With almost 40° degrees outside, we decided to take a break and visit one of the most "cool" hotel in the world.
Welcome to the Lumilinna Snow Castle of Kemi by the Gulf of Bothnia in Finland.
Great light-effects will add a romantic touch to the charm of the snow as well as sculptures an decorations made of snow and ice.
So take your best coat and the sledge and book an unforgettable vacation!
Friday, 3 August 2012
The snow hotel
Friday, 20 July 2012
Bed and breakfast for naturists
Seaside, mountain or lake, every holiday is the same old story: the dreaded luggage!
Am I taking too many clothes? Or are they few? Elegant or casual? Is it gonna be cold or hot?
And this becomes a significant problem if you travel by plane and you have to respect the limits of size and weight per bag.
Not to mention the return journey, full of souvenirs and new purchases that inevitably you never know where to put.
At last the idea of a lovely Swedish lady has worked out all of these problems: she has opened the first bed and breakfast for nudists!
Guests can now leave behind any unnecessary frill such as clothing and enjoy a stay in touch with nature.
Strolls to admire the flowers and animals, sea bathing in the near beach, a greenhouse and even golf: you'll be really spooled for choice in how to spend your days in freedom. Not to mention the SPA and technology with free WiFi access.
These are the characteristics of the B&B "Hylteberga Gàrd Naturist", near Skurup, in southern Sweden, facility operated by a couple, Eva and Steffan, who will welcome you with a fragrant freshly baked cake and… completely naked.
No specific prohibition of wearing clothes, even the "dressed" customers can stay in the quiet of the Gàrd which, with only 4 rooms, also offers the needed privacy and customer care. Beware thought, who knows which manners could rub off on you!
The only recommendation is to schedule your vacation during the summer. Swedish winter is definitely not suitable for naturism.
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Verona: a tour of the city. Unusual places
In the last post we mentioned the landmarks which you can not miss during your visit. This time we'll talk about some places a little more unusual and less traveled, though as beautiful as the others.
Out first destination are the so-called "Arche Scaligere", funerary monuments of the greatest rulers of the family that ruled over Verona. They are located next to the church of Santa Maria Antica, near the Piazza dei Signori. The most important (and first in time) to be buried in one of those graves was Cangrande (1291-1329), just the one to whom Dante dedicated the Paradise for the kindness which he received from him during his exile from Florence. Other successors are today in these monumental decorated sarcophagi, impossible to miss them!
Another place to remember is Castelvecchio. Built between 1354 and 1357 by Cangrande II della Scala to protect his court in a tumultuous period of war, over the centuries the castle has undergone several shifts of use, first as an arsenal and barracks, then as a prison, until in 1923 it became the museum that we know today. In our day it's in fact the Civic Museum of the city of Verona, an art gallery and library.
Connected to Castelvecchio by the amazing Ponte Scaligero, there's the Austrian arsenal, built between 1840 and 1861, different from the Habsburg era buildings it resembles a Romanesque Revival medieval castle. It's built on an area of 62,000 square meters, and consists of separate structures for warehouses, stores and workshops, all immersed in lush green vegetation.
Only ten minutes from the Arena, there is a magic place that takes the visitor back to the calm and tranquility forgotten in today's life: Giardino Giusti. The first part goes back to the 15th century and, over the centuries, has been expanded and enriched with fountains, acoustic grottos, a maze of hedges among the most ancient in Europe and an avenue decorated by cypresses, at the end of which a ladder leads you to one of the most breathtaking view of the city.
These are just some of the magical places that are enclosed in this beautiful city. Many others are just waiting to be discovered.
Friday, 29 June 2012
Verona: a tour of the city. First Part
As early as 2000, UNESCO included it among the World Heritage Cities, a very well deserved acknowledgement for a city that hosts, in a few square kilometers, history and beauties that are way too often underestimated.
How not to start our tour from Piazza Brà, a sea of architectonic works that can not but leave its first time visitors breathless. From here we can admire and visit the Arena, build in the first century after Christ using the marble extracted from the quarries of the province and still fully functional so as to accommodate more than 600,000 spectators each year during what is the world's most important opera season.
