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Friday, August 19, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Link to The FlipKey Blog - Vacation Rental Market News, Travel Tips, and Big Ideas

Posted: 19 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

by Letizia Mattiacci

Umbria is a small Italian region located approximately between Rome and Florence. It’s a magical place, ideal for a peaceful retreat after the excitement of the bigger and better known Italian destinations.

For many experienced travelers Umbria is a home away from home. Medieval hill towns dot rolling hills covered by olive groves and vineyards. Food is family style, deeply rooted in the land. Truffle, pork, wild asparagus, and silky homemade pasta are some of the many local specialties. All should be generously doused with peppery olive oil and accompanied by a red-like-love Sagrantino wine.

You can visit most of Umbria’s marvelous hill-towns during a day trip from one of the beautiful central locations in the region, like Assisi or Perugia.

You will need a 4-5 days visit to see other highlights like Orvieto, Gubbio Spoleto, Norcia, Bevagna and Montefalco, but there is enough to do for at least two weeks, including some magnificent hiking.

3 Tips for Off the Beaten Path Experiences

1.) Enjoy a panoramic drive on a country road. For example, if you stay near Assisi, ask locally how to reach the Ponte di San Vittorino. Take the road that goes uphill towards Valfabbrica. You’ll have breathtaking views over Assisi, the Natural Park of the Subasio Mountain and later on the Mount Cucco. From Valfabbrica go to Gubbio, a splendid medieval town also known for the beautiful handmade ceramics.

2.) Visit the textile workshop of Giuditta Brozzetti in Perugia. In a gothic deconsecrated church now used as a workshop, hand-woven fine jacquard cotton, linen, silk, and wool cloth is produced on antique wooden manual looms, many dating from the 19th century. Call in advance for an appointment +39 07540236.

3.) Have a meal at Osteria del teatro in Foligno. Pierino the owner is a former physical education teacher who has turned his hobby into a profession. He’s a fabulous cook and if it’s a quiet day he will show you his spectacular underground XVI century cellar (Via Petrucci 8, Tel 3473401778 Closed Sun. dinner and Mon. lunch). After lunch or before dinner make sure to have some time for shopping. Foligno is not a tourist destination so no knick knacks are for sale but you’ll find instead an attractive selection of fashion and house-design shops.

Letizia Mattiacci, together with her husband Ruurd and daughter Tea, runs the Agriturismo and Cooking school Alla Madonna del Piatto, near Assisi in Umbria. She teaches cooking classes in her kitchen with a view on the Umbrian countryside. You can find her recipes, cooking tips, images and stories about Umbria in her blog at www.madonnadelpiatto.com. She is also on Twitter @MadonnaDP .

Thursday, August 18, 2011

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Tuscany: Beyond the Major Cities

Posted: 18 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

by Gloria

Tuscany is famous throughout the world for some of its most beautiful cities, such as Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca. Outside these major centers though, there is a world of historical and artistic treasures to discover. The real beauty of Tuscany lies in the many smaller towns and villages that dot its spectacular countryside, in the castles that crown wooded hilltops, and in the small parish churches and the remote abbeys that appear before the traveler who dares to venture off the beaten path.

To fully appreciate what the region has to offer, one needs to rent a car and explore. Driving in Italy is not as scary as many say, and driving outside the major cities can be the goal of a daytrip in its own right.

We sometimes recommend to the more experienced guests of our vacation rentals the Casina di Rosa for trips south of Siena and Behind the Tower for Pisa. We also suggest that those guests looking for an alternative holiday in Tuscany plan thematic itineraries.

One of the themes we like best is "abbeys and minor churches". It is no secret that the most impressive buildings in the country and the ones that house the most beautiful artifacts are religious buildings, and Tuscany boasts a wealth of them.

Pisa Abbeys and Churches

The Abbey of San Piero a Grado, a beautiful Romanesque church dating back to the 12^th century and built on the place where St. Peter issaid to have landed in Italy from Antiochia in 44 AD.
The Charterhouse of Calci, a majestic monastic complex, a former Carthusian monastery and currently the home of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Pisa. A cool daytrip with children.
Badia of San Savino, near Cascina, a perfect example of a medieval Benedictine monastery-fortress dating back to 780 A.D.
The Church of St. Maria della Neve, a beautiful Romanesque country parish, once part of the Castle of Panicale and dating back to the 11^th century.
The imposing Cathedral of Sant’Assunta and Santo Genesio in the town of San Miniato, a smaller center that boasts a grand history that left behind some remarkable buildings and monuments.

