Showing posts with label Sun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sun. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Castiglioncello



Castiglioncello is a frazione of the comune of Rosignano Marittimo, in the province of LivornoTuscanyItaly


It stands on a promontory reaching out into the Tyrrhenian Sea, surrounded by pinewoods and hills that fall right down to the sea forming cliffs, little inlets, coves and sandy beaches. 


The area was inhabited in Etruscan and Roman times, as attested by the presence of an ancient necropolis. The Medici Grand Dukes of Tuscany had a watch tower built here in the 17th century.
Castiglioncello was a renowned sea resort since the 19th century. People who built their residence here includeLuigi PirandelloMarcello MastroianniLuchino Visconti and Vittorio Gassman.
An artistic movement of the 19th century, called Macchiaioli, with painters like Giovanni FattoriSilvestro LegaTelemaco Signorini and others, chose this village, because of its beauty, as an inspirational source for their work.
Source: Wikipedia

Our two weeks in Castiglioncello were filled with really, really good see food, rich wine and relaxing times. The spaghetti vongole and scolio was to die for! The girls, age 3 and 5, ate pizza Margerita almost every day and just loved it. 
In the shade of the pinewoods was a playground, mary go round and other stuff for children. 
Unfortunately all the best beaches were private and rented out for the season and this was a bit disappointing for all of us. 
From Castiglioncello we traveled by train to Lucca, Pisa and Florence. The train standard varied from excellent too really hot and poor so water and activities was a must. But parents with small children are used to come prepared. One of the tip highlights was bicycling in Lucca.   
Florence
Lucca
Pinewoods of Castiglioncello

Summer 2012 in pictures

Summer is history and fall has arrived. Here is our summer summed in a few pictures

Fredrikstad Norway
Foten, Fredrikstad (Norway)
See life in a bucket

Swedish archipelago

Calming lake
Calming lake Skodje (Norway)

Tuscany
Castiglioncello (Italy)


Firenze
Florence (Italy)

Bicyle
Lucca (Italy)

Classic Italy
Fiat 500 (Italien)



Monday, June 18, 2012

St.Martin - Caribbean dream

We spent a week at the Grand Case Beach Hotel in St.Martin, and are still longing to go back.

St. Martin/St. Maarten is one of the most visited islands in the Caribbean. One part of the island is french, the other one is dutch. We tried and will recommend the Grand Case Beach Hotel.

bryllupsreise honeymoon sol strand sun
The hotel is right on the private beach.  
Free sailing for hotel guests.



Shopping jewelry Cruise
Spend a day shopping o Marigot. Buy diamonds and jewelry, - not electronics.
The last swim for the day 
Bryllupsreise Karibia
Sunset




Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Aruba, Caribbean


St Martin honeymoon
Foto: Aftenposten

On our honeymoon we went to St Martin, Caribbean. Dream vacation! I´ll tell more later. However Aruba is to bee seen. Learn more about Aruba from Aftenpostens article


Keep on dreaming...

Friday, June 8, 2012

Nice in early June

We went to Nice, on the French riviera, the first weekend in June. Longing for sun and shopping. We got both. 

Weekend advisers rating:
Hotel Massena: ☆☆☆☆
Shopping: ☆☆☆
Food: ☆☆☆
Location for shopping and sun: ☆☆☆☆☆
Overall impression of Nice in early June: ☆☆☆☆

Hotel Massena is located at Place Massena and is just a short walk from the old city and the pebble beach and shopping area in Nice, so it was the perfect base for our weekend. The cab ride from the airport was less than 30 euro (week day) and took approximately 15 min.

Hotel Massena was actually better than expected. It is not a new hotel, but the standard was still good. Good service and a really good breakfast buffet with: egg and sausages, toast, yogurt, cereal, rolls  and of course croissants.

The beach in Nice is easy to reach and the water is clear. Be aware that it is all pebbles and therefor it is nice to have beach sandals (especially for children and elderly). Remember sunscreen!

Côte d Azur - Nice - La Promenade des Anglais

Scallops and fries is a typical dish in Nice. We tried it in the flower marked in the old city of Nice and is was absolutely delicous! If you´re going you just have to try it.
Lunch in Vieille Ville - Nice France

This beautiful and old patisserie is located in the old city. Every item was carefully presented and the old interior was intact.
Chocolate - pastery in Vieux Nice
Restaurant VILLADESTE is a 10 min stroll from Hotel Massena. It is an Italian restaurant and we were recommended their speciality - a rigatoni pot. It was really, really good! The service and interior was ok, however the rose wine (unfortunately I can´t remebmer the brand) was delicious.