Another Sunny Sunday
Not much to report except to say
it was sunny and very cold
Not exactly springtime yet.
But there was a touch of it in the air.
And so much beauty to enjoy.
Buona settimana.
Fabulous Rental Series:
Beauty and Peace Amongst the Vineyards
in Chianti
I am thrilled to announce that I am officially opening a new division of my company called Bella Vita Italia Rentals. There will be about 25-30 wonderful properties to choose from located in the Italian Riviera, Chianti, the Lucca hills, Forte dei Marmi and the Maremma (Tuscan coast).
I thought I would introduce you to one of my newest properties, Villa Rupoli, which I think is very special and perfect for anyone looking for that “Under the Tuscan Sun” experience! Here it goes...
Just a few kilometers outside of the charming hill town of Panzano, Villa Rupoli is a gorgeous home with private pool, situated upon landscaped grounds with several terraces and gardens, and panoramic views of Chianti countryside. The villa is about 350 m² and was restored to a very high standard using top-quality, local materials.
On the ground floor you will find a fully equipped kitchen, spacious and bright dining room which opens to the large living room with Tuscan fire place and the panoramic terrace, a studio, a sitting room with fire place, one full bathroom with shower plus a laundry and storage room (separate entrance).
On the 1st floor, there are 3 air-conditioned bedrooms and two bathrooms (one of the bedrooms has an en-suite bathroom).
Below, on the garden/terrace level, there is another kitchen leading out to a beautiful garden with covered terrace and lovely views for dining al fresco, plus a storage room and full bathroom with shower.
One level below, you will find the infinity swimming pool strategically positioned to appreciate the surrounding vistas, offering the perfect place for sunning and relaxation.
The property is approached by a private gravel road through woodland and vines.
Amenities included: daily cleaning service 3 hours a day, towels changes 3 times a week, bed linens changed twice a week, cold welcome dinner, ingredients for the first breakfast, satellite TV, Internet, air conditioning & final cleaning included in rental price.
You can read all about Villa Rupoli and see more photos on my web site (FYI - new, fancy web site coming later this year!).
Let me know what you think!
Beauty and the Beast
What a weekend in sports, worldwide. I finally watched my first rugby game in full (Italy vs. Scotland) and then was able to finally see one entire olympic competition (thanks NBC for being such “jack as*es” about what could be viewed and when overseas!), the gold/silver hockey game between the US and Canada. Both left me impressed, proud and pleasantly surprised.
A friend my mine (you know who you are) explained to be that while it may look rough (understatement), rugby is actually a very gentleman-like game. So I did my best to not close my eyes when a swarm of giants without padding/protection tackled the giant with the ball. If you could get pass the distorted faces and crunched bodies, you actually discover the game is a bit of a dance. And while the players rip, tear, push, prod, attack, the game is played with very precise and understood rules, that the teams seem to follow! Besides that, everyone claps at everything. It’s almost joyous to watch. Frightening.
The final hockey game was just epic. Two outstanding teams who played their hearts out. One had to win but there were no losers in this battle. In fact, there were three winners. The two teams and the sea of red (Canadians that is) who cheered on not only their home team but embraced their adversaries (the US that is) with a standing ovation of respect and class.
Back here on Italian soil, the 26th week of series A soccer was played. And as usual, there were “dramatic” (I use that word lightly) battles between the top few teams trying to make their way into the European league tournament or to capture the “Scudeto”. But it was business as usual: arrogant coaches talking their Svengali best (since when does a coach win the game instead of the players?), players taking low blows at other players (I do not understand why more are not reprimanded...oh wait, the referees are sometimes paid off), players on the same team bickering in the middle of the game (now that’s cohesiveness), ultra fans lighting parts of the stadium on fire - and nothing changes week after week. Inter is still numero uno and chances of anyone surpassing them is slim to none. Juve still sucks, even if there are “my” team. And Francesco Totti is more entertaining in his Vodafone commercials than on the field.
All those pretty boys of calcio and their ridiculous “tifosi” could take a lesson in class from the beast like players and fans of rugby and hockey. Seriously, who really is the beauty and who is the beast?
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