The Lamborghini”s Track Academy provides an entry into the world of Lamborghini and offers a real-life opportunity to develop your track driving skills under professional guidance. This 1.5 day course includes a full day on  track, split between handling exercises and track sessions. Controlled skids, breaking techniques and other safety exercises will allow you to explore both your capabilities and those of Lamborghini’s top model: the Murciélago with its 640 hp 12-cylinder engine: the fastest and most extreme super sports car in its class.

The course can be taken at tracks near Venice and Rome. Price: starting @ 3,900. Euros (includes one overnight stay at the event hotel including breakfast; Cocktail and dinner on the first evening, lunch on the second day; Track hospitality with all refreshments _ Lamborghini gift items and Academy certificate; and Personal DVD of in-car video shots and photo CD capturing the day_s action.)

Click here for Driving Academy brochure.

Questions, email us at: info@aiellli-benevento.it

One of Milan’s most exclusive…a seven star hotel in the famous Galleria.

The master bedroom of the Toscanini suite features an alfresco ceiling and an adjoining split-level lounge and an en suite marble bathroom with a bath and an overhead chromo therapeutic shower.

The upper level relax area features an exercise bicycle and a work out space. There are three LCD TVs, one 32_, one 42_ and one 20_. The bedroom is provided with a laptop computer with wireless connection attached to a fax as well as a color printer, cordless telephones with two lines, individual climate control, mini bar and large in room safe. This suite includes personalized butler service.

From People magazine: …”It looks like Lindsay Lohan might have a little more time to focus exclusively on her 6126 line of leggings and apparel in the days ahead. After months of tumult over her appointment as the artistic advisor for Emanuel Ungaro — and one not well-received runway show — the unlikely team appears to have parted ways.

The actress was not present at the Ungaro fashion show today during Paris Fashion Week, and the brand’s owner Asim Abdullah told WWD backstage, “She’s not involved in this collection,” while declining to comment further. The actress quickly went from describing her catwalk debut as “pretty much a fairytale” to being bashed in the design world, even incurring the ire of the brand’s respected namesake founder, who deemed her first and maybe only collection for his former house “a disaster.”

The more unfortunate amongst us will get to Italy only once in their lives. For those poor souls as well as those pursuing that special unforgettable dream experience, we advise you to consider several key factors: 1. Days; 2. Month; 3. Cities.

Making Italy an experience you will never forget has everything to do with getting these three elements in sync. First, ask yourself, “How many days on the ground can I spend in _Bella Italia_?” Seven days sounds like a lot but does afford one a relaxing pace if traveling from Venice to Florence to Rome. This is the American equivalent of seeing Washington, Miami and Chicago in seven days. Ouch!

Next consider the month of year you wish to travel. Italy is a big country where temperatures vary…Sicily in November can be in the 80s; while Rome in late summer is as much fun as Dallas or Miami in August. The hordes of screaming touristi are also dictated by seasonal flows. Intertwined with seasonal issues are the very nature of Italian cities across different latitudes. Lake Como is wonderful in August. Amalfi is best in the beginning of the summer season. And Tuscany can be grand in late October.

So before you begin planning that dream, consider the days, month and cities.

Alternatively, you can email us: info@aiellli-benevento.it

In case you missed this recent NYT piece on one of our favorite of Rome’s hidden streets…

“OVER the years, an impressive array of artists — Fellini, Picasso, Stravinsky, Puccini — have lived, found inspiration and created masterpieces on the Via Margutta, a tiny street in Rome barely the width of an SUV and tucked just away from the Spanish Steps. Then Joe Bradley moved in. Gregory Peck’s character in “Roman Holiday” had a flat there, and apparently nothing elevates an address in the public consciousness better than Audrey Hepburn lilting, “Via Margutta, 51.” Presto: a real estate star was born.

But as often happens with arty neighborhoods that grow too costly for actual artists, the Via Margutta soon became better known as a place to buy expensive art than as a center of creativity. Recently, however, the street has reinvented itself again — this time as a design destination.

“Years ago, there was nothing but galleries and studios,” said Alberto Moncado, owner of the new, exquisitely chic Hotel Margutta 54 (via Margutta, 54; 39-06-699-21907; romeluxurysuites.com). His newest project continues a family tradition. In the 1800s, the Moncados, patrons of artists like Caravaggio, turned what had been shacks and gardens into artists’ lofts, helping to create the present-day Via Margutta. “Now there are all kinds of shops, but you don’t find the big Louis Vuittons here,” Mr. Moncado said. “These are high quality, elegant brands, but they’re small with a local flavor. Everything is done the way it was years ago.”

