He has previously worked at the Michelin-starred restaurant Hakkasan, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, at Sushisamba, Skylon, and Gordon Ramsey’s Pétrus.

He was a semi-finalist in the UK “Best Sommelier Competition” in 2019 and is frequently a judge on wine competitions. He is especially popular on his Instagram account as a “Wine Doctor”, where he shares his personal wine reviews and recommendations.

Antonio is also the founder of Wine Tasting Awards 2021, the first regional Italian wine competition launched with the end goal of promoting the export of the best wines from the Abruzzo region to the UK.

Located precisely in the center of Italy, Ascoli Piceno is the fourth largest city in the Marche Region, with a population of approximately 47,000 inhabitants. For those who already know the city and have already visited its streets, the sensations that linger in their memories are many and often shared, such as its architectural and artistic richness, the elegance of its shapes, and the essential quality of its colors.

Ascoli Piceno is an open-air lounge. The historic center of the city is built around two nodal points: the Renaissance Piazza del Popolo, considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, and the medieval Piazza Arringo, which takes its name from the Palazzo dell’Arengo, currently both the Town Hall of Ascoli Piceno and the Civic Art Gallery.

Two civil and religious centers characterized by the imposing presence of important monuments such as the Gothic Church of San Francesco, the Palazzo dei Capitani dei Popoli with its unmistakable crenelated tower, the Cathedral of Sant’Emidio, patron saint of the city, with its hidden crypt and the austere Baptistery of San Giovanni, built in a typically Romanesque style.

Although different architectural styles coexist in the city, its buildings, its streets and its numerous aristocratic bell towers (Ascoli Piceno is also known as the City of a Hundred Towers) are all incredibly in harmony with each other.

What has allowed the creation and preservation of this aesthetic balance over time has been the use of a single construction material: travertine. The refined protagonist of the urban center of Ascoli, Lapis Tiburtinus (Tivoli stone) is a limestone-type sedimentary rock extracted in large quantities in Lazio, from the quarries of Tivoli and the Valle del Tronto, located between Ascoli Piceno and Acquasanta Terme.

A noble and resistant material that was chosen by Augustus, in Roman times, for the construction of grand Italian monuments in Rome, such as the Trevi Fountain, the fountain in Piazza Navona and the Colosseum.

Its main qualities are the ease with which it can be worked and its durability over time, which is why it is often used for vertical coverings and for the creation of decorative elements, such as cornices and capitals, gems that have always made our sculptural and architectural creations so unique, recognised and admired all over the world.

After visiting Ascoli Piceno, Italian writer and journalist, Guido Piovene wrote in his “Journey to Italy” of 1957: “A travertine of a warm grey colour, uniform and without plaster … all decorated, crafted and stained … and on every door and window, you see fruit, foliage, female caryatids, flowers, animals, stars, or even just proverbs and carved sentences”.

Walking through the streets of Ascoli is a journey through pale shades of white and grey. You participate in a luminous and paradoxically delicate monumental show. Light plays a fundamental role because, reflecting on the light stone, it becomes itself the substance and interpreter of the city.

In Piazza del Popolo the bright travertine, that covers all the facades, is interrupted only by the old pink of Caffè Meletti, a piece of Italian history where people and culture have been meeting since 1907. Even the elegant Art Nouveau building blends in with the white tones of the square, along with its pavement, also of a polished smooth travertine.

On its facade, a retro script reminds us that this is the birthplace of the famous Anisetta Meletti, the anise-based liqueur that is still served today “with the fly”, that is, the coffee bean, at the end of a meal.

Under the frescoed arcades of the pink palace, Sartre, Hemingway, Guttuso, Mascagni and the Roman Trilussa also admired the charm of Piazza del Popolo, sipping their Anisetta after dinner. “How many fairy tales and sonnets Meletti has inspired me to write”.

A few steps from Piazza del Popolo, a majestic Travertino Palace houses the 4-star hotel, historical residence and spa Palazzo dei Mercanti.  Born as a place of worship, the Palazzo dei Mercanti was an important convent and the shape, the cloister, and the colonnade inside still indicate this.

Although its “intended use” has changed over the years, hosting merchants and master craftsmen, its structure has retained and preserved its sacred elements. The different types of rooms, designed to meet every need, are comfortable, elegant, and in line with the style of the imposing city of Ascoli, carefully furnished with hand-painted ceramics and furniture made by the master craftsmen of the area.

