We read the sad news in the early hours of October 22, 2025 when his wife Carmela had texted us at 5:26 am ‘Tonino non c'è piu’. He had passed away peacefully at home after a short but severe illness.

We still cannot imagine the alleys and the piazza in Pizzo without him. We had spent a lovely apericena together with family, friends and neighbours that he and Carmela attended just end of August and he seemd so fit and taned by the Calabrian sun and in good mood as always, looking positively forward to some upcoming treatment. - He became 84 years old.

Tonino was 100% Calabrian, a real Pizzitano. He grew up in Via Paladini and knew the rione Carmine like his own pocket. He spent his days around the centro storico taking care of several churches and giving a "mano" to renovation and maintenance in the quarter. He was always in a good mood and always had a smile on his face and some friendly words for everyone. And when he appeared grumpy, it was kind of funny too. We were extremely lucky that he was not only our lovely house keeper but he also enjoyed taking care of our guests in case Angelo or I were not around.

Between 2006 to 2011 Tonino and Angelo rebuilt our house in via Paladini and later the house in via delle Grazie. They were a great team, with sometimes loud arguments (just Italian style and of brief duration), but with mutual respect and laughters, bringing things forward, and always loyal and reliable.

Our family, our friends and our guests who have met Tonino will remember him as a caring neighbour, who quickly becomes a friend. Crossing paths daily, showing up around the corner, with a joyful ciao!, driving by on his red Vespa or in his blue Panda. Stopping for a chat. Occasionally been seen with a paper hat at work, or the bench in our street with his brother, and often at the corner table at the Gatto, people watching and greeting. Always there for you with a solution, an advise, a helping hand. Dropping by the church, watering plants, ringing the bell for something. He enjoyed ‘pranzo’ at home and his homemade wine - and most of all he enjoyed the company of his large beloved family.

Our hearts and thoughts are with Tonino’s family - which continues to be part of our family and the Palazzo Pizzo team.

Grazie Tonino!

Our mission is to make our guests happy and probably return.

When our guests are happy - we are happy.

And just like this, we have accomplished 10 years in the hospitality business !

We started our 10th year with lots of rain. It still rained in May, when our lovely returning guests from Canada - with Calabrian roots and a love for Pizzo - taught me how to fix the best Negroni(s). We had some moistly and cheerful nights.

More lovely guests followed. Singles, couples, families, and group of friends. From Switzerland, New Zealand, United States, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, France, England, Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, then more Canadians and of course lots of Italians! Among them pilots and painters, musicians and photographers, writers and journalists, actors of stage and screen, a director, a minister of state, birthday girls ‘n boys, honeymooners and ‘marriage applicants’. It never gets boring!

With great pleasure we learnt that Palazzo Pizzo’s terrace at sunset is the ideal spot to pop the question! So far all proposals we heard of got a “YES!”. Congratulations!

In mid July, we had the hottest day ever in Pizzo’s weather history with 41 °C (105,8 °F). I had to interrupt a welcome walk around the piazza and rescue myself with our very sweet guests from London with an almond granita inside(!) an air-conditioned gelateria. Luckily all our apartments feature aircon for a refreshing night.

And last but not least, late November early December, our 10th year of hosting was ‘crowned’ with a well known guest from California and an award winning Italian film director and screenwriter .…. We can now say, hosting a Hollywood star during a shoot in Pizzo with his entourage and daily instructions for our team was taking our hosting experience to the next level. A little earlier and more quietly, la regista, the film director of “la troupe” had checked-in at Palazzo Pizzo Residence, choosing this apartment for its private garden terrace. Our long due ‘railing painting project’ was finally rushed to an end and the blue paint wasn’t even dry when he arrived. The filming crew stood about a week to shoot at La Seggiola, the little bay below Palazzo Pizzo. (The movie is scheduled to be out in 2024).

Yes, this was a fun year! Of course every single year of hosting is special. And of course there are some more stories we remember along the way … But I think, this year, our 10th anniversary, the year of 2023 was among the best !

Thank you dear guests, thank you for choosing to stay with us! It is always exciting meeting you in person or being in contact from afar. Thank you for making hosting fun. We are looking forward to welcome you back and to many new guests to visit la bella Calabria in the future!

The biggest thank you must go to my team for being so very reliable, supportive, hard working, attentive, creative, always in good mood, always available and willing to go the extra mile.

Grazie mille! Without you “Palazzo Pizzo” wouldn’t be possible.

Follow us for more info and updates on Instagram.

It’s my son’s favourite cake - and my favourite recipe from nonna Lidia. It’s super fast, and no oven needed.

Ingredients:

200 gr dark chocolate

200 gr meringue

500 ml cream (panna)

Some dark chocolate powder for the top

The amount of the ingredients may vary a bit up to your stock, the packaging or taste. Use a large round plate or round cake form. Crumble by hand half of the meringue for the base layer. Chop the chocolate with a knife to very small pieces. Whip the cream until firm and add the chocolate. This mix will be the second layer. If you use only a plate and not a cake form, shape the torta with your hands. Loose meringue can make the border. The third and last layer is made of the remaining meringue which can be crumbled, some can be left in shape as it suits. At the end sieve dark chocolate powder on top for decoration. Store the cake in the fridge before serving. The cake tastes even better the next day when the merengue has soaked up the cream… enjoy!

