With the abundance of hotels and destinations, it’s easy to lose track. Would I prefer an active vacation with sauna in the evening? Or rather culinary experiences with friends? Do I dream of luxury and relaxation or am I looking for relaxation in nature? But which hotel and destination suits me best? We might have the answer. Tell us which vacation type you are – and discover the most beautiful hotels according to your wishes!

Sustainability

Slow travel as a lifestyle

Sustainability is not a trend for you, but a lifestyle. Do you value regional food, are you careful about what you consume, and do you want a hotel that is also conscious and climate-neutral in its approach to life? Here are two hotels that will make you happy. That’s a promise!

The Alpin & Relax Hotel Gerstl in the Val Venosta puts great value on regional food from the immediate surroundings. Whether in the infinity pool, the natural bathing pond or the sauna, the mountain view is always included. Recharge your batteries, feel tranquility and absolute liberty. At this place, where familiar hospitality, modern style, South Tyrolean tradition and strong holiday emotions are unified, the beauty of life is put in the center of attention, every day.

Montivas Lodge in Livigno is built entirely from ecologically valuable materials. In addition to a completely sustainable energy concept, a first-class organic breakfast awaits you in the morning. At Montivas Lodge ethics meets aesthetics. The building was built exclusively using environmentally friendly materials to make your sustainable holiday and the words go for green a reality.

Wellness

Warm and cozy

Every visit to the sauna is relaxation for you. Nothing relaxes you more in the winter months than pleasant scents and cozy warmth? Then off you go to the Garberhof in South Tyrol. A unique spa with a large pool area and sauna worlds awaits you here. The special thing: Italy’s largest Hamam, which takes you to a world of ethereal scents and a special cleansing ritual. Surrounded by sunny orchards, the hotel merges with the scenic beauty of South Tyrol. It’s an oasis of tranquility where you will find the ideal conditions to experience a feeling of total freedom.

The Cyprianerhof in the Dolomites of South Tyrol is a wonderful place to unwind. Here you can not only look forward to the breathtaking panorama of the Rosengarten, but also to the brand new Similde Spa. Jump into the pool with Dolomite water, enjoy an infusion in the glass sauna or a bubble bath in the whirlpool – mountain view included. The close connection to nature is reflected in the hotel. The impressive Catinaccio/Rosengarten rises impressively in front of the 5-star hotel. It is a sight that inspires the eyes and touches the soul.

Luxury

No wishes remain unfulfilled

No infinity pool, no you. When you go on vacation, it may – no, must – be unique and luxurious. True luxury can be experienced at the five-star Hotel Fanes in the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Whether in the sky pool or in the private whirlpool: Here you relax at the highest level. The hotel in Alta Badia, in the heart of the Dolomites, lies in the picturesque scenery of the village of San Cassiano. It is a charming and elegant destination where you breathe a centuries-old art of welcoming. A precious place for regeneration and special attentions.

Alternatively, head to Lake Garda: The Quellenhof Luxury Resort Lazise awaits you with an excellent pool and wellness paradise on 21,000 square feet. You can sleep in luxurious suites and glamorous private villas. It’s Dolce Vita pure at Lake Garda. Surrounded by olive trees, above the small medieval village of Lazise and only a few minutes away from the extensive southeast shore of Lake Garda.

Design

Here beats the aesthetic heart

You love design and innovative ideas. When choosing your hotel, aesthetics also play a role. The more inspiring, the better. The Parkhotel Holzner in South Tyrol is sure to make your design heart leap for joy. Let yourself be captivated by the charm of the Gründerzeit and discover modern elements in the midst of history. Built in 1908, the hotel is located 4,000 feet above sea level on Ritten Mountain, and offers a stunning view of pastures and forests, lovely hills, and rugged mountain peaks. It is an alpine refuge surrounded by fresh mountain air and ancient giant trees. All that only a 15-minutes cable-car ride from the city center of Bolzano.

Another tip: Hotel Muchele near Merano. 40 modern suites and excellent food await you. Wine lovers, architecture fans and free-spirited souls love the easy-going atmosphere that prevails here. Best of all, if you like the Moroso furnishings, you can buy a few pieces right away. A hotel as a showroom, so to speak. If that’s not something for design lovers. Hotel Muchele is part of the Vinum Hotels South Tyrol, top vacation addresses for everyone who wants to experience wine culture up close.

