HOTEL PRINCIPE DI SALINA

   

Salina

        

Salina, is one of the seven pearls of the Eolie Islands. It is situated in the middle of the archipelago and is therefore an ideal starting point for those who want to know all about the Islands.

On the mountains, there are some natural reserves called “riserve della Fossa delle Felci e dei Porri”, where nature doesn't save itself and along the sides of the volcanic cones there are typical Mediterranean plants: brooms, heather plants, myrtle, lentisks, arbutus trees that in autumn and spring enlighten the mountain of beautiful colours and offer thousands of fragrances.

During clear days it is possible to see the other islands and even the Sicilian coast on the horizon. The sea in Salina is so clean that looks blue and crystal clear. A paradise for those who love scuba diving. Volcanic beaches, are made of cobblestones and rocks; here sand practically doesn't exist.

Coasts are high and rocky, shaped by the winds and the sea and offer breathtaking landscapes such as the big amphitheater of Pollara, born as a consequence of the sinking of a crater, and the Perciato, big natural stone arch in which the waves break on inside.

The real meaning of the word “vacation” is to unplug it from everyday life, from frenzy, caos, and the usual routine. In Salina this is possible; at some points silence becomes “deafening”. It may seem absurd, but it is possible to feel its “noise”.

Rediscover the sounds of nature: the screeching of seagulls, the whirring of reeds moved by the wind and accompanied by the repeated sound of the undertow, with the waves breaking against the stones... .

... and rediscover human relationships, receiving the greeting of stranger people met along the street, just like if they were keeping on a conversation interrupted before.

It is the sense of hospitality that islanders have, especially in Salina.

A holiday in Salina is a vacation far from pomposity and worldliness. A place where people can enjoy the closeness to a luxuriant nature, 

where it is still possible to“feel” smells and colours almost forgotten, unique emotions that often, become for many people nostalgia... .

Principe di Salina

                 

In Salina, the most luxuriant and green island of the Eolian archipelago, in 2005 was created the Hotel Principe di Salina. Situated in a panoramic position and coasted by vineyards of malvasìa (local vine), this small charming hotel has been realised following the typical Eolian  style, with the "puleri", (short columns that support chestnut beams on which lay trellis of canes on the terraces), the "bisola", (stone garden seats made of tiles that recall ancient ceramic local designs), the blinding white of the walls and the red frames of the doors, the colour of the sun and the land. The warm and welcoming atmosphere and the internal setting are nothing less: in a sober and elegant environment, in its semplicity, each piece of antiques belonging to the owners' family, becomes an essential part of the Eolian house.

The panoramic terraces overlooking the blue sea of Salina, offer breathtaking views: beautiful sunsets and at night, the Stromboli's eruptions, are the ideal setting for events and ceremonies, and host, a lounge, a solarium, and a restaurant, where there are dishes of the best Eolian cuisine, wisely enriched by a touch of refined Chef's imagination that happily blends the taste of the sea with the parfums and colours of the land. In the middle of the structure, the swimming pool and the hydromassage bath with thermal water, offer to clients moments of true relax and wellness.

The 12 rooms, situated in bodies separated from the main structure and furnished in a simple but functional way, overlook nice private terraces, with seaview; they are fully equipped with satellite Tv, minibar, safe, direct dialling telephone, hair dryer and air conditioning.

An advantage for the guests is the warm welcoming attitude of the owners and the staff. The Eolian warmth becomes a style of life and contributes to create a familiar atmosphere that gives the feeling to be... at home.

Services:

Swimming pool (with a special water purification system) – Thermal hydromassage bath – Towels for swimming pool - Newspapers – Panoramic restaurant and breakfast room – Laundry service - Lift – Private Parking – Rooms equipped for disabled people.

Services Assistance:

Cars, scooters and bycicles for hire – Boat trips – Excursions and trekking trips - Transfer from and to the port.

Location:

7 km far from the main Ports of Santa Marina and Rinella; and a few minutes away from the village centre and the beach.

Open from April to October.

  

FATTORIA - VILLA "LE SORGENTI" - TOSCANA - FARM - HOUSE "THE SOURCE" - TUSCANY

B&B Villa le Sorgenti   

We will be here at Villa le Sorgenti ,from May to October, to welcome you into our world in communion with nature.  It is an intriguing round, almost magical place where the quietly flowing waters of the Arno will wash away your worries.

