Looking for the perfect Hideaway in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights!

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Heaven on earth, hideaway Vitigliano, Tuscany !   

 

Looking for the perfect Hideaway to stay in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights !

Hey guys,

I have been many times to beautiful Tuscany, Italy, but this time I was searching for a so called "hideaway". The definition of a hideaway for me is the perfect combination of peace, romantic, privacy and luxury. I started my research on the internet and came across the homepage of Vitigliano.

The romantic former village "Vitigliano" lies on a hill overlooking the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany. It is located in the most privileged region of the Chianti, Tuscany, half way between Florence and Siena.

The history goes back to the 1085. That means the oldest building - still in existence today - is 1,000 years old.

In 2008, Vitigliano, was rediscovered as the last Verrazano gem in Chianti, by Marion Hattemer who awoke it from its slumber and elaborately and extensively renovated the property in a way that does justices to its historic significance.

I read on the homepage the wonderful interview of the owner, Marion Hattemer and I really fall in love with her attitude about her work and her understanding from life. It took her 2 years of negotiations before she could fill out the contract and 4 years of renovation work before it was completed to the state in which you see it today.

The location is stunning and so is the hideaway. Surrounded by 5 hectares including an olive grove and oak forest, the resort distributes many amenities. The cypress-lined driveway leading to the estate is like something you would find in a picture book. 

To me it is no surprise, that Vitigliano is a World Luxury Hotel Awards winner and mentioned in different high class magazines for travel and luxury worldwide. 

Vitigliano is offering 6 suites for the visitors. Which means they can provide you the perfect service experience and you feel really private while being there.

Speaking about the rooms. The rooms are all facing the wonderful nature of Tuscany. The marvel bathrooms and every detail of the suites are well picked and showing the love and the good design taste of the owner. 

We stayed at the wonderful suite called "Torre", which is a 2-room maisonette-suite. I loved the combination of the modern and the historic elements, it feels more then a second home instead of a hotel room.

You can really fell the passion and love in every detail of your stay. The service is unbelievable.
Throwout our stay we more felt like friends instead of guests.

If you are into wellness, make sure to book a wellness treatment in the wonderful wellness area. The wellness of Vitigliano received the "world luxury spa awards" for a good reason. 

We loved to stay at the outdoor pool, you can relax there and just enjoy the wonderful view towards the amazing nature of Tuscany. One of my personal highlights, between all the highlights we experienced there. 

Sitting in the wonderful whirlpool after doing some sports is just only one thing you can do while staying here. 

The food options are high quality and regional food. You can choose breakfast, lunch and / or dinner. The restaurant serves only guests.

The service and the chef are doing such a great job, I loved the dinner - because it is such a romantic setting.

I love wine and this is of course the perfect setting for it. The wine cellar is stocked with a private label wine created especially for Vitigliano by Tommaso Cavalli, a neighbor and son of the fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. You need to try this wine, it is wonderful! 

So if your planning on going to Tuscany, make sure you stop by Vitigliano for some days !

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

How I made my first own fragrance @Grasse/Fragonard, my insights!

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Bonjour Grasse, France! 

My experience of an attendance at Fragonards workshop - perfumers apprentice - my insights! 

Hey guys,

never thought I would going back to be an apprentice, but as I was planning on our trip to beautiful Cote d'Azur, France, I was reading about the beautiful town of Grasse. 

Grasse is located in the region called "Alpes-Maritimes", about 30 min drive from Cannes. It is formally known to be the worlds capital when we speak about perfume. Mr. Patrick Süskind wrote also a novel about the town called "the perfume". 

I don't know how you think about it, but Im really obsessed with perfume. A day without putting on my favorite fragrance is a day lost for me. Over the years I found my "signature" fragrances, which I put on - depending on my mood which one I choose - in the morning. For me it is more to a fragrance then smelling good, it is a way of showing your personality and a perfect tool for again recognition. 

So it was no surprise as I found out a parfumeur called "Fragonard" is offering workshop called "perfumers apprentice". This one was made for me! You can book it easylie on the website of Fragonard, which I linked you here. Reservation through internet only and according the dates open. 

