Start A Major Car Rental Company [Accidentally]

My good friend Dick [first names only] had a great eye for opportunity and he convinced me to join him at a car rental company where he was General Manager. He assured me that the company was in it’s last throes and there was an excellent chance that we could negotiate for the assets if it went into bankruptcy.

That’s exactly what happened and on July 1, 1967 we were owners of Capital Rent A Car, Inc. 1st National Bank of Fort Lauderdale handed us the 88 cars they held title to plus $20,000 initial working capital and a two month moratorium on the payment of the cars. Of course the cars were not worth anywhere near the money owed on them and we didn’t have two dimes to rub together. But with no other opportunity we jumped in.

During the next seven years we only were able to make cash decisions, never a business decision. Problem was we were always short on the cash side. We grew because we were aggressive and innovative but always cash short. To stay alive during the next seven years we asked for and received moratoriums and we kited checks which we always made good.

We were doing business with major lenders, GMAC, Ford Motor Credit, Chrysler and about 4 or 5 local banks. They were all cooperative recognizing that we were two nice stupid boys who were sincere but unfortunately inept. However there was one company that we did not fool around with. That was Harry who had a small local car leasing business. We figured that all of our lenders were in business to lend money. Not Harry, he was in business to make a living. Although Harry did have a major, 75 or 80%, well healed partner Harry always got paid on time and without knowing it that paid dividends.

1973 came and brought Arab/Israeli the Yom Kippur war plus higher gasoline prices and a gasoline embargo the following spring. Our business model was to offer the right size car which translated means no sub compacts and heavy on the mid-size and full-size cars. Consequently after the 73-74 winter season we could not dispose of unnecessary inventory. With higher gas prices and gas shortages car wholesalers wanted to buy fuel efficient sub-compacts and maybe a few compacts. Mid-size and full-size cars were in essence, sales proof. What was offered for the larger cars was not sufficient to pay off the loans and obtain the titles. And we didn’t have the cash to buy the titles so we ended up looking at unnecessary cars.

In May surrounded by this rusting fleet we thought about the future, mainly August 20th. In Florida, back in 1974, all rental cars had to have the next year’s tags purchased by that date. We were looking at $20,000 and that was all we could do is look. With bankruptcy staring us in the face we were thinking about our alternatives.

That’s when Harry came to mind. He said he always wanted to be in the daily car rental business. Leasing cars was fine but we were in the exciting part of the business. He didn’t say it once, he must of said it a dozen times. Well, we could help him.

Fortunately Harry never knew of our financial difficulties and that we had more cars than we could rent. So it was not unusual for us to lease 400 Dodge Darts delivered in June for our summer season. In July after the cars were delivered we gave Harry the news. We didn’t have the cash to license the cars and our only alternative was filing bankruptcy. As expected Harry, an Hungarian immigrant with a temper, exploded. We reminded him that he always wanted to be in the car rental business. He needed to speak to his majority partner. Our building leases could be negotiated, the utilities would have to be paid and Southern Bell would let him keep the phone numbers if their bills were paid. And Dick and I would be happy to work for the new corporation and provide our expertise [?].

And that is exactly what happened. Dick and I filed for corporate and personal bankruptcy. The new company opened their doors on September 1, 1974 in our five locations, Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm. John had his accountant act as president until Mike was hired as president in 1976. Mike had rights of first refusal should John ever want to sell the company.

The name of Harry’s leasing company was Alamo Leasing. Logically the name of the car rental company became Alamo Rent A Car, a major car rental company. But that is not the rest of the story. Every thing worked out well, very well for the players.

To finish the story you should know that the majority partner John, was John D. MacArthur of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Trust Foundation.

John passed away in the fall of 1977 and Mike with a group of 8 other people bought the business from the Trustees in 1978. Don’t know the price but I am sure the trustees did not say, “we’ll take a write-off.” Mike eventually, to my knowledge, was the remaining stockholder and sold the company for a substantial sum, hundreds of millions, during the late 90s.

Harry received about $250,000 for his 20 or 25% share of the company. Can you believe he started a car rental company about 1992 and named it Capital Rent A Car. When I questioned the wisdom of that he said that the name was unlucky for me but lucky for him. I am not so sure, he died a few years later before Capital moved to the next level.

