POST ON YOUR DREAMBOARD
Dreamy Med waters, pastely towering-down-the cliff houses, luxe multi-level yachts in the harbor, winding cobble-stoned streets where you might spot Giorgio himself (Armani of course owns a villa there). Since the 1950’s Portofino has been the playground of fancy people like Sinatra, Grace Kelly, George Clooney, Rihanna … who have all been known to soak up the sun in this pristine slice of paradiso on the Italian Riviera. Just a hop and a skip from Milan or the Cinque Terre, you can jump on the train for a sweet day-trip. When clients stay for 7-nights in the Cinque Terre with us, many spend their free day in the Portofino bling. Bring an extra credit card cause your first one might burst into flames at the waterfront Louis Vuitton store. I prefer the hippy-chic shop, Antica Sartoria, with the most cotton caftans you’ve seen since Haight-Ashbury circa 1969.
SLEEP HERE
Have you ever wondered where Italians go to vacation? One of the most exotic and chill places in all of Italy is the beautiful island of Sicily. And if you keep going, you can get to the smaller, even MORE chill, laid back Aeolian Islands. The luxurious Hotel Signum is located on the island of Salina, where we take our guests on our Sicily tours. Many of our guests take advantage of the outdoor spa located on-site, where you’ll find yourself unwinding to the smell of lemon trees and salty sea-breezes. Oh, and the waters here are magic – rich in minerals due to the fact that Salina is part of a volcanic archipelago. Black sand beaches, anyone?
WHAT WE’RE LOVING RIGHT NOW
I have a new website under my personal brand — soon to be unveiled! (Edit: It’s here!! Come check it out!) What this time period has given me (the best part of the pandemic) is the space and energy to help OTHERS grow their idea/business/side-hustle/empire. Pre-pandemic I started with a small handful of clients, then all of a sudden that grew because people were staying at home reevaluating their lives. (According to the National Women’s Law Center, between August and September, 865,000 American women dropped out of the labor force. Just 216,000 men exited.) The rise of women staying home means that women are looking how to put their brains, energy and interests to work. I’m fanatical about women gaining autonomy (wealth, time and creative) through being creative and growing their ideas. I believe when women gain more power, especially financial, we can spread that in our communities. I’m going to be intaking a new round of clients this month, so watch this space for an announcement! If you’re in the idea phase or already going — let’s discuss. Forward this to a friend please and thanks. (Photo: Caroline White.)
MANGIAMO
Part gorgeous coffee-table style photo anthology, part cookbook with mouth-watering recipes, Mimi Thorisson’s recently released book Old World Italian had me at the first line of the introduction: “Have you ever read music?…You can’t really read music, you must hear it. Food is the same: You must see it, smell it, eat it.” Inside this beautiful cookbook you’ll find 100 recipes curated from her travels through Italy, seasoned with the stories behind the food. You’ll want to be sure you don’t just read these recipes… you’re gonna need to cook (and eat) them to go on your own inner travels. Interesting tidbit: She moved her whole family from France to Italy to pull this book off. (Image: Oddur Thorisson)
WISH WE WERE HERE
The Fontelina Beach Club on the Island of Capri. Just look at this photo! Do I need to say anything more about this place? Except that in addition to these coolio Faraglioni rocks breaking up the gentle lapping of waves on the sand, you get to completely relax under these cuuute umbrellas after gracefully swan diving into the clear lagoon (or perhaps winning the family cannonball competition). I should also mention that everyone who makes a reservation at the restaurant gets special VIP access to yet another pristine AND exclusive beach. Hellooo, sunset-with-prosecco beach walks. Getting to Capri? Just get yourself to the Amalfi coast and multiple ferries run all season.
ITALIAN FIX FAMILY TABLE
(New Feature: Recommendations from Readers)
Have you been to Italy before? Have you snorkeled the Aeolian Islands? Biked your way across Florence? Made a wrong turn in Tuscany? Does your Mamma run the best pizzeria this side of Seattle?
Share your story, photo, recipe, triumph, tribulation! We want to hear from ya. We’re a community and we believe in stronger, together. Let’s live vicariously through each other.
To share click here — we’re looking for your best memories, photos, recipes, or even your nonna’s hangover remedy. We’ll feature the snazziest tips in upcoming editions.
With love + limonecello,
Bianca
