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Celebrate the New Year with Essential Italy

The New Year is coming, and no-one does a celebration better than the Italians. Even in these straitened times, Italians will get together to celebrate and be proud of who they are, where they live, and what they make. And rightly so! In this issue we highlight some of our favourite festivals in late spring, together with some reasons of our own to celebrate all that Italy has to offer.

And speaking of celebrating... if you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party (or you simply want to test your barman’s chops), ask for a Negroni Sbagliato (a ‘mixed-up’ Negroni). One part each of sweet vermouth and bitters (Campari), topped up with prosecco or asti spumante. Serve over ice, garnished with an orange slice. If you want to get all fancy you can heat the peel and rub the rim of the glass for that extra citrus oil tang. Salute!

More? Ok then. As a late Christmas present (or to cheer the New Year in) we’ll offer a celebratory welcome hamper on arrival at all the following properties if you book before 21st January 2012.

If you have any questions, special requirements, or to book any of our properties, please call Helen or Louise on +44(0)1223 460100 and we’ll hand-pick the best that Italy has to offer for you.

Romantic Italy welcomes lovers of all ages

Puglia hot, hot, hot

It would be unfair to single out one region of Italy as being more romantic than another - Italy is, after all, a nation of lovers. But there’s one extra special reason for which we will nominate Puglia ... oro rosso (‘red gold’). Or as you and I know them – cherries.

Maybe it’s because of Twin Peaks, or perhaps it’s the shape, or just the taste of them, but we love cherries. And Puglia loves them so much that it devotes a whole series of festa to ciliegie in May, most notably in Leverano (Lecce) and Conversano (Bari).

So if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to tie a cherry stem into a knot with your tongue, get a cherry rub, or simply taste some of the best cherries on the planet, bring your partner to the ’boot’ of Italy. And while you’re here you might as well enjoy the stunning views, relatively quiet beaches, and the heat!

View all our properties in Puglia »

Family value(s) eat, drink, play and be merry together

Tuscany perfect for families and larger groups

The variety of Tuscany is what appeals to visitors to come back again and again, offering the perfect mix of culture and relaxation, charm and sophistication, together with some of the finest food and wine Italy has to offer.

This means it can get very busy, particularly in the main tourist destinations of Florence or Siena. This is why our portfolio includes several properties that are off the well-trodden Tuscan trail, giving you the chance to explore a different side of Tuscany, and discover new highlights. For example, the small town of Foiano della Chiana, which boasts the oldest carnival in Italy (each February), or the medieval hilltop towns of Cortona and Arezzo.

Day trips to many of the art treasures of the Renaissance are within easy reach of most of our Tuscan properties, and if you come at the right time of year you can also experience unique cultural events, like the live Via Crucis in Grassina, each Easter.

Many of our properties also offer access to more ’structured’ activities for children, such as horse-riding or cookery lessons. And for adults, well, there’s always a vineyard tour to squeeze in somewhere....

View all our properties in Tuscany »

Sun worship with a little golden sand and turquoise sea

Sardinia a glittering jewel in the Mediterranean

In the heart of the Mediterranean and with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s easy to see why Sardinia draws such a devout crowd of sun worshippers. Throw in pristine beaches, world-famous culture and hospitality, and it’s obvious why it’s such a perennial favourite with Essential Italy travellers.

For those that want to get off the beach and into the wet stuff, Sardinia offers excellent marine sports – sailing, fishing and it even has its own indigenous seal population. Regattas are held throughout the summer, and there are hundreds of inlets, bays and islands to explore once you’re on board.

For those who prefer their activities on terra firma, there are many jazz and folklore festivals to enjoy throughout the year. The Cavalcata Sarda is the spectacular festival (not to be missed) that brings all of the island’s traditions – from equestrian skills through wine-making to cantu a tenore in one glorious celebration of all things Sardinian. The Cavalcata takes place on the last Sunday in May.

If you prefer a slower pace, the island is also home to many architectural delights, a UNESCO World Heritage site (Su Nuraxi di Barumini) and many natural parks. So on the very few days the sun isn’t shining, there’s always something to do....

View all our properties in Sardinia »

A house with a view some of our clients’ favourites

Sicily land of a thousand contrasts

No trip to Sicily would be complete without a visit to Mt Etna, the (still) active volcano that has helped shape both the island and its economy. It also forms the backdrop for many of the spectacular views of and from the island, offering a perfect perch for many of our properties to gaze out onto the Mediterranean.

For those who love the intricate and the delicate to go along with the massive and somewhat brutal volcano, you many enjoy the infiorata di Noto (flower festival) in May in the baroque town of Noto. A fabulous event in a magical setting, this floral celebration is one of Sicily’s main events in the year, usually falling on the third Sunday in May.

If you like your landscape a little more rugged, there are many miles of coastline to explore, islands to discover (eg take a boat trip round the Egadi islands). For those who like their sea views more sedate, there are the beautiful white sands of San Vito lo Capo, and hundreds more.

And if you ever get tired of the views, you’ll never tire of the food. Sicilians love their food, and organise celebrations of everything from couscous (San Vito lo Capo) to chocolate (Modica) to fish (Mazara del Vallo) to strawberries (Siracusa) to yes, gelati (Cefalu).

View all our properties in Sicily »