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TORINO FIRENZE VENEZIA TAHITI BORA BORA MOOREA JOHANNESBURG VICTORIA FALLS ROVOS RAIL

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Golden Palace, Torino

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Bauer Hotel, Venezia

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Ca’Sagredo, Venezia

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EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, Editor-in-Chief

ro m Poly n esia to S outh Afr ic a. G oin g from th e atmosph e re of f un and spar k le of th e Ven etian Car n ival to th e austere Tur ine s e fog, just a bit mitigated by th e gentle un dulation s of th e Fi ore nt i ne hil l s. D omestic an d exotic combin ation s of man ‘s eter na l d e s i re to wan der. Af ter th e h olidays an d before th e clamor of the s p r i ng p ro posals.

An issue devoted to th e pleasure of enter tain ment, the j oy of discover y. Also by train, with slow travel, savor ing the moments and t he vision s th at a lan d as diver se as Afr ic a en j oys in ever y cor ne r.

D estin ation s elsewh ere, n ear or far, with ser vice an d exc l us i v i t y, w il l n ow be ser ved.

Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!

CONTENTS

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TOP 10 desert resorts

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GOLDEN PALACE Torino

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VILLA MANGIACANE Firenze

VENEZIA exclusive

38

CARNEVALE a Venezia

42

CA’ SAGREDO the masked ball

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BAUER HOTEL classic with a view

THE ONLY THING TO EXPECT IS EXCELLENCE

Featured: HD 800 headphones (main) and HDVD 800 headphone amplifier (below)

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We promise an experience you won’t forget.

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facebook.com/sennheiseruk @Sennheiser_UK

CONTENTS

POLYNESIA exclusive

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INTERCONTINENTAL TAHITI RESORT & SPA Tahiti

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INTERCONTINENTAL BORA BORA RESORT Bora Bora

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INTERCONTINENTAL MOOREA RESORT & SPA Moorea

CONTENTS

AFRICA exclusive

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RADISSON BLU HOTEL SANDTON Johannesburg

84

ROVOS RAIL Pretoria- Victoria Falls

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VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL Victoria Falls

www.palidano.com

E X C L U S I V E

D E S T I N A T I O N S

2014

This directory offers an annotated and up-todate instrument for the possible destinations for those who want to stay in the city or nearby. This because sometimes it is not only a question of price but rather attention to detail, passion and taste.

HOTEL COLONIALI

2014

Questa directory offre uno strumento aggiornato e ragionato sulle possibili destinazioni per chi vuole soggiornare in città o nelle vicinanze. Perché a volte non è solo questione di prezzo ma di attenzione al dettaglio, passione e gusto.

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Places to Stay in Florence & Nearby

HOTEL COLONIALI

L’autore, Paolo Gerbaldo, è inviato di Resorts Magazine.

Top 100

Top 100

Dal Settecento fino alla seconda guerra mondiale. Due secoli di lusso ai tropici, tra ventilatori a pale, verande, tè pomeridiani e stuoli di servitori. Molti in Asia ma anche nelle colonie africane e in Centro America.

Una storia affascinante di lungimiranti investitori, pionieri e avventurieri costellata di nomi eccellenti come Raffles, Peninsula e Strand. Questa directory ci mostra i migliori esempi sopravvissuti dove sperimentare esperienze e atmosfere d’altri tempi.

aggiornare ISBN PalidanoPress Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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T op 100 P l aces t o St ay i n

Flor en ce Four Seasons Hotel Firenze

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Top 100

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Top 100

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and nearb y PalidanoPress

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D E S T I N A T I O N S

X, n. 55 2015

Editor-in-Chief Ovidio Guaita Senior Editor Lawrence Taylor Contributors Elsa Bozzaotra, Maria Coscarelli, Paola Di Girolamo, Marco Galli, Paolo Gerbaldo, Alessandra Jovinelli, Giuseppe Lai, Daniela Libero, Pamela McCourt Francescone, Hasrudin Tazep Photos Ovidio Guaita, Anna Sanibel Ferrini, Maria Coscarelli, Roberto Sessoli and published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.niccoloangeli.com Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press IT Manager Riccardo Casano www.riccardocasano.com Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscriptions Europe 300 € Rest of the world 350 € Publisher PalidanoPress 3 More London Riverside - SE1 2RE London US Office 1133 Broadway, Suite 708 - New York, NY 10010 www.palidano.com

© 2015 Palidano Press Ltd All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.

