Lodging in Italy

You've chosen your travel dates and airline tickets have been purchased. What next?
Lodging! And...What's usually the first type of lodging that comes to mind? Hotels.

          For us, hotels are one type of lodging we rarely consider on our travels. Not to say they're bad...It's just that we like more “stretch” space and also enjoy being embedded into the local community. 
          I'll be the first to admit I like all the comforts of home when I travel, and that's exactly what you get with a vacation home rental. You can fine-tune your rental to your liking and needs - multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a living room, balconies and patios, washer and drier, a kitchen and bbq! The personal attention of the owners makes the experience even more special. And...you can chit chat with the locals rather than fellow American travelers. 
          For these reasons, renting a vacation home is what works best for us. They offer amenities that make you feel at home while you’re away.

Here are some of the advantages of vacation home rental:

•         More space > Instead of one small hotel room, you have an entire apartment or house.

One of our smaller rental places. This was a small studio in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily. It was spotless and with an amazing port view off the balcony. Other places have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms.

The other side of the studio with the balcony and port view.

•      Cooking facilities > It’s fun to buy local meats and produce and cook in like an Italian. 

It was a wonderful cioppino cooked with clams, mussels, and shrimp
all bought at the local fish market.

•      Cheaper > It can be far less expensive than a hotel, especially if you are sharing the cost with other travelers.

Here we are, old friends sharing a farmhouse in Tuscanny.

•       Unique Style > There are so many unique apartments and homes to choose from.

This was a trullo style home in the Puglia section of Italy.

.

Inside the trullo

A lovely farmhouse we enjoyed in Umbria. 

•       Unique locations

One year we rented a vacation farmhouse apartment in this small hamlet of Adine in Tuscany. Population: 50!

•       Beautiful Views 

A vineyard view from a Tuscan farmhouse - Lovely!

•       Personal touches > Frequently private owners will offer personal touches and information not available at a hotel.

          The uncle (white shirt - he really did smile) brought us a freshly made pot of pesto for dinner and his niece (back center) made me a gluten-free cake. The next day, a neighbor brought us two fresh eggs. The chicken had laid them 10 minutes before...REALLY fresh!
         A host in Tuscanny once invited us to her large family dinner under the patio.
The meal was delicious, the wine good, the company friendly and the sun setting on the vineyards amazing. 

•       Welcome basket > Frequently a welcome basket of local jellies, meats, cheese and/or wines will greet your arrival.   

                                         Our host in Piedmont wine country left a bowl of grapes from her vineyard. 

                                                      She also left a bottle of wine and goodies in the fridge.

•       In with the Locals!

Everyone has a balcony!
I enjoy hanging out over the balcony and chatting with the neighbors
- a fun advantage of speaking Italian.

• Other Extras!

Happy Hour on your own personal hillside patio!

On the other hand, vacation home rentals require you have an open mind and the spirit of adventure. You never know what you'll find. The bathroom may be tiny as are bathrooms in many Italian homes. There may be no elevator. The lodging may be a bit off the beaten path. OR...

You may be surprised by interesting critters ...

Pimpinella, the host's pet goat, greeted us at the door of
our Umbrian farmhouse one morning.

She was very friendly.

A beautiful Sicilian lizard stopped in to say "Hello" in our Castellammare studio apartment.
I named him Luigi!

"Luigi"

With careful preliminary research, you can learn about most of these things (though maybe not the critters) before you reserve. I recommend you read all the reviews of previous guests. They will tell you things not included on the site. We never take a chance at booking a vacation rental with no reviews. There are many online sites for finding vacation rentals.

• Airbnb
• Homeaway
• VRBO
• Booking.com
• Flipkey
• ...and more...

Vacation home sites provide a description of the apartment/house, the location and the amenities. Their policies and procedures are all different, so read the details carefully (including the cancellation policy) before you reserve and send your deposit.

So, if you want something different from the usual hotel room that will provide a unique experience and fun memories, consider a vacation home rental. You can custom design it to your heart's desires.

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Balconies in Italy

Balconies have been part of the Italian culture for centuries.

In Italy, balconies may be fancy... 

... or simple,  

but most everyone has one. 

Balconies are not just an architectural feature; they’re a part of the Italian lifestyle.

The origin of the word “balcony” is “balcone” the Italian word for “scaffold,” probably because it lifted you above the rest of the world.

Stone corbels or large stone or wooden brackets supported balconies of medieval and Renaissance times. 

More modern times brought supports of iron, reinforced concrete and other materials.

In days of old, balconies were a necessary architectural feature. They were the extended living space where women hung out clothes to dry and did much of their work. 

Up until not too long ago, colorful laundry flapped in the breeze of Italian windows and balconies. Our recent visits, however, have found laundry-free balconies, perhaps a result of laws banning the practice.