And if you replace the chocolate with strawberries you get a fresh and fruity ‘Meringata alle Fragole’ :-)

I learnt the recipe and made it one day for my mother-in-law and her friend from Southern Italy. They immediately stated that it's very similar to another cake - to the Torta Caprese - an almond-chocolate cake from Capri. Both cakes, la torta Barozzi and la torta Caprese contain no flour, and are therefore are both gluten-free. Both cakes contain chocolate (which determines the dark brown color and moist texture) and roasted peeled almonds. The quantities of the ingredients are slightly different and the Torta Caprese contains no coffee which is the main difference. 

And here comes the recipe for the Torta Barozzi a la Mauro:

ingredients; 

4 eggs

250 gr dark chocolate

80 gr butter

150 gr sugar

30-60 gr Italian coffee powder (1 table spoon = 30 gr)

120 gr Almonds (peeled, roasted)

1 small glass of rum (20 ml, 2 table spoon)

How to: 

Melt butter and chocolate in a bain-marie, let it cool down and add rum

In the meantime, toast peeled almonds in oven (160 degree 15 min)

- preheat oven to 180 degree -

Whisk egg whites until firm (add bit of salt) and store in fridge

Crush almonds (Mulinex mill) finely

Beat egg yolk with sugar, add finely crushed almonds, mix, then add coffee and melted chocolate mix;

Add stiff egg white by stirring gently by hand;

Use round baking form (diameter about 23-26 cm)

Bake about 30 min baking in the oven at 180 degree. Do not exceed 35 min as the cake should remain moist.

Top with icing sugar after cake cooled down.

 
For larger forms - of diameter of 27 cm - or for extra muffins adjust the ingredients:

5 eggs, 300 gr chocolate, 150 gr almonds, 80-100 gr butter, 150-160 gr sugar, rum and coffee can remain the same.

Coffee can be added or avoided up to your taste. Our friend Mauro adds generously 50-60 gr of dried used coffee powder.

La Rada is a “Lido” meaning they have a serviced beach where you can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and have lunch and dinner. They have a small bar area and lunch tables where you can casually sit with your swimwear coming from the beach, and a restaurant for the evenings with an indoor area and outdoor terrace overlooking the beach and the sea. La Rada is located behind the industrial port of Vibo Marina and you would not think to find such a hidden gem in this area.

We recently went for a family dinner at 8 pm, sunset time, and we were very pleased with the dining experience. The photos below show what I loved: the food, the wine and the atmosphere! Linen table cloths and napkins, a good choice of wine and friendly staff accompanied by a light sea breeze and romantic lights. The perfect place in Corona times….

Indirizzo Ristorante

Ristorante Lido La Rada, Via Amerigo Vespucci, III Traversa Vibo Valentia Marina

Orari di apertura: Tutti i giorni 09.00-15.00 e 19.00-24.00

Numeri di telefono: +39 0963.577030 e +39 320.8881838

Indirizzo Email: info@ristorantelidolarada.com

website: La Rada

Buongiorno !

2020, what a year! I hope you and your family and friends are all doing fine and have so far managed to live around Covid19 or survived the virus and whatever lockdown measurements your government had decided on. In Europe, Italy was hit first and hard. Although the worst hit regions were in Northern Italy, the strict lockdown was all over Italy for about 7 weeks (from March 9 to May 3rd, 2020). Calabria was one of the lucky South Italian regions that had very few Covid cases, so far. The virus traveled in little doses to the South with those escaping the North and returning home to their families in Calabria.

Although Italy has allowed travel within Italy - for all Italians and foreigners across all regions - starting June 3rd, it has been very quiet in June. Just when the first European countries like France, Germany and Austria opened their borders mid June (after the Pentecost holiday), Britain decided to send everyone coming to Britain in a 14 days’ quarantine. So most Brits decided to cancel their holidays in order to avoid quarantine when returning home.

Airlines were struggling and cashing in billions of support from their government - like Lufthansa -, then announcing and advertising they would fly again to Italy in July. And when people booked flights, they would contact them a few days before and say: oh sorry, we are not flying. Travelers from outside Italy had little chances to make it to the South of Italy. Almost no direct flights in July. Flights with layovers longer than the usual direct flight and changing departure times and departure airports (!). Also some of the smaller Italian airports were closed and offer now fewer flights than before. No airline wants to fly half full these days.

Visiting Calabria this summer is a challenge. You need to be patient when flying, or take your car and drive!

In January, we had as usual 50% of the bookings for the year. In February we had our first - and for long last - guests. In March when the lockdowns were in sight, cancellations started and continued throughout April and May. End of May the first new bookings came in - by Italians only - for July and August so far - re-discovering Calabria, returning to their roots or even for their first time as they are looking for a ‘virus safe’ region for a relaxed summer holiday by the sea.

Since mid-July we are welcoming guests again in Pizzo Calabro, at our Studio Bellavista, at the Dependance delle Grazie and at Palazzo Pizzo Residence.

