Tuesday, May 18, 2010

‘100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go’ CONTEST!!!!

BookCover[1]

 

Susan Van Allen is taking the travel book industry by storm.

Her new book 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go  full of beguiling tales and magical places as seen from a feminine perspective,  add richness to any trip to Italy. The practical information combined with intriguing details are a must have for those who are hunting for the hidden gems d’Italia. 

See for yourselves….

 

 

 

 

The following is an extract from her book on “Positano – Amalfi Coast :

Thanks to Pasitea an irresistible nymph who  lured in Poseidon, the dreamy seaside village of Positano was discovered. It has six beaches to choose from. There’s the large, busy Spiaggia Grande, where you can watch handsome fisherman glide in and out. A short walk away is the quieter Fornillo beach, where you can enjoy drinks on the porch of Il Pupetto.

But for the feel of discovering your own private hideaway and a delicious lunch, head to Arienzo. It’s a small cove bordered with giant rocks, with views of fishing boats bobbing along the horizon, ferries headed for Capri and, in the distance, the Li Galli islands. Legend says these islands were once mermaids whom Ulysses turned to stone so they’d stop trying to seduce him off his course.

I’m not talking great sand. It’s volcanic and coarse with lots of black pebbles. But like almost everything you touch around here, Positano’s black pebbles have a story behind them. If you find one with a hole in it, it means the BVM passed through it, and it’s blessed. You’ll see many Positanesi wearing necklaces of these black pebbles.

The sand situation means you should bring along beach shoes and rent an umbrella and lounge chair. Then get totally comfy, lie back and get lulled by the lapping of the calm water.

 

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Melody, an American who’s lived in Positano for years tipped me off that Ada’s gnocchi at Arienzo is famous in these parts. As you approach the beach you’ll see Ada, a fifty-some-thing-year-old signora with a radiant smile, bustling about in her walk-in-closet-sized kitchen.

The beach snack bar is set up on stilts, looking like something Thurston Howell III would have built on Gilligan’s Island, perched to take in the view with eight inviting tables. A blackboard lists the day’s specials, which along with Ada’s gnocchi may feature spaghetti with clams, Caprese salad, fish caught that morning and granita—flavored ices made from Positano lemons and whatever else is in season.

P1010543Around noon, locals start arriving on foot or pulling up on boats to enjoy Ada’s lunch. Her gnocchi is light and beautifully textured, served with a delicate tomato sauce. The house red is rich and lively. On a visit there one warm October day, for dessert Ada served me a plate of ripe figs picked from a nearby tree, and poured me a glass of home-made limoncello.

 

Even if you don’t find a pebble with a hole blown through it, at Arienzo Beach you’ll feel blessed.

Arienzo Beach: To get here you can catch a small boat from Spiaggia Grande or walk down a zigzag path of steps from the Arienzo bus stop.

Golden Day: Arienzo Beach and Ada’s gnocchi for lunch. Stay at Maliosa di Arienzo (www.lamaliosa.it), a B&B nearby, with your private sea view terrace. Arrange for complimentary car service to Mediterraneo ristorante (www.ristorantimediterraneo.com) for a dinner of fantastic seafood and a Neapolitan guitar who strums classics.”

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Celebrating my Second Blog Anniversary,  I’m offering all of you an opportunity to win not only Susan Van Allen’s          

100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go book 

but am also drawing winners for another three travel titles

Travelers' Tales Italy- True Stories of Life on the Road

Travelers' Tales Tuscany- True Stories

30 Days in Italy- True Stories of Escape to the Good Life

All you need to do is leave a comment here (with your email address, if you are not a blogger), so that I can contact you if you win. This contest is open to everyone regardless of where you live.

I will be drawing the four winners on the 6th of June, so spread the word and get your friends to enter too!

31 comments:

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Wow Scintilla .. 2 years :-) Happy Blogiversary, lets hope lots more to come.. Thank you for sharing Positano with us .. with Fab photos and wonderful tales.

Antique ART Garden said...

All sounds dreamy , wonderful descriptions. Would love to enter for the drawing, thanks so much for the post ! Gina

erin said...

Oh, I just can't wait to read this book. Found out about it about a month ago and it's definitely on my list!