For centuries, balconies on public buildings have also been places from which speeches could be made. This tradition is continued by popes at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Balconies of the past made it convenient for women to purchase goods from traveling street vendors by lowering over the balcony's railing a basket tied to a cord.  Down would go the basket with money – up would be pulled the basket with goods. In some towns, this practice continues today as we discovered on a recent trip to Sicily. Baskets still go up and down with purchases, and bags of garbage as well may hang from balconies awaiting early morning sanitation trucks.

Whether balconies are shallow or deep, Italians enjoy how they expand the living space, bringing in light and air.

They are the place for a quick cigarette, coffee or glass of vino -

as well as a place to relax and enjoy the view, or chat with a neighbor at the end of the day.

And love - Let's not forget love!

Italians often decorate their balconies with plants and flowers making the space a delightful mini-garden for relaxing or from which to watch life below. 

             


Some balcony gardens are simple... 

.... and some lavish or quite lush ...

... but, all bring greenery or a colorful bit of outdoors to the space inside creating a postage stamp-sized patch for respite.

Balcony awnings shield interior living space from the heat of summer and...

...provide a small, secluded hideaway with a beautiful outdoor view.

When in Italy, I love noticing the different types of balconies and how they're decorated. For hubby and me, an empty balcony beckons to be used and enjoyed. 

It calls and says, "Come. Sit. Relax and enjoy a great view and all our beautiful country has to offer." 

And...we do!

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/

Saying "I do" in Italy

Everyone loves a wedding - right? How many of us stop and look when one is nearby? I do... especially when I'm traveling. Do I know the bride and groom - no. But, who cares? I enjoy pulling out my camera and clicking away just the same. It's fun!

From what I can see, in Italy weddings can be extravagant and with lots of tradition.

They are joyous occasion where relatives, neighbors, and strangers alike all spill out onto the street to watch and, the lucky ones catch a ringside view from a window.

And, driving up to the church with your father in a horse and buggy is definitely a crowd stopper.

In some areas, you’ll know of an upcoming wedding when you see signs plastered around the town a few days before.

These announcements of the happy day are in one of many available designs. Legally, however, they’re considered litter and must be removed immediately at the end of the wedding day.

It’s not uncommon to see the bride’s attendants and family dressed in black or a dark color, no doubt because dark colors are more formal. Weddings gowns are sometimes dark cream in color rather than white.

And photographers, oh my – do they have those!  From what I’ve seen, the photography is akin to an MGM production.  Lights! Cameras! Action!

There are often both still and video-photographers with fancy lighting systems. The photographer takes on the role as both director and photographer of the show.

And... setting up the shot just right is always a priority.

"Something old - Something new - Something borrowed - Something blue," is as common in Italy as it is here in the States. Another important tradition you will also find at Italian weddings of the Catholic faith is the "Matrimonial Booklet."

Couples take an active role in the preparation of the wedding ceremony with their choice of readings, prayers, and songs. These are published into a booklet for guests to follow during the ceremony.

Matrimonial booklets are a sentimental and personal touch. They are available in a variety of beautiful styles.

      

Throwing rice for good luck has been a long tradition common in Italy too. Recently, however, rice has been discouraged out of respect for the poor and also because it’s dangerously slippery. 

Alternatives to rice are birdseed or flower seeds, pretty and fragrant lavender buds, rose petals, soap bubbles, biodegradable paper hearts-confetti-or butterflies. There's even white or colored rice that pulverizes when crushed. For an even more romantic effect, you might see sparklers or the release of doves, butterflies, or balloons...

... Or perhaps the bride and groom might exit the church across paper ribbon as in a race.

Italian soccer player Luca Ceccarelli and his bride Irene Lanforti were the first couple to marry on Juliet’s balcony in 2009. 

Wedding style can vary depending on the region of Italy or the couple's preference, but "dramatic" is definitely a plus. Ah, yes! Wouldn’t it be nice to get married on Juliet’s balcony in Verona? 

A gondola ride in Venice is certainly romantic too.

If you attend the wedding, expect to receive “confetti” as a favor, an age-old Italian tradition still in use today. These are white sugar covered almonds tied with ribbon in white tulle. The almonds have a bittersweet taste, representing life while the sugar coating is the hope of a sweet union. The packet must have five almonds; count them! They represent: Health – Fertility – Longevity – Happiness – Wealth. Many older wedding traditions, like this one, were brought to the States by Italian immigrants.

A wedding is a big deal anywhere, but in Italy it's sure to be an extravaganza. After all, “Fare una bella figura,” the pride in making a good impression, is important as the new couple is presented to the world.

American friends Andrew & Katryna's Wedding in Rome

AND...Don't assume all those brides and grooms in Italy are Italians. Sweethearts from all over the world travel to Italy to say their "I do's."

So, when in Italy always have your camera ready. Weddings can happen any day of the week and at any time...and, they're always fun to watch and catch on camera!

(Many thanks to my dear Italian friend Elena for her help!)

Ciao!

- Nina Spitzer

If you are receiving this post by email and would like to read other archived posts on my blog, go to

http://www.acappuccinominute.blogspot.com/