Exclusive Places to Visit, Things to do and Experiences in Italy, Greece, Spain and Croatia

Booking a villa with us is easy, but will juggling Italian culture be as intuitive?Habits, customs, superstitions, sayings; all this at once can be difficult to assimilate and the risk is to be overwhelmed.Here then, as good Italians, we step in to pave the way for you and mentally prepare you for the thousand facets of our beautiful country (a little healthy patriotism never hurts).As promised in the previous article, we are creating a Guide to Italy from which you can take inspiration so as not to make mistakes that could compromise your holiday.Are you ready for a round-up of tips and secrets? At the end of the page you will also find a gift for you.So let's get started, today we will focus on food and drink in Italy. 1. A CAPPUCCINO A DAY KEEPS THE DOCTOR AWAYBreakfast is the most important meal of the day and the right time to indulge in a cappuccino: note that it is the only time Italians indulge in this type of drink. To be a perfect local, we recommend pairing your cappuccino with a croissant or 'breakfast pastry': pastries usually made of puff pastry filled to your liking: from cream to apple jam. Extra tip: don't order a 'latte' unless you want a straight glass of milk, in Italy it is not a well-known drink and it confuses most baristas (don't scare them, they are an endangered species). 2. MID-MORNING BREAKIt's summer, it's hot and you are wandering around the narrow streets of a city of art, you miss your iced coffee and enter the first bar to order it: don't do it. The iced coffee is not very well known in Italy (except in rare cases), our advice is to order a 'crema di caffè'. The crema di caffè is somewhere between heaven and a winning lottery ticket. Made with espresso coffee, cream and icing sugar, it will give you the right boost to continue your business. 3. WHAT ABOUT LUNCH?Finding a restaurant on the spur of the moment is not easy, our advice is to always have a look at TripAdvisor, but when you can't, here are the rules to keep in your head. 1. Look at the menus on display and have a look at the prices 2. Look at the opening times, typical restaurants open around 12.30 for lunch and around 7/7.30 for dinner. In Italy you eat late ( compared to England or Spain). 3. If you find dishes like Alfredo chicken pasta, pepperoni pizza on the menu: get out, fast. You are in Italy, try grandma's fettuccine, pizza with a high, thick crust, a good rare steak. 4. Busy does not always equal better, if a restaurant looks like the dining room of grandma's house it will probably be authentic and delicious! (nothing to take away from the very good modern cuisine restaurants, but I will tell you about those in another article). We hope you find these tips useful and look forward to seeing you in one of our Villas! EXTRA TIPS: If you want to feel like a real Italian, use these words to complain: they are few, simple but impressive. " MAMMA MIA, MADONNA MIA, MA DAVVERO " If you implement our tips let us know! Do you have anything else to add?© Rebecca Taizzani

As you well know, every country has its own customs, its own habits and its own rhythms. Travelling is wonderful because it allows us to open our minds, to fill ourselves with ideas, to acquire a critical sense, to accept others for who they are . In short, told like this, it may seem all well and good, but sometimes in the midst of our travels we find ourselves a little disoriented. How many of you have ordered a cappuccino at lunch and been looked down upon? How many of you have ordered a latte thinking you were getting some kind of macchiato coffee? Or how many have shown up for dinner at 6pm to find that the chef hadn't even arrived yet?  These are routine scenes (sooner or later we will tell you about all our gaffes), so to spare you a few nasty surprises and a bit of embarrassment, we have decided to put together a guide to Italy. In this section you will not find tips on what to visit or where to go for an aperitif (this one here) or even which beach is the best (I would take a look here if I were you). This guide can be intended as a Bon Ton manual to Italy. Our idea is to create a compendium with notions that will enable you to have an unforgettable holiday: after all, it would be a shame to ruin your stay in a magnificent villa with a private pool for trifles. In the following articles we will try to cover all the relevant topics: from safety at the airport and the use of public transport to the aperitif or dinner. Are you curious? Run and read the next article and let us know what you think. © Rebecca Taizzani

