Fly directly to Calabria from many cities worldwide

Pizzo, old village center in Calabria (photo by Susan C)

Whenever we are suggesting a holiday in Pizzo to our friends I realized how lucky we are in Pizzo (aka Pizzo Calabro or Pizzo di Calabria) being located so close to the international airport of Lamezia Terme (SUF).

Lamezia airport brings thousands of passengers every year to Calabria in Southern Italy from around the world. There are business men among tourist on the daily Alitalia flights from Rome or Milan, but most tourists come with budget airlines which fly directly into Lamezia Terme (SUF) once or twice weekly from allover Europe and even overseas.

I was impressed to find out from how many cities you can fly directly to Calabria, and of course vice versa, to where you can fly directly from Calabria. I am happy to share my list. Check with your airline during which months and which days direct flights are available. (Let me know, if I missed any city or airline).


Direct Flights to Lamezia Terme (SUF) :

Country	City	Airline
Belgium	Brussels (CRL)	Ryanair
Czech Republic	Brno (BRQ) Prague (PRG) Ostrava (OSR)	SmartWing
France	Paris Orly (ORY)	Easyjet
Germany	Berlin Tegel (TXL) Koeln Bonn (CGN) Düsseldorf (DUS) Frankfurt Hahn (HHN) Hanover (HAJ) München (MUC) Stuttgart (STR) Weeze (NRN)	Airberlin Germanwings Airberlin/Germanwings Ryanair Germanwings Airberlin Germanwings Ryanair
Italy	Bologna (BLQ) Milano Bergamo (BGY) Milano Malpensa (MXP) Milano Linate (LIN) Torino (TRN) Pisa (PSA) Roma (FCO) Venice Treviso (TSF)	Ryanair Ryanair Easyjet Alitalia Alitalia Ryanair Blu-Express/Ryanair/Vueling/Alitalia Ryanair
Netherlands	Amsterdam (AMS)	Transavia
Spain	Barcelona (BCN)	Vueling
Switzerland	Zürich (ZRH)	Airberlin
United Kingdom	London Stansted (STN)	Ryanair
Canada	Toronto (YYZ)	Airtransat

Pizzo is located just 25 km from Lamezia Terme airport, and can be reached by rented car or taxi in less than 30 minutes drive.

Tropea is located further down the coast, 60 km from the airport and about 1h 15min drive.

The central train station in Lamezia Terme is about 1 km from the International Airport. There is a shuttle bus to the station. Some people with light luggage even walk along the road, but you could also hire a taxi. However, if your destination is Pizzo, we would recommend to take a taxi directly to Pizzo or pre-book a pick-up service (both around 40 Euro one-way to Pizzo). Pizzo is a great place to start to explore la bella Calabria.

At the airport you will find different car rental services. You can pre-book a car online or book one at the airport. If you plan to drive into historic old towns, we recommend to rent a SMALL car as the alleys are very narrow.

Please note, if you plan to just spend a relaxing holiday in centro storico di Pizzo, the old town center, no car is required for your holiday as restaurants, bars, shops, tourist sights and the beach are in walking distance.

Other airports in Southern Italy: Reggio di Calabria, Catania (Sicily) and Naples.

photo source: Palazzo Pizzo copyright 2014

Winter in Calabria

Camigliatello in La Sila National Park, Calabria

So far this blog was all about renovating and decorating a Beach House.

Now, we did it. Okay, it still needs some improvements and probably constant re-renovation work - but mainly we are done. And we are really happy with the result.

Strangely, when I saw the latest interior magazine AD during our skiing holidays in Europe, with lots of snow outside, and all these cozy homes and restaurants in the mountains with wooden fires inside ... I started dreaming ...

Sounds crazy, I know. - Shouldn't I focus on our beach house?

But then I remembered, that Calabria has not only 800 km of coast line to offer. Calabria is quiet hilly and has mountains up to 2,000 meters high above sea level. And when it snows, you can ski! Yes, there are a few ski lifts!

The most important "ski resorts" in Calabria are Camigliatello and Villaggio Palumbo in La Sila and Gambarie in Aspromonte. Both mountainous regions are National Parks.
 

Pizzo --> Sila  app. 120 km and 1,5h drive (via Google Map)

La Sila is about 120 km North of Pizzo and the Aspromonte about 100 km South.  We could reach a ski resort from Pizzo in aobut 1,5 hours drive ! 

From the sea to the mountains in no time. The highest mountain in Sila, Botte Donato (1,928 m) is covered with snow right now. Information about snow levels at Camigliatello via Skiinfo. There are two ski lifts only, but this will do for us when in Calabria in winter!

