Tag Archives: Italy

Castello del Nero. Tuscany.

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Castello del Nero is one of three amazing stops along Backroads’ six day adventure throughout the winding roads of Tuscany. It will likely be your first stop on the adventure, and it will set the tone for your Italian love affair over the next week.

A 12th Century castle that sits perched on 740 acres of land overlooking all that Tuscany has to offer, this hotel will be the absolute perfect reward to come home to after 20+ miles on the bike. With 50 guestrooms (and 18 suites included) you are certain to feel like a royal here. Choose a room in the main castle, or go for more privacy in a secluded farmhouse that sits just next to the castle.

You will be super excited to hit the pool shaded by lovely Italian trees after a long days work, so sit back, relax and enjoy a cocktail or two, poolside. If your muscles are aching from all that hardcore cycling (go you!) stop by the amazing on-site spa for an olive oil and pink clay head massage, or our very favorite, the Castello del Nero Relaxation Ritual.

You are sure to have worked up an appetite, too, and La Torre will give you the meal you earned. This Michelin star spot serves up the best in Italian fare – from yummy ham to added white truffle, everything on the menu is to die for. Try the scallops with walnut oil and white truffle, or the wild boar ragú paired with a local Chianti.

And if all of this is not enough, the view alone should make you swoon. Whether you are adventuring with Backroads or just looking for a spot under the Tuscan sun, Castello del Nero is absolutely perfect and not to be missed. Don’t expect to do too much venturing outside of the hotel – the surrounding town is a bit teeny, but we promise the hotel and the view more than make up for it.

 

Photos Courtesy of the Hotel

Le Sirenuse. Positano, Italy

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This beautiful and family-operated gem of a hotel is located in the breath-taking Amalfi Coast, Positano to be exact. Le Sirenuse opened in 1951, when the Marchesi Sersale turned their summerhouse into a charming Hotel, overlooking the bay.

Today Le Sirenuse has 58 rooms, furnished with all the comforts of a luxury hotel, while maintaining the atmosphere of a private home. No wonder why celebrities like Reese Witherspoon love staying here.

All 58 rooms, each one being very different from one another, are decorated with antique and contemporary furniture coming from Europe and the East, following the eclectic style, which is so characteristic of their charm. The bathrooms are made of marble and hand made tiles. All but two have a whirlpool bathtub, which is double size, but watch out! You might not be able to get out…

Their Michelin starred restaurant, La Sponda, is an unforgettable experience. Lit by four hundred candles, it creates the essence of romance and magic. The spa uses products by AVEDA to assure organic and hypoallergenic treatments. A must try spa treatment is the Le Sirenuse Signature Massage, it is especially great to help you sleep and recover form jetlag.

Their pool terrace is full of lemons trees and surrounded by flowers. Next to the pool is their famous Champagne & Oyster bar, can you say aphrodisiac! The best part about vacationing on the Amalfi coast is the access to the beautiful and warm turquoise waters. Explore the coast from the sea on one of the hotel’s boats or by renting a private boat.

There is so much to see and so much time, because in Positano time stops and it seems as if you could live there forever.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Palazzo Margherita. Bernalda, Italy

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My absolute favorite Hollywood director has opened the doors of yet another breathtaking property, a charming palazzo in Southern Italy.

Francis Ford Coppola created a dynasty in Hollywood, and now he is taking the hoteliers around the world by storm with his ever-growing hotel brand in Belize, Guatemala, Argentina, the U.S. and now in Italy.

Since the Godfather, Coppola’s desire to have an Italian villa was on the top of his list. The 19th century Palazzo Margherita Villa is located in the town of Bernalda, where Coppola’s grandfather was born. This enchanting corner in the real Italian country features magical gardens that set the tone for what will be your favorite getaway spot from now on.

When you set foot in the superb main salon for either tea, evening films or to just to read a good book, you will understand why I am dying for this to be my new home away from home.

The nine guest-rooms are nothing short of a tiny palace. Every detail is perfectly thought out; from the background music, to the fantastic food, everything is tailored to your preference. Oh, and did I mention they have cinema nights? The main salon is turned into a private screening room so guests can watch Coppola’s personal collection of more than 300 Italian films.

Suite nine and suite four are out of a Marie Antoinette movie decorated with pastel colors and jaw-dropping decor. The frescos and romantic fireplaces pair perfectly with a good local bottle of red wine, so coming with your better half is a must.

My favorite part of the palazzo is that their kitchen is always open, and meals are tailored to your preference. Guests can enjoy traditional Southern Italian cooking or a delicious casual meal served in the Cinecittà Bar, the Salon, or next to the swimming pool.

You can eat in the kitchen after your cooking class. The local chefs give daily, hands-on classes demonstrating how to prepare typical regional dishes.

At the front of the Palazzo, the Cinecittà Bar is a traditional cafe and pizzeria that spills out onto Bernalda’s main street and looks onto the town square. It is a perfect spot for people-watching, mingling with the local community and sipping their delicious Italian coffee.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Belmond Villa San Michele. Fiesole, Italy

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The former monastery built in the 15th century, is now an uber luxurious Orient Express hotel nestled on a hilltop amid lush trees, which allows unparalleled views of the vibrant city of Florence.

Every detail of the hotel was pure perfection; from the unmatched luxury and the superb alfresco dining to the warmer-than-your-grandmother service and exquisite architecture, your stay here will be equivalent to excellence.

