Aielli & Benevento

Truffles are a top fall food in Italy and are celebrated with truffle fairs and festivals.

Truffles are found mainly in the regions of Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, and Le Marche. During October and November there are many white truffle fairs held in these regions and fall dishes made with the white truffle, tartufo bianco, are plentiful in this part of Italy. What could be more romantic than feasting on a meal made with the sensuous truffle?

Our favorite: The annual White Truffle Festival in Alba (”Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba” in Italian) that takes place each weekend in October and is the highlight of the white truffle season. The festival features not only the truffles themselves, but also arts and cultural events and spectacles that revolve around the celebration.  Chefs and foodies come from afar for Alba’s festival, where the world’s largest truffle auction and market take place amid a vibrant festival atmosphere. The auction is private, but the white truffle market in Alba is open from 9am-8pm, and sells all sorts of truffle-related goods.

Alba is a small town and hotels, restaurants, and transport get busy on the weekends. Book your trip with Aielli & Benevento to the White Truffle Festival early.  Ask us about A&B’s special wine tours thru Barolo country.

Little needs to be said to describe the many pleasures offered by Piedmont’s gastronomic traditions.  All that is required is a palate tuned to appreciate the many flavors of Italian cuisine and the incomparable wines that go with it.

> Cracco-Peck

Via Victor Hugo 4 – I – 20123 Milan;  Chef: Carlo Cracco; Meal prices: menu € 74/110; Cuisine: creative / modern

A legendary name in Milanese gastronomy and a famous chef: a combination that guarantees success for a new restaurant. Classical elegance, perfect service, and the best cooking.  Specialities: Marinated egg yolk with fluffy Parmesan fondue. Saffron risotto with grilled bone marrow. Milanese-style breaded veal with baked tomato and candied celery.2 Michelin stars.

> Sadler

Via Ascanio Sforza 77 ; Chef: Claudio Sadler;  Meal prices: menu € 130/150;  Cuisine: creative

The local takes in renewed in forniture. The style is refined and modern. The walls are in Zebrano wood and there are works by popular artists form Milan and Naples.  Specialities: Lobster carpaccio, mayonnaise of white tomatoes and heart of chicory salad, Pan fried crustaceans, broccoli cream,  croquettes of lemon, crispy potatoes and dried tomatoes. 2 Michelin stars.

> Il Luogo di Aimo e Nadia

Via Montecuccoli 6;  Chef: Aimo and Nadia Moroni;  Meal prices: menu € 90/130; Cuisine: creative Italian

A cool and refined atmosphere, a classical style for this location, where ingredients of the finest quality, great selection of wines and contemporary art works afford the guest a unique dining experience after over four decades. Specialities: The scampi: raw with couscous flavored with herbs and octopus – marinated with red berries – crispy in Tuscan pine-nuts crust; Spaghetti made with Senatore Cappelli durum wheat with Spring onion and hot pepper sauce; Veal tenderloin “Tschirren” style with raw ham, ginger juice and pine-nut from Pisa;  Hot pie of extra bitter chocolate from Venezuela with smooth heart of extra virgin Nocellara olive oil and chocolate. 2 Michelin Stars.

> Trussardi Alla Scala

Piazza della Scala, 5 ; Chef: Andrea Berton; Meal prices: menu € 110/130;  Cuisine: creative

Named by the 2007 Guide to Italy’s Restaurants published by L’Espresso as the best new restaurant of the year, the Trussardi alla Scala Restaurant, on the first floor of the Palazzo Trussardi alla Scala, is a new landmark for gourmet cuisine in Milan. After six months of study and renovation of the interior decoration, the menu and in general the whole atmosphere, this restaurant of extremely high quality opened in June.
Directed by the Chef Andrea Berton, whose curriculum includes names such as Alain Ducasse, Gualtiero Marchesi and the Enoteca Pinchiorri, the Trussardi alla Scala Restaurant looks on to the square of the same name, thanks to its large windows: an extraordinary position for an atmosphere that is characterised by the “Milanese red” of the plaster walls, the parquet flooring, the comfortable leather armchairs and the impeccable white table settings. Specialities: Risotto Milanese style with calf sweetbreads; Roast suckling pig with fried potato, avocado and lime. 1 Michelin star.

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.

In the last  five years, Tuscany has exploded with some truly  exceptional  boutique hotel properties.  These accommodations do  not skimp on  AC, plasma TVs, or wireless Internet but manage to  retain the  character and charm of 15th century palazzos of which  many were  in fact.

In no particular order, here are our favorites:
> Castello del Nero
> Borgo Scopeto
> Locanda dell ‘Amorosa

> L’Andana
> La Suvera

> Villa La Massa

> Il Falconiere

> Castiglione del Bosco

> Il Borgo@ Castello Banfi

> Borgo San Pietro

**********Note: Tuscany is a very large geographic area and so location does matter.  Of the aforementioned, certain of these properties are closer than others to great restaurant venues like Siena and Florence.  Want the scoop? Just email us: info@aielli-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.

The Presidential Suite in the Molino Stucky will make you feel like a Venetian Doge!

This two-floor suite is the largest in the city. The ground-level contains the two bedrooms and living spaces. The second level the fitness-room, hydro-pool, hammam, sauna and personal panoramic tower. The private elevator opens-up onto a wide parquet corridor which leads to a master bedroom and a second bedroom, each with its own walk-in closet and breath-taking views. Three marble steps lead to a spacious living area with sweeping views of Venice and a romantic fireplace. Special services and amenities include: large plasma TV set; private access to tower, sauna ; fireplace; guest bathroom.

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.

Custom-tailored Honeymoons in ‘Bella Italia’ … Designed for you … and  your special someone. With our travel experts, we can create the Italian dream honeymoon that fits your traveling party best. With Aielli & Benevento, travel and sight see at your own pace with a private guide and driver…or gondoleer.  Our experts will design  ‘perfect day’ itineraries built around what you want to see and when, ensuring an unforgettable getaway .

Aielli & Benevento’s industry leading private travel service offers newlyweds the freedom to choose a flexible itinerary that can be altered at your whim. You and your spouse choose the dates and decide where you want to go, what you want to see and how much time you wish to spend at each venue.
 With one phone call, we can commence an error free trip planning process, and introduce you to all facets of Italy’s seductive landscape, culture, and rich history.

> Contact: info@aielli-benevento.it

…news reports have Johnny Depp in and around the world’s most romantic lagoon.  Shown here, Depp is all smiles during a scene for “The Tourist” he is filming with Angelina Jolie. The pair shot a scene where Depp climbed aboard a water taxi in which Angelina was riding in.  According to news reports, the filming was allegedly shut down early for the day, as too many fans surrounded the set, prohibiting the production to run safely.