When it comes to food, the bistro inside Palazzo dei Mercanti — CIBO — promotes and enhances the local gourmet, and specialties include all — seafood, meat, and vegetarian dishes. The Seta Spa regenerates body, mind, and all five senses all in an intimate and relaxing environment. These and other experiences proposed by Palazzo dei Mercanti, such as guided tours and visits to the cellar, complete the stay.

To start your weekend in Forte dei Marmi, there is nothing better than a walk in the beating heart of the city, around Piazza Garibaldi: all the streets in the center are like an open-air boutique dominated by the Fort Lorense, known as the fort of Forte dei Marmi: this was wanted by the Grand Duke of Tuscany during 1700, from which the city also takes its name, to defend the landing place to the sea. The remaining part refers to the marbles that were extracted in the nearby quarries and that passed through this area to be embarked on ships. Inside, you can find the Museum of satire and caricature, founded in 1997, which collects material relating to the history of world satire and caricature. A real institution born from the Political Satire Prize of Forte dei Marmi, which has been held in the town every September since 1973, presenting over 4,000 original drawings, a library with over 2500 books, an auditorium, 18th and 19th century satirical texts and a multimedia archive. It is not surprising that Forte dei Marmi hosts this particular museum: many of the most famous names of national and international satire have been awarded here, reflecting the irreverent style and irony of the inhabitants of the area and of Tuscany. And of course, like every destination in this region, the town also boasts a unique food and wine offer.

For lunch, we recommend you stop at the Michelin-starred restaurant Bistrot, by David and Marco Vaiani: a restaurant that relaunches traditional Tuscan cuisine in a more modern and advanced way, through à la carte menus and creative tasting menus: here the concept courses stand out, to be discovered directly upon arrival at the table, as well as the reinvented classic recipes, from roasted octopus with pine nuts and asparagus, up to the suckling pig of the Apuan Alps with fennel and black garlic. The restaurant is divided into two internal rooms elegantly furnished in colonial style, more suitable for autumn and winter, and a large and cool outdoor dehor, ideal for the warm season. An underground cellar of 80 square meters also ensures a wide selection of wines, from the new ones with an excellent value for money to the finest, from Italy and the rest of the world. In the cellar it is also possible to book exclusive private dinners, enjoying the unique setting of the stone vault. 

Another essential stop on the tour in Forte dei Marmi is the Ugo Guidi Museum: the house-museum is the last and only testimony of the fertile cultural season of the 20th century in the town, where the artist Ugo Guidi lived and created all his sculptures. Inside its rooms you can admire over 500 works including sculptures, drawings and tempera paintings, ranging from the 40s to the 70s and which show the development of the Italian master from classical to abstract style. Today the museum represents a place of culture where exhibitions of disappeared artists, promising young talents, students of academies and artistic high schools are set up: each of them is pushed to dialogue with works, videos, performances, installations inspired by the works of Ugo Guidi.

In Forte dei Marmi also the noble villas are splendid, all worthy of a visit: among these we recommend Casa Mann Borghese, Villa Bertelli, Villa Antonietta and Villa Agnelli. In this one, you can enjoy one of the best stays in Versilia: gem of the Augustus Hotel & Resort, set in a spectacular landscape between the coast of fine sand and the dense pine forests enclosed by the Apuan Alps, the former Villa Agnelli it’s the charming residence par excellence. Built by Admiral Morin at the beginning of the twentieth century, the neo-Renaissance Villa Costanza was purchased in 1926 by Edoardo Agnelli: here, the well-known Turin family spent their summer holidays for more than thirty years, and still today its 19 rooms retain the particular style and original furnishings chosen by the Agnelli, in pastel tones ranging from green to pink, passing through the light blue. A Villa characterized by timeless elegance but above all by privacy, thanks also to the exclusive, historic, underpass with direct access to the nearby beach.

For dinner, on your first day, we recommend you to book a table at Ristorante Lorenzo: in its elegant rooms, whose spaces are enriched by a magnificent collection of contemporary art collected over the years, from sculptures to paintings, the first quality Tuscan culinary tradition is celebrated. A real commandment that Lorenzo brings, every morning from 1981, to go to the docks of Viareggio and Versilia in search of the best fish, the most fragrant crustacean, the freshest mollusc, passing through the rigid selection of vegetables, meats and fruit. Chef Gioacchino Pontrelli is then entrusted with the task of transforming the raw material, without betraying its nature but enhancing its characteristics, from the “author’s painting” – all to eat – with caviar to the crudité fantasy, passing through the famous “pasta risottata” with seafood and the delicate amberjack steak.