Restaurants and bars are filling up, every night and day with more and more guests, mainly from Italy but among them also some brave foreigners who somehow made it to the South, often by car.

Most Calabrese are still very cautious with the virus by keeping distance, by elbow greeting, using disinfection a lot, having a mask around the neck ready to wear when too close or entering a shop.

There is no shortage of toilet paper in case someone wonders. Other things are missing, annoying, breaking down, going wrong or slow, but hey, this is Calabria, paradise with defects …

BTW there is this hashtag trending on social media #nonveniteinCalabria = do not come to Calabria … which started with the low cost airline Easyjet describing on their website their flight destination Calabria (Lamezia Terme SUF) as a territory unfortunately ‘suffering from mafia and earthquakes’. So the most lovely dreamy photos can be found on Instagram with this hashtag. Even some Pizzitani became quiet creative and made a fun little video clip saying #nonveniteaPizzo, no no. Well, regarding one of the above mentioned problems, we are happy to see our (now ex) mayor of Pizzo after seven months in jail, finally free and back home with his young family. All allegations dropped. But long before that, Easy Jet had already apologised and changed their advertisement for Calabria.

It looks like this summer 2020 has finally started! In a pleasant different pace.

Enjoy the sun and the sea if you are around!

Contact us directly if you are interested in booking an entire holiday home / vacation apartment for you and your partner or family. We still have availability in September and some in August.

Saluti cordiali

Susan

PS: The tartufo ice cream is the best ever this year!

Buongiorno,

We hope you had a wonderful and joyful summer. How about extending your summer in Southern Italy? Enjoy the dolce vita in one of our beautifully restored apartments in Pizzo Calabro (Vibo Valentia), just 25 min drive from the international airport of Lamezia Terme (SUF).

We offer discounts on our standard rates during some selected October weeks.

Travel tips: 

Learn kitesurfing in Gizzeria, just 30 km from Pizzo, at Hang Loose Beach where the latest kitesurfing world championship in July 2018 took place. Here you can find instructors (English and Italian speaking) or just rent your gear. (photo above)

Combine your stay in Pizzo with a visit to the famous 'sassi' of Matera (photo below) in Basilicata, the UNESCO world heritage site since 1993 and the next European Capital of Culture in 2019 ! Matera is only 300 km (3h20 drive) from Pizzo and 65 km (1h drive) from the Bari airport in Puglia. Matera worth to stay two nights See my latest blog post about a trip to Matera.

If you are not yet on our mailing list and want to get our newsletter in the future you can sign up here.

Grazie mille & saluti cordiali
Susan

Visiting Matera was always on my mind since I first heard of Matera and the ‘sassi’, the stones, which are cave dwellings in rocks. Until the late 50ies, peasants families lived in these caves with many children and their animals to keep warm, without electricity, fighting malaria and other diseases when the Italian prime minister (back then De Gasperi) declared it the “disgrace of Italy” and forced the inhabitants of the sassi to relocate into a new town, built especially for this evacuation into modernism. But they wouldn’t be Materani if they would not be strong characters. The young generation is proud of their heritage and creative enough to invent and build a future for their city and youth.

Matera, once capital of Basilicata (or Lucania, until 1806) became an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993, mainly because of the rediscovered underground water cisterns system. And in 2019, Matera will be the next European Capital of Culture! The Materani are ready to welcome visitors from around the world. They have renovated many caves and abandoned houses and rent rooms to visitors, sell handicrafts in caves, or revive Lucanian cuisine in cave restaurants.

This summer it was time to go. It is 300 km from Pizzo, and just a 3 h and 20 minutes drive. I was bitten by the travel bug for several reasons but that would be an entire separate post. So one Monday morning I sat in the car with my young companion, our son of 15 years. With a map of Southern Italy on his lap (yes, a real map!) where I had marked with a yellow marker our 4 day round trip (Pizzo Calabro, Matera, Polignano, Monopoli, Ostuni, Lecce, Otranto, Lido Pizzo and Gallipoli and back to Pizzo Calabro. Later we added Alberobello, but this is another story/post).

I was so totally in the adventure mood. But since we live in modern times, I thought better to book us some airbnbs (2 nights Matera and 2 nights Lecce). Our airbnb host in Matera was informed about our arrival around 1pm. My son’s favorite songs were playing over and over out of a speaker. The sun was shining and the car was running smoothly on the autostrada A3 which was just recently renamed to A2, autostrada del mediterraneo. With my marked Italy map I thought to be well prepared. And Angelo had said, “at Tarsia you head east on the superstrada”. Well, first little mistake. Instead of leaving A2 at Tarsia North, we left the autostrada at Tarsia (one exit too early) which led us on tiny little streets through picturesque villages and landscapes over the mountain. When we finally reached a larger road we made a pit stop at a deserted petrol station. Just two trucks and a bar, which reminded me of a road movie on Route 66 in a similar wild region. Actually, everything around us made me think of California. I kept talking to my son about California. Look, these yellow hills with that single green tree and that awesome blue sky. So California!

