September 2019 – Frogpondvillage

Villa Margherita, a charming Art Nouveau dwelling in Cinque Terre

If you are looking for an accommodation in Cinque Terre, Italy, you cannot miss the opportunity to spend your holiday in Villa Margherita hotel in Levanto. It is a charming Art Nouveau dwelling located a few minutes by train far from the most important villages of the Ligurian Riviera. There are several reasons why to book in Villa Margherita. Let’s find out more about this interesting example of private villa, now converted into a boutique hotel.

The history of Villa Margherita hotel in Levanto

Villa Margherita is a three floors building built in 1906, the golden ages of Art Nouveau in Italy. It was a private villa owned by the Campodonico, a noble family from Genoa.

Nowadays, it is a boutique hotel run by the heirs. It was completely renewed in 2006 but it preserves all the original details from the Art Nouveau period.

For example, in the breakfast room it is still possible to admire the original floor made of vintage tiles with a floral pattern. Flowers are the typical decorative element of Art Nouveau style. Alos, in the hall you can see a classic two-colored floor even in one of the double bedrooms it is possible to see a colorful floor made of tiles with an abstract floral design. The golden color predominates. This is a typical element of the Liberty style as the majolica. An amazing blue majolica floor is set in the double bedroom overlooking the garden.

Furnishings date back to the same period. Chairs and tables are made with solid wood while the fabrics reproduce floral motifs, according to the style of the house.

Flowers, abstract and geometric decorative elements are also visible outside the building. Look up you will discover the typical frames drawn on the yellow wall. They frame the windows, the terraces and the beauvoir, too.

The gardens and the terraces of Villa Margherita

As well as many of the other period villas, Villa Margherita has several exterior spaces such as the gardens and the terraces.

The building is surrounded by a park consisting of three spacious gardens. They are not set on the same level but they are set on different terraces overlooking the sea and the city.

All the gardens enjoy an elevated position above the street level, so you can have breakfast outside your room without being seen by passengers. Palm trees and several other tree species protect the garden from the outside so that to ensure your privacy.

On the second and the third floors there are two spacious terraces surrounded by a neoclassical colonnade. The capitals reproduce the floral style of the Corinthian ones. The elements inspired by the Greek and the Roman art are typical of the Italian Art Nouveau style as well as the flowers and the geometries.

As you can imagine, Villa Margherita is a typical building from this artistic movement and you cannot miss the opportunity to stop here while visiting Cinque Terre villages.

Andean Ski Resorts

If you’re itching to hop on the hill, but planned your winter months retreat far too late, do not worry! If you begin planning currently, you can take pleasure in a summertime break to a winter wonderland down south. The ski period in Chile ranges from June to October, attracting winter sports lovers from around the globe to its top-class hotels.

There are five ski centers near Santiago: Portillo, Valle Nevado, El Colorado, La Parva, and Lagunillas. All of them lie in the same location about 50 km (31 miles) from Santiago except Portillo, which is 164 km (102 miles) away, near to the border with Argentina. Find all necessary information about travel to Chilean ski resort below.

Farellones

The roadway to Farellones, the town at the base of the El Colorado, La Parva, as well as Valle Nevado inclines, winds narrow as well as high via the cordillera, complying with most of the Mapocho River Canyon deep right into the Andes. This is an outstanding field trip whatever the season, however snow chains are required in winter (they’re available for rental where the road starts) as well as the roadway obtains very crowded. Cautious driving is necessary any time of year. Access to the road is controlled by the cops in winter, as well as on weekends as well as public vacations. Drivers are enabled to direct until 2 pm, yet it’s ideal to begin the trip early in the early morning. Cars and trucks can start the return descent just after 4pm. Cozy garments are crucial, whatever the temperature in Santiago when you leave. Snow typically starts in June and lasts till September.

El Colorado

The center closest to Farellones, this provides excellent conditions, and also devices rental and courses can be prepared there. It has 19 lifts and 74 runs for newbies via to professionals. Both team and exclusive courses are readily available.

La Parva

Likewise near Farellones is the district of La Parva, located at 2,816 meters (9,239 ft), with a spectacular view down the valley towards Santiago. La Parva typically takes pleasure in snowy problems till well into October and you can ski as high as 3,630 meters (11,910 ft). See www.laparva.cl for more info.