ISSN 2043-6629 www.resorts.it

Cover: Golden Palace, Torino. Right: Carneval in Venezia.

Our correspondents All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.

OVIDIO GUAITA In Turin for the renovated Golden Palace.

LAWRENCE TAYLOR On the hills of Florence for a charming hospitality villa.

MARIA COSCARELLI In French Polynesia visiting the InterContinental in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea.

ROBERTO SESSOLI With Maria in French Polynesia to document this remote paradise.

ELSA BOZZAOTRA In this issue Elsa selects the best resort in the desert for us.

PAOLO GERBALDO First in Venice and then in Africa, from Pretoria to Victoria Falls.

DANIELA LIBERO At Ca ‘Sagredo in Venice for Carnival.

Tahiti

French Polynesia

Bora Bora

French Polynesia

Moorea

French Polynesia

Johannesburg

South Africa

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Our destinations Torino

Italia

Venezia Italia

Firenze Italia

Vitoria Falls Zimbabwe

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Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Weggis Zürich Lugano Oberlech

N. 54 DICEMBRE 2014 EDIZIONE ITALIANA

Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Lugano Weggis Zürich Oberlech Punta Ala

The >Chedi, Andermatt

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NEW YORK PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP BANGKOK CHIANG MAI GOLDEN TRIANGLE LANAII HONOLULU

NEW YORK PHNOM PENH SIEM REAP BANGKOK CHIANG MAI GOLDEN TRIANGLE LANAII HONOLULU

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Four Seasons Resort, Chiang Mai

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D E S T I N A T I O N S N. 49 LUGLIO 2014

Mi la no Tal l in Vil ni us Ri ga S ai nt -Tr op ez S ard eg na C osta N avari n o 49 8

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Su Cologone, Sardegna

www.resorts.it

TOP 10 | DESERT

Top

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s t r o s e r t r e s de d exclusive san

Elsa Bozzaotra

adi, Ras Al Khaimah 1. Banyan Tree Al W sort & Spa, Dubai 2. Al Maha Desert Re Spa, Bahrain 3. Al Areen Palace & ai ert Resort & Spa, Dub 4. Bab al Shams Des Chile 5. Hotel de Larache, Dhabi 6. Qasr al Sarab, Abu ia erness Camp, Namib 7. Sossousvlei Wild asheesh, Egypt 8. The Oberoi Sahl H al Jissah, Oman 9. Shangri-la’s Barr a den Door Spa, Arizon ol G d an rt so Re rs 10.The Boulde

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TOP 10 | DESERT

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at everything is sert is empty and th that ho says that the de instance, the plants es it surprises. For lat rts pu so po re o at th als na en now and th the same. The fau d there. And every t an en re es he pr re nd ey sa e th th spring up from s or in masonry, nt te of rm fo e le th pitab sert. In d in these inhos spring up in the de ilization constructe civ sorts e Re th rt se of s De n ne Te sto p the corner among the To st fir e th is i ad cu W e Al e and the rrent spaces. Banyan Tre nt interiors, the spac ule op e ct th , las vil e , the reduced impa this year. The tent-lik eat professionalism gr th to wi e sir led d de o an d wh ose excursions designe issible choice for th t all make it an irrem . on the environmen ything thout giving up an taste the desert…wi

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e d i w d l r o W s t r o s e R 0 0 1 Top

