Pantelleria has been known as the ‘Black Pearl of the Mediterranean’, since the early  Phoenician era.  The island lies in a stretch of sea between Tunisia and Sicily, yet it has little in common with either Africa or Italy.Instead of white beaches and waving palms Pantelleria offers steep cliffs and a rugged volcanic landscape shaped by the constantly- blowing winds and baked by the African sun. It reminds some visitors of the Scottish Highlands.

Pantelleria is also known as the island of sun and wind.  The town of Pantelleria itself, the main settlement on the island was razed by heavy bombing during World War II. Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini took advantage of its strategic position and ordered it to be turned into a fortress. The roads and airport built for the purpose are still in use today. Pantelleria was known for a while as ‘Mussolini’s aircraft-carrier’. In 1943, the Allies bombarded the island as a precursor to the invasion of Sicily.

Star designer Giorgio Armani fell under the spell of this island years ago and he likes to describe himself as one of the island’s pioneer tourists. He now owns a magnificent property at Couturier near Cala Gadir. It consists of six ‘Dammusi’, the name given to the indigenous houses on the island, mostly whitewashed, rounded single- storey buildings built in the Arab architectural style. Tourists can rent one of these homes for a holiday, arguably one of the most pleasant and authentic ways to spend a holiday on Pantelleria.

Gorgio Armani's beach house in Pantelleria.

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.

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.

Butterfield & Robinson’s recently issued its “Top Ten” reasons to love Italy…We can think of a lot more but its worth reading…

1. Culinary Traditions

Let’s begin with the soul of Italy: its day-to-day hospitality and rich culinary traditions. Yes, Italians rival anyone when it comes to cucina gastronomica, but our minds and appetites drift towards those moments gazing out at the Mediterranean from a garden table in the humble town of Pontone on the Amalfi Coast. Before us, the best pizza margherita imaginable and a lemon spaghetti to match. Simply without equal.

2. Truffle Hunting

In Piemonte, attend the Alba International White Truffle Fair, and if you’re on that tact, then add a visit to Torino for the Salone del Gusto—the Slow Food movement’s annual exposition dedicated to small-scale food producers of exceptional quality. For those who want something a bit more hands-on—join B&R in hunting for the elusive white truffle on our Piemonte trips, in the company of our friend Beppe and his sniffer-dog Diana.

3. Small Town Charm

Understood, there are the showcase cities like Florence, Rome, Venice and Milan, but we encourage travellers to delve into the charms of the “secondary” cities, such as Ferrara, Siena, Parma, Treviso and Lecce, also known as “Florence of the South”. It has its own Roman Amphitheatre and a stunning duomo (cathedral) that showcases the city’s Baroque splendour.

4. Rides of a Lifetime

In short, Italy offers some of the best biking in the world. A couple of incomparable rides come to mind: spinning along the vine-covered hills of Piemonte and pedalling to the banks of the Po River in Veneto. Even more stunning, the ride between Asciano to Siena in Tuscany, a ribbon of road lined with incredible villas, cypress trees and fortified hill towns that command dazzling views of this remarkable region.

5. Drink Like a King

We love to say the word ‘Barolo’ as much as we like to indulge its legendary taste. The “king of wine and the wine of kings”, so the saying goes, and we get to taste the fruits of famed wineries like Gaja and Elio Altare, and ponder the enduring flavours of the mysterious Nebbiolo grape.

6. Venice After Dark

Venice at night. It’s at this point when the day-trippers and cruise liners have pushed on and the calm descends that this city becomes something magical. You have to experience La Serenessima at its most serene to really capture the soul of this city.

7. Incredible Villas

Those moments where you can live like royalty. Case in point: Villa di Piazzano, an historical residence and spectacular hotel that dates back to the 1400’s. Located just outside of Cortona, this former hunting manor of onetime treasurer of the Vatican and Bishop of Cortona, Cardinal Silvio Passerini, features a formal Italian garden, cooking school, extensive wine cellar and celebrated restaurant. Yes, why leave?

8.  Café, Coffee

The coffee approaches a religious experience. At least, for our staff in Arezzo, where our favourite spot off the main pedestrian route Corso Italia, not only creates extraordinary coffee, but is chic, friendly and keeps enough up-to-date reading material on hand for those mid-afternoon escapes.