Sunday in Forte dei Marmi can only begin with a walk through Mercato del Forte: the market was born from a circle of merchants, now 60 and united in a consortium, who almost half a century ago began to exhibit their unique products to the refined clientele of the Versilia coast. An offer that ranges from the famous Florentine craftsmanship of artistic ceramics to the famous embroideries of household linen and the best clothing brands. Furthermore, the precious handcrafted cashmere knitwear and leather goods cannot be missing. After the market, a tour to the Forte dei Marmi pier, one of the historical symbols of the city, is a must: generations of citizens and tourists on holiday in Forte dei Marmi have experienced moments of relaxation on this suggestive pier. Indeed, what reaches our days is not the one dating the 19th century which, unfortunately, was completely destroyed during the Second World War. In fact, the original pier was built on a project by Giovanni Costantini between 1876 and 1877 with a length of about 250 meters from the shore, and was then extended in 1932 reaching 290 meters. In 1943, however, the Germans completely destroyed it by undermining the pine wood supports. At the end of the war, the municipal administration immediately took action to restore this important city symbol, no longer serving as a landing place for ships, but exclusively as a destination for walks. The works for the new pier of the Fort began and ended on May 18, 1958, with the full name of Pontile Medaglie D’oro.

After the morning tour, refresh yourself at the La Magnolia Restaurant, inside the prestigious Hotel Byron: led by the starred Chef Cristoforo Trapani, the restaurant welcomes guests with its elegant poolside atmosphere. The à la carte menu captures the imagination with its simplicity and richness of flavors, from marinated mullet with nettle to sea snails, passing through the tasty combination of burrata mozzarella, red prawns and pork rind. Cristoforo Trapani in fact offers a gastronomic experience to be discovered with his Tuscan-Campania fusion cuisine, in which the great protagonists are the authentic flavors of local products, always fresh and strictly in season.

Beyond the beautiful beaches, in the surroundings of Forte dei Marmi it is possible to visit an incredible naturalistic variety. One of the most spectacular destinations in this sense is the Natural Park of San Rossore, Migliarino and Massaciuccioli, a protected area located in the heart of Tuscany between the provinces of Pisa and Lucca, that also includes Lake Massaciuccioli and the forests of Tombolo, Macchia Lucchese and Migliarino. Here you can relax by choosing one of the proposed routes, admiring the numerous types of trees such as poplar, holm oak, pine and ash as well as the rich fauna, which includes ducks, wild boar, fallow deer, wild rabbit, wolf and the fox.

For an evening stay, we recommend the sophisticated Hotel Principe Forte dei Marmi, which boasts not only a refined and modern interior design, but also a strategic position that makes it an exceptional destination for seaside, artistic and cultural tourism. The rooms are furnished by some of the most prestigious Italian brands, with natural parquet, large and bright windows and bathrooms made entirely of marble. Inside the hotel you will also find an excellent culinary destination for your dinner, the Michelin starred restaurant Lux Lucis: this is the home of Chef Valentino Cassanelli’s kitchen, where the free expression of Italian cuisine triumphs combined with unbridled creativity, also deriving from the rich biodiversity present on the coast of Forte dei Marmi. An inspiration enriched by the close collaboration with the Maître Sommelier Sokol Ndreko, in which the dishes blend with the profiling of the flavor of particular wines. The result is a delicately balanced and elegant menus, which travel from land to sea and offer the best of seasonal ingredients, from spaghettoni with anchovies, water of burrata cheese, umebuoshi and caviar to the roasted, matured wild duck with Bazzone ham sauce, mango and fir. 

To end your stay in great beauty, you cannot fail to have a post-dinner drink in one of the most symbolic places of the lively Forte dei Marmi nightlife: La Capannina di Forte dei Marmi, also known as the Capannina di Franceschi. It is the oldest discoteque with restaurant in the world, and the only one that has never changed its name. La Capannina is a real point of reference for nightlife, able to attract people from all over Italy and from abroad, and its history dates back to 1929. It was Achille Franceschi who recovered an old hut by the sea, with the idea of ​​transforming it into a beach bar where where to serve cocktails and desserts, accompanying everything with the music of an antique gramophone. An idea that was immediately a great success, attracting the nobles of the Sforza, Della Gherardesca and Rucellai families, including intellectuals of the caliber of Eugenio Montale, Giuseppe Ungaretti and Leonida Repaci. The place, as it is today, is not the original one: a terrible fire completely destroyed it in 1939, and was then quickly rebuilt. True catchphrases and stars of the time were born on this stage, from Edoardo Vianello with his “Con le pinne, il fucile e gli occhiali” and Gino Paoli with “Sapore di Sale”, and stars performed inside La Capannina, such as Patty Pravo and Ornella Vanoni, but also internationals like Edith Piaf, Fred Bongusto and Gloria Gaynor.