51 Amanwana ldives at Reethi Rah Ma ly On e& 52 Amansara On 1 aavaru ala Estate, Bali Resort at Landaa Gir ns aso Se ur 53 Como Shambh Fo 2 i aw gk Lan t ce uri sor 54 Shanti Ma Four Seasons Re 3 ence yal Mirage, The Resid Pangkor Laut at s ate Est e 55 One&Only Ro Th 4 Palace 56 Anassa Taj Umaid Bhawan 5 Jimbaran Bay at li Ba ves Rangali Island t sor Re ns 57 Conrad Maldi Four Seaso 6 s ve ldi Ma a, Sp & i Resort 58 Reid's Palace Shangri-la's Villingil 7 e vat Pri nd Isla 59 Amanpulo FrĂŠgate 8 at Sayan li Ba e t sor Re ns aso 60 Grande Roch Four Se 9 try Hotel un Co nd rla o Ku jiw an 61 10 Am raa Hu da Ku at ean Club Resort 62 One&Only Oc 11 Four Seasons s ve ldi Ma a, s sort and Sp 63 Aman-i-Kha 12 Taj Exotica Re z ga Ra d Ba t sor Re 64 Amankora d 13 Gran Resort a Sp & lf Go ra 65 Suvretta House rdu 14 Ve eirah yas ala Him 66 Madinat Jum 15 Ananda in the lla we 67 Aman 16 Amanusa du Cap Ferrat Resort Chiang Mai ns aso 68 Grand Hotel Se ur Fo 17 Resort Nevis 69 Four Seasons 18 Il Salviatino mbo Lodge t, Bali 70 Singita Lebo 19 Bulgari Resor e & Spa 71 The Nam Hai 20 Al Areen Palac Zanzibar e lac 72 The Residence 21 Taj Lake Pa jvilas 73 Sandy Lane 22 The Oberoi Ra mp Golden Triangle Ca ted Ten ns aso 74 Blancaneaux 23 Four Se Spa rr Al Jissah Resort & gh ba 75 Shangri-la's Ba 24 Aman Lodge 76 Amankila 25 Sabi Sabi Earth Lijiang y Ca 77 Banyan Tree t rro 26 Pa sort & Spa Re e lac et Phuk 78 Blue Pa 27 Banyan Tree Palm e Th ly On 79 One& 28 The Legian i a Ma yar g an ian 80 Am 29 The Chedi Ch Tunis Resort Bora Bora ns aso 81 The Residence Se ur Fo a 30 Sayang Resort & Sp sa Ra 's -la gri an Sh 82 31 Amandari rtesin scat 83 Hotel Finca Co 32 The Chedi Mu ita ah An at s den-Roc tiu Resort Mauri 84 Hotel du Cap-E 33 Four Seasons 85 Le Touessrok 34 Cheval Blanc lle Ga ess rtr 86 Soneva Fushi 35 The Fo iera Maya es ell ych Se e Tre 87 The Tides Riv an 36 Bany Country Estate au uh watu 88 Whareka 37 Alila Villas Ulu es ell Seych 89 Muse 38 Four Seasons Ringha hl Hasheesh Sa i ero 90 Banyan Tree Ob e Th 39 ele ch Mi n e Sa lac Pa 91 Villa 40 Beau-Rivage sert Resort & Spa De on t cti sor lle Re Co un ry ch xu 92 Fu 41 Al Maha, a Lu roa Kia 93 42 Palazzo Sasso oon Resort and Spa aivilas 94 Bora Bora Lag 43 The Oberoi Ud h Van Bay cil 95 Six Senses Nin 44 The Oberoi Ce o 96 MesaStila 45 Hotel Splendid try Club Sanya un Co & tel Ho e pir 97 Banyan Tree 46 The Em ce rsa 98 Palazzo Ve 47 Amanpuri urice 99 K Club 48 Le Prince Ma tal Carlton Cannes e dg Lo i en Sw 100 InterContinen a git 49 Sin Resort & Spa 50 Cuisinart Golf

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Ovidio Guaita

e c a l a P n e d l Go downtown Torino

ar p er io d , th e -w st o p d n co se B u ilt in th e rt an t th e m o st im p o in d te ci is ed if ic e r o d el b u ild in g fo m A s. xt te ar ch it ec tu re h o se u ra l fe at u re s w ct ru st d an n o ti co n ce p . o u n d th e w o rl d ar d te la u rc ci e im ag es h av