Siena Abbeys and Churches

The Abbey of San Galgano, near Monticiano. It's an impressive roofless gothic cathedral in the beautiful countryside of the Val di Merse. A path leads from the cathedral to the still existing abbey at the top of a hill. The unique round-shaped church houses the sword in the stone which historians believe to be the origin of the Arthurian legends. The legend of Galgano, first a knight and then a hermit, is said to have been brought to northern Europe by the monks who traveled to spread the Gospel. The perfect time to visit the Abbey is in the summer when operas are staged in the cathedral.
The Abbey of St. Antimo, near Montalcino, for a trip back to the middle ages, when abbeys controlled vast portions of the countryside and monks led their lives in prayer. A unique opportunity to listen to Gregorian chants.
The Abbey of Monteoliveto Maggiore, still a thriving monastery, ideal for a full day visit. The refectory is impressive with the frescoes depicting the life of St. Benedict, and the church is a real jewel of monastic architecture. The drive to the abbey itself is well worth the trip: quintessential Tuscany at its best.
The churches of Monte Amiata for an off-the-beaten-path daytrip to a very different part of Tuscany. We especially recommended these two stops: one at the Pieve of Santa Maria ad Lamula, a beautiful Romanesque parish church immersed in a chestnut grove; one at the Abbey in Abbadia San Salvatore, a lovely town with an impressive church. In between the two destinations, take the time to stop for a picnic in the woods of the highest mountain in Tuscany.
The Synagogue in Pitigliano, for a different take on the history of Tuscany. The town also has an impressive cathedral.
The church of St. Giovanni Battista in Bagno Vignoni, for its unique position overlooking the thermal baths.
The impressive Cathedral of Pienza, an entire town built to honour a Pope.
The beautiful Collegiata di San Quirico and Giuditta in San Quirico d'Orcia.
And of course the nearby Chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta, near San Quirico d'Orcia, one of the most photographed in Tuscany.

Bottom line: don't confine yourselves to the large cities, explore!

Gloria is a born and bred Tuscan. She and her husband Marcel operate two vacation rentals in Tuscany - Casina di Rosa, in the countryside, and Behind the Tower, in Pisa - and she blogs regularly about life in Tuscany. You can read more of her writing at www.athomeintuscany.org.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

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Pici All’Aglione and Valdorcia

Posted: 17 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

by Giulia Scarpaleggia

This is a dish really rooted in my geographical area… or better, to be precise, time-honoured in Siena and in all the south part of the Siena area. I am talking about the beautiful Val d'Orcia and of all the wonderful small medieval villages that have remained unchanged for centuries.

A few years ago I made a Val d'Orcia tour with some friends and we stopped over in Bagno Vignoni for dinner. It is really the most enchanting village I have ever visited. The beautiful medieval square is filled with a huge swimming pool of thermal water. The four of us had pici as our pasta dish at a local restaurant: pici are big, thick, hand-made spaghetti, typical of the country tradition of homemade pasta. They are made just of flour and water. If you want to make fresh pasta, begin with pici, they are extremely easy to make!

In Siena there are two typical sauces for pici (although obviously a few more exist): aglione sauce and bread crumbs roasted in olive oil. In this time of the year, when the garlic is fresh and juicy, I do suggest the aglione sauce… just don’t make it if you have your girlfriend or boyfriend over for dinner!

Pici (serve 6):

500 g of plain flour
1 teaspoon of salt
extra-virgin olive oil
250 ml (1 cup) of warm water

Directions:

1. Put the flour on a large wooden working surface, make a well in the centre of the flour and add the salt and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Now add the water little by little, stirring with your hands until a dough is formed. The required quantity of water may be different each time.

2. Knead the dough until firm and smooth: you’ll need about 10 minutes.

3. Flatten the dough just like making pizza, brush it with a generous dash of extra virgin olive oil and cover with plastic wrap.

4. Let stand at room temperature from 2 hours up to a whole night.

5. Roll out the dough into a thick sheet (at least 5 mm), then use a pici rolling pin or a knife to make deep cuts in it, about 5 mm large. Then, take out one noodle after the other, stretching and rolling them with your hands to make a kind of thick spaghetti.

6. Place the pici on a sheet tray dusted with flour and set aside to dry. Boil them in steaming salted water for about 10 minutes, then drain them and season as you prefer.

