Caves

Grotta Palazzese Cave Restaurant in Italy

Posted on October 24, 2016 by georgefebish

Grotta Palazzesse is a famous cave restaurant in Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic sea. This is the most romantic place in the world to have a meal with someone you love. The views are magnificent. You will remember this for the rest of your life.

The restaurant is:

  • Expensive
  • The views are spectacular
  • The experience is a once in a life time moment
  • It is a very romantic place

We spent a morning touring the old center of Polignano a Mare and then had lunch in this fabulous restaurant. We were so lucky to get a table at the edge overlooking the sea. You feel fabulous as you sit at your table sipping a glass of good wine. As you enjoy your wine, you look down to the sea and see boats below you entering and exiting the cave.

Come join us in this great restaurant and see the views we saw. If you are lucky enough to be in this area of Puglia, make a reservation here and experience it yourself.

– George

Categories: Adriatic Sea, Cave, Cave Restaurant, Caves, Eating, Eating Italian, Europe, Fish, Food, General Travel, Grotta Palazzese, Italian, Italian Facts, Italy, Mezzogiorno, Pasta, Polignano a Mare, Puglia, Regions of Italy, Ristorante, Romance, Southern Italy, Wine | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Italian Bucket List

Posted on July 5, 2016 by georgefebish

I have been very lucky in my travels to Italy. I did a lot of work there and got to see a lot of the country and have lived both in the north and now in the south. I love everything about Italy. In so many ways it has figured out how to live happily. It is no wonder so many people want to go there. There is so much to see.

I have enjoyed its big cities:

  • Milan
  • Verona
  • Venice
  • Bologna
  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Naples

I have also enjoyed its diverse areas:

  • The lakes in the north
  • Tuscany
  • The Adriatic Coast
  • The Tyrrhenian Coast
  • The Amalfi Coast

There are still some places I want to see so this is my current Bucket List:

  • Cinque Terra (north) – These five small towns were once very remote and unseen by most tourists. Then the train came and brought many tourists to this region. There is a walking path connecting each of the five villages. You can also take a boat, Life here is simple and enjoyable.
  • Portofino (north) – This Italian fishing community and high-end vacation resort is famous the world over. The cove here is very picturesque. When I think of Portofino I can hear Andrea Bocelli singing here.
  • Lucca (Central) – A city in tuscany near the sea. It is famous for its intact Renaissance-era city walls.
  • The Tulli Homes of Alberobello (south) – These unique homes are round with pointy roofs. This is a very unique architecture that is strongly enforced in this city.

trulli italy

  • Matera – Italy’s cave town (south) – Originated in the Paleolithic Period. The cave dwellings here were once slums and have been transformed into luxury housing and rentals. This is one of the most un pique cities in Italy and maybe the world.
  • Sicily (south) – This unique island has so much to offer. From the volcano to its magnificent towns to its Greek ruins. Sicily is easily reached by ferry, train or car. All three methods of travel cross to the island on the ferry.

What is your bucket list for Italy?

George

 

Categories: Alberobello, Amalfi Coast, Bologna, Caves, Cinque Terra, Cinque Terre, Europe, Florence, General Travel, Greek Ruins, Italy, Matera, Milan, Naples, Portofino, Rome, Sicily, Tulli, Venice, Verona | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Capri City

Posted on May 9, 2016 by georgefebish

So we are on the Island of Capri and in the city of Capri. It is beautiful here. Most streets are pedestrian walkways but watch for hotel golf carts and scooters. There are many places to eat here and small stores where you can buy things to take back to your hotel. A bottle wine, some olives, fresh tomatoes, artichokes and of course great bread. Spread them out on a table top and you have a party.

We stayed in villa Brunella, a wonderful hotel. The pool  is great with fantastic views and a snack bar. There is also a restaurant on the top-level near the entrance. You will descend and climb many steps. The best rooms and most expensive are near the restaurant at the top levels. Each room (suit) is on its own level and has a living area, bedroom area and large bath with both a tub and shower. The bedroom is raised a step from the living room and faces sliding doors onto the terrace. You have a splendid view from the bedroom, living area and terrace.

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Views from Villa Brunella

Imagine waking up in Capri with this view and breakfast sent to the room. Romantic and beautiful. Breakfast is important because you will climb stairs and walk a lot to see this wonderful small city. A short hike back to the funicular places you in the middle of restaurants, bars, gelato stores and many designer shops. Things are not cheep here, after all this is Capri.

