Not All Italian Websites Look So Bad

May 25, 2008 · Filed Under Good Italian Things · 4 Comments 

At the risk of being accused of being a pot calling a kettle black (Yep, I know this blog is getting rather cluttered), I have to say that after doing a little web based research for my latest project, my Italy is in Italian contemporary art site, I’ve come across some rather good looking, and, generally, well written English sections of Italian websites. Well, a family of them actually.

These sites form part of a mini-network run by the Ferragamo family, of the fashion house “Salvatore Ferragamo”. WIth the possible exception of the Viesca Estate site, all of the others are very slick.

I know they are at the top end of the market, but even so, it’s good to see what can be done. OK, so these people have money, of that there is no doubt, but, to their credit, they appear to know how to spend it rather wisely.

I hope they won’t mind too much, but I’ve stolen the list of links to each of these sites and popped them below, so you can have a quick gander, if you so desire.

Fashion
Salvatore Ferragamo - Fashionable clothes
www.ferragamo.com

Resort & Hospitality
Lungarno Hotels
www.lungarnohotels.com

Resort and Winery
Il Borro
www.ilborro.com

Marine Industry
Camper & Nicholsons Yachting Ltd - motor cruisers to dream about.
www.cnyachting.com

Nautor’s Swan - Lovely yachts - exploring the boats virtually is a pleasure.
www.nautorswan.com

Prestigious Rental and Villas
Il Borro
www.villailborro.com

Viesca Estate
www.viescaestate.com

As for this here blog, it’s going to get a facelift shortly.

Eat like a God in the Aligia Restaurant, Vrasi

April 11, 2008 · Filed Under Italian Food · Comment 

According to my Italy expert, Gaetano Salvo, ’si mangia da Deo’ - ‘you eat like a God’ (rough translation from Italian), or rather ‘the food is wonderful’ in the Aligia Restaurant (map link), down in Vrasi. Vrasi, by the way, is about half way between Salerno and Catanzaro in south Italy, and a little inland from a place called Diamante, as you will see if you click on the link above.

When someone like Gaetano, who has excellent taste in food and wine I might add, praises a restaurant, then it’s worth checking out.

If you find yourself in that neck of the woods, try it, and do let me know how well you ate - especially if you come out feeling all powerful.

I’ve asked Gaetano for some more information on Aligia Restaurant’s menu, and when he sends it to me, I’ll post it here.

Crystal Ball Gazing - Techno Travel

March 21, 2008 · Filed Under Holidays · 10 Comments 

Recently I’ve been contacted by two emerging new travel sites - Volette.com and So Much World. Both are very interesting, but quite different in their takes on travel.

Volette is perhaps more aimed at the business traveller, but not only, whereas So Much World is more like an on-line version of my favourite Lonely Planet guides. I know that both sites are still in a development phase, especially Volette.com. Indeed, the brain behind Volette.com, one Joe Tangredi, has several ideas as to the direction he wants to take his internet venture, although I don’t know what they are just yet. Read more

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