AVANTI !!!

VACANZA - DESTINATIONS

(VACANZA ITALY & BEYOND)

SPRING NEWSLETTER!

Ciao tutti ...we hope your travels have been invigorating and successful this year!

Spring has arrived and Italy awaits you.

The Region of The Month LAZIO

April

The Happening City Rome

The regional capital of Latium is Rome. The incomparable home of architectural and artistic masterpieces of the ancient world. Is it possible to resist the fascination of Rome? It may be difficult, but why not try to spend a few days "exploring" Latium? In this way you would discover a region of fascinating nature and environment, with an extraordinary variety of landscape: wide beaches, gentle hills and expansive plains. A region rich in artistic monuments that bring to mind the long and extraordinary history of this region.

The “Festa della Primavera” (Spring celebrations) begin with a series of events and exhibitions that will last until the end of June and that include the likes of Monet and Botero. High-profile exhibitions abound this month and it would be unthinkable not to mention the following: Munch, Masterpieces from the Guggenheim collection, Guttuso, Canaletto, “Oro dei Sarmati (the Sarmatians’ Gold)” and the “Quadriennale”.

The city’s musical offerings this month suits all tastes. Some of the musical series that deserve a mention are the all-female "Women in music. ControCanto", the showcase event for up-and-coming artists "Roma di Amilcare", and the jazz soirées at the Auditorium. Then of course there’s the one-off musical event that defies all categorisation, the performances by Stomp which include movement, percusssions, dance and rock. There are many concerts in April too: namely Queen, Hiram Bullock, Mike Stern, Marina Rei, Negrita, Frankie Hi Nrg, Piero Pelù, Marlene Kuntz, Amedeo Minghi, Gemelli Diversi and Roberto Vecchioni.

For classical music lovers there are the concerts by the “Roma Sinfonietta", and the unmissable performances of operas such as "Oedipus Rex", "Turandot", "Estaba la madre" and "Carmen". In terms of musicals, the choice rests with “Se il tempo fosse un gambero", "My fair lady", the highly original "The Blues Brothers. The plagiarism" featuring Lillo & Greg, and "Primo Piano".

Cinema aficionados will be able to enjoy the “Roma Independent Film Festival”, one of the most important events in the field, and the new and different cinematic offerings of the “Panafricana” festival.

As well as the football and basketball championships, this month Rome hosts the “Davis Cup” matches. The Tiber will host the "Percorsi canoistici” canoe event.

Finally, the city’s delightful and characteristic flea and food markets should be pointed out, as should the "Giorniverdi" days in which to enjoy the beauties of Lazio’s nature reserves.

Until June: Giorniverdi (Green Days)

Lazio’s Food and Wine

Lazio's best cheeses: We list the best pecorino, buffalo mozzarella, ricotta and more recently awarded by the Azienda Roma Mercati.

Roman Jewish Cuisine: The most authentic Roman food can be found on the banks of the Tiber opposite the Isola Tiberina.

Roman Wine: DOC wines from the Alban hills and special mention of Frascati and Marino white.

Olive oil from the Sabine hills: Visit the Museo dell'Olio della Sabina at Castelnuovo di Farfa.

Discover Roman Artichokes: The annual appointment in Ladispoli is the place to find out more about the carciofo

How to prepare a meal with carciofi: It takes talent to cook an artichoke as it should be. Advice and tips see our Recipe of the Month.

Recipe of the Month!!!

Artichokes Alla Romana

Ingredients
4 large artichokes, salt and pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, mint leaves or dried mint, one lemon, white wine vinegar.
Preparation
Preparation is half the battle. It will take several attempts to perfect it. We advise that you use fresh artichokes. For this dish, fresh is best.
You may ask your local grocer to remove the leaves and inside of the artichokes for you as it really is a chore. Otherwise you can prepare the artichokes by turning each leaf downward towards the stem and it will snap off. Keep removing till you reach the cream coloured leaves with red tips. At this point take a sharp knife and cut straight across the red tips.
Scoop out the needle like leaves to reveal a soft fleshy interior. Trim the stems to about 2 Inches.
Place the artichokes, stems up, in a pan to the mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, finely chopped garlic, mint, lemon and a touch of vinegar. They should be submerged to half way up the artichoke bulbs.
Cover the pan and cook. As they cook they will fizzle and pop, which is normal, but do check that the artichokes are not sticking to the bottom of the pan. Half a glass of water will help this process.
Cooking time 40 minutes or until the stems are soft and be pierced by a fork.
Serve and eat immediately. Buon Appetito !!!
Serve Wine: Frascati Superiore, Fontana Candida~Lazio or similar

