Italy

Americans that visit the Alta Badia region and particularly San Cassiano tend to come in the summertime, for hiking and fishing. But in the winter, the area is mostly frequented by Italians, and for good reason: San Cassiano and its environs have all the scenery and the skiing, plus its restaurants are a tightly-knit constellation of Michelin stars -- apparently the highest Michelin star concentration in the Alps.

The place to stay here is Rosa Alpina with 51 rooms, three restaurants (including St. Hubertus, with two Michelin stars) It's owned by the Pizzinini family which fairly dominates hospitality in this area, having been in the hotel business here since the 1930s. The family owns hotels, restaurants and even the local butcher shop. This means that whatever you need is not only within the grasp of the management here, they're probably related to the people who can make it happen.

The clientele they cater to obviously expects nothing less. It was snowing on the day I arrived, and the winding mountain roads with their hairpin turns and minimal guardrails would have been difficult in a car without four wheel drive. One guest had his Porsche Carrera flat-bedded up the mountains so he could drive it during the weekend, having followed behind in a more sensible form of transport -- if you'll allow that sensible is a word that could at all be fairly applied to that entire situation.

Florida-based Magnum Marine, owned by aristocratic Italian boatbuilder Marchese Filippo Theodoli, has begun production on its largest and lost luxurious yacht to date, the Magnum 100. Designed by Italy's Alberto Mancini, the sleek 100-ft. craft is made of carbon fiber and advanced composites for a high power-to-weight ratio. In addition to its twin 2,600 HP MTU diesel engines, the 100-footer has been equipped with numerous ecologically-minded devices such as an electric "harbor" drive wing engine for slow speed operation, which runs virtually silent and exhaust free. A number of indoor and outdoor seating, dining and viewing areas are incorporated into the design with an expandable top providing various movable shaded spaces when out on the water. Four double staterooms belowdecks provide luxe accommodations.

[via JamesList]

A set of super stylish leather motorcycle / Vespa helmets is the latest luxe offering from Italian label Tod's, famed for its iconic driving loafers, shoes and chic bags. Featuring a microfiber lining, stainless steel hardware and flip-up plexiglass eye shields, the helmets are priced at about $1,000 and come in glove soft, saddle stitched black, white and vacchetta leather. The helmets are made by hand entirely in Italy, in a painstaking process ensuring their quality and durability, and adhere to rigorous road-going safety standards in a marriage of timeless style and contemporary luxury. Tod's has been expanding its offerings of late and also recently introduced its first line of sunglasses. Meanwhile, the firm's dapper owner Diego Della Valle just published a book titled Italian Touch extolling the virtues of the stylish lifestyle embodied by the brand.

[via JustLuxe]

Cortina in the Dolomites of Italy has been nominated for a Readers' Choice Award for Best International Ski Destination.

The quaint town of Cortina has a population of 7,000 and lies in the north of Italy and is a short drive from the Austrian border. Cortina hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics as well as several World Cup events. A scene in the James Bond Movie "For Your Eyes Only" was filmed on its Olympic Ski Run, in which Roger Moore was chased by gunmen riding on motorcycles. Cortina is also known for its wonderful restaurants and great Italian cuisine.

You will find the most spectacular panoramic views in the Alps, here, and some of the most challenging slopes in the Dolomites, which are a section of the Alps. Some of the surrounding peaks are higher than 3,000 meters.

The Cortina skiing area offers 70 downhill slopes for alpine skiing with 37 different lifts for a capacity of about 59,000 skiers per hour. Half of the slopes are suitable for beginners while 35% are intermediate level and 15% are for advanced skiers. Snow cover is guaranteed 95% of the time. For those wanting a respite from skiing, there's a 1 km long groomed slope reserved for sledding and tobagans, which is serviced by a chairlift.

The 2009/2010 ski season, which began on November 28 and will last until April 11. Cortina is very kid-friendly. Children under the age of 8 (born after Nov. 28, 2001) receive free ski passes and accommodations, when a ski pass is purchase by an accompanying adult for the same time period. Likewise, children under the age of 12 (born after Nov. 28, 1997) pay half of the adult price. Dolomiti Superski also offers a special ski pass that enables parents to take turns supervising their small children with a multi-day transferable pass.

The Cristallo Palace Hotel & Spa in Cortina d'Ampezzo, is the only five star hotel in the Dolomites. The hotel, which dates back to 1901, offers a state-of-the-art Transvita spa, beautiful indoor swimming pool and 74 guest rooms, including 22 suites.

