83 woman this month | November 2011 | The low-down: Italian culture would have a lot of gaping holes in it if olives ceased to exist. Help Umbrian farmers take in the harvest this November and enjoy the fruit of your labour. Spend fabulous cooking holidays at a country farm. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, olive trees, and Etruscan and Medieval history; a unique culinary adventure awaits you. X-factor: Umbria offers hands-on cooking classes, winery and gourmet tours, excursions to artisan chocolateries, olive-oil producers and remote villages, and the odd spot of truffle hunting. This village is your key to understanding the passion that goes into Italian cuisine and it is perfect for ultimate relaxation in their luxurious gardens. Best for: True epicureans and art connoisseurs. Another great reason to check out Umbria is their night sky. The area is also close enough to make a dash to Florence or Rome. Be sure to be back in your rural idyll for sunset and the evening light show. It can be dazzling, especially for those who live in a city. The low-down: It was wrecked by the risk of hurricanes for half of the year, but the Sunshine State has shaken it all off and kicked into gear this month. Florida is a place that captures the imagination with the vision of a seaside paradise. The shimmering, ever-shifting landscape never fails to overwhelm, working its way under your skin, demanding to be remembered. X-factor: While you’re here, take a trip to the Everglades national park — the only one preserved, not only for its stunning beauty, but for its ecological importance. Dating back to prehistoric times and founded as a park in 1947, it is considered endangered. It’s hard to stay away from the Florida Keys. Indulge in the alluring jade-green waters, laid-back island lifestyle and pleasant days out fishing. Best for: The hydrophilic. Go for the beaches and Mickey Mouse. Go for the people, the nightlife and the kayaking. Florida is always stranger than you imagine, never holding still. No two visits are ever alike. Umbria, Italy Miami, USA
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