As for me, when people asked what did I do when I went bankrupt, I told them that I stopped scratching.

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San Diego Inside and Out

With its year-round tropical climate, San Diego, California, is one of the most popular vacation spots for tourists around the globe. From sailing and hiking to surfing and skiing, the city offers a plethora of activities. What’s more is that San Diego is a hop, skip and a jump away from Tijuana—an exciting alternative to California living.

San Diego is comprised of several communities all offering a unique personality. Deemed an official U.S. naval city, San Diego is home to thousands of military personnel. In fact, one third of the U.S. Naval Pacific Fleet is stationed in San Diego Bay. The city’s abundant access to water makes it an ideal location for our country’s seamen. San Diego is a hub for recreational sailors, too.

Seaport Village is home to several luxury yachts as well as a wide variety of charter services. Spend a day at sea whale watching or just kick back and enjoy San Diego’s beautiful coastline.

Head to what is considered North County and pay a visit to the Del Mar Fairgrounds. From mid-July to early September, the fairgrounds are converted into the legendary Del Mar Racetrack. The horseracing venue once served as a stomping ground for some of the world’s most influential entertainers such as Jimmy Durante, Ava Gardner, Pat O’Brien, and of course the legendary Seabiscuit. Another notable, Bing Crosby, not only frequented the track, but founded it in 1937.

Crosby is the voice behind the famous “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” anthem. Opening day draws massive crowds, all adorned in the finest fashions and many participating in the infamous “Big Hat Day” festivities. With plenty of grandstand boxes available, a vast amount of local eateries and private clubs, the Del Mar Racetrack is the place to see-and be-seen.

In the heart of the city you will find Mission Valley—a central haven for some of San Diego’s best shopping. The outdoor Fashion Valley Mall features designer boutiques as well as premiere department store giants including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. Just one exit away is Qualcomm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego’s downtown Gaslamp District boasts plenty of boutiques, top-notch restaurants, five-star luxury hotels, and a whole street lined with some of the city’s most popular nightclubs. A newer addition to the downtown area is the state-of-the-art San Diego Padre’s stadium, Petco Park. The Gaslamp District caters to the swarms of tourists by offering activities such as sight-seeing charter buses, pedicabs and horse-drawn carriage rides.

And with the city’s trolley system in place the perils of parking are easily avoided. Luxury hotels in San Diego include the Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hotel Solamar, Horton Grand Hotel, The Omni, The Westin Horton Plaza, The W San Diego, the Hard Rock Hotel, the Westgate Hotel, and more. Take a closer look at luxury hotels in San Diego.

Experience California’s history while strolling through Old Town San Diego. As the first European settlement in what is now California, Old Town has been dubbed the state’s birthplace. The cultural landmark- home to the first California mission showcases Spanish history through its Bazaar del Mundo. Another popular attraction is the oh-so-creepy Whaley house, which offers insight into what some people call Haunted San Diego.

When people think of San Diego the thought of bikini-clad beaches is often what first enters their heads. San Diego has earned this reputation for good reason as its coastline offers some of California’s best natural beaches. There are plenty of beach communities that seem to cater to every stereotype out there.

First off, there is the overcrowded (but fabulous) Pacific Beach, which offers party-goers a wide variety of hotspots all within walking distance from each other. Travel a little south and you will hit Mission Beach, which offers all the perks of P.B. with the added luxury of Belmont Park. Keep heading south and you will end up in Ocean Beach, a small community filled with vintage shops, dive bars, and some wonderful undiscovered little cafes and restaurants.
San Diego Bay is yet another popular destination, known mainly for its ample water-sports.

And with neighboring mountain ranges in close proximity, San Diego is ideal for avid skiers and snowboarders alike. The kiddos will enjoy the famous San Diego Zoo, Wildlife Park, and Legoland. And adults will find a playground of their own as the county also offers several Indian gaming sites, casinos and luxury resorts.

With so many well-traveled attractions and tourist destinations, San Diego has experienced rapid growth. This means that those looking for investment opportunities will find a surplus of resources in its flourishing market. Some of San Diego’s most prime real estate is located in the coastal community of La Jolla, as well as in the high-rising downtown condominiums and lofts.

