Maregiglio and the unknown Tuscany
Have you ever imagined the turquoise color of the sea, the rocky rocks and the sailboat? Here all this is Italy and is synonymous with Tuscany, and its islands. Today we discover the coastal area of Grosseto, with its islands thanks to Gaia Rum.
“Maregiglio srl is a shipping company that has been operating since 1969, we have brought many people sailing on vacation, for work, with family and cars, pets and many dreams. For next summer we plan to add experiential mini-tours, some exclusive and others accessible to all in the Argentario area and towards the Giglio Island. In the new website there will be mini-holiday packages from a weekend to a week ”comments Gaia Rum, Maregiglio.it.
Not just scheduled travel, Maregiglio organizes also Le Crociere del Sole, from April to October, mini cruises to discover the islands of the Tuscan archipelago. Isola del Giglio and Isola di Giannutri are the main destinations, but not the only ones. There are also the Island of Elba, Montecristo and Pianosa.
“On land, there are many services to be improved in the area. For example, make the area accessible to those coming from abroad, indicate where to park. Or having medical support and a veterinarian available is essential for our guests. Pets can get on board on the routes of the line” says Gaia Rum.
“We do routes, with daily excursions. Maybe adding a local wine tasting and a lunch in the countryside. We have three structures with typical cuisine, for example near Roccastrada, with visits to naturalistic parks. Isola del Giglio is a world in its own way, it is the second most inhabited island after Elba. It is an island that makes common” says Gaia Rum,”but my personal dream is to go on more ecofriendly tours and trips on a sailing boat. Today they still have an important environmental impact. Among the novelties that I would like to propose are the Actors: we hosted a small theater company that in 15 minutes told some legends about the island on board, with typical products, this certainly needs to be repeated”.
We just have to discover the lesser known Tuscany…
La Toscana poco conosciuta
Avete mai immaginato il colore turchese del mare, gli scogli rocciosi e la barca vela? Ecco tutto questo è Italia ed è sinonimo di Toscana, con le sue isole. Oggi scopriamo l’area litorale del Grossetano con le sue isole grazie a Gaia Rum.
“La Maregiglio srl è una compagnia di navigazione che opera dal 1969, abbiamo portato in navigazione tante persone in vacanza, per lavoro, con famiglia ed auto, animali da compagnia e tanti sogni. Per la prossima estate abbiamo in programma di aggiungere mini-tour esperenziali, alcuni esclusivi ed altri accessibili a tutti in zona Argentario e verso l’Isola del Giglio. Nel nuovo sito
web ci saranno mini-pacchetti vacanze da un weekend ad una settimana” commenta Gaia Rum, Maregiglio.it.
Non solo viaggi di linea, la Maregiglio con Le Crociere del Sole organizza, a partire dal mese di Aprile fino al mese di Ottobre, mini crociere alla scoperta delle isole dell’arcipelago toscano. Isola del Giglio e Isola di Giannutri sono le destinazioni principali, ma non le uniche. Ci sono anche l’Isola d’Elba, Montecristo e Pianosa.
“A terra ci sono molti servizi da migliorare sul territorio. Ad esempio rendere accessibile il territorio a chi viene dall’estero, indicare dove parcheggiare. Oppure avere a disposizione supporto medico ed un veterinario è fondamentale per i nostri ospiti. Gli Animali possono salire a bordo sulle tratte di linea” dichiara Gaia Rum.
“Facciamo tratte, con escursioni giornaliere. Magari aggiungendo una degustazione di vino locale e pranzo in campagna. Abbiamo tre strutture con cucina tipica, ad esempio vicino a Roccastrada, con visita parchi naturalistici. Isola del Giglio è un mondo a modo suo, è la seconda isola più abitata dopo Elba. E’ un’isola che fa comune” dice Gaia Rum, “ma il mio sogno personale è quello di fare tour e viaggi in barca a vela, più eco friendly. Oggi hanno ancora un impatto ambientale importante. Tra le novità che mi piacerebbe riproporre ci sono gli Attori: abbiamo ospitato una piccola compagnia teatrale che in 15 minuti raccontavano alcune leggende sull’Isola, con i prodotti tipici, questo sicuramente è da ripetere”.
Non ci resta che scoprire la Toscana meno conosciuta…
Elisa dal Bosco, Contributor Connect2Italy
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Sicily Luxury Villas – A magnificent Sicilian selection
Sicily Luxury Villas is the result of a long time friendship, with the love for Sicily and the desire to open the splendid residences of the nobility of the past, but also prestigious villas, unique in their being, to foreign hospitality.