After a long drive we finally hit the Calabrian East Coast and drove North to Basilicata. It really was nice driving. You are not allowed to drive over 90 km/h most of the time and you are warned about 10 times before any speed control, most of them are signaling that they are inactive anyway, so you I felt very relaxed (far from the stress on a German Autobahn).

Finally we reached Metaponto, built by ancient Greeks, and turned left towards Matera. Our airbnb host had called me just now and I told her where we are and that we will probably reach her in around 45 minutes. Well, I did not foresee that we will get lost in Matera. We found the street with the free parking zone that she had recommended (thanks to Waze, my navigation app that we used for details in addition to the paper map). Regarding the very dark clouds and strong winds, and the predicted soon coming downpour, we left the car quickly and I run in the wrong direction - uphill - since I had that picture of Matera on a hill in my head … I wondered why my 12 minutes walking distance became suddenly 19 minutes. So I started asking locals. Well, the new town is higher than the old town and you have to walk downhill. When we reached Piazza Veneto the downpour hit us. We aquisted some colourful umbrellas and tried to make it to the Piazza del Duomo. We arrived totally soaked, and found our airbnb host’s son still waiting for us and leading us to the apartment. Wow! This apartment worth the two days I had spent to study all the available flats on airbnb. You must imagine that almost every third cave and every fourth abandoned house is now a lovely B&B. It is an incredible choice and very difficult to make a decision. They look all very stylish!

I am happy to share my accommodation tip. I deem it a fantastic choice, because of its location right in between the two ‘sassi’, the two stony hills, “Sasso Barisano” (direction towards Bari) and “Sasso Caveoso” (the oldest area), next to the Duomo on the top of it all with great views of ‘sasso Barisano’, easy to find (once you know), near the free parking zones. There is no need to sleep in a cave to have the cave experience. You can visit several cave houses with authentic interiors. You can visit a modern sculpture museums (MUSMA) stretched over several caves, and you can dine in cave restaurants. Actually, when I looked closely at photos of bedrooms in caves I got already claustrophobic by imagining the narrow space. And traveling with a teenager it was a good idea to have some space to relax in between exploring and at night.

Our host was awesome. I always would pick an airbnb superhost, but Maria Angela was a megahost. She also gave good tips for what to see and where to eat. Actually, you do not need to be prepared for Matera. Just stroll up and down the alleys, get lost and explore. It is all about getting the feeling of how life was back then.

Of course when in a hurry, you can just stop by to see Matera from across the canyon, from the site of the Murgia Timone. In the morning sun Matera will glow pinkish, and in the evenings you watch the skyline against the sun at sunset which is quite popular when first lights are on in the little windows and alleys. But to get the real feeling, I recommend to stay 2 days and 2 nights. Of course you can stay longer! This place is full of magic and has so much history to show and tell. Just stroll around and discover, it is like travelling back to our roots of mankind.

Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world dating back to the Palaeolithic period. On the other side of the little canyon in the “Parco della Murgia Materana” you can visit simple Neolithic caves where people lived up to 9000 years ago. Matera is exciting and fun for every visitor, from child to archaeologist.

Matera is not “been there done that”. Looking at my photos, I remember the good grounded feelings the empty caves and the sparse rocky landscape gave me. Although mainly abandoned, I could feel the live of 1000 years. If you have lost your creativity or lost your inner center, go to Matera, stay at least two nights, and the stones will work their magic on you. One day I will be back.

See a brief video about Matera by the UNESCO here

The Guardian: “The miracle of Matera: from city of poverty and squalor to hip hub for cave-dwellers” (17.06.2017)

Accommodation: Al Duomo Relais, Recinto Annunziata Vecchia, 3 in 75100 Matera, phone +39 328 4261649 or +39 320 5740151, email: recintoannunziatavecchia@gmail.com (host and owner: Maria Angela P.)

Restaurant: L’Abbondanza Lucana, Via Bruno Buozzi, 11, 75100 Matera, phone: +39 0835 334574

Happy discovering!

I was surprised myself how many companies still have my email address and name stored! And how dilettantish most of the mails were. In some cases I had to actively send them an email to ask to unsubscribe from a newsletter or to delete my data. From what I have researched in the net, and thanks to Mailchimp's support (my newsletter service provider), it is the other way round. Someone has to actively opt in to receive your newsletter, even though they have subscribed themselves earlier. If someone does not reply to your new request, although she or he has subscribed to your newsletter before, you should not continue sending her or him anything by law from tomorrow onwards. Maintaining silence is not accepted as consent.  

That's why I sent to all my 'subscribers' - yes, I admit, in the past I have added each inquirers' and guests' email address I could get to my mailing list (with and without explicit consent) - an "We would love to stay in touch with you" email yesterday, which said: 

Yes, it is true: I hope that you like to stay in touch with us! And that "If YES, we need your explicit OK!"

There was a super big green button for those opting in. - But I am fair and added also a big red button to opt out and say CIAO!

Our door is always open for you and when you change your mind and want to sign up again to receive emails from us, you will find a link. See below at the very buttom or on the right blog roll, or just click here :-) 

Also, we even now have a privacy policy on our website! Here you can read what kind of data we are collecting from you (or rather not) and what we are doing with them (or rather not). And this, I did today. I am quite proud of myself how Palazzo Pizzo now complies with GDPR totally (I hope) and on time!