The Wine Regions of Italy

It certainly is no big secret that more wine is produced in Italy than any other country in the world. Truth is in Italy’s wine regions it’s making has been raised to the level of an art form. An art that has been passed down from generation to generation and throughout many decades. Wine making thrives in Italy because it’s climate allows for the growing of a large variety of grapes. More so than any other region in the world.

The majority of this production is done in the world famous region of Tuscany. Tuscany can be found right in the center of Italy. The famous fashion capital Milan is far to the north, near the borders of France and Switzerland, while Rome is a little to the south. Tuscany is a jewel set between the Tyrrhenian Sea on the west and the Apennines mountain range on the east. It consists of ten provinces, one of which is Pisa. A city famous for it’s Leaning Tower. The capital city is Florence.

The wine history in Tuscany is just as historic as Italy’s architecture and art. A history that extends as far back as the beginning of time.

Everybody has heard of the well-known wines such as Chianti from Tuscany, Valpolicella and Soave, but what about the marvelous Rondinella, Malvasia and Sangiovese? These are marvelous wines, and the little known Malvasia is superb. There are more different types of vine grown in Italy than any other country, and Italy can truly be awarded the accolade of wine growing country of the world. The French, Germans and all of the New World Australian and American wine producing areas pale into insignificance when compared to Italy. At least for volume.

This geography provides every type of climate possible for growing grapes, and the cold loving vines and those larger and juicier grapes that prefer more heat are all well catered for. It never gets too dry, and never gets too wet. Were you to personally design a country and climate ideal for growing just about every variety of grapes, you would end up with Italy.

Experience the Serenity of Tropical Paradise

Tahitian islands, officially the French Polynesia, are an archipelago of 118 islands, sprawling over more than four million square kilometers. These islands are categorized into five island groups: the Society Islands, Astral Islands, Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu Atolls and the Gambier Islands.

Tahiti and its island are considered a tropical paradise, and many honeymooners and lovers from across the world claim it as one of the most romantic destinations on the planet. Each of the Tahitian Islands boasts of a great number of scenic attractions, covering beautiful lagoons, extensive sparkling blue sea, incredible pearls, vanilla plantations, and isolated tranquil beaches.

Perhaps the most romantic among the Tahitian islands is Bora Bora, noted for its lush green areas, crystal clear water, exotic marine life, and traditional dances. It is regarded as a great venue to conduct weddings as well as to renew marriage vows and celebrate honeymoons. A specialty of this island is that many ancient Polynesian traditions are still firm here.

The largest of the French Polynesian Islands, Tahiti in Society Islands is another popular destination for a memorable Tahitian vacation. Tahiti offers a myriad of options for tourists visiting here. Apart from its awesome lagoons coupled with unique marine life, Tahiti has a good number of art galleries, museums, and botanical gardens. A walking tour through Pepeete, the capital of Tahiti would be a great experience. Above all, don’t miss to check out the unique collection of black pearls, which can be found only in Tahiti.

Also, a great destination in Tahiti is Huahine, an astounding place blessed with tropical rain forest, awe-inspiring lagoons, beautiful waterfalls, misty mountains, and stunning ocean views. No wonder why Huahine is often referred to as the ‘Garden of Eden.’

For a memorable traditional style wedding, probably the best destination would be Moorea with its Tiki Cultural Village, offering three distinct packages for an unforgettable wedding, such as, the princess wedding, the royal wedding, and the royal deluxe wedding. Aforesaid are just few among many of the awe-inspiring island destinations in French Polynesia.

With its lucid green lagoons and isolated tranquil beaches, Tahitian islands are truly a haven for water sports lover. For instance, if you are an adventurer, go for such activities as deep sea fishing or scuba diving, which allows you to swim along with beautiful as well as unique marine creatures such as dolphins, manta rays, and schools of baccarats. If you are looking for fun filled activities, then choose activities including canoeing, sailing, wind surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, and snorkeling. Again if you are looking for something unique, then go on for a ray or shark feeding expedition, where you can see hungry sharks and rays being hand-fed by an expert guide.

However, Tahitian islands not only provide opportunities for water activities but also for an array of land activities. Take a roadside tour, enjoy a picnic on a private motu, go on for a helicopter tour, visit interesting Marae temples, take a tour to arts and crafts villages, or just get pampered or indulged in a world-class spa treatment – choices are truly endless! Further, some better options are available for land adventurers in the form of 4X4 Safari tours, hiking, and climbing, all of which are a great way to discover the serenity of the region.

