Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Wed, 06/09/2010 - 08:43
Rome is one of our favorite European cities – and one of the most accessible. Where else can you spend a morning walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, viewing the masterpieces of Raphael and Michelangelo, and seeing the papal seat of power- followed by an afternoon of power shopping and dining on gourmet food, or downing cups of espresso standing up for a quick caffeine fix? No other city offers the same heady blend of architecture, art and vibrant street life.
And although Rome is known for its ancient wonders, which should not be missed, it is also a thrivingly modern city, with a hip hotel, bar and restaurant scene. The Eternal City is also home to some of the best boutiques in Italy. While it is easy to find your way to the big name brand stores, there are plenty of smaller boutiques which specialize in hand-made goods and unusual items....
Submitted By: Shivani Vora
on: Fri, 07/03/2009 - 03:03
The Piedmont hills in northwestern Italy are famous for their truffles and full bodied Barolo and Barberesco wines. The Relais San Maurizio, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux hotel group, gives travellers another reason to visit to this part of the country. By far the most luxurious property Piedmont has to offer, the hotel has a fairytale like setting perched on top of a hill in the charming village of San Stefano Belbo. Views of the surrounding Langhe hills and perfectly lined vineyards greet guests wherever they look. Once a 17th century Franciscan monastery, the sprawling property has 31-rooms which were once monks quarters that have been lovingly turned into upscale guest rooms,...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Wed, 10/29/2008 - 06:43
Outlet shopping in Milan has taken on near mythic proportions. Rumors abound about little hole in the wall shops selling cashmere sweaters direct from the Loro Piana factory, or secret shipments of Ferragamo shoes for sale in the back of an office – without a doorbell, of course. The reality of outlet shopping in Milan is that it does require a great deal of patience and perseverance, as many of the best outlets are indeed located behind gates or hidden away in basements. But with a little digging – or a superb map, or better yet, a driver - you can find Prada, Gucci and Armani at drastically reduced prices. Here is our list of the best outlet shopping in Milan.
10 Corso Como Outlet
If you’re a fan of Colette in Paris or Maxfields in LA, you’ll love 10 Corso Como. This concept department store was founded by former Vogue...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Wed, 10/29/2008 - 02:43
Outlet shopping in Milan has taken on near mythic proportions. Rumors abound about little hole in the wall shops selling cashmere sweaters direct from the Loro Piana factory, or secret shipments of Ferragamo shoes for sale in the back of an office – without a doorbell, of course. The reality of outlet shopping in Milan is that it does require a great deal of patience and perseverance, as many of the best outlets are indeed located behind gates or hidden away in basements. But with a little digging – or a superb map, or better yet, a driver - you can find Prada, Gucci and Armani at drastically reduced prices. Here is our list of the best outlet shopping in Milan.
Vestistock
This outlet store is one of the few in Milan to be open 7 days a week. It carries a massive selection of designer brands like Armani, Prada and Gucci....
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Thu, 01/24/2008 - 22:15
The Rome Cavalieri Hilton, one of iTravel iShop’s favourite hotels, has just launched a Very Important Pet program for pampered pooches. Fido and Rex are whisked by dog taxi to "La Domus Aventina,” a six-acre doggy day spa located 15 minutes from the hotel, and get rid of their dog stress through green clay treatments and aloe vera massages. After a brisk run, guest pups are reunited with their owners, and lavished with a personalized cashmere sweaters and doggy bathrobes designed by Odilia Prisco. For dinner, dogs are treated to a four-course in-room menu, all served up in a red ceramic Gucci-designed dog bowl set atop a vermeil tray. The menu, beginning with soup, offers a full range of first and second course options and ends with a chocolate dessert, all doggy-safe. Who says it'...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Wed, 11/28/2007 - 09:32
We always get a kick out of spa
treatments which have gone native, whether that's using ground
papaya in Mexico or coconut milk in the Caribbean. But here's an original one-
The Hilton Molino
Stucky Venice, a former 19th-century flour mill-turned-hotel
with a fab spa (pictured) has just launched a spa treatment
starring (you guessed it) flour. The Molino Flour...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Sun, 05/13/2007 - 20:33
If you can't
make it to a Police reunion concert this summer, another way to
get a piece of Sting is to book a stay at his family's Tuscan
retreat, Il Palagio. This
16th century villa is located in Chianti, and also
operates as an organic farm with both livestock and
agricultural produce. (The estate produces honey and extra virgin
olive oil). Il Palagio (or Estate di Sumner) has just announced
it will start hosting week-long yoga retreats through out the
year, and teachers include Ashtanga yoga devotee Chuck Miller and
Maty Ezraty, who founded the Original Yoga Works in Santa Monica,
California. For more information, email ...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Thu, 12/28/2006 - 07:56
Milan is chock full of gorgeous hotels, but if you'd rather
save your euros for a serious shopping expedition, consider the
new boutique hotel Vietnammonamour. This chic
and cheap (around 110 euros) bed and breakfast is centrally
located in Milan, and is
housed in an early 20th century building. The hotel
features furniture imported from Vietnam, and the in-house restaurant serves contemporary
Southeast Asian cuisine...
Submitted By: Heather Whipps
on: Thu, 12/14/2006 - 01:54
Florence is one the world's epic
destinations. Birthplace of the Renaissance and home to enough
artistic treasures to make even the Louvre blush crimson, it's a
must-see on any Italian itinerary. That said, it can also be so
overrun with visitors that it takes a trained artistic eye just
to spot the sights through the crowds. A quiet place to lay your
head here is a necessary balm to the frenzy. Hotel
Lungarno is one of those remedies and, for lovers of art in
fashion form, a well-connected one at that.
Tucked inconspicuously on the
south side of the river Arno, just one block west of the Ponte
Vecchio, Lungarno is a serene retreat from the elbow-jostling
madness of Florence's busy streets. Guests enter the hotel via a
small courtyard and the calming effect is instantaneous. An...
Submitted By: Christina Valhouli
on: Wed, 12/13/2006 - 23:49
You have to love Dolce & Gabbana for
their exuberant style (I also love their ad campaigns). The duo's
newest project is Gold in Milan. Why
call it- and decorate- in gold? The designing pair say it's the
colour of sun, energy and luxury. Gold features a bar, café and
bistro downstairs while the formal restaurant is upstairs. The
food is international Italian but there's also a lighter fare
menu for the “fanatics” as they call them. Diners can also
purchase food for take-away- in chic gold bags of course.
Dolce & Gabbana Gold, Via Carlo Poerio 2/A,
...