I have to thank all the handymen and workers in my house who made it impossible to leave the house the last two days... haha, without them I wouldn't have made it and still hyperact dilettantishly today on May 25, 2018.

And if there are any complaints (or suggestions) regarding GDPR or your processed private data please contact me or comment below. And if you do not like your comment in the future, let us know, we are happy to delete it as I have deleted manually all unsubscribed email addresses from the unsubscriber list on Mailchimp.

Especially, I would like to thank all the very friendly subscribers who took their time to re-subscribe again! We are looking forward writing to you again soon!

Many thanks! Vielen Dank! Mille Grazie! We love to stay in touch !

Did you enjoy your weekend? Summer feelings are all over Europe! Where do you plan to go this summer? 

Come to the sea! Come to the Costa degli Dei (the coast of gods) in Calabria, Southern Italy! Come to Pizzo! Pizzo is the best place to explore this beautiful coast and the hinterland of Calabria, and its spicy food and Ciro wines.

We at Palazzo Pizzo have the following apartments still available now until the end of summer 2018 (updated May 20, 2018): 

Palazzo Pizzo Residence (sleeps 2) for 110 Euro per night :

May 23 - May 31,  July 3 - July 10,  and September 12 - September 21

Dependence Delle Grazie (sleeps 2-4) for 140 Euro per night * :

June 10 - June 29,  August 4 - August 12,  August 20 - August 27,  and September 7 - September 30

*) rates are for 2 persons per apartment, additional guest pay 20 Euro per person. Our self-catered apartments come with free wifi and free secured parking. Minimum stay is 7 nights (or as indicated).

Please contact us directly if you are interested.

You can also find us on airbnb, homeaway (fewo, abritel) and tripadvisor (holidayletting). There you can check our availability also for autumn 2018 and read our 5 star guests' reviews. We are proud superhost on airbnb.

We are looking forward to welcome you in Pizzo!

Warm regards, saluti cordiali

Susan & Palazzo Pizzo Team

(photo source: great shot by lovely guest Steve B., April 2018)

Read also my posts about direct flights to Lamezia and what to do in Pizzo.

Easter is around the corner! And spring is here since March 1 according to the meteorologists, and latest next week on March 21 according to the astronomical calendar. Have you made up your mind yet where to spent your Easter Holidays? Or your own personal little Spring Break?! Come to the sun, come to Southern Italy, come to Calabria, come to Pizzo! Pizzo is the best place to explore Calabria and its spicy food and Ciro wines.

Please contact us directly if you are interested.

You can also find us on airbnb, homeaway (fewo, abritel) and tripadvisor (holidayletting) where you can check also our availability for other holiday periods.

We are looking forward to welcome you in Pizzo,

warm regards, saluti cordiali

Susan & Palazzo Pizzo Team

(photo source: Dolce Gabbana campaign 2011)

Want to read more? Maybe about staying in Pizzo in April including Easter procedures, or all posts about spring in Calabria, direct flights to Lamezia or what to do in Pizzo.

How about a summer break in Southern Italy?

The newsletter goes: 

"July and August are getting booked fast! As a special opportunity to our previous guests and friends we have temporarily blocked for reservations some of our exclusive apartments in these two summer months. The romantique Palazzo Pizzo Residence, the beautiful Dependance Delle Grazie and the popular Studio Bellavistaare located in the historic center of the charming fishermen's village and home of the tartufo ice-cream, Pizzo Calabro (VV). Pizzo is one of the most beautiful spots on the Mediterranean coast between Amalfi and Sicily. We will open our calendar to the public in February. You can then still book directly with us or find us on Airbnb, Homeaway (fewo, abritel, vrbo) or Tripadvisor (Holidaylettings)."

One friend unsubscribed as she thought she got another spam mail... but I also got some nice feedback after having sent out the letter last night. My father called on skype. He thought we have difficulties in getting enough bookings. He said it sounded like that.

Luckily we do have already bookings. Many people book during the winter break, and now in January. What I wanted to avoid are these early bookers, who book like 18 months ahead for 3 nights in August. When my team and I are on holiday ourselves, we don't want too much hassle. And I also need some flexible space just in case friends show up short notice.

That's why I thought last year that summer 2018 will be different. Therefore, I blocked the Residence and the Dependance. The Studio I forgot to block on one booking platform and before I realized, there were only 2 weeks left.

It looks like a good year ahead for Pizzo and the Pizzitani who are into tourism.  

If you have not yet subscribed to our newsletter, you can do it here. I can't say when the next letter comes, but it will be special again. If you want to hear more often from us or what's happening in Pizzo, follow us on Facebook where I post more often. And if you do plan a summer break in Southern Italy, consider to book early. Contact us!

Stay in touch, saluti cordiali

Susan

Dear travellers, always pack a sweater or fleece jacket when going to the sea side. Even in summer there can be a fresh breeze, especially in the evenings in the main piazza of Pizzo. There are easily 10 degrees Celsius difference during the day, and a temperature of 20 C in spring with a fresh breeze from the sea can feel like only 15 C. It's best to check the forecast and be prepared to dress like a (spring)onion in layers. However, while some wear a jacket, others already sunbath at the beach and in a few days time you will observe the first brave swimmers.

