Aielli & Benevento

Your Next ‘Bella Italia’ Adventure Awaits…If you consider yourself a wine connoisseur or just a wine lover and you want to experience the A&B’s best vineyard experience Tuscany has to offer, then customized tour for you!  You will spend four –six days visiting the best wine estates in this unmatched part of Italy. The tour begins and ends in Florence, and every A&B clients has 24/7 access to a driver-guide.  You’ll spend your evenings in Florence, home to Michelangelo at one of the world’s Top Twenty rated hotels.   Dine at Michelin rated Pinchiorri or Cibreo, Florence’s hottest restaurants for gourmands. From Florence , you’ll travel through the scenic wine country of Chianti Classico, quintessential Tuscany. Cypress lined narrow roads and medieval hill topped wine villages are the classic images of Chianti, very photogenic. You’ll visit top producers such as Capanelle, Fonterutoli and Antinori.  Tailored excursions may include private visits in Cortona, Montalcino, Siena and Lucca.

Aielli & Benevento has the Perfect Wine Escape …and it may surprise you. **********Clients can always pick their hotels, guides and dates of travel…we just manage the details. Call us at +1.212.695.1511 and ask to speak with a travel specialist.

Why do savvy travelers choose Aielli & Benevento?  Three simple reasons.

1. Tour at your own pace: Aielli & Benevento specializes in private touring: no bus, no groups, no dining with strangers. With one short interview, we provide each client with a tailored itinerary designed exclusively around one’s interests. A typical one-week holiday will run 20+ pages including a daily schedule suited to an ambassador.

2. Convenience & Security. We handle ALL the arrangements—from fine restaurant reservations to the hiring of experienced guides …and every last detail. Why risk the expense of a once in a lifetime trip by trying to “do-it-yourself ”? We only focus on Italy. Our suggestions and advice—on sights to see, things to do, places to eat, etc.—are based on decades of travel. So why waste a single minute trying to plan a dream trip that without an expert’s help can become a nightmare.

3.  Indulge in true luxury: Aielli & Benevento takes only 150 couples and families a year to Italy. From six star accommodations to Michelin dining, our clients can expect the very best in service and amenities the Italian Peninsula can offer. Aielli & Benevento even offers a private concierge in Italy to meet one’s changing needs.  We allow you to maximize your security and privacy:  We offer VIP touring that can include a Mercedes sedan, the most sought after guides /escorts and even security for clients who require personal security.

Imagine a room designed by Salvatore Ferragamo and you can appreciate Portrait Suites, the chic urban townhouse,that is the jewel in their small boutique hotel chain owned by the shoe impresario’s family.

At the center of Roman high fashion district, around the corner from Piazza di Spagna, a new townhouse where everything is designed to make life more “dolce”, just above the Salvatore Ferragamo Men’s Store in Via Condotti.  In the private dimension of only 14 suites and studios, a unique style of bespoke hospitality.  Portrait Suites offers reception 24 hours, free Internet Wi-Fi, garage service, bar, continental breakfast served in the studio/suite or outdoor on the rooftop Terrace that looks out over the Spanish Steps.  Many of the staff are present and former Ferragamo models.

Romantic Escapes is a set of unique touring experience created for busy couples seeking an unforgettable getaway. Designed by Aielli & Benevento, these touring experiences are 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.

Our favorite trips:

Milano Magic

This special program is designed for the couple wishing to experience the essence of Italian design sophistication in Italy’s New York City equivalent: Milan.

Roman Holiday

Five effortless, luxury filled days of “Rest & Relaxation” in Rome. Enjoy private touring through the Vatican museums, ancient Roman ruins and hidden walkways of the Eternal City.

Tuscan Escape

Explore the very best of the Renaissance city of Florence (or Firenze if you are practicing your Italian). Picture a suite overlooking the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio. Spectacular sunsets, outstanding shopping, and fabulous dining.

Venetian Interlude

The romantic isle of Venice awaits the Aielli & Benevento client seeking the perfect, luxury filled long weekend. With an experienced guide explore Venice’s hidden alleys, its Byzantine Doge Palace, and its majestic palazzos.

************Clients can always select their date of departure.  Luxury accommodations subject to availability. Charges in high season will be higher. Call 212.595.4171 and ask to speak with an Aielli & Benevento travel specialist for a complete list of services/charges.

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

Here is a list of wines all under $20 that I would drink instead of a number of more expensive wines.