In 2005, Vania Pinto and Fabrizio Ajello, melted their knowledge and experiences to give life to a different way of offering Sicily to travelers. Thus was born Travel Sicilia, the company that still manages the prestigious real estate catalog of villas and apartments for rent on sicilyluxuryvillas.com.
A luxury made up of prestigious villas, equipped with all comforts and tailor-made services; enriched by unique sensory experiences offered during your stay on the island, which only those with a deep knowledge of the area can offer.
“At the beginning we happened to have friends visiting and we found for them the most unusual and rich in history villas of our beloved Sicily. Today we receive requests from all over the world, even if our main market remains North America. We are now in the second generation to co-manage our company, now there are Ottavia, my daughter and soon also Fabrizio’s daughter” comments happily Vania. “Ottavia grew up on bread Sicily since childhood, she had experiences abroad and she knows how to manage relationships with guests. She has been with us for seven years and has already included a great new feature: the concierge service for discreet assistance, available to travelers from before they arrive on the island “.
Speaking of the situation in Italy, we discovered that some Guests have also chosen some Villas to spend their lockdown in Sicily, in prestigious homes full of every comfort.
“I love Sicily very much, its history and its traditions. I am sure the latest Villas inserted will please the international public a lot. There is Villa Talèddà (GuardaLa’) a the most modern, with a breathtaking view and Villa Idda that always excites me. We are happy to be able to interact with other international operators on Connect2Italy and we hope to welcome many new guests here in Sicily soon!”.
All that remains is to visit these Villas and dream of living them as our Residences, among the mosaics, the stones of the past and the technology that never fails.
Sicily Luxury Villas è il risultato di una consolidata amicizia, con alla base l’amore per la propria isola ed il desiderio di aprire all’ospitalità estera le splendide dimore della nobiltà di un tempo, ma anche prestigiose ville, uniche nel loro essere.
Nel 2005, Vania Pinto e Fabrizio Ajello, hanno amalgamato le loro conoscenze ed esperienze per dare vita ad un modo diverso di proporre la Sicilia ai viaggiatori. Nasce così Travel Sicilia, l’azienda che ancora oggi gestisce il prestigioso catalogo immobiliare di ville ed appartamenti in affitto su sicilyluxuryvillas.com.
Un lusso fatto di ville prestigiose, dotate di tutti i comfort e servizi su misura; arricchito da esperienze sensoriali uniche proposte durante il soggiorno nell’isola, che solo chi possiede una profonda conoscenza del territorio può offrire.
“All’inizio ci capitava di avere amici in visita e trovavamo per loro le dimore più insolite e ricche di storia della nostra amata Sicilia. Oggi ci arrivano richieste da tutto il mondo, anche se il nostro mercato principale resta il Nord America. Siamo ormai alla seconda generazione a co-dirigere la nostra azienda, ora ci sono Ottavia, mia figlia e a breve anche la figlia di Fabrizio” commenta felice Vania. “Ottavia è cresciuta a pane e Sicilia fin dall’infanzia, ha fatto esperienze all’estero e sa gestire al meglio il rapporto con gli Ospiti. E’ con noi da sette anni ed ha già inserito una grande novità: il servizio concierge per un’assistenza discreta, a disposizione del viaggiatore sin da prima dell’arrivo sull’Isola”.
Parlando della situazione in Italia abbiamo scoperto che alcuni Ospiti hanno scelto anche alcune Ville per trascorrere il loro lockdown in Sicilia, in dimore prestigiose e ricche di ogni agio.
“Amo molto la Sicilia, la sua storia e le sue tradizioni. Le ultime Ville inserite poi sono certa piaceranno molto al pubblico internazionale. C’è Villa Talèddà (GuardaLa’) a la più moderna, con un panorama mozzafiato e Villa Idda a cui sono molto legata e che mi fa sempre emozionare”.
Non resta che visitare queste Ville e sognare di viverle come le nostre Residenze, tra i mosaici, le pietre di un tempo e la tecnologia che non manca mai.
Buon viaggio!
Elisa dal Bosco, Contributor www.connect2italy.com
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ALERT ALARM READ ME please
dear Members, we are all getting ready for this new Winter season & holidays around the world. And we would love to dress up too: please update your profile picture and get discovered.
New Year will be amazing for all of us! Grazie Thank you!
get in the flow and update your Picture!
