Starhotels announces three new managers, with Alex Dallocchio taking over as the new chief operating officer. Lorenzo Nencini takes on the position of general manager of the Starhotels Metropole and Michelangelo in Rome and Graziano Luddi is now director of special projects.

Experience in the US 

Dallocchio is a passionate professional who gained valuable experience in the United States as director of operations of the Sheraton Austin at The Capitol in Texas, and as general manager at various hotels including the Hyatt Place in Las Vegas. He was also area vice president at the Beverly Hills Marriott and the Hilton in Las Vegas. Dallocchio is now enthusiastically joining Starhotels in the role of COO.

New roles in strategic positions

Nencini also boasts an important background in the industry. His career began at the Jolly Hotel in London and then continued in luxury hotels in Florence and Naples, before joining the Nh Hotel Group in 2014, where he held the role of general manager of the Grand Hotel Verdi in Milan, the Villa Carpegna in Rome, and the Panorama in Naples. In the role of gm of the Starhotels Metropole and Michelangelo in Rome, Nencini takes up the baton left by Graziano Luddi, taking on the leadership of two luxury properties of great strategic importance in Rome, while Luddi returns to the Florentine headquarters of the group as director of special projects.

Chef Gaetano Trovato’s 2-star Michelin Ristorante Arnolfo has opened in new premises in Tuscany’s Val d’Elsa.

His original Arnolfo, opened together with his brother Giovanni in a palazzo in the historic centre of Colle Val d'Elsa, in the hills of the province of Siena, established Trovato as one of the top creators of Italian cuisine in recent decades. 

A new location close to the town

Arnolfo is now on a hillside opposite the little town in a new location that unites two of the chef's great passions: cooking and architecture. In fact, the restaurant's name is a tribute to Arnolfo Di Cambio, a 13th-century sculptor, town planner and architect who was born in the province of Siena.

The new Arnolfo: sustainability and comfort

Chef Gaetano Trovato defines the new venue as "an innovative place in terms of its technological content, but also in terms of what went into its realization. I wanted to fully represent the inseparable link between haute cuisine, people and the environment."   

Seating for 40 

One thousand square metres of floor space divided into two rooms, with six and eight tables, for a total of forty seats. Aesthetically the restaurant is two frames: one facing nature with a view of the town and the surrounding countryside, and the other facing the kitchens and the staff.  

A wine cellar for 6,000 bottles 

The interiors feature burnished and polished metals, Siena earths combined with travertine and local marble, while the large frame with the view of Colle Val d'Elsa was made by a local craftsman from mirrored steel The wine cellar has a contemporary design, can hold six thousand bottles and has an area dedicated to private events. 

Two new menus

There are two new menus: Eighty-two/twenty-two to celebrate Trovato’s 40 years in the business, and Vegetable Impressionism, the vegetarian path taken by the chef over the last15 years. 

For information and bookings: www.arnolfo.com

Castle Malpaga is organizing tricks or treats interactive Halloween-themed visits designed exclusively for children on 1, 8, 15 and 31 October. 

In this historic castle, in the little town of Cavernago close to Bergamo, young visitors go on a hunt for monstrous elements, discovering magical Halloween-related characters and stories of goblins, witches, wizards, monsters, dragons. And at the end of the treasure hunt there will be an art workshop where they will be able to make scary masks.

What about the parents?

While the children are engaged in the treasure hunt the parents can enjoy a Halloween-themed tour of the castle. With our guide they will explore the more mysterious aspects of the 15th century from witchcraft, torture, poisons and the pagan festival of Samhain from which Halloween originated, to medieval superstitions and legends, the concept of death, alchemy and tarot cards. A true journey into 15th-century darkness, ending on a high note with a parade that will reward the family with the best masks! Suitable for ages 4 to 10 – and with brothers and sisters under 4 free if they stay with the parents’ group. Duration: 2 hours. Information and booking: https://shop.castellomalpaga.it/eventi/

Haunted Nights on 7, 14 and 30 October

An evening at the castle is always magical, and even more so with Mum and Dad! Masked characters will delight children with engaging stories, team games and exciting family skills tests. Participants will discover the most secret and suggestive corners of the castle to uncover the final treasure. With torches and spirit of adventure as some rooms will not be fully lit, making the evening even more exciting! Suitable for 5 to 10 years of age. Information and booking: https://shop.castellomalpaga.it/eventi/

Halloween dinner on Saturday 29 October 

On the darkest night of the year, the castle opens its doors for an evening of history. Visitors will be catapulted into the heart of the Middle Ages and welcomed by knights, ladies and servants for an authentic medieval dinner in the Banquet Hall. At each course the origin and meaning of the food will be explained, delighting diners with the curiosities of ancient customs. This will be followed by a mysterious celebration of Samhain, the ancient pagan festival that gave rise to Halloween. Coeliac and vegetarian menus on request. For information: https://shop.castellomalpaga.it/eventi/

Castle visits on Sundays and public holidays

On Sundays and public holidays using the Malpaga Castle Experience app you can delve into the meanders of the castle and discover fascinating stories linked to this timeless place and the extraordinary deeds of its famous owner Bartolomeo Colleoni, Captain General of the Republic of Venice. These vists are also suitable for children and last one hour. Reservations required. For information and reservations: https://shop.castellomalpaga.it/eventi/

House of Gucci, the new celeb Rome tour from Quiiky comes in the wake of the film's international popularity, with the LGBTQ-friendly tour operator kicking off its second film offering following the success of its Call me by your name tour.