Impress the locals by ordering a cimbalino (coffee) to accompany your pastel de nata at Vogue Café, a joint initiative between The Fladgate Partnership (of Taylor’s port fame) and luxury publisher Condé Nast. Attached to the Infante do Sagres hotel in downtown Porto, it boasts exquisite décor which feels like it has been lifted directly from the pages of the iconic magazine. Open daily 12-11pm.

The Gastronomic Experience offered up by 2-Michelin starred chef Ricardo Costa at The Yeatman is a sensational 12-course affair showcasing minimal interpretations from a genre powerfully influenced by surf’n’turf, as well as crafting food artistry from Portugal’s rich bounty of regional ingredients. As views go, it’s hard to beat the 180-degree panorama of Porto’s glittering cityscape spread across the facing river bank. The notion of table time limits don’t exist here thankfully, leaving you to leisurely savour each and every delicious morsel, totally unhurried. 

Complete a memorable evening by stopping off for a nightcap at nearby Enoteca 17.56, a chic wine bar owned by Port producer Real Companhia Velha. Not only does it possess dreamy views back across the River Douro towards Porto,  but there’s even an interactive museum on the lower level which charts two centuries worth of port production.

Make a beeline for Foz, a chi-chi ocean-facing neighbourhood where people-watching is a prerequisite. Sunday’s were designed for ambling around the bounteous grounds of Serralves, the green lung of Porto, a cultural institution designed by Álvaro Siza Vieira, a salmon pink Art Deco edifice which would not look out of place on Miami’s Ocean Drive. Have a relaxed lunch on the terrace at Praia da Luz, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean rollers, before spending the afternoon reclined on a sun lounger on the beach sipping on white port tonics.

Those in the know head to neighbouring Matosinhos for dinner — gravitating towards Rua Heróis de França, hailed as the finest street on which to eat fresh fish in the whole of Portugal. Beat a path to the supremely old school Salta O Muro for mouth-watering octopus rice, glistening sardines, and sole — a rarity to experience fresh, but here in the north it’s the norm. Wash it all down with a bottle of Muralhas de Monção, a crisp, slightly spritzig white Vinho Verde from the eponymous white wine-producing wine region which resides between Porto and the Spanish border.

Add a WoW factor to the start of the new week by heading to the recently opened World of Wine in Vila Nova de Gaia just across the Douro river from Porto. Ideally walk there from the Cais Ribeira navigating a path across Porto’s iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel. When CEO of the Fladgate Partnership Adrian Bridge was considering ways to extend the tourist season in Porto he dreamt up the idea of World of Wine. Costing a cool €100 million, the 8.5-acre site sees the total regeneration of former port wine warehouses already in Fladgate’s possession at the foot of The Yeatman. It celebrates not only Portugal’s contribution to port and table wine, but also cork and olive oil, not forgetting its influence on the fashion industry as an acclaimed producer of clothing and footwear. Speaking of which, menswear aficionados will be in their element in Quarteirão Bombarda, specifically the backstreets in and around Rua Miguel Bombarda where cool vintage clothing, local designer’s ateliers, cutting edge art galleries and quirky bars and eateries abound. Be sure to visit the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal en route, which, as well as affording panoramic vistas of the River Douro, this botanical garden is one of Porto’s most cherished hideaways — boasting beautifully lavish lawns interwoven with sun-dappled paths fringed by cascading fountains, sculptures, and elaborate magnolias.

Stopping for a tea (of which there are over 300 different varieties) at boho Rota do Chá, is an absolute must. Created by Miguel Ortigão in 2003, it’s located within an old house on Rua Miguel Bombarda — a mystical oasis of inner-city charm which boasts one of the most beautiful gardens in the city: a place which overwhelms your senses to such a degree that you could be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere far more exotic like the Orient – from which it’s interiors take such divine inspiration.

Porto’s temperate oceanic climate ensures pleasantly warm and sunny summers. With this in mind, light layers are the order of the day.

Three jackets and a suede gilet will see you through all eventualities for a stylish weekend. A navy patch-pocket blazer can be alternated elegantly with a yellow or green Bengal stripe shirt, while a double-breasted check jacket will add pizzazz over a Chambray denim shirt.

Two pairs of high-waisted trousers — in teal and white — will pair seamlessly, particularly as the white pair will double up with the navy jacket too. Save the jackets for pre-dinner evening strolls along the quayside, and wear suspenders with an open-neck shirt and trousers during the day time to eschew a sophisticated, yet relaxed vibe.