Let's continue then with Piazza Erbe, for several years the hub of social and economic life of the city. A set of styles different in type and age but wonderfully balanced. In short, one of the finest squares in Italy.
A must stop is also the famous Juliet's house, where you can visit the balcony from where she secretly talked with her Romeo. And don't forget to give a rub to the right breast of the statue! It is said to bring luck in love and not only…
And why not, a stop at Romeo's house can only get you involved even more in the romantic city.
Another mandatory one is Ponte Pietra (lit: Stone Bridge), build in the first century BC to replace an earlier wooden bridge, it is thus the most ancient Roman monument in Verona and a vantage point for an overview on the river Adige.
Next week we'll take you to get to know other unmissable places in the beautiful Verona, that’s not far from Hotel Montemezzi!
Thursday, 21 June 2012
The strangest objects stolen from a hotel.
It happened to all of us, you come back from a stay in a hotel, and while you unpack you find something that should have stayed at the hotel and instead came home with you, more or less "accidentally".
Towels, shampoo bottles, ashtrays, tv or air conditioners remotes. Well, it happens, those who work in the hospitality industry resigned theirselves already. A poll reveals that 37% of respondents admit to have taken something from their rooms, but as many as 85% has actually "removed" something.
Browsing the web is possible to find several lists of "strange" objects stolen from hotels around the world.
These are the most curious we found: a stuffed boar's head that hung in the billiard room, some spotlight that were embedded in the floor, the entire interior of one room, including curtains and bed, slid carefully out of the window directly into the van of the couple of guests, a piano, for which the thieves disguised as turners sent for repair purpose, a TV complete with DVD player and all their wires and cables, a medieval sword, a marble fireplace, a copy machine from the lobby.
But probably the strangest objects ever stolen are the sex toys that a hotel in Bath, UK, makes available to their guests. Needless to say, after yet another robbery the hotel has stopped supplying its rooms with so coveted gadgets.
There is little to do, human beings will never cease to amaze us with their creativity!
Friday, 15 June 2012
Ready for a vacation on a farm?
If your idea of vacation does not include spending hours and hours laying motionless in the sun, but you still need to tan to show off back in the office and also spend time outdoors, Wwoof is what you need.
No, it's not the cry of a wolf with hoarseness, it stands for "World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms", an organization founded 40 years ago in the UK thanks to Sue Coppard, a lady from London who wasn't fitting in the metropolis, and which is now present in 14 countries, including Italy.
So far, 344 farms are well prepared to host the willing tourists. Why "willing" you'd ask? Because the food and lodging aren't paid in cash here, but helping out with all the activities necessary to the farm.
Few tens of euros are enough to become a member of the association, to have an insurance covering accidents and medical care, and also to be provided with a regular employment contract.
Only cost not included: the trip.
This is undoubtedly a unique opportunity to learn how to produce cheese, honey, how to look after animals and fields, and why not… to travel the world and meet real people and custom. A low cost trip with something extra.
Friday, 8 June 2012
The Fun Hotel = Amusement parks
Not only history and culture, but also many theme parks. The area of the Lago di Garda is one of the richest in magical places where you can have funny times with the whole family.
To make the most out of all the opportunities in the district, we are launching an exclusive offer for our customers.
Staying for two nights in our Funny Rooms, you will receive 1 FREE TICKET for one of your choice from the following parks:
- Gardaland, one of the most visited sites in Italy, for young and old, water games, thrilling roller coasters and many shows to attend. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush or a quiet movie in 4D, Gardaland is the place to go. 
- Movieland, the park of the cinema! Breathtaking attractions that will make you step into the shoes of your favorite movie heroes and live a day as a real star: Zorro, Rambo, The Flintstones and many other characters are waiting for you! 
- Parco Natura Viva, three parks in one. The "zoo safari", over 5 kilometers of African savannah to see in your car watching the animals, the "animal park", a pedestrian path in the countryside that is home to numerous species to be seen up close and is enriched by the Tropical Greenhouse and the Aquaterrarium with tropical fish and reptiles. Finally there's the "Extinction Park", the area reserved for scale models of the big extinct animals of the past. 
