberto, to stay at the castle in 1878.

The castle is conveniently located just over 25 miles from Florence. The journey by car travels through idyllic countryside, taking little more than 45 minutes. Sammezzano is also easy to reach using public transport: simply head to the bus station in Florence and take a bus travelling towards Incisa Barberino, changing at Incisa in Val d’Arno, to take the bus to Leccio (which is within walking distance of Sammezzano Castle). The journey takes less than an hour and a half – and, as is the case in most of Italy, travelling from A to B takes you through magnificent natural beauty, making every moment worthwhile.