Take Saddlers Union (No. 11; 39-06-321-20237; saddlersunion.com), a sleek storefront that whacks you over the head with the smell of leather when you walk in. Open since October, this is the place for handmade belts, wallets, bags and briefcases — cobbled in the studio in back. The prices are high (handbags start at around 600 euros, or $800 at $1.34 to the euro), but so is the quality.   A few doors down is Flair (No. 55B; 39-06-326-52067; flair.it), a vintage furniture shop only a few months old. Flair’s specialty is home design circa mid-to-late 20th century — a well-edited collection of home furnishings refurbished in supple shades and glossy finishes, like an early ’70s, funky brass and black plexiglass lamp for 950 euros.

At the end of the street is Enigma (No. 61A; 39-06-321-8358; enigma.it), a high-end jewelry store owned by Gianni Bulgari, son of Italian jewelry royalty of the same name. The store, designs and prices are all appropriately lavish. But unlike some Fifth Avenue boutiques, the pieces, like a silver lion pendant for 300 euros, feel special, not mass produced.

Not everything is high end and reinvented, though. A holdover from an earlier era is La Bottega del Marmoraro (No. 53B; 39-06-320-7660), a tiny shop overflowing with small marble plaques, art fit for Barbie’s Ancient Roman Dream House. For 15 euros, Enrico Fiorentini, the boisterous owner, will chisel any words you want into a piece of marble. Once the work is done, Mr. Fiorentini has a charming habit of serving a bowl of warm pasta to his customers while regaling them with stories about the street’s glory days.

Mr. Moncado, for one, thinks that the glory is still intact. “Via Margutta started as a place for artists,” he said. “Whatever happens over the years, I think it will always retain that piece of its character.”

[Source: From NYTimes Travel, 02/28/2010]

Favignana is the largest of the Egadi Islands. The island’s vast bay is dominated by The Fort of Santa Caterina, built by the Saracens, rebuilt by the Normans and used by the Bourbons as a prison. The island is characterised by its inviting beaches and coves, among which are Cala Azzurra, a small sandy bay; Cala Rossa, a rocky cove and the extensive Burrone Lido beach. Divers will appreciate the sea caves, such as the Grotta Azzurra (named for the blue water) and the Cave of Sighs (named for the moaning sound the waves make when the sea is rough).

Levanzo: The northernmost of the three Egadi Islands, which lie off the coast of Trapani to the west of Sicily. It has been inhabited since 10,000BC – as the Neolithic cave paintings at Grotto del Genovese testify – but the island remains largely unchanged, with empty bays and
coves, quiet beaches and a relaxed pace of life. There is little to do here but enjoy the great outdoors, whether by walking or snorkelling or going on a boat trip.

Marettimo is the most isolated of the Egadi group, Marettimo is certainly one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and interesting islands of Italy. It has two harbors used by fishermen, and a small village with just two fish restaurants. It is also home to some unique flora, and makes a great base from which to study the migration of birds to and from Africa. There are numerous caves, which can be visited on a boat trip, including the Grotta del Cammello, which contains the remains of a Roman settlement.

The island’s 31-mile coastline is home to a huge variety of aquatic life, including monk seals and dolphins; and the restaurants serve excellent seafood. The island can be reached by hydrofoil and ferry from Trapani or Mazara dei Vallo.

Ustica: Just 50km north of Palermo, the small island of Ustica can be reached by hydrofoil from Sicily and is a popular holiday destination for the islanders during summer. Its jagged coastline is made up of inlets and bays that open into a beautiful grotto, reachable only
by sea. Here, the waters of the Atlantic mix with those of the Mediterranean, creating a unique marine habitat that became a Marine Natural Reserve in 1987. In the centre of this 8km-long island is an elevated plateau from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic
view. For several years, local artists have embarked on a unique initiative, namely to paint the walls of homes with portraits, still lifes and trompe-l’oeil scenes.