9. Glorious Gelato

You knew gelato had to appear somewhere on this list. A Sicilian tradition since the early 1600’s, there is outstanding gelato to be found anywhere in Sicily, but we have a weakness for a little family-owned seaside operation just outside of Scicli on the southern coast. Care to taste a true local treat? Order the almond granita, Sicily’s sophisticated take on the slushie.

10. La Dolce Vita

While we’re in the business of taking in the world at a gentle pace, there’s much to be said for anchoring yourself at a café in the main square of an Italian town and simply watching the world amble by. Sip a chilled Peroni or Negroni and take in the people, the style and the sounds. An appreciation of all things Italian is to occasionally just quietly kick back and take it all in, something the locals call, ‘il dolce far niente’.

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

Sienna Miller and Jude Law were spotted gallivanting around a beach in Ponza, Italy on Thursday (July 15). Enjoying their free time with friends, the “Alfie” co-stars shared a bucket of booze” and followed in a wake of stars that have discovered this undiscovered isle off Lazio coastline.  Celebrities who have vacationed on Ponza include Kirk Douglas, his son Michael Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Gina Lollobrigida, Sophia Loren, and Jacques Cousteau.

Ponza is seen by many of its visitors as a less-spoilt – and cheaper – version of Capri, and is frequented by the rich and famous who like to keep a lower profile on holiday, as well as by hordes of young Romans who visit for the weekend in summer.

Reachable in a few hours from Rome, the island boasts clear and limpid waters. There aren’t many tourist sights or monuments on the island; Ponza’s main appeal is its landscape, shoreline and atmosphere. Boat trips enable visitors to explore the other Pontine Islands, including the nature reserve of Zannone. Along the shore you can see the Grotte di Pilato, three caves where the Romans dug fishpools to raise their seafood supper.

Ponza’s most popular beach is Chiaia di Luna, a long crescent of sand under high cliffs accessible by foot from the port. Towards the other end of the island, near Le Forna, are the Piscine Naturali, lovely natural pools ideal for bathing and enjoying the sunshine. Federico Fellini’s Satyricon (1969) was filmed on Ponza.

How to Get There:

Two and a half hours by ferry from Formia ($11 one-way), an hour by hydrofoil from Anzio ($18 one-way), or three hours by hydrofoil from Naples ($26 one-way), Ponza is one of those truly rare Italian seaside destinations that can be wholeheartedly recommended in summer, when many otherwise appealing spots, such as Capri, are packed.

Where to Stay

Overnight at the Grand Hotel Santa Domitilla, which gets the seaside gig just right: It’s cool, casual, and stylish, with whitewashed walls, vaulted ceilings, and the requisite tennis courts and pool. Rooms 201 through 204 have sea views (39-0771-80-99-51, fax -55; doubles, $72–$150). The hotel’s convenient, too—Chiaia di Luna is just a five-minute walk away, as are the boat rental place and the island’s best restaurant, Gennarino a Mare, which serves a fabulous rock lobster spaghetti (39-0771-80593; entrées, $18–$50). If all of this has sparked your wanderlust, pick up the phone now, since the hotel’s roster of regulars makes it tough to snag a room. Another, less-in-demand choice is the pleasant and less expensive Hotel Chiaia di Luna, with a saltwater pool and views of its namesake beach (39-0771-80113, fax -809821; doubles, $90–$112).

“An Evening with Mario Batali”

The Traverse City National Writer’s Series will host Mario on the the Historic Front Lawn of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons on August 14th for a spectacular outdoor celebration of food, chefs, restaurants, beer, wine, music and the local culinary culture.

The event, scheduled from 5pm to 10pm will feature dishes inspired by recipes from Mario’s cookbooks and prepared by chefs representing The Cook’s House and Epicure Catering, as well as world-famous mixologist Bridget Albert, renown magician and MC Billy Harris, and an interactive audience Q&A with Batali. The evening will close with music and dancing.

To buy tickets, visit to www.porterhouseproductions.com.

Against the backdrop of the blue Mediterranean sky and sea, Masseria San Domenico lies only 500 metres from the Adriatic coast in Puglia.

The hotel’s whitewashed building stands amidst centenarian olive groves; the building itself goes back to the 15th century, when it was used by the Knights of Malta as a watch-tower. Masseria San Domenico offers boutique-style intimacy bound with a magnificent outdoor free-form swimming pool, a state-of-the-art Thalassotherapy spa, a lovely beach, two tennis courts, a modern gym and a challenging 18-hole golf course.

