CHÂLET ZENO

MOUNTAIN CABIN TRUGNEI

Enjoy the flowers all around you, the magical sunset “Enrosadira” when the Dolomites become fire- red.

Upon your arrival at the cabin in the late afternoon a chef will be waiting for you and cook a dinner on the barbecue, right in front of the Marmolada Peak — 10,000 feet! After dinner you will finish your wine in front of the fireplace and after a silent night ROSA ALPINA’S staff will serve you a complete breakfast in the cabin. After that you can leave the cabin hiking long one of the paths nearby the area or with a mountain bike following the special itinerary for MTB. For both the experiences a professional mountain guide will take personal care of you.

EXCLUSIVE GOURMET LUNCH AT ROSA ALPINA’S MOUNTAIN CABIN PRÉ ISTI´AT 6,500 FEET PREPARED by NORBERT NIEDERKOFLER 2** MICHELIN CHEF

A special lunch enhanced by folk Tyrolean music where you can enjoy the mountain cuisine proposed by Norbert Niederkofler executive CHEF of ROSA ALPINA and the gourmet restaurant ST HUBERTUS **MICHELIN.

ONE STEP FROM HEAVEN

Starting from ROSA ALPINA, you’ll fly by helicopter over the breathtaking DOLOMITES. Underneath you, from 7,000 to 10,000  mountain peaks which were the theater of the IWW. It is almost as if you were able to touch heaven with these amazing emotions. Your first stop is for cocktails at RIFUGIO AVERAU located at 7800 feet, between Cortina D’Ampezzo and the Ladin’s Valleys. Then you will be whisked off from Rifugio Averau and the CORTINA D’AMPEZZO area to the Gardena Valley for a typical lunch at the SOFIE HÜTTE.

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We will fly you by helicopter to the amazing Castello di Velona in Tuscany where you will be waited on as you have never experienced in your life! Your day will begin with a private breakfast on your terrace, as you prepare to be pampered by one of the best spas in Italy. Then we have made a reservation for a private visit at one of the most incredible vineyards in Tuscany with a wine tasting accompanied by a lunch prepared by a private chef!

After lunch you will be taken to one of the best jewelers in all of Italy and introduced to the secrets of gold making and stone setting and will enjoy your champagne cocktail overlooking the Ponte Vecchio as you wander through their new collection.

Let PBT and Request Italy introduce you to something special, just for you! Contact our travel concierge services for more information.

Set on a hill in the heart of the Val d’Orcia region, a few km from Montalcino, Castello di Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery offers a unique global experience.

Enjoy sleeping in a Castle a thousand years old, choosing between the Castle rooms and suites, with antique furniture and paintings, and the SPA rooms with a contemporary touch, the thermal water directly into your bathtub and the most spectacular sunset in the privacy of your own gardens.

Indulge Yourself

Swim in the embrace of 5 pools (indoor and outdoor) filled with hot thermal water rising from the springs of a dormant Volcano, get pampered in the 1500 square meters OLI SPA a true water and steam Paradise. Relax your mind by admiring the breathless 360 ° view of one of the most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Indulge in the Epicurean pleasures of wine tasting of Brunello di Montalcino, one of the most exclusive red wines in the World, produced in the Property vineyards around the Castle and experience the Regional cuisine and fine gourmet dishes masterly prepared by our Chef.

Discover the most representative historical villages of Tuscany by driving through beautiful landscaping to reach Sant’Antimo Abbey, Montalcino, Pienza, Siena, San Gimignano, Bagno Vignoni, San Quirico d’Orcia.  The Castle can be reserved for exclusive use for memorable weddings, anniversary and events.

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The Puro Suites of Scarlino is nestled into a beautiful, quiet marina which has all the creature comforts one could possibly want. The suites are understated luxury and have top of the line ammenites which one would expect in Ferragamo hotels.  And for those of us who love spas, Daniela Steiner offers the best massages to enhance relaxation; make sure you book with Michela, the best masseuse I have ever had.The Ferragamo Family and the Spanish company, Puro, are working together and have built a residence that is one of the most inviting places we have found in a long time, with a view to die for!

We have seen Puro Suites grow over the past two years and have been very proud to have sent many of our clients there. Our clients had nothing but praise for the residence, the staff and the wonderful restaurants in the area.

Talking about restaurants.

One of the most original places we have come across in a long time is called Zero Distanze (zero distance) and they really do get all of their ingredients from the local area.

Besides the wonderful pizzas that Paolo, the owner, makes (he began as a pizzaiolo – pizza maker), he makes great chef’s salads with your choice of ingredients made in a basket of pizza dough….yum, what a combination.

Il Veliero, the Schooner, is owned by Marino who takes care of the daily catch of fresh fish and then disappears into the kitchen to prepare the most delicate and sumptuous fish you have ever eaten.

If you want to go to the nearest town to see what the locals are up to, don’t miss Filippo’s restaurant, Il Sottomarino ( the submarine).

Filippo used to be head chef at Cala del Porto in Punta Ala; one of the jet set’s places on the “silver coast”. If you do not make a reservation beforehand, you will be turned away with a smile from the waitress. A quick look at the plates coming out from the kitchen and you will wish that you had made that call!

Besides being an amazing place to relax and have great food, this area offers wine tastings at one of the most famous Antinori vineyards, Le Mortelle, boat rentals along the coast, ferry rides to the nearby island of Elba and some very cute and lovely towns to visit; who could ask for more?

