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Historic August Seven Inn

8/29/2016

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Good "Medicine" for the Soul
​Daytona Beach, Florida

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The August Seven Inn was originally a guest house built in 1896 by James N. Gamble of the famed Proctor and Gamble Company and is listed on the National Historic Register.
​What IS a "stress onion," and what can you do about it?

I've found the answer. Though, to be honest, I wasn't expecting much when we booked our room at the August 7 Inn in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sure, we looked at all the pictures on the website and even commented on the beautiful decor, but I was still skeptical all the same. 

There had been too many B&B's that we have visited in the past where their website looked top notch and elegant, taken before the place was opened and was fresh and new. But upon arriving we found them to be run down, smelly, even unkempt. Truly as if we were visiting an elderly relative.

Not so at the August 7 Inn...

Upon our arrival we were greeted by the Innkeeper and Owner, Joe. ("Hi, I'm Joe. Welcome, please come in...") His demeanor was welcoming and quietly comforting, like we were old friends. I liked him immediately. One layer of the stress onion peeled off and I began to look around.

Inside the house it is serene and beautiful. And tastefully decorated. Joe showed us about the first floor explaining about each room. The massage chair room, (no, no, too tense for that yet...more on that later) the elegant Victorian inspired living room, which led into the dining room, then the wonderful outdoor wrap around porch. 

An array of treats awaited us in the kitchenette, including coffee, tea, sodas, popcorn, water, even an entire bookshelf of DVD's to choose from were available 24/7. ("Help yourself to drinks at your leisure, two for a dollar. We operate on an honor system, so just drop the money in the honor box, which is hanging on the wall".)   Wow, he trusts us.
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Each room was sparkling clean and looked as if they were never sat in or used. But Joe assured us that we were welcome to enjoy and relax wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted. (Not at all the controlling, stuffy innkeeper who forbids you to touch this or sit there.) "It's just stuff, you are welcome here, please make yourself at home." Another layer of the "stress onion" peeled off, and magically a little more stress evaporated into thin air.

Joe graciously answered all of our questions and gave a brief overview of the "story of the Inn." It's quite a story, you'll have to ask Joe to tell you sometime.

By the time we were heading upstairs to visit our room, my husband and I were beginning to relax, feeling as if we were going to enjoy this place. "Oh, by the way, can I get you a complimentary bottle of wine?" Joe asked. 

Oh yes, we are definitely going to enjoy this place.

Our room, the 1022, was exotic and comfortably roomy. It was elegantly decorated in a safari theme, not at all tacky and sparkling clean. (I have to admit, I looked under the bed and behind the furniture for dust, and there was none.) Dark woods, elegant fabrics and soft fluffy pillows made this room perfect for relaxing and spending quality conversation time with the one I love. Ahh, and the jacuzzi tub...Perfect!  The mood of the room lifted our spirits another notch. Another layer of the stress onion gone... (In fact, I was so inspired by the theme of the room, that upon returning home, I redecorated our own bedroom in a similar fashion).

In the evening, Joe puts out a buffet of snacks and candies for his guest to enjoy. Soft music is playing. The lights are dim and romantic. It was a perfect April evening, just cool enough to sit comfortably on the veranda and sip a glass of wine and nibble on Joe's homemade treats. Our favorite spot was the corner overlooking the lawn watching the world go by...

What, are there any layers left to peel away? No, I think we have reached the core...
No work, No Kids, No pets, No obligations, No stress...
"Really?" I ask myself, "No Stress? Check again."
I look over at my husband who is smiling and say to myself, "Yup, it's gone."

Breakfast on the veranda is a wonderful experience. Joe puts out a spread you wouldn't believe. With 5 different types of pancakes, fresh fruit, fruit and nut breads, cereal, juice, not to mention bacon, waffles, and pastries. He goes all out to make sure his guests are satisfied.