Cortina is located between the Veneto and Trentino Alto Adige regions and is 162 km from Venice and 432 km from Milan. As it is a fairly short drive to Venice, it is worth considering spending a day there.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

There's no better place to stay in Venice, Italy than the Hotel Cipriani, a nominee for a Readers' Choice Award for Best City Hotel.

A magical place set in lush, manicured gardens at the end of the Giudecca Island, the hotel is accessible by a short (four minute) boat ride from St. Mark's Square (30 minute boat trip from the Marco Polo Airport). The hotel's own private boat "Shirley", a beautiful wooden boat is available upon request to take you to magnificent islands in the lagoon including Murano, Burano and Torcello. As Venice is a city made up of more than 100 islands, there's no better way to explore it than by boat.

The history of the Hotel Cipriani dates back to 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of the unique Venetian establishment Harry's Bar, decided to build a hotel within easy reach of St. Mark's Square and yet far enough away to ensure peace and privacy. A joint company was formed and an ideally located three-acre plot on the tip of the Giudecca Island, just five minutes by boat from St. Mark's Square, was purchased.

In 1958, the hotel opened its doors and enjoyed instant acclaim for its relaxed atmosphere, attentive service and simple, but superbly prepared food which have become its trademark. In 1968 some adjoining land was purchased and a magnificent Olympic-size 600 square meter swimming pool was built. This filtered salt-water pool is the largest in Venice, and is considered one of the finest in Europe to this day.

The Hotel Cipriani was sold in 1976 to Sea Containers, whose President and founder of Orient-Express, James B. Sherwood, was already a regular guest. Over the years more land and adjacent buildings were purchased to create space for new restaurants, guestrooms and facilities.

Today, the hotel's amenities includes a private red clay tennis court located amidst the beautiful Venetian garden of the hotel. The fitness center is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment (including the revolutionary Proellixe Vibration machine) and overlooks flowered patios and gardens. Personal trainers are available upon request. Guests are given preferred entry to the only 18-hole course in Venice, which was created more than 70 years ago. Considered to be one of the most prestigious courses in Italy, the Circolo Golf Venezia club is located on the south part of Lido island in the Alberoni area.

Hotel Cipriani is known for pampering its guests in a very personalized way. Guests may receive Italian champagne, seasonal fruits or a personal guidebook of Venice as a gift. The hotel manager or another high-ranking member of the staff try to meet each guest at arrival, offering sweets and toys and a Kids' Club with English-speaking staff if traveling with children. The hotel is also known for customizing a guests visit, if they are aware of any needs or requests in advance. Fresh fruits are served to guests every afternoon by the pool and a beautiful private library is also available for guest use.

The hotels' newly (and partly) refurbished 82 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites have views over the open lagoon and the gardens. The hotel's Palazzo Vendramin, a 15th century palace linked to the hotel through an ancient courtyard, offers 16 suites and rooms (some with stunning views of St. Mark Square), in addition to a private butler service. Nightly room rates (including breakfast) start at 550 euros for a single room; doubles start at 900 euros while suites start at 2,420 euros.

Vote now for what you believe is the best of breed for each of the Winter Travel categories. Readers' Choice Awards for the Best in Winter Travel will be announced on January 31st.

It looks like Kate Moss came pretty close to being royalty. Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia, Prince of Venice and Piedmont and heir to the now defunct throne of Italy, has admitted to a nearly year-long affair with the supermodel that they apparently kept hidden from the tabloids. The dashing prince says they were introduced by Moss' friend, singer Marianne Faithfull, when they holidayed at his villa in Corsica several years ago. "Who would not fall in love with Kate Moss? She is charming, intelligent and very beautiful," the prince told Italian magazine Chi. "We were together for about eight months and she was a wonderful and fascinating woman, not bizarre or weird at all. Then our relationship ended because that's how things go. But I remember her as a passionate woman." The Prince, who runs a hedge fund in Geneva, is now married to French actress Clotilde Courau.

Anonimo watches recently no longer became officially available in America. The big pull out apparently occurred due to the expense of sending watches here as well as the in ability to get themselves as a brand out there. It is a shame, but I think the Italian brand will be eventually back. The history of Anonimo is (I believe) linked to Panerai. If you are industrious, there are still places to get the watches, and they are more widely available outside the US of course. One of their new models proves how comfortable their watches are to own. Functional and attractive, the watches are always just interesting enough to stand out among the other diving military style watches.

