Toscana…in love, for weddings in Tuscany’s Chianciano Terme, is the brainchild of Maria Rita Giurlani who, seeing the potential of the Tuscan town, intends to give it new impetus as a destination for the celebration of prestigious weddings.

Working in synergy with local and national entrepreneurs and institutions, she intends to generate a niche that will benefit the local image and economy.



Haute couture bridal fashions and wedding experts

Maria Rita Giurlani is a stylist with a consolidated and recognized experience in haute couture bridal fashions, and owner of the Maison MARIGI, which is opening premises in Chianciano Terme.

A number of professionals representing excellence in their respective fields have already gathered around MARIGI. From Elena Gobetti (master of ceremonies/image consultant) to Fiorella Ciaffaraffà (wedding planner), Maria Nicolini (public relations) Natascia Bachini (cake designer) and Rossella Giulianelli (chef).

A Municipal House for marriages 

Participating in the project is the Terme di Chianciano SpA, as a Chianciano Terme Municipal House a venue designated for the celebration of legally recognized marriages. Fundamental to this project is the collaboration with the Municipality of Chianciano Terme, which supports the initiative through its own channels, and aims at integrating this initiative with existing projects in the Chianciano area. The next steps will be the acquisition and selection of other professionals and landing page on the website www.marigi.it. 

Experiential tours in Lombardy’s artisan village of Padernello, immersed in the nature of the Bassa Bresciana region near the city of Brescia in Italy’s northern region, are not to be missed.

These new guided tours for groups through the splendid 15th-century Padernello Castle in Borgo San Giacomo, have just been introduced.

Across an ancient drawbridge

The itinerary for groups starts at the entrance which is accessed by crossing the ancient drawbridge into the courtyards and then into the historic rooms of the castle. From the 16th-century kitchen to the elegant rooms of the noble chambers and the fascinating library this tour brings you back through the centuries.   

An albergo diffuso deconstructed hotel opening in 2023

Outside again, the guided tour continues in the artisan village and at the Cascina Bassa, a large farmstead recently renovated for workshops and with rooms that will host, from 2023, a beautiful Albergo Diffuso deconstructed hotel. Here, visitors can taste and purchase Brescian wines from the wine shop to accompany the delicacies of the local cuisine.

Opening hours

Guided tours for groups, lasting two and a half hours, are priced at €10 per person.

The Castle can be visited (only with a guide and reservation required) on:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Saturday at 10.30 a.m., 2.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Closed on Mondays.

For information and bookings www.castellodipadernello.it 

Eco-friendly glamping. Discover the Po on horseback, on two wheels or by boat across dunes, beaches and marshlands, and, close to the great river, into the Po Delta Park, a UNESCO.

 

Here, hidden in an immense green park overlooking the sea Barricata Holiday Village is the ideal refuge for those who love holidays in contact with nature. A paradise to enjoy with the natural chic touch of glamping which is becoming increasingly popular. 

Summer 2022 is for glamping!

Glamping is looking like being the summer trend and Barricata is ready. This summer the Village, which is one of the promoters of this style of holiday in Italy, is introducing the new Safari Lofts and Boutiques. These splendid state-of-the-art lodges with real beds, mattresses and sheets have large interiors and the spaces are divided with curtains between the bedrooms (for 6 people) and the open kitchen and living area. They also have large windows, and all rooms are air conditioned.

Discovering the Po Delta Park at the Barricata Village

The Barricata Holiday Villlage is the ideal place for those who love adventurous and out-of-the-ordinary holidays, with a true immersion in nature in a unique setting. In the surrounding area guests can enjoy classical itineraries and unusual excursions off the beaten track of mass tourism, making a holiday in this corner of unspoiled nature, truly unforgettable. www.villaggiobarricata.com. 
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Veruschka and Roberto Wirth Jr take the reins of Rome’s Hassler Hotel, a succession in the pursuit of innovation and continuity with tradition.

Veruschka and Roberto Wirth Jr, who are twins, intend following in the footsteps of their father, the well-known Roman hotelier who passed away at the beginning of June. 

The Hassler Group has five properties

They have just been appointed managing director and executive chairman of le Gemme di Roberto Wirth, the group that includes the Hassler in Rome, with which the late entrepreneur has always been identified, the Palazzetto also in Rome, the Hotel Vannucci and Borgo Bastia Creti in Umbria and the Parco del Principe in Tuscany.  "The Hassler is in our DNA. From a young age we have been part of the hotel and its dynamics. It’s a mix of work, home and passion that has always seen all members of the family involved," say the twins.

Swiss hotel training and international experience 

Born in Rome in 1992, following their studies in Switzerland at the Glion Institute of Higher Education, one of the world's most prestigious hospitality management schools, their paths diverged. Veruschka went to Boston to begin her journey with a prestigious property and then to London where she got a master's degree in brand development, while Roberto Jr. began his career with leading international hospitality brands in London, Washington and Prague.  

Returning to Italy 

"We knew our destiny was here," they say.  And so in 2017 Roberto Jr. decided to return to Italy to begin his professional adventure alongside his father at the Hassler, bringing his enthusiasm and background with him. And in 2019, on the strength of her experience, Veruschka took over the management of the Parco del Principe in Tuscany, a neo-Gothic villa dating back to the late 1800s.

