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6 of the Most Romantic Places in Italy

Italy is unquestionably a place where art, architecture, history, tradition and nature all combine to create an unforgettable romantic experience. Whether you are travelling with your significant other or travelling to find one, take a journey through this country of romance and live like a local. In no particular order, here are 6 of the most romantic places to visit in Italy.

Warning: these images are very captivating and if you do visit these fascinating places you may not want to come home.

Positano

This town is located on a steep hill and is one of the many gems of the Amalfi Coast. The walk from the top of this scenic town to the bottom is filled with charming boutiques and restaurants. It is almost impossible to visit one town on the Amalfi Coast without visiting all of them. The drive on the Amalfi Coast is perhaps one of the most beautiful in the world.

Venice

Of course, the Floating City had to be on this list. Venice is unique and always awe-inspiring. The colourful reflections off the water will simply leave you speechless. When in Venice, make sure to visit the nearby islands like Murano and Burano (seen in the picture above) which are easily reachable by the frequently passing boats.

Cinque Terre

Located in the North of Italy, Cinque Terre literally translates to “five lands”. These five seaside villages add a splash of colour and life to the steep coastline. Walking through this area is like living in a real-life fairytale. Cinque Terre is a romantic, picturesque and traffic-free place with a characteristic Mediterranean seafood cuisine.

Rome

The Eternal City has always been a place of plenty honeymoons. Filled with fountains, piazzas and inspiring buildings, Rome is the capital of Italy and romance. The hills of Rome offer bird-eye views of the many basilicas and villas of the city. If you feel like Rome gets too crowded, you can visit the delightful quiet parks like Villa Borghese, Villa Pamphili and many others.

Capri

If you are looking to relax and enjoy some fresh air, Capri is your ideal destination. This island is filled with fascinating views and friendly locals. Experience the slow way of life by wandering to exquisite restaurants immersed in the picture-perfect nature. While on the island, make sure to hop on a boat and visit the Grotta Azzurra – a remarkable sea cave.

Lake Como

George Clooney has a home here – so this lake must be quite a romantic place. Filled with resorts and gardens, the magical Lake Como is surrounded by Italy’s Alps. Small towns like Bellagio, Menaggio and Como add some history to this peaceful area. In these towns you can visit the stunning lakeside villas and palaces, many of which are there since Roman times.

Ready to go? Contact me for a customized itinerary or group quote today.

River Cruising

Civilization started along the world’s riverways and, today, river cruising is a most civilized way to travel the world, prized for its leisurely pace, bucolic views, and authentic experiences.

With nearly as many river cruising options as there are rivers, it’s smart to enlist the help of an expert travel agent to match you with the experience that’s right for you. To get you started, here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your river cruise.

Know the Benefits of River Cruising

River cruising invites you to slow down and enjoy the journey along with each destination. In addition, river cruising offers travel benefits like:

Ease. As with conventional ocean cruising, you’ll unpack only once, and yet you’ll get to enjoy an in-depth look at a variety of destinations. Some river cruises also include shore excursions that introduce you to places and people well beyond the riverfront cities, towns, and villages, giving you a well-rounded feel for the area;
Proximity. Wherever you dock, you’ll typically find yourself mere steps from all the action and—because river cruise ships typically carry less than 200 passengers—you won’t feel like you’re traveling with the masses every time your ship disembarks;
History. Once upon a time, rivers were the “roads” and some of the oldest cities, towns, and villages grew up along the rivers—today, river cruising is a convenient and rather romantic way to access this history; and
Cost-Savings. The cost for a typical river cruise includes all shore excursions and meals, and some also include limited alcoholic beverages, so you don’t encounter unexpected expenses during your trip.

Know What to Expect When River Cruising

To maneuver comfortably along winding, sometimes-narrow rivers, river cruise ships tend to have tight quarters. But, even on the smallest river cruise ships, there are usually cabin categories with ample breathing room. If you’re budget-minded and opt for a standard cabin, it’s important to note that common areas are often roomy, especially the rooftop deck—a spacious spot to relax, socialize, and take in the impressive and ever-changing views.

