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Spring fling found me in glorious Venice, gliding across the lagoon to perch at Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Our dear Belmond rep pampers our VIP Clients, including a few who make an annual September Pilgrimage. An ancient city of historic treasures and modern pleasure..

Swoon and savor the self-indulgent charm of The Cipriani in the finest suites. This is the only luxury hotel we recommend during a sizzling Venetian summer, a three-acre oasis, it is as timeless and glamorous as the day it opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani (founder of Harry’s Bar). Cipriani’s Harry’s Bar, opened in 1931, sated Hemingway’s legendary thirst, as well the only slightly less legendary thirsts of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Noël Coward and Gertrude Stein. That is another time and another story.

Before you reach the lagoon or set eyes on the glorious hotel, the Cipriani VIP airport arrival sets the stage for your stay. Our clients know I am an obsessive about the arrival. Step off the plane and we are intercepted by a black suited tall Venetian, whisked past the lines of passport control, bags dropped into the sleek private launch across the lagoon, and away we go, a foamy salt spray whipping the sides of our classic wooden boat.

For a first-time traveler, the skyline of the five domes of Basilica di San Marco, the striking campaniles, the majestic gateway to the floating city is truly breathtaking. Zip past the tightly packed palazzo and small shops, rising from the sea; under bridges and across the lagoon, glide up to the private hotel dock just across from San Marco Square. Service with a Capital S exudes from the moment you step onto the dock.

Exclusively built on an island, the hotel offers prime real estate for its 94 rooms, including 56 suites, located in the Cipriani building. Every room in the main building has a water or garden facing terrace.

An arch through the Casanova Gardens leads you to The Palazzo Vendramin. Formerly a 15th-century aristocratic residence, now a part of the Belmond Hotel Cipriani. Sixteen rooms and suites with private butler service, many enjoy the astonishing views of St. Mark’s Square across the lagoon. Oh my, the splendid suites, are swoon worthy!

As one of the most celebrated luxury hotels in Venice, every inch of this iconic hideaway is guaranteed to enchant. Exquisite antiques adorn rooms and public spaces, and with some of the best dining in Venice, including Michelin-starred cuisine. Blistering summer heat is alleviated by the only Olympic-inspired salt water pool in the city, the hotel grounds are surrounded by exquisite gardens overflowing with vines, blossoms, vegetables and herbs. Sumptuous spa, kiddo activities, a complimentary boat shuttle departing to and from the city every 10 minutes, art classes, custom touring, cooking classes- and paparazzi free! The Cipriani is picture-perfect!

Though not in the heart of Venice’s maze of tiny streets, the Belmond Cipriani’s location offers the best of both worlds from its exclusive spot at the eastern end of the Giudecca Island. The hotel’s setting overlooking the lagoon towards St Mark’s Square is a calm oasis where guests enjoy privacy and peace in vibrant Venice. The center of Venice is easily reached in minutes with the hotel’s complimentary private launch.

DWELLINGS FIT FOR A DOGE Several specialty suites are hidden away with their own private butler service in the Palazzo Vendramin annex.

The Dogaressa Suite is one the most palatial rooms in Venice. But who was the dogaressa? As the wife of the doge – meaning “duke”, the highest official in the Venetian Republic – the dogaressa was officially crowned at a lavish ceremony, with celebrations including banquets, fireworks and tournaments continuing for days. Wearing sumptuous golden and brocade robes and pearls, this “First Lady” of Venice was an elegant sight around the city.

The Dogaressa Suite features original artworks, exquisite Fortuny and Rubelli fabrics and an elegant pink marble bathroom. Separated from Hotel Cipriani by a floral path through the Casanova Gardens. The views of St Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace are akin to a Canaletto painting.

Palladio Suite. Step into another world. A vast living room opens onto a lagoon-view balcony. Cool off in the plunge pool or on a private terrace, then pamper in two marble bathrooms.

Cip’s Club Venice
Cip’s Club Venice
Cip’s Club Venice
Cip’s Club Venice

Splendid sunset cocktails and dining at The Cip’s Club restaurant, perched on a floating pontoon, on the lagoon-side of the Giudecca canal. Front row seating provides stunning sunset views. Adored for its informal dining featuring Venetian specialties. Chef Roberto Gatto’s menu uses hyper-local produce to create fresh, unfussy and crowd-pleasing classics. Risotto clams and shrimps fresh from the sea perfumed by lemon and rucola, tuna tartare sprinkled with sundried tomatoes, capers, lemon and basil…

Fancy a more formal dining experience at the Michelin-starred Oro restaurant, designed by Adam D Tihany, is reserved for elegant dining.