This new model is the D-Date II. A follow up to the original D-Date (meaning day/date - a watch that displays both the day of the week and the date). Anonimo modified a Swiss ETA 2834-2 automatic movement with a disc that displays the full day of the week name (not just the 3 letter abbreviation). Also the date and day of the week windows are vertically oriented on the watch dial. The dial itself is in black with easy to read lume covered hands and hour markers.

The case is 43mm wide and Ox-Pro black coated steel (meant to we wear resistant). It has a sandblasted finish. Then you have a rose gold toned bezel with polished and brushed finished on it. A nice two-tone look. A bit more of the rose gold tone is seen on the crown. The watch also has a helium escape valve and is water resistant to an aggressive 500 meters. The high quality leather strap has been treated to resistant the corrosive effects of salt water even after being submerged for long periods of time. A good looking tool style watch with a price likely in the few thousand dollars.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Ray-Ban has given its ultra-classic aviator shades a luxe new twist for 2010 with its new Craft Genuine Leather collection. The Craft Outdoorsman sunglasses are luxuriously detailed with hand stitched genuine deer leather accents and boast premium craftsmanship. Made in Italy they feature Ray-Ban's trademark Crystal lenses for optimum optical clarity. The leather is designed to improve and beautify with age and use. The Outdoorsman is priced at $216 and a slimmer, more contemporary model, the Caravan, is priced at $171. Both are now available in either gold with brown leather or silver with black leather combos and matching cases from haute online eyewear boutique Eyegoodies.

[via JustLuxe]

The latest luxury fashion line to hit trouble is Burani. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Italian brand is trying to reorganize and has put a holding company that controls a minority stake of Mariella Burani Fashion Group under liquidation. The founder, Walter Burani, says the company will not file for bankruptcy protection and is not facing liquidation.

The brand, which sells high-end women's fashion failed to reach an agreement with banks over a nearly 500 million euro debt earlier this month. This move has led to talk that Burani may be unable to pay off its debts. High-end fashion has taken a lot of hits over 2009 and Burani has been struggling for a while. Back in August Mariella Burani Fashion Group reported a group net loss of 142.1 million euros ($204 million) versus a net income of 4 million euros last year, including significant asset writedowns and accruals. Revenues fell to 246.1 million euros compared to 325.4 million euros last year.

Bloomberg reports that Walter Burani is in talks with Gulf Finance & Investment over setting up a a potential 50 million euro escrow account in order to prove to creditors that it has enough money for a planned capital increase as part of the debt reorganization

Back in March we broke the news that Smythson of Bond Street, suppliers of luxury stationery and leatherbound diaries to the Queen of England and other toffs, was being put up for sale. Now the famed firm has been has been sold for £18 million or about $29 million to Greenwill SA, the holding company for Tivoli Group, an Italian leather goods manufacturer. Smythson had insisted the sale was motivated not by financial hardship but rather the result of several parties having expressed interest in acquiring the business. However, the sale price is not much of a premium over the £16 million a consortium led by Goldman Sachs banker Mike Sherwood paid for the company in 2005. Founder Frank Smythson opened his first London shop in 1887 offering "First class stationery, leather goods and cabinet work." In addition to its UK shops Smythson now has stores on New York's 57th St. and Beverly Hills' famed Rodeo Drive. Smythson was granted a Royal Warrant to Her Majesty the Queen in 1964. Other warrants followed: HRH The Prince of Wales in 1980, HM The Queen Mother in 1987, and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 2002.

Italian yachtbuilder Perini Navi, makers of the world's finest sailing yachts including the famous Maltese Falcon, have collaborated with superstar British architect Lord Norman Foster on its latest launch, the 184-ft. Panthalassa (above). Designed specifically for use as an ultra-luxe charter in the Caribbean and Mediterranean with rates beginning at about $300,000 per week, the all-aluminum alloy ketch can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots and has accommodations for up to 12 guests and a crew of 10. Foster + Partners designed the yacht's spaces as a fusion of contemporary living and the finest nautical heritage.