“The last decade has seen a slew of high-end gelaterie open in Rome. The first, and still one of the best, is Il Gelato de San Crispino, set up by gelato revolutionaries Giuseppe and Pasquale Alongi. These brothers take things back to basics, carefully sourcing the hazelnuts that go into their nocciola flavor or the 20-year cask-aged marsala that makes their zabaione flavor so unmissable. A new Pantheon branch gives you even less of an excuse to miss out on the San Crispino experience. However, a new contender, the Gelateria al Teatro, located in a tiny cobbled cul-de-sac between Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo, is winning converts with its organic approach and unusual range of flavors, many of them based on Italian pastries like cannoli. Chocoholics will also be knocked sideways by the 85 percent cocoa cioccolato puro option. Over in Prati, north of the Vatican, Mirella Fiumanò, the owner and founder of Al Settimo Gelo, is a volcano of creativity. Devotees swarm here to enjoy inventive, gluten-free flavors such as hot chili–spiced chocolate, honey and sesame, cinnamon and ginger, and Greek ice cream (goat-milk yogurt, honey, and pistachio). But some of the capital’s more traditional gelaterie are still well worth checking out, from Giolitti, the multiflavor cathedral of Roman ice cream, to lesser-known stalwarts like Alberto Pica, which does a knockout riso alla cannella (cinnamon rice), in which the risotto is so perfectly al dente it’s almost crunchy.

Hours:   Il Gelato di San Crispino open Wednesdays through Mondays. Gelateria del Teatro open daily. Al Settimo Gelo open Tuesdays through Sundays. Giolitti open daily 7:30 am to 1:30 am. Alberto Pica open Mondays through Saturdays.    (Source: Concierge.com)

Actress, singer Jennifer Lopez performed at the 2010 Sanremo Festival Saturday.  The photo here shows 40-year-old looked stunning as she performed her latest single, What Is Love?, at Italy’s most famous music Festival.   As background note, the Ariston Theater hosts the annual Sanremo Music Festival, a very popular song contest held in the city since 1951. This festival inspired the Eurovision Song Contest, which started in 1956, and for years the Sanremo festival selected the Italian entry. The internationally notable song “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu”, also known as “Volare”, was performed at this festival for the first time by Domenico Modugno in 1958. The festival is so popular amongst Italians that it is often referred to simply as “Il Festival” (The Festival).

Portrait Italy is a turnkey touring experience created for busy executives. Designed by Aielli & Benevento, this touring experience is tailored 100% to the traveler so there are no fixed departure dates. Clients also choose among a variety of luxury hotel properties.  We handle every trip detail… A week before departure, the client will receive a detailed, daily travel schedule outlining all trip contacts /reservations/ arrangements, ensuring a worry-free, hassle-free travel experience.    

What’s included*:

• Five star suite accommodations …the finest hotels in Florence, Rome and Venice.
• Michelin class dining experiences including a Roman feast at La Pergola and a seven course Venetian tasting.
• In Venice, a private boat our through Grande Canal ending up with gourmet luncheon at the world-renowned Cipriani Hotel.
• In Rome, an “after hours” private tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum +”Rome by Night” evening drive with chauffeur.
• In Florence, a special “best art of the Uffizi” tour .
• First Class EuroStar high-speed trains from Venice to Florence and Florence to Rome (city to city transfer by private sedan also available).

Private Guides/ Optional Services... customized IPODs, private photographer, personal masseuse.
Unlike recommendations from hotel concierges (whom invariably pick their friends based on a “business relationship”), we choose guides solely on the basis of reputation, years of experience and proven excellence.   Aielli & Benevento offers its touring guest a wide range of support services including passport assistance; GSM phone rental, customized IPODs, private photographer, personal masseuse, etc.  (*Based on 9 nights / three nights in each city.)

> Email us for touring details @ info@aiellli-benevento.it .

The paparazzi has made much of a recent Venice visit by: Famiglia Brangelina”.  If you wish to trace Brad & Angelin’s treks to a gelato shop and an enoteca. Here are the two  places previously identified in the media.

> La Gelateria Lo Squero
Simone Sambo makes some of the finest ice-cream in Venice. He’s hard-pressed to pinpoint a favourite flavour, but can happily rattle off those in in his current repertoire – which always depends on the freshest ingredients available. His mousse series (blueberry, strawberry, chocolate and hazelnut, among others) is so light and creamy, it’s served in a waffle cone so it doesn’t fly away.
Dorsoduro 989-90,
fondamenta Nani
Transport Vaporetto Accademia or Zattere
Tel # 347 269 7921

> La Enoteca Schiavi
992 Fondamenta San Trovaso, Dorsoduro
Tel # 041/523-0744
For lack of a better term this is a ‘wine bar/wine tasting’, in Venetian it’s called a ‘Bacaro’ where local Venetians stop in to “prendere un’ombra” which tranlates to “take a little shade”. What it really means though is to have a glass of wine and chat. Along with the wine they sell dozens of different ‘cicchetti’ at 1euro each. These are small slices of crusty bread with different toppings. These toppings can be as simple as a piece of local cheese or various salamis to ‘baccala mantecata’ and caviar.