| Fun Photos from some of Our Clients who traveled in May
Love-ly Lucca. |
Need a bigger suitcase! |
Ahhh, the Cinque Terre! |
At the Coliseum in Rome, simply amazing. |
Festival Day in a small Tuscan Village. |
Gelato - always a favorite site!  |
Atop the Duomo in Florence - worth the climb!
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The view from the room at Casa di Julie - a small mountaintop village in the Apuan Alps.  |
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Ciao !
Summer is in full swing and so is the height of the travel season. The trend these days seems to lean towards booking closer to your desired departure date. And that is just okay with us! However, space can be tough to find, especially if you are looking for that 6 room seaside B&B showing up as #1 on TripAdvisor in the Cinque Terre! I'd recommend planning a bit further in advance for this!
Speaking of TripAdvisor, our friends at Il Borgo, where our popular Lessons of Tuscany program takes place, has moved into the #12 spot out of over 490 Florence area hotels. Not bad! Or it actually could be, because it is getting harder to get space. Last minute is not as easy as it was last year! Perhaps we can thank the somewhat stabilizing U.S. economy for that and the better exchange rate for dollar to the Euro. Don't miss out - call now for next year and lock in some great rates!
Speaking of space - we do still have a few spots left on our creative writing program Postcards from Italy taking place at Il Borgo Sept 4 - 11th. This program is design to be lightly structured for the "must sees" and heavily spontaneous in seeing, doing, tasting, touching, hearing, and enjoying! Save $150 per person by booking now!
Professional Photographer Joel Wolfson just returned with his group from the vibrant green hills of Tuscany this past May. Feedback included - "I wish I was still there!" and "excellent job." "Can't wait to go back!" and "I learned so much." The students took home their newly learned skills and some pretty fantastic images, as well! And in September, Joel and his wife Barb are leading another lucky group to the Villages of Provence. Please contact us for more information.
With so many wonderful comments and photos coming in from our travelers, we created a page on our blog in order to share many of them:
Whatever your travel desires: Italy, France, Greece, Costa Rica or a safari in Africa or surfing in Mexico, Villa Vita can fulfill with exceptional programs offering added values such as complimentary cooking classes, upgrades, and free nights, all the while enjoying your passions immersing in the warm and inviting cultures.
May your dreams take you there and may Villa Vita be there with you!
 A presto, |
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 Postcards from Italy - Creative Writing Workshop at Il Borgo in Tuscany - Sep 4-11, 2010 Designed for both writers and non writers alike, this affordable program will take in the must-see sights of Florence as well as the off-the-beaten path spots in Chianti. Join our small group as we explore together this beautiful region with pen and heart... just a few spots left - I will personally be hosting this program along with Writing Instructor Erana Leiken - won't you join us? SAVE $150 Per Person Now! more
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 Culinart 2010! Chef Giuseppe pairs up with Artist Brian Care to offer the Ultimate Creative Experience in Tuscany - Sep 4 and 11th, 2010 Combine your passions for flavor and color in one glorious experience and celebrate what Tuscans hold most dear to their hearts, food and art. more
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 For Lovers of Music and Italy: Insider's View of Tuscany - July 14, 21, & 28, 2010 There is still time to get to Greve in Chianti during the Daniel Ferro Vocal program! As a visitor during this program, receive an exceptional value and authentic experience enjoying the festivities of the program including receptions, lunches with the singers and faculty, and very special concerts in historic sites. more
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 Lessons of Tuscany at Il Borgo
By far, our most popular program - Lessons of Tuscany offers daily sightseeing to Tuscan cities such as Florence and Siena, Chianti vineyards tours, and dinner nightly at local restaurants. Il Borgo also offers courses in cooking, ceramics, Italian language, photography, watercolor, and more from this magnificent location. Currently #12 out of 492 hotels in Florence area on TripAdvisor! more
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Featured Recipes
 Strawberry Tiramisu
1 ½ lbs strawberries
16 oz mascarpone
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
2 oz cognac, brandy or bourbon
Ladyfingers (14 oz)
Place 1 lb of the strawberries in a blender and puree. Add 2/3 cup of sugar and blend. Pour the content into a pot and add 1 ½ cups of water. Heat to boiling then add the cognac and let boil slowly for about 20-30 minutes until it thickens. Remove from heat and let cool.
Separate yolks from whites. Beat egg yolks with remaining sugar. Add mascarpone. Once mascarpone is blended, beat egg whites to soft peaks and blend in with mascarpone mixture.
Dip the lady fingers into the strawberry puree (quickly) and place in a glass or porcelain casserole dish. Once you have covered the dish with the ladyfingers, pour some additional puree over the ladyfingers then add a layer of the mascarpone cream. Slice strawberries and place over the cream. Repeat with a second layer. Top with grated chocolate. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
 Authentic Tiramisu
6 eggs
Lady fingers - 14 oz package
16 oz mascarpone
2 oz Cognac
¾ cup sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa
Espresso coffee (at least 12 oz)
1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate
Separate yolks from whites. Beat egg yolks with sugar. Add mascarpone. Once mascarpone is blended, add cognac and stir. Beat egg whites to soft peaks and blend in with mascarpone mixture.
Dip lady fingers in the espresso coffee (dip and turn quickly so they absorb the coffee but not so much that they crumble).
Place one layer of lady fingers in a glass or porcelain casserole dish and cover with mascarpone mixture. Continue to layer. On top of each layer sift cocoa. Continue layering until the mascarpone mixture is finished. Grate chocolate on top layer. Refrigerate for about 2 hours before serving. Enjoy!
Contributed by Mary Anne from the Italy American Chamber of Commerce - Grazie Tantissimo! |
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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.
Villa Vita International
Enriching Life Through Travel
Call Toll Free in the U.S. and Canada 866-590- 8181
or in Phoenix AZ 623-581-1062
info@villavita.net |
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