Summer is just around the corner but you still haven't decided on your destination. We know that there are countless places to visit and each one has something to offer: on one island you can find fantastic beaches, on another the wildest fun and on yet another absolute tranquillity. How do you choose one? Simple: choose Mykonos. Mykonos is an Aegean island in the Cyclades archipelago. Although in the collective imagination Mykonos is synonymous with beach bars, discos and wild entertainment, the island also has a lot to offer to those who want to have a relaxing holiday. Just choose the right places and the right times to fall in love with one of the most beautiful Greek islands. Mykonos is the island of pristine beaches, gourmet food: it is also the perfect island for couples holidays. Our first tip is to choose the right accommodation, and who better than us to help you with this decision. If you are travelling in a group, we highly recommend staying at our Horizon Blue: a magnificent villa with an infinity pool overlooking the sea. The ample spaces allow for conviviality without sacrificing privacy. Outside, you will find equipped areas and a kitchen with barbecue facilities. Let's now move on to the 5 things to do in Mykonos 1. ADMIRE THE SUNSETS The contrast between the orange of the sun and the white of the island's buildings creates a breathtaking scene. - SUNSET WITHOUT EXPENSES: Mykonos can be very expensive, you have to be careful what you choose during your stay. Admiring the sunset from the Armenistis Lighthouse, however, will cost you nothing. Our advice? Grab a good wine and two snacks to make this moment perfect. - SUNSET IN THE GARDEN: There is a small natural spot from which you can admire the sunsets in Mykonos, we are talking about The garden: an idyllic spot that formerly belonged to the famous Yehudi Menuhin, one of the most talented violinists of the 20th century. The garden fully represents his vision of life and offers an escape from the daily hustle and bustle. - ICONIC SUNSET: at least once in your life you will have come across a picture of the 180 Sunset bar. A bar located on top of a hill that offers a 180-degree view of the city and embraces the surrounding landscape. 2. MOVIDA ON THE BEACH We like relaxation, but we like the nightlife even more. Book a sunbed at one of the iconic beach clubs to dance from sunset until late at night. If you are looking for unbridled nightlife, we highly recommend the Tropicana, but if you are a more laid-back type, the Scorpios or Santanna are for you. Our ace in the hole remains the Super Paradise establishment! 3. ROMANTIC DINNER ON FLOATING LOUNGERS If you are looking for a place to spend a special evening Meraki mykonos is the place to be. Situated on the terrace of the 5-star Cavo Tagoo hotel, the restaurant offers different options: from an aperitif to a candlelit dinner lying on floating loungers. If you are celebrating a special occasion when you book, ask for the floating table: it will be just you in the middle of the pool and they will offer you an exclusive tasting menu! 4. DINNER IN A TYPICAL TAVERN Luxury is in the simple things and what could be simpler than a dinner of souvlaki, pita gyros and tzatziki? For us, nothing! Here are some of our favourite tavernas where you can eat some great Greek food: - Nikos Taverna (did you know it's also featured in the film Shirley Valentine?) - Kiki's Taverna - M-eating ( the dishes of the day are phenomenal) - Giorgos & Marina Fisherman Tavern 5. PARTY TILL DAWN You're on the island of fun, don't give up dancing until dawn with your friends. Our favourite clubs are: Cavo paradiso and Ftelia Pacha. Cavo paradiso is located on a promontory above Paradise Beach. It was built with the utmost respect for its surroundings and hosts international DJs every night. For the brave, we also recommend a dip in the swimming pool in the middle of the club. If you prefer to be accompanied by the sea breeze and dance with your feet in the sand, choose Ftelia Pacha. Here too you will find international DJs who will accompany you until dawn. © Rebecca Taizzani