Nino Franco Prosecco Valdobbiadene “Rustico”  NV  D.O.C. 100% Prosecco  (After April 2010 the area is Prosecco and the grape which is Glera) Fresh  citrus aromas and  flavors  with good bubbles. In the Veneto, Prosecco is  always served in a white wine glass.  Veneto $16-20.

di Lenardo Vineyards Grave Del Friuli

1.TOH! Da Uva Friulano- Friulano Friuli D.O.C. Grave, 100% Friuliano(Tocai)  It is a soft well balanced wine. Friuli, under $15

2.Sauvignon.I.G.T Venezia Giulia, a vine blend of Sauvignon Blanc and    Sancerre clones, aromatic  with aromas and flavors of sage and melon. Well    balanced with good acidity. Friuli ,under $15

3.Pass the Cookies I.G.T. (Great name for a dessert wine) Venezia Giulia 100%  Verduzzo. Harvested late and dried three months on the racks. Dried fruit aromas and flavors with undertones of caramel. It is a 500ml but still a great deal for under. Friuli , under $15

Azienda Agricola Travignoli Villa Travignoli Chianti Rufina D.O.C.G.   100% Sangiovese.  Aromas and flavors of red fruit, and real sangiovese character. Tuscany $15

Monte Antico  Toscana I.G.T.85% Sangiovese..% 10 Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. Red berry aromas and flavors and good acidity. Tuscany $14

Masciarelli

1. Trebbiano d’ Abruzzo  D.O.C. Citrus aromas and flavors with undertones of apple.  Abruzzo, $13

2. Montepullciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C. Red berry aromas and flavors, a hint of cherry and a touch of tobacco,.Abruzza, $13

Cusumano  Benuara  70%Nero d’Avola and 30% Syrah, Sicily I.G.T. Aromatic with red and black fruit . Usually I do not like Nero d’Avola blended with Syrah, but the wine is in stainless steel and 20hl barrels and it works very well. Sicily $15-18

Sella and Mosca Cannonau Riserva  di Sardinia D.O.C. 100% Cannonau.  Red fruit with hints of spices and herbs and very earthly. Sardinia   $15

Agricole Vallone

Vigna Flamino  Riserva Brindisi Rosso D.O.C. Mostly Negroamaro with Malvasis Nrea and Moltipulicano.  Red fruit aromas and flavors with a under tones of prune. Puglia $15

Cantina Sociale Cooperativa Copertino  Copertino Riserva D.O.C. 95% Negroammaro and 5% Malvasia Nera  Black and red fruit aromas and flavors with hint  a of  tobacco. Puglia $15

D.O.C. 100% Negroamaro, aromas and flavors of red fruit with a hint of prune, Puglia  $15

Source:  These wine suggestions are taken verbatim from the wonderful wine blog “  Charles Scicolone on Wine”…Mr. Scicolone is a true expert on Italian wines…he has lectured on vino d’italia for the Italy America Chamber of Commerce,  La Cucina Italiana Magazine, the Italian Trade Commission, The Wine Media Guild and The Smithsonian Institute.  If his sir name ‘Scicolone’ sounds familiar it is likely due to the prominence of his wife, Michele, author of among other fine Italian cookbooks, “The Italian Slow Cooker”,  “The Sopranos Family Cookbook”.   Please visit his website: http://charlesscicolone.wordpress.com.

The Italian Peninsula offers so much in terms of art, architecture, varied cuisines or diverse landscape.  From majestic mountains to spectacular coastlines, Italy is a country one can visit many times over and still be stimulated by new sights.

For those long summer days, however, we propose three favorite spots, every A&B client seems to claim they plan to visit a second time!  To the serious traveler, these destinations should be no surprise:

• Italian Lakes
• Tuscany
• Amalfi Adventure

To learn more or to receive a no-obligation, free consult, just call us: +1.212.695.1511

Should you be the one to plan your trip to Italy?   Take the test!

Aielli & Benevento travel services are sure to save you at least 25 hours in planning and arrangements for that dream trip.  So do you think you can match our experts and 30 years traveling to all parts of the Italian Peninsula?

Take this short travel quiz:

1. Tipping is not as big a deal in Italy as in the USA.  Which of the following service providers will, however, be offended, if you fail to give a gratuity?  A. Hotel porters   B. Taxi drivers  C. Restaurant waiters   D.  Tour guides.   E. Bathroom attendants 

2.  Which cities can you take the high speed Eurostar train to:

A.  Naples   B.  Bologna   C.  Siena    D. Bergamo   E. Bari

3.  Which is the only day of the month the Vatican Museums are open free of charge?

4.  Name the only American air carrier that flies ‘direct from a US city to Venice without stops?

5.  Which is by far the best month of the year to visit Tuscany?  How about Sicily?

6.  Which offers the best Euro-Dollar exchange rate?  A. Italian Bancomat ATMs   B. Thomas Cook Traveler Checques   C. American Express

For the answers: go to www.aielli-benevento.it/answers.