Starring Lady Gaga and Adam Driver 

Starting in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan’s Piazza della Scala, the tour moves through the city’s fashion district from the Central Station to Via Vittorio Pisani and to Villa Necchi Campiglio. This is the central location of the film where the two protagonists meet - Adam Driver playing the role of Maurizio Gucci, and Lady Gaga in the role of his wife Patrizia Reggiani. Designed by architect Piero Portaluppi in the early 1930s, the villa is an icon of modernism and luxury.

The church where the couple were married 

The tour continues, following in the footsteps of other scenes shot in the vicinity of Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi, the Il Salumaio Restaurant, and the Church of San Sepolcro, where Maurizio Gucci and Patrizia Reggiani actually got married in 1972. It then moves on to visit Via Palestro 20, the current headquarters of the Gucci fashion house outside of which Maurizio was shot dead on 27t March 1995. In the film, the crime scene was shot not here but in the central Piazza San Babila. 

A visit to Villa Balbiano on Lake Como

This tour is also an opportunity to visit Lake Como, as the fabulous interiors of Villa Balbiano are the setting for some scenes in the film. This villa is the largest private residence on the western shore of the lake and it is here that Maurizio's uncle Aldo, played by Al Pacino, celebrates Maurizio's birthday amidst art collections, sumptuous furnishings, and with stunning lake views.

“Quiicky has always been a trendsetter”

"The great hype surrounding the House of Gucci inspired us to create this unique tour," said Alessio Virgili, CEO of Sonders & Beach, owner of the Quiiky brand. "What distinguishes Quiiky from other tour operators is that we have always been a trendsetter. We anticipate tourist products that become qualitatively inimitable, because they rely on an inclusive and highly professional hospitality network."

Garibaldi Hotels are close to 2021 results, but there are still challenges to overcome. 

With Puglia and Trentino confirmed as the best performing regions for the group, destinations such as Rome and Sardinia are also doing well: "We still have a fluctuating situation but the desire for holidays is very strong, and Italy is the preferred destination for domestic and international tourism – said general manager Fabrizio Prete. - Bookings show a plus sign compared to the same period of 2021, but the goal is to achieve pre-pandemic results."

50% of rooms to foreign operators

One destination that has benefited from the return of foreign tourists is Rome: “Our city hotel, after the difficulties of the previous two years, is working well with unexpected results - continues Prete -. We have decided to focus on foreign groups.  Sardinia’s Santina Resort & Spa is also doing well with good numbers from Eastern Europe and Spain. “We have chosen to dedicate about 50% of the rooms to foreign operators with exclusive contracts - adds Prete -. This is very important for lengthening the season." Since 2021 half of the group’s facilities are open all year round

Buy Now Pay Later is popular

Garibaldi Hotels has entered Scalapay, following the emerging trend of Buy Now Pay Later. "We are convinced that holidays paid in three convenient interest-free instalments is a good way to go both for the customers and the properties.”  

Studies show that the number of women booking solo travel has doubled since the Covid pandemic.

While travelling alone can be a freeing experience for women, it can also be fraught with perils. Here are some tips from TheKnowledgeAcademy on how women can stay safe when travelling single. 

Don’t just rely on your phone to keep your accommodation details.  Phones can die, so write the address down on a card and carry it with you. And always share your movements or, even better, your GPS location, with your loved ones. 

Don’t tell strangers you are travelling alone. Don’t be over-friendly and do try to blend in with locals. Standing out makes you a target and can attract undesirable attention.  Be willing to spend a little more to keep safe, it will be money well spent. Like taking a taxi directly to your accommodation rather than public transport that drops you somewhere in a city you don’t know.  

Simple advice. But it could make the difference between a holiday you want to forget, and one you will treasure forever. https://www.theknowledgeacademy.com/

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

Eco-sustainable  holidays in the Dolomites using soft mobility are a perfect choice for anyone looking to holiday in the Val d'Ega.

Not only are doing themselves a favour, they are also helping the planet by choosing a destination that has long embraced tourism and an eco-sustainable lifestyle. This destination is green from every angle, and you can practically forget that you have a car thanks to the Mobile and Guest Pass that allow you to use 18 ski lifts and public transportation, all of which goes towards minimizing the environmental impact and promoting a stay in total harmony with nature.

Photovoltaic systems to reduce C02 emissions

With five hydroelectric plants providing electricity to over 5,000 households and businesses without emitting CO2, and two district heating plants fueled by local biomass, there are annual fuel oil savings of approximately 1.2 million litres. Some 36 holiday accommodations use solar panels or systems powered by wood chips or pellets to heat the water and rooms, and 27 generate their own electricity, heating the water and their premises by using photovoltaic systems.

