GRAND RETURN TO MILAN OF PABLO PICASSO

Masterpieces from the National Picasso Museum of Paris

An exhibition of over 250 amazing paintings and works of Pablo Picasso that are normally housed in the National Picasso Museum of Paris.

Curator Anne Baldessari, one of the most important scholars of Pablo Picasso and curator of the National Picasso Museum in Paris.

20 Sept 2012 -  6 Jan 2013

One of my favourite Italian singers died this year - Lucio Dalla. I have many of his cd and I was very sad to hear of his passing. Such a passionate and emotional singer. Why did I not go to his concert when in Italy in the past. We never know when one of us is going to go so we should always make the most of an opportunity when it presents. 

As a tribute to Lucio Dalla have a look at this video of him below filmed in the Caruso room of our Passion for Italy's beautiful Hotel in Sorrento.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!!

A wonderful Italian friend of mine once offered me her beautiful Tuscan villa for a holiday rent free for my family and of course I readily jumped at the chance.  The historical villa was magnificent - a three story, five bedroomed palace on acres of land with frescos on the ceiling.

However the greatest drawback we came to discover was the location.  It was  near the most boring  and ugliest village in the whole of Italy with no decent shops and to go anywhere interesting took 1.5 hrs to drive and we spent over 3 hours driving each day which proved to be exhausting.... READ MORE

NOW THIS IS A REAL HOLIDAY!

A charming two bedroom villa in an enchanting island of Salina on the Aeolian islands, Sicily This is the place of your dreams to escape to for the European summer holidays.

With stunning views out over the sea and surrounded by a beautiful garden in the same location there is also the independent  detached annex  that can be rented separately. There is a terrace and garden for guest use. Read more......

If you are in Lake Como in late August September and love classical music - there are many lovely concerts and events to attend.

see LAKE COMO FESTIVAL

see LAKE COMO CONCERT PROGRAM 2012

As I work and travel around Italy every year, I have visited many of the major museums in Italy.  On my first visit to the Galleria degli Uffizi in Firenze over 25 years ago, having never formally studied Italian art history, I was simply overwhelmed. It was all too much for me. So many paintings of such great artists - I thought how can I get to know them all. Youth is impatient - I wanted to know them immediately and as I had completed a science degree I thought - oh no I should have done an Italian Art history degree!! 

Many years later while growing this business from scratch,  I learnt the saying - HOW DO YOU MOVE AN ELEPHANT BY YOURSELF? If you know the correct answer and would like us to organise a trip to Italy for you - the first person to write the correct answer can win a free half hour consultation about where to travel in Italy with me via skype video anywhere in the world. 

If you plan to be in Venice for the Redentore which is one of Venice's best loved festivals. Decorated boats arrive at the basin of Piazza San marco at sunset and all along the canals waiting to see the huge firework display which takes place after dark. It is a wonderful site to see with boats of all sizes up and down the Grand Canal and the Venetians make it a big party and go all out to celebrate. 

Great article about the importance of using a good travel agent.

READ ARTICLE HERE

Italy is a blast from the past and this I feel, is the real reason why people love to come here. It reminds us of our innocent childhoods when life was simple and tomatoes tasted like real tomatoes.

In the historical center of each town there are no flashing neon lights full of advertising – only 400 year old buildings made of marble and sandstone with iron 18th century street lamps and a discreet bronze plaque with the name of the business.

EASTER IN PRAIANO AND POSITANO

by Edward Close

The towns of Praiano and Positano on the Amalfi coast are a must see for an Italian traveller. This area of Italy is a place of beauty and captivating landscapes that should be on every Italianophile’s itinerary. You must first endeavor through the windy roads that lead into these tiny pockets of civilization that have crept up into existence like flowers popping up out of rocky crevices. The views are breathtaking and the sea breeze invigorating as you take in the wonder of the region. As you sip the local wine and taste the exquisite gifts of the sea, the sunsets will never be forgotten.