Exploring Vallepicciola Winery, it’s vineyards, cellar, and art: featuring the Collectors’ Experience and Wine Safari tours as well as the new “Casa in bottiglia” installation by artist Clet Abraham.

Nestled in the wine tourism destination of Val di Picciola in the heart of Chianti Classico, the Vallepicciola Winery offers an array of experiences that immerse visitors in authentic Tuscan wine culture. Year-round, the Collectors’ Experience and Wine Safari tours take guests on a journey through the winemaking process: from the first flowers and berries in the vineyard to the bottling. Not to be missed at Vallepicciola is the contemporary artwork “Casa in bottiglia” by French artist Clet Abraham, who participated in the “A(Rt) Message in A (Chianti Classico) Bottle” project promoted by the Consorzio del Chianti Classico.

Set in Pievasciata, a small village just 15 km from Siena, Vallepicciola is the Bolfo family’s premier winery in the heart of Chianti Classico, crafting excellent wines and offering an array of outdoor and indoor activities. Year-round, tourists can stroll through the vineyards and visit the state-of-the-art winery, including the cellar. Vallepicciola Experience and Wine Safari are two of the most appealing tours for wine lovers.

Vallepicciola Experience

Guests at Vallepicciola can delve into the rich heritage and artistry of the winery through the exclusive Vallepicciola Experience, a two-hour tour that unveils the secrets behind the estate’s world-renowned wines. The journey begins amidst the picturesque vineyards that grace the rolling hills of Chianti Classico. Guided by Vallepicciola’s knowledgeable hospitality team, visitors gain a deeper understanding of the terroir that nurtures exceptional grapes. This immersive tour includes tasting 5 distinctive wines; each sip unveils the unique character and terroir expression that characterize Vallepicciola’s approach to winemaking. This experience takes approx. two hours and is paired with local cheeses, freshly baked bread and focaccia as well as Vallepicciola’s own extra virgin olive oil. Rates are €40 per Person.

Wine Safari Experience

The exciting Wine Safari tour is tailored specifically for adventure enthusiasts. Guided by Vallepicciola’s drivers, guests traverse the estate’s breathtaking landscapes in a jeep, revelling in the panoramic vistas that define this iconic wine region. The adventure culminates in an intimate exploration of Vallepicciola’s winery and the meticulous craftsmanship that transforms grapes into exceptional wines: from the fermentation room, the heart of the winemaking process where the magical transformation unfolds, to the barrel cellar, where the wines patiently mature under the watchful eye of renowned winemaker Alessandro Cellai.

The grand finale is a tasting of Vallepicciola’s most celebrated wines: Vallepicciola Bianco, Boscobruno, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione,  Parva Domus, Migliorè. An adventure for all – This exclusive two-hour experience is available by reservation only, starting at 11:00 AM and at 4:00 PM, until October 2026. Rates are €130 per Person.

A(rt) Message in a (Chianti Classico) Bottle

“Casa in bottiglia” by French artist Clet Abraham arrived at Vallepicciola by means of the “A(rt) message in a (Chianti Classico) bottle” project, promoted by the Consorzio del Chianti Classico, and celebrates not just wine, but also Chianti Classico, which has long inspired poets and artists. The bottle-sculpture made of polystyrene and standing 4 meters tall is a street art reinterpretation of the iconic bottle that has always defined Chianti Classico, featuring a whimsical house with a door, window, and a smoke cloud from the chimney, representing a unique visit for art lovers.

Hotel Le Fontanelle*****

It was siblings Bruno and Giuseppina Bolfo who discovered the wine-growing potential of the Val di Picciola Valley when they bought an abandoned 17th-century monastery in 1999 and renovated it into what is now the five-star Hotel Le Fontanelle.

It took seven years to carefully and respectfully renovate the structure, maintaining the energy in its massive stone exterior, building with wood from the region and delicately adding refined terracotta pavements aligned with the classic style of Chianti.

Thus in 2006 Hotel Le Fontanelle became a unique place, which, thanks to a refined and gentle welcome, offers a more authentic and immersive experience of Chianti. The 5-star accommodation offers a discreet elegance deep in the heart of Chianti. The luxury rooms and suites are furnished with terracotta floors and oak-beamed ceilings, some offer a private lounge or garden area.

The beautiful location offers a panoramic swimming pool, a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and relaxing area. Mountain bikes are free to use for guests.

Surrounding the property there was a piece of land of 3 hectares that became the starting point of the winemaking business. Five years later, the brothers bought and restored another ruin adjacent to the hotel, reaching 6 hectares of vineyards that would allow Vallepicciola to start a small wine production intended for the consumption and sale at the hotel only.