This is an excellent reason to push forward the installation of a chimney in our beach house. We could drink hot teas and wine in front of the wooden fire after a day skiing up in the mountains. :-)

And I really enjoyed this magazine, especially the featured home of Aerin Lauder in Aspen.


AD German Edition Dec/Jan 2012



Living room of Aerin Lauder's Aspen home

Wishing you all the best for 2012!

I thought this is funny: Palazzo Pizzo Team on skiing holiday

the interior, finance and construction team of Palazzo Pizzo (from left)

We took a week off and met in Switzerland for a skiing holiday with family and friends. In this picture above you see from left: me, myself, my husband CC and his father Angelo, our major help at Palazzo Pizzo.

I thought it is a very funny picture, not only because we were all wearing helmets, like construction workers, but also you can tell who is in love with GREEN bathrooms, who's idea was the RED bathroom and who painted the entrance hall in APRICOT. Can you ?!

And if you ever happen to go to Klosters, don't miss the Berghaus Alpenroesli, it is such a beautiful and romantic spot for lunch or dinner:

two pictures above via Alpenroesli

However, now we are all back at work. Angelo drove down to Pizzo and I am awaiting updates soon. I will keep you posted, a presto.

Sicilian traditional tiles as main design theme for new contemporary resort: Verdura Golf & Spa Resort

Southern Italy, especially Capri and Sicily, is famous for its beautiful ornamented tiles with bright mediterranean colours. Handpainted maioliche have their origin in Mallorca (Spain) and have inspired Italian crafters from Vietri near Naples to Caltagirone in Sicily.

It is kind of obvious to use mediterranean tiles (piastrelle) when renovating or remodelling a house in the South of Italy. Even when building a contemporary house or hotel, one should consider to catch the atmosphere of the location by using local traditional material and patterns in some way.

In a rough Southeastern Sicilian landscape the new Verdura Golf & Spa resort combines contemporary architecture and design with local Sicilian culture and tradition. Interior designer Olga Polizzi found a simple way to retain old customs by interpretating patterns of Sicilian maioliche (tiles) in a modern way throughout the resort :

patterns of piastrelle are remixed in the casual dining area (above and below):

The giant tiles are handmade by a workshop in Caltagirone.

They pick up a local motif of the 18th century that became the decorative theme of the entire resort.

In the lobby, cushion covers and lamp shades pick up parts of the tile's pattern.

Even the webside of the resort is using the theme on its pictures (see above pic left side) like a watermarking.

In the rooms the theme is on bed covers, cushions and lampshades.

On some walls the design of the tiles is stenciled. However, with very restraint colours, like a watermark, to not be too much for the visitors eyes.

I think it is a very clever idea. I might 'copy' this method for some wall decoration in our house. I could re-use some pattern of the few old tiles we inherited with the house. Although they have more a Greek influenced geometrical design than a floral elaboration. Or I am just painting the above red giant extract of a maiolica with acrylic coulour on a wooden board for one of the rooms.
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Source: all photos via Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sciacca, Sicily
owned by Rocco Forte Collection
featured in AD Edizione Italia, March 2010

Project by Flavio Albanese
Interior Design by Olga Polizzi

Travel: Taormina and Mt. Etna, Sicily

We are back from a short trip to Sicily. This was my first trip to Sicily ever - and I really enjoyed it. Although in 2 days I only got a very short impression, it worth it. I like Sicily! I like the landscape, the food, the sweets, the marmelade, the wine, the ceramics ...

"Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn?" - Goethe

sweets made of marzipan and citrus fruits

typical Sicilian ceramic heads to use as flower pots

But lets start at the beginning: I was impressed how fast we made it to Sicily: starting after breakfast in Pizzo / Vibo Marina, we made it to Taormina easily before lunch (even including a flat tire on the poor "autostrada" that is under re-construction until Reggio Calabria).

Get off the freeway at Villa San Giovanni and take the ferry to Messina. At this time of the year (even it was Easter Holiday also for Italians), there was no queue for the ferry boats that run all the time. It is an about 30 minutes ride through the Strait of Messina (at its narrowest point 3,1 km).

