Luxury Real Estate

Courtesy of Mark of Luxury Real Estate Vacation Rentals

Homebase Abroad, a leader for luxury vacation rentals in Italy, provides thoughts on travel to their previous guests. We wanted to pass along Mara Solomon’s message this month. Please contact Homebase Abroad if you are planning a trip to Italy. They represent the very best accommodations across Tuscany, Umbria, Amalfi Coast and Lake Como.

Mara’s Message: I know the holidays were a lifetime ago but there is a lot to catch you up on. December was spent in Italy – testing, tasting and trying new experiences. Even after 17 years there is much to learn.

For starters, Lake Como in the snow is dreamy and stunning and totally different from spring, summer or fall. Villa Maria Taglioni was incredibly comfortable and atmospheric with effective radiant heat for coziness, and the brilliant but humble chef Dewa in the kitchen. I urged the owner to keep her pure Italian linen sheets -for authentic aristocratic deliciousness - rather than switching to cotton.

This year I added a family Christmas in Italy as well. What a treat. No shopping malls, no wrapping until dawn, no anxiety over what I did or did not buy. No menus, no overcooked veggies, no crazy holiday parties. Just the six of us, abundant good food, a never-ending blaze in the fireplace and a lot of laughter. My personal highlight was watching my 87-yr-old father-in-law boogie across the living room of Casanuova San Casciano with my 13-yr-old daughter. A nourishing time all around.

We wish you a peaceful and joy-filled year, Mara Solomon Director

P.S. Thank you to all who weighed in on last months’ survey, we sincerely appreciate your input. With this issue of Insights we are introducing three new properties; Podere due Scale, La Limonaia di Celsa and Villa di Torno. More to come in February. P. P. S. Rachel Birtwhistle has been added as a wedding planner. She is superb and resourceful and can create a flawless weekend event at Villa La Cassinella.