Water

Time out by the lake

Whenever you sit by the water, you are happy. A vacation without sea or lake – hardly imaginable! Then off to Lake Garda to the five-star luxury hotel EALA in Limone sul Garda. This exclusive 5-Star L hotel on Lake Garda is inspired by and owes its name to a wonderful animal that has always lived on the shores of Lake Garda: the swan, eala in Celtic. Enjoy the view in the spa or while swimming in the infinity pool. If you prefer to jump directly into the lake, a private beach area on the lakeside awaits you. In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the two restaurants – with a view of the lake, of course.

A bit further north, near Bolzano, the Hotel Seeleiten welcomes you to Lake Caldaro. Two lake accesses including a sunbathing lawn and beach bar ensure wonderful days on the water. Directly in front of the hotel on Lake Caldaro there is a wonderful, spacious Mediterranean park with numerous secluded retreats that invite you to relax and sunbathe. The heated natural swimming pool in the green holiday oasis provides pleasant refreshment in between. You can also go out on a pedal boat or rowing boat, or on one of the hotel’s own stand-up paddles.

Wine & Dine

La Dolce Vita

For this vacation type we travel a bit further south. Vacation means for you: Dolce Vita! You want to enjoy the days, be pampered with culinary delights and just enjoy. Then you should definitely go to the Boutique Hotel Castello di Semivicoli in Abruzzo. A place that is perfect for those seeking peace and quiet and wine lovers. There are only eleven individual, charming rooms. During the day the main thing here is to enjoy life – with good food and even better wine. Visit the Masciarelli winery estate and cellar or, during the grape harvest, watch and appreciate the development of their wines, from the vineyards to your table, through a constant and patient work. If you want to enjoy the flavors of Abruzzo, they organize dedicated cooking classes. For explorers they provide bike rental and organize excursions and guided tours.

If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, you can stay at one of the five hotels in the Lungarno Collection. Whether in Florence or Rome, here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city and a luxury hotel in one. From romantic spaces to an eclectic taste of the contemporary, from classic Italian style to a new concept of bespoke hospitality, each hotel in this exquisite collection boasts a unique personality.

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The association of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” (I Borghi più belli d’Italia) has gained twelve new members. A total of 325 villages, each with unique characteristics, now belong to the network, which is committed not only to promoting tourism but also to preserving and restoring the historic fabric of the villages.

In addition to the cultural and historical importance of the places, sustainable aspects of the tourist infrastructure, an intact old town without car traffic, the preservation of the architectural fabric, living traditions as well as the promotion of the quality of life play a significant role in the award as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.

12 new villages in the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” association

As one of the newly awarded villages, Alberobello is probably one of the better-known destinations on the tourist map. Located in the Itria Valley in Puglia, the “City of the Trulli” was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1996 for its characteristic architecture.

On the eastern shore of Lake Como in the province of Lecco lies Bellano, a small fishing village with narrow streets and colorful houses. Not far away is the impressive “Orrido di Bellano”, a deep natural gorge that can be crossed along paths carved into the rock.

Sicily is home to two of the newly awarded villages: in the province of Siracusa, in the heart of the Monti Iblei, lies Buccheri, rich in evidence of a long history marked by the ancient Greeks, Romans Byzantines, Arabs and Normans. In the province of Enna, on the other hand, is the small village of Calascibetta, which also scores with its archaeological heritage, such as the necropolis of Realmese from the Iron Age.

Campiglia Marittima, in the province of Livorno in Tuscany, is also one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: it is located on a hill in the Val di Cornia with a wide view of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the surrounding countryside.

The Lazio region is represented by Castelnuovo di Porto in the province of Rome, where the important 13th century Castello della Rocca is located. The ancient village is located on a tuff spur and is of Etruscan origin.

Crecchio, in the province of Chieti in Abruzzo, is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves on a small hill near the Arielli River and is dominated by the Ducal Castle, which today houses the “Byzantine and Early Medieval Museum of Abruzzo”.

Not just a village, but a small island: La Maddalena, capital of one of the most popular islands of Sardinia in the archipelago of the same name, captivates with its historical center and its natural beauty and is now also one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia”.

Further north, the province of Trento can also boast 2 new additions: Luserna is a true natural balcony and one of the most historic and traditional municipalities of Trentino, where Cimbric, an ancient German language, is still spoken. Pieve Tesino is located on the southern slopes of Monte Silana and extends over the Tesino basin. The village is also known as the birthplace of the Italian statesman Alcide De Gasperi.