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G CITY HOTEL | GOLDEN PALACE

Al le gr oI ta lia -s ta r ho te l of th e ic de n Pa la ce , fiv e ol rs of th e hi st or

th e he ad qu ar te as e w th t ha in w 18 in do es ’A rc iv es co va Ho te ls , ar is ll de a vi in d ny an ça de Co m pa w ith a st on e fa To ro I ns ur an ce n, er od M d o. in an r s of To ch ni ci an hi st or ic ce nt er w s, th e be st te do in w e of Th r it. be m ild in g w ith a gr ea t nu e in vo lv ed in bu er w s e ar bl si ye vi e t os t y ’s m os cr af ts m en of th as on e of th e ci w m gs in fir l ild ra bu tu c st D ec ke r ar ch ite e of th e ci t y ’s fir iti on in g bu ild in g w as on s an d ai r co nd at th e tim e. Th is or do ic at m to in te r na l w ith au to ha ve lif ts de ta il, it ha d an y er ev in h ug fo r th e ai r t th ro pl an ts . Th ou gh of co ol in g w at er ce ur so r la gu re a w el l to pr ov id e ts . an pl g in on iti co nd th e si de s of th e th e bu ild in g at e id d ts ou ed ac er e de si gn ed an Th e st at ue s pl n Pa la ce ho te l w de o ol w G t e re tu Th . fu ni e Ba gl io en tr an ce to th ul pt or Um be r to sc y e it th til r by r Fe t te as en gi or e, re pr es m od el ed in pl ag M ke La d om ca te st on e fr th e fo un ta in lo w or ks , in gr ey re e st at ue s of th nu s e Ve Th of e. th r nc Bi da e an d Ab un de pi c tin g th l te ho ce la Pa de n sc ul pt or . ou ts id e th e G ol r is i, a Ca la br ia n er Gu le he ic M ar e by e Go ld enTw o, di es , Go ld en On e bo o tw d s ha e ur em po ra ne ity an To da y, th e st ru ct n be tw ee n co nt io . un ce ed la nc Pa la en ba ld of th e Go an d in cl ud es a un iti ng el em en t e ed th is ish ld rn bu Go . d cò an ac ce nt s of De rs , gl os sy go ld an d sh in y la cq ue e Ol ym pi cs ar e th by d ire sp Pr ec io us wo od s in es em th ith w m et al , fu rn ish in gs . br as s, lig ht an d ac es , ro om s an d sp on m m co g am on th e tra it d’ un io n

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INFO HOTEL GOLDEN PALACE Torino, Italia .it

www.allegroitalia

5 Rooms & Suites 19 nts 1 Villas 0 - Restaura Spa yes Children yes lia Hotels Chain AllegroIta Affiliation none Activities sightseeing 76 Score 73 Environment 80 n sig De 77

Service 78 Cuisine 75 h Healt 70 Spa 78 Rooms

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COUNTRYSIDE RESORT | VILLA MANGIACANE

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Lawrence Taylor

e n a c a i g n a M a l l Vi

chiavellis a M e th h it w g in d si re

t h el an g el o is n o ic M f o ch u to Th e m ag ic th at an d it se em s e, n yo an to d en ie d r le ft h is m ar k. te as m at re g e h er e to o th tu ry l si xt ee n th ce n fu ti u ea b , se ca In an y fo r an im p re ss iv e g in tt se e th is ar ch it ec tu re in w el co m es g u es ts at th l te o h e u b o u ti q es . o f g en tl e sl o p g in tt se d te an en ch an

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W COUNTRYSIDE RESORT | VILLA MANGIACANE