Each garment can be accessorised for a more elevated evening appearance with the addition of patterned pocket-squares and silk scarves. The navy jacket needs something more elaborately colourful in the breast pocket, while a simple folded white square will add a nonchalant nuance to the check jacket.

For something slightly less formal, try an unstructured Sahariana jacket in a neutral beige to compliment all the other hues contained in your weekend bag. A brown suede gilet is an equally effective layer.

If I had to pack one pair of shoes, it would be brown tassel loafers, which look the part either dressed up or down, even with tailored shorts.

The Church of San Zaccaria is a beautiful Renaissance building located in the San Marco district in the homonymous square. Apart from the ornate decoration of the main hall and facade, the Church of San Zaccaria deserves a visit for its is the crypt, which is partially filled with the ubiquitous waters of the surrounding canals.

Considered the oldest and most visible part of the building, the burial basement is supported by two rows of columns with small capitals dating back to 900-1000 and is also the place where eight Doges are buried.

The Church of San Francesco della Vigna, with its small convent, is located in Campo San Francesco della Vigna, in the Castello district. It was probably built by a group of Franciscan friars in the mid-XIII century. Large gardens, still visible today, were later created around the monastery and enclosed within the convent.

The name “San Francesco della Vigna” suggests the predominant type of cultivation of the gardens: the vineyard (“vigna”), donated to the friars by Marco Ziani, the son of Doge Pietro. The Franciscan Minor Friars still cultivate part of this land and have created a botanical garden that overlooks the North Lagoon. We also recommend a visit to the two cloisters, surrounded by a colonnade and preserving monumental specimens of cypresses. The larger of them was used as the cemetery of Venetian nobles.

Libreria Acqua Alta is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and often makes it to listicles. Located in the Castello district in Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, it is characterized by an old-time movie atmosphere. A gondola, kayaks, bathtubs, and wooden barrels all make containers for books, both new and secondhand.

The libreria houses about one hundred thousand volumes, books on art, cinema, sports, architecture, food, music, up to comics, and bestsellers. Making the place even more evocative, you’ll find many cats running quietly in the middle of the printed paper. The owner of this charming bookshop is Luigi Frizzo, an affable man in his seventies, who about ten years ago decided to open the little business that is now much appreciated by both tourists and Venetians alike.

Known as “the island of the Mad”, the Island of San Servolo was the official mental asylum of Venice for 250 years. Run by the religious order San Giovanni di Dio, it opened in 1725 with the order that all insane men — and later women as well — would be relocated there: across the centuries, over 200,000 patients were admitted to the asylum, and most would never leave.

Today the building houses a museum that displays the equipment from the mental asylum, as well as the anatomical theater. There is also an archive with photo albums of patients from 1874 through to the 20th century as well as a library that holds a collection left by San Servolo and San Clemente Psychiatric Hospitals.

Palazzo Stern is a historical Moorish Palazzo on the Grand Canal. The building boasts a very particular location: just a few steps from the Accademia and Saint Mark, but far from the chaos, in the real Venice.

The structure is built with maximum accuracy to every little detail, enriched with antiquities, sculpture, and numerous authentic frescoes and mosaics. The rooms, furnished in typical Venetian style with silk wallpaper and Murano glass chandeliers, look over Rio Malpaga side canal, as well as over the garden in the back of the hotel.

San Clemente Palace Kempinski is located on the private island of San Clemente, only a few minutes away from Piazza San Marco via a complimentary boat ride. This exclusive retreat guarantees peace, tranquillity, and privacy with its 196 rooms and suites overlooking the lagoon or the centuries-old park.

Guests will find an outdoor pool, tennis court, and a state-of-the-art fitness room. Jerb therapy massage treatments make the island the perfect destination to unwind in total relaxation and enjoy the days of the festival far away from the chaos of the Lagoon.

Located in the enchanting garden of the hotel Papadopoli, Ristorante Giardino d’Inverno looks like the setting of a fairytale with its tropical flowers and the interior design curated by the landscape architect Pietro Porcinai.

Here, chef Marco Grossi brings to the table all the genuine flavor of dishes inspired by the Venetian tradition and also offers gluten-free and vegetarian recipes. The tasting menu is made of seasonal raw materials and varies according to what the market offers. Try the SpaghettOroVerrigni with basil pesto and clams or the sea bass served in three different ways; you won’t be disappointed.