Happy Spring Holidays & lots of sunshine!

For some more spring impressions of earlier years read Summer feelings in April (April 2013) or simply click on the APRIL or SPRING tag (scroll down, click NEXT to see all posts).

Photo credit: All photos by Carmela, March 27 and April 1, 2017 - mille grazie for sharing first spring impressions from Pizzo  :-)

As soon as we arrived, I pulled the large box from the storage that contained our Christmas tree from Beijing. I knew it was one with 'snow' but I had forgotten over the years how beautiful it was! (It was eight years in a box!) Our saloon felt instantly so much cozier with the Christmas tree lit up and decorated. Friends brought winter roses over to our house to welcome us. So sweet!! Grazie! 

We even got our "own" Christmas illumination in our little piazza in front of our door and the church Chiesa del Carmine.

We decided to settle into our own guest room, and to use the cozy little orange bathroom, as it feels warmer and less humid as our bedroom and bathroom on the ocean side. And what a lovely view into a little garden we have. Orange trees full of golden fruits.

The living room became Christmassier every day, with a lovely table decor, a surprise by our friends, fruits, nuts and sweets, plenty to snack, and a candelabor by Ditto of Seminara with red candles.

And I baked. I baked tons of Cantuccini. I baked almost every day. For the friends as gift with Christmas ornaments, for an after-Church-get-together, and for our local presepe vivente (more about that later). 

On December 23rd, the first little presepe vivente (nativity scene) by the kids from the local kindergarten was organised on the new Piazza Padiglione near our house. A lot of effort went in the decoration! So nice! And a local bakery offered Zibbibio wine from Pizzo and cheese to taste for the parents and visitors. (More photos in a separate post).

This year's Christmas illumination in the main square of Pizzo was that one (above). Maybe the one from last year was pretier, but it is also nice to have something new every year. The castello got a skirt of lights (in the background).

The side alleys, the corso and each church got Christmassy star ornaments. 

The difference between Pizzo and Tropea in winter is that Tropea is dead, and Pizzo is lively! We love Pizzo for being lively all year round! All the bars, restaurants and shops are open. They only take turns in their day of rest (which they don't in high season). Only Lo Bianco's deli is closed until Easter. But the alimentari (little supermarket) opposite the entrance of the main square is open - and so is my favorite veggie & fruit vendor, and the pharmacy, and the art galleries ...  We wouldn't need the car for grocery shopping. If you wanted to go out, every day, you would find a good choice where to eat or have a drink or coffee.

The temperatures before Christmas were surprisingly mild, no wonder some guest were served ice cream outside, even at night (photo Bar Belvedere). 

... to be continued.

I am very excited to share the link to my latest Newsletter! It is the 3rd (ever) and the 2nd this year. If you have not subscribed yet, subscribe today! - The next newsletter is planned for Spring 2017.

We wanted to announce, that we are opening our entire house, Palazzo Pizzo in Pizzo Calabro, for guests in summer 2017. If you are interested in renting our house with your family and friends, please send your enquiry to susan@palazzopizzo.com.  

In case you plan a Christmas Shopping trip to Venice or Padua, please do not miss the deal for my newsletter subscribers for a new rental near Venice! It is my Italian cousin Fiorella's father-in-law's former house that she renovated and decorated with Italian detailed design and style. You find the code for the discount and her email address in the latest Newsletter.

Enjoy browsing,

cordialmente 

Susan

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• Newsletter Winter Wishes & Deals (Nov/Dec 2016) 
• Newsletter Special Offer 2016 (April 2016)      
• Newsletter New Projects (October 2015)

I could start writing about our road trip through Italy #onthewaytoPizzo ...  or say we felt it was overall less hot than last summer... I have thousand of photos on my phone and almost as many memories in my head.... It was a great summer! The food, the sea ... always fantastic in Southern Italy.

For us, above all, it was a very busy summer! Our guests beat all records. We had non-stop guests from all over the world. We had double occupancies and check-out and -in on the same day... in our own house! We loved it!! Family and friends getting together in one big house. That was the purpose of it all. 

My favorite moments that I enjoyed with all guests was the aperitivo on our balcony. One, two glasses of Aperol Spritz, some ice cubes and watching the sun going down, disappearing in the sea and the sky a canvas for vespertine spectacles of nature. 

When I browsed through all the photos of this summer, I came across the photo above - that one of our lovely guest had posted to our Facebook page - and I felt it all over again. The spirit of our summer 2016. The photo has it alI: summer, sun, beach, the crystal clear sea that stands in such a beautiful complementary colour contrast to the Aperol Spritz, which I only drink in Southern Italy because it doesn't taste anywhere better. Relaxing & refreshing after a hot day at the sea. And the hand crafted wrought iron balcony railing, that I designed after an old pattern for our new project which turns out to be lovely, no, gorgeous! (more about it soon)  Last but not least, it's a guest's photo. It shows what makes me most happy: guests see the beauty of this place, this little spot in the South of Italy which is almost paradise. It makes me happy to see that our guests feel the same. Double happiness.

