On 1 April Amalfi’s historic 5-star luxury Hotel Santa Caterina opened the new Villas della Marchesa historic residences set, like the hotel, in lush hanging gardens overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno, south of Naples.  

The interiors are bright with white and blue features, and there is also a private swimming pool and a solarium. In this new secluded, private accommodation guests will get the same luxurious services as in the Hotel Santa Caterina.
 

Two lifts bring guests to the sea-level facilities

The Hotel Santa Caterina, a few minutes away from Amalfi, overlooks the sea, has gardens with natural terraces, and two lifts carved into the rock that take guests to the sea-level facilities include a swimming pool, solarium, gym, café bar and an open-air restaurant. All the rooms in the new Ville della Marchesa are bright, with modern furnishings and sumptuous crystal chandeliers and they can be reserved in their entirety, giving guests access to several courtyards and a 36-metre swimming pool.

The Follia Amalfitana suite has a circular mini-pool

The Hotel Santa Caterina has 36 standard, superior and deluxe rooms and 13 suites. It also has 17 rooms and suites in the Garden Suites including the Follia Amalfitana suite with its circular mini-pool and breath-taking views of the bay, and the Romeo and Juliet suite with a small terrace overlooking the sea and a private infinity pool.  

The green Valnera valley crossed by the Nera River in Italy’s Umbria region. is rich in history, culture and tradition and an excellent choice for a rejuvenating trip away from the noise and chaos of the city.

Montefranco’ s castle dates back to 1228

To visit it in all its nuances, why not choose one of the small villages hidden in the valley? Like Montefranco from which you will have a whole series of places to visit within a range of 30 kilometres. Montefranco dominates the Nera Valley, and the town owes its origins to the old Bufone Castle, which dates back to 1228 and of which the Franca and Spoletina gates and the external walls still remain. 

The Marmore waterfall has a 165-metre drop

The main natural attraction in the area is undoubtedly the Parco Fluviale del Nera Natural Regional Protected Area and the majestic Marmore Waterfall (15 kilometres from Montefranco), a spectacular 165-metre drop of water, and a must-see for anyone curious to discover Umbria’s verdant nature. About 20 kilometres from our starting point you come to Lake Piediluco which is the second largest natural lake in the region after Lake Trasimeno. 

Arrone is one of Italy’s 100 most beautiful villages

Just five kilometres from Montefranco you come to Arrone, one of the 100 most beautiful villages in Italy. Arrone is not just a medieval village, as its  roads, buildings and monuments tell the story of ancient days and of  its vibrant present.  

Moving a little further north-east we find Spoleto which is just 35 kilometres away  and Norcia (55  kilometres). Spoleto was the ancient capital of the Lombard dukes, and will enchant you with its fascinating historical and artistic heritage. Norcia is a must-visit for those who love unspoiled nature, tranquillity and good food because this town is famous for its norcineria which is the noble art of pork processing, The Valnerina area boasts numerous quality food products which are national and international favourites like the saffron from Cascia, the black Melanosporum truffle from Norcia, brown trout from the Nera River, and goat and pecorino I.G.P. and D.O.P. cheeses. All these carefully controlled and certified delicacies are the expression of an unaltered and genuine territory. Furthermore, these products are easily available in restaurants and trattorias, celebrating the culture and traditions of the Valnerina. 

Toscana Resort Castelfalfi opened on 1 April with booking up and expecting to close 2022 with a 30% rise in turnover compared to pre-Covid 2019: "The pandemic has made a residence like ours even more appealing with its rural setting and large spaces,” said general manager Isidoro Di Franco.

Rooms, villas and apartments

The 1,100-hectare Tuscan estate, which reopened on 1 April, consists of 120 rooms, a second unit called the Tabaccaia with 31 keys, three villas, and 12 apartments. The common areas of the entrance, the lobby and the Ecrù Bar will be the first areas to get a makeover and half of the rooms in the main building will also be renovated, with the remainder to follow in the 2023 season.

A 27-hole golf course and a Kids & Teen Club

Natural products under the Espa brand will be introduced to the spa, and the wide range of outdoor and indoor experiences for guests will include trekking through the vineyards, horseback riding, cycling, wine tasting in the cellar, cooking classes, truffle hunting, archery and hot air balloon rides, and there is a 27-hole golf course. Younger guests will enjoy the Falfy Kids & Teens Club and there are plans to build an adventure park.

Many guests are honeymooners and repeaters

Guests are about 30% Italians and many are golfing enthusiasts and MICE delegates, while another 30% are German-speaking and from other European countries and the United States, and 40% are honeymooners, repeat visitors and organised tourism.

 

Trentino's first outdoor Kneipp Centre, which is in a large park, is the place to go for peace, relaxation, and fun. Water and natural materials such as wood, pebbles, and grass define a path for the regeneration of vital energy and long-term well-being.

The Val di Rabbi valley is a natural paradise

The Val di Rabbi has the first outdoor Kneipp Centre in the Trentino region; a must for those who enjoy wellness and nature. Located in Valorz, near the town of San Bernardo, it is set in a beautiful area of 550 square metres with flower beds, fountains, a pond and deck chairs in which to relax.

