Adventures in Europe with El Sol Villas

Cremeria Scirocco

2009-04-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

“Cremeria Scirocco” are two words that mean heaven to me! Last spring when I was in Bologna, we took a trip to Cremeria Scirocco which is about 15 mins outside of the city (Bologna periphery). The owner Davide, was a computer scientist who decided to unite his love of technology with his love for Gelato. He developed a computer program which helps to create Gelato by using various inputs. He uses over 5 different kinds of sugar in his gelato’s. He uses all natural ingredients to develops unique flavors. I tried several of his unique flavors, like Curry (tasted like eggo waffles!!), Green Tea, blood orange, peas… all of his flavors are incredible–the taste is genuine. He also does torte’s and granitas. If you are in Bologna I highly recommend taking a trip out to this gelateria! It was voted best in Bologna and it truly is some of the best Gelato I’ve ever had!

For more information: http://www.cremeriascirocco.it/prodotti.php

10 Reasons to Celebrate--10 Great Villas with Low Rates!

2009-01-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

Whether you are looking for a seaside villa in Costa Brava, or a Tuscan Retreat, we have properties to suit all of your needs and budget requests...
Here are 10 low budget properties for your next trip...

SPAIN
1. Gaucin, Andalucia---Villa Cielo mid season rates starting at $3,000

2. Gaucin, Andalucia--Villa Moro, mid Season Rates $3750

3. Blanes, Costa Brava--Can MarStarting at $2250

4. Blanes, Costa Brava---Safe Haven, rates at $3050

5. Pedrosa De Duero, Castillo y Leon---Villa Vinedo rates at $4,500

ITALY
6. Positano, Campania--Positano Villa rates at $4,000

7. San Gimignano, Tuscany--- Molino Santa Lucia, prices at $2,990

8. Castiglione, Umbria--Calamaio, Rates at $3,030

9. Cisterno, Apulia---Terrabona, Rates at $2750

10. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Costa Smeralda Villa, rates from $4510

Please contact us for more information and don't forget to visit our new website! http://www.elsolvillas.com/ Thank you,
The El Sol Team

Check out our New Promotional Video

2008-11-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0uIZk1f4lI

Spain on the Road Again

2008-10-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

For people who love food and travel, Mario Batali and Gwenyth Paltrow have put together a PBS 13 part series which is currently airing. The show is about Mario Batali and Mark Bittman, who are food obsessed people on the look out for great food and wine and cooking unique to Spain. In this TV series they will also feature Gwenyth Paltrow and Claudia Bassols. The four of them will travel together and make a fun showcase of the great country of Spain. This will include adventures on the road, the history, the culture and country's art along with music and any other exciting event that happens along the way. A new cookbook and DVD are available which feature the entire episode. The book has great photos and descriptions of the various regions of Spain along with recipes and great discussion about Spanish food. Find the activities on http://www.spainontheroadagain.com/

Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy

2008-10-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

This Delightful Pharmacy leaves visitors inhaling for more....

This pharmacy has a deep history which begins with a group of Dominican Friars who began cultivating herbs upon their arrival in Florence in 1221. It wasn't until several hundreds of years later that Fernando di Medici agreed that the friars should open up a store in 1612. Since then this pharmacy has become famous worldwide for their herbal remedies, potions, and lotions. Many of the product formulas are the same--and the packaging is reminiscent of this ancient era. And the interior is just as exquisite as the products!

Products not to be missed:

Almond Hand Cream (Called "almond paste")
Pomegranate Bath Soap
Orange Blossom Water
Cleansing Milk

The Address: Via della Scala 16 - Firenze - Italy
It is adjacent to the Santa Maria Novella Church

E Cucina Ristorante

2008-10-09T13:36:00.000-07:00

Bologna, Italy is famous for their cuisine, and is the home of many of Italy's finest restaurants. The Emilia Romagna Region is known for it's rich dishes being the home of Parmigiana Cheese, Tortellini, and Lasagna. E Cucina however differs from the rest! This restaurant is an experience from the time you walk in the door til your last sip of espresso. It is inspired by modern art and creativity which is expressed in the decor and food. The famous chef, Cesare Marretti, is always developing new and exciting dishes (there is no menu--3 pasta dishes are offered a day, and 3 meat dishes), in fact I've been there over 30 times and never had the same meal!

