Aielli & Benevento

Concierge.com recently created a list of the world’s hotels with the n=best bathrooms. Rome’s Cavalieri made the list (known once as the Cavalieri Hilton it is now part of Waldorf Astoria collection.) The Cavalieri also is home to La Pergola, one of Italy best rated restaurants.

The best of the bathroom: The hydro massage tub in the Penthouse Suite at the Rome Cavalieri hotel is so spectacular, it has earned its own separate bathroom-within-a-bathroom in the guest suite. Up a few steps and glassed-in for gazing, the tub lets you take a dip while drinking in a view of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ceiling over this Roman bath glitters with starry fiber optics, and you can set the lighting to green, blue, yellow, or—look out—red.

The rest of the bathroom: Paneled in a rare marble with malachite inlay, the palatial bathroom is trimmed with Swarovski crystals; there’s an LCD TV above the opulent vanity, and the luxe triple-head shower is equipped with a tropical storm–inspired mister, plus scent therapy. The rest of the suite’s no slouch, either, with Andy Warhol artwork and an oversize Karl Lagerfeld sofa set that was originally designed for Lagerfeld’s home in Paris.

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What is it about Italy and Hollywood?  Start now counting the number of authors and film stars who seek out ‘La bella e vita’ in Italy and you will not stop until next week.  Joining this very long list is sometime Lake Como resident George Clooney.

The Academy Award winner stars in the title role of the yet to be released suspense thriller titled, “The American”  and no surprise most it was filmed on location in Italy. (Besides Rome, shooting took place in Castel del Monte, L’Aquila, Abruzzo.)

Alone among assassins, Jack (Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell. The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate. This suspense thriller will hit limited U.S. theaters on September 1.

Ristorante Santa Lucia.  Location:Near the Pantheon.

Has a wonderful courtyard.  The restaurant had its 15 minutes of fame (again) when Julia Roberts of ‘Mystic Pizza’ fame frequented during the 2009 filming of best seller “Eat, Pray, Love”.  ( Not that these Hollywood types are evidence of good food but Santa Lucia has been a hit with such VIPs as Rupert Everett, Ridley Scott, Sofia Loren, Dante Ferretti, Bernardo Bertolucci and Harvey Keitel. Bill Clinton has been back many a time with his daughter Chelsea, while Kirstie Alley gave the paparazzi the international finger sign having been spotted leaving the restaurant.  During the never-ending filming of Gangs of New York at Cinecittà, Martin Scorsese and Leo di Caprio were a permanent fixture at the restaurant.

Roberts is quoted as saying her favorite location scenes were “when people were speaking Italian athousand miles a minute and there was plenty of pasta and wine”.  We agree.  Menu favorites include scialatielli and spaghetti.

2 Via di Tor Sanguigna ; info@santaluciaristorante.it ; Tel#:  +39 06.68802427

The headline of the article read: “In Rome, Opera in Ruins“.  Truth is this uniquely Italian form of music and theatre continues to flourish.

Visitors to Rome often marvel at the astonishing integration of ancient structures into the city’s modern fabric. Shops, an embassy and a gelateria all sit atop the ruins of a first-century stadium; apartments lean on the Theater of Marcellus; even the mayor’s office claims a Republican-era records hall as its foundation. This summer, the eye-opening ruins of the Baths of Caracalla join the fun, hosting ballet and opera performances.

Summer operas in the ruins of the third-century public baths are nothing new. The tradition dates back to the 1930s and, save for a couple of interruptions (1940 to 1944 and 1994 to 2000), outdoor summer performances at the complex have been held annually, making them synonymous with sultry Roman summer evenings.

A ballet, “Romeo and Juliet,” has just finished its run, and will be followed by two operas: “Aida” (July 15 to Aug. 5) and “Rigoletto” (July 28 to Aug. 8). Both of these Verdi works were first performed at the baths in the 1930s, when the stage and seating were set up inside the ruins themselves.

Today, visitors sit on bleachers outside the baths and the stage is set up a short distance from the ruins. The impressive walls of the ancient caldarium (hot room) become stage scenery. Though despoiled of their stone veneer, mosaics and columns, the Baths of Caracalla provide an evocative setting and intensify the magic of this decades-old tradition.

Tickets are available online at the Opera Web site (39-06-481-60-255; en.operaroma.it), starting at 26.50 euros, about $32. They are also sold at the box office on the night of each performance, though due to the high demand for tickets, advance reservations are recommended.–From NY Times’ Travel.

The winter is perfect time to enjoy a long weekend in one of Italy’s unforgettable cities: Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice. Aielli & Benevento offers a private, custom touring experience for couples who wish to experience the culture, food and cuisine of “Bella Italia”without having to fight the tourist hordes.  With one phone call, arrange a well-deserved break and let Aielli & Benevento handle all the details.

When:

Any four days in December, January, February and March.

Where and What?

A relaxing, weekend in one of Italy’s sophisticated urban environs. Your choice of Rome, Milan, Florence or Venice.  Your custom trip will include: private museum tours, guided walks, gourmet dinners and wine tastings.

How Much?

Price per couple includes Michelin class dining, private guides, private transportation and five star suite accommodations. From 3,000 euros per person, based on double occupancy.

More information: Email: info@aielli-benevento.it  | Call: +1. 212.695.1511

All fares are subject to change without notice, are non-transferable, and subject to cancellation and change fees Aielli & Benevento designs private trip experiences for serious travelers seeking ultra- luxury touring in Italy. We offer our clients two touring options: 1. Ambassador-Style Touring (semi-escorted) and; 2. Private Concierge Class(escorted).

