03 Jan 2014

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Film buffs will recognize Villa Emo Capodilista as the home of Portia, the rich heiress in “The Merchant of Venice” in the movie version of Shakespeare’s work directed by Michael Radford, starring Al Pacino, some scenes of which were filmed here. There could have been no more authentic set as the Villa has

10bisbeen in existence since the second half of the XVI century.

A jewel of 16th century Venetian architecture, the Villa is also known as “La Montecchia” because it is built on the top of a small hill in the Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei [Regional Park of the Euganean Hills], between Venice and Padua.

Designed by the architect and painter Dario Varotari, the Villa was built as a hunting lodge for the Capodilista family.

The façades on all four sides of this square building are identical. Each one faces one of the four cardinal points and has its own stairway that meets with the others inside the building to form a cross.

20 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

Shopping in Tuscany can be an absolute delight, whether you're picking up handmade linens from a street market or unique ceramics with Tuscany 1.1244394567.window-shoppingdesigns from a tiny boutique. But have you considered spending some of your shopping time visiting some malls or outlets in Tuscany? You might be surprised by what you'll find.

We've unearthed a treasure trove of Tuscan malls and outlets that should please the most discriminating shoppers as well as those searching for bargains on quality goods. Though it's necessary to go a bit outside of Florence to visit these shopping centers, we think you might enjoy a brief break from touring the city's churches and museums.

18 Dec 2013

Posted at 00:00h in Italian itineraries

No visit to Tuscany would be complete without an overview of the many wonderful works of art in Florence. If you're visiting during high season (April-October),Uffizi Gallery advance reservations are a good idea for the most popular museums. Reservations can usually be made online. If you're on a tight schedule, check the hours of any museums you plan to visit shortly before you go, as hours can change without warning. In general, Sundays and Mondays are not good days to visit museums in Florence, as many are closed or have reduced hours on those days. Discounted tickets are available at most museums.

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.