Life on the Fattoria Le Sorgenti estate is filled with opportunities: luncheons, dinners, tasting sessions, and the delights of the swimming pool are waiting for you, or you can simply enjoy the outdoors, the views and delightful paths that wind through the vineyards and the woods.

An independent suite on the top floor of the Villa will be waiting to let you taste the pleasures of sun-filled country life.  The large living room, four double bedrooms, a dressing room, kitchen and bathrooms furnished in excellent taste will make your stay at Villa le Sorgenti even more enjoyable.

Accomodation

  

Le Sorgenti, is a Renaissance villa built in 1585 and surrounded by a large park that was once a formal Italian garden where we can still see – and use – the paths that run through the vineyards and natural terraces overlooking the Arno River.

It is a refuge where tranquility and simple joy of living reign, offering history-filled views and beautiful natural panoramas.

Here the lightness of being joins hands with the bouquet of a wine and tempting, traditional Tuscan cuisine.

The villa’s large common rooms, bedrooms and suites are brimming with history and tell a unique story through the furnishings, windows and balconies. The bright, airy and, above all, quiet guestrooms are waiting to fulfill your dreams.

The parlor and terraces are perfect settings for dinners, while delightful cocktails, wine-tasting and grill evenings are poolside favorites.

    DON FELIPE” - ground floor suite  

This ground floor suite with its two adjoining double bedrooms is ideal for up to four persons One bedroom overlooks the south corner of the villa while the second opens onto the west side of the park. The windows, in the late nineteenth century style bathroom, clad in yellow Siena marble open on the south-west façade.

  “AIRONE” - first floor suite     

This is a large, airy double room with two French windows that open onto the balcony on the west side of the villa. There is enough room for an extra bed. The bathroom has both a tub and stall shower.

Along the stay at Villa le Sorgenti, the guests have available the swimming pool, the garden, and the terrace at the out door, beside the park around the estate.

   “DONNA ELVIRA” - top floor

The Donna Elvira double room is situated at the south corner of the villa and adjoins a room with twin beds. The privete shower-bat, is outside the room but close to it.

  the top floor

This double room is adjacent to the parlor; the private shower-bath is downstairs on the ground floor.

Greet the day with the breakfast buffet (that includes fresh fruit, jams and cakes made on the premises) in the parlor or out on the terrace.

You can choose a lazy day in the cool garden, by the pool or perhaps something more exciting, such as the Land Rover “safari” tour of the estate’s fifty-odd hectares to see first hand how the vineyards and olive groves are tended… or do some botanical observation of the forest and the undergrowth.

Or, you can opt for a short hike to the Fonte del Re, one of the three historic springs on the estate.

A walk to the “L’Infinito” terrace will tell you a story; a cocktail, wine-tasting, or a sunset picnic in the estate’s loveliest vineyard Podere Carpaccio will create memories to treasure for years.

Sit by a cypress wood table, in the shade of ancient oak trees and look down on Florence, illuminated by the street lights and the stars.

 HOW TO REACH US:

Take the exit from the A1 Motorway marked FIRENZE SUD, sliproad in the direction of BAGNO A RIPOLI. Follow the provincial road S.P. 34 towards ROSANO. When you get to VALLINA, follow the direction for CASE DI SAN ROMOLO and then the little sings for the FATTORIA le SORGENTI.

The estate is faraway 7 km from Florence city center. Within a circumference of 80 km are located the most beautifull historical sites like the Verna's Monastery, the Casentino's Natural Park and the Mugello's Area, as the most suggestive Tuscan's Villages, from Arezzo to Pisa.

WINE TOUR & TASTING

Life on the estate is filled with opportunities: luncheons, dinners, tasting sessions, and the delights of the swimming pool are waiting for you, or you can simply enjoy the outdoors, the views and delightful paths that wind through the vineyards and woods.

SHOP

   

Web TV - Valle D'Itria - Cisternina, Martina Franca,Locorotondo, Ostuni,

http://www.valleditriawebtv.com/home.html

Dimora Storica Val di Colle        

COUNTRY HOUSE AND GOLF CLUB

Nearby Arezzo there are no places like Val di Colle.

There would be as much beautiful buildings, older areas, suggestive ladscapes and kind owners.But I think It's not possible to find out another place which combines all these characteristics and many others we don't want to reveal to not to take the pleasure from the guest discover them himself.

