I will be there !

Thanks to google earth we can see from above Vibo Marina on the left and about 4 km further north east there is Pizzo.

This is the beautiful South of Italy: Calabria ! Still a bit underestimated and therefore an insider tip! You can imagine the crystal clear turquoise colored sea, the almost white sandy beaches and the green hills in the background. - Tomorrow, I will be there.

We will be based in Vibo Marina and watch over our renovation project in Pizzo. I bring my camera and with our (slow) internet connection, I should be able to post during our vacation (from time to time).

Although Vibo Marina (above) is not a tourist destination, here it looks more spectacular than Pizzo (below) !

If you also go on vacation, happy holiday to you - and sneak in from time to time !
CIAO !
A PRESTO !
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Calabria Favorites on flickr

Click to enlarge:

1. Capo Vaticano, 2. in the metal sun (manchicani chi caddu), 3. Capo Vaticano, 4. The Square, 5. Caminia, 6. Capolino, 7. bagliore: ore 8, 8. corner of.....paradise, 9. par-asol, 10. complementari, 11. sunset show, 12. blue striped, 13. Pizzo Calabro, 14. Pizzo Calabro, 15. Pizzo Calabro, 16. Castello aragonese Murat di Pizzo di sera, 17. Beach Life Soverato Italy, 18. Pizzo Calabro Calabria, 19. 01, 20. pizzo calabro 02, 21. pizzo calabro 03, 22. decorazioni, 23. Pizzo Calabro, 24. gazing at the sea

Can't get enough of these beautiful impressions of bella Calabria !

Par-asol by Anna

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Planning: Under the Roof

After having started the renovation from the outside, now, the interior renovation should start - top down - under the roof.

Since we have not been well organized while choosing the tiles for the terrace (we went into the shop and bought what we liked), this time, I want our team to commit to shared ideas.

Under the roof pitch the space is small and the ceiling is low.

So, I suggest a light color scheme. White walls, white ceiling (yes, the wooden beams need to be painted white!) and very light colored flooring. Maybe large natural stone, beige color or a white painted concrete floor.

Ralph Lauren's Jamaica residence via Cote de Texas

(sorry, no source ? )

The advantage of a light mono-color scheme:

• the space feels larger


• the ceiling feels higher


• the felt room temperature is lower


• it's an adaequate contrast to the blue terrace tiles and the sceenery


• there will be enough color from furniture (a large blue sofa) and accessories

BTW, don't get jealous, our actual situation looks like this:


...

cancelli di ferro battuto

Another - good - result of long distance renovation:

Our iron gates, cancelli di ferro, are ready for mounting.

When I received an email this morning with the above subject and attachment, I was holding my breath until the attachement opened ... and I was so relieved when I saw it ! What a surprise!

What ? Surprise ? We had the draft of the design and agreed on it (below). Why surprise ?

WAIT - that's not the whole story.

Apparently, after we had agreed on the design, the 'artist' got inspired by my posts about iron gates (here and here). And he got a new idea. He wanted to integrate some design pattern that appears in our basement.

Maybe similar to my photo editing (below).

Okay, fine, we said. But, please send us a new drawing to make up our mind - soon.
And we waited and waited.

Yesterday, we asked again: "How about the new design?"

And here came the confusing answer:

"The gates are ready for mounting!"


"Scusi ?! What about the drawing ?! What if we do not like the design?"


The last message send out to Italy yesterday night:

"Please send photos immediately before mounting !"


So that's why, this morning, I am happy and relieved to see the gates made after the originally agreed design.

No extra pattern, no sweet curves, no flowers or hearts or "s".

What a nice surprise !

Now, let's wait how they look fixed - coming next.

Reading TRAVELLERS CALABRIA

In my hands I am holding the brand new Thomas Cook travellers guide about Calabria, written in English by Lara Dunston and Terry Carter. The photography is by the later. What a team!

And how lucky am I to have won one copy that I found in my mail yesterday ! Just in time before our holiday in Calabria. Thanks to Michelle from Bleeding Espresso, who has organized a lucky draw on her blog after having interviewed Lara for five days in a row. Grazie tutti!

I am so excited to read about Tropea and Pizzo and the restaurants and trips they recommend. I am surprised about some photo selection (by the editor?). The guide does not feature the common postcard motives - which is fantastic! So I had to look twice to recognize the road winding down to Pizzo's waterfront (p.65). Interesting new angles, and a statue at the piazza of Pizzo that I have missed so far (p.64).

But of course, I found already something to nag about :
What has a mafia crime to do in a history sheet of Calabria (p.11, 2007-2008) ?

I deem more interesting that in the past years tourism and real estate business are awakening slowly from a long sleep which is mentioned in the guide.

And as we are "Pizzitani", I need to be fussy about Pizzo's history:
The French general Joachim Murat who was shot at the castle of Pizzo in 1815 was King of Naples and Sicily at that time. He was Napoleon Bonaparte's brother-in-law and on the run after Napoleon's fall (p.11, 65).

By far I do know less about Calabria than Lara and Tery, the guide writers, know by now. However, from the few locations I know that worth a trip, I think Seminara deserves to be mentioned. This little village is a shopping must for ceramic lovers while in Calabria.

And what about the Holy Grail in Badolato ?

Okay, enough nagging. I love that guide book!

Pizzo is no. 2 in Lara's top 10 of highlights in Calabria - right after Tropea! And thanks for the "elegant piazza" in Pizzo, which is slightly exaggerated (p.21). The piazza is not that elegant, however the lively heart of the village.

The introduction to Calabria is pinpointing exactly how I feel about this region, its landscape, people, food and customs. Great writing !

Lara recommends not to travel to Calabria in the month of August (remark: I would underline that! Italy's coasts are far too croweded in August, especially mid-August).

That's all for now. I just started to read. And I will try the restaurants in Pizzo that are mentioned in this new Calabria guide book: Le Castellane, La Lamia and Toscano. From the later I know that they serve great pizza at a cosy corner with great sunset views. (Update summer 2011: Le Castellane is the best restaurant in Pizzo, a bit more pricy though than the others; Toscano has "upgraded" and does not serve Pizza anymore. Try La Ruota and SPQR for great pizze).

CONCLUSION: this is a great comprehensive guide, handy and light, ideal for anyone who spends a long weekend or summer holiday in Calabria. Definately a must have!

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UPDATE : Now available NEW 2nd Edititon: