From Turin to Genoa, Venice to Naples and more, four- and five-star hotels, resorts and restaurants dot the Italian landscape offered through THI Collection. They provide traditional Italian style, art and history with innovative and modern strokes along with exclusive, personalized spa services. One of their restaurants, the Principe Cerami in Taormina, was recently awarded the coveted Michelin Star in the 2008 Guide. Specialty packages available include individual cooking lessons with a chef in Turin, gourmet weekends in Genoa or Sicily, and exquisite chocolate tastings...yum! Check out the gallery for a taste of what THI has to offer...
This year's Naples Wine Festival didn't top last year's record of $15.6 million but $14 million isn't too shabby in this economy. The Florida festival always brings the big spenders. Tickets to the festival cost $7,500 per couple but the real money, which is all donated to less fortunate families and children, comes the extravagant auction items. Some of the high-end wine lots included $190,000 for a three-liter bottle of 1990 Vega Sicilia, plus a visit to the winery, $220,000 for a case of 1961 Bordeaux and $240,000 for six magnums of Screaming Eagle cabernet and two commemorative Harley Davidson motorcycles and gear. The festival also always features high-end cars. This year Mr and Mrs Monte Ahuja bid $450,000 for the rights to own the first U.S.-delivered Bentley Brooklands coupe. The auction also features walk-on parts in television shows, front-row seats at fashion shows and trip to the Oscars. Perhaps what's most amazing about this event is that all that money comes from just 500 guests bidding on over 70 lots. Over eight years the auction has raised nearly $70-million for children and families.
The bidders at the Naples Winter Wine Festival really went hog wild this year setting a new record for the luxury auction. The Naples News reports that the well-heeled bidders managed to spend $16.5 million during the auction that ended the festival on Saturday and $18.3 million at the event total. Overall the festival has raised, in seven years $55.26 million for Collier County children's charities. The wine and travel lots all brought in plenty of money but the cars proved to be very hot items. Somebody really, really wanted to get their hands on a limited edition 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead convertible. Raymond Lutgert, founder of a Naples development firm spent a record $2 million for the car. He wasn't the only one to overpay for a car, Monte Ahuja, a business man spent $1.3 million on a Bentley that he could have purchased for $350,000. The Bordeaux-colored 2007 Maserati Quattroporte, which was being raffled off brought in $790,000 and a Lexus LS 600h L Luxury Hybrid Sedan sold for $280,000.
The lots have been announced for the 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival, one of the poshest auction events each year, and as usual they are spectacular. Up for bid are lots that include a private tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum, dinner with Robert Redford, a walk-on role on the hit TV show Grey's Anatomy, the chance to dine with Martha Stewart, and many lots of rare vintages and winery tours. There are 71 lots total and the profits benefit underprivileged and at-risk children. And of course, it wouldn't be a Naples auction without pricey cars. This year's auction will showcase the first new Rolls-Royce Convertible to be delivered to a customer in North America, a 2007 Bentley Continental Grand Touring Convertible, an all-new 2008 Lexus LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan; and a 2007 Naples Winter Wine Festival Maserati Quattroporte will be raffled off. The three-day event will be held Jan. 26-28 in Naples, Florida and raised $12.2 million last year. It is a magnet for celebs and those with the money to bid on these amazing items. This year's tickets are $7,500 per couple and $20,000 for reserved seating at the same vintner dinner for two couples.
New Florida McMansions can often leave me cold but this one has one thing that really endears me to it, an expansive enclosed lagoon pool area that includes a spa, koi pond and an outdoor kitchen. The two-story five bedroom home also has a a club room, library/office, yoga/meditation room, servants suite and a three-car plus golf cart and a one and two-car garage. The house was built in 2004 and is full of echoing marble floors, faux finishes galore and a style that is classic Florida lavish with a bit of a faux French kick (it looks like the refrigerator is tucked into an armoire in the ktichen). The home is listed at $10.5 million. After the jump, do you think the neighbors would mind if you decided to live outdoors.
This pink palace in Naples Florida, has a prime spot on the beach and is located in the exclusive Port Royal neighborhood. Port Royal is considered one of the finest neighborhoods in Naples and Port Royal home owners are eligible for membership in the exclusive Port Royal Club.The Port Royal Club is comparable to the most distinguished private clubs in the United States and offers fine dining, tennis courts, a heated swimming pool and numerous other luxurious amenities.
This home is on 1.9 acres and has five bedrooms in the main house. There are also two guesthouses and a pool with a view. The decor is all sherbet tones and white trim with plenty of French doors ready to be popped open at a moment's notice to catch an ocean breeze. This expansive Florida estate is listed at $24.9 million. After the jump, but isn't she pretty in pink?
It's time again for the Naples, Florida home tour. The 2006 Greater Naples Luxury Home Tour which takes place in
February features homes from $1.5 million to $3.8 million located throughout Collier and Lee counties. The self-guided
tour of luxury model homes built will include the Nautilus I model from Koogler Homes. The home is lcoated on the
waterfront in Cape Coral and has nearly 6,000 square feet of space with details that include a foyer with 26-foot
ceilings, a kitchen with a custom walk-in butler's pantry and a half-bath, a veranda with a covered outdoor living room
and kitchen, and a swimming pool and spa with lighted fountains, cascading waterfalls and a pool bar.The home also
features a interactive, multi-room audio/visual system. A tour passport to check out this and the other nine
model homes in the tour costs $20 in advance.