Bright colours, overwhelming smell, swaying movements. What are we talking about? The flowering of lavender.Lavender is a rustic plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family and owes its name to the Latin gerund 'lavare' : in the Middle Ages it was used to cleanse the body. Lavender flowers are used in phytotherapy and herbal medicine for their numerous properties due to the presence of essential oil, tannins, ursolic acid, flavonoids and bitter substances. These active ingredients give the plant a sedative and calming action on the nervous system, to be used in cases of anxiety, nervousness, headaches and stress and insomnia, and to combat gastrointestinal manifestations related to agitation. Lavender's benefits also include its balsamic action on the respiratory tract, making it an excellent remedy for colds such as flu, coughs, colds and excessive phlegm. People mistakenly associate lavender with the south of France, particularly Provence, but this wonderful plant also grows in the arid and stony soils of Italy, and it is here that we want to take you today.Just a few kilometres from our villas in the municipality of Montespertoli you can admire a breathtaking lavender field, but there is more: the farm that hosts this field offers very interesting activities and organises aperitifs and dinners with lavender preparations.Read on to find out more!Podere Lemniscata is located a few kilometres from Florence, in the municipality of Montespertoli, an area famous for the production of Chianti wine. The owner Manuela Andreetta knows very well the countless properties of this plant and every day she tries to make her guests discover them.Let's take a look at some of the activities that Manuela proposes: 1. LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OILOne of the activities offered by the farm is the harvesting of lavender to obtain essential oils. You will be guided through this process: you will be explained how to cut the leaves so as not to kill the plant and obtain a very good essential oil.At the end of the harvest you will deposit the lavender in containers and watch the extraction live. The magical moment will be accompanied by the unmistakable smell of this plant that evokes an unparalleled feeling of freshness and cleanliness.Lavender essential oil helps to restore calm and serenity, eliminating stress and nervousness. Just a few drops in the diffuser are enough to purify the air and bring balance and harmony to the environment. Mixed with a carrier oil (e.g. sweet almond oil) it can be used for massages and to loosen muscle contractures or soothe burns. 2. LAVENDER TO DRINK AND EATAfter toiling in the lavender fields, what could be better than a refreshing aperitif and a sublime dinner?The signature cocktail of the Lemniscata farm is their lavender spritz: we cannot describe the goodness and freshness of this drink, you must try it!Our advice is to also stop for dinner: the completely cruelty-free menu will satisfy all your senses. Don't miss dessert! 3. ALL-ROUND WELL-BEINGIf you have read this far your interest in lavender is strong! You are curious to try essential oil extraction and cocktails! But what about attending a live concert while sitting comfortably among the rows of lavender? Or how about doing a meditation cycle with crystals to discover the 4 elements?Podere Lemniscata offers this kind of activity every month, check their website or their Facebook page to stay up to date. © Rebecca Taizzani

“ma per le vie del borgodal ribollir de’ tiniva l’aspro odor de i vinil’anime a rallegrar “ Today, with the help of the illustrious poet Giosuè Carducci, we would like to introduce you to a village located in the Tuscan hinterland, which can be considered one of the most charming in Tuscany. Wine, narrow streets, cheerful souls, festive atmosphere: the whole soul of Bolgheri is encapsulated in a quatrain. Geographically located between Piombino, Volterra and Livorno, it is less than 300 km from Rome and is a hamlet of the municipality of Castagneto Carducci. Its Viale dei Cipressi has become a true Tuscan icon, part of the common imagination of travellers from all over the world, but there is more than this to visit in the village. Many of you will have already had the good fortune to visit it, while others may not have even known the existence of this little treasure. In any case, read on for our tips on what to do in Bolgheri. If you are staying in our Guardistallo accommodation or have booked a flat with a swimming pool at Sculture, you can plan a wonderful day out in Bolgheri.

