Category Archives: Italy up close

Okay, we’re going. So where do we begin?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by

This is an excerpt from A Villa of My Own, our guide to selecting and enjoying your Italian vacation rental. Select the link to download a free copy.   Before you start searching for a villa, you’re going to need … Continue reading →

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Rent a Villa and Get Free Opera Tickets

Posted on January 19, 2012 by

The owner of Lucca Nobile has a great deal for you.  Rent this wonderful villa in the 14 guest configuration for at least one week during the month of August and he will give each guest a free opera ticket … Continue reading →

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Sentiero degli Dei – The Path from Praiano to Positano

Posted on December 12, 2011 by

In Praiano, you can walk up the steps from the Portapenta apartments to the small piazza where the Hotel Margherita is located.  We weren’t staying there, but we found them to be really helpful for carryout pizza and giving us … Continue reading →

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Eating Well in the Heart of Umbria

Posted on November 24, 2011 by

Umbria is a special place to us. We started our business with Umbria villas and have made some close friends there. We’ve gotten to know it well. Inevitably Umbria gets compared to its neighbor Tuscany, but that’s not even necessary … Continue reading →

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The Cinque Terre Will Be Healed

Posted on November 16, 2011 by

It was just one month ago, on October 17th.  We took the short train trip from Manarola to Vernazza in the Cinque Terre.  It was a warm and sunny day and the main street of Vernazza was alive with visitors, … Continue reading →

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Valle dei Sogni and the Enchantment of Todi

Posted on November 10, 2011 by

It was a little windy when we got out of the car. This October was a different from others because the warm weather lasted so long this year. Pools were open longer and there was almost no rain for months. … Continue reading →

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Torre Elsa is a Noble Remnant of Ancient Semifonte

Posted on November 7, 2011 by

Torre Elsa is an impressive 11th century tower that witnessed the momentous 12th century battle between Florence and the citizens of Semifonte. Threatened by Semifonte’s dominant position over the Elsa valley and its trading strength, the Florentines virtually eliminated the … Continue reading →

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A Village Called Abbadia Isola

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

It was lunch time and we were promised something really special. Truth be told, pretty much everything in Italy is special, and so far on our trip we had not been disappointed with any of the venues we had visited … Continue reading →

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Karina Embraces Lake Como

Posted on October 27, 2011 by

How you experience Lake Como depends a lot upon the location of your accommodation. Each town and village has its own culture, its own relationship to the water and to the communities around it. Karina has a privileged position on … Continue reading →

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The View from Villa Capodimonte

Posted on October 26, 2011 by

High above the town of Positano, there is an extraordinary villa that we would really love to show you.  You enter from the panoramic road that winds its way along the coast, arriving on a private parking terrace that accommodates … Continue reading →

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