If you got at least 4 out of 6 right maybe, you could try ‘do-it-yourself’ trip planning. But do you really want the headaches and worries on your dream vacation?

Tuscan Summer is a unique touring experience created for busy couples and families seeking an unforgettable holiday vacation.

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*:

• Savor Tuscan gourmet dining ‘al fresco’ each and every night.
• Experience an early morning balloon or bike ride over the unmatched Tuscan landscape.
• Visit Renaissance Florence with a private guide/ art expert…and enjoy all its unique shopping.
• Enjoy a escorted walk through medieval Siena, capped off with a Sienese traditional tasting at the city’s best restaurant.
• Explore the winding hills of Chianti, tour its reknown vineyards and then taste the best Italian red wines at 400 year old estates.
• Discover the ancient hill towns of Montepulciano, Cortona and San Gimignano.
• Find the “off the beaten” path, true Tuscany with your own private car and driver

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.

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

The view over the St. Peter’s Square is unrivalled; you can clearly see the symmetry of Bernini’s colonnade design that dominated St. Peter’s Square from this height.

> The climb

Arrive in St. Peter’s Square and join the queue which forms at  the security check. This queue does move quite quickly even if  it seems long. Once through security, follow the path around  to the Basilica, and head for the ticket office which is clearly  sign posted. You can opt to climb the whole way or opt for the lift that takes you to the first part and the roof area where you will find a small cafe.

Once you have reached this roof area, you then start your journey into the dome proper. Just at the start, there is an opportunity to walk around the base of the dome high inside the basilica, giving you a true sense of its scale when you see the tiny tourists below you.

Start the climb up varying staircases for a total of 330 steps. For the most part you follow spiral staircases, but there are also parts where you walk on a slight incline as the walls lean in forming their dome shape, and also very straight steep parts where there is a rope to help you keep your balance, until finally you emerge breathlessly to the top and the stunning views of Rome that meet you from every side.

Slowly make the 360 degree circle absorbing views of the Vatican gardens, the rear view of the statues that stand above the entrance to the Basilica, St Peter’s Square, Castle Sant’ Angelo and the cityscape of church domes, buildings, green spaces and the river that stretch out before you. At peak times it can be hard to look properly due to the sheer volume of people at the top, but don’t be hurried.

Then its time to start the descent down to the ground, to stand in St. Peter’s Square and look up at the top of the Dome to appreciate your hard work.

FYI…

At busy time, there will be a large queue on your right hand side after you have passed through security and headed round to the Basilica – this is the Dome queue – those passing on the left are going straight into the Basilica which is free to enter. This queue can be quite slow moving, and you are really advised to get here early (around 8.30am) not only to avoid a long wait, but also to enjoy the climb and the views at the top more easily. The climb and descent are both one way so you can get caught in a climbing caterpillar of people which if you are not the world’s fastest climber, can be quite intimidating. Also wait for a clear day. There is no point climbing up the Dome on a rainy day as the views will be very limited.  Opening times are 8.30 to 4.45
It will cost you €4 to make the climb (or €7 if you use the lift at the start) Get your tickets at the office just next to the Basilica entrance, clearly marked after you have passed through security checks.  As with any visit to the Vatican, cover shoulders. Do not arrive in shorts or a mini-skirt, you will not be allowed in.

More information: contactus: info@aielli-benevento.it.

Five simple reasons your next trip needs a pro to manage it…

1. Travel at your own pace.
A good travel consultant (like us) will listen first, and only then design a plan around your interests.
2. Take the guesswork out of trip planning.
Why risk the expense of a once in a lifetime trip by trying to do it on your own? An expert with decades of travel experience knows the ins and outs of traversing the landscape.
3. Waste not a single minute!
A smart travel consultant will make sure you stay just the right number of days in each place.
4.  A vacation should not be like work.
Travel planners, unlike travel agents, handle ALL the arrangements—from fine restaurant reservations to the hiring of experienced guides, ensuring an effortless travel experience.
5. Maximize your security and privacy.
When venturing to a foreign country, a truly relaxing experience is one where you worry not about your personal safety, where you rely on tested professionals not simply an online ad.

> Contact us for  free guide to selecting a professional travel planner.