01 Aug 2016
LIFESTYLE ITALY BULLETIN 2016 –n. 2
The aim of “Lifestyle Italy” is to list recent openings of hotels, hotel re-openings, new services in existing hotels, restaurants and shops as well as new flights and transport news. *
Enjoy it!
NEW HOTELS
RELAIS SASSA AL SOLE, Tuscany
The Relais Sassa al Sole has recently been opened in the delightful Tuscan countryside near San Miniato. The Relais is aimed at the luxury market and is dedicated the total wellness and relax of its guests. Original frescoes, water fountains in the gardens, the authentic rustic charm of the main building with its 12 rooms and suites welcome the guests that can also enjoy a Moorish inspired Spa area, the Opera gourmet restaurant and a Club House for lovers of horse riding. www.sassaalsole.com
PALAZZO VALMARANA BRAGA in Vicenza
The Palazzo Valmarana Braga, designed by Andrea Palladio for the Valmarana family in 1565, has recently been restored to its former glory and it is open for weddings, events, meetings and exhibitions, but also offers apartments for rental. The Palazzo is adorned with Murano glass chandeliers, original paintings by Giulio Carpioni and sumptuous furnishings. Palazzo Valmarana Braga offers a unique chance to experience the grandeur of a past elegant era. www.palazzovalmaranabraga.it
VINUM HOTELS IN SOUTH TYROL
This new association of hotels has just been lanched in the region of South Tyrol in the Dolomites.The joining together of prestigious wine-focused hotels into the Vinum Hotels group is a significant enhancement for all South Tyrolean vineyards. The Vinum Hotels are all located in one of the seven wine-growing regions. Wineries work closely with the Vinum Hotels and are happy to open their doors for guided tours as well as tastings in their wine shops. Winemakers share the secrets of South Tyrolean viticulture with guests of the member hotels. www.vinumhotels.com
RE-OPENINGS AND NEW SERVICES
RE-OPENING OF THE GRAND IMPERIAL HOTEL (4*) in Levico (Trentino)
The magnificent Grand Imperial Hotel in Levico (Trentino) has re-opened after extensive renovation work in the lovely town of Levico Terme. Immersed in the dramatic scenery of Trentino, the hotel re-lives the genteel atmosphere of the Hapsburg era when the Empress Sisi and her court used to come to the area for its tranquillity and thermal waters. The hotel offers 81 rooms and suites, a Spa, open air swimming pool and sauna and a restaurant offering local specialities.
NEW ADDITIONS A THE FORTE VILLAGE in Sardinia
The Forte Village in Sardinia has updated and amplified its offer with the addition of re-styled spectacular swimming pools, thalasso-therapy treatments, new tennis grounds, 6 new restaurants and a new arena for 5000 people for shows and other events. www.fortevillageresort.com
HOTEL SANT'ANDREA (3*), Santa Margherita Ligure
The Hotel Sant'Andrea re-opened in early June this year after a careful restoration project. This 3 star boutique hotel has kept all of its beautiful original features such as the marble fireplace, frescoes and colourful Genovese paving outside. The hotel offers 11 individually decorated rooms reflecting the Liberty style of the classic Ligurian residences of the 20th century. www.hotelsantandrea.net
VILLA FRANCA IN POSITANO now a SLH hotel
Villa Franca, now a member of Small Luxury Hotels, can be found in the heart of Positano's old streets just moments from the centre and the two main beaches. What once served as a private home has been renovated into a boutique hotel still managed by the same family. The terrace restaurant serves light snacks and lunch with a wonderful view of the village. The hotel also offers a Spa area, a rooftop pool and a gourmet Restaurant “Li Galli”, which serves local ingredients and fresh Mediterranean flavours. www.slh.com/villafranca
NEW ADDITIONS AT PALAZZO ARZAGA HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT (5*), Lake Garda
A new Golf Club House is the latest addition to the Palazzo Arzaga Spa and Golf Resort on the shores of western Lake Garda. The 15th century Palazzo is surrounded by 144 hectares of land and hosts one of the most important golf courses in Italy. The Arzaga Golf Club course has 27 holes designed by the famous Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. www.palazzoarzaga.it
RE-OPENING OF THE ROME CAVALIERI (5*)
After extensive restoration work the iconic Rome Cavalieri has added 9 new suites, a roof garden and a new luxury lounge for private events.
The Cavalieri's restaurant, La Pergola, has 3 Michelin stars and will be upgraded and renovated next year. http://www.romecavalieri.it/
NEW RESTAURANTS
CONCEPT 45 RESTAURANT at the Hilton Milan
The newly re-styled Hilton Milan Hotel has recently inaugurated a new restaurant “Concept 45” under the helm of Executive Chef Paolo Ghirardi. The restaurant name derives from the 45th parallel along which we can find the Italian cities of Turin, Milan, Piacenza, Padova and Venice. The typical cuisine of these cities has inspired chef Ghirardi to produce original dishes using the very best of the local ingredients. The restaurant is open from morning to evening offering breakfast, lunch, aperitif and dinner in the sophisticated surroundings.
http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/italy/hilton-milan-MILHITW/dining/index.html
LUME MILANO in Milan
Lume Milano Restaurant's predominant colour is white and it is full of light as its name suggests. It is located in the W37 complex in Via Watt in the ex Richard Ginori china factory, the executive chef is the Michelin starred Luigi Taglienti. He offers some of his legendary creations such as Ossobuco alla Taglienti, Bianco e nero di Seppia and more experimental dishes such as Lobster and white escargot, king prawn with water melon and almonds, wood pidgeon with rosemary and courgettes filled with crab. www.lumemilano.com
I CUOCHI in Genoa
The new “I Cuochi” restaurant opened in Genoa in May and has already attracted rave reviews. It offers a mix of French and Italian cuisine and has become a firm favourite especially for its fish and meat dishes, all made with the freshest ingredients selected from the local markets. Find them on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Icuochi-546103545540015/#_=_
TRANSPORT NEWS
NEW FLIGHTS FROM THE U.K. and EIRE TO ITALY
Please consult airline's website for more details
ALITALIA
Alitalia has recently introduced a fifth daily flight from London City to Milan Linate. The flights are operated by Embraer E-190. www.alitalia.com
RYANAIR
Ryanair will increase frequencies to Bologna with two weekly flights from Dublin and Edinburgh for the winter season 2106. www.ryanair.com
EASYJET
Easyjet will introduce new flights for the winter 2016 season from Bristol, London Luton and Manchester to Turin to facilitate winter sport tourism in Piedmont. For more info: www.easyjet.com
NEW TRAIN SERVICES
FRECCIALINK, new service from Trenitalia
It is now possible to take advantage of the extensive high speed rail network of Freccerosse of Trenitalia from more Italian cities through a new service called Freccialink. The cities of Matera, Potenza, L'Aquila, Perugia and Siena will be linked by a bus service with the train stations in the main cities served by Frecciarossa AV. There will be 4 bus services per day (2 outgoing and 2 inbound) to and from these cities and Bologna, Milan, Roma, Naples, Salerno, Padova and Venice, passengers will be assisted by Trenitalia personnel on board to facilitate their journey.
Stefania Gatta,
Press and Communications Executive
Italian National Tourist Board
E-mail: stefania.gatta@enit.it
*NB: The hotels, restaurants and other services mentioned in this Bulletin are listed for information only and this is not meant to be interpreted as a recommendation for any particular establishment. The Italian Tourist Board does not have photos or PR contacts for the establishments featured in this bulletin, please contact the hotel/restaurant directly should you need more information.
Information is correct at date of publication.
July 2016