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The Falkensteiner Club Funimation Garden Calabria, located on the Tyrrhenian coast, not far from Tropea and the stunning Costa degli Dei, reopened in May for the summer season.

This all-inclusive resort near Pizzo Calabro is a true hotel city with its 518, partly completely renovated, simply elegant rooms and suites, which are spread over two-story buildings in the middle of lavishly flowering and green gardens, giving no idea of its size.

Experience local, Mediterranean elements combined with refreshing design with a color scheme reflecting the sun-drenched region. All rooms feature a double bed, a TV, a spacious bathroom, a terrace or balcony, and air conditioning. It is the perfect place for the whole family’s holiday by the sea.

 

The facilities are also lavish: two huge pools with waterfalls, 4 restaurants, 3 bars and a self-service drinks station in the sports area, wellness and spa facilities for every taste. The rich entertainment program is divided into age groups, Falky-land and Teenie-land, with games, spaces and creative workshops, activities and sports tournaments of tennis, beach volleyball or paddle.

The wide hotel beach with the strip of pine forest in front of it and the extensive sports facilities with 5 tennis courts alone and numerous courses and tournaments will win over active vacationers and families. Water sports lovers will also have canoes and SUPs at their disposal.

 

For the culinary delights, the Falkensteiner Garden Calabria offers a varied cuisine for all tastes. Whether it’s burgers, pasta, barbecue dishes on the beach or snacks by the pool – there is also a variation for guests with intolerance problems, vegetarian, vegan and a restaurant with seafood. For a sophisticated time-out, the restaurant run by star chef Theodor Falser offers real treats for the gourmets in the evenings.

Pizzo Calabro is known for its historic attractions and the charming centro storico with piazza that overlooks a charming marina. It is within easy distance of the famous Tropea.

Tropea is a seaside resort with sandy beaches, located on the Tyrrhenian Sea and known for its clifftop historic center, beaches and prized red onions.

Lamezia Terme International Airport is only a 15-minute drive from the resort. Private transfer can be arranged.

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Located on the hills, above Torri del Benaco at the edge of Lake Garda in Italy, Borgo Tre has opened its doors to welcome guests. Restored by local artisans, the18th-century farmhouse is surrounded by olive groves, cypresses, lemon trees and pine woods.

Borgo Tre offers 4,305 square feet (400 qm) of living space with six luxury apartment-style suites. With each suite over 860 square feet (80 qm), guests can expect their own private garden or terrace with both lake and countryside views, complete with a bedroom, living and dining area, kitchen, open fireplace and designer bathrooms with free-standing marble baths. Some suites can host up to six people. More accommodations are scheduled to open in 2025.

Although self-catered, breakfast is served in-suite with a complimentary breakfast box. Borgo Tre recommends many nearby restaurants to sample some of the region’s best dishes for daytime and evening dining.

The farmhouse retreat features a heated outdoor pool made from local granite. A mini nature spa is slated to open soon, complete with a relaxation area, yoga terrace, outdoor cabanas, cold plunge pool and a Finnish sauna.

Borgo Tre encourages guests to switch off and explore the surroundings on foot or the hotel’s e-bikes. Its vision of slow living and sustainability is about connecting to nature. It is the ideal place to dedicate time to health and well-being, with upcoming yoga retreats to be held in the grounds. Guests can enjoy wine tasting, Vespa road trips along the shores, hikes up to the 360-degree viewpoint of Monte Baldo and boat trips on the lake.

The closest airport to Borgo Tre is Verona, a 25-minute drive by car.

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The Hotel Roma in Ortigia (Syracuse) changed its name and received a new look. The hotel, designed by VRetreats, is now Palazzo Artemide.

A non-random choice, which refers to the name of the Greek goddess protector of the city of Syracuse to whom the same Temple, the Artemision, is also dedicated. The remains of which can still be admired today along Via Minerva, at the highest point of the Island of Ortigia is a short walk from the hotel.

Added to this was also the new naming of the restaurant and bar inside: Amunì. An invitation to discover Sicily, starting from the choice of the name which embodies the roots of a renewed tradition that can also be found in the dishes, in which the different flavors and ingredients balance each other perfectly. The bar, extending across Piazza Minerva, as well as the outdoor area of the restaurant, are ideal for art lovers who will be able to admire the Doric columns of the Temple of Athena while enjoying a drink.

Historic Hotel

The two innovations were part of a broader renovation project of the entire hotel by VRetreats which has decided to intervene with the aim of revisiting the structure in contemporary key, while respecting its identity and enhancing the original proportions of the building and the strong Sicilian imprint.