About Fragonard - it is once again all about dedication and passion. The parfumerie was opened in 1926. The name is choosen as the entrepreneur - Eugene Fuchs - was dedicating it to the famous Grasse-born painter, Jean-Honore Fragonard (1732-1806), as a tribute to both the town of Grasse and to the refinement of 18th-century arts. The choice of name expressed the desire to run the business in accordance with traditions. This spirit has been loyally perpetuated by the three succeeding generations who have run and are still running the company. Today , Jean-Francois Costas daughters, run the company continuing to build the company while adapting it to current market needs and desires. 

If you are not visiting the Cote d'Azur - no problem, you can also attend the workshop in Paris. 

One thing to mention for families, children are not accepted under 12 years old. 

As we arrive at Fragonard it was really historical. As you check in you see the Fragonard history and can check the different states of the companies history. We got warm welcomed by our teacher.

She took us to our "apprentice" room, which provided for every attendance an own desk with different tools, which we would need to use for the perfume process. 

After a short introduction from her she gave us a history and information tour of Fragonard and history of perfumery, origins of the raw materials.

The workshop started with smelling on the different glasses, provided for us. She was giving us an introduction about the "fragrance pyramid": head, heart and base notes. We got into detail about the sensory and olfactory memory development. She trained us about the essences used by a "nose". 

It was just great to experience where the raw materials come from and how many essences are needed to build a fragrance. 

After we knew about our "raw materials" which we had in glasses for us, we were ready to build up or own customized "Eau de Cologne" with 9 essences.  Which was just great and surprising how you mix up the essences to build a great perfume. 

After 1, 30 minutes which gone by so quickly we had to say goodbye leaving the great teacher with our own diploma as a "perfumers apprentice" by Fragonard, a lovely pouch to carry our perfume bottle and a Fragonard designed apron. 

The workshop costs: 65 Euro / person. 

If you are into fragrances and great activities for your mind and nose, don't miss this place when travel to beautiful French Rivera, France. 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Bruschetta, recipe - my insights for you!

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Bruschetta, the very best Antipasti recipe!

If you guys are into Italian food, check this out - easy to make and ready in only 15 minutes! Say ciao Italia!

Hey guys,

just came back from a wonderful trip to Italy and Im fully inspired by all the great ingredients they use for making such great dishes.

Most of the dishes the Italians serve are really fresh, healthy and with simple but high quality ingredients.

This one is for me the perfect starter or goes perfectly along with a glass of wine on hot summer days. Its really easy to make and you only need 15 minutes of your time to get it done. 

The food is called in Italy "Bruschetta" (pronounced bru-sketta) and is vegetarian, pure veggie recipe. Think of it as the Italian version of the perfect summer toast :-) 

Things you should have around in your kitchen before starting - a contact grill, I use the CaterPro available on Amazon. Of course you can also use your grill to prepare the bread, or your oven. 

Ingredients for Bruschetta (2 Persons):

2-4 fresh tomatoes (suggestions is to use tomatoes with more flesh as they are not that juicy - depends on the size if you have 2 really big ones thats enough, if you have just only middle ones better be on the safe side and buy 4)

Basil (a full hand of Basil leaves)

2 shallots 

2 ciabatta rolls (French or Italian bread)

5-6 spoons of olive oil 

Salt & Pepper

How to make Bruschetta? 

For me its all about the tomatoes you use. As written before I suggest you to use tomatoes with less juice and less seeds and thick flesh. 

1. Preheat the contact grill or grill for the bread.

2. Peel the tomatoes and quarter them, put away the seeds and chop the tomatoes into thinly slices. There are many ways to prepare Bruschetta, but I only use the thick flesh of the tomatoes without the seeds and the skin. 

3. Peel and chop the shallots into small slices. 

4. Thinly slice the basil leaves as well.

5. Put it all together and add the olive oil, pepper and salt. Be aware that tomatoes do need more salt then you would expect normally. 

6. Mix it all together and let it rest for some minutes, as the  flavor will need to develop some minutes.

7. Use a bread knife to slice the bread into two pieces. Then place the bread on your contact oven or grill, depending on the heat the bread needs about 5 minutes (if the contact grill was pre-heated) to get a fine toasted tan. 