Know Where to Enjoy River Cruising

Europe, with its many scenic and diverse rivers, has set the standard for river cruising—but Europe is by no means the only place to enjoy river cruising. The Yangtze in China, the Nile in Egypt, and the Amazon which flows through several countries in South America are also exceptional areas to explore and enjoy with a river cruise.

Know Your River Cruising Options

A few of our favorite river cruise lines include:

Avalon Waterways—this line has a fleet of new and very contemporary ships sailing the rivers of Europe;
Viking River Cruises—with its new Viking Long Ships, this is now the largest river cruise line, and offers cruises in Europe, China, and Egypt;
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises—this upscale line, with its luxurious interiors, consistently wins “world’s best” accolades for gourmet food and wine; and
AmaWaterways—this upscale line has unique land and cruise combinations, and offers cruises in Europe, Africa, and Vietnam/Cambodia.

Know When (and How!) to Book Your River Cruise

The key is early booking. Unlike conventional ocean cruising, where you’ll sometimes find a great last-minute deal, river cruises sell out months before departure. To get the best discounts, and to benefit from the greatest variety and choices, book up to a year in advance. With literally dozens of ships and itineraries —let us sort out the options, and then match you with your best river cruise company and itinerary. And, because we’re current on all promotions, we can make sure you get the best value. Bon voyage!

New Recommendation regarding Minors Traveling to Mexico

Effective Feb 15, 2013, the Mexican government is changing the entry requirements for minors. Minors who are traveling with a person other than their parent or legal guardian or minors traveling with just one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter of authorization from both parents or guardians. The letter must also be legalized or have an apostille. (An apostille is an internationally recognized form of authentication and is a special seal applied by an authority to certify a document.) In addition, the letter must be translated into Spanish.

Written consent should be in the form of:

1) a notarized letter of consent signed by the non-traveling parent (dated within one year of travel)
2) a death certificate for the non-traveling parent or
3) proof that the parent traveling has sole custody of the minor(s).
4) Be in both English and Spanish

The parental consent letter should include: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and contact information for the absent parent(s).

Minors have long needed to have this notarized letter of consent, new this year is the requirement that the letter be translated into Spanish. Be sure to get your paperwork together well in advance as any air carrier can ask for this documentation and deny boarding if you do not have it. Contact your nearest Embassy if you have questions.

Linguine pasta with zucchini & vongole by Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

You can start preparing for an Italian epicurean adventure with this exclusive “Italian Touch” recipe from Uniworld’s Culinary Director, Bernhard Zorn, who has earned the prestigious title of Global Master Chef from the World Association of Chefs Societies after over 30 years of culinary experience.

Preparation:

Lightly crush the garlic cloves and heat with both oils in a large nonreactive sauté pan over medium heat until the garlic starts to sizzle. Adjust the heat so the garlic continues to cook evenly in the oil, releasing its own essential oils, and softens but does not brown for about 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and carefully blend with the oil. Season with salt.

Continue to cook slowly, stirring from time to time, until the squash is completely softened and starts to break apart but does not brown for about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let rest in the oil for 2 hours. Pour into a fine-mesh strainer, reserving the zucchini and oil separately. Keep the same pan, without cleaning, to cook the clams.

Heat the zucchini oil in the pan over medium heat until it starts to sizzle. Add the clams, cover the pan, and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook the clams, gently shaking the pan from time to time, until they start to open for 5 to 6 minutes. Cooking time will vary, depending on the size of the clams and the thickness of the shells. Add the reserved zucchini, hot pepper flakes, and parsley. Gently stir with the clams. Set aside.

Boil the linguine in an abundant amount of salted water until done to taste. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the linguine, adding a little of the pasta water so that the zucchini and pan liquid coat the pasta like a sauce.

Transfer to a warm serving platter or individual pasta bowls. Start with the pasta, then top with the clams and zucchini. Serve immediately—with extra hot pepper flakes on the side.

Now, imagine eating delicious meals like this one 3 times a day on your luxurious river cruise adventure! Book your 2013 Uniworld Boutique River Cruise (ranked one of the “World’s Best Cruise Lines” by readers ofCondé Nast Traveler ) with me today for exclusive savings & perks!