Puro Suites
Localita’ Puntone
Scarlino
Tel. +39.0566.86630
www.purosuites.com

Marina Beauty Spa
Daniela Steiner
www.steinercosmetics.com

Zero Distanze
Via della Dogana
Puntone
Cell: +39.334.233.9219
www.pizzeriazerodistanze.it
closed Monday

Il Sottomarino
Via Marconi, 18
Follonica
Tel. +39.0566.40772
www.ilsottomarino.it
closed Tuesday

Il Veliero
Via della Collacchie, 20
Scarlino
Tel. +39.0566.866219
www.ristoranteilveliero.it
closed Wednesday

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Two Beautiful for Words!

In the small town of Mira, nestled in between Padua and Venice along the Brenta River, lie two of the most wonderful hotels we know: Hotel Villa Margherita and Hotel Villa Franceschi. Both hotels are owned by the Dal Corso family and they run the hotels so smoothly you are convinced they are your personal butler, concierge and maître d’ all rolled into one!

These hotels, small and wonderfully landscaped, echo the Palladian villas in the vicinity. The gardens are a welcome back to terra firma after the lack of them in the “city on the water.” The décor in the hotels is truly Italian – warm and luscious fabrics that invite you to stop and take time to relax. And while you are sitting on these velvety soft sofas, why not enjoy a glass of “spumante” (Italian champagne) before rushing off to visit nearby monuments or cities in the area.

When you get back from your tour along the Brenta, do yourselves a favor and have dinner in the Margherita restaurant where every dish is prepared to meet your diet or your needs or just to tempt your palate.

The Dal Corsos never stop. Alessandro and Dario, the two sons of Valeria and Remigio, are the best PR for any hotel we know. They are tireless in their efforts to make your every wish come true, whether it be to find a shopping tour or to make your “special” day one you will always remember.

Today, a hotel that is run perfectly, and is beautiful as well, can really leave you speechless!

VILLA FRANCESCHI

Via Don Minzoni, 28
Mira Porte – Venezia
Tel. +39 041 4266531
Fax +39 041 5608996
info@villafranceschi.com

VILLA MARGHERITA

Via Nazionale, 416/417
Mira Porte – Venezia
Tel +39 041 4265800
Fax +39 041 4265838
info@villa-margherita.com

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I began visiting Capri over 30 years ago. My parents always made this one of their vacation stops every summer and I would find just enough time to take off from work to join them for a long weekend. For me, this was truly a vacation since there were, and still are, no cars on the island (except for taxis and public transportation). Since I was “living” in a car for my work, this was a brief respite from all the driving I had to do during the year.

At that time we all stayed at the famous Quisisana Hotel which has one of the best views in town, overlooking the Faraglioni Rocks and the Mediterranean. Today, unfortunately, the hotel is a haven for the new rich and “famous” and does not seem to attract the chic and stylish clientele they once had.

With Capri becoming more of a place not to be missed, many new hotels have sprung up or have had marvelous face-lifts to attract the clients who have either never been to this magical island or have made this trip many times and keep coming back; like the movie, “Same Time Next Year.”

As perfect as the island is, I have never thought about it being a place that would attract people for its exceptional food; the good news is that the restaurants have gotten better over the years, but this is not the reason that people visit the island.

We were very lucky last year as we were advised by our hotel (one of our favorites) that we should try a tiny restaurant, which is just off the beaten tourist track, has good food and one of the most unbelievable views on the island; it is called Pulalli Wine Bar. We were in Capri during the 2012 European Soccer Championships and wanted to follow what was happening that evening between Italy and Germany, so low and behold, the owner set us up at one of the few tables indoors, right in front of the TV. What luck eating, not by candlelight, but viewing the game we did not want to miss. Italy won and we had a really good meal to boot!

After the game was over, I asked the owner if I could take some photos from their most amazing viewpoint. This is what I want to share with my readers, just how “picture perfect” this place is. We also had a very good organic white wine which has proved to be very difficult to find in our wine stores; next time we will bring a case back with us.

The following day we took a boat tour with one of the boat services we use for our clients. My friends Julia and Costanzo took us on a boat tour that made Capri come to life the way that I had known the island many years ago. By sea is the most beautiful way to explore the island. The captain, Rafaelle, will take you anywhere you want to go and if you really want to treat yourself to a spectacular sight, try their cruise at sunset!

When planning a trip to this amazing resort, you should try to arrive at the island around midday, after all the day-trippers have arrived, and also try to avoid the main squares during the afternoon, coming up for air only after the groups have left. The stores stay open late so if shopping is your thing, you will have plenty of time to make purchases after dinner. The restaurants will be packed so make sure that you have reservations, otherwise you might not even be able to dine until after 11pm!

Some of my favorite restaurants are Aurora, where Mia and “Mamma” Lucia will try to fit you in (literally) as the place gets very crowded. Another reliable place to go is La Capannina, owned and run by Antonio and his lovely American wife Aurelia.
If you want to celebrate a special occasion (I did when I came here last year to celebrate my birthday) don’t miss Edode’. This is a bit more sophisticated than the usual trattorias on the island, but the food is very good and they do a great version of “Happy Birthday.”

One thing about Capri that has not changed over the years is the hospitality and warmth of the Caprese who will show you a wonderful time no matter wherever you happen to go on the island.

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