Where to go in Italy in 2012?

It is a question I’ve been asked a lot lately.  It seems there is a break-away from “the big three” (Venice, Florence and Rome) and a new emphasis on finding the hidden gems of this bel paese, at least in terms of our repeat clients and new requests.  So I been asking around to friends and colleagues about what they are hearing is well. Here is a short “hot list” of places to go in Italy in 2012:

Le Marche

Some are calling this the “new Tuscany”.  One can visit such "art rich” towns towns as Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, but also enjoy some seaside time in such resorts as Numana, Fano and Porto Recananti or delve into the fine wines (over 13 varieties of D.O.C.) of its rolling green hills.

Puglia

This one has been on the rise for a few years now, and one can certainly understand.  Over 700 miles of white sand and terraced rock beaches, a beautiful mixture of east meets west meets south cultural and architect, endless (and I do mean endless) acres of olive trees, some dating back 2,000 years, delicious and somewhat exotic cuisine and an overall friendliness that one feel at home.  Our personal favorite destinations: Ostuni, Lecce and Martina Franca.

Riviera Ponente, Liguria

From the French border to Genova with Piemonte hovering just above, once overlooked as the more built-up side of the Italian Riviera, Ponente is making a come back.  Doting its coastline are some very charming villages such as Finale Ligure, Noli and Bordighera.  Go just a tad inland and you have Dolceacqua and Pigna.  It also tends to be a bit less expensive than its sister Riviera Levante.

The Veneto

Arguably the best wines in Italy come from this region (Amarone, Soave, Prosecco, YUM!) plus you have lovely towns to visit such as Treviso and Verona, the east banks of beautiful Lake Garda and the Dolomites adding to a nearly sublime backdrop.

The Dolomites

A mix of Italian and Austrian delight, literally the best of both worlds.  For an fun alpine adventure consider visits to Ortisei, Kastelrotto and Merano, but don’t forget the lovely city of Bolzano, one of Italy’s wealthiest and cleanest mini-metropolises.

Would love to hear from you all are your picks for 2012.  There are so many to choose, which just makes travelers come back for more and more!

A presto...

Blogging Break

If you hadn’t noticed, I’v been taking a blogging break.  Between our return to California, the holidays and a whole bunch of unexpected (but welcomed!) work, the blog is on the back-burner for a few weeks.  Promise to return shortly in 2012.  

BUONE FESTE & BUON ANNO!

VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

I just discovered I was nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Nichole at Cultural Comments...grazie mille!  I feel a little undeserving because I have not been at the best of my blogger game for awhile, especially while visiting my family back in CA, but the thought is much appreciated and gives me a chance to nominate some of my favorites as well.

Here’s how this works:

Rule #1: Link back to the person that gave you the award

Rule #2: Pass this award on to 15 other deserving blogs 

Rule #3: Give seven facts about yourself 

Blogs I adore and nominate:

1. Little Paradiso
2. A Certain Simplicity
3. Ciao Lunigiana
4. La Vita e Bella
5. Madonna del Piatto
6. At Home in Tuscany
7. Hip Paris Blog
8. Over a Tuscan Stove
9. Help! I Live with my Italian Mother in Law
10. Belle Provence
11. Chez LouLou
12. My Marrakesh
13. Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome
14. Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
15. Ciao Amalfi

7 (mostly little known) facts about myself:

1. Ok, known fact first: I live in the beautiful beachside resort of Lerici on the Italian Riviera, just south of Le Cinque Terre.  It’s a near perfect place in my opinion, as you feel far remove from things there, but the truth is you can be in a decent size city (La Spezia) in 15 minutes, on the autostrada in 10 and within an hour there are so many fabulous places to visit.  Also, the views and position cannot be beat! But I am originally from Laguna Beach, CA.  I consider myself still a bit of a “surf rat” and am most comfortable in beach attire and flip flops.

2. In my former/pre-Italy life, I worked for MTV, Motley Crue and Sony Pictures.  While it might seem all glamorous, it was a lot of organizing, negotiating and babysitting.  Fun while it lasted but don/t miss it a bit.  (And by the way, MC were some of the nicest dudes I ever met!).

3. I am obsessed with the old 90’s Japanese (and original) version of “The Iron Chef”.  Watching Chef Masaharu Morimoto come up with an amazing dish from one ingredient is food porn for me! :)

4. When I first moved to Italy, I went to school in Florence and worked at a B&B near Montecatini.  Loved going school but had to pull the plug on the B&B thing when the owner threatened me with a knife in hand!  

5. I wish I knew how to sew and could speak French!  I get great clothing and housing design ideas but no way to make them come to fruition.  The french is on the “to do” list for 2013.

6. The other country of my dreams is Thailand: beauty, grace, exotic, amazing food, tropical, colorful and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.

7. Come March 2012, we are expecting our first baby, Pietro.  A long time coming and a dream come true.  I am sleeping a lot these days as soon enough that won’t be the case (and would love anyone’s feedback on balancing motherhood and a business!).