by Mara Solomon | Nov 15, 2017 | Blog, Italy Travel Advice, Italy Vacation Activities, Italy Vacation Destinations, Travel Advice
Since Roman times the emerald green waters of Lake Como have made it a coveted holiday retreat. Shaped like an upside-down Y, Lake Como is the third largest lake in Italy. Its waters are lined with ancient villages, ornate villas and gardens bursting with...
by Mara Solomon | May 18, 2017 | Travel Advice
It’s question season here at Homebase Abroad. “Can we still find a house for this summer?” (Yes, except on the Amalfi Coast) “How do we get to Florence?” (We recommend by private car or train as parking a rental car is challenging), “How do we get on the water along...
by Mara Solomon | May 3, 2017 | Cities & Towns
Visiting a great city can sometimes feel like it comes with a lot of “shoulds.” Not the least is that you “should” actually find it a “great city” when maybe you won’t. When we work with guests on their plans for visiting Rome, we...
by Mara Solomon | Mar 2, 2017 | Activities, Travel Advice
La Pineta is a summer-time pilgrimage for the locals and there is always a warm welcome from the Zazzeri family. This is the place to see and be seen for evenings lingering over a superb summer meal of grilled fish with good wine surrounded by the impeccable style of...
by Mara Solomon | Jun 19, 2015 | Food, Seasons In Italy
Eat a feast of fall flavors this season in Italian gardens – round-hipped and deeply flavored zucca, mushrooms of a staggering variety sprouting according to weather, uve di fragile, sweet small grapes that hang like pendants hanging on pergola’s overhead, root...
by Mara Solomon | Jun 19, 2015 | Food, Wine
Getting close to the land is part and parcel of any introduction to the distinctive country ways of these mountains. At Homebase Abroad’s Villa San Lorenzo, this experience is magnified by the hospitality of your hosts– Stefano and Georgia. With them, you...
by Mara Solomon | Jun 19, 2015 | Cities & Towns, Food, Seasons In Italy
In our world, truffles are worth getting up early especially when you are walking with a local Italian and trained dogs in the damp early morning of Fall. Weather permitting, of course. This experience is set in the hills above Spoleto on a family-run organic farm. In...
by Mara Solomon | Jun 19, 2015 | Cities & Towns, Seasons In Italy
If you missed the amazing display of camellias, azaleas and rhododendrons that blaze in the gardens of Lake Como during March and April (reason enough to come ahead of the crowds), come walk through a daydream of beauty in the Fall when you can enjoy the careful...
by Mara Solomon | Apr 1, 2015 | Cities & Towns, Festivals & Holidays, Food
Before reading further, I suggest you pull up a map of Tuscany. Locate Siena and then trail you finger in a southwesterly direction until you no longer recognize the place names. Stop before you get to Grossetto and the sea at Monte Argentario. Benvenuto. You have...
by Mara Solomon | Mar 5, 2015 | Activities, Cities & Towns, Travel Advice
Have you heard about the Dolomites but cannot figure out why or where? Unfortunately, you have a lot of company. We have been crisscrossing Sud Tirol for the last several years, absorbing the beauty and distinction that marks this territory. We are delighted to offer...
by Mara Solomon | Oct 17, 2014 | Activities, Helpful Hints, Italy Vacation Activities, Travel Advice
1. Manage everyone’s expectations Travel might be the ultimate test of relationships (besides politics according to my mother). We all do it differently and spend time and money according to our own priorities. Manage everyone’s expectations for time together and...
by Mara Solomon | Jan 17, 2014 | Cities & Towns
There is nothing more fabulous than to be able to wander at will for hours, by turns enchanted, challenged and surprised by the other worldly and intense reality that is Venice. Venice in March or April is a city you can explore on foot, unencumbered by oppressive...
