A message from the Queen

Italy has one of the highest life-expectancy rates in the world, according to statistics published earlier this month by ISTAT, the Italian National Institute for Statistics. Big question: Why, we ask ourselves? I think I’d put it down to diet, climate and temperament. Yes, Italy has more than its fair share of sunshine, and combine that with the variation of seaside, mountain and countryside, then you have a great place to live.

Italians may be fiery and energetic, but the welcome you get as a visitor must mean that the tendency is to share and enjoy, to exteriorise and be happy.

But it’s mostly the diet. The “Mediterranean diet” has been much spoken of over the last few years, and it’s been spread all over the world by expatriates. Low animal fats, high fruit and vegetable content, the use of local, quality ingredients and just the odd glass of red wine. It presses all the right buttons, and you can access some delicious healthy recipes from the “Our favourite recipes” section of this blog – try our new cheese cake recipe for example.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your slice of the Dolce Vita and book a holiday villa – it’ll make you live longer! The 2012 calendar is on the web site, and bookings are already happening for the best places for next year. As ever, Sardinia, Tuscany and Umbria are expected to be the favourites, so don’t wait around.

Rome, Florence, now it’s Venice’s turn:

Venice has joined Rome and Florence in imposing a tourist tax on visitors to Italy’s most popular cities. It was in 2006 that the Italian government first allowed local governments to impose a tax on those using tourist facilities, but the first to break ranks was Rome at the beginning of 2011, with a maximum tax of €3 for those staying at the very best establishments per night for a maximum of 5 nights. The authorities expect the tax to raise €80m, which thankfully will be spent exclusively on the much-needed upkeep of the city’s wonderful monuments. Good to know that those few euros it costs you will be going to help maintain for example the currently free-of-charge Roman Forum.

Florence started on 1 July this year with a bit more painful €5 per night, but at least those staying at the resting place of choice in my youth, the Michaelangelo camp site, only have to pay €1 to enjoy as near as it gets to city centre camping.

Although Venice joined the party late, only 24 August (too late for the main season, methinks), it must be the city of canals and gondolas that is the longest-running candidate for the tax. Venice has a particular problem over and above other Italian and indeed world cities – it’s sinking into the sea. I remember the Venice in Peril appeal of the 1970s when the idea of a tax was much discussed, but I can only think that people then were so generous in their giving – we even had lessons on it at school – that the idea was not then acted upon then. We live in more austere times now.

I’m sure this will not be enough to deter most from visiting Rome and Florence using our Rome Apartments and Florence Apartments. Rumour has it that there are some more villas coming on stream in Northern Italy later this year.

Florence Apartment Rental Ltd is delighted to present its choice selection of holiday homes, apartments and villas. They are located in the most beautiful areas of the Italian peninsula: traditional Tuscany, Chianti Villa Rental and of course the world famous cities of Florence and Rome.To know more about Chianti Villa Rental Please visit http://www.dolcevitavillas.com