Amalfi and Tuscany

The hottest trend these days, after millions of people have watched the movie "Under the Tuscan Sun" is to rent your very own private villa in Italy. Ivy spent a week in glorious Positano checking out some amazing villas perched along the coast, as well as some of the best hotels. Of course the most known hotel in all of Positano is the Il San Pietro, a Relais Chateaux hotel, winning every possible award in the industry, with a fabulous deck overlooking the beautiful bay of Positano, and each room with views overlooking the coastline. From the terrace you can take a glance at Praiano, Li Galli and the coast as far as Faraglioni rocks of Capri. Their restaurant is rated Michelin Star. There is a shuttle service offered into Positano. If one prefers to stay somewhere in town, your best option is Le Sirenuse, A Small Leading Hotel of the World, situated in the center of town. This is truly the BEST hotel in town. Another option is Palazzo Murat, also within walking distance of shops, and a great garden restaurant.

If you are staying along the Amalfi coast, and are into food/wine, a Michelin star restaurant to visit is Ristorante Quattro Passi. Chef Antonio is most charming and the food is fabulous. The wine cellar is impressive! Email for Reservations.

If you opt to stay in Positano, you can hire a car/driver (as no one drives in Amalfi!) and head south to Ravello to Palazzo Sasso, a 12th century palace turned hotel that underwent a $20 million renovation in 1997. Sitting atop a 1,000 foot cliff overlooking the coast and the Gulf of Salerno, Palazzo Sasso features 36 rooms and eight suites. This hotel also features a Michelin star restaurant. Next door to Palazzo Sasso, Orient Express Hotels is opening their "Caruso" this year. Between Positano and Ravello lies the village of Amalfi and another great hotel "Santa Caterina"...this is the latest place for celebrity hang-out. This is a place not to be missed!

Close by are Sorrento, Pompeii and the island of Capri. There are boats/ferry service available to Capri from Sorrento, Positano and Naples. The main tourist attraction in Capri is the Blue Grotto. Other sites worth seeing include the Villa Tiberio, built for the Emperor Tiberius' retirement and notorious for the pursuite of pleasures that took place inside. The Garden of Augustus, south of the town of Capri is pretty, but overcrowded. Capri consists of the village of Capri and Anacapri. Best hotel in Capri is the Quisisana (formerly a hospital), and within the shopping/restaurant area. Best hotel in Anacapri is the Capri Palace. Be prepared for some great shopping in Capri!

Then it was off to Tuscany, what a change of scenery compared to the Amalfi coast! The most valuable thing to remember when in Tuscany is what the Italians call a 'villa' is not what we as Americans consider to be a villa. Most of the 'villas' here are restored farm houses. Some very quaint and some with every modern conveniences. Do check to make sure what you are renting prior to heading to Tuscany. Starting from Florence some of the more popular places are Montecatini, San Gimignano, Volterra, Montepulciano, Lucca, Sienna and many more quaint little villages. The scenery in Tuscany is like being lost in a perfect Italian painting!

If you are staying in Florence, the newest luxury hotel is the Relais Santa Croce, and the Lungarno Hotels (Lungarno Suites, Lungarno Hotel, Continentale & Arts) are closeby the Ponte Vecchia.

What a special time to be in Roma, the eternal city, as thousands came to Rome to mourn the Pope. Italy is our top destination this year, so before you're heading to Italy contact our office for what's new in Italy. And our last advice "go on a diet prior to leaving...it is too hard to resist some of the best pasta, pizza, prosciutto, cheeses, breads and let's not forget the vino, vino, vino! Arivederci!

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