NEWS & ARTICLES TAGGED

ITALY

Sardinia’s Forte Village is Packed With Kid-Friendly Entertainment

Jul 8, 2016 | Contributor: Sean Hillen

With more than 30 restaurants and bars and 61 different room categories, it doesn't get much better than the Forte Village resort on the southern tip of Sardinia, 25 miles from Cagliari and its international airport. Making it even more attractive is the fact that the entire property has just undergone an estimated USD $33 million renovation and a new open-air theater seating 5,000 people is set to open this summer. Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli will be the venue’s first musical performance.

8 of Rome's Hidden & Less Well-Known Churches to Discover

Jun 19, 2014 | Contributor: Nicolle Monico

As the free-spirited type who doesn’t enjoying planning (too much), I remember jumping onto a bus in Rome during a European backpacking adventure a few years ago without knowing exactly where to go. Turns out, the city is pretty large, and that first day, I missed a lot of attractions, including The Vatican which was closed the next day.

The Best Restaurant in the World is Osteria Francescana

Jun 14, 2016 | Contributor: Jackie Bryant

The “World’s 50 Best” list has named Modena, Italy’s Osteria Francescana the best restaurant in the world for 2016, dethroning Girona, Spain’s El Celler de Can Roca, now sitting at number two. This is Chef Massimo Bottura and his restaurant's first appearance at the top of the list. There were other surprising moves: Copenhagen, Denmark’s Noma, which had jockeyed with El Celler de Can Roca for the top spot over the last few years, moved in to the number five spot—its first time out of the top five since 2009. New York’s Eleven Madison Park made its highest appearance at n... Read More

4 European Hotels With Distinctive Signature Style

Jun 8, 2016 | Contributor: Oscar Raymundo

French couturier Yves Saint Laurent once said, “fashions fade, style is eternal.” This point of view is well-suited for designing a top destination hotel. To be considered “best-dressed,” properties not only have to have a signature vibe, but this unique look cannot go out of fashion by the time the next travel season rolls around.

An Adults-Only Monastery Hotel Where Celibacy is Encouraged

Mar 21, 2016 | Contributor: Julie Hatfield

Eremito Hotel (hermit in Italian), has only twin beds within its 14 rooms and is described as luxury for the solo travelers. The hotel was designed to look just the original Umbrian monasteries that date back 800 years ago. The property was designed for getting away, losing stress, reflecting and meditating, the way the monks did.

La Dolce Vita at The Baglioni Hotel Regina

Mar 4, 2016 | Contributor: Julie Hatfield

Before you even get settled into the five-star Baglioni Hotel Regina in Rome, one of the property’s butlers will request to unpack your bags for you. It’s this kind of service and attention to detail that is at the forefront of a stay at this over-a-century-old hotel.

Discovering the Exclusive Side of Italy

Feb 26, 2016 | Contributor: Cynthia Dial

Imagine touring the Vatican’s hallways with a seminarian and by happenstance meeting the Pope; attending a private party for Il Ballo del Doge, the Venetian masquerade ball during Carnival, or watching Siena’s famous Palio horse race from the balcony of a princess’s private apartment. This is the type of exclusive experience Dream Italy affords its guests.

Prince Charles, Henry Kissinger & Ingrid Bergman Have All Stayed at this Roman Hotel

Feb 17, 2016 | Contributor: Julie Hatfield

When you enter the Hassler Hotel in Rome, the old-world European elegance of a grand structure built in 1893 is still apparent. It’s easy to see why notable guests such as Prince Félix de Luxembourg, Frederik of Denmark, Gabriel García Márquez, Pablo Picasso, Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Henry Kissinger, Ingrid Bergman, Deepak Chopra, and John Steinbeck have all stayed at the Hassler.

5 Extraordinary Buildings Repurposed as Swanky New Hotels

Feb 9, 2016 | Contributor: Nicolle Monico

Every year, new hotels pop up across the globe; some are built from the ground up while others utilize the architecture that is already residing in a city. When developers and designers choose the latter, some pretty stunning properties can take shape. Restored from centuries-old structures, these hotels often times feature unique spaces, vaulted ceilings, original moldings, frescoes and even secret nooks. Of the many properties that debuted in 2015, here’s a look at our five favorite hotels that were conceived out of historic buildings.

Ferrari Enthusiast? This Might Be Your Dream Italian Vacation

Jan 20, 2016 | Contributor: Nicolle Monico

There’s nothing like the feeling of being behind the wheel of a luxury sportscar and zipping past scenic landscapes. This year, Donna Franca Tours and Red Travel have put together a four-day vacation in Italy doing just that, with the help of either the Ferrari 458 Spider, Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari California or Ferrari 458 Speciale (upon request with surcharge).

10 Buildings That Transformed From Historic Spaces Into Luxury Hotels

Jan 11, 2016 | Contributor: Chad Chisholm

“If these walls could talk,” is never more true than when uttered in reference to hotels. Of course, if they could speak, we probably wouldn’t want to know all the spicy details of a traveler’s stay. But there are some properties whose stories begin long before they ever housed guests. These hotels once housed everyone from bankers to newspaper men and even prisoners, before being transformed into luxury properties across the globe. Here are 10 properties that went from historic spaces to four- and five-star accommodations:

7 Hotels Offering Detox & Wellness Packages to Kickstart Your New Year's Fitness Resolutions

Dec 18, 2015 | Contributor: Nicolle Monico

The holidays can be rough on our bodies. Nevermind the stress of shopping in crowded malls, getting together with in-laws or heading to endless Christmas parties. The real reason we dread the season is because we know it means lots of unhealthy eating. Don’t get us wrong, we love a good sweet treat as much as the next guy.

6 Italian Restaurants Where Celebrity Sightings & Exquisite Fares Are Just Another Day on Lake Como

Dec 15, 2015 | Contributor: Sean Hillen

With celebrities such as George Clooney, Robert De Niro and business magnate Richard Branson having vacation homes in the area, restaurants along Italy’s beautiful Lake Como serve up some very creative dishes. By far, the best way to enjoy this Italian gourmet tour is to rent a car and meander along the lake shoreline to stop off at the below leading restaurants.

Franciacorta: The Under-the-Radar Destination is Rising to the Top of Italy's Best Wine Regions

Dec 7, 2015 | Contributor: Courtney Cachet

When it comes to Italy and wine, you most likely think of Tuscany as one of the country’s best regions. But a little over an hour from Milan, tucked away in a tranquil corner of Lombardy, is a winemaking destination that you may not have heard of called Franciacorta. And it’s Italy’s next big thing.

Sheraton Opens as the Only Luxury Chain Hotel on Lake Como

Dec 3, 2015 | Contributor: Sean Hillen

Nestled within a lush 118,403-square-foot park, the Sheraton Lake Como conveys the impression of rural seclusion even though it is only a 10-minute walk away from the town of Cernobbio and a 15-minute ferry ride to Como itself. Opened this spring, following a multi-million euro renovation under architect Ruggero Venelli, this 116-room property is the first international upscale hotel chain on the lake.