There would be as much beautiful buildings, older areas, suggestive ladscapes and kind owners.But I think It's not possible to find out another place which combines all these characteristics and many others we don't want to reveal to not to take the pleasure from the guest discover them himself.

Follow the signs to Val di Colle, get to Bagnoro, take the little road and....go up...up....up...and find yourself,almost not knowing it, deep between olive trees and woods. It'll seem you got the the wrong directions, even you're sure you followed the right ones. It's just a feeling because you're busy looking around like you'd be walking across a “green heaven”, then there it is, the last turn....and the ancient home wooden gate. Stop for a second, not to get off the car, looking through the glass. It's like you'd get in another dimension , where only history, silence and fascination are around. You see one of those rare places where the man was able to create something truly beautiful, perfectly integrated in the nature. A not violated nature. Here you only will find nicely done flower bed, majestic trees and as much sandstone walls, overhung by the tiles red of the ancient tuscan brick. You breath the history between the stones with graven dates, old inscriptions, forged iron and wooden made furnishings created 700 years ago by capable craftsmen; leaned on old stone floors which leave space to a 1500 years old romanic road. Let's get in. Where are we? In a mansion house? Yes, it could be. Walls are very high, ancient staircase , against the wall 600 years old halberds. Maybe we're in a monastery, giving the short doors, the doorway arches crafted in the stones and the silence makes you think to a sacre palce. There's also a majestic fireplace in the living room : so we're in a villa. Now it's clear: we're in a place that's all these things together . We're at Val di Colle. Val di Colle tastes magic.Once you get here you sudden fall in love with it and once you left you'll be looking forward to come back even only to taste again all those spacialities like olive oil, wine and spices branded Val di Colle. Giovanni Palleggi, with his wife Anna and his son Pier Giovanni have brought Val di Colle to nowdays brightness. With huge commitment ,care and rare taste Nanni had restored the old buildings, stone after stone , giving to Val di Colle that warm soul that wrap you making feel at ease. So,do you know why it's wonderfull living in such places like Val di Colle? Because you discover yourself man and discover the relationship between time , signs ,the world and you taste the history breath . That breath is also yours.

The Val di Colle famous guests.

Val di Colle has been chosen, as residence of prestigious guests from the world of politics, sport, show business and.....space.

                               

Activities

ABSOLUTE RELAX walking in the wood or:

TREKKING, following the path until the top of the hill

GOLF DRIVING RANGE

GYM AREA

Arte e cultura

The Pietro Porcinai gardens and drawings.

The Piero Sbarluzzi sculptures at Val di Colle

The Castle “…its imposing presence bears witness to a past time of magic and adventure.”

The marvellous terrace spread out before the Castle is dominated by the fortified twelfth century tower, its most ancient part. The great entrance doorway, above which the inscriptions on the coats of arms of the Soderini family (16th century) may still be read, is an invitation to enter, an invitation that cannot be refused…

Set apart, impossible to see from the road, majestic and solemn, the Castle dominates the enchanted land in whose embrace it lies, a breathtaking, elegant and harmonious setting.
Discover the Castello di Gabbiano and let yourself be astounded by its beauty!

The visitor immediately senses an aura of protection from these ancient walls, along with the warmth of the light that streams through the vast windows along the sides of the little cloister and pervades the broad corridor that runs along the entire perimeter.

The perception of solidity, yet at the same time lightness, that such an ancient structure can impart fills the observer with wonder, in no small part due to its restoration, which succeeded in combining modernity and history in perfect harmony!

Spontaneously, the desire wells up to find out all about the most remote history of this place, to seek out its hidden parts, its ancient underground cellars, and relive the most important moments that over more than nine centuries have brought it to today’s era, still standing here, ready to welcome us and tell us its story…

The rooms

 “Feel right at home in a castle…”

Staying at the castle means enjoying comfort and refinement blended with the warmth of a family home. The atmosphere is welcoming and informal, all the rooms of the castle are open to guests, who can choose to enjoy some reading or turn on the television in the welcoming drawing room, play the piano or hold conversations with the other guests in the large lounge, take tea in the cloisters, or the garden, enjoy an aperitif in the shade of the pergola after drying off in the sun at the poolside…

Breakfast is served in the castle dining room, and those customers who want can have a snack by the pool at lunchtime.

Eleven large, comfortable rooms, all different but sharing the same style in furnishings, attention to detail and colour schemes, which together create a perfect harmony, but individually remain unique, each with its own narrative, creating different emotions…

The bedrooms are divided into different types, according to size: Junior, Standard, Superior, and Suite.