Elisa, Contributor www.connect2Italy.com
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Naples is female
Naples is female. She is a charming mermaid, a mom with ten sons and an imprisoned husband, a bawd of civilization and genetics. Part of her antiquity is visible everywhere: in the faces of her people, in the smell of her narrow alleys and in the buzz of her markets; part is hidden, unrevealed, underground. More like a Moroccan caravansary or an Arabian suq, she’s used and nourished by her citizens fantasy daily. The deep relationship between inhabitants and the southern Italian capital is deep and fused with love, hate and compassion, neglect and resilience, expressed in centuries by tons of music, art, theatre and folklore.
Like all big cities in Italy and in the world, Naples is a micro-cosmos of emotions and contrasts, but here everything (in positive or negative sense) is amplified. A panorama known everywhere: the urban landscape with pines, the mount Vesuvio, the islands and the Sorrento coast. A postcard.
The city centre is one of the biggest in the world (57 km2 ) and human heritage Unesco protected.
1 millions inhabitants, 440 churches, 33 theatres, 4 castles, 64 museums.
Naples is the birth place of pizza and mozzarella; the gastronomy and the pastry-making are famous across the world. Handcraft (creche, cameos, dolls, tiles) and tailoring (man suit, ties, footwear) are also good points.
The national and international tourism, sometimes distracted and superficial, stops in Naples just a couple of hours to reach the more famous and significant goals like Pompei, Capri and Amalfi coast. They ignored the richness and the multicolor atmospheres of the downtown. Discovering the city with a a professional native tour guide is essential: only with him the trunk will disclose in front of your eyes.
A classical tour during a couple of days, that is good but not thorough. I propose an itinerary of 3 days mixing classical and unclassical.
Anyway, we can fill an entire week only visiting Naples and her countless attraction. Here some of he most originals and interesting sites and areas to visit:
- San Martino Charterhouse.
On the top of the Vomero Hill, in the middle of the town, this gothic monastery (XIV cen) is an important national museum about the history of Naples. Baroque masterpieces, boats and chariots, preserves that is considered the most beautiful nativity scenary in the world : the cuciniello’s Presepe. Visit the huge cloister and enjoy the view!
2. Fontanelle cemetery .
An ancient Greek-roman quarry to extract yellow tuff, wich the old city is made with, transformed into mass grave during the terrible plague in 1656. Today is an ossuary among the biggest and famous in the world , with 25k skulls and bones in view. A mystic place full of folklore and ghost tales; it’s part of the exoteric and mystical tour I organize.
3. The doll Hospital
A small lab in the narrow roads of spaccanapoli, since 1895 repairing dolls , peluches and puppets. A short but intense visit with the same “doctors” among mannequins and tools, videos and anatomies. Magical!
4. Posillipo coast and Pausilypon complex.
A volcanic coast, famous for the villas and palaces, the amazing view and little fisherman harbour of Marechiaro. But few people knows that’s a place plenty of archeology and underwater ruins cause it was chosen since the I B.C. century by the rich roman senators and emperors as vacation place in the most panoramic area at north of the city centre. It’s possible to dive and to visit the area by boat with a glass floor or a private gozzo, maybe at sunset drinking a good local wine. Behind the coast there a roman tunnel (about 700mt) connecting the road to a secret place : the old villa of the emperor Augusto, with good preserved ruins in a natural contest with possibility of a bath during summer. Astonishing.
5. Quarteri Spagnoli ( Spanish neighborhood)
A grid of very narrow alleys built in the XVI cen. It’s the core of Naples, one of its most popular and typical areas: clothes hanged on ropes, markets, old pizzerias, fascinating palaces, “bassi” (little one room houses on ground floor) and street art. Neapolitan urban style
6.Incurabili old Pharmacy
A rococo pharmacy (XVIII cen.) perfectly preserved with original floor tiles, objects and symbolism. Also there is an interesting museum with old surgery tools and the history of medicine.
7. Santa Luciella Church
A little church of the XVII cen. Dedicated to Santa Luciella protectress of blind people. Very fascinating the crypta, where a group of young Neapolitans has set up a little collection of vintage objects found in the place when it was abandoned and used as dump. But above all is stored in the crypta a mysterious skull with….ears!
8. San gennaro Catacombs
The largest catacombs of southern Italy on the Capodimonte Hill, onto three floors, with Paleochristian frescoes and many tales to count. Dedicated to the city patron saint are dated back at I A.D. It’s included also the next catacombs of san gaudioso in the heart of Sanità Area (my birth place)
9. Tunnel Borbonico
Part of the Underground city, excavated by volunteers in the last 15 years, it’s a long gallery in the tuff rock, including secret passages, aqueducts, and WWII refugees. A trip in the past!
