Introducing La Dolce Via Travel

Our passion and expertise: Italy; our goal: our clients come to love Italy as we do!
We listen and carefully create the trip that gives you Italy on your terms by crafting special experiences, like a moonlit picnic on the Appian Way, a private lesson in making limoncello on Capri, or almost anything else you'd like.

We make Italy yours.

630.887.8983

rosanne@ladolceviatravel.com

www.ladolceviatravel.com

(This is an ad.)

Dream of Italy Around the Web: Christmas in Rome, Last-Minute Holidays in Italy, Parma Museums

Every so often we share our expertise on other Web sites. Take a look at our Italy travel articles floating around cyberspace this week:

• Four Places to Celebrate Christmas in Rome on The Huffington Post


• Last-Minute Christmas and New Year's Italy Deals on PeterGreenberg.com


• Parma Museums Dedicated to Food and Perfume on Jetsetter.com's Blog

Special Savings from Ciao Laura Culinary Vacations

Ciao Laura Culinary Vacations offers weekly cooking vacations, hands-on cooking lessons, wine tours, and foodie excursions in Italy. Guided walking tours to historical sites available in Venice, Florence, Rome & Bologna.

Special Dream of Italy Reader Discount on our Best Selling Tuscany Culinary Programs - 10% off FARM-TO-FORK™ Cooking Lessons in Chianti or $100 off Gourmet Cooking in Bella Tuscany all-inclusive weekly cooking vacation if booked by December 31, 2010. New bookings only. Offer not valid on previously booked programs.

Visit our Web site at www.ciaolaura.com

(This is an ad.)

New Year's Eve in Tuscany at A 1930s Party

This New Year's Eve, step back in time in the heart of Tuscany as the luxurious Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort hosts a 1930s soiree, complete with gangster pinstripe suits, bow ties, Borsalino-hat clad waiters and chefs. The Jazz quartet, Sweet & Hot Band, will play the night away, and guests will ring in 2011 with a traditional fireworks display accompanied by the renowned voice of the musician, Karima. Rates start at 456€ per room, per night (double occupancy) and are based on a 7-night minimum stay.

Dream of Italy reviewed this luxurious spa in our very first issue eight years ago. It remains one of our favorite resort destinations in all of Italy. Located in the heart of the Tuscany's Maremma area, in the medieval village of Saturnia, the four-star hotel consists of 140 rooms, two restaurants under the supervision of a three-star Michelin chef, two bars, fitness center, Cruciani shop featuring luxurious cashmere, art Gallery, the hair salon Aldo Coppola by Terme di Saturnia, a meeting room for up to 250 people, the Spa Boutique at Terme di Saturnia, a state-of-the-art spa with 53 treatment rooms and the 3,000-year-old thermal pool nestled in the center of the resort. The resort also features an 18-hole championship golf course, practice green and private golf villas.

Italy Gift Idea: Personalized Italy Travel Planning Package

If you're planning a trip to Italy in 2011 and looking for help OR looking for a gift for the person who has everything, I'd like to tell you about the special personal Italy travel consultation package I've put together for the holidays! You may or may not know that I offer personalized travel advice as The Italian Dream Concierge. I'm offering 25% off my services and a slew of bonuses if you purchase by Dec. 31 (you have a year to use the consultation).

In brief, it includes:

• an hour-long consultation with me on the phone (after you've filled out a special questionnaire)


• a list of very personal recommendations of hotels, restaurants, guides, cooking lessons, shops, etc. and help booking if you need it (at no additional fee)


• a one year-subscription or renewal to DOI's print newsletter by mail including the BONUS book Tuscany and Umbria: The Collected Traveler ($99 value)


• the BONUS DVD/Blu-ray Rudy Maxa's Europe: Italy ($28 value) for spending more than $155 in our online store (limit one per customer)


• the first issue, Bonus Book, Bonus DVD and gift letter about the consultation can be sent in time for Christmas to the recipient of your choice!

The entire package is $225 (normally $295). Plus if you like, I will send you to one of our travel agent partners to book your entire trip (with no additional fees).