An exclusive spa for the Hassler and international growth

"Our commitment is to maintain, continue and develop the path taken by our father and, therefore, to keep the Hassler as an independent hotel, with its own character, personality and history," the twins stress. With regard to the future they have no doubts that their road will be increasingly green and sustainable. They plan to create an exclusive spa in the Hassler and to reconvert a grotto inside the ancient walls overlooking the hotel's garden.  And to continue to grow in Italy and worldwide.

Rosewood will arrive in Venice in 2025 with the Bauer Hotel following a major renovation that will begin in November of next year and culminate with the hotel's reopening.

The Venetian Bauer will be managed by the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts company and is owned by real estate investor Signa Prime Selection, established in 1880 and situated in San Marco's historic neighbourhood between the Grand Canal and Piazza San Marco. 

Upgrading sustainability 

Venetian architect Alberto Torsello, and the interior design firm Bar Studio, are overseeing the makeover. The property's original exterior, a sizable spiral staircase, and several interior features will be the focus of the renovations. The goal of the entire project is to dramatically upgrade the hotel's sustainability with the property aiming for Green Pass, Casa Klima, and Leed Gold certifications. 

Luxurious shop space

There will be at least 110 rooms in the Rosewood Hotel Bauer, more than half of which will be suites, including some trademark, and a presidential suite. There will be a casual restaurant and wine bar on the ground floor, along with a typical Venetian restaurant and a rooftop bar with a typical Venetian roof terrace. The property will also have an outdoor swimming pool with a bar on the eighth story, a spa, and an Italian roof garden with city views. At the back of the building, right on the bustling Piazza Campo San Moisé close to Piazza San Marco, a luxurious shop space with a total floor area of around 3,000 square metres will be integrated into the hotel experience.

Tuscany and Rome next on the list

After rumours a few years ago about Rosewood's interest in managing Palazzo Dona Giovannelli, owned by the Barletta group and later given to Accor's new Orient Express brand, Rosewood is finally entering Venice with the Bauer. Still to come are the Tuscan Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco and the Rosewood Rome, both of which are expected to open in 2024.

The Tuscan Laqua Vineyard is the newly-opened Cannavacciuolo Group new entry in Casanova delle Spinette, between Pisa and Volterra in Tuscany.

The Cannavacciuolo Group, founded in March last year by Cinzia and Antonino Cannavacciuolo, now has three properties between Piedmont and Campania. The new Tuscan property is a two-storey farmhouse-resort with a restaurant, the Cannavacciuolo Vineyard, a private garden and six apartments, while a wellness area and a swimming pool are planned for the near future.

Laqua Resorts is a new brand

"We are thrilled and enthusiastic about this new Laqua Resorts Collection venture. We founded the brand last year and it is unbelievable that we can also bring our love for hospitality and cuisine to Tuscany,” said Cinzia and Antonino Cannavacciuolo.

A restaurant seating 70

The restaurant can seat some seventy guests and has an open kitchen helmed by executive chef Marco Suriano. It also has a tasting table for groups of friends or for special occasions, and there is also an intimate and reserved Privé table.

Ph credits: Francesca Pagliai

Starhotels is to build over 150 serviced apartments in Florence's former municipal theatre. 

Taking three of the seven buildings of Florence’s former municipal theatre, known among other things because for hosting the Maggio Fiorentino festival for many years, the apartments will be managed by Starhotels. The hotel group has signed a management agreement with Hines and Blue Noble, the two international investors who acquired the complex in March 2020 from Cdp Investimenti, a subsidiary of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, for some €27 million.

Apartments, retail and office space

The new apartments are expected to be ready in 2024 and will be called the Teatro Luxury Apartments - Starhotels Collezione. The overall project involves the construction of some 230 apartments including studios and one and two-bedroom properties, some of which will be for sale, as well as retail and office spaces. 

Co-working and catering facilities also for the public

The complex will also feature more than 170 reserved parking spaces, a conciergerie, a terrace with a solarium, a gym and wellness centre, as well as facilities for children, co-working and catering, with services open to the public. The project area covers an area of approximately 15,300 square metres.

Cortina is to get a new Tribune managed by Ppn Hospitality. Following its debut in Rome last year, news is now coming in of a new opening of the Marriott Tribune brand in Cortina (while a third is in the pipeline in Milan, through the rebranding of the Four Points by Sheraton Milan Center, Ed). 

Ready in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics

The Italian white label company Ppn Hospitality is in charge of operations, as well as the relaunch and restyling of the Dolomiti Hotel. The refurbishmente will have the technical and design guidance of the Gris and Dainese studio, bringing Cortina d’Ampezzo’s historic hotel online in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Designed by architect Edoardo Gellner for the 1956 Olympics, the hotel will be renamed the Cortina and will have 75 rooms, a spa, a gourmet restaurant and a rooftop with Dolomite views. On an area of over 6,600 square metres, it is scheduled to open in December 2024

“An ideal setting for upmarket tourism” 

"We are happy to be able to lead the new course of one of the most historic and important hotels in Cortina d'Ampezzo," comments the CEO of Ppn Hospitality, Filippo Cavandoli. "We are ready to take on this challenge with the certainty that the new hotel will be an ideal setting for upmarket tourism, also on the occasion of the Olympics that will be held in Cortina in 2026.”