If you are a lover of white sand, crystal clear water, nature and tranquillity, this article is for you.Today we take you to discover one of the most beautiful and least contaminated islands of the Tuscan archipelago: the island of Pianosa.This small strip of land (it has an area of only 10 square kilometres) is about an hour's ferry ride from San Vincenzo and can mostly be visited on day trips.The island is a protected nature park and has only one bathing beach: Cala Giovanna. Don't let this put you off, however, there are plenty of other activities you can do.Read on to find out how to get there and what to do in a day (we are sure you will return more than once). Before virtually guiding you to the discovery of this hidden paradise, we think it appropriate to leave you with a few historical notes.Pianosa has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and the remains of a number of settlements and artefacts have been found along its shores, which indicate that the island was on the trade routes that crossed the Tyrrhenian Sea in the second millennium BC.The Romans called it Planasia (flat) and between 6 and 7 A.D. Agrippa Postumo, nephew and potential heir of Emperor Augustus, was exiled here. Agrippa remained on the island until 14 AD, when he was executed. The island still preserves several vestiges from that period, including:- the remains of Agrippa's Villa (reachable with mask and snorkel)- the catacombs (Mr Carlo will accompany you on the visit: he is the only resident on the island) In the 16th century, the island was the target of multiple Turkish raids and lost many of its treasures.In 1814, the island was visited by Napoleon, who was in exile on Elba at the time. It was he who initiated the construction of Fort Teglia on the island's promontory.In 1856, the Pianosa prison was established: first an agricultural colony, then a maximum-security penitentiary intended for the imprisonment of terrorists and mafiosi. On that occasion, all the inhabitants of the island were evacuated and it was made inaccessible from the outside.Over time, the activities of the Pianosa prison were reduced until its final closure in 2011. How to reach it?There are ferries departing from Piombino and San Vincenzo: a must if you are staying at Casa Riva.You can check timetables and rates here . But what to do on this island?Paleontological trekkingMountain bikingFrom the village along the south coast towards Cala S. Giovanni and the Grotto of Cala di Biagio where numerous prehistoric lithic tools were recovered in the 19th century and, with a recent excavation, deposits of cervid and bovid bones came to light, testifying to an ancient connection with the continent.Archaeological trekkingMountain bikingOne reaches areas of recent excavation that have uncovered important archaeological evidence. You reach the Belvedere, the highest point on the island, from which you can admire the surrounding landscape.Kayak (Sit on top)Mountain bikingDiscovering the east coast of the island, starting from the beach of Cala Giovanna. An extraordinary opportunity to navigate the waters of the Marine Protected Area, approaching the island's spectacular coastline and cliffs.Mountain BikeOn flat roads and paths to the Marchese branch off at the northern end of the island, for a view of the beautiful Porto Romano bay; then along the cliffs of the west coast and at the penal colony branches.Guided tour by carriageA slow and gentle way to discover the nature, beauty and charm of the island. The excursion allows you to visit the branches of the former prison, the Orti di Pianosa, with a few stops to admire the extraordinary panorama.Snorkelling at Cala dei TurchiFins, mask and snorkel to observe the marine flora and fauna along a stretch of coastline designated by the Park for this activity. The highlight? The secret cave you will enter; you will feel like the protagonists of Pirates of the Caribbean. © Rebecca Taizzani

Summer holidays are a much-awaited time: the kids count down the days until the end of school, the older ones jump through hoops to grab a week's holiday. Sun, sea, saltiness and maybe a good cocktail in hand - for many a dream, for the most hyperactive a nightmare. If lying on a sunbed for a week is unthinkable for you too and looks more like Chinese torture than a dream, this is the article for you. Today we offer you some good alternatives to the lounger. 