> Learn more at: www.aielli-benevento.it

La Cucina magazine interviewed Frank Bruni (former NY Times food critic) on his favorites Rome ristoranti…see three of his favorites below…Thought you might want to try if you have not already done so…welcome your suggestions too.

> Trattoria Monti
Address: Via San Vito, 13A; Tel # 06-4466573.
“Walk inside and see two charismatic brothers, Enrico and Daniele Camerucci, handle a dozen or so tables with grace and ease. Their mother, Franca, is the cook, and she can be depended on for terrific pasta dishes (her tortellone with an egg-yolk center is a delicate marvel) and an amazing Parmesan custard of sorts, which the restaurant vaguely labels a tortino. No matter where on the menu you stray, it’s hard to go wrong.” (NY Times Review.)

>Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Address: Via Madonna dei Monti, 16; Tel # 06-6798643. Open: Wed-Mon 12:30pm-3pm, 7:15pm-10:30pm. www.latavernadeiforiimperiali.com
“Alessio and his wife Maria have created a homey ambiance in their small, family-run restaurant. Here, just a stone-throw away from the Coliseum, enjoy the beauty of Italian cuisine and hospitality. The recipes are a selection of Sicilian, Roman and Umbrian (the ancestral stomping grounds), plus the chef’s innovations. Recommendations count for a lot here: let the waiter or waitress advise your selection.” Reservation required. (review by 10 Best). Favorite pick of Frank Bruni, former NY Times restaurant critic as referenced in La Cucina Magazine, July/August 2010.

> Santopadre
Via Collina, 18; Tel # 06 4745405. Casual. Neighborhood place. (10 minutes walk from St. Regis Grand). Favorite pick of Frank Bruni, former NY Times restaurant critic as referenced in La Cucina Magazine, July/August 2010.

The Eternal City has never been a hub of youth hostels and greasy spoons, but if you aren’t afraid of really making use of that AMEX Black card, consider the Ultimate Anniversary experience offered by Aielli & Benevento.

With this over-the-top 24/7 concierge service, the sophisticated touring couple gets five fabulous nights in Rome, and what an incredible spree it is: a suite with 24 hour butler service at the St. Regis  that would make Italy’s billionaire Berlusconi envious, private ‘after hours’ tours of the St. Peter’s and the Vatican, a Mercedes S Class sedan, driver-guide, and  exceptional Michelin rated dinings at Rome’s award winning restaurants,(La Pergola, Vivendo, and Imago to name a few).

Each day has its own theme: a Fashion Day with a couture fitting at Armani or Dolce Gabbana, an Art Day with a private tour of the Borghese Museo or and after hours tour of the Sistine Chapel, and a Wine Day at three fabulous enotecas.

This touring experience can of course be 100% customized to client’s interests.  All expense included start at  15,000 Euros per person, based on one couple. Touring includes all Five star suite accommodations, breakfast in bed each day, First Class airfare, US airport transfers, private guides, daily masseuse, and personal driver throughout Italy stay.
> Email for details: info@aielli-benevento.it .

According to a recent review in Traveler: “The dramatic drawing room has a black ceiling and walls, white moldings, leopard-print headboards and dusty mauve, shot-silk window treatments.” This the biggest room in Casa Howard at about 50 sqm.  With black walls and ancient Venetian mosaic marble floors, there are 3 big windows looking onto Via della Scala. The ensuite bathroom also has the same mosaic floors and a big shower.  Each Casa Howard Guest house, whether an apartment, palazzo or farmhouse) offers highly personal service.

In Rome there are two Casa Howard guest houses, both near the Spanish Steps: one is located on via Capo le Case , and with only 5 double bedrooms it is a very intimate place to stay; the other Rome Guesthouse is on via Sistina, with luxury rooms designed by Tommaso Ziffer.

Since the success of the film, Aielli & Benevento has offered a fantastic private tour to view the sights and secrets of the best-selling book “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown.   Even with private sedan & driver-guide the duration of this magnum opus tour can be almost 8 hours, but you see much of Rome.  The specific itinerary includes: the Pantheon; the twin churches of Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria; the Piazza Navona, Castel Sant’ Angelo and of course, Saint Peter’s Basilica.

This unique experience allows one to follow in Tom Hanks’ footsteps with a mysterious and winding “treasure-hunt “through Rome!  The plot of book is set in Vatican City and Rome. Angels & Demons pits Langdon (paired with an intelligent and attractive female sidekick, Vittoria Vetra) against a modern incarnation of an ancient foe of the Roman Catholic Church, the Illuminati. In the book, Catholics fill St. Peter’s Square, awaiting the announcement of Il Conclave, the assembly of cardinals charged with selecting a new pope. Little do they know they are sitting atop a time bomb — and that four cardinals in line for the job are being murdered at sites around Rome. The Illuminati’s most hated enemy is the Catholic Church, and they have resurfaced to do away with the Catholic Church once and for all.  Following the Path of Illumination, solving puzzles and enigmas, discover the Altars of Science and decode the secret messages hidden in Bernini sculptures as Landon must. Four Altars of Science, representing the four elements of earth, air, fire and water, and a mysterious text from John Milton are the key clues that, once decoded, will enable you to experience the Path of Illumination step by step. The focal point of this private tourour is the importance of Bernini’s masterpieces, spread throughout Rome’s fantastic churches and monuments.

************Clients can always pick their day of touring.  Just call 212.695.1511 and ask to speak with an Aielli & Benevento travel specialist for a complete list of services/charges. Or email us for touring details at: info@aiellli-benevento.it.

Walking down via Margutta one stumbles upon that rare, unique little shop (boutique is too fancy a word to describe this ‘hole-in-the-wall’)

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.