Mar

27

A Good Excuse for Not Blogging Lately…

Bella Vita Italia / Italian Riviera / Italy / Italy Blogs / Italy tours / Italy Trip Planning / Le Cinque Terre / Lerici / Liguria / Tours of Italy / Travel to Italy

Pietro Michael Guerrera
Born March 15 at 12:23AM

Promise to return soon with lots of fun info on Bell’Italia!

Posted by | 12 comments
Oct

14

My Top Ten Places in Italy

Florence / italian food / Italy / Lerici / Liguria / Portovenere / positano / Puglia / Salina / sicily / Tuscany / Venice

People ask me this all the time and you know what, it’s not an easy answer!  There are so many places that I love in this country, the list really could be a few pages long.  But last night, I decided to take the first ten that came to mind (in no given order):

 

1. Portovenere, Liguria
My bias is big here as it’s where I met my husband, but the place is just magical.  An 1000-year old + seaside village characteristic of Liguria and its “pirate-like mentality”  Anyone who visits the region should spend a day here.

 

2. Mendolia Beach, Sicily
A simply beautiful cove just down the hill from Taormina where you can swim in crystal clear waters, soak up a little sun, enjoy a good meal ( the beach clubs makes some of the best canoli I’ve ever had!) and even visit the villa of Isola Bella.

 

3. Mercato Centrale, Florence
Built in the 1860‘s, this is a considerably new addition to Florence.  It was my “life line” when I first moved to Italy as a student.  I would get up early to do a little shopping before school, when it was full of little old ladies fighting over the produce!  You can find just about everything here, food and drink wise.  It’s an attraction all on its own.
With over 800 km (500 miles) of coastline, one is bound to find that perfect little beach spot. Be it on a white sand beach or craggily rock formations, the Adriatic sea will command you to enter her sublime waters for a swim or two.
5. Rooftop at Rinascente, Milan


Whenever I’m in Milano, this is one of the first things I do…head to the top of this department store for a caffè or glass of wine overlooking the Duomo.  The view stuns me as it feels like you could actually touch it!

6. Da’Adolfo, Positano


This private, little beach can only be reach by boat (look for the one with a red fish on it in the Positano harbor).  Here you can take a lounge chair for the day and enjoy a fantastic lunch right on the beach at it’s little shack restaurant (try the pasta with clams and pumpkin or spaghetti with calamari and tomatoes). Make a day of it – you will really feel as if you are on vacation!
7. Ortisei, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol


Charm does not even begin to describe this mountain resort village with its cupcake like building set in a dramatic valley surrounded by steep peaks and ski slopes. Additionally, you do not want to miss their fabulous breads and desserts such as “Le Fanziëutes da mëiles” (fried pastry with apples inside) and “Crafons da pavè” (krapfen with poppy seeds).
8. Salina, Sicily


Basically anywhere on this island could be summed up as paradise for me.  In my dream world, we would have a second home there.  Lush, rustic, lively, relaxing, beautiful beyond words and home to my favorite hotel in italy, Hotel Signum.  And there is nothing quite like the granite with gin you can get on this island!
9. Piazza di San Marco, Venice


I know, I know, it’s so popular and it can be a zoo, but is there anywhere like it (or Venice on the whole)???  In my opinion, no.  I love to sit down outside in one of the bars with a “spritz con aperol” and enjoy the music and atmosphere.  Despite its hefty price (at least €10 per drink), it’s a priceless scene.


10. Solaro di Lerici, Liguria


Where you might ask?!  That would be my borgo on the hill above Lerici.  To be specific, our terrace.  In the summer, it becomes my office, my refuge from the heat, my inspiration for meals, and our hand holding sanctuary after a long work day.  There is something hypnotic about it.
What about you?  What are your top 10 favorite places in Italy?  
Would love to see some other bloggers out there come up with their list!
BUON WEEKEND!
Posted by | 5 comments
Jun

09

Fabulous Rental Series: Serenity and Beauty Above Lerici

Lerici / Uncategorized / villa rentals



We are so pleased to introduce you to another wonderful rental property in Lerici!

Villa Maralunga is an exclusive 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa perched above the sapphire blue sea, in an only pedestrian zone, offering complete privacy and tranquillity. Enjoy the sound of waves hitting the rocks below while gazing at the sunset and Portovenere in the distance. It doesn’t get much better than this!

The has its own private parking spot which is located just about 200 yards away from the villa’s front gate. Upon entering the gate there is short staircase leading guests down to the garden and into the living room area. The living room area has a nice relaxing area with 2 comfortable sofas and large glass doors overlooking one of the many terraces that the villa has to offer. Just off the living room is the modern kitchen with an electric oven, microwave, espresso maker, dishwasher and washing machine.

The kitchen leads out to another panoramic terrace which has a lovely shaded patio area for dining outdoors along with an outdoor preparation area perfect for summer dinners “al fresco” while enjoying the views. This area also overlooks the poolside. The pool is only 2 x 5 meters but is just perfect for a quick dip to cool off on the hot summer days and is lined with an elegant travertine marble.

Down one level, is the bedroom area where there are two bedrooms and one bathroom with a shower. The master bedroom has a queen size bed and has access directly out into the garden and the second bedroom has a trundle bed with a second bed which pulls out from underneath and can turn into a double bed upon request. The third bedroom has independent access directly from the garden area and is not “connected” internally to the other bedrooms. This bedroom has a queen size bed and a private en-suite bathroom with a shower.

If you can tear yourself away from the villa, guests can walk to the closest beach (with terraced rocks) just 5 minutes by foot. The charming town of Lerici is about a 15 minute walk, and Le CinqueTerre, Lerici, Forte dei Marmi, Portovenere and Portofino are all easily within reach by either car, boat or train (from Sarzana and La Spezia).

Please contact us directly for more details and pricing at

www.bellavitaitalia.com.

Posted by | 4 comments
Mar

02

Bella Vita Italia / Golf of Poets / Italian Riviera / Italy / Italy Blogs / Lerici / Liguria / San Terenzo
Cento…

My Village

Today is my 100th blog post.  I was hoping to do something kind of fun & interesting for the occasion, but my time has been so limited lately (which always effects my creative juices!).  So instead, it’s just going to be a simple one, to my fellow bloggers.

I really, really enjoy blogging. Maybe even more, I enjoy reading other people’s blogs.  I think this concept is so fascinating: you find a common ground (in my case Italy) with a group of strangers, yet overtime and many blogs, they become like good friends without even meeting face to face.  I’ve learned so much from so many people’s different experiences here in Italy.  And let me tell you, some of you are just incredible writers.  I’m often inspired!

I look forward to posting my next 100 blogs – and I hope they are just as fun & interesting for you all as it is for me to read yours.

Buona settimana…
Posted by | 12 comments
May

17

Cinque Terre / Italian Riviera / Lerici / Liguria / Monterosso / Portovenere / Vernazza

Back to Reality…


I’m getting off my “Sicily kick” (for now) and returning to Liguria.  The truth is, I live in one of the most beautiful and colorful places in the world.  I invite you to peak into the place I call home…

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