10. Chiaia and liberty style building.
In the maritime area oh the city, among high fashion shops and elegant squares, this district offers the beauty of the XIX cen Architecture, coutryards, stairs and decorations. Glamour bars and movie places will be illustrated during the walking.
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Get in the flow, become a member and experience fascinating stories
Connect2Italy grows up: on the basis of the international demand and the new travel trends, Villas and Palaces, travel designers and new travel experiences are integrated to make the trip to Italy more and more unique.
Connect2Italy is aimed at local operators and excellences, as unique hospitality solutions to guarantee an unforgettable stay or trip
Villas, historical buildings, design hotels, uniques providers, regional DMC experiences will guide you through the knowledge and beauty of Italy
The Ballo del Doge by Antonia Sautter or extraordinary experiences in the Cellar such as Zenato Winery will make the moments spent on a dream journey unforgettable.
Get in the flow, become a member and experience fascinating stories!
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A magic Italy, like you’ve never seen before
NAPOLI E CILENTO – l’TALIA COME NON L’AVETE MAI VISTA.
“The best way to avoid an ordinary life is to visit extraordinary places”
Main information
- 8 days – 7 nights
- Accommodation in 3 star superior or 4 star hotels
- All transfers are included (By bus GT)
TOUR:
DAY 1 : day of arrival/love at first sight with Naples
-Arrival in Naples and meeting with a specialized guide
-Seeing tour in panoramic tour to admire the most beautiful views of Naples
-Plebiscite square stop for a coffee in a historic bar
-Guided tour of the historical buildings of Naples (San Carlo theater, Angevin Casle, Gallery Umberto First).
-Back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay
Day 2: The spirituality and folklore of Naples
-Breakfast in hotel and departure by private GT bus
– Visit the old town with the Church of Jesus and focus on San Giuseppe Moscati, Santa Chiara with cloister, San Gregorio Armeno and the cathedral.
– Free time for lunch
-Transfer to the area of Capodimonte. Afternoon visit to
the Catacombs of San Gennaro, Cemetery of Fontanelle, Santa
Maria della Sanità,
-Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 – Sorrento and Amalfi
-Breakfast in hotel and transfer by private GT bus
-Arrival in Sorrento and guided tour of the city
-Transfer to Positano and guided tour
-Leisure time for lunch
-Transfer to Amalfi and guided tour
-Return by boat to the port of Salerno and from there transfer to the hotel in Paestum, dinner and overnight stay
Day 4 – first taste of Cilento
– Breakfast at the hotel and transfer by private GT bus
-Arrival to Paestum and guided tour of the archaeological park
-Leisure time for lunch with the possibility of a buffalo mozzarella tasting near the archaeological park (not included in the tour price)
-In the afternoon transfer to Castellabate and guided tour of the village
-Transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight stay
Day 5 – Camerota: the pearl of Cilento
-Breakfast in hotel and transfer by private GT bus
-Arrival to hotel in Marina di Camerota and accommodation
-Terracotta interactive experiences with a master of ceramics and terracotta
-Dinner in characteristic trattoria to eat the typical dishes of the Mediterranean diet
-Transfer to hotel and overnight stay
Day 6: the most beautiful sea of Italy
-Breakfast in hotel and transfer by private GT bus
-Arrival at the port of Marina di Camerota
-Boat departure to discover the marine protected area of Infreschi
-Stop at the bay of Infreschi, elected the most beautiful beach in Italy, and visit to the church of San Lazzaro
-Leisure time for lunch (there is the possibility to eat in a characteristic oasis, with locally produced products, not included in the price)
-back by boat to Marina di Camerota
-Short visit to the coastal village
-Back in hote, dinner and overnight stay
Day 7 – Pompei
-Breakfast in hotel and departure by private GT bus
-Transfer to the archaeological area of Pompeii (one of the most famous and suggestive places in Italy )
-Guided visit to the archaeological park
-Leisure time for lunch
-Visit the sanctuary of the Virgen María del Santo Rosario of Pompeii
-Transfer to hotel, dinner and overnight stay
day 8 – end of services
-Breakfast in hotel and transfer by private GT bus to Naples international airport, or other previously agreed destination
please write us for further details, Domenico CilentoViaggi
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Laurence Meccoli, da Venezia a Cortina e non solo
Oggi scopriamo i lati inediti di Venezia e del Veneto con The Venetian Travel Planner – Laurence Meccoli
Laurence è nata e vive a Venezia, e la conosce come si conosce un gioiello prezioso. E’ una travel designer, ed un’ottima organizzatrice di nuove esperienze, non solo a Venezia.