1. SNORKELING Snorkelling is a discipline in which you swim on the surface of the water, with your face to the bottom. This way, while breathing through a snorkel, you can admire everything underwater: fish, crustaceans, turtles, molluscs and, of course, marine flora. Unlike diving with oxygen scuba tanks, snorkelling does not require a licence and is practicable for everyone: even the youngest children will love this activity. To snorkel safely, you will need a mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit and buoy. 2. KAYAK The term Kayak comes from the name of an Eskimo boat, used as a means of transport or for hunting and fishing in the Arctic Sea. Today, after various modifications, the Kayak is a boat used for recreational purposes by the various tourists who flock to beaches around the world. You can rent a single or double kayak, and on your departure you will be provided with life jackets and a double paddle. With a little effort and a touch of coordination you will be able to reach unexplored bays and picturesque caves. Our advice? Bring a water bottle and a waterproof phone - you won't need anything else for a fantastic adventure. 3. SUP If you're a good balancing act, the sup is a great alternative to the kayak. Sup, which stands for Stand Up Paddle, is an aquatic discipline that combines surfing and canoeing. You glide through the water paddling while standing on a rigid or inflatable board. It is practised using a board that is wider and more stable than a surfboard, and a paddle with a long shaft to be used while standing. Boards can be inflatable or rigid. Rigid boards are more responsive and perform better. The SUP paddle has only one blade, has a handle at the top to grip it, and often has a telescopic shaft to be adapted to the height of the surfer. As in surfing, you use a leash, or lanyard, to tie around your ankle so you don't lose your board if you fall off when there is a current in the water. Haven't we convinced you yet? We still have a few tricks up our sleeve, follow us for the continuation of the article. © Rebecca Taizzani

Greece is a country full of discovery: sea, sun, breathtaking landscapes, history, culture and what else? The good food!In this article we want to put aside for a moment the mouth-watering Greek salads, endless souvlaki and delicious pita gyros. Today we will focus on an underrated niche: pastry. Greek pastry represents what is most characteristic of Mediterranean culture. In ancient Greece, Zeus, Artemis and Apollo were the greedy recipients of irresistible sweet creations, rich in spicy aromas, dried fruits, cottage cheese and mosto. Greek sweets, besides being tasty, often keep for a long time and are a wonderful accompaniment to Greek coffee. Let us now see what they are: (Before proposing them to you, we tested one by one while enjoying the sunset by the pool at Villa Nafsika) 1. Galaktoboureko: This is simply a phyllo pastry cake filled with butter, semolina, sugar, cornflour, eggs, milk, vanilla and nutmeg, baked in the oven and then, once cold and cut into squares, drizzled with a delicious syrup made from honey, lemon or orange peel. 2. Kourabiedes: these are classic winter biscuits, made mainly of almonds and butter, covered with icing sugar, resembling winter snow. A delicate biscuit with a unique aroma, scented with brandy or ouzo that decorates the tables of the Greek people at Christmas time. 3. Trigona panoramatos: a regional speciality, originating in Thessaloniki (said to be the gastronomic capital of Greece) specifically in the Panoramatos district, whose name in Greek recalls its curious shape (trigona = triangle). These are triangles of phyllo dough soaked in sugar syrup and filled with a rich cream-based custard. 4. Loukoumades: these are delicious round doughnuts cooked in boiling oil, covered with honey, cinnamon and chopped walnuts (or almonds). On St Andrew's Day it is the custom for Greek women to prepare them and offer them in church: legend has it that the saint's wife offered them to Jesus and his disciples on the day they arrived in the village hungry. 5. Portokalopita: an irresistible orange-scented phyllo dough cake. The intense and strong aroma of the fruit lends itself perfectly to the taste of Greek yoghurt, which gives the dessert a soft and firm texture. After baking, a glaze of sugar, orange juice and cinnamon completes this rich and unique dessert. 6. Greek Baklava: a syrupy dessert of Turkish origin, also found in Hellenic pastries. A cake made with layers of phyllo dough alternating with chopped almonds and honey, whose original recipe calls for the phyllo dough to be baked with dried fruit and then syrupy with honey. The ingredients? Butter, sugar and dried fruit, all flavoured with cinnamon, cloves and orange, honey: one bite leads to another.  7. Kataifi: a neat composition of strands of phyllo dough with bits of dried fruit inside, including nuts, pistachios and almonds. Did you see any dessert that caught your eye? Why not try it in one of our magnificent villas; we guarantee that the taste seems to get even better!© Rebecca Taizzani