12 Days of Christmas Giveaways on Dream of Italy's Facebook Page - 12/8 to 12/20

We're playing Santa Claus or Babbo Natale here at Dream of Italy giving away Italy travel gifts - DVDs, books, jewelry, subscriptions - over the next 12 days. It is 12 days of Christmas giveaways. ALL you have to do to ENTER is hit the LIKE button our Facebook Page! Winners will be randomly selected from among our Facebook Fans. How easy is that?! Every afternoon, we will be picking a winner and posting it on the page.

Here are some of the great Italy gifts you might win:

• Venetian Murano Glass Christmas Angel Charm
• Book: 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Must Go
• DVD Set: Inside The Tuscan Hills
• Dream of Venice Travel Gift Basket
• Book: An Irreverent Curiosity
• Book: La Bella Lingua
• One-Year Subscription to Dream of Italy Travel Newsletter
• Book: Up at the Villa
  
  and more surprises!
  

Christmas in Verona Italy - Celebrating the Italian Nativity Scene

During the Christmas season in Italy, the presepe, or nativity scene, is a reminder Italy's deep-rooted traditions.Italians' love for art and religion combine in these gorgeous scenes. It's nearly impossible to visit Italy during the holidays and not stumble across presepi in store windows, cathedrals or museums.

The event Natale in Arena in Verona celebrates presepi from December 4, 2010 through January 23, 2011. On display at Verona's historic Arena are 400 presepi include different artistic interpretations of the traditional Christmas nativity scene, and are a collaboration of artists, museums, and collectors from Italy and other European countries. The symbol of this Christmas event is a giant star sculpture leading from the Arena to nearby Piazza Bra. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and tickets are 7 euros per person. A portion of the proceeds are donated to charities in Bethlehem. -- Elaine Murphy

Related:

Italian Christmas Cards
Dream of Italy's FREE 35-page Christmas in Italy e-book
Naples: Christmas Street Featuring Presepi

Rome's Presepi Museum Celebrating Italian Nativity Scenes

Photo by alfrephoto, flickr.com

Introducing La Dolce Via Travel

Our passion and expertise: Italy; our goal: our clients come to love Italy as we do!

At La Dolce Via Travel, we listen and create carefully the trip that gives you Italy on your terms bycrafting special experiences, like a moonlit picnic on the Appian Way,a private lesson in making limoncello on Capri, or almost anything else you'd like.

We make Italy yours.

630.887.8983 -- www.ladolceviatravel.com

e-mail: rosanne@ladolceviatravel.com

(This is an ad.)

New Year's Eve in Venice: Concerts and Galas

Our friend Nan McElroy of Living Venice fills us in on musical options for New Year's Eve in Venice -

If you are visiting Venice for New Year's and want to make it a musical holiday, consider attending the Concerto di Capodanno, the New Year's concert offered by the Teatro La Fenice on December 30th at 8 p.m., the 31st at 4 p.m., and on New Year's Day at 11:15 a.m. Conducted by Daniel Harding, the first portion of the concert is orchestral, while the second part features a chorus and soloists performing Verdi’s beloved “Libiam” from La Traviata and “Va Pensiero” from Nabucco among other selections, perfect for ringing in the New Year. For information on the Fenice concerts, visit HelloVenezia or call (39) 041 2424 or visit www.hellovenezia.com



There are other musical offerings for both Christmas and New Year's. From violins to Vivaldi to opera highlights, these concerts are all held in opulent Venetian palaces: there is even one that includes a buffet dinner held at the Scuola Giovanni Evangelista, another is a formal dinner and gala at the Palazzo Barbarigo-Minotto. To book these concerts, stop by the tourist pavilion jus outside the Royal Gardens near the Vallaresso vaparetto stop, or use an online booking service such as www.classictic.com Of course, thousands will be celebrating New Year's Eve in Piazza San Marco -- if you decide to join them, be sure to check the aqua alta forecast, bundle up, and remember: no glass bottles permitted in the piazza. -- Nan McElroy

Read the rest of Nan's advice for traveling to Venice for Christmas and New Year's

Related:
GIFT IDEA ON SALE: Dream of Venice Travel Gift Basket
Venice Christmas Cards: Basilica San Marco with Wreath
Venice Christmas Cards: Snowy San Marco