Aielli & Benevento

Travel guru Andrew Harper has made his career on giving sophisticated travelers the inside scoop on luxury touring. His good taste and objectivity have aided many a traveler so it comes as no surprise that his January 2007 “Hideaway Report” has echoed our past praise for both Castello del Nero and L’Andana. Of the former he says, “the Castello cum ultra lux hotel is an imposing 12th century castle…surrounded by 700 acres…of pastoral hills and estate vineyards. Harper’s take on Alain Ducasse’ s L’Andana “… a 1,200 acre hideaway nestled in Maremma…once the hunting lodge of the Grand Duke of Tuscany…one of the most sublime approaches to any hotel in Italy”.

Rarely do we Americans stop to think about the Italian influence in South America. But visitors to Buenos Aires and Rio can’t miss the Italian accents…Here are few spots worth checking out: When in Rio, try Gero Rio, is a haute trattoria with an authentic Italian feel by a transplanted Sardinian. Taste the duck ravioli with orange sauce or the cod with raisins and pint nuts according to Travel & Leisure. When in Buenos Aires, there’s gelato Latino at either Persicco or Un ‘Altra Volta, both by the Aversa family.

Why are so many of Hollywood’s great directors Italian American? Non so. But we can once again pay tribute to the greatest depicter of the American Dream with the December release of the Premiere Frank Capra Collection on DVD…finally! From Mr. Smith Goes to Washington  to It’s a Wonderful Life  no moviemaker has done it better than Sicilian born Capra…save a few other Italian-American directors like Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola.

Italians look down on Starbucks-crazed Americans for drinking their Joe out of paper cups…as the paper negatively affects the taste of brew. It also looks bad. And so there’s a growing interest in the latest in designer cups and saucers amongst the growing ranks of cafe connoisseurs. The following are some of the newest (and most expensive) espresso cups: Mirriam Mirri’s Babette ($70); Dominque Perrault’s Ring ($108), Platinum Space from Haviland ($303); Chef Thomas Keller’s Point ($37) and Toyo Ito’s Kaeru for Alessi ($89). Need one ever again have to ask from what cup shall I drink?

Go to the aptly named Tano Passami L’Olio (translation: “Tano pass me the oil”) ristorante in Milano and you will find owner and olive oil expert Tano Simonato. With 45 different olive oil bottles in hand he drizzles on wonderful dishes like scallops with Foie gras and honeyed pigeon with just the right oil. As for vintages, Simonato points out that unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age…“the fresher the better…olive is the best condiment one can find.”

The stunning new Le Meridien Turin Art+Tech hotel has been designed by the renowned Renzo Piano who has integrated it into his refurbishment of an old Fiat auto plant. The architectural master Piano has also been recently recognized for his renovation of the Morgan Library and Museum in NYC. The Art+Tech hotel is part of the Starwood chain and is Turin’s first 5 star hotel. A “fresh, funky vibe” can be found alongside modern sculptures and works of art displayed throughout the public spaces. Glass lifts speed guests upwards from a dramatic steel and marble lobby.

Last year winter gold was found at Torino’s Olympic venues but for over half a century there has been another winter gold festival in Italy: “Vicenzaoro Winter,” which marks the most important date in the world for the whole jewelry sector. Since 1954 jewelers from across the globe have traveled to little Vicenza, on the Venetian plain. This trade fair is a jewelry lover’s heaven on earth with 56,000 square meters of display space, 9 pavilions, and 1,636 exhibitors from 26 countries. (If you go to Vicenza don’t miss Andrea Palladio’s famous Villa Capra, aka, La Rotunda or his Olimpic theatre.)

Town & Country’s Traveler’s Notebook recently had this to say about under-rated Milano… “here are four reasons to enjoy this overlooked urban landscape… the new Park Hyatt (and only one in Italy) … steps away from the Galleria and Piazza del Duomo and La Scala…rooms outfitted in travertine marble and Bang & Olufsen electronics, all housed in a updated villa….dining at Trattoria Torre di Pisa (Via Fiori Chiari, 21, tel# 02-874-877) crowded, casual and Tuscan…Ristorante Controvapore (Via C. Goldoni, 3, tel# 02-7639-0636), recommended in Economist (’05) beef from famous Tuscan butcher Checchino of Panzano….no better spot for alfresco drink than the terrace of the Bulgari Hotel or when shopping at the Armani complex on Via Manzoni you will find an open air café and the country’s only Nobu.”

Barolo is to autumn, as Amarone is to winter. This opulent wine of the Veneto, made from dried grapes, makes its peak performance as a wine for the holidays. While the Veneto region offers a fairly ample selection of reds, it is largely regarded as a one–wine region: Valpolicella. Both Valpolicella and Amarone are comprised of the same trio of grapes—Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara (although others, such as Croatina, Negrara, and Dindarella make their way into the blend as seasoning agents). Three dependable producers of Amarone: Masi, Allegrini and Zenato (Source: Sergio Esposito’s Italian Wine Merchant newsletter.)

“Where should we go if it’s our first trip?” There’s no single answer, but several factors may drive one’s decision… If you have never been to, consider the following…

1. Don’t skip Rome or Pompeii or Agrigento.

2. Designer Shopping? Milan, spend the day at the Armani complex or if you are going in February, consider Venice when the retailers have a huge citywide sale.

3. Food fanatic / pseudo gourmand? Bologna, Parma, Turin.

4. Taking kids (under 12)? Restrict self to just two cities and when in Rome find hotel near Borghese Gardens.

5. Taking teenagers? Rome and Florence.

6. Romantic getaway, Couples only? Try romantic Florence or Venice or Amalfi.

7. July or August travel? Worst time to see Italy. Avoid crowds of Florence and Venice, especially. Try Lake Como.

8. October or November travel? Tuscany is unrivaled in late September, October; Sicily can be in the 70’s in November.

9. Long weekend in winter? Rome or Florence.

10. Pure rest & relaxation? L’Andana spa or Castello di Neri spa, both in Tuscany.