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.

From The Hollywood Reporter: “ Sofia Coppola’s comedic drama “Somewhere” and “Road to Nowhere,” a romantic thriller from veteran director Monte Hellman, were among the highlights of the main competition lineup for the 67th Venice Film Festival, which was released Thursday. Other in-competition films include Vincent Gallo’s “Promises Written in Water”; “Meek’s Cutoff,” a western from Kelly Reichardt; and Athina Rachel Tsangari’s drama “Attenberg.” Artistic director Marco Mueller said that — notwithstanding the presence of the 78-year-old Hellman — the competition lineup was the youngest ever in the storied history of the festival, with the average age among the directors of the 22 in-competition films just 47.”

********As in previous years, Aielli & Benevento will offer its September bound Venice clients a unique set of specialized touring experience in and around the festival’s 10 day program. All told, the festival will include 79 world premieres, including the entire in-competition lineup for the fourth time in five years. The out-of-competition lineup had its share of highlights as well, with brothers Ben and Casey Affleck both appearing with directorial efforts — Ben with “The Town,” a crime thriller, and Casey with “I’m Still Here,” a documentary about actor Joaquin Phoenix, who is Casey Affleck’s brother in law. It will be the directorial debut for the younger Affleck. Venerable Italian directors Marco Bellocchio and Michele Placido return to the Lido with “Sorrelle Mai” and “Vallanzasca – Gli angeli del male,” respectively, and Dennis Hopper’s “The Last Movie,” the actor’s 1971 directorial follow-up to “Easy Rider,” will screen as an unofficial homage to the actor, who died in May at the age of 74. As usual, Italian films were the best represented in the overall lineup, with 41 full-length features. But U.S. productions were second, with 19, followed by France with 11 and Japan and China with 7 each. A total of 34 countries are represented with at least one official screening, including the Dominican Republic, which will see a film screen on the Venice Lido for the first time ever in “Jean Gentil,” a film about neighboring Haiti that will screen in the Orizzonti sidebar.

67TH ANNUAL VENICE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

• “Black Swan,” Darren Aronofsky, U.S. (Opening Film)
• “La Pecora Nera,” Ascanio Celestini, Italy
• “Somewhere,” Sofia Coppola, U.S.
• “Happy Few,” Antony Cordier, France
• “The Solitude of Prime Numbers,” Saverio Costanzo, Italy, Germany, France
• “Silent Souls,” Aleksei Fedorchenko, Russia
• “Promises Written in Water,” Vincent Gallo, U.S.
• “Road To Nowhere,” Monte Hellman, U.S.
• “Balada Triste de Trompeta,” Alex de la Iglesia, Spain, France
• “Venus Noir,” Abdellatif Kechiche, France
• “Post Mortem,” Pablo Larrain, Chile, Mexico, Germany
• “Barney’s Version,” Richard J. Lewis, Canada, Italy
• “We Believed,” Mario Martone, Italy, France
• “La Passione,” Carlo Mazzacurati, Italy
• “13 Assassins,” Takashi Miike, Japan, U.K.
• “Potiche,” Francois Ozon, France
• “Meek’s Cutoff,” Kelly Reichardt, U.S.
• “Miral,” Julian Schnabel, U.S., France, Italy, Israel
• “Norwegian Wood,” Tran Anh Hung, Japan
• “Attenberg,” Athina Rachel Tsangari, Greece
• “Detective Dee and the Mystery of Phantom Flame,
• ” Tsui Hark, China “Three,” Tom Tykwer, Germany

Jessica Simpson was found celebrating her 30th birthday in July on the Italian island of Capri with her new boyfriend ex-NFL player Eric Johnson.  Hollywood watchers will recall it was 2005 when Jessica Simpson and then husband Nick Lachey took an October holiday in northern Italy.  Capri is know for its history as a haven for VIPs and celebrities and also home to Italy’s rich and famous.  In the latter half of the 19th century, Capri became a popular resort for European artists, writers and other celebrities. John Singer Sargent and Frank Hyde are among the prominent artists who stayed on the island around the late 1870s. Sargent is known for his series of portraits featuring local model Rosina Ferrara.