The Aglione Sauce:

5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves of fresh garlic
1 chili
500 g of tomato pulp
salt

Directions:

1. Pour the extra virgin olive oil in a thick bottomed pan and add the garlic cloves, peeled and crushed.

2. Cook on very low heat for about 5 minutes, letting the garlic infuse, until it gets lightly golden.

3. Pour in the tomato pulp and stir. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes.

Giulia Scarpaleggia has been cooking, eating, and loving life in the Tuscan countryside her entire life. She loves sunsets, crickets and blogging in English. Read more of her recipes at http://en.julskitchen.com.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

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The Valnerina: The Hidden Gem of Umbria

Posted: 16 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

by Rebecca Winke

"You may have the universe if I may have Italy", Giuseppe Verdi famously said. I offer you instead Umbria's postcard-perfect rolling hills, if I may only keep the dramatic craggy mountain peaks of the Valnerina.

Within the off-the-beaten-track central Italian region of Umbria, the Valnerina is even further off the map. Virtually inaccessible until 1998 (when the 4 kilometer Forca di Cerro Tunnel near Spoleto was completed), now it's an easy trip from the gentle rolling hills of northern and central Umbria to the wild and rugged scenery in the Nera River Park at the southern tip. That said, its long history of geographic isolation means that this perfect daytrip destination remains largely unknown to travellers. Here are a few highlights.

Nera River Valley

The valley offers one of the prettiest drives in the region along highway SS209, which skirts the crystalline Nera river and runs under steep mountainsides where tiny creche-looking stone villages perch precariously. It is an area both stunningly beautiful and foreboding, where the weather can go from sunny skies to black clouds in a matter of minutes, where the isolated hamlets and claustrophobia-inducing sheer rock walls remind you that centuries ago the inhabitants of these inpenetrable peaks held out against conversion to Christianity for long after the rest of the region, where dragons and witches lurked in caves, and where – just to make the area a bit more hostile – each tiny town was locked in perennial warfare with the next one over.

Marmore Waterfalls

My favorite stretch of the Valnerina begins at the southern end with the bucolic Marmore Waterfalls – the highest in Europe – with its climbing walking paths along the falls and breathtaking scenic overlook, and ends at the northern town of Vallo di Nara, a pretty example of the tiny medieval hilltowns for which this region is famous. I also love to stop in at Scheggino, a village criss-crossed with miniature canals full of trout and crayfish (a local specialty, along with black truffles), and the hamlet of Castel San Felice, where the 12^th century facade of the San Felice in Narco church tells the story of the historic slaying of a local dragon by Saints Felice and Mauro.

San Pietro

If you only have time to see one thing during your visit, don't miss San Pietro in Valle. Tucked away on the slopes of Mount Solenne, this former Benedictine abbey—now a four star historical residence—was established in 710 on the site of a Syrian hermitage and was home to abbots for the next 800 years. The outside of the abbey is breathtaking; the church and cloister are surrounded by thickly wooded fields and look out over the steep river gorge and the gradually receding mountain peaks along the horizon. Guided tours take visitors through the interior of the church, covered in recently restored frescoes from the 12^th and 13^th century, and filled with stone work including Etruscan and Lombard altars, and a Roman sarcophagus.

Mummies of Ferentillo

The Valnerina is also home to one of the oddest sights in Umbria: the Mummies of Ferentillo. Housed in the tiny village's 12^th century church of Santo Stefano–now the crypt of the 15^th century church built on top of the original–this odd museum holds roughly twenty mummies, the most intact of which are displayed behind glass. The combination of a microfungus and mineral salts in the soil and a unique air flow resulted in the natural mummification of many of the bodies buried here over the centuries, which were discovered at the beginning of the 19^th century. The guide's chirpy commentary—with gruesome backstories of torture and hangings, disease and plague, and grim human tragedy—is both surreal and compelling.

I love all of Umbria, from the gentle, undulating hills around Lake Trasimeno, to the vast vineyards covering the landscape near Montefalco, to the lovely pink stone hill towns of Spello and—my home—Assisi. But if I were to choose just one area of this exquisite region as my favorite, it is the mysterious Valnerina which continues to fascinate, bewitch, and draw me back.