Valle Nevado

The turn-off to Valle Nevado, 2 km (concerning 1 mile) prior to Farellones, takes you 10 km (6 miles) deep right into the hills. This modern ski facility very first opened in 1988 as well as today draws in both families and risk-taker heli-skiers. The hotel contains 3 luxury resorts and also 4 deluxe apartment buildings, offering solutions as varied as flicks, a nightclub, a French dining establishment, a gym, a pool room, a sauna, a whirlpool bath, as well as a sandwich shop. Stores market and also lease ski equipment and clothes, and there is a day-care center as well as a medical facility equipped for any kind of emergency. The highest point you can ski at is 3,670 meters (12,040 feet) over water level.

Lagunillas

Lagunillas is located 80km (50 miles) southeast of Santiago in the Cajón de Maipo. Run by Club Andino de Chile, this tiny resort supplies snowboarding and also snowboarding. For more information, check out www.skilagunillas.cl (in Spanish).

Winter sports in Chile is a costly activity, and rates of equipment as well as lodgings are similar to those in European and North American ski resorts.

How to Best Experience Mykonos

Home to some of the world’s most beautiful scenery, wonderful Cycladic architecture, and an unforgettable party scene, Mykonos is a destination worth immersing yourself in. There is so much to see and do in Mykonos. Picture-perfect beaches, unique shops, taverns and restaurants, and a lovely ambiance. Whenever you’re visiting Mykonos make sure to spend as much time as possible to experience all the island has to offer.

Eat where the locals go

The Mediterranean diet is one of the most popular ones in the world, and for very good reasons. It’s perfectly healthy and balanced, and with the availability of locally sourced ingredients and olive oil, make sure to try out eateries that aren’t tourist traps. Things like moussaka, kopanisti, louza, kakavia, and many more are among the lots of amazing local foods. Places like Hippie Fish and Tasos Taverna are awesome spots to try out local food in style.

Shop till you drop

When you’re visiting Chora, also known as Mykonos Town, one of the best things to do is shopping. That’s not to say there aren’t any worthwhile shops everywhere else on the island, but Chora is the hub for the most shops of any kind. There you can find things like old Byzantine jewelry, handcrafted items like scarves and rugs, and plenty of other avant-garde items, like traditional Greek sandals. Matogianni Street is a great place to start, but the shops aren’t confined only on this single street, so make sure to explore a bit.

Party all day and all night

While Mykonos can easily be a relaxing family friendly destination, it’s also an energetic and youthful spot where parties take place all the time. Beaches like Paradise and Super Paradise are ideal places to start during the day with a cocktail in hand, only to continue at an open-air club where a DJ is hosting an unforgettable party. These parties take place all over the island, with only some being outdoors – others are indoors at some of the classiest establishments in the entire wider region.

Relax in amazing accommodations

If there’s one thing the Greek islands, and especially Mykonos, are known for, then that’s hospitality. Typical hotel chains aren’t exactly common on Mykonos, which is why you can safely expect to find personable and intimate accommodations. They’re mostly in traditional whitewashed villas built in the traditional Mediterranean style, so as to deflect the heat of the sun. You’ll be resting in both style and comfort once you’re on Mykonos, but make sure to book a bit earlier at adornosuites.com so as to ensure you’ll even find available accommodations.

Explore Everything

Mykonos is home to some of the most fascinating history, mythology, architecture, and nature in the entire Mediterranean. From the wonderful Delos Island, to the iconic windmills, or the charming Little Venice, there’s so much to see on Mykonos, that it’s impossible to see everything during a short visit. That’s why you’ll need to rent either a car or a scooter, so as to see as much as you can.

Once you visit Mykonos you’re bound to have a great time. It’s an island with an impeccable charm, and it’ll keep you coming back for more and more.

The five most popular types of pizza everyone loves

One of the most favorite Italian dishes around the world is pizza. It is even considered one of the most favorite comfort food of all time for many, many reasons.

If you are planning to dine in a pizza parlor with your friends, family, or your special someone anytime this week, you should have a basic knowledge about the different types of pizza that you can sink your teeth in. Different pizza types have its own unique flavor, toppings, and sauce that will surely give you a unique experience and a full tummy after finish a slice or even an entire pan of pizza.

Not to take this long, here are the most popular types of pizza you can eat courtesy of one of the best restaurant and bar in Melbourne that is also a great pizza maker.

