| I T A L I A |
| Page 3: |
| Miscellaneous Stuff |
Great Place to Stay in Montepulciano: Sant' Antonio Country Resort
Without reservation or hesitation we recommend Nico and Elena Panneviso's Sant' Antonio Country Resort as a wonderful home
base in Southern Tuscany. We have stayed here twice and will return every time we trip to Italy--which can not be too often. Nico
and Elena have a little piece of heaven (and they continue to make it more heavenly) right outside of Montepulciano. Picture your
mind's eye vision of Tuscany countryside--now you see the lovely vistas from Sant' Antonio. For more about this favorite place of
ours, click this link to our 2001 comments--they have not changed. 2001 Review of Sant' Antonio
e-mail: info@santantonio.it website: Sant' Antonio
Without reservation or hesitation we recommend Nico and Elena Panneviso's Sant' Antonio Country Resort as a wonderful home
base in Southern Tuscany. We have stayed here twice and will return every time we trip to Italy--which can not be too often. Nico
and Elena have a little piece of heaven (and they continue to make it more heavenly) right outside of Montepulciano. Picture your
mind's eye vision of Tuscany countryside--now you see the lovely vistas from Sant' Antonio. For more about this favorite place of
ours, click this link to our 2001 comments--they have not changed. 2001 Review of Sant' Antonio
e-mail: info@santantonio.it website: Sant' Antonio
Special Hint: While in this area of Tuscany, you may want to dine at Osteria
del Leone in Bagno Vignoni. This is a wonderful restaurant recently acquired by
Nico and his two restauranteer partners.
del Leone in Bagno Vignoni. This is a wonderful restaurant recently acquired by
Nico and his two restauranteer partners.
Ravenna Hotel--HOTEL SANT ANDREA via Carlo Cattaneo, 33, 48100 Ravenna
While strolling Ravenna, we noticed an unobtrusive sign outside this hotel. Once through the unimposing front door, we were greeted with a very
lovely, elegant interior. In talking with the woman at the desk, I found out that the hotel had been open only a month (which is why I had not found
it on the net). The building was a 17th century private residence which the orginal family had only recently sold. The new owners completely
renovated it as a hotel. I was given a tour and can say that it is lovely throughout. Someday we may return to Ravenna just to stay here. The rooms
are very tastefully decorated as are the common areas, but one of the best parts is the lovely, large backyard garden where guests can take breakfast
or relax during the day. There are two sizes of rooms and I would definitely recommend the larger ones--primarily because I like space. The two
bedroom suites are nice, too. Although we did not stay at the Sant Andrea, I feel absolute confidence in recommending it. New Note: Since writing
this, a friend of ours (a real Italia traveler) stayed here and reported that it is a wonderful place--in all ways.
While strolling Ravenna, we noticed an unobtrusive sign outside this hotel. Once through the unimposing front door, we were greeted with a very
lovely, elegant interior. In talking with the woman at the desk, I found out that the hotel had been open only a month (which is why I had not found
it on the net). The building was a 17th century private residence which the orginal family had only recently sold. The new owners completely
renovated it as a hotel. I was given a tour and can say that it is lovely throughout. Someday we may return to Ravenna just to stay here. The rooms
are very tastefully decorated as are the common areas, but one of the best parts is the lovely, large backyard garden where guests can take breakfast
or relax during the day. There are two sizes of rooms and I would definitely recommend the larger ones--primarily because I like space. The two
bedroom suites are nice, too. Although we did not stay at the Sant Andrea, I feel absolute confidence in recommending it. New Note: Since writing
this, a friend of ours (a real Italia traveler) stayed here and reported that it is a wonderful place--in all ways.
Mouse Over This Picture
Ravenna--ALBERGO CAPPELLO via IV Novembre, 41 48100 Ravena We stayed here and really enjoyed it.
One of the young woman who works at the albergo summed up its ambience by saying, "You're living in history here." She is right as this is a
14th building that was originally, I believe, a private palazzo. The albergo is on the second floor with the cantina and ristorante below. From
the street you enter into a lovely foyer/hallway that immediately takes you back in time. There is a small elevator or you can take the stairs up
to the reception desk and rooms.