The water has healing properties 

The Kneipp method uses the healthy principles of hydrotherapy, taking the fresh water of the Rio Valorz which is enriched with natural materials. The healing property of the water, as well as the alternation of cold-hot water, improve the  circulation of the blood and provide an immediate sense of physical well-being, while the quiet of the area instils a deep sense of well-being in harmony with the surrounding natural environment. 

Time to relax and delight in nature

The calm and silence of the Val di Rabbi invite you to relax on a comfortable deckchair made of larch wood or on the soft grass, basking in the sun, and letting yourself be lulled by the murmur of the waters of the nearby lake.

Before Covid most of us didn’t give more than a passing thought to the health risks we can be exposed to when travelling.  Today things are very different with hygiene taking pride of place, and it seems that the biggest worry for a lot of travellers is the thought of getting back on a plane again. 

What they may not realise is that the quality of air on board an aircraft is much cleaner than in most indoor environments.  I can already see the skeptics shaking their heads, so I’ll leave it to IATA to explain. The International Air Transport Association is the body that sets the global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency and sustainability and, quoting a report from the Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health, it says “there is a very low risk of COVID-19 transmission on aircraft.”

Because, they go on to point out, the cabin air is refreshed 20-30 times an hour. Now that’s every two or three minutes. Which is about ten times more than most office buildings. And as the air goes through filters similar to those used in hospital operating theatres, the removal efficiency rate against bacteria and viruses - including Sars which is similar to Covid-19 –stands at a whopping 99.993%. 

Still worried by the passenger sitting next to you? An Airbus study on how droplets from a cough move within the cabin airflow proved that the potential exposure was lower when seated side by side on a plane, than when staying more than two metres apart in an office or a grocery store.

Pamela McCourt Francescone
Executive Editor

The Giro del Sassopiatto is one of the most beautiful Dolomite excursions and popular for mountain treks in the Siusi Alps. Starting from Campitello di Fassa with the cable car that goes up to Col Rodella, you can reach the Federico Augusto Refuge at 2,298 metres asl.

Mountain peaks and refuges

The tour around the Sassopiatto takes around 4 to 5 hours, is very scenic, and takes in the many peaks of the Sassolungo as well as the Sandro Pertini Refuge at 2,300 metres and the Vicenza  Refuge at 2,250 metres, from which you can continue to the Sassolungo fork at 2,681 metres and the Toni Demetz Refuge.

A natural border with the Val di Fiemme valley

The Val di Fassa valley consists of six municipalities. The upper Avisio river (a left tributary of the Adige) crosses the entire valley from its sources to the confluence of the San Pellegrino river in the centre of Moena, forming the natural border with the Val di Fiemme valley.

Dolomite and non-dolomitic massifs

The valley is surrounded by some of the most important Dolomite massifs: the Marmolada and the Sella, Sassolungo and Catinaccio groups, and also by mountains with non-dolomitic lithology such as the Buffaure and the Monzoni. The Val di Fassa is connected to the other Dolomite valleys by State Road 48 which connects it to the Val di Fiemme and Ora in the Adige Valley, as well as to Livinallongo del Col di Lana and Cortina d ' Ampezzo via the Pordoi Pass. 

The San Pellegrino pass connects Moena with the Biois Valley, the Costalunga Pass connects Vigo di Fassa with the Ega Valley, and from Canazei it is possible to reach the Val Gardena via the Sella and Rocca Pietore Pass, and the Cordevole Valley via the Fedaia Pass.

"The Last Supper. The Living Tableau ", a short film by the director and creator Armondo Linus Acosta, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece The Last Supper," will be screened from 10 to 18 April in the exceptional setting of the Frasassi Caves.  Three Oscar-winning masters of world cinema have collaborated on the work: director of photography Vittorio Storaro, scenographer Dante Ferretti, and set designer Francesca Lo Schiavo.

A nine-minute film of Da Vinci’s famous painting

In the nine minutes of the short film, in a single slow-motion shot Da Vinci’s famous  painting comes to life. The apostles are revealed slowly, seated at the table. In the centre, Jesus stands out, blessing the bread and wine as he announces the betrayal by one of his followers. There is meticulous attention to every detail, which has been faithfully reconstructed and highlighted by the lighting.  

“The caves are the perfect place for the screening”

Linus Acosta, an internationally renowned American director, explains: “The premise of believing in God is an ancient and eternal human reality. Being able to project the quality of this meaning into a place that is primordial and dates back to when the world was created by God is absolute harmony. I felt it when I entered the Caves. You can simply feel that it is the perfect place for the screening.."

“We had to make the painting come alive”

Vittorio Storaro adds: "Leonardo puts Jesus at the centre of the scene because he wants to symbolise that Jesus is God who becomes man, and this man is the centre of the world, of the universe". Francesca Lo Schiavo continues: “We go inside the painting, inside the soul of the apostles and we witness the miracle of Jesus. I believe that this affects everything. I was very touched by the idea of participating in this project ". Dante Ferretti was also enthusiastic: "It all started when Armondo called me to Rome and asked me to reconstruct Leonardo's Last Supper.  We had to make the painting come alive, with real characters that move. It seemed very interesting, and I immediately said yes.”

The Frasassi Caves are magnificent and fascinating

The Frasassi Caves are one of the most magnificent and fascinating subterranean areas in the world, a place where it is possible to explore the past, and discover the history of the evolution of life on the planet.