Nocera Umbra, in the province of Perugia, was founded by the Umbrians and later conquered by the Romans, who made it an important stop on the Via Flaminia. Its origins as a defensive fortress are still witnessed by the immense castle walls.

In the Marche, Petritoli was chosen as the new borgo in the province of Fermo. Situated on a hill, it overlooks the green and fertile Aso Valley and offers a breathtaking panorama from the Sibillini Mountains to the Adriatic coast.

Find out more about all the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” here: www.borghipiubelliditalia.it

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It is a ripe vintage, the top Masciarelli winery in Abruzzo! For the 40th anniversary, the mother-daughter duo Marina Cvetic and Miriam Lee Masciarelli invites guests to personally taste their fine wines at the place of their creation, with a cultural summer. Stylishly housed in the Castello di Semivicoli, guests can look forward to a delicious picnic in pink, stargazing in the vineyards and an installation by Belgian artist Job Smeets. Come with us on a journey to Abruzzo.

Slow down at Castello di Semivicoli

Located between the Adriatic coast and the Maiella Massif, this lovingly restored 17th-century patrician residence invites guests to take a relaxing break in the heart of Italy. In the eleven rooms and suites of the Castello di Semivicoli, somehow, the heart seems to beat slower. Magnificent rooms from a bygone era and the spacious garden are perfect for quietly reading a good book or enjoying a glass of wine while looking out over the vineyards to the sea. At Castello di Semivicoli you can choose from 11 suites, all located on the upper floors of the Castle. Each suite is different from the other, timeless atmospheres blend with the essentiality of contemporary design. The characteristic period interiors, unaltered by the skillful restoration, contain furnishings chosen from the most characteristic collections of Frau, Lupi, Driade and Stark.   

On hot days, the large pool area offers refreshment. In the evening, when the crickets start their song in the garden, the clatter of cutlery on the castle terrace joins in. The cuisine, made from fresh, regional organic ingredients, finds its ultimate complement in the wines pressed here. Environmentally conscious guests are in the right place at this Ecoworld hotel. But also simply connoisseurs whose heart likes to beat a little slower.

Stargazing and Pink Picnic

On clear summer nights, stargazing is the order of the day. Supplied with a picnic bag, the cosmos can be observed wonderfully from the darkness of the surrounding vineyards. If you are lucky, you might even spot the Big Dipper or Cassiopeia, but certainly many other stars in the firmament. Always with you: the fine Masciarelli wines. On August 27, the summer picnic in pink continues: At the Serata Rosè in piscina, all guests are asked to dress in pink as a tribute to the famous rosé wine Masciarelli Cerasuolo. At the same time, live music will ensure a good atmosphere, reservations are required. The cost is € 45 per person. In addition, the open-air summer restaurant invites you to indulge in “La Tavola di Gianni”. In the garden or in the vineyards, experienced sommeliers present not only the popular Masciarelli wines, but also selected drops – from the region to the top wines of Europe.

A heartfelt wish for the 40th – the Masciarelli Art Project

The Masciarelli Art Project fulfills a long-cherished wish of the heart: The Masciarelli Art Project is launched just in time for the winery’s 40th birthday. In the future, it will bring international talents of contemporary art into a dialogue with the kaleidoscopic Masciarelli world. The Belgian artist and designer Job Smeets, founder of the avant-garde Studio Job, will kick things off. He picked up ideas during his residency at Castello di Semivicoli in April for an installation that will be on view at the castle in October 2021. Smeets is also designing a label exclusively for the limited-edition Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Villa Gemma. “It is an honor to be the protagonist of the first edition of the Masciarelli Art Project,” Job Smeets is pleased to say, “Immersing myself in the unique and evocative atmosphere of Castello di Semivicoli, I was overwhelmed by the centuries-old history, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the enormous diversity of the vineyards. I was very fascinated by the elements that help to protect it: Roses, bees, herbs, flowers, symbols of a powerful nature that maintains the delicate balance of wine production.”

Straight from the heart – the education of Syrian children

Anyone who decides to buy a bottle of Pecorino DOC Castello di Semivicoli 2020 will be supporting access to education for refugee children from Syria. Five percent of the proceeds will be donated again this year by the Masciarelli winery to the refugee organization Terre des Hommes Italia. Among other things, it operates protected learning spaces for girls and boys in Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon. The initiative to dedicate one of Casa Masciarelli’s most innovative wines to charity has been in place since 2017.