We'll be down your way in about 2 weeks too :)

Anonymous said...

Great blog , just discovered it. My wife and I just got back from Italy a few weeks ago, now I'm researching where to go back to. Positano and Amalfi and Naples look facsinating. Thanks

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Looks like a book I need to get - and follow through on all those places to visit.

Unknown said...

Sounds a fab book. I hope I win :D
if not, I will be adding it to my bookshelf as soon as I can.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Many happy returns of your blog, Scintilla it's always such a treat and your photographs are the best free advertisement Positano. I do hope they appreciate you.

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

What a wonderful sounding book. I want it! Also the 6th June is my bel fidanzato's birthday...maybe this will bring me contest luck!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Scintilla on your two years blogging. Sounds like a really interesting book.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Happy Blogiversary Scintilla! I love your blog, I escape into another world when I read your posts!
Hugs,
Marie

Anonymous said...

Guess what? Your blog was born on my birthday. Happy (belated) day!
dollyna

Annika said...

2 years already? Wow! Congratulations!
Beautiful photo, and the book looks like a book I have to have!

Laura said...

Ciao Scintilla! Congrats on two years blogging!! What a fun way to celebrate. This book has caught my eyes many times. I'd love to have a chance to win! :-) I'll spread the word, too! Grazie!

janie said...

Just what I need-more ideas on where to go in Italy! The book sounds fascinating-thanks for writing about it.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

That sounds my kind of book! Congratulations on two years of great blogging.

Anonymous said...

Happy blog anniversary! That book looks like a must read for anyone who loves Italy. Thanks for the chance to win.
Lisa xx

italytutto said...

I just love Positano - spent part of my honeymoon there after getting married in Ravello! Will be back soon.

And happy anniversary Scintilla!

Amy Marshall said...

I love Positano with all m heart! Hoping to go back this summer. I am sending this link to my hubby so remind him. =D

Bea said...

I've descovered Positano in Under The Toscan Sun.I saw the film and I said: I want to be there! And some years after, I was! On sept., I'll be there for 3er consecutive year... I need it. Li Galli, Mediterranean Sea, the blue sky, steps everywhere, nastro azzurro, pizza, Chiessa Nuova, Fornillo Beach, Festa de Pesce... Paradise is called Positano...

Once in a Lifetime Travel said...

That totally inspired me and made my mouth water. I will be checking it all out when I stay in Positano next year. I can't wait to read more!

Brittany said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

After spending five months in Italy in 2006, I still miss it every day. I'm always looking for good travel memoirs to read, so count me in for the drawing!
Congrats on your blogging anniversary!

Denysé Bridger said...

WOW - this sounds SOOOOO wonderful. I have been looking at this book and meaning to buy it for ages!! I adore everything about Italy - and I never stop being enchanted by every word I read about this magical place!! Good luck to everyone who enters the contest!!! One of us will be a very happy winner.....

Blessings to all...
Denyse

Donna said...

Sounds like a wonderful book: count me in please!

Here's to another year of lovely posts from you.

Mimi Torchia Boothby Watercolors said...

SCintilla, great blog! I can't wait to read your book as well

Unknown said...

Happy Blog-aversary Scintilla! And thank you for the posting with these gorgeous photos!
To all those who are commenting--Thank you and Good Luck-- My wish is that someday we all get to Ada's to enjoy her gnocchi...

Lisa at Wanderlust Women said...

Ciao bella, can we win the figs in the photo instead? Yum!

Anonymous said...

Your pictures of Positano are superb. There are so many places I have to visit, but I'm tucked a little out of the way here in Liguria. But I have only been in Italy for two months, so there is still time! Many happy returns on your blogaversary.

Natasa said...

Just learned about your blog and I am saving for future readings. Never heard about the book but... love Italy, love Italian language, Love Andrea Bocelli, love everything Italian...I was in Italy 5-6 times, visited many places but Lago di Como, Portofino and the whole Ligurian coast and my favorite so far. Would love to enter the contest.Keep up good work! Natasa

(natasa@nyc.rr.com)

Leanne was in Italy now in Australia said...

Hello!

I have awarded you an award over at my blog :)

Cathi said...

Congrats to all the winners! :)