Northern Italy Rocks

Sant'Agostino Town Hall Before

Sant'Agostino Town Hall After

We are collectively sorry to hear of this distressing news coming from Italy over the weekend. The earthquake many of us have now heard about was centered 6 kilometers outside of Bologna. Shaking the region for 20 minutes it caused deaths, injuries and homelessness. But it is the visual devastation to historic buildings and monuments in the cherished Centro Storico many of us have visited, enjoyed and remember that hurts the most. Some of the most wrenching destruction is coming out of Bologna and Finale Emilia, to the Rocca della Finale Emilia.

With the ongoing Euro struggles with Greece and concern for Italy's financial health, reconstruction is possibly far off Italy's future.

Sad destruction to history. Our hearts go to all the Italian people for such a loss of life and monument.

Here is a link on Repubblica that shows the places impacted by the earthquake.

La Rocca Finale Emilia

Frank Lloyd Wright In The Heart Of Tuscany..And A Dash Of Richard Neutra Near Colle Val d'Elsa Tuscany

 Villa Riserva, Italian Villa Tuscany is a unique architectural experience designed in the tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright and Richard Neutra. Perfectly located between Florence and Siena, as well as a convenient distance from numerous other Tuscan must-see places including San Gimignano (visible in the distance from the north side of the villa), Volterra, Pienza, Montepulciano, Montalcino, Lucca, Pisa and the western seacoast. Villa Riserva is perfectly located for touring Tuscany.

Owner's VineyardsD

This impressive and affordably priced villa is perched on a hill surrounded by the owners' vineyards, woods and fields: an estate the family has owned for over 170 years. It provides all the privacy, peace and quite one could wish for while being close to small towns and hamlets for food shopping, banking, cultural, historical, sporting, medical and other needs.

Here at Villa Riserva antiquity and modernity blend together seamlessly in that unique Italian style to deliver a lifetime of memories for those who choose to stay in this unique location.
The villa is furnished with a very impressive combination of Tuscan antiques and Italian modern furniture and lighting. Great combination. Sleeps 11 in 6 bedrooms with 5 bathrooms.

Driving Like An Italian

Do you want to be the next hit at your neighbor's cocktail party? Of course you do. Nothing like conjuring up some stories from the time you spent at the villa in Italy and those narrow roads and whacky Italian drivers...to get everyone to stop talking and listen in. Only we both know it wasn't really that bad, and after a couple of days you will find yourself just another maniac cruising at top speed only inches behind someone's bumper - safely!

Lezione Numero Uno:

A slow driver wanders (for illustrative sake, let's say it's you) into the left hand lane on the Autostrada. From far far back you can see a dot with brights flashing madly. Soon your rear view mirror fills with a car and a stern look coming from that driver who was just a dot moments before. Please note - This driver will not pass on the right, nor will he get off your bumper. What do you do? It's easy - get over in the slow lane on the right! I had to tell you?

Lezione Due:

The rule is simple and clear: fast cars stay to the left; slow cars to the right. Unlike many U.S. highways where it is more or less a free-for-all with passing on the right, left or center, Italian drivers do not pass anywhere but on the left.

Tre: The Round About

Traffic circles are everywhere in Italy. So are tunnels. When approaching traffic circle, what should you do? Close your eyes and make way! No, they are just like those in the US and UK - yields to the traffic in the circle, but don't be shy and plunge into the fray, and watch out Italy!

Numero Quattro: Who Has The Right Away?

Here's a dilemma - you're on a narrow road and an approaching car takes up more than half of the road, as do you. And let's throw in a cliff on one side to make it exciting. What do you do? Common Darwinism tells us to yield to the other if they are bigger. If they are the same size or smaller, it's more negotiable. Renting an Italian car is found here.

Villa Rossi Offers 20% Discount

Villa Rossi is a very very impressive, historic villa located in one of Tuscany's most impressive villa regions. Located south of Lucca in the heart of Renaissance wealth during the Firenze/Pisa struggles. This villa sleeps 9 people in a palace-like atmosphere. While maintaining the elegance of an antique 17th century villa,

Villa Rossi has been appointed with all modern appliances (including Wifi access) in a recent, full restoration that includes a wonderful in-ground pool(12 x 6 meters) with sun chairs and sun beds. Because the villa comes with a staff, your job is to relax. Offered weekly, but I would want to stay for three weeks in a place like this.

The villa set is on three levels. Very spacious and completely livable for families with kids. This is not a delicate villa - it is livable and very suitable for families with kids of all ages.

Affordably priced during the year and now with a 20% discount is an excellent opportunity to make your reservation. http://italianvillarentals.com/villa-rossi.html