The interventions drew inspiration from the historical architecture of the palace. Inside, the Hotel’s character is truly Sicilian: amidst the limestone used for the Greek temples and Baroque palaces – still the dominant motif of the building today – the traditional ‘secret’ courtyards inherited from Arab architecture, the small pensile gardens, the balconies for admiring the beauty of the city and the picturesque tufa stone ‘dammuso’ vaults in the restaurant, every corner speaks of Sicily.

Specifically, the renovation affected the ground floor with new arrangement of the internal common areas linked to reception, made more spacious and harmonious. Particular attention was paid to the new lighting system, which enhances the pre-existing columns, arches and internal vaults, arranged throughout the entrance area and to the conservation of the entire ocher marble flooring. Furthermore, the rooms were renovated, open on two sides with large balconies and reorganized in their decorative effects with plaster frames and backgrounds, typical of the local tradition, in line with the brand’s desire to restore the rooms’ their maximum originality.

Palazzo Artemide – Monumental charme

Palazzo Artemide, a historic hotel in Syracuse, is housed in an ancient late 19th century building adjacent to the Cathedral, the historic center of the city and a masterpiece of Sicilian Baroque.

Palazzo Artemide, founded in 1880, is set in the center of Ortigia, between the Cathedral and the Arcivescovado [Archbishopric], and faces Piazza Minerva, amid the ancient Doric columns of the Temple, on the main street of the historic city center of Siracusa, Via Roma.

The structure has 40 rooms, including 3 suites and 6 junior suites, which offer their own identity and diversity in the most refined details. Each is elegantly furnished and equipped with all comforts.

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Tucked among the stunning embrace of 2,400 olive trees and sprawling across a 20-hectare estate, is the luxurious private retreat, Villa Torre Bianca.

Originally built as a summer abode in the 19th century, the historic villa in Triggianello is just a 15-minute drive from the enchanting town of Polignano a Mare and less than five miles (8 km) from the Adriatic Sea. Villa Torre Bianca stands as a testament to timeless elegance and luxury and beckons discerning travelers to indulge in a private villa vacation within the Apulian countryside.

Villa Torre Bianca comprises 11 (soon to be 12) rooms and suites, accommodating up to 28 guests. Each of the rooms and suites affords views of the private gardens. From its signature tower, which houses the Torre Bianca Suite, guests can enjoy views of the village of Triggianello and the surrounding towns of Polignano a Mare, Conversano, Castellana Grotte and Monopoli.

Polignano a Mare, a town perched atop limestone cliffs along the coast of southern Italy, captivates visitors with its beauty and rich history. Its narrow streets wind through ancient whitewashed buildings, leading to breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea’s turquoise waters and pristine beaches. Steeped in tradition and culture, this charming town also offers delectable seafood cuisine, local markets, and a warm, welcoming community that captures the essence of Mediterranean life.

The estate offers many luxurious amenities and accommodations, including an alluring outdoor swimming pool paired with inviting loungers for tranquil moments of relaxation. For guests craving wellness during their stay, Villa Torre Bianca houses a gym and a sauna. An onsite coffee bar ensures guests can receive the pick-me-up they need before a day of adventure. The restaurant serves traditional Apulian cuisine featuring regional ingredients. Other amenities include an indoor TV lounge room, daily housekeeping, daily continental breakfast and onsite guest services.

For groups or parties interested in enhancing their stay, the villa offers a selection of luxury services, such as a private experience at Lido Sabbiadoro, which is Monopoli’s most exclusive beach club, or immersive activities including cooking classes, private tours, cellar tastings, offsite excursions and more. Premier services such as private transfers, room service, babysitting, celebration planning and private dining, spa services, and fitness classes are also available upon request. 

Thinking of getting married? Villa Torre Bianca offers outdoor wedding facilities on site and can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Villa Torre Bianca is open year-round.

The addition of Villa Torre Bianca to Emily Hotels’ portfolio in 2023, marks a unique venture for the company. The villa is the first acquisition in Europe, and Emily Hotels has plans for continued expansion throughout Italy over the next few years. The Emily Hotel is an art-inspired boutique concept by the Onni Group. Villa Torre Bianca also has a unique tie to its ownership group’s beginning; the late founder of Onni Group. Innocenzo De Cotiis was a native Italian, spending the majority of his childhood there until his family immigrated to Canada.