- Parco Sigurtà, a huge green expanse in which to have a walk and admire the flowers, water gardens, the horizontal sundial, medicinal plants, farm animals and to get lost in the maze. And to be sure you won't miss any of the attractions there's a train, bicycle rentals, golf carts and an electric shuttle complete with a professional guide. 
So many treasures to discover and live in full for an unforgettable weekend.
Thursday, 31 May 2012
The divorce hotel
It only takes as little as 2 days in one of the "Divorce Hotels" to leave behind an ended marriage, and to complete all the necessary documents needed by the judge for the final sentence. This brilliant and simple idea was conceived by Jim Halfens, a 33 year old Dutch.
High quality facilities in which the couple can go even for a few hours, and while meeting lawyers and mediators they can enjoy a relaxing massage. All the paperwork involved will be history. Custody of any children (included four-legged ones), division of property and visitation rights, everything will be decided and put on paper. No more queues or racing in a thousand different offices, no additional charge, 48 hours and everything is done.
Few rules, (including one that the spouses must agree to not be litigious) utmost flexibility and a pinch of irony.
Here's a recipe for a great idea. Maximum confidentiality and special treatments are granted by the hotel staff involved, and you can also have psychological support to deal with what is a turning point in a person's life.
After the success in Holland and Belgium, Jeff is ready to land overseas and launch in the US his "Divorce Hotel".
Since the high-end accommodations, prices are not right for everyone, but if you really want to save time and hassle, spending around € 4,000 is not so exaggerated. And since these are countries where one of every two marriages ends, it is clear how this service will only be gaining customers.
Not in Italy for the moment, because in our country the law about divorce is far more complex and requires a much longer time than in other countries, including European ones. But who knows, maybe one day we too will be able to say to colleagues: "I'm taking a couple of days off, to divorce".
Monday, 30 August 2010
All the flavours of the tasty rice "Isolana style" and fine Veronese wines at the Risitaly 2010
Surrounded by the fields of "Strada del Riso" (the Rice Route) from the 2007 Risitaly has been being the most important show totally based on rice, its culture and its cusine: 90.000 exhibitions areas, 500.000 visitors from all around Italy and 350.000 portions of risotto sold every year this Rice Fair has gained the podium of the gastronomical events in Italy.
About the Risotto...
Rice is one of the most ancient cultivar in the history of human beings: the two principal types came from India and Africa long time ago. But rice is not only a plant, it is mostly a culture: a part of our tradition because of every Veronese family know how to do a really risotto Isolana style. So stop in Verona in these days and spend one night at the Rice Fair is also cusine and cultural experience.
Risotto "Isolana" style secrets...
Ingredients:
1 kg Vialone Nano Veronese rice
2 litres good broth
200 grams lean veal
200 grams pork loin
150 grams butter
140 grams Parmesan or Grana cheese
pepper, salt, cinnamon, rosemary (as you like)
How to prepare:
Dice the meat, dress with salt and pepper (fresh ground) and let it sit for one hour.
Melt the butter, add a twig of rosemary and brown the meat. Cook on low heat until the meat is completely cooked and then take the rosemary out.
Boil the broth, add the rice (cleaned) and cook on low heat for 20 minutes (rice has to absorb all the broth).
Mix the rice with the meat.
Add Parmesan or Grana cheese and a bit of cinnamon to complete the risotto.
See further information on Montemezzi hotel - Special Offer Risitaly 2010 for your holiday and your reservation.
Tuesday, 24 August 2010
The discovery of Venetian villas in "veronese" plain
Monday, 2 August 2010
Visiting RDA Koeln Fair to keep in touch with World
We spent two days meeting our best cooperators and discovering new interesting relationships.
Keep in touch with the World of tourism is the best way to promote Verona and its province.
Have an intensive work with our customers and partners to join all the skills and resources to offer the best experience and facilities to people who want to come to our beautiful town.
This is the beliving of Montemezzi hotel Staff: Keep in touch with the World!!!
Maurizio
Montemezzi Crew