I mostly recommend it for lunch as they have a great Price Fix Menu (For 10 Euros!)consisting of
1.Pasta Dish
2.Salad
3.Either dessert or Side Dish
4.Wine/Water/Espresso
5.Delicious Bread

Some examples of pasta dishes I had there were--Cannolo filled with Spinach, Pasta alla Norma version Cesare (Pasta in tomato sauce with eggplant), Cold pasta salad with fresh vegetables, Polenta with Ragu sauce.

Some examples of desserts--Marscapone cream with chocolate chips, semifreddo with mint and chocolate chips, Apple tort, Chocolate tort with pear, Bigne in cream with dark chocolate.

This is really a fabulous restaurant which is not to be missed in Bologna! It is not only fabulous because the food is delicious but also because of the artistic decor and fabulous staff/Chef.

You can visit his website here (it's in Italian but gives an idea of his creativity):
http://www.cesaremarretti.com/

Tivoli: A lovely Day Trip from Rome

2008-10-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Rome is a beautiful city with many historical treasures and architectural delights to be admired. However many visitors miss one of the most enchanting parts of ancient Roman history, the UNESCO world heritage site of Villa d'Este. Only 1 hour outside of Rome this hilltop town boasts a Villa with meticulous gardens--a former summer residence of cardinal Ippolito II d’Este. The architects used an interesting combination of water and stone, as the property is dotted with dozens of fountains. In fact the city of Tivoli has an aqueduct which was engineered by the Ancient Romans. The design concept for the gardens was that of Ancient Babylon (the hanging gardens), one of the ancient wonders of the world.

Don't miss the chance to visit this hilltop garden paradise on your next trip to Rome!

Sail in Classic Style and Luxury--and Rent a Villa on Shore!

2008-09-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

El Sol now offers cruises on the Silver Sea luxury cruise line. Silver Sea has long been recognized in the cruise industry as offering top level luxury cruises. The company has been designated by Conde Nast Travel magazine for nine years as "The World's Best Small Ships Cruise Line". By small ships we mean 300 to 400 passengers, and in late 2009 one carrying 540 passengers. But in this case small really means big in passenger space and comfort. For example, the Silver Shadow carries 382 passengers, but at 610 feet long, and more than ten stories high, she could carry hundreds more. This roominess gives one of the highest guest to space ratios in the industry. With a staff of 295, it has one of the highest guest to crew ratios in the industry.

Silver Sea is owned by the Italian Lefebvre family of Rome who started the line intending to offer the elegance of the renowned hotels of Europe. On all ships each suite has a personal view of the sea and sky. All suites are spacious and elegantly furnished. Once on board you pay no gratuities and none are expected. There is open seated dining, no assigned dining time, no assigned tables. Complimentary beverages are served throughout the ship.

Silver Sea has over 130 itineraries for 2009, around the world, the Pacific, Europe and Antarctica. A Silver Sea cruise is the answer to the bouncing dollar to Euro/pound ratios.

El Sol offers a combined package of a Silver Sea cruise and a villa rental. Because a large number of people combine villa rental and cruises, El Sol has decided to offer their customers both at a reduced rate.

Call El Sol for complete details or visit the website at http://www.elsolvillas.com/

Anchors aweigh and Bon voyage!

Barcelona

2008-09-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

There is a current movie written and directed by Woody Allen entitled Vicky, Christy in Barcelona. It contains wonderful scenes of Gaudi architecture and the scenic avenues of the city. These beautiful scenes are interspersed with a story of sex at every opportunity by all the players, affairs and counter affairs and attempted affairs. The fact that Woody Allen selected Barcelona for these romantic interludes says something about the beauty and atmosphere of the city.