Our room was quite large. It is called a junior suite; however, it is really one very large room with a sitting area. Along the top of the wall are
the remnants of frescoes and then the ceiling is the original wooden beamed ceiling. It is quite lovely. The bathroom is well-done and very
modern. There is a/c; however, it was so hot when we were there, the ceilings are so high and the room is so large, that the room did not
cool down much.
I did not have the opportunity to see the smaller rooms so can not comment on them. I can say, though, that we found the breakfasts to be
very poor. Since the wonderful market is right across the street where all kinds of fresh foods are available, including pastries, the albergo
could do a lot better in this area. They offer one of the least attractive or good breakfasts we have ever had in Italy.
But-------the staff here is wonderful! They are pleasant and accommodating in every way. It is difficult to commend them enough for the help
they gave when Ken suddenly suffered terrible food poisoning at 11pm. They called a doctor (who came to the hotel), went out for a
prescription, were very concerned about his well-fare and, generally, took good care of him. A large hotel would never offer this level of
personal care and attention. They were great! By the way, there was no charge for any of the medical attention, including the medicene. We
were told that it is considered a public service in Italy.
Tel: 39-0544-219813 Fax: 39-0544-219814 E-mail: info@albergocappello.it www.albergocappello.it
One of the young woman who works at the albergo summed up its ambience by saying, "You're living in history here." She is right as this is a
14th building that was originally, I believe, a private palazzo. The albergo is on the second floor with the cantina and ristorante below. From
the street you enter into a lovely foyer/hallway that immediately takes you back in time. There is a small elevator or you can take the stairs up
to the reception desk and rooms.
Our room was quite large. It is called a junior suite; however, it is really one very large room with a sitting area. Along the top of the wall are
the remnants of frescoes and then the ceiling is the original wooden beamed ceiling. It is quite lovely. The bathroom is well-done and very
modern. There is a/c; however, it was so hot when we were there, the ceilings are so high and the room is so large, that the room did not
cool down much.
I did not have the opportunity to see the smaller rooms so can not comment on them. I can say, though, that we found the breakfasts to be
very poor. Since the wonderful market is right across the street where all kinds of fresh foods are available, including pastries, the albergo
could do a lot better in this area. They offer one of the least attractive or good breakfasts we have ever had in Italy.
But-------the staff here is wonderful! They are pleasant and accommodating in every way. It is difficult to commend them enough for the help
they gave when Ken suddenly suffered terrible food poisoning at 11pm. They called a doctor (who came to the hotel), went out for a
prescription, were very concerned about his well-fare and, generally, took good care of him. A large hotel would never offer this level of
personal care and attention. They were great! By the way, there was no charge for any of the medical attention, including the medicene. We
were told that it is considered a public service in Italy.
Tel: 39-0544-219813 Fax: 39-0544-219814 E-mail: info@albergocappello.it www.albergocappello.it
COLLODI
PARCO di PINOCCHIO
enjoyment.
Unfortunately, we were all disappointed. The
"parc" is run down and comes close to
qualifying as "seedy." There are venues for
various types of shows but they are now
overgrown and apparently haven't been used
for some time. Other things are in various
stages of disrepair. Once you enter the park
there are some tacky little rides which are 1
euro each. Since the fee into the park is quite
hefty considering there is nothing to do and
little to see, we felt charging for the rides was
Unfortunately, we were all disappointed. The
"parc" is run down and comes close to
qualifying as "seedy." There are venues for
various types of shows but they are now
overgrown and apparently haven't been used
for some time. Other things are in various
stages of disrepair. Once you enter the park
there are some tacky little rides which are 1
euro each. Since the fee into the park is quite
hefty considering there is nothing to do and
little to see, we felt charging for the rides was
GARFAGNANA If you have been to Italy several times and yet don't recognize the word "Garfagnana", you are in company with
many other people. So--what is Garfagnana and why is it not to be missed? Why is it so unknown? How do you find it? What do you do when
you do find it?
Garfagnana is an exquisitely beautiful mountain landscape just a few kms outside of Lucca. Throughout the area are sprinkled picturesque,
charming, postcard perfect villages which give a whole new meaning to hilltop towns. These are perched in the sky over looking valleys and
mountains decorated with lovely green trees of the forest. The area is enchanting--an incredible respite from the busyness of Lucca and so much
of Tuscany. It is a land to relax and meditate in, to appreciate and know again that God's handiwork can not be challenged by anything of man.