We didn't launch a photo contest for guest or so yet. It could be an idea for next year! This photo (above) for sure is a winner. Other great photos by lovely guests can be found in my album "Great shots by lovely Guests" on Facebook. If you have been staying with us, feel free to upload yours! I love to see photos of Pizzo. I am constantly checking #pizzocalabro on instagram as I miss it already. For us summer 2016 is over. For most Italians summer ends right the week after Ferragosto. But Pizzo only gets better again after the crowd has left! In fact, with the ice cream and tartufo varieties of Pizzo the summer never ends!

So I hope you had, are still having or going to have a lovely summer holiday! In Pizzo Calabro or somewhere else with lots of sunshine and some refreshing aperitivo.       

more soon....

The recipe for Aperol Spritz is easy:

• 1/3 Aperol  
• 1/3 sparkling water
• 1/3 Prosecco
• .... add ice cubes and a slice of lemon

cin cin !

42 punti luce!  Translated this means that our inseparable pair of electricians, Alfonso & Ciccio, had managed to install forty two light sources that needed to be covered with lamps, mainly wall lamps as pendants, I was told, non si fa piu. Not easy in Calabria where not one store had more than three lights of the same sort in stock. Of course you can always order! 

Thinking to find two queen size beds, buy them, get them delivered and done, was also an illusion of mine. That's one of the reasons we are not ready in May with our new vacation rentals. - Vabbè! - We will be ready mid July! And we had a great time! As usual! We are addicted house-decorators, and here are some visual impressions:

The photo above is actually from my last day. I stood 8 days longer than my husband and son because there was so much work to do ... or should I say work to "coordinate"? On my last day, a windy Sunday, the local artist Antonio La Gamba came by with some of his pieces to advise on how to display them best in the house. It came in handy that he was there when we arrived with that red sofa on top of the roof of Angelo's car. That sofa has seen already a few different flats before and is over 20 years old and still beaming. It now has found a new home in the small bedroom upstairs in our "Dependance" where guest can sit and enjoy the seaview.

Talking artist, above is one of my favorite shots. I didn't give up waiting for the framing and was rewarded with a charming late night delivery and a hanging test by talented local photographer Francesca Procopio and her charming husband Gianpaolo. I took the photo and Angelo did the hanging first thing the next morning.

The photographs above are modern interpretations of old masters by photographer Francesca Procopio. 

There were only a few exceptions when Angelo needed professional support. This pendant has three light bulbs and each bulb can be controlled by one single light switch directly. Press one, all three lights on, press two, one light out, press three, two lights out, press four, all lights out, ... and press one too often -> repeat.

The kitchen was delivered already but because of its unusual counter top shape we were recommended to get a customized natural stone top, which we did. Our marmista in Filadelfia (in Calabria, on the hills!) had this beautiful marble from Carrara (which we had visited before and like the lardo speck as well). So now, here it is, our marble kitchen top, delivered and fitted with the help of Angelo and Lidia, my in-laws!

If this looks like sitting around, no way! We just had carried the sofa from the other side and moved the heavy arm chairs to the opposite wall and are discussing the new arrangement and also trying the effect. Lidia is wearing a working sweater from Angelo (it can be cold in April) and cool shoes. On the table are a few wall lamps ready for mounting.

Just a few minutes later, we are walking up and down again. Bringing furniture and stuff from the Dependance (upper entrance) to the Studio (ground floor entrance). Sets of plates for downstairs, sets of plates for upstairs, sets of wine glasses, prosecco glasses (important!) upstairs and downstairs, knives, scissors, pans & pots, towels, bed sheets & curtains, espresso machine ... and more ... all you need for your perfect holiday we unpacked, washed, ironed, prepared, sewed, trimmed and distributed into the right drawers and shelves. While Angelo was still drilling to hang lamps and pictures, and I assisted with the vacuum cleaner, at least I tried to be as fast as him.

Shopping with Lidia is fun. She has the right "eye" to spot things. On Saturday, at the market in Vibo Valentia, we found the handmade baskets and typical Calabrian green and white household ceramics. On Monday, at the market in Vibo Marina, we bought all the right fabrics for curtains and Lidia spotted the unusual mirror from Germany (!) (photo above left).

Although we worked hard, the Italian structure of the day was duly followed: lunch breaks started not later than 1.30pm and we often went for an aperitivo in the evenings, and some espresso breaks at the bars in the piazza. We even got a phone call and our coffee orders were taken by surprise visitors which led to a cleared and representable / photogenic dining table and our first Kaffeeklatsch at home!

We had some welcoming interruptions from work when neighbours, friends and even actual guest from the residence stopped by to see our progress. They all liked the place, and that is widely understated. They all loved the Dependance. Some said they even prefer it over the palazzo. (Mainly because of the clean white walls ... he he he... I begged Angelo to not use any colours this time).

Best advertising ever! Gianni and Nada spontaneously staged a holidayer scene with our new wine glasses (Lidia poured them quickly tap water...). Imagine Aperol in the glasses and that is your view! Whatever balcony you choose, we have four facing this dream scenery, come to Pizzo!

