Ciaotraveler

The beautiful Val d' Orcia area of Tuscany                                                                                       Photo by my cousin, Maria Hoffman-Vallehrach One is assured of many gorgeous settings for falling in love in Europe...its just hard to decide the best! Love is in the air...

If you've read some of my posts, you know that I love blues and whites, almost as much as the earth tones painted on the stone villas everywhere in Italy.   I've used many colour themes so check out some of my other posts at the end of this one. It  doesn't get much bluer than the sea near and around the famous arches in Capri in the Mediterranean Sea (left).    See more blues and whites...

Isn't this a beautiful pomegranate spritzer cocktail on the right?  It tasted so delicious after walking all day around the Roman Coliseum and the Forum.  The mixologist at the Mecanate Palace Hotel Sky Bar in Rome offered it as a refreshing drink to try, thus the reason I call it an Italian spritzer.  Here is my take on this recipe:  2 parts good vodka, 1 part pomegranate juice or Rose's Pomegranate Twist Mix, and 1 part club soda.  Shake with ice.  Serve in cold martini glass with a slice of lime or orange peel.  You can enjoy this alcohol free as well.  Salute!

One year after the Italian ocean liner, Costa Concordia, hit rocks close to Giglia, Italy's shore, the work continues to remove it from the water. Thirty two died of the 4,252 passengers. The Captain was doing a ‘sail by salute’ and has defended his navigation, saying he was ‘familiar with the seabed’ and that he hit the rocks, known as Le Scole, because they were not on his navigation charts. He is accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship. The crew and survivors gathered at the site this week to honor those who lost their lives (photo below). See...

Charming Tuscany is probably the number one region for weddings. Ever thought of having a dream wedding in a romantic country like Italy?  Many couples are splurging on weddings and honeymoons in Italy and other parts of Europe every year.   Whether its the beautiful Tuscan hills, a castle, historical ruins or Mediterranean seaside resort, these settings are perfect for beginning a new life as a married couple.   Some celebrities who've exchanged vows in Italy are Justin Timberlake (Puglia region), Tom Cruise (Rome), and Giuliana Ransic (Capri).   There are certain wedding regulations to follow but the many wedding services provide assistance with this and other important arrangements.   But which city to choose in a country with so many well known romantic locations?  Consider some of these...

St. Isidore's Church in Rome, Italy offers Irish weddings and is very near the Vatican.  Pretty TV host, Cat Deeley and her Irish husband were married here in September 2012.   See more of the church wedding information  here .

Have you seen Tuscan Style Magazine?  I happened to come across a blog created by one of the owner's of a home featured in one edition.  See the before and after photos from the photo shoot at  Vignette Design home  and other photos here .  The blog is great also!