Rebecca moved to Italy from Chicago in 1993 and shortly thereafter opened an agriturismo in her husband's renovated family farmhouse at the foot of Mount Subasio near Assisi, Umbria. She spends her time taking care of guests at Brigolante (www.brigolante.com), blogging about the lovely region she now calls home at Rebecca's Ruminations (www.brigolante.com/en/blog), and wondering about what strange winds blew an urban vegetarian to a farm in Umbria.

Monday, August 15, 2011

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Italy Week Special Deals!

Posted: 15 Aug 2011 06:47 AM PDT

Come experience “la dolce vita” today by booking your vacation rental in Italy! The rich history and culture coupled with extraordinary food and striking landscapes make a visit to this country an unforgettable experience. Explore the ruins of an ancient world in Rome, go snorkeling in the Mediterranean off the coast of Sardinia, or relax at an olive grove in the Umbrian Countryside! Wherever you go, an Italian vacation will surely be the trip of a lifetime.

30% off the Last Week in August	Stay 6 Nights get 1 Free!
This charming Mediterranean villa on the southeast coast of Sardinia boasts access to incredible white sand beaches and a majestic view of the ocean and nearby mountain villages. The crystalline warm waters are perfect for snorkeling, water skiing and sailing, while the mountains have incredible horseback riding trails.	When in Rome, Do as the Romans do. If you want to feel like a native Roman, then stay in this home. Labeled an “oasis of calm, in the heart of Rome” this classic farmhouse is a stone’s throw away from Vatican City and the center of town. The serene terrace is surrounded by trees and the perfect place to relax after exploring the ancient city.
Stay 7 Nights, Get 1 Free!	20 % Off August- September!
This restored stone farmhouse is located in the picturesque Italian countryside and perfect for a romantic getaway. Surrounded by olive groves in the hills of Mount Subasio, the view of the lower valley is unparalleled. Take an afternoon swim in the pool and then pick the best herbs and vegetables from the on site garden to try your hand at cooking some traditional Italian fare.	Que Bella! Minori is an enchanting small village situated on the alluring Amalfi Coast. Featuring captivating views overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea you won’t want to leave the balcony. If you manage to avoid being mesmerized by the view visit the larger coastal cities like Positano or hike through the stunning lemon groves in Ravello.

Friday, August 12, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Late Summer Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Tips

Posted: 12 Aug 2011 06:00 AM PDT

by Scott Garrity

Oak Bluffs Mad Martha's

Many folks visit Martha’s Vineyard during August and September and, each month offers different attractions and qualities. If you’re thinking of planning a visit to the Vineyard this month or next, here are some thoughts to help with your planning.

August is a great month to visit the Vineyard because the weather and the water temperatures are generally at the warmest of the year. President Obama has scheduled two vacations on the Vineyard during August in past years and is expected once again during this month this year.

The Top Gun Marlin & Tuna Shoot-Out Tournament and the 12-Metre Edgartown Regatta are two events held during August. If you are an offshore fisherman, you can register for the marlin and tuna tournament at the Wesley Hotel in Oak Bluffs. Viewing the regatta race can be quite thrilling and may be a unique experience to try to be a part of.

Flying Horses Oak Bluffs Visiting the Vineyard in September comes with the benefit of reduced prices on lodging and fewer crowds and lines at the favored attractions. The majority of Martha's Vineyard hotels, inns and rentals reduce their rates after Labor Day because many people are in the “back to school” and “summer is over” mode. However, the weather can still be quite nice and sunny days in the 70′s are possible. Although you might not dare to swim at the beaches, the charm of the Vineyard scenery is still fun to enjoy in jeans and a sweatshirt. There will be less traffic and fewer waits at restaurants and shops during this time.

The West Tisbury Farmer’s Market is a popular event during September. The Grange Hall in West Tisbury is the venue and showcase for fresh produce, unique flowers and great home cooking. This fits into the “quintessential New England Fall activities” category and is sure to please folks young and old.

Of course, any time of year is a great time for taking in the sights in downtown Oak Bluffs. Stroll down Circuit Ave and browse through the charming shops. There are many options for coffee, snacks, lunch and dinner. Mad Martha's is a favorite spot for ice cream and Murdick's Fudge has fresh fudge made daily. The Flying Horses Carousel is a landmark attraction and is the nation’s oldest operating platform carousel. The rides are a huge bargain, about $2 per ride, and if a rider gets the special brass ring they get a free ride.

August and September are great months to visit Martha's Vineyard and we hope these ideas help you plan your visit to the island.