Neapolitan pizza– The Neapolitan pizza is considered to be the Godfather of Pizza, the grand old man, the original pizza that is brought from Italy to the shores of the United States. Thanks to Italian immigrants who brought their culinary traditions to the United States, Neapolitan Pizza was introduced to the Americans way back in the early 1900s.
California Style Pizza– It has a similar dough base as the Neapolitan, however, it has uncommon taste and ingredients because it uses red peppers, ricotta, pate, and mustard. This pizza continues to evolve itself as chefs in the West Coast, particularly in California are discovering new ingredients that are incorporated into it.
Chicago Deep Dish– It has a deep crust that usually lines a deep dish that is used for making pies and cakes. It is thick because of its ingredients, while the crust is similarly thin. It is loaded with toppings and cheese, meat, and vegetables. The Chicago Deep Dish is one of the most popular types of pizza in the United States.
Thin crust pizza– Italians make pizza with thin crusts, and this has become very popular around the world as well. It has crunchier crusts, and are usually cut into squares or diagonal slices, however, compared to the Neapolitan pizza, it has a load of ingredients made up of tomato sauce, cheeses, meats, and vegetables.
New York Style– Inspired by the Neapolitan Pizza brought by the Italian immigrants in the early 1900s in New York City, this type of pizza is made from thin and very crispy crust which is very known for its perfect way of balancing the thin tomato sauce and the loads of mozzarella cheese that is grated on top of it. This pizza is eaten by locals uniquely, by folding it in order for them to get a big bite and prevent the toppings from sliding down. A lot of pizzerias across the United States use the style and the ingredients of New York Style pizza because it is very simple to make and very delicious as well.

Life-Changing Cycle Ride Journey: Meandering Route Tours

The world is with you when there is nothing between your happiness and you. Sometimes unwinding can mean no walls, no cell phones, no work, and deadlines, just the wind and the open road. If you are thinking about a quick adventurous trip, a bicycle ride is all you need.

Cycling trips are exciting yet a simple activity that does not cost too much. All you need are the right wheels and your powered legs to conquer whatever route you choose. Yes, you need to ride on if you want to see a place, not just travel it. There are many experts when it comes to cycle rides, choose your journey and get some ideas from here.

Meandering Cycle Routes with Experts:

When talking about adventure cycle tours, think out of the box. Countless touring cyclists can help you take a ride and unwind for a while. But still, it is you who can turn a simple trip into a life-changing journey on two wheels. You can either ride over headwinds, and get mesmerized by incredible scenery, or meander mountain passes for another ride. The key is to grind up your wheels and fly down the mountains.

If you are new to cycle rides, following fellow riders is essential. They have the skills and knowledge on the best routes where you can develop the comfort of riding at your own pace. But there are also paths that you may not carry on, so choose a cycle ride tour you want to try. You can go mountain biking, self-contained cycle rides, or meander adventure cycle tours.

Mountain Biking:

Mountain biking is the best option if you wish to go beyond where others usually don’t go. There are mountain bike tours that will allow you to see the other side of the world and not the usual tourist destinations. But you need to make sure you can endure the wheels from the beginning to the end of the biking leg. So what is biking like on a mountain?

Biking in the mountains offers different nerve-wracking experience. There are single tracks you can choose which are more straightforward and dirt roads for a more engaging ride. The best thing about mountain biking is that you get to embrace the beautiful scenery of mountains and valleys. You can also find a terrain route if you want to try rolling your wheels even more.

Self-Contained Cycle Rides:

If you wish to unwind with your bicycle alone, choose to take the self-contained routes. In this cycle ride, there will be no support behind you and all the gear you need to carry by yourself. As bikers say, this is the most accessible way to have an adventure on your own. It does not involve planning, and you can embark on the winding journey of self-discovery.

The self ride can sometimes mean nosing around for long enough or going to new places. You can unwind from daily life and go back home refreshed at any time since you are not following a group route.

Family Adventure Rides:

If you love camping with your family, you can still go on pedaling. Some vans can carry your things and follow your route. Technically you will take nothing other than water and foods. And at the end of the cycle ride, you can then camp and savor the rest of the day.

In Conclusion:

Cycle touring is riding wherever you want to be. Traveling by bicycle and going on a journey with it is all it means.

Month: September 2019