Need more information?

> Email: info@aielli-benevento.it to learn more about A&B preferred luxury rates or just ask to speak with one of our travel advisors.

Here are two reviews on recent biographies on Italy’s two most famous fashion designers…

> Being Armani

From www.popmatters.com:

“Renata Molho’s Being Armani, the authorized biography of the man behind Italy’s most successful fashion brand, tries to minimize any negative impressions of Giorgio’s domineering personality by celebrating his work ethic, and it consequently often reads more like a defense than a life story. Sadly, this defense does include any anecdotes as amusing as Dickinson’s, although the characterization of Armani is often the same. “Armani walks a fine line between democracy and tyranny,” Molho warns, yet she presents little evidence of his democratic moments. “He demands absolute loyalty, turning his back on anyone who leaves his orbit.” This is unsurprising behavior from a man the press once com monly called “King Giorgio,” and who admits that the best compliment he’ll give an employee is “I really taught you well.”Armani’s childhood and career trajectory are dutifully recounted in the book’s first two chapters. He entered the world of fashion via the world of retail, as a consultant and window dresser for a large Italian department store, and this background, according to Molho, was crucial in shaping his instinct for creating clothing that the public wants, rather than fanciful designs that are conceived without the thought of consumers’ needs. It was not until 1975, at the age of 39, that Armani created the eponymous empire he’s known for today after an eight year stint designing menswear for another label.

>House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival by Deborah Ball

From Amazon reader…

“A WSJ biz writer who lived in Europe for 15 years wrote this full scale business bio of the Versace tragedy, and it’s agreat read in all its pathos. She received full cooperation from everyone except Allegra Versace, daughter of Donatella and heiress to the house of Versace because her late uncle willed it all to her when she was just 12. Donatella’s drug use is not spared here, but she received even-handed treatment as we see exactly what she faced when Gianni Versace was murdered in Miami and left her to replace him as the designing genius. She wasn’t up to the task, but she muddled through. The story ends recently, but the tale of Versace is still unfolding. The main flaw is the relative lack of good photos. We get several generic shots of Casa Casuarina, the Ocean Drive mansion where Versace was shot. But there are none of the Milan atelier where all the clothes are designed and where a lot of this tale takes place.

Best known as the site of Napoleon’s exile, Elba’s long history stretches back to pre-Roman times, when it was settled by Ligures and then Etruscans. It’s Tuscany’s biggest island and Italy’s third-largest, offering a great mix of options both cultural (like hilltop towns and castles) and recreational (like hiking, biking, swimming, diving and beaching). There’s an airport at Marina di Campo, but most arrive by ferry from Piombino to Portoferraio (the biggest town), Rio Marina or Porto Azzurro. Elba is also part of the National Park of the Tuscan Archipelago and  is connected to the mainland via the two ferry companies, Toremar and Moby Lines, both offering routes between Piombino and Portoferraio, the capital located in the north, Cavo, Rio Marina and Porto Azzurro, on the east coast of the island. There is an airport on the island, Marina di Campo Airport. It is served by Intersky, with flights to Munich and Zürich and ElbaFly by internal flights.

If you go, here are a few places to put down a knife and fork…

> Ai Fiori

A local restaurant that serves up classic regional food with an elegant twist, including a tasting menu. Piazza Hortis 7, Trieste, 34124, Tel # 0403.00633,  aifiori.com.

> Caffè Tommaseo

Near the Piazza Unità, this is billed as Trieste’s oldest coffeehouse, and was decorated by the painter Giuseppe-Lorenzo Gatteri. It houses a cafeteria, restaurant and bar, and features live music each night. Pz. Tommaseo 4/c, Trieste, 34121,Tel # 0403.62666, caffetommaseo.com

> Osteria da Marino

This traditional osteria has its original 1920s architecture, boasts a convivial atmosphere, and serves classic Italian dishes and local wines. Via del Ponte 5, Trieste, 34100, Tel # 0403.66596, osteriadamarino.com.

> Taverna Cigui

This casual restaurant, in the nearby town of Muggia, showcases local cuisine influenced by the area’s proximity to Slovenia. Via Colarich 22, 34015Tel # 0402.73363, tavernacigui.it.

Source: La Cucina Italiana (http://lacucinaitalianamagazine.com/travel-article/trieste#where-to-eat)