Travelers Thoughts » Italian villas http://travelersthoughts.com Some simple and fun traveling ideas and experiences Wed, 20 May 2009 07:22:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Lake Como, Italy – It Looks Unreal! http://travelersthoughts.com/2008/08/06/lake-como-italy-it-looks-unreal/ http://travelersthoughts.com/2008/08/06/lake-como-italy-it-looks-unreal/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:24:34 +0000 admin http://travelersthoughts.com/?p=19 Talk about breath-taking Italian landscape beauty, this may be the most beautiful of all. Lake Como, Italy. I was advised to include it in my last trip to Italy but thought — naaahh. It just didn’t seem like Italy to me. So now I cannot wait until I have saved up enough money for another Italian vacation. It will probably be my only destination next time. I have fallen in love with just the pictures and videos alone!

Most of us know that George Clooney lives somewhere there on the lake and we would all love to be able to wave to him as he cruises by in what must be an incredibly luxurious speed boat. But, even though chances of that are slim, you won’t believe the vistas that will surround you.Lake Como is in the northern part of Italy in the Lombardy region. It is one of many lakes in that area, but probably the most popular. The lake is huge and borders the Italian Alps no less. The lake stretches southward with two ’legs’ of the lake and many, many small villages up and down the lakeside coast that are accessible to each other by ferry boat. You may have heard of a few of those villages — Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio. From what I have learned, Varenna looks like my pick and this picture gives you just a little clue as to why.

Varenna is home to maybe a thousand or less permanent residents. There you can find accommodations varying anywhere from a hotel room or studio apartment or a bed and breakfast arrangement to a nearby villa that sleeps twelve to twenty and comes furnished with live-in maids and cooks and the like — of course, a short stay there would take several years of my income. Accommodations for the typical visitor (like me) seem very affordable though.

Leaving Milan, the Lake Como area can be reached easily by car, train, bus or boat (from the town of Como). Depending on your destination (Varenna), it is only about an hour outside Milan via train.
Just a little bit of research on this area and I am about to wee. Even if I only have one week to spend on vacation, this will definitely be my next trip. Honestly, I would just sleep better knowing you are going to give this gorgeous area at least some serious thought.

]]> http://travelersthoughts.com/2008/08/06/lake-como-italy-it-looks-unreal/feed/ 0 Italian Villas – Great for Small Groups! http://travelersthoughts.com/2008/07/15/italian-villas-great-for-small-groups/ http://travelersthoughts.com/2008/07/15/italian-villas-great-for-small-groups/#comments Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:31:09 +0000 admin http://travelersthoughts.com/?p=22 We all dream of that perfect travel experience in the dreamland that is Italy. How about including a stay in an Italian villa in that dream. It is as easy as your purse and your time allow.

True villas abound in every region of Italy. If you long for the warm Mediterranean, the beauty of Lake Como and the Italian Alps, the unbelievable wine regions of Tuscany or the Southern parts including rustic Puglia that embraces the Adriatic Sea. Italy has everything to offer. The difficulty is in choosing only one area to visit. But, aahh, no matter the location, Italy’s warm people and the beauty of its varied landscapes are unequalled. With a little work and the right websites, you can find everything to rent from an entire villa that possibly sleeps twenty or more, to an apartment or cottage that sleeps two or four within the confines of a villa.

Lake Como and the Italian Alps, the unbelievable wine regions of Tuscany or the Southern parts including rustic Puglia that embraces the Adriatic Sea. Italy has everything to offer. The difficulty is in choosing only one area to visit. But, aahh, no matter the location, Italy’s warm people and the beauty of its varied landscapes are unequalled.

Renting an entire villa will be, of course, more costly; however, for a good-sized group of friends or family, it could be the perfect kind of accommodation and a solution to having everyone under one roof for a bountiful breakfast before everyone takes off on the day trip of their choice or for a few evening meals to relax and discuss your finds of the day.

Villas come fully furnished with totally equipped kitchens and if you like, many have pools. You can arrange for meals to be prepared for you at your villa or you can purchase some of the local delicacies and prepare your own meals. You can hire a driver or guide to show you the sights of the area, the popular places as well as the out of the way places you may never find on your own or you can rent a car and strike out on your own. Often, bus lines run nearby that will connect you to yet another interesting destination for the day. Choose your region, choose your villa, choose your friends or family members and give this a try.

The history and beauty of a villa will enhance your Italian vacation unlike any hotel stay you have ever experienced. It is yours for the week (or longer). You can just imagine what life would have been like to grow up there or raise your family there. Mama Mia! The stories and pictures you will have to share, the memories you will hold dear for the rest of your life.

Begin making your plans today. This is a dream you can make come true. I only wish I were joining you.

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