It can and will take all day to travel 35 km. There is not much chance of doing it faster as the roads, if you venture down the byways and lanes,
are steep, at times torturiously curvy, narrow, often in deep shadows and universes away from the roads you left behind that morning. You will
find yourself in little villages such as Tereglio--a small hamlet which seems to be nowhere and yet homes are being renovated, neatness and
sparkling cleanliness permenate the lanes that can only be traversed by foot or scooter. Children dart in and around buildings as they play or bring
purchases home from whereever they bought them. The truth is that many of the residents representing families that have lived in this area for
centuries are leaving and in their wake are city folk creating weekend excapes--wonder what will happen to this pristine area once that really
takes over? Until recently, this was such an isolated area and so non-developed that it did not draw tourists--it still doesn't get many. For a while
yet, you will be in an elite few (relatively speaking) who have found and enjoyed this treasure. Do It!
many other people. So--what is Garfagnana and why is it not to be missed? Why is it so unknown? How do you find it? What do you do when
you do find it?
Garfagnana is an exquisitely beautiful mountain landscape just a few kms outside of Lucca. Throughout the area are sprinkled picturesque,
charming, postcard perfect villages which give a whole new meaning to hilltop towns. These are perched in the sky over looking valleys and
mountains decorated with lovely green trees of the forest. The area is enchanting--an incredible respite from the busyness of Lucca and so much
of Tuscany. It is a land to relax and meditate in, to appreciate and know again that God's handiwork can not be challenged by anything of man.
It can and will take all day to travel 35 km. There is not much chance of doing it faster as the roads, if you venture down the byways and lanes,
are steep, at times torturiously curvy, narrow, often in deep shadows and universes away from the roads you left behind that morning. You will
find yourself in little villages such as Tereglio--a small hamlet which seems to be nowhere and yet homes are being renovated, neatness and
sparkling cleanliness permenate the lanes that can only be traversed by foot or scooter. Children dart in and around buildings as they play or bring
purchases home from whereever they bought them. The truth is that many of the residents representing families that have lived in this area for
centuries are leaving and in their wake are city folk creating weekend excapes--wonder what will happen to this pristine area once that really
takes over? Until recently, this was such an isolated area and so non-developed that it did not draw tourists--it still doesn't get many. For a while
yet, you will be in an elite few (relatively speaking) who have found and enjoyed this treasure. Do It!
| 2003 |
| Recommendations |
Views of Sant' Antonio
When traveling with children, you try to find
special ways for them to be entertained. So
the idea of a Pinocchio Park in Italy--the
home of the little wooden boy--sounded like
a perfect day's excursion for our 5 year-old.
We had told Casey about this while we were
still in San Diego and so it was one of the
things he was really looking forward to
doing--a kid's thing rather than the
"interesting" cathedrals and museum he was
patiently visiting. And--we looked forward to
sharing his pleasure and watching his
special ways for them to be entertained. So
the idea of a Pinocchio Park in Italy--the
home of the little wooden boy--sounded like
a perfect day's excursion for our 5 year-old.
We had told Casey about this while we were
still in San Diego and so it was one of the
things he was really looking forward to
doing--a kid's thing rather than the
"interesting" cathedrals and museum he was
patiently visiting. And--we looked forward to
sharing his pleasure and watching his
a real rip-off. Actually, we thought the entire thing was a rip-off. Clearly we strongly advise against going here. With that said, I will say that in spite
of its deficiciences, it did provide Casey with some diversion. But, even he commented later that it really wasn't very good. So, my advice---find a
good park, where other children are, get a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon there. It will be a much better experience and memory. I know as
Casey had both experiences and he still talks about the kids.
of its deficiciences, it did provide Casey with some diversion. But, even he commented later that it really wasn't very good. So, my advice---find a
good park, where other children are, get a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon there. It will be a much better experience and memory. I know as
Casey had both experiences and he still talks about the kids.
NOT FAR FROM
LUCCA
LUCCA
Tel: 39-0544-215564 Fax: 39-0544-33275