Decision making processes on where to hang paintings and how to arrange the hanging of them. Quite easy when you have some good advisers and can take a step back to look at it.

The kitchen above was custom built around the vaulted staircase underneath and I think, we are very happy how it turned out. The colourful backsplash band of ceramic tiles is an artwork of local maestro di ceramica Antonio Montesanti and tells a bit the story of Pizzo. And of course I love my retro azzurro SMEG fridge! 

Coming back to my last day in Pizzo, Antonio La Gamba is taking a photo (photo below) of the kitchen wall we want to hang one of his sculptures. We agreed to look for a smaller fish of a smoother material. It's another item on my to do list in my mind.

Although we were working on many details allover the house and lots of tools and packaging was laying around, I tried my best to take some decent photos that show potential travellers the new apartments in the best way possible for now. Please see the photos and more details about the Dependance delle Grazie and the Studio Bellavista on our website. An overview of all three vacation rentals can be found here. We are looking forward hearing from you, please contact us if you have any questions.  

The work continues in the following weeks and we are looking forward to greet our first guests this summer!!

I say ciao for now, and greet you with that stunning sunset and Stromboli view from the church square just next to the Dependance & Studio!

Dear Reader,

if you've got mail from Palazzo Pizzo, then because you may have subscribed to the blog (RSS feed) to receive every new blog post at your favorite destination. If you signed up to our newsletter (below), are our guest or friend, you will receive special offers of Palazzo Pizzo vacation rentals and travel information about Calabria 2-3 times per year via email. 

Grazie ed a presto

Susan

Although things take time in the South, Monday was a busy day in Pizzo. We can also report about some other progress of our project, just a few steps away:

Kitchen planning started in August last year, and went smooth. But the more time we had, the more changes I made ... and now our custom made kitchens are delivered! 

We always favored local products. And I am glad and proud to support Calabrian businesses. If you need a new kitchen, we definitely can recommend Alindar from Maidar. Great customer service, very good quality, fair prices. If you buy an IKEA kitchen, you pay probably the same and have to mount it by yourself. Check out Alindar, they even have customers in Switzerland.  

I am glad, I changed from a red kitchen to a white kitchen at the last minute. I really prefer to have this modern red and white interpretation of a classic Vietri floor tile pattern instead of a bold red kitchen. The area is too small for a red kitchen - like we have it at the residence.

BTW, we never agreed on white wall tiles here (photo above). We said we will use waterproofed paint and decide on the colour later. But in the meantime I am used to Angelo who goes ahead when he has his own ideas. Sometimes, the result is not too bad actually. And after three projects of 'long-distance' renovations, I am way more cool and relaxed than in the beginning. - And what is that stripe on the wall below the ceiling in the other kitchen (photo below)?? - Angelo assured me, if I do not like it, we can take it down, or overpaint it. It's a decorative paper border. I guess, since he is not 'allowed' to paint the walls other than white (see his previous colourful folly), his creativity needs to burst somewhere ...

So far it looks all good. Grazie Angelo, for the photos. I hope the hoot is not misused as hairdryer by the cook...  

For the kitchen counter top we need to look for a matching natural stone as the layout is a bit unique. What seems like a built in oven in the corner is the vaulted ceiling of the stairways below. We built the kitchen around it to optimise the space in that room. When you turn around and look through the windows, you have sea view! Absolutely stunning sea view, and castello view!

What can't be seen in the photo (above) properly yet - details will be published later - is the beautiful ceramic artwork by Antonio Montesanti. He made for us a band of Pizzo's history. The history and stories of Pizzo in ceramic tiles (photo below), which are now stretching along the kitchen counter.

Of course the very popular retro fridge by Smeg is not going to be missed! One light blue fridge - as our guest already know from the residence - is ordered for the larger kitchen at the Dependance. And a red version is ordered for the Studio downstairs. 

What I have not yet posted, but received from Angelo, are report photos of the bathrooms. All bathrooms are tiled and mainly done. However, the photos don't do justice yet. Again, we bought local. All products, sanitary equipment and tiles, were ordered and delivered via the local company Callipo in Vibo Valentia. We used them also for our previous project and are very satisfied. Mirrors, shower boxes, hooks, shelves and other accessories and details are next! That's why we are going to be on site soon! - So far, mille grazie Angelo! 

I used different tools. On my smart phone I used the app 'Pic Collage' but then turned to my computer where I have better resolution photos and used 'Publisher'. Funnily, I then emailed the result in JPEG format to myself, opened it on my phone and edited (exposure, contrast, and crop to a postcard format). For my previous postcards I have used also the free software 'PicMonkey' at PicMonkey.com.  

I don't think our guests will use these postcards, write on the back and mail them. But maybe someone use one as a bookmark or just take one or two home as a souvenir. Maybe they stick them in their photo album, or share it with their friends. Then my mission would be accomplished :-)

BTW, my new postcard is based on my oil painting which is based on a photograph of a beach, most likely between Pizzo and Tropea. 

All photos by Angelo, shot with his phone and sent via what's app group. Please expect big progress in April and more photos on the way.