It is a matter close to the hearts of Marina Cvetic and Miriam Lee Masciarelli. This year, a child from Syria even designed the wine label. But it’s not just for the good deed that the 2020 vintage is worth investing in: made from pure Pecorino grapes, Pecorino Castello di Semivicoli comes from the vineyards around the castle. Versatile, full-bodied and dense, it presents itself as a lively, contrasting white wine with aromas of balsamic, sage, thyme, honeysuckle and mountain herbs, as well as hints of pear, dried apple and lemon zest. Crisp and fragrant, it is suitable for an aperitif or as an appetizer, but equally with fish dishes or cheese.

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Scala dei Turchi, Sicily

Located between Realmonte and Porto Empedocle, in the Agrigento area, Scala dei Turchi is one of a kind in Italy: it is not a beach but a dazzling white cliff, slowly carved by the wind and the sea. According to legend, it was once a shelter for Turkish ships plundering along the Sicilian coast from here. To get to the beach you have to pass along a natural staircase carved into the limestone. All around are sheltered coves.

Cala Luna, Sardinia

Cala Luna is on the eastern coast of Sardinia, in the Gulf of Orosei. It is one of the most peculiar beaches on the island for its wilderness: Cala Luna is framed by rocky sides and arduous peaks, and dotted with caves, for its crystal clear sea, highly valued for underwater fishing and diving. The golden sandy beach and shallow waters make it suitable for children. You can reach this gem only by sea and by tourist boats, or by following an strenuous path (for skilled hikers); however, you will find a bar and restaurant there.

La Fontelina, Campania

One of the most scenic and exclusive beaches in the world, La Fontelina is nestled between the rocks and the sea, where you can take a huge dive in front of the famous Faraglioni. An enchanting place that seems to be created as a film set, the beach was already a place of idleness in Roman times. Wearing beach shoes is a must, but the satisfaction of your senses is assured. Fontelina has been a renowned beach club for years – with sun-beds and beach umbrellas, a bar and a restaurant; you can get there following the little road that begins from the Belvedere di Tragara.

San Fruttuoso Bay, Liguria

It is a small bay nestled between the Ligurian Mountains, between Camogli and Portofino, in the Regional Natural Park of Portofino, with a beautiful turquoise sea – a marine protected area: the small beach of San Fruttuoso is dominated by a 12th century Abbey that bears its name; in its waters, about 17 meters deep, it houses the submerged statue of Christ of the Abyss. The beach is made of pebbles, with a beach resort and rest stops, and can be reached by boat from the nearby places (also from Genoa) or on foot in about two hours, following the paths in the park.

Collelungo Beach, Tuscany

This is a wild paradise, nestled between rocky cliffs and golden sandy dunes covered with lillies and pine forests. It is overlooked by the Tower of Collelungo, near Marina di Alberese, in the Maremma Nature Park. Collelungo Beach is quiet and rarely visited. You could also spot some foxes or herds of cows lying on the beach. Surrounded by sand dunes and the typical Maremma vegetation; the sea is calm and clear. This is an ideal place for lovers of nature and tranquillity. It is accessible from the Visitor Center along the “A2 Le Torri” route (5.8 km) or from the beach of Marina di Alberese, and then proceeding south for a few miles.

Scialara Beach, Puglia

Located in the Gargano promontory, Vieste’s magnificent Scialara Beach is located next to the Pizzomunno, the impressive limestone monolith south of the town. It is 82 feet high and stretches its shade from the afternoon and, according to the legend, recalls the story of two lovers and a jealous mermaid. The beach – also known as “Spiaggia del Castello” because is dominated by a Suevian Castle – is 2 miles long, with golden sand, a crystal clear seabed, shallow waters and it is lived up by many beach resorts.

Arco Magno Beach, Calabria

Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea not far from Cosenza, in a small inlet between majestic cliffs and a spectacular sea in the Gulf of Policastro, there is a very fascinating beach: the Spiaggia dell’Arco Magno, so called because of the rock arch that separates it from the sea. It is not easy to be reached: it can be accessed by sea, from the nearby Marinella beach, or venturing along an impervious path carved into the rock (from the top of the path, you can enjoy a truly remarkable view).