​Before embarking on our day of exploration we treated ourselves to a visit in the massage chairs. Ahh, what a magical experience. The room is a relaxing garden theme, the chairs are state of the art "Human Touch" massage chairs which are remote controlled to massage every muscle in your body exactly the way you want it. The experience was heavenly and left me rejuvenated and ready to take on the day.


Two days later, I began to feel that feeling you get when it's time to go home. "Can't we stay?" We ask Joe. "Of course," Joe says.
"We'll put you on speed dial." we say.
"Yes, certainly, come any time." Joe says.
"But I don't want to go." I say to my husband.
"I know, me either."

Now, one month later...What is that feeling in my stomach? There is a tightness, an unwelcome feeling that I don't like. Something that has been building up for a few weeks...Ahh, yes. It's Stress...

Time to go visit The August 7 Inn again. You can too. Just visit their website to make reservations:

August Seven Inn, Daytona Beach, Florida: http://a7inn.com
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The Hendrickson Family
Dawn Hendrickson
TropicalMusicInternational.com

Dawn and Steve Hendrickson are busy talent agents and the owners of Tropical Music International.  

The Hendricksons live in Orlando and supply entertainment and talent all across world, as well as being wholesale distributors for Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, Kenny Chesney and the finest Hawaiian Artists and Steel Drum Bands.

Clients include the Ritz Carlton, Sirius Radio, the PGA, Carnival Cruise Lines, the Orlando Magic, Miami Dolphins, City Walk, and the Islands of St. Lucia, Grenada, Caymans, and the British Virgin Isles.
​

Learn more at: http://TropicalMusicInternational.com
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Lunigiana: Valley of the Moon in Historic Tuscany

8/23/2016

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Where is Lunigiana situated?

Lunigiana (in Latin Lunensis Ager) is the historical region between northern Tuscany, western Emilia Romagna and eastern Liguria. It is one of my favourite territories of Tuscany. This mountainous region is crossed by the Magra river and covers an area that runs from the Tosco-Emiliano Appennines to the Mediterranean Sea.

Lunigiana today belongs in part to Tuscany and in part to Liguria. In the past Lunigiana was extended till the Versilia coastline and till the Serchio River Valley, not far from the town of Lucca.

The name Lunigiana probably comes from the devotion to the myth of the Moon (Lunae in Latin) of the ancient inhabitants of Luni, an important city at the time of Roman Empire, founded in 177 BC. That’s why Lunigiana is also considered the valley of the Moon.

History of Lunigiana

Lunigiana has a long history back to the Prehistoric Era, and the proofs of it are the famous Statue Stele. These anthropomorphic stone statues date back to the 4th– 1th millennium BC, but their function is not revealed yet.
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Ligurian-Apuan were inhabitants of Lunigiana, but with the arrival of Romans in 2nd Century BC, this strong people who often defeated the Romans troops, were deported away.

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire on 460 AD, Lunigiana has been the center of the contest between the Byzantines and Longobards, and then Franks.

The Diocese of Luni owned all the historic territory during the Middle Ages, including Versilia and La Spezia harbor (not far from Cinque Terre). This is the time in which the Via Francigena, (the combination of roads that linked Canterbury to Rome, along 1.600 Km/994 miles), gained of importance as pilgrimage route, and as military connection between Northern Europe and Mediterranean Sea.

The Obertenghi, dynasty of Longobards origin, around the year 1000, established their noble family in Lunigiana. And then, the Malaspina Family, their descendants, controlled this territory for almost two centuries.

As often happens in a family, relations between relatives were not easy, especially if hereditaries are longing the power. The Malaspina Family split their properties in two distinct branches, the Spino Fiorito (Blooming Thorn) and the Spino Secco (Dry Thorn). Thanks to the Malaspina competitiveness, in both sides of the Magra River Valley many villages have been fortified and many castles built. Lots of them are still existing. The only independent city was Pontremoli, which was an important trade center.