The History

“The first historical references to Gabbiano date from the 11^th century, when work began on the square tower, which was built to defend one of the most important communication routes between Florence and Siena…”

The sandstone plaque over the entrance door to the castle.

In the land survey presented by Tommaso Soderini in 1464 to the ‘Officials’ of the Land Registry of the Republic of Florence, it was noted that wine and oil were the most highly prized produce of the estate.

The construction of the cellars, whose vaulted structure demonstrates their use for wine production, was begun in 1124.  In that epoch, the castle belonged to one of the most important banking families of Florence, the Bardi, who, in the second half of the thirteenth century, began the extension of the fortress by building perimeter walls and battlements in the typical Guelph style of the era.

The castle remained in the possession of the Bardi until the early part of the 15^th century, when it passed to the Soderini family, one of the most politically influential families in Florence.  It was the Soderini who were responsible for the conversion of the turreted manor house of Gabbiano in Fattoria, already completed by the late 15^th century, according to the description in the “land survey” presented in 1480 by the father of Pier Soderini, Tommaso, to the Land Registry “Officials” of the Land Registry of the Republic of Florence.

In the course of the century, new buildings were added on several occasions, as can be deduced from the stonework, which reveals various phases of development, until it was converted into a large quadrilateral building, which also formed a kind of private fortalice, being furnished with four cylindrical turrets reinforcing the corners.

It was while in the possession of the Soderini that the Castle was converted into a structure more like the present one, with the construction in 1505 of round towers at the four corners of the castle, displaying French architectural influence.  When the Soderini’s struggle against the Medici led to them being declared rebels in the 16^th century and banned from Florence, the Castle was abandoned for a long time. Only in the 17^th century, when the Soderini were able to return to their homeland, was the Castle given new life, as the inscription on a sandstone plaque over the entrance door informs us.

The sandstone plaque over the entrance door to the castle.

Under the two coats of arms of the Sorderini, the following is inscribed: “FRANC.SODERINUS SENAT.GASP.F.RURIS HUIUS IN FAMIGLIA RESTITUTOR SUB.A MDCLII” Above the coats of arms lies the motto that was dictated by Pier Soderini on the occasion of his election as gonfalonier, or standard bearer, which reads “IUS UT PALMA FLO” (“Iustus ut palma florebit”).

The neo-classical style private chapel, built in the 19th century

From the 19^th century onwards, the families who owned the property carried out various restoration works, fully respecting the features of the architectural complex of the Castle.

In the complex of buildings annexed to the castle, there is the neo-classical style private chapel which was built in the 19^th century under the ownership of the Del Turco family, according to an inscription inside the little church dating from the restoration works in 1957 by the Lemmi.

An interesting fact:

• “In 1506, the city of Bologna persistently asked the rulers of Florence to send the artist, Michelangelo, to create a bronze statue of Pope Julius II.  At the end of November of that year, Michelangelo agreed to the request and at once left for Bologna armed with a letter of safe conduct from Pier Soderini, who had been elected Gonfalonier for life in 1502, in which he wrote “The bearer of this document is the sculptor, Michelangelo, who has been despatched to carry out works for His Holiness, our Lord.  We confirm that he is a young man of excellent quality and, in his art, is second to none in Italy, and perhaps in the entire world.  We can only recommend him extremely warmly; his character is such that, through kind words and reasonableness, everything may be obtained from him.  It is enough to display affection and goodwill, and he will create things that astound everyone who looks upon them.”
• Samuel Eliot Morison, in his book published in the United States in 1974, entitled “The European discovery of America,” recalls how Amerigo Vespucci had addressed his first letter, on returning from the Americas, to this same Pier Soderini. The two always maintained the warmest relations since they had been pupils together at the monastery of S.  Marco of Father Giorgio Antonio Vespucci, Amerigo’s uncle.
• There is a variety of evidence of the close ties of friendship between the Soderini family and the artist Michelangelo; on the other hand, no proof exists of the legends handed down by the people of Gabbiano that claim Michelangelo stayed at the castle. We relate one here (without any claim to be reporting the truth!) which we would like to believe is true: it is related that a huge tree used to stand where the ancient stone table now lies in the square in front of the castle, under which Michelangelo loved to rest and seek out inspiration.

Landscapes