venite a visitare l'Italia

Venite a visitare l'Italia…Come Visit Italy… Take your pick of 4 luxurious trips to Italy that will be offered at the 10th annual Auction. Umbria, Tuscany, Sorrento, Lake Como, all offer gorgeous views, great food, incredible wines, and once in a lifetime adventures with your wonderful friends. Grab a glass of Barolo and dive into the details of these four Italian auction lots all benefiting our charities. Salute!!

Back by popular demand is the Italian Countryside experience in Umbria, Italy. By all accounts, this trip is a life changing experience and not to be missed. Umbria, located in central Italy between Tuscany and Marche, offers a timeless glimpse into what Italian life is all about with first class accommodations, dinners, lunches, wine and olive tastings, and tours of the area. Four couples will spend a full week in a four-bedroom, 17th century farmhouse and stable that has been carefully restored. You will be surrounded by beautiful countryside views, with a large open courtyard equipped with a grill and wood-burning pizza oven. The covered terrace, private swimming pool, herb and vegetable garden and beautifully landscaped gardens offer an incredible setting.
Enjoy an authentic Umbrian dinner prepared by Dina, a charming talented cook at the villa. Stefano will drive you for a full day wine tour. Noni and Tita will provide you with an enriching experience of cooking classes of Umbrian delights that you won’t want to miss in the luxury of your own villa.
The Fratelli Pardi Linen Factory and Winery Visit in Montefalco, Italy is a true taste of old country wine making and hospitality. It has been family-owned for three generations. If that’s not enough, the Palazzone Wine Tour and tasting adheres to the traditions of winemaking in the Orvieto region and Wine maker Giovanni will walk you through the cellar, cantina, and pour the wine tasting. Also enjoy a 3 course lunch with wine and olive tasting at Enoteca Properizo in the charming village of Spello.

Visit this site for more information: http://www.ilgustodelpaese.com/properties/villa-fondoleteglie
Or Find them on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ilgustodelpaese

This Lot Benefits: Children’s Volunteer Health Network
Donated By: Children’s Volunteer Health Network
Restrictions: Available April 2015- July 31, 2016



If you’d prefer to be closer to the water, this 7 night stay for 3 couples in Bellagio, Lake Como is perfect. Villa Poletti is a wonderful property located in Bellagio, the Pearl of Lake Como, and close to the small hamlet of San Giovanni. From the property you can enjoy beautiful views of the lake from different corners. Just a 5 minute drive away from the center of Ballagio, and a short walk down to the small harbor of San Giovanni, the area is perfectly located. There is also plenty of opportunity for hiking, biking, walking and water sports! A tour of the lake is for sure a must and you can discover the hidden treasures of this beautiful corner such as Villa Balbianello and Villa Carlotta.
The Villa has a private chef, and lunch at Ristorante Terraza will offer an extensive wine list and refined dining. Michelin Star Chef Ettore Bocchia will create delectable dishes for you while you enjoy the breathtaking views.

Start channeling your inner Mr. & Mrs. Clooney, you don’t want to miss out on this one!

Virtual Tour of Villa Poletti:
http://www.luxuryretreats.com/destinations/europe/italy/lake-como/bellagio/villa-poletti-112639

Lunch at Ristorante Terrazza at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni http://www.villaserbelloni.com/bellagio/en/restaurants.html

This lot benefits: Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
Donated By: The Supporters of Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
Restrictions: DATE SPECIFIC August 22-29, 2015, 450 Euro credit to Ristorante Terrazza.



Sorrento is a lively town known for its cafés, lemon trees, and history. The area has been a must-see destination on grand European tours for generations. Naturally, when the Count de Mario Caracciolo, the last descendant of a prestigious Neapolitan family was seeking the perfect place to call home he chose this villa – known as “the jewel” or il gioiello, of Sorrento. The 4,845 sq. ft. home is filled with his collection of antiques and treasures and is designed over several levels, offering plenty of room for you and your guests. Enjoy the beach, just a one-minute walk away, or lounge poolside, on the large private terrace.
With five double bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, Villa Il Gioiello comfortably accommodates four couples. An onsite villa manager offers a wealth of local knowledge on Sorrento restaurants and excursions, and three hours of daily maid service are also included, as well as a private, in-home chef.
For those seeking a villa in the heart of Sorrento, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting than Villa Il Gioiello. Just a few minutes walk will bring you to the nearest restaurants. The nearest train station is within walking distance, providing convenient access to the rest of the Amalfi Coast, while outdoor parking is also available on this gated property.
You can’t visit Italy without taking a wine tour, so this trip includes two winery visits and tastings, lunch at one, and a stop in a charming village, all with private transportation. Enjoy lunch or dinner at La Sirenuse’s Restaurant La Sponda in Postiano, lit by 400 candles, with local, fresh ingredients for the Mediterranean cuisine.

Virtual Tour of Villa Il Gioiello:
http://www.luxuryretreats.com/destinations/europe/italy/amalfi-coast/sorrento/villa-il-gioiello-110420

This lot benefits: Pathways for Change
Donated By: The Supporters of Pathways for Change
Restrictions: DATE SPECIFIC September 26-October 3, 2015. $500 credit towards La Sponda.

Wine lovers will find much to appreciate at Villa Montepulciano. Located on an estate that still produces boutique wines and olive oils, the villa offers guests the chance to taste wines grown just outside. Six bedrooms, divided between a main house and guest cottage, offer more than enough space for this trip for 10, and rustic decor and panoramic views of the countryside are constant reminders you’re in the middle of Tuscany.
Built in the 1850s, the villa was recently restored in a way that respects its rustic past but provides modern comfort. A stay at Villa Montepulciano offers guests the chance to try local specialties from fruit to wine and olive oil. Sample produce from the orchard, enjoy a welcome basket of breakfast treats and taste wine with the villa’s owner, a sommelier. Create your own specialties on the outdoor barbecue and serve them on the outdoor dining table. Relax on the loungers around the pool or on the portico’s bench swing, and don’t forget to post vacation photos via the villa’s Wi-Fi.
Enjoy dinner prepared by your private chef, a private wine tasting in the Villa with a Vineyard Tour, as well as a private tour, wine tasting and lunch at Fattoria dei Barbi. Still Thirsty? Enjoy a Private Wine Tasting at Enoteca La Fortezza, in Montalcino, within a 17th century fort with fantastic views of Montalcino and surrounding countryside.

Virtual Tour of Villa Montepulciano:
http://www.luxuryretreats.com/destinations/europe/italy/tuscany/montepulciano-area/villa-montepulciano-111623

Donated By: Supporters in of the Emerald Coast Autism Center
Restrictions: DATE SPECIFIC September 5-12, 1015