After decades of fights, in 1306 on Castelnuovo Magra, an armistice have been signed, between Malaspina and the earl-bishop of Luni. The legend says that, as solicitor of the Malaspina, the nowadays famous poet Dante Alighieri exiled from Florence since the beginning of fourteenth century, signed the treaty.

After the decline of the Malaspina family, Lunigiana became the center of the interest of the main powerful cities, as Florence, Genova and Milan.

In 1797 Napoleon abolished the feudal system, but the actual administrative division went just with the Unification of Italy. Nowadays of the historical Lunigiana does not exist anymore, and the territory has been divided in two different region Tuscany and Liguria.

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Edoardo Pucciarelli

From Carrara, a small town in the northern coast of Tuscany, Edoardo has worked for more than 10 years in marketing and communications for some of the largest international conglomerates and luxury brands.

Lucky to be raised in a family that traveled, Eduardo has continued with his passion, traveling through Australia, United States and Europe and coming in contact with many people of different cultures, learning the way they live and their customs. Eduardo has friends all over the world and has even hosted some at his home, going with them and discovering the best places of his native land, which is located at a crossroads of different regional cultures between Tuscany, Liguria and Emilia Romagna.

Tuscany has to much to offer: culture, art, food and wine, entertainment, nature and relaxation, all set in a timeless Italian landscape.

Eduardo feels that "experiencing Tuscany” is something more than visiting the well known tuscan cities, eating some pasta, or greeting someone with a “Ciao." It means to know aspects of the Tuscan life in its environment, it means to live life as a local.

Eduardo will lead you on a virtual journey through villages and cities that are worth a visit at least once in your life.

Are you ready to enjoy the taste of Tuscany?

Read more from Edoardo at:
http://mytravelintuscany.com
​Click to follow Edoardo
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Day Trips to Take from Florence, Italy

8/18/2016

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If you are planning to spend few days of your next Italian holiday in Florence, you will definitely have to visit the historical centre, listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as thirteen million visitors do every year. Moreover, you can even think to include in your itinerary some day trips to take from Florence.

Thanks to its central position, you can easily reach many destinations, famous or unusual, by train or by car, and discover all the beauties of Tuscany. Here is my personal list with 10 “day trips to take from Florence ."

1) Fiesole

Take a bus and climb the hill overlooking Florence to reach the town of Fiesole, one the favourite places of many foreigners since the end of 1700s. Of Etruscan origins, Fiesole was an important city of the Roman Age. Today we can still admire the well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre and the ruins of the Necropolis, of a Thermal bath and other imperial palaces. Another interesting attraction is the Medici Villa, built during the fifth teen century, but we can only the gardens (free entry) reserving in advance.

2) Mugello

In less than one hour you can reach the valley of Mugello, rich in beautiful landscapes, nature and opportunities of hiking and biking along a system of tracks in sync with its surroundings. Two of the fourteen Medici Villas included in the UNESCO World Heritage List are in Mugello, known worldwide even for hosting every year the MotoGP motorcycle racing with stars as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Moreover, being Italy famous for fashion and clothes, if you like shopping, in Barberino del Mugello there is a big outlet where you make great deals.  (READ MORE)
Next up... Chianti, Siena, Pisa and more!
Read more
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Nicola Bandini

Nicola lives and breathes the travel life. From Cecina, a small coastal town in the centre of Tuscany, along the Etruscan Coast, Nicola works for luxury hotels and, when he's not working, he travels himself.

Nicola spent most of his years in Cecina, on the Tyrrhenian coast, surrounded by the sea, the wine region of Bolgheri and beautiful hills with many little hamlets. As a child there was little opportunity to travel a lot, except for weekends and holidays spent at the families country house in the chestnut wood of the tiny village of Sassetta.

Once gown, Nicola started to travel with friends, or by himself, and he fell in love with travel; discovering new cultures, new ways of life and meeting new people from all over the world. 

Read more from Nicola at:
http://mytravelintuscany.com
​Click to follow Nicola
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