Tag Archives: Leading Hotels

Charming Hotel Il Pellicano La Dolce Vita

Posted on by

Romantic mid-week sojourn on the charming Tuscan seaside, frequented by foreign language guests…no blah blah blah in Porto Ercole. The dreamy coast is sun soaked with beautiful beaches and authentic family restaurants serving meals from recipes handed down over generations. The peninsula that dangles from the southern Tuscan coast is frequented by fashionable Romans and the yachting crowd. Located in a beautiful coastal town in Grosseto, which has a small airport if you fly private, otherwise, it’s a scenic 2-hour drive from Rome.

The idyllic fishing village, Porto Ercole, is in Maremma in southern Tuscany, a region that has remained largely untouched for centuries. Roman and Milanese residents choose Porto Ercole as their holiday destination. Population 3000. The former fishing village offers Amalfi charm, sans crowds.

Late Check Out Requested – Where to stay: the famed Hotel Il Pellicano, the preferred escape of the icons of the golden age of cinema, captured in photos by Slim Aarons. An exclusive selection of suites in either villas or the main building. Sea views from your terrace offer privacy and seclusion, with dramatic hillside views. Many of the 50 rooms at the hotel have balconies or panoramic terraces, and the six suites and studios are in small cottages near the main house.

Lounge on the private seafront terrace beach, accessible by lift, under crisp white parasols with an attentive staff ready to spoil. Sand in your toes not an option? Then savor the views from the cliffside heated saltwater pool. Paddle board, private boat for day touring or schlepp a bag of books. Among your Italian words and phrases, questo è importante: ‘Il dolce far niente” an Italian phrase and life philosophy, it translates as “the sweetness of doing nothing.”

Overlooking the sparkling Sapphire Blue Tyrrhenian Sea, surrounded by iconic cypress trees, the sweet perfume of lemon blossoms, rolling hills of ancient olive trees, the hotel is timeless, yet casually elegant.

Dining: the Michelin-starred Il Pellicano Restaurant, Chef Michelino Gio delivers a satisfying surprise with carefully selected seasonal organic local produce, fresh fish and organic meat. More casual vibe: Il Pelligrill, serving fresh Tuscan favorites. Sip and savor a sunset Pelican Martini.

Hotel car can deliver you to town 10 minutes away to stroll the picturesque streets before dining at La Sirena at the foot of Monte Argentario, where the cuisine is based on fresh local products, fish is the main protagonist. Gelato is the traditional dessert.

Wander and repeat: ‘Il dolce far niente”.

If you are enjoying a Roman Holiday and a Beach Sojourn, you may know that Caravaggio died and is buried in Porto Ercole at the young age of 38, on July 18,1610, most likely of lead poisoning from his paints. Previous posts share our exclusive private visits to the Caravaggio exhibit in Rome.

Highly Recommend!

Villa d’Este Lake Como

Posted on by

Villa d’Este, a five star luxury Hotel on the banks of Lake Como, is a former 16th century princely residence built as a summer Palace and converted to an elegant hotel in 1873, it is surrounded by a 25-acre park. The luxury and magnificence of a bygone era is maintained intact in this classic Palace.

We’ve sent clients with marvelous results. The Hotel is family friendly, a superb location for a long Italian weekend, or a stunning location to disconnect for a week. Life moves slowly on the lake, the gentle ripples of the sparkling water lend itself to kicking back and chilling.

Lake Como is a 56 square mile gem in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, long a summer destination since distant Roman days. This is a grand, traditional and stately hotel, elegance and calm prevail, nothing is out of place, and everything is perfect. Drop dead views while dining lakeside or lazy lake gazing from the floating pool at the edge of the dock.

During my Italian sojourn in July, at the invitation of Resident Manager Massimo Dorino, I meandered by train from Milano to Lake Como. A very civilized method of transport, it seemed perfectly suitable to arrive in such leisure. Warm staff greetings, the stately Palace is decadent and indulgent, I felt quite royal!

Lunch on the lakefront pebbled terrace, of course we were offered the center perch on the edge of the lake, more royal favors granted. Classic service is attentive by professional waiters, many have worked at Villa d’Este for decades. Old school charms, and impeccable service – the waiters, attired in proper jackets denoting their stature in the server ranks, are practitioners of skilled service. From an era when waiters were respected for their role, men who take great pride in their chosen profession.

Lunch service was similar to a delicate dance; we enjoyed the prime view seat, as our waiter made certain to adjust our chairs for the absolute finest view. Suggestions for appropriate wine with your meal, certainly Signora! But you must enjoy a Spritz cocktail as well.

Absorbed in the scenery, the scrunching of gravel behind us indicated an excellent course was upon us! I perked up when I heard the rapid shuffle and scrunching as an army of waiters delivered silver trays and domed lids to present each treasure from the kitchen. It became delightfully silly as we awaited each course – as if trumpets were announcing the scene. Oh, did I mention the delicious truffle pasta or the morsels of delectable cookies despite declining dessert? Truly enjoyable, old school, decadent charm…you don’t find this combination of divine scenery, professional service and elegant grandeur in many locations.

Gardens. The design of the lower part of the gardens is from the Renaissance period. The most outstanding landmark is the 16th century Mosaic with its Nympheum. Countess Pino surrounded the gardens with mock fortifications in an effort to keep her bored military husband from returning to the Napoleonic Wars.

Activities: Indoor pool, outdoor floating pool, tennis, spa, and water sports.

Villa d’Este, we would recommend a serene week and if in Milano, at least escape for a day to breathtaking Lake Como.

Naturally, our Clients are treated as Royalty!