Customized Calabria Itineraries and Travel Planning
Posted on: Dec 7, 2009Whoa. Stop right there. Don’t hit that back button or double-check the url.
You are in the right place.
Welcome, friends and blog readers to the new My Bella Vita.
It has been a long road, through logo design, color choices, font options, column width and header size and seriously, it is enough to make a girl wrap herself into a fetal position and moan html, html, html until someone snaps her glazed-over eyes into focus and forces her up again.
I mean, I’m just saying … I didn’t do that. Well, maybe once.
But in the end my friends at Kaiz Agency came through and designed a new template we feel will highlight some of the changes we have in store for this website.
Oh yes, my friends … there are changes.
In addition to the funky new logo and what will soon be a photo slide show-small technical delay, slide show’s a comin’, few tweaks, no worries-I’m expanding products and services offered here.
We all know Calabria can be intimidating and a well-traveled Italophile once said, “Calabria is not for the faint-hearted.” But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t come. Calabria has beaches, mountains, ruins and religion, a unique cuisine, good wine and warm people and it is listed as an “Italian favorite” for many people who have visited.
But it is not easy to get around Calabria and researching the area can be tough.
The custom itineraries I offer will help with that.
Based on your preferences, I’ll create a custom itinerary, complete with hotel reservations, transfers, car rental and activities for each day of your trip. You can read more about that here.
For travelers who prefer to make their own reservations, but still need recommendations on which areas to visit, what activities to book or which city or location is the best base for their southern Italy vacation, Travel Consulting is the way to go. You can read more about that here.
Tips Booklets
I recently completed my very first tips booklet, “Don’t Get Stuck With Dirty Drawers … and 64 other tips for traveling in Calabria.” More information will be available soon.
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Prizes and Fun Stuff
In conjunction with this week’s relaunch, I’ve joined forces with other Italophiles around the world to bring you some great prizes.
Check back this week to enter new drawings for prizes such as free nights at a bed and breakfast in Catanzaro, free itinerary planning and free Italy photos!
Today’s prize: A premium subscription to ItalianPod101, the award-winning website that was featured on Newsweek, PC Magazine and right here … at My Bella Vita.
All you have to do is leave a comment on *this* post between Monday, December 7 and Sunday, December 13. Winner will be announced on Monday, December 14.
In bocca al lupo!
Hey Cherrye, the new look is fabulous and you’re a great Calabria cheerleader!!!! in bocca al lupo!!!
Ah, thanks! I do love it here, ya know?
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I love the new look! It’s fantastic!
Thanks, Sonia!
.-= Sonia P.´s last blog ..It REALLY is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!! =-.
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Congratulations on your new look! I have checked out the Italian Pod 101 site and would love to have a chance to learn Italian. It is my goal to spend much time (perhaps relocate) to my ancient homeland someday and learning the language would be a big help! Ciao! (one of five Italian words that I know, see how desperately I need the language help?!)
In bocca al lupo! (an expression that means good luck!)
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Congrats!! The new design looks great!! You are a wonderful promoter of Calabria and I can’t wait to see what you have in store!!
Thanks, Lulu!
.-= LuLu´s last blog ..Basilica di San Nicola in Bari =-.
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Looks great!
Thank you, Sara. See you soon. Have a great trip down.
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Ciao Cherrye!! Love love love the new website! I’m off to poke around and explore the new pages. Congrats on the new design!!
Still tweakin’ bits and pieces, Laura. Don’t judge!
.-= Laura from Ciao Amalfi´s last blog ..Sunday Shout-out: Keeping Time =-.
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Cherrye-I love the new look-so much to look at and check out. And to learn about Calabria……..
There is SO MUCH to know about Calabria. I’m still studying, too.
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I love the new design. It looks great and is easier to navigate. Complimenti
x
A
That’s what I was hoping to hear! Grazie.
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Looks like everyone is doing a bit of early spring cleaning! Beautiful new site, Cherrye. The colors really make me think of southern Italy, too – olive, sultry red, and ochre. Lovely!
Thanks, Melanie. The color choices too me for-e-ver!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Perugia in the Spotlight =-.
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Love it…… best of luck my friend with this new look……
xx
Thanks, Jen!
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Looks like you’ve spiced up your site. Nothing reminds me of Calabria more than Peperoncini (and maybe olives and chestnuts but they are seasonal). Love it!
Thank you!! I had to tell my mom about them. She thought “Mexico!” ha
.-= Scintilla´s last blog ..Positano gardens. =-.