From Messina you reach Taormina after a short drive on the freeway with lots of tunnels. Meanwhile it was noon. But we still had enough time to get a first impression of this pittoresque little city and its narrow and steep aleys. After a typical Sicilian lunch we visited the ancient Greek theater and took lots of pictures of the stunning view of Mt. Etna.

here with sunshine: cartolina da Taormina

During this time of the year the top (about 3.350 m) is still covered by snow. However, you do not need to bring your hiking equipment. You can drive up to a gondola station located in the Southern part of the Etna national park. This will take you until 2.500 meters hight. And if you like, Unimogs take you further up to interesting craters where you can walk with a guide. Even hinking boots and jackets are for rent (and socks for sale). We did not go further then the gondola station as it was quiet windy that day and we were not prepared for temperatures below zero degree Celsius and snow.

Here I am posing next to one of the Unimogs.

There are ski lifts - you can ski on the vulcano during winter !

All the black is lava !

There are around 100 craters - its Europe's largest active vulcano !

So, while in Pizzo, I can recommend even just a 1 day-trip to Taormina, if you do not have too much time and are motorized. If you have more time, spend one night at one of the plenty B&Bs and visit the largest active European vulcano, Mount Etna - it is a must adventure and great fun, especially for kids.

What you need to know about Acqua Alta in Venice

The above video by the city of Venice tells tourist that acqua alta, high water or flooding does not make Venice inaccessible. It shows how "effortless" life in the city continues.

These days Venice has acqua alta every day. You can find the forecast here.

It shows you when it reaches the peak, eg. very high tide of 110 cm tomorrow morning at 3.15 am. This does not mean that the water will reach your bellybottom. It is measured from the average sea level.  Shops and bars around St. Mark's square are likely to be flooded at ground floors as well as some alleys. With gum boots you will be able to easily cross San Marcus square - or use the many set up footbridges - if you are already up early in the morning.

Centro Maree forecasts the level day by day - Here is what you need to know:

•  if the water level in St.Mark's basin is 65-68 cm, expect to find some water on the ground in front of St.Marks' church entrance. Important: do not think you'll see water 65 cm high in St.Mark's square! This measure refers to the sea level.
• if the level is up to 85, expect some big puddles in St.Mark's square and in some "calli" (streets) in Venice. The middle area of St.Mark's square will be dry, as it is not perfectly flat. Wear water-proof boots!
• at 90 cm, St.Mark's square will be a lake of salty water. Some vaporettos (public boats) routes will be cancelled and alternative routes will be used. This is because they won't be able to pass under some bridges. Quite a confusion at boat stops. Lower areas in Venice can be accessed via special "walkways"
• at 110 cm, you'll hear sirens: this informs population to get ready. Most shops and warehouse at ground floors are likely to be flooded.
• from 120 cm to 140 cm, Venetians will get worried. Important: again, do not think you'll see water 120 cm. high all around in the streets: this measure refers to the sea level. Acqua alta can result in a 50 cms. water in the streets: which is not little anyway.

I have never really seen San Marco flooded. But I saw the water coming up the gully drain on my wedding day and my wedding dress getting wet.
--> matrimonio bagnato matrimonio fortunato ! ;-)

photo by Manuel Silvestr/Reuters via corriere della serra

Travel: un giro a Venezia

Yesterday morning the weather was not too bad - for a winter day in the Veneto province where fog is very common during several winter months. Above is the view from my room at my Italian family's house that is located between Venice and Padua, at the river Brenta. The sky is slightly grey, but no rain yesterday - sunshine only on top of the far away Alps. The climbing Santa (left in the pic) was already seen in the region last year. This year it seems that a container ship from China full of climbing plastic Santas has flooded the area.

Okay, we said, this is a good day to go for 'un giro a Venezia' - to go for a walk in Venice - which is 15 car minutes away.

Remember our last window shopping tour in Venice? Different window from a different Murano glass shop. The name of the shop and part of the newly renovated basilica at San Marco square are reflecting in the window.

More reflection of Venice architecture here in mirrows outside an antique shop near campo di San Stefano.

Above is not a gondola rented for 100 Euro or more. It is a traghetto - a public ferry that you can use to cross the canale grande for 50 cents including romantic feelings for several minutes.

Seen at Palazzo Grassi (BTW museum is closed on Tuesdays!).

A clever painter paints sexy women in red posing in elegant rooms with a view on the canale grande - attracting tourists of all gender and age. I like the lamps (below) - and of course this view !

Another red called 'rosso Venezian'. Remember my reflection about the outside colour for our house ? Pink or yellow? My suocera (mil), originates from the Veneto region, suggested Venetian red, with a smile of course.

  

Both pictures above where taken through the window of a restaurant near Rialto were we had lunch.

This was the secondo piatto of CC - seppia nera con polenta - not everyone's favorite - black squid. I am not a professional food photographer or stylist... but it did not look any better than this.