The 46-guestrooms are exquisitly decorated with antique pieces that represent the history of the architecture, also the bathrooms are enormous with double vanities, shower, deep soaking tub. My favorite room was the hidden Junior Suite in the mountain, which offers the best view hands down.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

City Guide: 5 Days in Tuscany

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Gelaterias, thin crust pizzas, truffles, prosciutto platters, Chianti vino, creamy burrata and pasta carbonara, are a few reasons why I have made Tuscany my home away from home.

During a recent 5-day trip to Tuscany, I discovered the most enchanting off-the-beaten-path hotels and spectacular restaurants to add to my Italian repertoire. Therefore if you happen to be traveling to Italy any time soon, get ready for the itinerary of a lifetime. Also, check out the bottom of this article for our favorite looks for Tuscany and some of our fave pieces of clothing.

* Keep in mind that I changed hotels every day, in order to visit as many properties as possible. I suggest staying in each hotel 2 to 3 days.

Wednesday:

 

3:00pm Check-in to Portrait Suites Hotel in Rome. It is an elegant 14-suite hotel located in the heart of the fashion district, above the Ferragamo store and surrounded by Valentino, Versace, and Hermès. For another awesome hotel, click here.

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Another great place to stay in, is a full-serviced luxury apartment called Casa Manni. The striking decoration, fully equipped modern kitchen, and personal concierge will make you never want to leave the chic Roman lifestyle.

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If you are more of a Four Seasons/St Regis kind of travelers, try Hotel de Russie. This former Russian Embassy is perfect for travelers searching a true luxurious comfort.

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8:30pm If you are in the mood for Italian, try the delicious restaurant, La Pergola. It is a culinary experience with an unbeatable view of Rome.$$$$

Another one of my favorite spots is Il Pagliaccio. * The pasta with salt cod and chili is delightful. $$$$

Dal Bolognese is a great alternative from the first two restaurants, if you want a casual and scene-y atmosphere with great food. $$

Thursday:

 

10:00am Breakfast at Café Angelina, or should I say coffee and a pastry. $

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11:30am Drive (2.5 hours) or take the high-speed train (1.5 hours), Italiarail to Florence.

1:00pm Check-in to Villa La Massa. Built in the 16th century, it became the countryside manor to the Medici family. It was turned into a hotel in 1948, and since then it has received iconic names like Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor and Madonna.

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3:00pm Wine tour to the Chianti Classico Wine Region. The hotel can organize a private tasting.

8:00pm Dinner at Il Verrocchio Restaurant at Villa La Massa. $$$

Friday:

 

12:00pm Depart Villa La Massa and drive 15-minutes to Il Saviatino, also located in one of the hills surrounding Florence.

12:20pm Check-in to my favorite hotel in Florence, Il Salviatino Hotel. It is a gorgeous Italian villa set in the rolling hills of Florence. The best part is that it is only a short 10-minute shuttle ride from the city center, so you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city, but have the privacy of a hotel in the middle of Tuscany.

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2:00pm Lunch at Vini, it is the smallest and most enchanting trattoria I have ever been to in the heart of Florence. The food is simple and delicious. *Order the crostini, prosciutto and cheese platter.

8:00pm Dinner at Il Santo Bevitore for a modern Italian experience. This was the second best meal in Florence by far. Book a few weeks ahead! $$$

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10:00pm If you have not yet entered a food coma, enjoy a glass of vino at The Savoy. If you want more privacy, head back to Il Saviatino´s terrace for a drink.

Saturday:

 

12:00pm Check-out of Il Salviatino and drive 20-minutes to Fiesole. This picturesque town is located in a mountain near Florence.

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Check-in to Villa San Michele. The former monastery built in the 15th century, is now an Orient Express hotel. The experience is uber romantic and luxurious, which explains why they receive only a few privileged guests at a time.

1:00pm Lunch at the hotel´s restaurant, La Loggia. The views are breathtaking. *Order the simple potato and spinach dumplings with lobster sauce. $$$

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If you want a more casual lunch by the pool, the prosciutto pizza is unbelievable. $$$

8:00pm Take the shuttle down to Florence (20 minutes) for dinner. The best meal in Florence was at La Giostra. This rustic Italian ristorante might look like a tacky celebrity-photos-hanging-in-the-wall kind of place, but before you judge it: *Order the stuffed ravioli with pecorino romano cheese and pear. Pair it with a glass of Brunello di Montalcino and you will be in heaven. I still crave it to the day. $$

Sunday:

 

10:00am Cooking class at Villa San Michele. The lessons are all “hands-on” and at the end of the 2-hour class you get to enjoy your creations.

2:00pm Check-out and drive to Sienna (1.5 hours). Check-in to Grand Hotel Continental. The Suite will be like your own personal museum painted with colorful frescos and decorated with the most exquisite 16th century furniture. No wonder it is considered one of the most important cultural treasures in Siena.

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7:00pm I am all about finding the most typical restaurant wherever I go. So as my fiancée and I were walking back from Piazza del Campo, an aroma of cheeses and prosciutto was coming our way.

We then got closer and closer, walked through a curtain and discovered the most amazing cheese, prosciutto and wine shop called Antica Pizzicheria al Palazzo della Chigiana (quite a tongue twister) . It is so small, only 6 people can be inside at a time. The owner pulled down a tiny wooden table from the wall (no chairs) and brought us the most delectable assortments of cured meats, cheeses and wine.

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Monday:

 

7:00am Drive back to Rome Airport (2.5 hours) and hope you restrain yourself from drinking the Chianti bottles you are bringing back to friends while you wait for your flight.

*I suggest renting a car so you can enjoy the landscapes, as well as explore the most remote hotels. This way you do not limit yourself by train stations and airports, but whatever you do, do not rent a Panda. My lawnmowers engine is more powerful than the Panda.

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