Geothermal energy heats a mountain refuge

At present this green corner of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site can boast four hotels that have signed up to the 2025 Climate Neutrality Pact. These properties are measuring their CO2 footprint annually in order to reduce or compensate for it as much as possible. Carezza Dolomites, the first privately managed ski area to sign the Agreement, is following suit. And this green chapter would not be complete without mentioning the Oberholz refuge at 2096 metres asl, a true marvel of eco-sustainable design that towers over the slopes from which it takes its name and is heated entirely by geothermal energy.

Unlimited rides

The Living the Dolomites with Soft Mobility programme, which is valid up to 1 November 2022, is aimed at anyone who wants to delight in the mountains of the Val d'Ega without driving, but by taking advantage of the free public transportation in the Alto Adige region, including unlimited rides on the Catinaccio, Latemar, and Sciliar ski lifts.

The package
The package includes 7 overnight stays, 7 days of Guest Pass Val d'Ega unlimited use of public transportation throughout South Tyrol, the 5-day Mountain Pass with unlimited use of 18 lifts, the Tappeiner hiking map & MTB map. And there is also a bonus for those arriving in the Val d'Ega with low-emission vehicles such as trains and buses.
Prices start from €232,50 per person in apartments.

Casa di Langa is Preferred's second Italian property under the Beyond Green brand. After Borgo Pignano, which was the launch of the eco brand in April 2021, the American Krause group, under president and CEO Kyle Krause who is well known in Italy as the owner of Parma Calcio 1913, has now brought the Piedmont hotel into the collection.

Properties that make a difference

Beyond Green are properties with a proven positive impact that produces concrete results on the three pillars of sustainable tourism: environmentally friendly practices that go beyond basic concepts, special attention and protection of historical and natural heritage, and a major contribution to the socio-economic wellbeing of local communities. The notion is based on the United Nations' 54 indicators that include global tourism standards and sustainable development goals.

Environmentally friendly energy sources

Casa di Langa, nestled in the lush hills of Piedmont, delivers zero-kilometre catering and unique cultural experiences. The property is committed to employing only environmentally friendly energy sources. Furthermore it has a rainwater recovery system, and single-use plastic is banned. Among the projects supported by the property are native tree replanting and the management of a huge vegetable garden which provides fresh, farm-to-fork food for the Fàula hotel restaurant.

An estate on 42 hectares

The 39 rooms have views over hills and valleys, the snow-capped Alps, and the towering Serralunga d'Alba Castle with its antique medieval tower. Casa di Langa has been restored along the lines of a pre-existing building and was inspired by the adjacent Unesco site. It stands on a large estate of approximately 42 hectares comprised of vineyards, woodlands, orchards and a hazelnut grove. Guests at the hotel can enjoy wine tastings, cooking classes, hunting for black and white truffles, tours to local villages, hiking and biking.

Siena, home to the annual Palio and to the mysterious magic square, is also the home of great architects and painters of the past, and has one of the most beautiful and best preserved European historical centres. The monumental and artistic heritage of the city is priceless and in 1995 UNESCO listed the historic centre as a World Heritage Site.

A beautiful trapezoid square

One of the symbols of Siena is undoubtedly the Piazza del Campo, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy with its characteristic trapezoidal shape. Historically financial and commercial activities were concentrated halfway along Via Francigena while Piazza del Campo was a marketplace, but the square is most famous for the Palio horse race, held heretwice a year  on 2 July and 16 August, with the  different districts of Siena competing.

Architectural masterpieces

All around the square there are monumental buildings including the soaring Torre del Mangia and the Palazzo Pubblico. This is one of the most elegant expressions of Italian Gothic civil architecture and has rooms embellished with medieval masterpieces by Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The Cathedral is one of the most significant churches built in Italian Roman-Gothic style and is recognizable for its characteristic black and white marble bands. It is on a Latin cross shape with three naves and three portals, and three spires in pure Florentine Gothic style grace the facade.

A small stone with a cryptic message

On a small stone embedded in the external wall of the Cathedral there is an engraving. This is the so-called magic square and bears it the words SATOR, AREPO, TENET, OPERA, ROTAS. A sentence that remains identical when read from left to right or vice versa. This curious magic square is visible in many archaeological finds scattered throughout Europe, but the symbolic meaning is still unknown today.

A luxury hotel is planned for the Savoy Venaria Reale residence. The project, which echoes those for Versailles in Paris and Schönbrunn in Vienna, is still on paper but is gradually taking shape. 

Four Seasons, Starhotels and Marriott have been approached

So much so that a feasibility study has already been conducted by the specialized consultancy firm Colliers International.  €30 million is also said to be available thanks to an agreement with the Rome-based Istituto per il Credito Sportivo, and surveys have been conducted with companies such as Four Seasons, Starhotels and Marriott to identify a possible managing partner. 

The hotel could open in five years

According to the La Stampa newspaper the hotel should be completed within five years, and the feasibility study is currently being examined by the board of directors of the royal palace. The idea is to transform some rooms of the Venaria's attic into suites, as well as to use the areas that will be obtained from the redevelopment of the Gamerra barracks located near the gardens of the massive complex.