Feature Cooking Program

Roman Hills - Not Just Food!

In the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles), eating is a culinary pleasure! Experience the unique food and wine of the Alban hills. The fruits of the Roman wines and the delights of the table can be enjoyed in the surrounding beautiful sunny hillsides. Ancient wine-making methods and traditions, are on display at the Wine Museum in the town of Monte Porzio Catone. After a day’s outing along the Wine Road (La Strada dei Vini) or a walk in the woods, indulge in a traditional meal and a bottle of a good wine in one of the many local restaurants or picturesque Fraschettes. This exciting adventure offers wonderful views and a chance to try the local speciality the “porchetta”. Your culinary experience provides you with accommodations at the beautiful 4 star Hotel Flora in Frascati and 2 more nights at a 4 star hotel in Rome. During the 3 hands on cooking lessons you can learn all about Italian cuisine and have the possibility to taste the region’s wines. This 7 day tour is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the region of Lazio and its culinary delights! For more information check out G31 -Roman Hills - Not Just Food! on our culinary page at www.vacanzaitaly.com.

One Day Cooking Class Option

Cooking Lessons in Rome

If you don't have time for a full culinary week or weekend during your stay in Rome, the best option is to add a cooking class a la carte. Add an Italian cooking experience to your vacation, at a fabulous restaurant in Rome, with our one day cooking class option. The chef's approach is to use the freshest of ingredients and simple preparation to bring out the natural flavors of the food. Italian cooking lessons focus on successive stages of an Italian meal, from antipasto to dolce (starter to dessert). Then you will enjoy the cuisine that you yourself prepared. Lessons are on request for any day year round and you can choose between a pasta school course, a pizza school course, or a capriccio complete cooking course. For more information check out G31 -Roman Hills - Not Just Food! on our culinary page at www.vacanzaitaly.com.

A beautiful waterfall in Lazio

Frascati

Tuscolo archaeological site

A typical Antiques Market in the Piazza

La Vendemmia

Your Hotel for Roman Hills Course

Chef for Roman Hills Cooking Course

A dish from the Rome Cooking Class

A happy group from the Rome Cooking Class

Our Travel Expeditions this year:

OUR ENERGETIC TEAM of travel experts so far this year has already been to Italy and France: attending seminars, site-inspections of properties, wineries, and experienced hands-on cooking lessons. They have returned with a portfolio of new product and programs for you to choose from and enjoy!

Our Visits this year:

February of this year was a hectic month for our Team. Travel not only included Italy but we participated in Trade shows and product seminars across Western Canda. Meeting travel partners in Winnipeg, Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria.

Terri the our C.E.O attended the Buy Italy – in Milan – Italy’s largest Travel and Tourism Trade show. She renewed old friendships and made new ones, and has returned with a collection of product to share with you u in 2005 and 2006.

During the same visit to Italy, she traveled to Portofino & St. Margherita Di Liguria where her host , Susanna and Paola had arranged a full two day site inspection of their unique selection of homes and villas. Rentals available for short lets. We can suggest, to those who are keen to experience first hand the local culture in the renting of a home as opposed to staying in a hotel.
She has carefully selected a collection of homes and apartments offering a unique opportunity to experience the local attitude and warm hospitality. Living Rooms decorated with the personal touches of their owner, photos, paintings and selected books. One can choose, soft colored seaside Villas with breathtaking views of the deep blue sea and the Ligurian coastline tinged with colors from beach umbrellas.
The unique experience of renting one of our homes does not mean that one needs to compromise the comforts sought, while taking a break, because we can upon request arrange extra services such as: Cooks, Housekeeping, Drivers, Shopping, Babysitting and many other services.
Come and discover Romantic Portofino and the Enchanting Ligurian Coast and it’s beaches.