Away from the tourist path walking about Norhwest through Cannareggio - not exactly knowing where we are, but the best way to discover new corners in Venice.

A fun traffic sign discovered at the end of our walk through Venice.

It probably means: 'no passing except for gondola'.

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Window Shopping in Venice

Window shopping is something I like to do - it is ispiring and joyful - and it does not cost much. Do you like to join me for a window shopping trip to Venice ?

Here we go :

illuminted lighting shop in Venice

See, the gondolier is waiting for us in the background ...

Venetian chandeliers made of Murano glass by Zanetti

a fancy shop at the end of Piazza San Marco

Can you see the red Murano glas chandelier ? (click on pic to enlarge)

Murano glass chandelier with a modern touch by Venini

Venini has a long history (since 1921 in Murano) and is famous for its modern classic style and great craftmen's skills

This shop in Mestre has more affordable products, and they are not less pretty

The pinkish Venetian chandelier is seducing, but ...

... these "Balon Venexian" caught my eyes - simply charming and affordable.

Maybe for the guestappartment's entrance that leads to the vaulted cellar?

And this artist shop caught my eyes too - love these baloons made of Murano glass !

Livio de Marchi is a Venetian artis who is famous for his carved sculptures.

Ferrari red pops up among grey and attracts the male shopper

A chair and a vase at Dolce& Gabbana ...

.... can't tell what I like better - the big stone vase with the tiny cactus is quiet interesting (having my terrace in mind)

Christmas decoration at D&G (12/2008) 

including reflections of Gucci 2m across the aley

Window shopping can be exhausting. I recommend an expresso or prosecco (anytime), cappuccino (before 11am), hot chocolat (in winter) or an aperitivo (before lunch or dinner) at Caffe Florian or Caffè Quadri, Piazza San Marco. If you feel you do not have to sit down, take your order at the bar and save some Euros. However, after a window shopping tour we can afford to sit down, right ?! Salute !

(Photo source: Palazzo Pizzo blog, all rights reserved)

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PS:

Thanks to Anita from 1richtungsblog who featured photos of our renovation project and an interview with me last week, I have received many more readers from Germany than usually. To welcome them and also just for fun I wrote a post in German language, my mother tongue. This was just a one time experiment as I do not want to loose any subscribers !!! And my German readers seem to not mind English. - Welcome back !

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Rough Luxe Experience

Some of you and myself are fascinated by "rough luxe" - by the style and the term. And the Wall Street Journal writes "the world of interiors gets a new manifesto".

But where does the term "rough luxe" come from ? How has created it ?

I googled - and found the "Rough Luxe Experience Network", a kind of platform for businesses that "share an understanding of a different definition of luxury".

And there I found this room combining colours and beautiful fabrics with existing distressed original walls :

The photos above and below are all showing interiors of the Rough Luxe Hotel in London, "transformed" by Rabih Hage.

What an interesting bathroom !

 Of course I selected all the bathroom photos as I have to do six for our palazzo.

And I wanted to show the rough part of the rough luxe style - the original walls. For me a bit too much (above).

The "Rough Luxe Network" seems to me like a "Charming Hotel" kind of network that is still new and very trendy. I deem their criteria to become member very interesting. 

Read some interior related criteria here:

ROUGH LUXE NETWORK CRITERIA :

* Unique location of the business in an exclusive site or address (maybe our palazzo's guest appartment should participate !?!) 

* Special or unique architectural and/or historical building where the (Rough-Luxe) business is established or operating from.

* The interior and architectural design are based on the mix of old and new elements; showing original parts of the building, preserving the memory of the site and built environment as well as adding new, useful and original elements to the property.

* The design is based on a mix that looks random but in fact is done with a conscious transmission of social and philosophical messages that put intellectual enrichment prior to the physical well being.

* Physical comfort is important. However, it comes second to intellectual exchange of ideas and personal enrichment through the time spent in a Rough-Luxe business.

* Rough-Luxe will only have original art and design pieces (no copies or prints of existing art or design).

* In a Rough-Luxe business: Luxury is original materials with a unique appearance and historical elements not solely rare materials and expensive finishes.

(...) 
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The red section above is exactly what I think is necessary for our renovation of our 200 + years old palazzo !
 
However the grey sectio above means for the Rough Luxe hotel guest that :  "they might share a bathroom or have a small room or a small shower cubicle, but the luxury is in the choice of the wine, the bed linen, the art on the walls and the people looking after you." (o-tone hotel website).
 
Sharing bathrooms is not really what I like to do when travelling...  but I am fine with the rest.