Located just a five-hour flight from Hawaii, Tahitian islands are frequented by tourists from across the globe year-round. Many people including celebrities have chosen this destination as a venue to conduct their weddings in a traditional style. Accommodation is simply superb in Tahiti, with more than 50 hotels providing over 5000 rooms. There are lodging choices to suit every preference and budget.

For well-heeled and luxury lovers, Tahitian hotels and resorts boast of a variety of accommodation options ranging from top-end suites and guest rooms to deluxe rooms with ocean views. All of these are replete with most sophisticated features. In addition, many of them come with one or more restaurants to serve you with scrumptious dishes, wines, and other beverages. Some upscale hotels offer great value packages such as honeymoon packages, wedding packages, and packages covering facilities to enjoy some of the interesting activities in the area.

Much favored accommodation choice among newly weds and honeymooners is over-water bungalows perched over serene lagoon water filled with tropical fish. Living in this traditional style thatched bungalows attached with high-end facilities is really a great experience. For beach lovers seeking privacy, a great option is beach bungalows, which are within close proximity to the finest beaches. Likewise, for those seeking privacy but at the same time looking for less expensive option, garden bungalows would be the most perfect choice.

No matter if all of the aforesaid accommodation options are not of your choice or budget, then you have better options available in the form of family pensions and private homes, staying in which is a charming way to explore the beauty as well as culture of Tahitian islands on a low budget. Mostly, these accommodation choices complete with almost everything that are required for an enjoyable Tahiti vacation.

Bungee Jumping in South Africa

Preparing for a bungee jump includes ridding your pockets of all loose objects, tying your shoelaces properly and tucking the laces back neatly, having a giant elastic band fastened to your ankles and numerous counts of deep breaths. It may sound like a death trap but it is said that many jumpers become addicted to the intense adrenalin rush that overcomes you when you take the leap; the leap of faith that everybody should attempt at least once.

What’s it all about?

Bungee jumping is one of the world’s premier extreme sports which involve jumping off a high point, usually a bridge, with an elastic rope and harness secured either to the ankles or waist. The fun starts when the jumper leaps over the edge; the bungee cord stretches to its maximum length and as it snaps back the jumper is shot upwards again. As the energy of the elastic rope is dissipated the jumper is shot back and forth in a bouncing motion until the jumper is safely lowered to the ground.

Bungee locations in South Africa

South Africa is an ideal holiday location for adventure sport enthusiasts across the globe as it is home to not one of, but the tallest bungee jump in the world. The Bloukrans Bridge near Plettenberg Bay measures 216 meters and currently holds the official title in the Guinness Book of World Records as being the highest place that you can bungee from.

But bungee jumping is not the only way to experience the addictive adrenalin rush at the Bloukrans Bridge. Because the region has become a real tourist hub for anyone who passes through South Africa, a milder, less scary addition has been added to the Bloukrans menu: the Flying Fox. The Flying Fox was designed for families and the individual who’s not really amped yet for the big air drive.
The Flying Fox (known to the locals as a “Foofy Slide”) works like this: You will travel along a 200 meter cable slide secured by a harness all along the archway of the bridge. The Flying Fox is an adventure on its own though it is also used by the very daring as a “warm-up” to the bungee jump.

There is of course a little something for the faint-hearted, to keep you entertained as well. The Bloukrans hosts a live bungee show where the public can observe as the daring take their leap of faith. Seeing the jumpers’ bodies being catapulted through the air and hanging down so many feet off the ground is enough of a thrill for anyone who cannot muster up the courage to jump.

There are many other bungee jumping spots in South Africa, including the Gouritz River Bridge near Mossel Bay, and further north of the border, the bridge over the Zambezi River in between Zambia and Zimbabwe. And other variations of bungee jumping include bridge swinging, the “catapult”, which is in essence a reverse bungee: the cord is pulled down and the jumper is shot upwards!