Ischia is the largest of the three islands off the coast of Naples, (the other two are Capri and Procida). The isle is divided into six districts (Ischia Porto, Casamicciola Terme, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Serrara Fontana and Barano), all filled with a lot of hidden gems to discover. We suggest you start your journey with a visit to the Bay of Sorgeto, where you can enjoy natural hot springs. By climbing down 234 steps, towards a tiny beach in a picturesque cove, you will be able to swim in a variety of pools with slightly different water temperatures: you can choose boiling water, warm or cold as in the best spas. This is a result of the island’s underground volcanic activity.

In the afternoon we recommend a trip to Forio for a relaxing walk through the “Giardini La Mortella”, a stunning garden where you can admire a major collection of exotic, rare plants, such as papyrus, lotuses and tropical water lilies. This enchanted place was developed by 1956 by Susana Walton, the Argentinian wife of the British composer Sir William Walton. Awash with fascinating plants, flowers, wildlife and colorful birds, this lush tropical paradise attracts every year thousand of tourists. It is open from 1 April to 31 October on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 9.00 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Are you searching for a place to admire a breathtaking view and a spectacular sunset? Plan a visit to the Aragonese Castle, in Ischia Porto. Considered one of the main symbols of the isle, this fortress rises on an islet formed following a volcanic eruption. It was built in 474 BC the Greeks, but was Alfonso of Aragon, in 1441, to turn it into a fortified citadel. The Castle is open all year, every day from 9am to sunset.

There’s no better way to end your first day on the island than having dinner in a local restaurant. We suggest you Dani Maison, not too far from the Castle. In a magical garden, which includes an eclectic collection of art and an outdoor bar, you can taste one of the delicious dishes prepared by the starred chef Nino Di costanzo. Every recipe reveals the philosophy of its creator, which consists of passion, experimentation, and, above all respect for the raw ingredients of Campania.

For the second day of our stay in Ischia, we recommend a visit to one of the many thermal parks on the island. Among all of them, we have chosen Negombo Spa: here you can enjoy 14 pools, (some marine, thermal and therapeutical), a thermal area with Turkish bath, outdoor pool and modern aestetical-healthy treatments. Furthermore, you can eat in one of the restaurants of the structure, do shopping, or admire from the beautiful panoramic gardens the Mediterranean sea with all its glimmering colors. The Park is open from June 19 to October 11.

After your natural spa session, you may want to take a glance at the historical and artistic gems of the island. In this case, “The Church of Soccorso” could be a perfect choice. Located on a promontory overlooking the sea, this ancient convent has byzantine architecture style, Moorish and Mediterranean architecture in a fascinating fusion of different but harmonious shapes. The church’s interior is small but interesting with beautiful arches and vaulted ceilings. When you get there, be sure to have with you your camera: at dusk, the white stucco of the building becomes gradually red by the sunset reflected on the ocean. This breathtaking scene surely deserves a pic.

For your last dinner on the island, we suggest you reach Lacco Ameno, where you’ll find “Indaco”. Opened in 2009 within the hotel “Regina Isabella”, this restaurant has won several accolades, and since 2013 has been awarded a Michelin Star. Overlooking a small bay, this magic place allows guests to sit either in the dining-room or outside on the wide jetty. As for the cuisine, it is predominantly seafood: the dishes prepared by the chef Pasquale Calamaro includes the freshest farm-to-table products of the island as well as the hotel’s private garden.

Although Tuscany is one of the most visited regions in the World, especially for Florence, rightly called “the cradle of the Renaissance”, it is a particularly rich and varied territory not only for its main and most famous city. With seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a history dating back to the Bronze Age and breathtaking natural landscape, the italian region is also the perfect place for a little road trip on a week-end, discovering stunning and surprising places off the beaten path. Starting from Maremma: this is a large area in southern Tuscany, between the provinces of Livorno and Grosseto and, most of all, a place with ancient roots. Along the Aurelia road you can find the beautiful Capalbio, already visible from the road.

The town it’s really worth a visit, especially for the historic center – which is only accessible by foot – where at its highest point you can find the “Rocca Aldobrandesca“: built in medieval times, it has a spectacular tower leaning against the Collacchioni Palace. Although its interior is quite bare, some rooms are finely decorated, and in one of these we find a particularly valuable piece: the piano that Giacomo Puccini played during his stays in Capalbio. One of the most curious places in the area, but in Italy in general, is the Giardino dei Tarocchi, created by Niki de Saint Phalle. This is an esoteric garden on the Garavicchio hill, where you can find cyclopean sculptures from 12 to 15 meters dedicated to the symbols of the tarots, in particular the 22 major arcana: an actual “en plein air” museum with an exceptional charm, where Niki de Saint Phalle worked on the construction from 1979 to 1998. In order to preserve the magical atmosphere that reigns in the artistic park, visits are only possible from April to October.