Fl or en ce ilo m et er s fr om e ar e ju st 12 k . He re , w ha t

Ch ia nt i Cl as si co of ea ar e th in y M ac hi av el li an d ye t w e ar e s of th e w ea lth tie er op a pr e th of r, no w ho us es on ce w as on e e fa m ou s w r ite th to re ca th r of bi e ve m ad fa m ily , w ho ga nc e ou t of tim e ts fo r an ex pe r ie es w o ba lc on ie s t gu e t c th le se om w Fr fe is th e vi ew . t os m re Fo . u ca n fo llo w ns yo ne ya rd s, vi an d em ot io ng di un ro r su to th e e Ch ia nt i th at op en ou t on pr od uc tio n of fin e th to ad le at bs th ol iv e oi l (b ot h th e se as on al jo P ex tr av er gi ne DO e at lic de a an d be re nt ed fo r Cl as si co DO CG op er t y ca n al so pr e Th ). be nt ra au st r ev er y “ w hi m ”, se r ve d in th e re ay s av ai la bl e fo w al or i is at f er af st as e M r ra r i, ev en ts , an d th th an hi r in g a Fe er th ra s se as cl th ey co ok in g of th e re gi on . ex cl us iv e to ur s cl as si c ca rs fo r

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COUNTRYSIDE RESORT | VILLA MANGIACANE

w ith gr ea t lle c te d, qu ie t, co is it , nt ra au re st a sa la d w ith R eg ar di ng th e e st ar ts w ith On . ts uc od pr ca l nt in ue s w ith se r vi ce an d lo oc ch io na an d co fin e es ai n en Si d an gu . Fo r th e m fig s, to m at oe s w ith Ch ia ni na ra i ch tly oc ac gn ex t to ta m en u no ha nd m ad e po tin e st ea k . A en to or t Fl no , na al ni on ia r y tr ad iti co ur se a Ch . ef fe c tiv e an d ve rs ly vo gh fla hi p t is bu cr t lig ht w ei gh tio n. Fr es h, ta en es pr l na ce pt io m en tio nt he ex m. th os e of th e fa r e ar l oi d W in e an el y pl ea sa nt . e th e st ay ex tr em ak m to lp he ce qu al it y ho lid ay Cu is in e an d se r vi nc e, a m ov in g he , rs fe of e g an d m an ne r.

Vi lla M an gi ac an ce fo r th e tim in an ss ai en R t os m ex pe r ie nc e ... al

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INFO HOTEL NE VILLA MANGIACA P. San Casciano V. Firenze, Italia cane.com

www.villamangia

Rooms & Suites 28 nts 1 Villas 1 - Restaura Spa yes Children yes Chain none Affiliation S&L Activities rsions and cooking sightseeing, excu school 78 Score 80 nt me Environ 82 Design 77

ce Servi 80 Cuisine 78 Health 70 Spa 78 Rooms

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SPECIAL

C A R N I VA L

I N

V E N E Z I A

V E N E

A vibrant and colorful Venice is offered to curious visitors.

From the Padano fog emerge famous architectural structures and eccentric characters that masks cleverly conceal ensuring anonymity. Folly, ostentation, tradition and theatricality offer a spectacle of rare beauty.

Z I A

SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

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SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

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Daniela Libero

a journey through time

Ca’ Sagredo

A dip i n the l i fe o f a n e d i f i c e of the fifteen th century , ov e r l ook i n g the G rand Can al w i t h a l l t h e com fo rts o f the 21st c e n t ur y.

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SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

reeted by an impeccable staff, one enters immediately in tune with this magical place and one can get lost in the beauty of every architectural detail. Guests can relive the glory of the seventeenth century of the Doge Nicolò Sagredo, bump into Carlo Goldoni who, in the eighteenth century, was inspired

by Marina Sagredo for “La Sposa Virtuosa” or Galileo Galilei, who right here created the setting for the four days of the “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World” with Gianfranco Sagredo among the personages.

To participate in the great dance of the most prestigious Venetian Carnival, landing in a gondola in the Grand Canal, is a totally unique experience only to then go up the amazing Staircase of the Giantsby Andrea Tirali, which gives access to

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SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

the salons on the first floor. Here is a whole series of emotions from the Amigoni room in pure rococo painted by Tiepolo to the impressive one of the Doge’s. In the Hall of music amid the timeless notes of the piano can be seen among the frescoes the secret door leading to the casino and then the private alcove.