The Gouritz Bridge bungee jump is equally exhilarating as the Bloukrans, though not as daunting. However all things are relatively equal when you’re plunging off a bridge. You exit the platform over 65 meters with your elastic band secured safely to your ankles and as you leap, feel the forces of gravity pulling you closer to the riverbed. Nowhere in the world would you get to view the river from this angle again. The Gouritz Bridge bungee is an excellent taster to bungee jumping and makes for great training ground when you make the ultimate jump at the Bloukrans Bridge.

Bungee jumping started ages ago as a tribal ritual for young boys to enter manhood. For most people staring down the edge of a 216 meter bridge can be plenty intimidating. Although there is much controversy about the safety level of bungee jumping, South Africa has world class bungee equipment that is designed to protect the jumper while taking the plunge.

Apart from the equipment we have experienced and trained bungee trainers at every bungee jumping location to make sure that every safety precaution is taken. So the next time you’re in the mood for something extra-ordinary, do yourself a favour and get down to one of South Africa’s world class bungee jumping locations for an adrenalin rush like no other.

When East Goes South

If there’s one thing guaranteed to boost holiday sales, it’s the weather. And in Britain’s case they not only had a summer of floods but a cold windy winter too, and it’s being reflected in a bumper time for holiday companies taking early summer bookings and winter sunshine holidays too.

Airports across the UK are reporting record numbers of passengers, and East Midlands Airport, a fast growing regional airport serving Nottinghamshire, Rutland and Leicestershire, is no exception.

Passengers numbers were up by over an impressive twelve per cent between Christmas Eve and January 2 compared to the same tme a year ago, with not just holiday makres jetting off to the sun but with cheap airlines offering good deals increasing numbers of families visiting loved ones for the festive period.

Included in the destinations travelled to are the Caribbean, with some holiday makers flying to take a cruise, the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca on the Spanish mainland, and the Canary island of Tenerife which has weather hovering around the 70 degree farenheit level at Christmas and New Year.

One new route proving popular from the East Midlands is Innsbruck in Austria, for ski holidays.

Skiing is to Innsbruck as tennis is to Wimbledon and it’s because of this that British ski enthusiasts seek regular flights there. Economical flights are even better and ski fans are getting their choice as more flights run to and from this natural wonder in western Austria, with the East Midlands being the latest addition.

Starting in December 2007 there will be budget flights six days a week from London Gatwick Airport to Innsbruck. This weekly schedule will accommodate Britons who want inexpensive travel to a locale that lives and breathes skiing.

Innsbruck is located in the federal state of Tyrol. Located in the Inn Valley between high mountains, it is ideally suited to winter activities and skiing in particular. The name Innsbruck means “the bridge over the Inn”.

Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice: in 1964 and 1976. It has also hosted the Winter Paralympics: in 1984 and 1988. It is a testament to its challenging world-class courses that it has had the honour of hosting these events. Of course, there’s also the breathtaking panorama of this beautiful city and its surrounding slopes.

Innsbruck offers what skiers love and want in abundance: an average of 321 inches of snow falls there annually. It also offers scenic accommodations and European charm. A trip to Innsbruck in the winter can provide the exhilaration of sport combined with the tranquility of nature.

Innsbruck has a population of over 117,000 in an area of roughly 105 square kilometers. It’s an area rich in winter sports activities other than skiing, with snow boarding and snowshoeing viable activities. Even winter hiking along its scenic trails is an option. Ski wise, aside from its more difficult runs, it is also popular for its courses that cater to the novice and intermediate skier. Ski-jumping facilities are also present for those training in this daring sport or hoping to venture into this type of activity.

It also has numerous trails for cross-country skiing. Trails lead from the city to the outlying villages and countryside. A popular run for Nordic enthusiasts is the Buchen Loop that runs below the mountains and leads to a plateau that overlooks the Inn Valley.

For those East Midlanders prefering a relaxing holiday in the sun, their choice of holiday destination seems to be Tenerife this winter.

Winter holiday makers returning from Tenerife will tell you it’s not just the climate that draws them – often in the 70’s farenheit while back home it’s around freezing point – but the first class resorts and hotels which make a winre holiday a perfect break. The island’s tourism is made up of nearly 50 per cent British visitors, of whom a third will return to Tenerife again.