There is a place where for 364 days a year an unconventional show is held. No script, no costumes, no sound system. Everything is spontaneous, natural. The audience can participate without having to buy a ticket and can choose the seat of their choice. The performance has no set duration, it can be 10 minutes or a whole day, it is up to the viewer to decide.But what are we talking about? What is this latest find?We are actually talking about the simplest and oldest thing in existence: nature. That thing that we know but cannot express because 'So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity' (Emily Dickinson).Nature is nothing but an enigmatic poem, always ready to be consulted.   In the Theatre of Silence, you will have the opportunity to consult it, interpret it and perhaps even understand it.The Theatre is an amphitheatre created by exploiting the natural conformation of a hill near the town of Lajatico, in the province of Pisa.This infrastructure is not made of solid volumes, but is built in two dimensions, as if drawn on the ground. Not only is its layout unique, but also its components: the theatre's stage is an artificial pond that becomes part of the stage during performances, while the backdrop is actually a barely visible wall built of travertine. Strangely, there is no grandstand: spectators sit on the slope of the hill in front of the cavea, on barely noticeable steps.The structure was erected at the behest of the Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli and was inaugurated in 2006: from then on it has been the cradle of world opera. The natural spectacle we were talking about earlier is interrupted once a year by one of the best artistic performances in the world: the performance of  Bocelli.  Why have we introduced you to this magnificent setting? Simple, because it is only a few kilometres away from our brand new Villa: "Villa Campana". This splendid property has its own private pool and can accommodate up to 12 people thanks to its 6 rooms. Nothing is left to chance, each piece of furniture is unique and hand-forged: the vine leaf chandelier that runs through the entire living room is noteworthy.  If the interior has made you fall in love, the exterior will be no less: erected on a hill and surrounded by fields of wheat, the villa offers spectacular views.Imagine yourself on a summer's evening, sitting by the masonry bonfire watching the stars. Isn't that what you've always wanted? 

Have you always had fantastic holidays, full of fun and breathtaking scenery but something has always been missing? Do you remember the hot sand under your feet, the blue sea, cocktails while admiring a sunset, but still feel a void to fill? Read on, we have just the thing for you. Holidays are one of the most anticipated and desired moments, they are planned with great care and always seem to last too short. Today we would like to offer you a different kind of holiday, one that will allow you to return home with a very rich bag of experiences (don't worry, this will pass through airport control, not like your suitcase, which will weigh several kilos more than it did on the way out). In this article, we will tell you about the Corfu trail: a 180-kilometre route across the island of Corfu, from south to north. The Corfu trail is a long path across the entire island of Corfu. The trail was gradually created by some friends living on the island. Thanks to the wise planning, the Corfu Trail is today one of the most famous trails in Greece. In fact, it is the only one that combines natural landscapes still unspoilt by mass tourism with urbanisation: friendly Corfiotes, picturesque monasteries, Byzantine and Venetian monuments. You will recognise this path thanks to yellow signs placed at strategic points and marked with a C and a T together with a two-way arrow. It is advisable to follow the route starting from the south and heading north mainly for two reasons: 1. Hikers will gradually prepare themselves from the gentle south to the more mountainous region in the north. 2. The most spectacular landscapes and the greatest concentration of attractions are to be found in the north of the island. Why do we propose this route? Because one of our magnificent villas is very close to a path of this trial: the one called Donkey Path. We are talking about 'Villa Prokimea'. "Villa Prokimea" is a brand new and very elegant villa in Makrades, just a few kilometres away from Palaiokastritsa and Agios Georgios, lively seaside resorts. The villa can accommodate up to six people thanks to its three modernly finished bedrooms. The highlight? The panoramic terraces, the swimming pool with sunbathing area and the short distance from the Corfu Trail. Just 800 metres from the villa you will find the start of this beautiful trail that will lead you to Agios Georgios, delighting you with sublime views of the turquoise bays. The 6 km can be covered either by bicycle or on foot. Are you ready for this experience? What are you waiting for, run and book!© Rebecca Taizzani