The Sagredos really knew how to live to the fullest, surrounded by so much art, culture, music and entertainment.

Now completely disconnected from the real world, even the shopping at the nearby Rialto market with Chef Michael Power is an irremissible emotional full-immersion. Once having chosen the best local produce and the freshest seafood under the guidance of the chef, who, after years of live television on “Prova del Cuoco”, has definitely gained the ability to help anyone to cook, participants can create true masterpieces.

Moreover at Cà Sagredo there is only room for those!

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INFO HOTEL

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SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

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Paolo Gerbaldo

an excellent table

Bauer Hotel

A visit to the Bauer Venice to find a restaurant increasingly appreciated by visitors and Venetians: the De Pisis ruled by the young chef Hiraki Masakazu.

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SPECIAL | CARNIVAL

he arrival at the restaurant De Pisis of the Bauer hotels, Hotel and the Palace, is already sensational. Located in the edifice of the Palace, it opens to the outside with the superb terrace where you can gracefully admire what enchants the entire world: the Grand Canal and the church of Santa Maria della Salute. The hall inside is intimate and elegant.

For young chef Hiraki Masakazu the restaurant represents adream framework for creative cuisine with attention to seasonality. His cooking helps to taste the essence of products used at their best by a creative talent who is as efficient as he is discreet.

One enjoy oneself right from the warm and classy welcome and continues, without a decline in quality, applauding the subtle alliance between the flavors of Italian cuisine from the land and sea, enhanced by well chosen exotic touches.

Superb combinations. Perfect cooking. Punctual and attentive. The technical mastery of the chef emerges from the entrĂŠe to the last pleasure of the selection of petits fours and chocolate. In the midst, a composition of seductive dishes, the fruit of delicate and relevant associations. A large bouquet of original flavors in line with what can be expected from a great chef. Memorable for composition and substance. Among the many delights is the risotto with the ink of squid. An iconic dish with perfect equilibrium and whose taste lingers almost endlessly on the palate.

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F R E N C H

di Maria Coscarelli e Roberto Sessoli

P O LY N E S I A

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The Maldives of the Pacific are presented in all their beauty.

Garlands of flowers frame the pale happy faces of arriving guests. The natives seem to come

ESIA

out of a painting by Gauguin, their tanned bodies standing out on the turquoise lagoons.

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SPECIAL | FRENCH POLYNESIA

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Maria Coscarelli

InterContinental Tahiti

C los e but far aw ay. Sun a n d se a , these are the mai n in g r e d i e n t s f or a s ta y to di sco ver th e i sl a n d s of ha ppiness.

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ahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the one just the name of which evokes distant paradises. Its capital, Papeete, is the only city in the whole archipelago. It is a busy city, but to find peace very little suffices. A taxi, driven by a kind Polynesian woman, picks us up from the airport and takes us to the InterContinental Tahiti in five minuts.

Guests can choose full immersion in the city traffic or enjoy isolation in the sun and the two pools available. Otherwise they can take refuge in the gym and then devote a bit of time to the Deep Nature Spa, where the expert hands of its therapists offer moments of comfort and pleasure.

We conclude the day with a dinner at Le Lotus restaurant, located on the beach, which delights us with the chef’s creations.

The classics are not missing but the chef is a creative and contamination enriches the experience with new flavors. The view does the rest.

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SPECIAL | FRENCH POLYNESIA

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Maria Coscarelli

Bora Bora Thalasso & Spa

InterContinental

A thin blue line. Sky and ocean come together magically. Delicate atolls appear below us surrounded by halos of ethereal reefs. We are landing in Bora Bora, a remnant of paradise.

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SPECIAL | FRENCH POLYNESIA

he show offered to us from the plane is breathtaking, just before we are in the clouds and immediately below us is a vision, a blue line where sky and water merge with an almost magical effect. We are in Bora Bora. The only island in the Pacific whose waters are a recognized Pavillon Bleu, i.e, of great quality. This is called La Perle duPacifique. One of the best places from which to enjoy this pearl is the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. This resort too, like the other InterContinentals, is actively committed to protecting the environment and eco-sustainability. In addition, following the original idea of Marlon Brando, the resort was the first in the world to use the SWAC, which is a system that uses deep-sea cold water to generate electricity.