Holiday in Costa Blanca

Costa Blanca is a Spanish coastline and has amazing tourism offering picture perfect tourist destinations, for a remarkable holiday. From Moorish villages or towns, stunning scenery, green valleys, lovely orchards or orange groves, wine valleys to great climate, Costa Blanca is a great destination for planning a real fun filled holiday.

Following are some of the places to visit when holidaying in Costa Blanca:

TerraMitica

For a great family holiday in Costa Blanca TerraMitica proves to be a perfect tourist destination, as the theme park is not just fun and exciting, but also the largest and major theme park on this Spanish coastline. Flight on phoenix, falls of Nile and many other shows as well as adventurous rides make TerraMitica a must to visit.

Aqualandia

Aqualandia is located near to Mundomar and is a beautiful water park for all the fun and family time, when holidaying in Costa Blanca. This tourist attraction offers amazing collection of pools and slides, a large garden and many more thrilling rides for an adventurous and awesome experience.

Guadalest

Guadalest is a famous stopover for many tourists and visitors holidaying in Costa Blanca. This town goes back to 715 and brings forward the touch of the ancient time, when moors stayed over. This town is a tourist destination in itself, as most of the people of the town dedicate themselves for boosting the tourism of their land. When visiting this Spanish coastline you can always take a tour of this gorgeous old town and enjoy their craft shops, gift shops and even the history rich museums.

Mundomar

This tourist destination of Costa Blanca is an interesting bird park and marine. The park has lot to offer, in terms of breathtaking marine life and variety of amazing animal collection. Many tourist and visitors when holidaying in Costa Blanca visit Mundomar for its remarkable sea lions and dolphin shows along with a tour of penguins and parrot.

Jalon

This wine valley has range of wine cellars to choose or pick from for your wine shopping or wine tasting. Tourist and visitors on a holiday in Costa Blanca must not miss this tourist destination. This Spanish coastline sees a heavy and busy Saturday on Jalon with biggest and most loved boot sale or Rastros.

Tabarca Island

Only occupied or populated island of this Spanish coastline, Tabarca has also been declared as a ‘Natural Marine Reserve’. Tourist and visitors can always make use of regular trips, which take place from mainland to this island. When on a holiday in Costa Blanca, you should always take some time to cherish this natural tourist destination and experience its sparkling clear and beautiful water for that clear view of underwater marine life, which is why many scuba diving lovers can anytime be seen at this island. Tabarca also has snorkeling, bars and great restaurants to choose from.

Best time to visit of holiday in Costa Blanca

Tourist and visitors are often found holidaying in Costa Blanca at the season when the temperature is reasonably well and is ranging 25-30 degree Celsius. Thus, the best time to holiday in Costa Blanca would be the months of April October.

A Quick Tour Of Italy – Turin, Piedmont

If you are looking for a European tourist destination, consider the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Depending on your interests, this beautiful area might be an ideal vacation spot. You can get classic Italian food, and wash it down with fine local wine. Some parts of Piedmont haven’t yet been discovered by tourists. This short article presents Turin, the capital and largest city of the Piedmont. A companion article presents the rest of the Piedmont region.

Piedmont means foot of the mountains, and that describes the area perfectly. Turin, in the center of Piedmont, is pretty well surrounded by hills and by mountains such as the Alps. The Piedmont climate is continental especially in the plains.

Turin’s population is slightly over nine hundred thousand. The 2006 Winter Olympics have put Turin on the tourist map. Turin, the center of Italy’s automobile manufacturing, is more than an industrial city.

This city was once a walled Roman military camp. The French House of Savoy ruled Piedmont for about five hundred years. Not surprisingly a lot of French influence remains. Turin was the first capital of the United Kingdom of Italy.

We begin our tour of Turin downtown. The Fifteenth Century St. John’s Cathedral chapel contained the famous Shroud of Turin. You can see a copy of this shroud near the Duomo’s altar. Other downtown churches include the Seventeenth Century San Lorenzo (St. Lawrence) and the twin baroque San Carlo and Santa Cristina Churches. Cross the Po River to see the Nineteenth Century Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio and the Sixteenth Century Church of St. Maria of the Mountain.

Italy’s Detroit is home to the Museo dell’Automobile (Automobile Museum). Its collection includes the first FIAT model, Bugattis, Ferraris, and actress Gloria Swanson’s Isotta Franchini from the movie Sunset Boulevard.