If you go:

Afternoon Cocktails?  Il Riccio Beach Club & Bar: Tucked between the rock and the sea, just a few steps away from the famed Blue Grotto, one comes across Il Riccio, the new restaurant and beach club of the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa. After extensive refurbishments of the historic Add’O Riccio, the restaurant once cherished by Aristotele Onassis, the new Riccio’s cuisine and décor are a tribute to the Mediterranean.info@ristoranteilriccio.com; Tel # +39 0818371380. The restaurant is open every day for lunch from 12.00pm to 4pm; and for dinner from Thursdays to Sundays from 8pm to 11pm.Via Gradola, 4-6 Località Grotta Azzurra 80071 ANACAPRI.

Private cruising…Wish to hire a private boat and skipper to whisk you around the emerald isle? Just call Aielli & Benevento.  We have a special deal with private hire Capri Boats in the island’s main marina. www.capritime.com.

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

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.

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 .

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.

Aielli & Benevento offers the most exciting personal touring experience of great Italian wine estates in Piedmont.  Our clients have at their disposal the most knowledgeable experts in the region. From Alba to Barolo, we’ve developed a customized experience to match any wine enthusiast’s dream trip.

Whisk your way to the center of the region producing the king of Italian red wine: Barolo, just 1–1/2 hours from Milan.  Aielli & Benevento’s professional guides will lead you through world recognized Barolo and Barbaresco vineyards.  Cellar tours, VIP tastings at grand private estates. Gourmet dinners at Michelin rated restaurants, personal shopping and luxury accommodations at Milan’s three best hotels…you choose.  This is the perfect tax deductible trip for the wine industry professional!

************Clients can always pick their date of departure. 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 .

We also offer special wine tours thru Tuscany, the Veneto and Sicily.

The Turin, Italy based company Red Travel offers a unique service that may     intrigue those of you a bit more independently-inclined than the traditional   Europe-in-luxury goers: you can rent a Ferrari for one to eight days and      scoot your way around the rolling hills, through the countryside, parallel to  the ocean, or you know, whatever suits your fancy, from one end of Italy to  the other. Some packages include stops at high-end hotels and spas in    traditional cities, whilst others cater to a more rural-minded crowd with stops for dinner at a former convent and a farmhouse.

Oh, and don’t worry about trying to fit your bags in the little red hotrods; a tour manager follows you via GPS and can even arrive at your destination ahead of you if you wish. The four day trip from Rome to Siena and back will run you and your shotgun buddy €4,300 each (about $5,700), but the deposit on the car will set you back €15,000 (or about $19,800) until you bring her back unscathed.

> For more information on this and other A&B private touring experiences in Italy, email us at: info @aielli-benevento.it.

Venice, in March is a shopper’s delight.  With the city a tad slower following Carnevale, boutiques offer great discounts on all their offerings.  Now some will say that most of the shopping isn’t entirely inspiring — either ubiquitous internationally available boutiques or storefront after storefront filled with tourist tchochkes.

Attombri is something different.  This establishment has received international recognition — see Dolce & Gabbana, Vogue, etc.  Run by two brothers, who purchased heaps of antique Murano glass beads, from a glass company going out of business, they do all their work by hand.  Their pieces somehow retain the feeling of the antique that pervades Venice, but with the aid of the occasional asymmetrical line and a fine editing eye, still look contemporary.

Attombri’s studio is in Campo San Maurizio. (Attombri actually has two locations in Venice. Campo San Maurizio in the San Marco area and a store near Rialto.) Definitely worth a visit.

For details on the “Sashay Sopping” experience in Milano and Venice, email us at: info@aiellli-benevento.it.