“Nel mio lavoro mi occupo di un turismo legato ad un target che spesso conosce già ciò che vuole, per questo è più difficile da accontentare. Lavoro spesso con clienti a cui organizzo spesso viaggi sull’Orient Express, alcuni di loro sono repeaters, e molto felici di vivere lati di Venezia diversi dai soliti itinerari. Magari portandoli a scoprire il Brenta e Cortina (ora molto conosciuta anche grazie ai campionati di sci ed Olimpiadi). Molti tornano in Italia anche due e tre volte all’anno”.
“Venezia offre ora uno spaccato molto bello, si possono fare tour a piacere senza troppa coda, ci si sofferma di più sulle gondole e si respira l’aria frizzantina. Mi piace molto portare i miei ospiti a Pellestrina, a Chioggia, o a fare gite in barca, alla scoperta dell’estuario, il delta del Po. Dove far assaggiare le nostre con ostriche, coi Vini Orto, fatto a Sant’Erasmo. Amo molto fare Degustazioni qui, con i cavalli e le bici, e magari aggiungendo la notte in barca. Seguita dalla Piccola colazione alla Scala del Bovolo.
Cortina è altresì molto gettonata, ora è tornata in auge grazie agli eventi internazionali, ci sono tanti alberghi e piste, con molta affluenza. La valle ampezzana è molto ampia, tra cui le famose Tre Cime del Lavaredo, con molte attività da fare. Camminare sulla neve e con le ciaspole, con piccoli viaggi in elicottero, oppure con le bici sportive. C’è tanta gastronomia e wine tasting in luoghi molto selvaggi, anche in notturna con motoslitte. Spesso organizzo anche la visione di Film legati a questi luoghi, durante le degustazioni”.
Parlando del club Connect2Italy: “Ho trovato fin da subito grande entusiasmo da parte di tutto il team, facciamo tanto training con webinair specifici, in cui si scoprono viaggiatori sempre particolari. Mi piacerebbe parlare più del Veneto, unirmi di più a realtà locali, tipo viaggi o attività combinate. Unendo Verona e Venezia, come territorio ed arte. Oppure l’apertura degli impianti ad inizio di dicembre, a Cortina”.
Elisa dal Bosco, Contributor Connect2Italy
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THE HOTEL SPHERE the skillful blend of design and history
The HotelSphere is specialized in luxury, boutique and design hospitality in Sicily. The group currently includes two four-star hotels located in Palermo, the Hotel Plaza Opéra and the Hotel Principe di Villafranca, both in the city center, a few steps from Piazza Politeama.
The HotelSphere hotels share some essential elements to be a luxury hotel in the center of Palermo and offer hospitality of an international level without forgetting the spirit of the place: the skillful blend of design and antiques furnishings, the presence of works of art. modern and contemporary art, attention to elegant and refined details, a functional use of spaces and technologies, a special care for the environment, and the use of quality products for personal care and for breakfast. And above all, the smile and warmth of all the staff, always ready to support guests in their needs, related to business trips, relaxation, romantic or cultural weekends.
The hotels of the group represent an indispensable address for business travelers and tourists, thanks to their short distance from the historic center, but also from the main points of reference for business. Well connected both with the beach of Mondello, the window on the sea of the city, and with the port and the airport, the hotels offer from the most essential services (parking, restaurant) to the most sought after, jacuzzi in the room, as well as panoramic terrace of the Plaza Opéra, a view that sweeps from the Politeama Theater to Monte Pellegrino. Chic and contemporary, The HotelSphere hotels are united by some traits that make them unique: the skilful blend of design and antiques furnishings, the presence of modern and contemporary works of art, the attention to elegant and refined details, a functional use of spaces and technologies, a special care for the environment, and the use of quality products for personal care 
and for breakfast.
Thanks to Giulia Briguglia we have viewed the magnificent rooms of these historic Sicilian buildings in the center of Palermo.
“We have recently discovered the opportunities offered by Connect2Italy thanks to JustSicily and Giusi Macchiarella, a reference person in Sicilian tourism. We are already participating in various webinars and meeting foreign companies interested in our spaces, especially overseas. We are really happy about it, it’s like having made a long journey with heavy brochures and photos, but from your own desk”.
We just have to fly to Palermo and discover the wonders of the history of these unique places rich in traditions.
Have a good trip!
Elisa dal Bosco, Connect2Italy contributor
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deBellini in Palermo
The meeting between design, history and hospitality are the perfect description for deBellini in Palermo: six apartments overlooking the heart of the Sicilian capital.
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