The Mole Antonelliana, the official emblem of the 2006 Winter Olympics, was once the world’s tallest brick structure. It houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema (National Cinema Museum) that includes a film library containing seven thousand films.

The Piedmont region is well known for all kinds of food, often with a French style. Grissini (Bread Sticks) were also invented in Turin. See our companion article I Love Touring Italy – Turin, Piedmont for a sample menu and more information on local wines as well as an in-depth examination of its tourist attractions. Piedmont wines include Barolo, felt by many to be Italy’s finest red wine, and Barbaresco.

Livigno, Italy: A Poor To Prosperous Ski Resort

This tax incentive was started in the later 1800s to keep people living here; and, of course, to help Italy keep an eye on its land and borders. Other Italian villages make complaints about these continued benefits given solely to Livigno. The tax incentive continues on today because of the poverty that dominated the region for centuries. Today’s inhabitants benefit mostly because of the hardships their grandparents faced.

These hardships didn’t stop at poverty back then either. Because of an altitude over 1800 meters, Livigno suffered inadequate supply shipments, snubbing by the Italian government, frostbiting cold and death-swallowing avalanches. The last one killed seven people, destroyed more than a dozen houses and left a chilling wake of snow cover until the spring thaw. In fact, the first papers documenting the area-from the Middle Ages-referred to Livigno as “vinea et vineola.” This actually translates from German to “Avalanche”-a seriously hard place to make a living.

The first people to come to Livigno were shepherds, poor migrants who toiled the land into something productive. Today, the sons and daughters of those shepherds enjoy a much easier way of life. Not only are more people bringing business and jobs, but also there are more economic opportunity and advancement. Neither Italy nor the EU rebuffs Livigno today. The area even has one of Italy’s highest birth rates, corroborating the census that life here is finally getting easier.

The Livigno resort itself is located a few meters over 1800 meters. The Akua Granda or Spol River passes through the area year round. Livigno is part of the Italian Alps, though Switzerland has some rights to the mountain as they are close by. If bargain hunters are looking for last minute deals in the Alps-with tax-free benefits to boot-Livigno may be the best place to search.

The ski area itself is best suited to beginner and intermediate level skiers, located right above the Valtellina alpine valley near Switzerland. The slopes are the long, wide-open type, allowing beginners to zoom downhill without the pressures of running into someone or something. A week or two here will make a beginner more confident in attempting other narrower and faster slopes elsewhere in the Alps. Plus, any number of the ski schools will show you the ropes for a few euros per session. If you wait until last minute, however, it may cost you a bit more.

The resort itself is part of the Alta Valtellina Ski Area. On one side of the valley, you’ll find Carosella and the Costaccia, while on the other, you’ll find the Mottolino ski area. You can buy a ski pass (either in advance or last minute) that will give you access to Bormio and Santa Caterina ski areas too. Many of the ski areas are above the resort proper, so it’ possible to ride to the top, ski down and have easy access to your hotel or accommodation without riding up again. With over 90 individual pistes and 110 km of runs, you’ll be lucky to find your way back without a guide or map.

Historically speaking, Livigno Italian ski resort was visited by only a few outsiders and mainly catered to an Italian crowd. Because of newfound fascination, Livigno receives foreigners from England, Austria, Germany, and even Canada, the USA and Brazil. The slopes are guaranteed snow crusted while the prices are assuredly cheaper than higher-brow ski resorts. With Swiss prices so close and other Alps resorts closer, Livigno makes just as much economic sense as somewhere closer to home. (Hint: There’s an airport two hours away. Getting here for a quick getaway is possible.)

The numbers tell why people are flocking to Livigno Italian ski resort, booking all-inclusive or last-minute packages. There are a total of 57 runs-six black, 25 blue and 26 red-plus kilometers of downhill pistes. If you like to get off the slopes, then you can try your skis at some 40 km of cross-country routes. There are over 30 lifts capable of transporting over 45,000 skiers and snowboarders per hour. The highest lift can take you to 3000 meters and with the lowest at 1800 meters-that’s a difference of 1200 meters-snow is assured (24 snow cannons provided)! The slopes face a southeast and northwest direction, giving sun and snow lovers the time of their lives.