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Patria Palace, a former 18th-century palace-turned-hotel in Lecce has reopened following a four-year renovation project. Originally designed by Mauro Manieri, a Lecce-based 18th-century architect, the hotel is open from March to December, and is a near year-round destination. Born as a noble residence of the Petrarolo D’Anna family, Patria eighteenth-century palace rises majestic and elegant in the heart of Lecce.  Over the centuries the palace has experienced all different souls of hospitality. It evolved into a loving home for orphans, before being transformed into the city’s first Locanda (inn) for travelers in 1850. It reopened as a luxury hotel in 1980.

Situated in a small Piazzetta overlooking the Basilica of Santa Croce, the hotel has a rooftop bar, a gourmet restaurant that showcases Salento’s cuisine, an outdoor lounge bar, and 58 rooms and suites with views over the city. Guests can expect authentic coffered ceilings in carved wood, stained glass windows and antique marble floors. The rooms and suites express the different nuances of beauty of the Palace. Other original features that have been retained and restored include frescoes, vaulted ceilings and carved balconies. Each room has artisanal ceramics, locally sourced fabrics, and luxury amenities and comforts.

This year, guests can expect the launch of the Patria Palace Wellness area, which will incorporate two spa suites, a Turkish bath, sauna, two private pools as well as indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, all carved out of the property’s original stone walls.

Situated on the Salento Peninsula, Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” has existed for over 2,000 years, and offers a blend of different eras, histories and cultures. Guests of Patria Palace are only a few steps away from the city’s popular attractions, including the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Jewish Museum. The property can organize guided tours, in addition to a Lecce Food Tour, led by a sommelier, and food and wine expert. As the city is only a short drive to Salento’s Adriatic coast, Patria Palace also provides a Beach Club private shuttle service, available every day between June and September.

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The historic 5* Hotel boasts an impressive legacy dating back to the 16th Century. Originally built as a guest residence for a Roman noble family in the mid-16th century, Hotel d’Inghilterra has been welcoming travelers to the Eternal City for over 150 years. The completely renovated hotel combines contemporary details and bright colors with a timeless elegance characteristic of the aristocratic palace that houses it, just a short walk from the Spanish Steps. Over its long history, it has hosted legendary visitors, including Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Gregory Peck and Henry James.

Located in the heart of Rome’s fashion district, between Via Condotti and Via Frattina, Hotel D’Inghilterra is the perfect place to experience the magic of Italian style.  Stepping into the renovated hotel, guests will notice a redesigned reception area besides a new second reception located alongside a concierge desk, dedicated for VIP guests. Honoring the property’s history, the black floor with white inserts, covering almost the entire ground floor has remained untouched. Additionally, some antique pieces continue to enhance the library.

The ceiling cornices on the first and third floors have been restored to ensure they were exactly as they were “once upon a time.” Wallpapers on the first and third floors are all custom-made for Starhotels in three different colors. All textiles for the rooms are also designed custom-made. On the second floor, a restoration of the original design includes English wallpapers. Rooms and suites on the upper floors, restored during the previous renovation phase in 2023, include the Penthouse Suite with its 753-square-foot (70 qm) terrace overlooking the city and the Balcony Suites on the fifth floor.

The Cafè Romano Restaurant & Lounge Bar, an enduring favorite of artists, writers and movie stars, will be expanded with an additional indoor room for local guests. The restaurant will be connected to the lobby. A new outdoor seating area has been added in Via Borgognona, a pedestrian street dotted with boutiques, the perfect spot for a coffee break, a light lunch or an al fresco dinner. The Bar retains its original counter and wall paneling. A highlight of the renovation will be the new Terrazza Romana on the sixth floor. The rooftop bar will be open to locals as well.

When Hotel d’Inghilterra reopens in September, it will also offer a spa, providing guests with a range of treatments.

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Exclusively at Grotta Giusti Thermal Spa Resort you can try a new fitness experience combining Pilates and Yoga techniques: Piloga. Due to the warmth of the grotto, body temperature is raised, amplifying the body’s ability to heal naturally.

Grotta Giusti is a beautiful nineteenth-century villa in the heart of Tuscany, in Monsummano Terme, between Florence, Pisa, and Lucca. Originally a countryside residence for the family of poet Giuseppe Giusti, today it is a prestigious resort immersed in the greenery of its age-old park.

Grotta Giusti has the charm of history, with a special atmosphere created by its architecture, the surrounding nature, and the spectacular natural thermal grotto. Grotta Giusti reopens with a new spa that has been totally re-created in terms of facilities, services and style.

Today, after a meticulous and loving renovation, Grotta Giusti has a newfound elegance, inspired by the nature and art of Tuscany and its poetry. It’s the perfect finishing touch to a project that has turned Grotta Giusti into a wonderful 5-star resort.