From the hotel if you go right to the end of the road, you get a fantastic view of Faraglioni Rock. This famous tourist attractions allows you to take a boat through a hole in the rock. From one side it looks like a giant gorilla.

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Faraglioni Rock and Mount Vesuvious

There are many many steps down to the sea. There are two restaurants at the bottom and a place to get a private boat (order from the hotel first). The boat will take you around the Island and to the Blue Grotto if you want.

Enjoy a night or two in this wonderful city. See Capri after the tourists have left on their ferries. It is magical!

My next BLOG takes us to the other city on Capri Isle, AnaCapri.

George

 

Categories: Bars, Blue Grotto, Bread, Capri, Caves, Eating Italian, Europe, Ferries, Food, Funicular, Gelato, General Travel, Italian, Italy, Ristorante, Small Towns, Traveling without a tour, Villa Brunella, Wine | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Caves of Italy

Posted on July 31, 2015 by georgefebish

Italy is so mountainous that it has many caves. Do you like caves? I love big open caves that show the spectacular results of nature at work. Italy has some fantastic caves you can visit. ABOUT.COM lists the caves open for visitors to see. Caves are beautiful to experience. If you are planning a trip to Italy and will be near one of these caves, go see it!  The caves of Frasassi (Grotte di Frasassi) have stalactite and stalagmite formations so large that Milan’s Duomo (the world’s largest gothic cathedral can fit inside it. Some of these caves require reservations. Be sure to look up the cave of interest for cost and reservation requirements. Enjoy your underground experience.

George & Jo Anne

 

Categories: Caves, Europe, Italy | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Capri Italy

Posted on April 15, 2015 by georgefebish

Capri is an Island off the coast of Sorrento and south-west of Naples. It is the playground of the rich and famous. To get to Capri you must take a ferry. There are two types: 1) the fast hydrofoils and 2) the slow boats. The hydrofoils cost more but cut the time almost in half. All boats arrive at Capri at the Marina Grande (Big Marina). If you are spending the night, there are porters here that take your bags to your hotel for a small fee. At first we were concerned about people grabbing our bags but it is normal here and all the hotels use them.

From the ferry you can take a bus up a winding road or a funicular up the mountain. Take the funicular. It is in a store front directly opposite the ferry docks. At the top you are in Capri City (on Capri Island) in the main square (Piazza Umberto). This is a huge Piazza with views, clock tower and restaurants. One of the roads (directly opposite the funicular exit) is Via Roma. Take this a short distance and on your right is a bus station. From here you can go to Capri’s other city, Anacapri. This trip has magnificent views of Marina Grande. You will find great ceramics here.

We also rented a boat to tour around the Island (not just the Blue Grotto). It cost us about $160. There are two restaurants near Fragolini Rock. They are down hundreds of steps but worth the view and the food. They are 1) Fontelina Beach Club and 2) Da Luigi ai Fragolini. You can also take a boat here from the small Marina (piccola Marina).

The boat trip around the Island and through Fragolini Rock is well worth the trip. You see small caves with beautiful blue waters, you can go into the famous Blue Grotto but it is usually very crowded. You go past both marinas and on the east side of the island you can see Vesuvius volcano in the distance and the start of the Amalfi Coast.

Fagolini Rock

Fragolini Rock

Capri is a romantic place with friendly people, great shops (some very expensive), great food and wine and the best views around.

George & Jo Anne

 

Categories: Amalfi Coast, Beaches, Capri, Caves, Europe, Ferries, Italy, Naples, Sorrento, Wine | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Caverns of Italy

Posted on April 23, 2014 by georgefebish

Do you like caves? I love big open caves that show the spectacular results of nature at work. Italy has some fantastic caves you can visit. ABOUT.COM lists the caves open for visitors to see. Caves are beautiful to experience. If you are planning a trip to Italy and will be near one of these caves, go see it!  The caves of Frasassi (Grotte di Frasassi) have stalactite and stalagmite formations so large that Milan’s Duomo (the world’s largest gothic cathedral can fit inside it. Some of these caves require reservations. e sure to look up the cave of interest for cost and reservation requirements. Enjoy your underground experience.

George & Jo Anne

 

Categories: Caves, Europe, General Travel, Italy | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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