La Voce - The Voice
Italy notes from Villa Vita
A quarterly newsletter filled with random fun things regarding Italy. Please forward to friends, or if you prefer, use safe unsubscribe at bottom.      Grazie.

April 2008

Introducing
Villa Boscarello

Villa Boscarello
The Pometti Family welcome you to their magnificent 8 bedroom 8 bathroom villa just southeast of Siena near the quiet town of Trequanda.  Bring your friends and family for an unforgettable holiday...  
 
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Come si dice? 

Each issue we focus on some common words. Here we talk time...
 
primavera - spring
estate - summer
autunno - autumn
inverno - winter
oggi - today
domani - tomorrow
ieri - yesterday
momento - moment
secondo - second
minuto - minute
ora - hour
giorno - day
settimena - week
mese - month
anno - year
lunedi - Monday
martedi - Tuesday
mercoledi - Wednesday
giovedi - Thursday
venerdi - Friday
sabato - Saturday
domenica - Sunday
Buon Compleanno - Happy Birthday
Buon Anniversario - Happy Anniverary
Buon Anno - Happy New Year
Buon Natale - Merry Christmas
Adesso - Now
Presto - Soon
Piu Tardi - Later
Buona Giornata!
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  Here are some more on location photos
 
Giuseppe and Deborah
Chef Giuseppe Mazzocchi and wife Deborah
 
 
Rollin in Dough 
Rollin in the Dough
 
 
Slicing the Prosciutto
Slicing the Prosciutto
 
 
Ballooning over Tuscany
Ballooning over Tuscany 
 
 
In Flight Service
In Flight Service
 
 
Palio Day
Preparing for the Siena Palio
 
 
Flag Thrower in Training
Flag Thrower in Training
 
 
Pienza Street Shot
Pienza Street Shot
 
 
Vatican Tour
On Tour at the Vatican Museums
 
 
Colosseum Nights
  Colosseum Nights
 
 
Bicycle for two
Bicycle built for two
Buon Primavera!
 
Spring is in the air and summer travel plans are stirring!  Our recipe this issue follows along with our quest for the simple and fresh flavors of Italy. Remember to practice your Italian. This quarter we translate time - precious in every language.
 
At Colosseum
 
Cari Saluti,  
 
signature
 
 
 
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Recipe of the Season
Mazzocchi Team
 
 
 

Frittata with Zucchini

 

3 eggs

2 tbs heavy cream  

1 1/2 oz grated parmigiano cheese

1 tbs basil, finely chopped

1/2 tbs parsley, finely chopped

2 zucchini, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small vidalia onion, very thinly sliced

6 tbs extra virgin  olive oil

  

Heat two tbs. of oil in a skillet with the garlic. Remove the garlic when is golden. Cook the zucchini until they are light transparent  and season with salt , pepper and chopped parsley. Set aside in a bowl. In the same skillet, clear with two tbs. of oil the onion ,  and cook until they are transparent. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool off for few minutes.
Put everything together and  whisk in  the eggs with the heavy cream, the cheese, the basil. Season it moderately.
In a non-stick pan heat the remaining oil and pour in the mixture eggs - cheese - vegetables , making sure to distribute well. Stir with a proper spoon on a brisk flame.
Cook on one side and then turn upside down to complete the cooking . Slide the Frittata on a serving dish and cut it  in cubes.

 
 

Buon Appetito!

 
For more information on cooking classes with Giuseppe Mazzocchi based near Lucca in his beautiful villa in Tuscany - Please call 866-590-8181 or visit http://www.villavita.net/experience.htm#CookinginTuscanyWithGiuseppe
 
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 Dollar versus Euro got you down? 
 
Il Borgo Patio
Relax . . .
and enjoy the inclusive Italian Vacation "Lessons of Tuscany"  at the stunning Villa Il Borgo di Bossi-Pucci
 
 
 
 
 
Pay one low price and enjoy beautiful villa accommodations, breakfast every morning delivered to your door - Dinner each night at local family owned restaurants - and visits to surrounding towns such as Florence, Siena and Lucca each day - all included.
 
 
Testimonials from Trip Advisor...
 
"Trip Of A Lifetime, A Dream Come True"
Il Borgo di Villa Bossi-Pucci
  
It had always been a dream of mine to visit Italy, especially since my Grandparents came over to the US from Italy at the turn of the century. Never in a million years would I have dreamed of the experience my wife and I had at Il Borgo. From the moment we arrived we experienced the beauty of Tuscany and the hospitality of the Italian people. This was highlighted by the special attention and care provide by Alessandro, the General Manager at Il Borgo. Every moment, every detail of the trip was thought out allowing us to fully enjoy our stay. It is over a month later and I have not come down from the "high" of the trip. I can't think of any other way to experience Tuscany and I am constantly recommending it to my friends and family.


"Tuscany's Best Learning Experience"
Il Borgo di Villa Bossi-Pucci

Il Borgo's weeklong Lessons of Tuscany package provides an invaluable overview of the culture, history, food and attractions of Florence and the surrounding hill towns. Innkeeper Alessandro Guerrieri is an exceptional host, tailoring the itinerary, dining and cultural experiences to each guest's preferences. The villa itself is the ultimate in comfort, located in scenic surroundings. Every moment was a delight.

 

Il Borgo Garden

For more information on Lessons of Tuscany please call 1-866-590-8181 or visit Lessons of Tuscany
 
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Floating Gently Over the Hills of Tuscany 
 
A very special way to visit Tuscany is with Buddy Bombard  in his magical hot air balloon adventures. For over 30 years, Buddy has been providing these wondrous journeys throughout Europe. I had the good fortune to experience one such adventure...
 

Balloon over Siena

 

Floating With The Breeze over Tuscany. . .

By Gina Ruggiero

 
Dawn breaks over the quiet hills of Tuscany, still too early for even the church bells to ring.  The air is calm.  A small group is gathered in a Tuscan field peppered with mid summer wildflowers  ... more
 
For more information on Buddy Bombard's Europe, please call Villa Vita International at 866-590-8181 or visit www.buddybombard.com
 
 

Do you have a Italy travel story to tell? 

Email me at gina@villavita.net

 
 
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panorama

Villa Vita International is a full service travel provider for authentic and amazing holidays to Italy and beyond.
 
If you have contributions or suggestions for future issues of La Voce, or if you are not already on our list and would like to be,
please click below:
 
also see...
 
Call Toll Free  866-590- 8181 or
in Phoenix AZ  623-581-1062
 
 
Future Events, Tours, and Workshops
August 17th - 24thPlein Air Painting in Tuscany with Liz Kenyon
YEAR ROUND - Lessons of Tuscany  - Weekly programs in Chianti at the beautiful Il Borgo di Villa Bossi Pucci

Contact Info
Gina Ruggiero, President
Villa Vita International
866-590-8181