Scott Garrity runs marthas-vineyard-vacation-tips.com. Visit his site to see large photos and read about other tips for a Martha's Vineyard vacation.

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your FlipKey Listing

Posted: 11 Aug 2011 08:56 AM PDT

So far on Ask FlipKey, I’ve covered lots of topics pertinent to the maintenance and success of your FlipKey property listing – everything from Collecting Guest Reviews, to accurately Mapping your property, to entering Rates and Availability information to keep guests up-to-date and informed. These are the big players in determining how successful your listing will be with FlipKey, but often times people ask what else they can do to make their listing “pop.” Below, I’ll outline five quick and easy changes you can make today, so that your property performs to it’s absolute best tomorrow, the day after, and for years into the future.

1. Listing title
When creating your listing, the first thing you need to think about is the title on your property listing page. With so many property listings on FlipKey, it is important to get creative when showcasing your property, so in a sea of listings a traveler has a reason to choose your property over all the others. Something simple like “Boston Vacation Home” is boring and not informative, but something like “Chic Boston waterfront, accessible 2-bedroom near attractions” is a catchy title that highlights your property features in only 7 words! Pick and choose you words wisely, and if you’re stuck, look at other listings for inspiration.

2. Essential photos
When adding photos – be sure to have a sufficient number (we recommend at least 8), including the “essential” views. The essentials include exterior photos of the home and any outdoor space (yards, picturesque views, etc.), as well as interior photos of the main living spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms, living/dining rooms, kitchen). These photographs combined with a shining property description will really help tell a story of your property to potential guests, and will help them determine whether they’d like to stay in your home or not.

3. Property description
Another one of the most important components to include is a passionate property description. Before a traveler ever arrives at your home, all they have to go on is what you give them, so you have to make the words you use count! Don’t overwhelm guests with every single detail about your property – give them the highlights, pointing out anything unique or different, and offer to fill them in further should they inquire about a booking.

4. Amenities
Make sure that you are comprehensive when checking the “Amenities” check boxes in your listing description – here you can tell guests everything from what types of scenery they can expect, to the types of “extra’s” your property offers (like a pool table or in-ground swimming pool). After they’ve gotten a feel for your property through your description and pictures, these additions are just the icing on the cake.

5. Other channels
There are also a few things you can do that aren’t FlipKey-related that can increase the exposure that your property gets to potential renters. Things like advertising through your local visitors and tourism bureau, and creating your own website can drive a lot of interest to your property, and that’s interest that you couldn’t necessarily attract online.

With a combination of a few simple online and offline marketing tactics, there is the potential to see a large growth in interest for your property, and increased interest can only mean one thing: increased bookings.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

The Latest from the FlipKey Blog

Special Labor Day Deals – Plan Now and Save!

Posted: 10 Aug 2011 07:10 AM PDT

As the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day Weekend is the perfect time to take that much need vacation while the sun is still shining. Celebrate all your hard work this year at one of our incredible vacation rentals by sipping a drink on the warm sand of the Jersey Shore or barbecuing in your Smoky Mountain retreat. We Promise you won’t regret getting away with one of our deals this Labor Day Weekend!

10% off Daily Rate	Stay 3rd-5th for $315!
This award winning Chesapeake property truly is one of the “best on the bay.” The cottage sits on a point, surrounded by water on three sides, showcasing a stunning view from the sundeck. Take a dip in the pool, jump off the dock, go crabbing in the bay, or fire up the grill. Whatever you decide, this place has it all!	Looking for some peace and quiet? Head to the Great Smoky Mountains this year to watch as the leaves burst with orange and yellow colors across Pigeon Forge. The serenity of a new fall season is unmatched in the Smokies. Go for a quiet hike, then relax in the steaming hot tub at this alluring Tennessee hideout.
10 Days for $2,100!	Book 3 Nights, Get 4th Free
Fist pump your way to Cape May to celebrate Labor Day – Jersey Shore style. Walk to the exquisite Boardwalk Beach to catch some rays, or enjoy a breezy bike ride through the center of town to the lighthouse at Cape May Point. If you get sick of blowouts, skip the GTL and head to the Cape May Stage to catch a local theater performance.	Lake Arrowhead is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the final weekend of summer this year. This charming newly built cabin is just five minutes from fun at the lake and ten minutes from shopping in the downtown village. Come for a picturesque hike or to simply take in that fresh mountain air!