| Have you seen our video yet?
you will need Windows Media Player to watch or see us on YouTube
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| Olive Oil from Arizona?
You Bet!
introducing...
Family owned olive mill in Queen Creek Arizona has captured the interests and the taste buds of many smart cooks around the country.
Owner Perry Rea says the olive oil business was a natural fit for him, his wife and his three daughters, all of whom participate in the creation of olive oil-based products.
"I'm a first-generation Italian - both of my parents are from Italy - and a big part of that is cooking," says Rea. "And olive oil is in every dish we make."
If you are in the Arizona area - do stop in for a tour and tasting!
wow!
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"Italian Style" Expo in Chicago and
Houston
Chicago July 17-19 at Navy Pier
Houston September 25-27 at George R. Brown Convention Center
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Calling All Artists Project Abruzzo
Free booth for artists - a portion of the sales is donated to the rebuilding of Abruzzo after its devastating earthquake.
Be a part of America's largest "Made in Italy" expo, Italian Style. Promote yourself or your business in front of a huge international audience. This show is looking for all types of artists to participate in the following areas:
Entertainers (Singers, Dancers, Theatrical Performers)
Business that sell Italian or European-themed items
Shops or boutiques
Antique Dealers
Photographers
Painters
...and any other organization that represents true "Italian-style"!
For more information on attending or participating, visit
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Just For Laughs
Do You Know Bruno?
or Mr. Rossi?
Bruno Bozzetto was born in Milan in 1938 and produced his first animated short back in 1958 at the age of 20. Since then, he has been producing short films and feature length productions earning many awards throughout his career.
One of Bozzetto's most famous creations is a funny character known as "Mr Rossi" (pictured above) who has starred in many animated short films and three feature films destined to both TV and cinema.
You may have also seen some of his talents in the hilarious Flash Film Europe & Italy.
Click the above image to view. Once page is loaded (it's worth the wait) - double click on "play". Make sure your sound is up.
I never get tired of watching this!
For more laughs, watch the others as well, especially "Olympics"
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| Smart Car Raffle!
To Support
KJZZ and KBAQ Radio in Phoenix (NPR member stations)
While we are awaiting the Fiat Cinque Centos to be produced here in the US - try your chance to win a 2009 Passion Coupe Smart Car!
Raffle drawing will take place Saturday, November 14th, 2009.
Tickets are on sale now:
1 for $50, 3 for $125, and 6 for $250.
No more than 1500 tickets will be sold!
Actual model and color may vary.
To purchase tickets,
call 480.774.VINO (8466) or visit shop.fpraz.org
If you win, I want a ride!
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Italian Notebook
The brief, free, daily taste of Italy read by thousands of Italy lovers world-wide.
Click on the image or below to sign up.
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Bell' Italia!
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Quick Links
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Thank you!
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Ciao Tutti!
We have just returned from another fabulous trip to Tuscany on our Photo Workshop with Joel Wolfson. We had amazing weather and were surrounded by beautiful places and people. Of course we ate quite well, too! And we are happy to announce it will be taking place again next May. Why not? See details below.
Also, have you seen the flight prices lately? They have not been this low in years. This is actually a fabulous time to travel and Villa Vita can assist with plans world-wide. Looking for ideas? See "Enriching Pursuits" catalog below. Feel free to drop me a line!
In the meantime, enjoy la dolce vita, wherever you are.
A presto,
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Everything we expected it would be and more...
Joel Wolfson's Creative Visions in Tuscany Workshop took place in bella Pienza, Italy, this past May.
Imagine one of the most breathtaking regions in the world. Now add an excellent photography instructor with a great deal of patience and even greater desire to teach others, his wife, a naturalist who functions as his very trusty assistant and intriguing, well-traveled guests with varied back-grounds and wonderful spirits. Combine them all in a restored, 15th century convent in a tiny, perfectly preserved medieval hill town overlooking the Orcia Valley. Picture in your mind morning mist followed by bright blue skies with puffy white clouds, brilliant green fields guarded by stately cypress trees, and blankets of wildflowers as far as the eye can see. Hear the bells of the grand cathedrals ringing as they have for centuries and feel the cool darkness of the ancient wine cellars. Encounter entertaining waitstaff and shopkeepers and the ciaos of friendly residents including the old-men-on-the-park-bench club. Then top it off with some of the best dining experiences in the world, with delicious local cheeses and fine wines and you begin to get the picture (literally) of how our time went there...
"I could not have wished for anything better and would be hard pressed if you asked me to suggest any area for improvement. The accommodation, food and excursions were of an excellent standard as was the atmosphere created by you, Joel and Barb." M.L.