Porto Caleri Beach, Veneto

It is located in Rosolina, in the Po Delta Park, hidden by the pinewood of a naturalistic oasis, and never crowded: the beach of Porto Caleri is a long sandy beach of four miles, wild and rich in species of flora and fauna, where the wind shapes the sand dunes changing the landscape year after year. You can reach the beach through three pedestrian paths along wooden walkways suspended over the water and the vegetation, located inside the Coastal Botanical Garden.

Cala Jannita, Basilicata

A long beach of black sand surrounded by rocks and rocky spurs on the edge of the Illicini Natural Park, Cala Jannita, opposite the islet of Santo Janni, is one of the most famous and scenic beaches in the Maratea area. Awarded with the Blue Flag, the “black beach” is free and accessible on foot from a path that crosses the Mediterranean scrub. The beach is the perfect starting point to visit the nearby Grotta della Sciabella.

Le Fumarole, Campania

A must-see for all those visiting Ischia, Le Fumarole – a few steps away from the village of Sant’Angelo – is a very special beach where the volcanic activity in the island is visible to the naked eye. In ancient times, the “fumaroles“, jets of water vapor and gas, and the heat released from the ground were used to heal the body by taking advantage of the benefits of nature. The vapors and bubbles rising from the sand can be seen going underwater with a scuba mask.

Le Dune, Sardinia

A long stretch of white sand dotted with Mediterranean vegetation, between soft sand dunes and a turquoise sea: Le Dune beach is located in the southwestern tip of Sardinia. The beach of Le Dune offers a dreamy landscape, with Mediterranean scrub that interrupts the whiteness with touches of fresh vegetation, while rosemary bushes give off their essence. This paradise, also known as Is Arenas Biancas, is the stretch of Porto Pino that is part of the territory of Teulada. The natural oasis is home to pink flamingos and egrets, and the sand is broken by lilies and wild rosemary shrubs; a little further north is a lagoon area with ponds. It is an oasis of incomparable beauty that will be one of your most precious memories: intense sunsets, the surrounding territory acting as a natural frame and long walks.

The Regina Giovanna Baths, Campania

It is said that here, where there was a villa of the Roman age, between the XIV and XV century came to bath Queen Joan of Anjou, seduced by the beautiful sea and the suggestive location. The Regina Giovanna Baths are fascinating natural pools at the foot of a cliff in Capo di Sorrento, reachable with a fifteen-minute walk. The seabed is pebbly, the sea immediately deep, but the panorama is exciting: from here, the view ranges from the Gulf of Naples to the Sorrento Peninsula, to Ischia and Procida.

Punta Aderci, Abruzzo

Long sandy beaches interspersed with pebbles, behind cliffs, pine forests on the sea and hiking trails: Punta Aderci is a nature reserve in the Abruzzo coastal strip of great naturalistic interest. The reserve includes the Punta Penna Beach, a marine amphitheater much appreciated for the clearness of its waters and the unspoiled nature, the Libertini Beach, from which a dirt road leads to the promontory, and the Mottagrossa Beach: this is where one of the wildest and solitary stretches of coast in the Adriatic Sea begins.

Tonnara Beach, Sicily

Included in the Vendicari Reserve, a marvelous natural oasis in eastern Sicily, among coastal dunes, saltpans, fresh water ponds and miles of beaches. The Tonnara Beach – which is among the most beautiful stretches – is a very long sandy coast of unspoiled nature with shallow and turquoise waters. The islet of Vendicari and the remains of the ancient tuna fishery can be enjoyed from the beach, where it is not hard to spot flamingos and cormorants. You can also walk or ride a bicycle along several paths surrounded by vegetation, between watchtowers and ruins of saltpans.

Zagare Bay, Puglia

Another fantastic beach located in the Gargano promontory, not far from Mattinata, between high white cliffs overlooking the sea and stacks. Rising from emerald green waters is Baia delle Zagare – awarded with the 3 Sails of Legambiente (a well-known environmentalist association). It owes its name to that of the fragrant orange blossoms that bloom nearby. The two stacks of limestone shaped by the wind are distinctive in the Bay. It includes two beaches, divided in two by a cliff: Baia delle Zagare and Baia dei Faraglioni, both of white pebbles. The beaches can be reached by sea or through paths that branch off the main road.

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