Aside from Gaudi and being a good locale for romantic movie, Barcelona is the new food capitol of Europe. The New York Times has described it as the new Paris. Our staff visits Barcelona several times a year, and can give you a food itinerary of the city, of new restaurants, outstanding chefs and the La Boquria market, perhaps the best of Europe.

Featured Destination: Siracusa, Sicily

2008-09-11T13:59:00.000-07:00

Siracusa remains a hidden treasure buried amidst the Sicilian Coastline

Siracusa is located on the Ionian sea in the southeast region of Sicily. It has a rich history--originally settled by the Ancient Greek Corinthians, it later became part of the Roman Republic and Byzantine Empire. Today you can see remnants of all of Siracusa's conquerers in many of the ancient buildings.

Ortigia is the small peninnsola which houses the restored ancient Siracusa city center.

As shown by the map--Ortigia is reachable by a bridge from the New Siracusa. Some of the main attractions in Ortigia include the Temple of Apollo, Piazza Duomo and Maniaces Castle. The most captivating aspect of Siracusa however, is it's charm.

All of the buildings are fashioned in their original style giving the feeling of a quaint Greek city that is thousands of centuries old. At night the city lights up as a preserved paradise with outdoor cafes for an evening drink, or un dolce.

Sicily is famous for their desserts which were first introduced by the Byzantines and later influenced by Arabs. The Sicilians use their natural resources of orange and lemon groves, almonds, cinnomon and pistachio's to flavor their desserts. The most famous desserts include La Torta Cassata, a sponge cake made with ricotta cheese, chocolate and candied fruit. La Granita Siciliana alla mandorla a dessert composed of crushed ice then flavored with almond milk (usually served in the morning with a brioche). Torta di pistacchio-a light mousse cake flavored with pistachio nuts. And of course Il Cannolo which is far beyond your average American "cannoli". In Sicily there are many different kinds of Cannoli, it can be flavored with pistachio cream, ricotta cream with a rich cinnamon flavor, chocolate cream and vanilla pastry cream. They are all prepared differently as some are dipped in crushed pistachio's while others are covered in candied fruit and chocolate. Regardless they are delicious! A great place to enjoy a cannolo in Siracusa is at :

Corsino
Via Nazionale, 2
Palazzolo Acreide
Siracusa, 96100

you can visit their website at http://www.corsino.it/

And for a better look at the beauty of Siracusa you can take a moment to watch this short video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ_w6m31QY8

Alla prossima! Ciao!

Sherry-The Perfect Aperitif

2008-09-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

To most Americans the mention of sherry calls to mind a sweet desert wine to be taken with cheese and coffee. To most persons under the age of 40, it conjures up the images of a drink for gentle ladies in the late afternoon, or very proper Englishmen in 1940's movies, toasting to some Colonial military success. In reality Sherry is a wine that ranges from an absolutely bone dry aperitif to a sweet after dinner drink with dozens of variations in between.

The September 2008 Saveur Magazine carries a prominent article, "Civilized Company--Sherry's Time has Come Again" by David Wondrich.

We have always recommended a chilled dry sherry or a chilled medium dry Amantillado as a perfect Aperitif--not too strong, just enough to wet the appetite. We recommend you keep a bottle of dry and a bottle of Amantillado in the refrigerator to serve cold, never use ice. If the dry is too dry or the Amantillado is a bit too sweet, simply mix them in a glass to your liking.

Sherry is about 18% alcohol, compared to a bottle of wine at 12-13%. Thus for a aperitif pour about half of a measure of what you would pour of a table wine.

Sherry can also be used for baking--as seen in this delicious Sherry Potato Recipe

1 lb russet potatoes, scrubbed clean, sliced into 1/4-inches
1/4 cup butter (1/2 a stick), melted
1/4 cup dry sherry

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Arrange potato slices in layers in a gratin pan or baking pan, sprinkling salt and pepper over each layer. Pour sherry over the potatoes. Pour the melted butter over the potatoes. Make sure the potatoes are well coated.
Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until potatoes are cooked, but not mushy, and they are slightly browned on top. Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
Serves 4.