Where to go on holiday in March 2023 - Condé Nast Traveller

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Temperature: 19°C high; 13°C low Season: spring Travel time from UK: 2 hours 35 minutes Time difference: GMT +1 Nothing brings a spring to the step quite like the sight of Italy's glorious Amalfi coast. Particularly in March, when its vertiginous twists are bathed in a daily average eight hours of sun. Cliffs plunge into the Tyrrhenian Sea, topped with grand palazzos and smart hotels. Narrow, Roman lanes are stuffed with limoncello stalls flogging the boozy spoils of Sorrento's famous fruit. Its snoozy air and pastel-coloured houses are pure Italian cinema: you might even swear you've seen a young Sophia Loren looking impossibly saucy by the quay. Do as the Italians do and spend the lazy, romantic days enjoying a long aperitivo . Don't miss fresh fritto misto at Marina Grande, the town's old fishing harbour, or Michelin-starred Il Buco in the cellars of an old monastery, where chef Peppe Aversa serves seasonal ingredients under a stone-hewn, vaulted ceiling. Th...

7 Surprising Expenses That Always Come Up When Renovating a Kitchen - PureWow

surprising kitchen renovation expenses sink

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1. Special Plumbing for Farmhouse Sinks

Farmhouse sinks are beloved for their deep basins, but that feature can also present a challenge. "Many design professionals don't realize that those fixtures need specialized plumbing and fitting, since they take up more room underneath the sink," says Matt O'Rourke, president of national plumbing, sewer and drain repair company Z Plumberz. If you're consulting with a designer or architect on your remodel, it's worth bringing in a plumber to review the plans, so you have a clearer picture of what work needs to be done to achieve the look you want. (O'Rourke recommends budgeting $1,000 to $3,000 for kitchen plumbing in general, just to be safe.)

2. Delivery Fees

In the Amazon era, doesn't everything come with free, two-day shipping? Hah. You'll often have to pay a fee to have large, heavy items delivered to your home. Some companies, such as Best Buy and Home Depot, offer free delivery if the item costs over a certain amount (typically about $400). That said, you'll want to know exactly what that delivery entails—it may mean they'll unload it at your property, but they won't bring it inside or up your front porch steps.

On top of that, if you need someone to install it, expect to spend another $120 to $130 per appliance, according to Thumbtack, a service that helps people hire local pros for home projects and repairs. It may not seem like much…until you start adding up everything you're shipping to your house.

3. Power for the Garbage Disposal

All too often, it isn't until a garbage disposal is about to be installed that Z Plumberz gets a call: Um, can somebody help us power this thing?! "We're often brought in because the electrical supply is overlooked," O'Rourke explains. Installing a new switch and wiring will set you back about $90, though that can vary, depending on how much labor is involved, according to HomeAdvisor.

4. Builder's Risk Insurance

Before you hire a contractor, it's worth finding out whether they plan on buying a Builder's Risk Policy. It helps protect your home if it's damaged due to fire, theft or serious weather conditions, and it's a cost most homeowners don't consider, says David Steckel, Thumbtack Home Expert. Typically, general contractors or developers pay for this insurance, but if it's not, you may want to look into buying it yourself. This often costs about $95 per month while your remodel takes place.

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Where to go on holiday in March 2023 - Condé Nast Traveller