Outside the decks features a variety of places for relaxing and outdoor dining . Flexible, open living areas are the hallmark of the craft's interiors characterized by a lounge, bar, library and boardroom all featuring glazed screens that can be opened to create a generous central saloon. The three decks are connected by an oval stair, which is surrounded by light-reflecting acrylic rods to mirror daylight back into the living areas. Materials include teak, saddle leather and granite table surfaces. Inside the cabins, leather wall paneling complements silk rugs and gold and black marble tiled baths.

[via JamesList]

When you think of Abercrombie & Kent, you may think of tours and safaris. Did you know that they also have villas?

Well, they do. A&K owns and operates villas all over the world, including in France, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy. The villas vary in size and style, but all bring that old world A&K glamor to the table, as well as the A&K expertise -- they can arrange excursions for you like balloon rides, wine tastings, cooking classes and more.

Two new properties have recently opened in Italy, La Fornace (Tuscany, above) and La Castellina (Chianti).

La Fornace, scenically located near Arezzo and Cortona, has a heated swimming pool with a view of the countryside, a pizza oven, a gym and spa, grand stone fireplaces, bikes, a volleyball court and a soccer field. Does that just about cover your whole family? There are 5 en-suite bedrooms (sleeps 10) with satellite TVs, two kitchens, a game room, a cinema, a piano and central heating and air conditioning. Get a few friends together and rent it for $11,744 to $16,224 per week (high season).

Alternatively, La Castellina has six bedrooms (sleeps 10 +1) and lies in the heart of a small wine-producing estate. There's a large swimming pool, table tennis, badminton, WiFi, a bread oven and the sitting room is a rustic-chic converted hay barn. It's available for $9,744 to $14,432 per week (high season) -- and you can have A&K arrange a personal chef for you, transportation to nearby vineyards, whatever you'd like.

Visit akvillas.com to see galleries and floorplans of their villas worldwide (and to book -- be sure to invite us if you have an extra bed!).

Italian fashion stars Dolce & Gabbana have come out with an exclusive new collection of Gold Edition sunglasses and eyeglasses plated in pure 18-carat gold. Priced at $580 per pair, the limited edition aviator-style shades and specs feature a mix of different materials for the temples, enhanced by the Dolce & Gabbana logo engraved in the same color. Made in Italy, the sunglasses feature polarized glass, and a certificate of authenticity comes with each pair of glasses attesting to the originality, design and quality and the use of 18-carat gold. Each pair is presented in its own jewelry case featuring a plaque with the words "Dolce &Gabbana Gold Edition" and containing two tiny side drawers to hold a cleaning cloth and certificate of authenticity. Inside there is a semi-rigid glasses case in black leather, decorated with a tiny plaque and logo. The Gold Edition models are available at ILORI Luxury Sunglass boutiques.

The new $25 million 40 Alloy aluminum superyacht from Italy's Sanlorenzo is a real seagoing supercar. The sleek 131-foot craft has folding gullwing doors like the ones on a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, as well as four folding platforms creating exclusive lateral terraces on the main deck, living area and owner's cabin. It's Sanlorenzo's largest yacht to date as well as their first built in aluminum, which is lighter than fiberglass or steel, meaning even with its considerable size it can still hit 28 knots. A unique upper steering position does away with the conventional open flybridge to create a large sky lounge connecting it a large outdoor lounging area opening astern. The minimalist inside looks like Milan penthouse with walnut, lacquer and leather finishes and a striking steel, leather and glass main staircase. The owner's cabin, occupying the full beam of the yacht, has an en suite Turkish bath and hydro-massager.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Many people have discovered prosecco as a pleasing, budget-conscious alternative to champagne when it comes to celebrating festive occasions. Not all proseccos are created equal, however. Finding bottles labeled with "DOC" (Denominazione Origine Controllata) or "DOCG" (Denominazione Origine Controllata Garantita) is a guarantee of quality, meaning that the grape used and the wine making process originated in a specific region. Vigna Dogarina's DOC prosecco comes from the most prestigious prosecco region in Italy, Valdobbiadene, located in the Veneto region and is available in two varieties, Brut and Extra Dry, retailing for $16 to $20 per bottle. Vigna Dogarina Brut has a delicate floral perfume and pleasant notes of wisteria. It is the driest prosecco of the range and the low residual sugar level brings out an appealing freshness and acidity with hints of green apple. The Extra Dry features fragrant floral qualities accompanied by attractive notes of acacia and meadow flowers, wild apples and honey. Its slightly higher residual sugar allows a rounder and softer effect on the pallet and brings out floral and fresh fruit aromas.