8. You can now take the warm bread and place it on a large plate, put the topping on top and if you would like you can add some basil leaves for decoration. Make sure you serve it right away when finished. 

If you would like to bring the topping to a party or event, no problem - you can bring it along and the people just can use it as a dip.

BOUN APPETITO (BOUN APPETIT!) !

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Travel Saint Tropez, France? Don't miss "Le Club 55"! My insights !

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If your traveling to France, St. Tropez - don't miss the "Le Club 55"!

Hey guys,

Im finishing my Saint Tropez, France, where to go with a wonderful place to be and a place which should be on your list when planning a trip to wonderful St. Tropez: the famous "Le Club 55".

In case you missed my last posting about where to stay in Saint Tropez and where to party in Saint Tropez, just click on Part 1 or Part 2 and you will be directly forwarded to my last postings. 

Coming back to my topic, "Le Club 55". It is just a great spot, direct on the beach where you can enjoy great food, the beach and good drinks. 

For me it is one of the best beach clubs worldwide. The ocean is so clear and the sand that you just don't want to leave this place.

Make sure you place a reservation before you come here, as the Club 55 is always busy and only open during day time. 

Normally they have two spots when you can reserve a table. As we were there, we decided to have the first spot and to relax later on the beach.

The food and the drinks are fabulous, I enjoyed a great burger. Which you can see below. Also the Rose (I just can't miss a good glass of Rose) is just perfect.

For veggie lovers, there is a famous dish - it is the raw food plate. You get fresh, regional raw foods with bread - foodie heaven. 

Some call it the mother of all beach clubs. It is true, the roots go back to 1955 and since then the philosophy of the "Le Club 55" is to stay simple and authentic as the customer is not king here, he is a friend. 

You can really feel this passion and service behind your visit of the world known beach club in every detail.

Don't miss when coming the "Club 55" boutique, where you can find everything you need or don't really need for a great day on the beach. 

Enjoy yourself! Life is a beach!!!!!!

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Party in Saint Tropez? L'Opéra - Philippe Shangti my insights for you!

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Wanna enjoy the nightlife in Saint Tropez? The party to be is L'Opéra / Philippe Shangti! 

Travel to St. Tropez? Party in France, my insights ! 

Hey guys,

my last posting was all about where to stay when traveling to Saint Tropez, France. If you miss it make sure you check it out if your are planning on a trip to the the french rivera. 

Just click on Saint Tropez, where to stay? and you will be forwarded to my last posting.

So you know now about my recommendations to stay! But now I have some recommendations where to enjoy the nightlife from St. Tropez at its best - so if you wanna do party in Saint Tropez, France, you just right to reserve a table at the famous L'Opéra Saint Tropez.

We just came right, when the L'Opéra had the season opening party. 

The L'Opéra is located in the central village of Saint Tropez, it offers a wonderful view facing the harbor. Built up as an arena with an outdoor and indoor location. We loved to hang out on the outdoor terrace and enjoy the view towards the old city of St. Tropez. 

When you entering the restaurant you need to go over a really nice decorated red carpet, which makes the entrance to an unique experience. 

They have a fantastic art exhibition all over the location. The Tropezian artist is called Philippe Shangti and one of my personal favorite artists. He is a contemporary photographer and adds thoughtful character to the restaurant colored with humor and provocation. 

He created all the artistic elements from this restaurant. It is its own concept of an "art-gallery-restaurant" and he has created tables, chosen the colours, set all the shows and chose the performers. All of the shows are in total adequacy with the works of the artist and changes each year following to the evolution of this own series of artwork.

I personally loved the dining plates, see underneath. 

The range of the dinner options varies from France local cuisine, as well to international selections. I had a wonderful truffle pizza, which I can only recommend to you and the quality was outstanding.

The service we enjoyed this night was amazing, a special thanks again to Dimi for the great management ! 

When the dinner is over, the restaurant turns into a great night club with great music and people. The DJ is also amazing. 

So if you travel to Saint Tropez, don't miss out partying here! And make sure you place a reservation for dinner! 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com