Grotta Giusti belongs to the Italian Hospitality Collection, who owns a collection of some of the most beautiful hotels, resorts and spas in Italy.

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Originally constructed as the Assicurazioni Generali headquarters between 1897 and 1901, Palazzo Venezia’s design sought inspiration from architect and historian Luca Beltrami, who played a pivotal role in the restoration of the area between the late 19th and early 20th century. The reopening of this historic building under Meliá Hotels International kickstarts the redevelopment of Piazza Cordusio, a square that connects the Duomo to Sforzesco Castle.

The original Generali Assicurazioni emblems have been incorporated in the design, paying homage to the history of the building and original esthetics of the era.

Along with the interior restoration, 84 rooms and suites have been created, each characterized by grand windows and, in some rooms, private balconies with views of Piazza Cordusio, Via Orefici, Viadei Mercanti and the Duomo.

Palazzo Cordusio Gran Meliá brings renowned dining experiences to Milan. The hotel opening introduces four new homegrown concepts to Palazzo Venezia’s dining scene with Gioia Pasticceria, Giardino Cordusio, Isola Restaurant and SACHI. Gioia Pasticceria offers fresh pastries to be enjoyed with the hotel’s ground-floor views overlooking the Square; Giardino Cordusio, an upscale champagne bar and lounge, is located in the hotel’s internal courtyard; Isola offers Italian dishes and an extensive selection of wine pairings; and SACHI, a well-established culinary experience in London led by Chef Moon Kyung Soo, offers Japanese cuisine.

Other facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath, relaxation lounge, and a gym with views of the Palazzo della Ragione and Piazza Mercanti.

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Iris in all its glory: Villa La Massa impresses with colorful natural highlights at the gates of Florence – be it in the extensive park or stylish cocktail glass.

In Greek mythology, the iris was the messenger of the gods. At Villa La Massa, in the middle of the Tuscan countryside and surrounded by 25 acres of lemon trees and olive groves, it signals the arrival of spring. Strolling through the extensive park, you will discover new perspectives and wonders of nature time and time again. The iris garden not only impresses with its magnificent flowers, but also forms the basis for a culinary journey that harmoniously combines history and nature.

Blue, purple, white and yellow – this is how the iris blossom shines and delights more than just garden fans. Countless varieties of iris, small and large plants, fragrant beauties and colorful eye-catchers thrive on over 4,300 square feet in Villa La Massa’s specially created iris garden. A visit to the luxury hotel on the Arno is particularly worthwhile between April and July, when the iris garden is in full bloom. The green paradise was created by the renowned landscape architect Maria Chiara Pozzana. It is a continuation of the old tradition of the Medici family, who once ruled Florence: The iris has always been the symbolic flower of Tuscany and still adorns the city’s coat of arms today as a red flower on a white field.

An electric shuttle is available to hotel guests on request to take them comfortably to the city center and to one of the highlights of the season: A true garden paradise stretches east of Piazzale Michelangelo and impresses not only with rare iris specimens, but also with spectacular views of the Florence skyline. Founded in 1957 by the Società Italiana dell’Iris (Italian Iris Foundation), the extensive iris garden only opens its doors to visitors in May during the International Iris Show. However, there is also plenty for guests at Villa La Massa to discover in the other spring months, as the boutique hotel organizes visits to spectacular villas and gardens in Tuscany as a member of the “Grandi Giardini Italiani” association, giving guests exclusive access to the private estates.

The gastronomy at Villa La Massa is also a creative homage to the past, characterized by the aromatic treasures of regional cuisine and the use of fresh ingredients from our own garden. The new iris cocktail is the perfect accompaniment for balmy spring evenings. This creation is dedicated to Countess Bierliska, who acquired the historic estate in 1856. A cocktail delight that pays homage to the gardens with a fresh blend of vodka, iris liqueur and orange bitters.

Villa La Massa

Villa La Massa, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, has 51 rooms and luxury suites as well as a private chapel. The hotel is located directly on the banks of the River Arno, five miles (eight kilometers) from Florence city center. Guests can take a free shuttle bus directly to the Ponte Vecchio. The hotel’s restaurant Il Verrocchio was voted the restaurant with the most beautiful view in Italy. It is located directly above the Arno in the middle of the hills of the Chianti region, surrounded by estates and vineyards. Other highlights for connoisseurs include the historic wine cellar for private tastings, the Bar Mediceo and the Bistrot L’Oliveto.

Photos: Villa La Massa

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