A Room With a View

Usually, when going to Florence, the view is not really as important as the location. Most people just want to be in the middle of town so they are close to everything. Florence is NOT that big! You can comfortably stay on the South side of the river and enjoy a gorgeous view of the city from a tranquil villa on a hill.

Villa la Vedetta has 17 beautifully appointed rooms, GORGEOUS grounds, a fantastic pool, the perfect deck for watching the sun set on Florence and a top gastronomic restaurant. Basically, it has it all. Their Vista Suite (pictured) has massive windows looking on the city and can accommodate up to 4 people with a king bed downstairs and a convertible sofa upstairs.

The pool too is a fantastic way to unwind in the afternoons – following a full day of sites and shopping. Not many hotels in Florence have a pool, so this really is a treat – especially in those hot summer months!

Really, Villa la Vedetta was one of my favorite hotels of this past trip. I really loved everything about it.

Artisan Papers

Have you ever wondered how they got the cool designs on the binding of old books? I love finding a book in a flea market or something that has that marbling on it….books were so valued that even the binding of them was a work of art! The same technique is employed to dye paper for various other uses. Made throughout Europe even into the 19th century, marbled-paper making survives today almost exclusively in Florence with its old artisan economy grafted onto the airborne tourist trade of today. Nothing is lighter or easier to take home than a sheet of handmade carta marmorizzata, which sells in Florence's marbled paper shops for less than $8.

Basically, a resin or a glue is added to a specially designed basin. Then drops of pigment are flicked or drizzled into the basin. The artist creates his pattern in the pigments and then lightly dips the paper in the glue bath. After the colored paper is lifted gently from its bath, it is patted, sponged, combed or brushed into patterns. The three most popular are peacock's tail, combed or marbled. Of the 200 or so sheets usually obtained from one basin, no two are ever alike. Each is a work of art that can then be cut and glued to agendas, blotters, bookends and all the paraphernalia to enhance desks and the even more elusive art of writing.

There are a lot of paper shops in Florence. Let me know if you would like a demonstration with the artisan – and you can design your own marbled paper. I picked these up as gift for a friend who highly values the written word. It will be hard to part with them!!

SuperTub Tuesday!

SO, one of the super cool things about traveling is experiencing fantastic BATHTUBS! (NOTE: Faru Faru Tub) Sounds funny, but a super hot soak after a long day of sightseeing can be one of the best parts of the day….with the right elements of course.

Palazzo Sasso treated me right on my recent visit to Ravello! WOW, I NEEDED THAT! Sparkeling wine, a luscious plate of fruit, Chopin dancing through the air and a view to die for. Bliss! There were some seriosly fantastic tubs along the coast, but this one of course won me over!

I know this post IS about the bathtub, but the rest of the Infinito Suite is just so fantastic that I have to share! The appointments, the architecture, the terrace and the views all make for the perfect retreat on the Amalfi Coast!

Press shot:

A fairytale hotel in a beautiful medieval village on the coast of Italy. Life is good! Thanks Aaron!

When in Rome...

The right guide is crucial! Whatever you do, DON’T do a group tour of anything….always use a private guide. It is absolutely worth it, and the cost is usually not much more...if at all.

Who has seen the Sistine Chapel? How many people were in there with you? Could you really see it? Could you hear your guide? Were you squished in like sardines? Did you get to go into the’ cry room’? All reasons to have a private guide.

We met our guide at the gate of the Vatican Museum at 7:45 AM – it was our first day in Rome, so we were up early anyway as our internal clocks had not reset. Because we had a reservation and we were there early, we were the first in the doors. Our guide whisked us quickly to the Sistine Chapel. Jaw dropping. The lights were still on in the chapel for cleaning, so we got to see it all lit up. We were the ONLY people in there. The guards let us take pictures. WE were able to sit and soak in the splendor of this masterpiece without people pushing in on us or the ruckus of a thousand voices.

Our guide was also able to take us into the ‘Crying Room’ or ‘The Room of Tears’. It is not open to the public, but a well connected guide means super special access for you!

Besides starting the day off perfectly with this Sistine experience, our guide was able to whisk us down back hallways etc to avoid ANY lines or waiting as we took in The Vatican. Some people waited for upwards of 2 hours to get into St. Peter’s – we walked right in. ETC.

The right guide too is suited to your personality and pace and can read you well to know how to adjust.

So, when in Rome…make sure you have the right guide!