But where to take advantage of the excellent Tuscan cuisine in the surroundings? In the small hilltop town of Montemerano you can find “Da Caino”, an authentic Tuscan restaurant two Michelin-starred. Here its chef, Valeria Piccini, creates regionally-inspired dishes that perfectly combines simplicity and creativity, in a perfect balance between rich flavours and astonishing combinations that really make feel the emotion and the love that get across. The restaurant produces its own wines, as well as an exceptional olive oil from groves containing some 900 trees.

Then, to fully enjoy your stay in Maremma, we recommend you to get closer to the sea, precisely to the splendid peninsula of Monte Argentario, to be able to wake up with the smell of the sea breeze. Here, in Porto Ercole, lies the Hotel Il Pellicano, a luxury boutique hotel which started life in 1965, when the Anglo-American couple Patricia and Michael Graham built a cliff-side villa for their glamorous parties. In 1979 the house was sold to present owner, entrepreneur Roberto Sciò, and a lot of celebrities came there through the years, from Kirk Douglas to Sophia Loren. Il Pellicano is the ideal place where being delighted by a splendid view because of its position: once inside, the guests are completely unaware of any nearby buildings. Apart from the yachts during summer. The rooms have been decorated inspired by the sea and Tuscan hues, some have sea views, and others overlook the mediterranean gardens, and all of them have a terrace or a balcony. In the bathrooms we can find Carrara marble or sophisticated tiles, with custom-made products by maître parfumeur Maria Candida Gentile. Last but not least, the spa of Il Pellicano uses Santa Maria Novella products from Florence.

For the second day of your weekend between Maremma and Val d’Orcia, we recommend a tour of the natural thermal baths, starting from the hot springs in Saturnia: the famous “Cascate del Mulino” present bubbling waters seeping through the Earth’s crust in an area stretching from Mount Amiata to the hills of Albenga and Fiora, and are rich in mineral deposits with a temperature of 37.5 °C, which have therapeutic and relaxing properties.

After your natural spa session, you may want to stop and take some time to explore the small town of Saturnia, a small town close to an Etruscan necropolis along the Roman road Clodia. Continuing your journey in the direction of Monte Amiata, you will find an excellent opportunity to stop for lunch: in the enchanting village of Pescina, where the tavern of the post station once stood, today here it is the Michelin-starred restaurant “Silene“, by Roberto Rossi, a place capable of gathering the ancient knowledge of good food and create a dynamic and avant-garde cuisine. The simplicity of the finest raw materials and the strong roots in the Seggianese territory are two fundamental ingredients in Silene’s cuisine, where a deep and visceral bond with the environment and its products reigns: from mushrooms to truffles, through the highest quality meat and fish, to freshly picked vegetables, everything at Silene rigorously follows the rhythm of seasonality, reinterpreted through the chef’s fervent creativity.

After Saturnia, for lovers of thermal baths it is impossible not to go to Val d’Orcia: the absolute protagonist here is the untouched landscape, between green valleys, the Orcia river, and the vineyards for the renowned wines of Brunello and Val d’Orcia DOC: it is no wonder that this territory is protected as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In this area you can visit the little town of Castiglion d’Orcia, with its fortress, and the picturesque Pienza, a real jewel known as the “Ideal City”, with the beautiful Palazzo Piccolomini. Then, you can relax yourself in one of the many thermal baths of the region, such as the ones in Bagni di San Filippo with its White Whale waterfall: the name comes from for the impressive calcium formation that characterizes the site, and its similarity to the mouth of a whale. The surreal atmosphere created by calciferous formations, waterfalls and small pools of hot water surrounded by the woods will seem to take you to another, dreamy world. Nevertheless, the calcium formation are really delicate, and you should not can walk on it.

In the late afternoon, we recommend you to go to Castiglione dell’Orcia, a town that is worth visiting for its rolling hills as well as for its artistic works, from the old Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, a Romanesque wonder made of stone, to the Church of Santi Stefano e Degna. The heart of Castiglione, Piazza il Vecchietta – named after the Castiglione-born artist – is home to the splendid Palazzo del Comune and an array of medieval buildings. Also, don’t miss the Rocca di Tentennano, a 13th-century fortress that emerges from a calciferous ridge in the heart of the Val d’Orcia. Here in this town, we selected for you one of the best restaurants to have dinner in the region: the freshly Michelin-starred Osteria Perillà.