"The trip was amazing. I really had a wonderful time. I feel we all really bonded in such a short time." P.K.
"Better than any expectations" L.K.
"The place is amazing it is true, but the travelers are what really made this trip so special." Gina - Villa Vita
And the best part? We're going again next May! Details soon.
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 Simple, Fun, and Tasty Summer Recipe Mediterranean Ciabatta Sandwich
Ingredients:
1 loaf of Italian Ciabatta bread
1 handful of fresh basil leaves
3 or 4 ounces of black olive pate or tapenade (buy or see below)
6 - 8 ounces of sliced fresh mozzarella
2-3 vine ripened tomatoes
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Steam the basil leaves adding a little olive oil and a pinch of salt. Mince to a paste in food processor.
Cut the bread lengthwise removing some of the soft inside bread.
Brush generously the inside part of the Ciabatta with olive oil.
Spread the olive pate' on the lower part of the bread and the basil paste on the upper part.
Lay the mozzarella and tomato slices and season with salt and pepper.
Wrap well with aluminum foil. Refrigerate for several hours to fuse the flavors.
Bring to the beach, picnic, game, pool, or serve in your backyard on a wooden cutting board slicing into hand friendly sizes. Enjoy!
Variations - try adding other ingredients such as roasted red peppers, grilled portabella mushroom, grilled eggplant, zucchini or onions. Use goat cheese instead of mozzarella. Add salami and or prosciutto - whatever sounds good to you! - Buon Appetito!
This recipe came in from Mauro and Tzeela at Cooking in Toscana.
Ciabatta (pronounced chibahta, literally "carpet slipper") is an Italian white bread made with wheat flour and yeast. The loaf is somewhat elongated, broad and flattish and, like a slipper, should be somewhat collapsed in the middle. Ciabatta was first produced in Liguria, although at least one type of ciabatta can be found in nearly every region of Italy nowadays.
Olive Pate (Tapenade)
12 oz. Calamata olives, or half Calamata and half cracked green olives, (about 1-1/2 cups before pitting), pits removed
1/2 cup capers
2 tbsp. onion
3 tbsp. olive oil
2+ tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
In separate bowls, soak the olives and capers in cold water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt, then drain and rinse well, pressing down on the capers to extract as much water and brine as possible. Remove the pits from the olives by smashing them with your thumb on a cutting board. Put all of the ingredients into a blender or food processor, and puree until you have a fairly smooth paste. Makes about 1-1/2 cups, and keeps indefinitely in the refrigerator.
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For more cooking ideas - please visit...
and
Come visit Chef Giuseppe in Tuscany!
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| Lessons of Tuscany at Il Borgo
As I was sadly packing to leave Il Borgo, my spirits were suddenly lifted high at the sight of this magnificent balloon floating in front of my terrace!
Massimiliano Catalani operates hot air balloon flights not far from il Borgo (obviously!) It is almost as fun to watch as it is to ride - almost. Please contact Villa Vita International for more info.
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We continue to receive rave reviews on our Lessons of Tuscany Program at Il Borgo di Villa Bossi Pucci. One of the best ways to experience Tuscany - Learn more... read more.
Why such good reviews?
Alessandro (your property manager) and Daniele (your trusty driver).
Are you familiar with TripAdvisor? If not, you should be! It's the hottest tool in travel these days and our favorite places to stay earn high marks here! Take a look at what people are saying about Il Borgo di Villa Bossi Pucci where our Lessons of Tuscany are based.
But please, if you wish to inquire about reservations, please inquire with Villa Vita International. Thank you.
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Villa Vita International is a full service travel provider creating customized itineraries to Italy and beyond for individuals and small groups emphasizing authentic and life enriching experiences.
You KNOW we do Italy - But did you know that Gina Ruggiero of Villa Vita International is affiliated with Protravel International - a Virtuoso Agency specializing in world-wide travel? What is a Virtuoso Agency you ask?
VirtuosoŽ is a network of the world's finest travel agencies with knowledgeable advisors who draw upon first-hand experience to craft the perfect vacation for you. Virtuoso affiliated travel advisors have global connections with the best hotels, cruise lines, airlines and tour companies. For you, this means access to exclusive travel offers that you can't get on your own, along with your best value for the money. That's the Virtuoso difference.
For starters - please take a look at this catalog....
I am creating a separate email list for those who wish to be included in on travel deals world-wide (in addition to Italy).
Please email me if you wish to be included.
or just reply to this email.
Call Toll Free 866-590- 8181 or
in Phoenix AZ 623-581-1062
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