Parma and its food valley is a top choice for all seasons. The city of Parma and its surrounding area offer a kaleidoscope of possibilities and experiences for anyone seeking an alternative to the classic and, perhaps for some, jaded choice between the sea and the mountains.

From the heart of the Food Valley to a treasure trove of artistic wonders an an inexhaustible reservoir of natural and historic itineraries, this area has so much to offer that is different.

Trame d’Italia’s itineraries

Don’t have the time or the inclination to explore independently? Then you can rely on the Trame d'Italia online platform for direct contact with the places, traditions and lesser-known and inaccessible aspects of some of Italy's most fascinating destinations. From nights in a yurt in the Apennines, to discovering the magic of Salsomaggiore Terme or walking along the Via Francigena in the footsteps of ancient pilgrims. You can find them all on www.trameditalia.it

Visit Emilia to plan stays and holidays

Another virtuous container of the area's activities and beauty is Visit Emilia, the tourist promotion agency for the Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia areas that presents the varied uniqueness of a vast area where food, nature and culture meet. Through the site you can plan themed stays and holidays, select a network from Spas & Outdoors, Food & Wine and Culture & Castles, or choose according to the province of your choice and your preferences. (www.visitemilia.com)

Culatello cured Parma ham

Speaking of food and wine at the Antica Corte Pallavicina in Polesine Parmense, Luciano and Massimo Spigaroli have turned an ancient 14th century castle on the floodplain of the river Po into the realm of gastrofluvial cuisine. Prominent on the menu is Culatello, the sweetest and most expensive cut of cured Parma, ham which here also boasts a museum and the world's oldest operating maturing cellars. (www.anticacortepallavicinarelais.it).

Salsomaggiore for castles and concerts

Visit Salsomaggiore (www.visitsalsomaggiore.it) and you will find many opportunities for activities in an area traditionally associated with spas and wellness. On the hills of Salsomaggiore you can visit the Castles of Tabiano, Contignaco and Scipione dei Marchesi Pallavicino, and the Pinko Arena has concerts and shows with famous Italian and international artists scheduled up to September.

Turismo Val Taro - Albareto - Credit Nemesia Studio

Sensory experiences with horses 

The Upper Valtaro Valley is one of the province's best-kept naturalistic jewels, with hundreds of mountain trails that stretch to the regional limits and are ideal for mountain bikers, while Elena Galli's Fili d'Erba Farm at the WWF Ghirardi Oasis in Borgotaro is popular for its programme of sensory experiences with horses. (www.turismovaltaro.it).

Showcasing the lush, wine-growing Valpantena valley, close to Verona in Italy’s Veneto region, the newly formed Rete Valpantena network is spearheading strategies to market the pre-alpine valley as an unspoiled tourist attraction for visitors seeking authentic experiences in Italy. 

Using food and wine to boost tourism

The group, formed of seven visionary entrepreneurs from local wineries, farmsteads and hotels - Agricola Pernigo, Angelini Wines & Estates, Costa Arente, La Collina dei Ciliegi and Ca' del Moro Wine Retreat, Ripa della Volta and La Cru Restaurant with Villa Balis Crema - has put together plans to put the valley on the tourist map. The declared objective is to use food and wines together with the valley’s natural beauty to attract Italian and international travellers. 

Relais Villa Balis Crema

“We will create a digital platform and work with tour operators”

"The Valpantena is a kaleidoscope of landscapes, culture, food, wine, and accommodation. Our area is underestimated and on the fringe of what Verona has to offer visitors," explains Ettore Nicoletto, the CEO of Angelini Wines & Estates who helms Rete Valpantena. The first steps, he adds, include creating a digital platform to spotlight the area’s appeal, and opening a tourist information office.  "To promote this little-known area we will work with tour operators, and we are identifying new tailor-made leisure activities. Alongside our great wines, gastronomic prestige and nature, we need to develop the Valpantena’s historical and cultural attractions.

ph credits: Francesco De Marco
Upscale accommodation and a Michelin restaurant

The valley is a paradise for nature lovers, cyclists, equestrians and walkers, and two of its top draws are the Relais Villa Balis Crema, with the Michelin-starred La Cru restaurant, and the Ca’ del Moro Wine Retreat which is part of the La Collina dei Ciliegi winery. The Villa Balis Crema, an ancient Medici mansion, has 17 contemporary suites, a biological swimming pool, a stunning officinalis herb garden and Chef Giacomo Sacchetto’s magical Michelin flair.  The Ca’ del Moro has six suites in a former old hamlet, a luxury glamping tent (with more on the way) fine dining, and tours and weekends for wine lovers featuring the region’s famous Valpolicella and, top of the crop, the Amarone which is one of Italy’s trifecta of superb wines.   

Ca’ del Moro Wine Retreat