Carnevale, La Festa della Donna, Canaletto,

March 2011

Carnevale, La Festa della Donna, Canaletto, Rondine ...

Greetings!

Carnevale in Venice

Happy Fat Tuesday. Would that we were all in Venice to celebrate. As it is we are sitting at home with our costumes on, making the best of it. It's not quite the same. To see the real thing, click on this link from the Commune di Venezia. Carnevale di Venezia

March 8 is also La Festa della Donna, a day to commemorate the contributions an Mimosa d achievements of women. In Italy, the day is celebrated by giving women a sprig or bouquet of mimosa. Women also have free admission to state museums on this day. La Festa della Donna

Whatever the holiday, it is time to celebrate the approaching spring. The lenten roses are blooming, the bulbs have popped out of the ground, the birds are singing and the fact that we are getting two minutes more of day light ogni giorno is cause enough for celebration.

Whether you are celebrating Carnevale, La Festa della Donna, or le rondine, buona giornata!

Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals

If you are in the Washington area, be sure to see the Canaletto exhibition now at the National Gallery of Art. Those of you anticipating our trip to Ravenna, Verona, Venice and the Po Valley will be especially interested in this collection of paintings of the "Serenissima."

With 20 Canalettos and approximately 40 "rival" paintings, allow plenty of time for your visit.

Canaletto Veduta del

Click here for a splendid video on the exhibit by art critic Rachel Spence Canaletto and His Rivals video

For more information click National Gallery of Art, Canaletto

The Hilltowns of Tuscany, Umbria & The Marche May 30 - June 10, 2011

While this newsletter may seem to be our Venice edition, we don't want to forget the place where this all began. Known for it's breathtaking landscape, the regions of Tuscany and Umbria have captivated travelers for centuries.

There is so much to discover here. This, our most popular tour, offers the unique opportunity of traveling through this beautiful land while visiting places few tourists know. We have traveled throughout this region for well over a decade and are able to offer a chance to experience the people, places, history and art in way no other tour can.

See these regions like an insider. Follow the Piero della Francesca Trail, see the magnificent Della Robbia's of La Verna , savor the food and wine of Tuscany at an exclusive wine tasting dinner at a castello, visit Urbino and "the most beautiful palace of the Renaissance", see the art and the places that have drawn writers, painters and poets for centuries. Montalcino, Gubbio, Pienza, Volterra More

Photo taken at 5 am from our hotel in Pienza

During one of our visits to Pienza , I awoke in what seemed to be the middle of the night, with the room aglow in a deep but brilliant blue light. I thought I must be dreaming, especially since my dreams frequently take me to the Val D'Orcia but no, I was actually there and the light everywhere was a deep mystical blue. I went to the window to see the unforgettable sight captured in the photograph above. Just another breathtaking moment in Tuscany.

Ravenna, Verona, Venice and the Po Valley

June 13 - June 24, 2011

Venice Grand Canal

Speaking of Venice, we

are very exicted to have finalized the details of our upcoming tour.

Verona, Mantua, Ferrara, Vicenza, Padua, Bologna, the riches of the Po Valley.The mosaics of Ravenna; the genius of Palladio; the splendor of the d'Este; the Marriage Suite by Montegna of the Gonzaga castle; the Arena of Verona . . . More

Wines and Winners

Thanks to all of you who came to the wine tasting at Cecile's.

It was great to see you and have your feedback on the exceptional wines of the day one of which was this issue's featured wine, Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre Valpolicella 2007

"Enticing scents of chocolate, espresso, dark fruit, licorice and new leather emerge from the boisterous 2007 Palazzo della Torre. The fruit is sumptuous as always, but in 2007 Palazzo della Torre is not quite as approachable upon release as it usually is. Another year or two in bottle should help smooth some of the slightly rough edges that are present today. There is enough balance and elegance in the finish to suggest this will drink well for a number of years. Palazzo della Torre is made from 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, all traditional Veneto grapes. Approximately 30% of the fruit is air-dried, Amarone-style. The fermenting juice from those grapes is added to the rest of the juice to give the wine an extra dimension of richness and body."Wine Advocate 90 points