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Love the new, fresh look! It’s nice to change things up every now and then isn’t? Love the peperoncini!
I do, too. Kinda make you hungry, don’t they?
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I love the new design and look forward to all the new changes that are coming.
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/ggirl2
Here there. Just fished you out of Spam. Thanks for the comment!
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Congratulations on your new effort. I think it’s great that you will be offering your expertise in this way, doing consulting, custom planning, etc. You’ll be worth every penny! In bocca al lupo to YOU.
Thank you for the vote of confidence, Kim! I appreciate it!
.-= Kim B.´s last blog ..Why My Brother Doesn’t (or shouldn’t) Have a Blog =-.
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I love the new design and look forward to seeing all the new changes. I enjoy being able to navigate better.
Thanks!
.-= Suzette´s last blog ..Random Kindness from Moldovans =-.
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Aloha Cherrye,
Wow, Wow! The site is beautiful and certainly needed. As you have said, there is not much available about Calabria so you will be providing a great service. Mahalo!
Thanks, Judy. Wanna hear something funny? I heard of a friend who went to Sersale last week. I told you I’d hear of it all of the place now!
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Let me bore you, Cherrye….I, too, love the new look! Usually, when a blog I read gets a makeover, it takes a while for it to grow on me, but this is just awesome!
The integration of your blog and Il Cedro, plus highlighting services you can offer in our bella Calabria is ingenious.
Gotta do some more poking around to really appreciate the new look and feel.
Good luck and continued success!
WHAT? Bore me with compliments? No way!
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Wow, you’ve got so many options for us on this new website. Congratulations on the new look.
Thank you, Linda!
.-= Ciaochowlinda´s last blog ..Chocolate Biscotti =-.
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This page has really come a long way the past 4 (or is it 5? or 6? years). Did you do any of the design?
I did the logo!
Yes, I am proud. he he
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Love the new look. Having categories at the top is great. I am always sending people here to read your travel tips because they are so on the mark.
Wow, thanks, Martha. I appreciate that.
.-= Martha´s last blog ..Thanksgiving =-.
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Great layout. I’ve been contemplating how to get this type of remodel myself. Very nicely done. The Italian Pod subscription is nice incentive as well. I’m sure you will do very well with your travel consulting as I am sure it is a welcome addition to your area. In bocca al lupo.
Thanks, Marla. If you want a name, I highly recommend Zazel at Kaiz Wed Design.
.-= Marla´s last blog ..Euro Gusto 09- Tours, France =-.
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Congratulations, Cherrye! Beautiful, navigable site, loaded with information and sage advice. Now it’s my turn to get going on the planned complete re-do of my sites–hope to be done by February.
Italian Pod 101 is a fantastic tool for anyone wanting to begin learning Italian or maintaining their facility with the language.
I’m moving to the East coast this month and will keep in touch.
Great site!!
Oh, good luck with your move, Paula and in bocca al lupo with your new site!
.-= Paula Russell´s last blog ..Nan McElroy’s Venice =-.
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Lovely new site! I’ve been a faithful reader for many many months now and thank you thank you for helping feed my Italy obsession. I’ve learned so many great things from your blog!
I started learning Italian a few months ago, partially in prep for an upcoming trip in March, partially to speak more with my mother-in-law, partially because I’m writing a book about ancient Rome and I’m fascinated with the culture, but mostly because I’ve discovered that I enjoy it!
I also want to point out that it’s especially wonderful that the biggest word in your tag cloud is “nutella.”
Hi there! Thanks for commenting. I can’t wait to hear more about your book. Ancient Rome (Italy, in general) is fascinating. And the big “Nutella” is funny, but it isn’t my tags … it what people are searching for! lol
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Congrats! It looks great. I think it’s really time I plan a visit down to Calabria… maybe next summer!
Thanks, Sheryl. And I agree-come on down!
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Great new look! Might be picking your brain in the next 6 months or so – looking at going back to Italy for a long vacation.
Feel free. “Long vacation” sounds nice!
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Cherrye, This is a super compilation of all your efforts! It inspires me to get back on track with my goals for my small business venture – email marketing. I have enjoyed traveling so much this year with Chris that I need to make it all work together. Thanks to the MBV Features section, I have found your link to Almost Fearless, which, I really look forward to checking out too.
Pat yourself on the back for some Great work!
Thanks, Jill, that is so nice of you to say. I know you enjoy reading AlmostFearless-it is a fabulous site! In bocca al lupo!
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