With soaring 270-degree views out across the sea, a stay at Hotel Cipriani provides the only vistas spanning the Doge’s Palace to the church of St Giorgio and the islands beyond.

La Dolce Vita, Timeless Elegance. Our VIP Team Will Spoil You!

Highly Recommend!

Beneath the nondescript sidewalk of Chancery Lane, The London Silver Vaults offers the largest museum grade collection of antique and contemporary silver in the world. The quiet neighborhood and unassuming entrance bely the underground vaults filled with private vendors selling to collectors and Those in the Know.

I’ve made attempts to visit, for over five years, bank holidays have thwarted each attempt – they close on bank holidays. I finally made an outing, which nearly required a new suitcase to tote my treasures home, they do ship!

The London Silver Vaults is a sizable subterranean market that opened as The Chancery Lane Safe Deposit in May 1885. Originally renting out strong rooms to hold household silver, jewels and important documents it transitioned to housing silver dealers in secure premises a few years later.

With 3.9 ft. thick walls lined with steel the vaults were never broken into. The building above the vaults was struck directly with a bomb during WWII, however, this did not damage the vaults at all, despite the building being destroyed. A new building, Chancery House, was constructed ten years later, and since 1953 it has been in its present format, with shops-based underground, each in their own vault, closed each night with massive metal doors.

Descend five levels below ground by elevator to enter a massive steel door into each private seller’s vault. All the shops have been owned for at least 50 years by the same families. It is said that it has “the largest single collection of silver for sale in the world” contained within more than forty shops, the owners enjoy sharing their knowledge and are a wealth of information on the antique objects they offer.

The London Silver Vaults
The London Silver Vaults
The London Silver Vaults

Pieces date from the 1600s to present day, English silverware is recognized as the finest in the world due to the quality control of silver goods since the 12th century when the trade organization, Goldsmiths Hall, invented the term ‘hallmark.’ Silver experts are well versed in the different hallmarks. From silver tableware, fine silver cutlery, unique cocktail shakers, decorative pieces and gifts to jewelry and special collector items.

On my list were silver asparagus tongs and large bread forks. What – you don’t have asparagus tongs? Asparagus tongs are a specialized form of kitchen tongs dedicated to handling asparagus at the table. There are ones for eating asparagus and for serving it. Both types have fallen out of fashion, though both can still be purchased from specialized kitchenware and dinnerware dealers. Still in fashion at my table! I was unaware of single guest asparagus tongs, a prize in its original velvet box… I left this small fortune black velvet box accessory with the shop owner.

A few favorite vendors, plan to spend a day, half of Saturday wasn’t enough to browse all the treasures. As one of the original companies to open in The London Silver Vaults, David S Shure & Co are now fourth generation silver dealers who specialize in antique and modern silverware, old Sheffield plate and cutlery. David is a renowned specialist in British silverware from the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods and holds a keen interest in designer items from the latter part of the 20th century.

Vault One. David Shure. Our first stop where we spent much time with the dealer marveling at Victorian silver biscuit boxes which unfold with the touch of a button. Note to self: pay more attention to dining scenes in English period films!

He also has a grand collection of cocktail shakers, think of the elegant Thin Man series, Nick & Nora and Asta during their cocktail hour. The Thin Man opening scene – the slightly sloshed, yet debonair, William Powell as Nick Charles instructing a bartender: “The important thing is the rhythm! Always have rhythm in your shaking. Now a Manhattan you shake to fox-trot time; a bronx to two-step time; a dry martini, you always shake to waltz time.” Cocktails equaled glamor, elegance and style. My timeless Prohibition era cocktail shaker made in 1930 by International Silver fit into my carry on.

Vault 29. Established over 60 years ago, Silstar Antiques is a family run business with a long history of working in the famous London Silver Vaults. A traditional friendly dealer who likes to build trusted, lasting relationships with their clients, Silstar is proud to supply antique and modern silver to buyers and collectors around the world. They are best known for their large stock of antique silver goblets, some of which date back to the 16th century and typically carry over 100 goblets in stock at any one time. Silstar refreshes their stock of goods continually with new arrivals weekly.

Vault 31 & 32. Wax Antiques specialize in early English and continental silver from the 1600s onwards. Their impressive collection includes rare items from the Charles II period and earlier. Members of LAPADA, Wax antiques also offer an extensive stock of Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian silverware.

Lifestyle Management – Luxury Travel and Luxurious Lifestyle.

Highly Recommend!

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