Martino, has just retuned from spending two weeks in Italy, where his focus was on Le Marche, ( The New Tuscany ) Why Le Marche?
Travellers who want an alternative to Tuscany and Umbria are now heading for Le Marche, the third region that makes up central Italy. This picturesque region is situated on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the high Apennine mountains. A region that remains unspoiled and still unexplored by mass tourism.

The focus of his visit was to make personal contact with owners of villas, agriturismo, apartments ( inland and seaside) wineries and restaurants. He went searching for a taste of the "real" Italy, un spoilt by tourism and hospitablie and welcoming to new travellers.
His visit included cities such as Pesaro, Urbino, Ancona, Macerata and smaller inland towns that are well worth visiting and will make a good base for touring to include areas such as: Jesi, Cingoli, Recanati, Cagli, Camerino, San Leo, and Fermo.
Of course he also focused on many of her seaside resorts, the prettiest of which is Sirolo. .
If Le Marche is what you are looking for, Martino will be delighted to share his knowledge and experience with you.

Vacanza - Destinations a small private company, has been focusing on quality and our growth has enabled us to offer unique vacation holidays.
Vacanza Italy ‘s focus is on vacations tailored to your specific needs. Our experts have detailed knowledge of the different regions of Italy and it’s surrounding neighbors.

As we expand our boundaries,

Enthusiastic Monika has just returned from Rondez Vous France.,where her main focus was in establishing new relationships with suppliers and acquiring product knowledge to share with you.
Her visit included the South of France, Paris and surrounding countryside. Her delight was in discovering, unique chateaus, enchanting castles , hidden wineries, historical homes,
country inns and charming hotels.
She visited wonderful Chateaus, that we shall feature this fall in our, France and her Culinary Treasures
Contact Monika and she will be delighted to forward you an attractive and detailed itinerary customized to your budget and let her set you on the road to your dream vacation..

Let us take you there..........

Vacanza Italy's Team

An ocean view in Portofino

Montmartre

Gardens and Kitchens of Provence

TRAVEL NEWS

TRAVEL WITIN ITALY

Gasoline is called benzina, unleaded gasoline is benzina senza piombo and diesel is gasolio. Almost all the service stations in the country are equipped with pumps for lead-free gasoline (95 octane) and diesel fuel. Service stations are open from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. They follow a shift system on weekends and holidays.

Good coach services run between cities and towns and there are also good local bus services. A major Italian company that operates throughout the country is called SITA S.p.a., Viale dei Cadorna 105 - 50129 Firenze. Tel 055 214721, Fax 055 284661.

Please note that in order to avoid heavy fines, it is vitally important to remember to validate any rail, bus and subway tickets purchased for use on the Italian public transport system.

In the case of rail travel, machines for date-stamping your ticket are located on station platforms and are usually yellow in colour. It is extremely important to validate your ticket before boarding to avoid fines.

Tickets for buses and the subway tend to be time-limited (often one hour) and it is therefore necessary to complete your journey within the allotted time and purchase a new ticket for any additional travel. Machines for date-stamping your ticket are located in the foyers and beside barriers in the case of subway travel and on board buses. Daily, weekly and monthly passes are also available. Tickets for buses and the subway cannot be purchased on board and must be obtained prior to boarding from newsagents, tobacconists, ticket kiosks or bars.

A presto.....Vacanza Italy's Team!

Contact our team: Terri, Debbie, Daniel, Monika, Martino, Marlene, Sarah and Reno to book your trip:

Call us at: (604) 926 8537 or 1-866-370-2277

E-mail: bookings@vacanzaitaly.com

www.vacanzaitaly.com

Visit Our New Web site

Self Catered Villas - Apartments - Exclusive Residences