Thursday, September 01, 2011

Fabulous Rental Series:

A Slice of Heaven

between Sorrento & Positano



Villa Aurora is beautifully located on the sea side of a naturally protected marina "Punta Campanella", on the farthest edge of the amazing Sorrento Peninsula known as Massalubrense. The landscape of intense beauty, the views breathtaking and the water is pristine. The villa itself is a wonderful combination of Amalfitana seaside style and modern comforts.



On the ground floor you will find a lovely dining area and living room with wood flooring, a fireplace with antique ceramic tiles, and large windows facing the sea and patio. There is an outdoor lounge area also furnished with lounge chairs, dining tables, built-in benches with cushions, making it the perfect area to relax both by day as well evening.




The country-house style kitchen is fully equipped with both a large and a small oven, gas range-top, refrigerator, freezer, electric coffee machine, and a marble topped countertop. Nice tiled floors decorated with antique hand painted ceramic tiles illuminate the kitchen which is connected to a storage room offering a washing machine and ironing facilities as well as a ½ bath. There are also 3 bedrooms located on the ground floor.


On the first floor (2nd floor US ), there is the master bedroom with large,double bed and a single bed (which can be taken out), a built-in closet, amazing sea views, and an en-suite bathroom with ceramic tiles and a shower, boasting windows with a lovely garden view looking out towards the island of Capri.



This floor offers direct access onto a terrace wrapping behind the villa as well as onto a second, roof top terrace fully equipped with sun lounge chairs and an outdoor shower. The roof top terrace offers great sea views overlooking the Bay of Naples, the island of Capri and the cliff-lined coast.


18 steps up from the master corridor is another double bedroom boasting access onto a private, sea-view terrace. There is also a small double bedroom with bunk beds suitable for young children or teens. This bedroom enjoys access onto a private terrace behind of the house and has an bathroom with bathtub. One final and very spacious double bedroom with french windows facing the sea concludes the accommodations of the villa.



The crown jewel of the home its its access to the sea and it’s unique pool area. A pleasant walk (60 steps) leads from the villa down to the magnificent sea side. There is a pool house with outdoor shower, a kitchenette with gas stove-top, a refrigerator, and a double sink; also, a dining area and a ½ bath. 20 steps more leads to the sea water pool (6 x 5 x 1.20 meters) which is built into the natural rocks and paved with beach stones. 20 more steps leads to the direct sea access equipped with a staircase leading into the water and an external shower. SIMPLY PARADISE!




Included in the price of Villa Aurora daily maid service and continental breakfast, air conditioning (in bedrooms), a change of bed & bath linens twice a week and parking for up to 4 cars. Other amenities include: satellite-TV, fully equipped kitchen, washing machine, private pool and sea access, pizza oven and barbecue.


Villa Aurora is an excellent choice of accommodations for those eager to explore the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Sorrento, Naples and Pompeii, strategically located within a short drive of all of them...that is if you can tear yourselves away from this little slice of heaven!




FOR MORE INFORMATION & PRICING:

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Varese Ligure:
Another Hidden Gem of Liguria

Old Photo of Varese

Find yourself 30 minutes inland from the Mediterranean sea (and Sestri Levante) and you will find Italy’s “organic valley” and the charming village of Varese Ligure. My pal, Kate at LittleParadiso, took me on a “field trip” to visit this beautiful area, celebrate my birthday with a typical and delicious Ligurian lunch and pick up a few “biological” products along the way. Knowing that Kate is going to write a fabulous blog on Varese, I’ll just post a few photos from our day to give you an idea...


A village full of color...


Skinniest home I've ever seen!


The Fortress


More & more Ligurian colors...


Medieval Walkways


Hidden Passageways


La Madonna in Sassi


The Cathedral


Last but not least...
Crepes of chestnut flour and pesto!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Ferragosto Dinner:

Seppie & Fagioli



I’m no gourmet and nor try to be. I keep it real simple and it seems to work, or so that’s what my husband tells me! Here’s what I made for dinner on Ferragosto:


1 chilo of cleaned seppia (cuttlefish)*

400 grams of cannellini beans

200 grams of borloti beans (like pinto beans)

A small handful of rosemary

1/2 Tropea onion (a red onion will do)

1 garlic clove

salt to taste

peperoncino (pepper flakes) to tastes

1/2 of wine

2 tablespoons of olive oil


Some of you are thinking what the heck is seppia? Seppia is cuttlefish, used often on the NE coast of the states and served widely through out the Med. It’s very similar to calamari and can actually be substituted with calamari if you can find seppia (or are not feeling quite so adventurous).


"before"

"after"

If your "seppie" are not already cleaned (highly recommend: take a look at the photo above and you’ll understand!), then you will need to do so and then cut it into small pieces. Keep them in a colander with a bowl under it as they can be pretty watery.


Mince finely the rosemary, onion and garlic and add to a pan.



Drain the beans. (Now, I understand some of you may prefer soaking and boiling your own beans, but for those here in Italy, I think the ones you buy in the can at the Coop supermarket are darn good and don’t require all that extra time.)


Heat the pan with the rosemary mixture and the olive oil for about 2 minutes and then add the fish. Turn the fish until is well coated and then let sizzle for a few minutes, then turn again. Do this for about 6-7 minutes until the seppie is well cooked (you can tell because it becomes opaque white). Then add the beans, the half a glass of white wine, salt and peperoncino and let cook for another 2 minutes, covered.



And that is it. What you’ve got is a super simple and delicious main course perfect for a nice summer night. Oh, and don’t forget a nice bottle of rosato to go with it.



BUON APPETITO!