Here, creative cuisine with exotic crossovers meets the authentic flavors of the area, from the Guinea fowl breast “Podere Forte” in pickled vegetables to the more classic Homemade Plin pasta filled with tomato consommé. The dining room present a delightful view over the mediaeval village center and displays a collection of artwork, but the guests can enjoy their meal also on the outdoor terrace, surrounded by white hydrangeas in the shade of lofty maritime pines. The kitchen is partially visible through a large glass window, so the more curious guests can observing the chef and his crew at work. To end this Tuscan weekend in style, treat yourself staying overnight at the Relais Osteria dell’Orcia, which summerizes the ultimate Tuscan elegance, the wonders of a private residence and the Italian “art de vivre”. The Relais has 16 bedrooms all decorated and furnished differently from each other, where the guests can take advantage of the silence of the Val d’Orcia countryside, sheltered in an intimate, large and green flower-colored garden. And, of course, sip a drink by the pool.

In this 1957 comedy, Sordi is Alberto Boccetti, a newspaper vendor who masquerades as a count and falls in with a baroness and her aristocratic friends. He believes he is in love with her, but comes to realize he has more in common with her maids.

Alberto’s newsstand is located in Via Veneto, one of the most elegant and well-known streets of Rome, full of expensive and luxury lodges. One of the most striking is Villa Spalletti Trivelli, an elegant hotel in a classical villa.

This century-old, opulent city retreat, was formerly the private home of an aristocratic family and was renovated between 2004-2006. Rooms are in true Roman style, characterized by a perfect balance of classicism with contemporary comfort, while public areas are large and airy, showcasing antiques from the family’s collection. The hotel also includes a relaxing Wellness Centre and a beautiful rooftop.

This movie tells the story of Pietro Marchetti, a mature Roman taxi driver who has countless and interesting meetings while he is on duty with his car “Zara 87”. For the last forty years of his life, he has driven around the streets of Rome, picking up different types of clients, from the actress Silvana Pampanini to the politician Giulio Andreotti.

In one of the movie’s most famous scenes, the taxi driver brings the ex-leader of the Christian Democracy party to Palazzo Montecitorio, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. This is the political heart of the city, but in this area you can also find multiple accommodations solutions, including the charming “Albergo del Senato”.

This building is situated in Piazza della Rotonda, an excellent location in front of the Pantheon, Rome’s most renowned ancient temple. If you’re searching for something special, you can choose one of the Penthouse Suites, located on the top floor of the hotel and each with a small private terrace with views onto the Pantheon and Piazza della Rotonda. If you love art you should spend at least one night in the Suite Seminario, which contains an original renaissance period fresco on the ceiling!

In this 1960 movie, Alberto Sordi is Otello Celletti, an unemployed ex-soldier from a small town who gets a job as a traffic policeman. In order to survive, he has to learn that law, in life as well on as the streets, is not equally applied to everybody.

The movie is set in an unspecified little town on the outskirts of Rome, and many scenes were shooted in the Roman countryside. Not far from the chaos of the city, infact, you can find many little villages surrounded by greenery, where you can chill out and enjoy endless views of wonderful olive trees and sunsets in ancient mansions turned into hotels.

On the border between Grottaferrata and Frascati, surrounded by a park of 15,000 square meters, stands, for example, the magnificent Villa Grazioli, a Tuscan residence among the richest in decorative terms. The villa houses several frescos from Pannini and a beautiful garden made up of tall, secular trees such as holm oaks, platani Orientalis.

This comedy, considered “a milestone in the evolution of Italian self-identification” is a biting satire of americanization in Italy and all western Europe. Sordi plays the role of Nando Mericoni, a man born and raised in Rome who americanizes his life by imitating the sounds of American language and trying to recreate a Hollywood set in his room.

In via Portica d’Ottavia is set one of the most famous scenes of the movie, when Nando, pretending to be a sheriff, has a surreal fight with “gatto mammone”. This street is in the lively and picturesque Centro Storico, the perfect place to go if you’re aiming to taste the real Rome.

Among the many hotels in this district, we have chosen the Boutique Hotel Campo de’ Fiori. This elegant independent establishment is just steps away from Campo de’ Fiori, one of Rome’s classic piazza, with its famous statue of Giordano Bruno. Everything here is at once time-tested and modern, elegant, and up-to-date, like the city of Rome itself. You can choose between different room solutions (classic, deluxe or top floor) and refined apartments. Another highlight is the terrace, which offers the guests a 360° panoramic and suggestive view of the city.

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