5 Not-To-Be-Missed Museums in Paris

Musee Jacquemart Andre

The Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay are already on your list. But Paris is filled with wonderful, smaller museums that are not to be missed. They’re not exactly hidden, but they certainly are gems.

Musée Carnavalet

I love this funky, old museum housed in two beautiful, adjoining mansions, but if you don’t start at the beginning (in the basement), you could wander around in a daze. This place is a 3D-version of the story of Paris; like walking through a history book. It takes you step-by-step through the city’s development from prehistory, when it was the villageof Lutèce, through Roman times, the Renaissance, the French Revolution, the Belle Epoque, and on to today. After you’ve traveled through time, relax in the beautiful, courtyard gardens.

Details: Musée Carnavalet (23 rue de Sevignée; tel. 01/44-59-58-58; www.carnavalet.paris.fr; 3rd arrondissement, Metro: Chemin Vert orSaint Paul) Free; closed Mondays.

Musée Jacquemart-André

This sumptuously-decorated, 19th-century mansion is as much a work of art as the masterpieces it houses. Edouard André, from a prominent banking family, and his wife, artist Nélie Jacquemart, had a passion for art. They traveled extensively collecting paintings, sculpture, tapestries, furniture and objects d’art. Their collection includes works by Botticelli, Chardin, Fragonard, Mantegna, Rembrandt, and Van Dyck. There’s even a room devoted entirely to Renaissance paintings. Visiting this museum gives you a glimpse into the elegant lifestyle of the Belle Epoque.

Details: Musée Jacquemart-André (158 Blvd Haussmann; tel. 01/45-62-11-59; www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com; 8th arrondissement, Metro: Miromesnil or Saint Philippe du Roule) Open daily.

Musée Bourdelle

Antoine Bourdelle’s colossal sculptures are on display in his former home, studio and garden, tucked away on a side street in the bustling Montparnassedistrict. Bourdelle studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Parisand in 1893 became an assistant to Rodin. The lovely garden is a great spot to repose after hours of sightseeing; bring a book and a snack.

Details: Musée Bourdelle (18 rue Antoine Bourdelle; tel. 01/49-54-73-73; www.bourdelle.paris.fr; 15th arrondissement, Metro: Montparnasse-Bienvenüe) Closed Mondays.

Musée Zadkine

Near the Jardin de Luxembourg, a little garden and the former atelier of sculpture Ossip Zadkine are hidden away. The Russian artist, who came to Parisin the early 1900s, lived and worked in this tranquil spot from 1928 to 1967. The collection features his abstract sculptures along with paintings, drawings and photos documenting the work.

Details: Musée Zadkine (100 bis, rue d’Assas; tel. 01/43-26-91-90; www.zadkine.paris.fr; 6th arrondissement, Metro: Vavin or Notre Dame des Champs) Closed Mondays.

Le Corbusier Buildings

If you love architecture or just modern design, it’s worth a trip to this cul-de-sac off Rue du Docteur Blanche. There are two houses, built in 1924, by the famous architect Le Corbusier (Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris): Maison La Roche (tel. 01/42-88-75-72; open to visitors) is a wonderfully-preserved example of Le Corbusier’s work. It was commissioned by Raoul La Roche, who wanted a house with a gallery to display his painting collection. Maison Jeanneret (library visits by appointment only) houses the Foundation.

Visit Le Corbusier’s apartment and studio on the top floors of Immeuble Molitor. He lived here from about 1934 until his death in 1965. This light-filled, vaulted space is still decorated with his personal belongings; a treat for Le Corbusier aficionados.

Details: Fondation Le Corbusier (8-10 Square du Docteur Blanche; tel. 01/42-88-41-53; www.fondationlecorbusier.fr; 16th arrondissement, Metro: Jasmin or Michel-Ange-Auteuil) Closed Sundays & Monday mornings. Appartement de Le Corbusier (24 rue Nungesser et Coli; tel. 01/42-88-75-72; 16th arrondissement, Metro: Michel-Ange-Molitor or Porte d’Auteuil) Open Saturdays only, one metro stop or a 20min. walk from the Foundation.

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The best way to experience Paris is to stay in a boutique hotel or rent an apartment if staying a week or more. Contact me for ideas and complete travel planning assistance.