Once inside the door of the suite, it’s easy to forget the flying time.

All have an outdoor terrace with ocean views and feature marine, tropical and environmentally sustainable luxury. One of the highlights is the Spa. It is known throughout Polynesiabecause it uses, in fact, deep sea water which has valuable therapeutic properties.

It is not easy to leave this colorful palette, a symphony of shades from turquoise to deep blue, just interrupted by green palm trees and white coral sand. This Bora Bora is an unforgettable motu.

Almost heaven.

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INTECONTINENTAL Bora Bora, French Polynesia www.intercontinental.com Rooms & Suites 160 Villas 0 - Restaurants 3 Spa Deep Nature Children yes Chain InterContinental Affiliation none Activities sea and beach activities Score 81 Environment 95 Design 90 Service 80 Cuisine 65 Health 76 Spa 84 Rooms 80

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Maria Coscarelli

Moorea

InterContinental Moorea is a step back in time, in the Polynesia of thirty years ago. Nature, traditions, charm. While in their natural habitat dolphins and turtles provide company for guests.

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he InterContinental Moorea is the most Polynesian of the three.

Here you live with the natives, in direct contact with nature, and what a natural setting. The materials are largely local. Stone, wood, woven straw. The cuisine is no exception with an obviously memorable offer of fish.

The spa recovers island traditions that combined with contemporary techniques to create treatments to revitalize the body, establishing a symbiotic relationship with the environment that is not always obvious and which provides for regeneration.

In Polynesian Moorea nature still reigns untouched. From our suite there is a view of the lagoon, a shining blue. Completely surrounded by a lush tropical garden. We are just steps from the Moorea Dolphin Center and the center for the protection of sea turtles, which was created in 2004 to house and treat specimens in difficulty. It is not an everyday experience to swim with dolphins and to kiss them is like the first time ... you never forget.

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INTERCONTINENTAL MOOREA RESORT & SPA Moorea, French Polynesia www.intercontinental.com Rooms & Suites 239 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa HĂŠlene Spa Children yes Chain InterContinental Affiliation none Activities sea and beach activities Score 74 Environment 92 Design 81 Service 70 Cuisine 72 Health 62 Spa 75 Rooms 68

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travels travelers

S P E C I A L

A F R I C A

from Pretoria

to Victoria Falls

Passing through Johannesburg, a trip between South Africa and Zimbabwe between modernity and tradition, always with exclusivity.

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Johannesburg

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Paolo Gerbaldo

Johannesburg

Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel A fresh and innovative design. The positive overall picture given by the hotel is enhanced by the large outdoor terrace with a superb view of Sandton.

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nown for offering unparalleled views of the skyline of Sandton, Johannesburg’s financial center, the Radisson Blu Gautrain Hotel Sandton adds elegance and comfort to this plus. The modern rooms of the Hotel, enhanced by its great urban location, in fact, welcome guests with their fresh and innovative design. The positive overall picture given by the Radisson is then enriched by the large outdoor terrace with a superb view of Sandton.

The restaurant reinvents the interior space to make the right setting in which to serve a selection of seasonal dishes. Moments of comfortable relaxation are gathered in the lobby bar.

Beautiful and functional, the rooms and suites are characterized by careful matching of colors, materials and equipment present.

The Radisson Blu Gautrain Sandton is a laboratory where hospitality blends well with the needs of business the leisure guest.

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Rovos Rail A trip through Southern Africa in a delightfully Victorian version. This, in a word, is the Rovos Rail: a luxurious train dedicated to discovering the African universe, fruit of the entrepreneurial genius of Rohan Vos. The itinerary, full of emotions, permits the discovery of landscapes and faces scattered along a stretch of the legendary railway from the Cape to Cairo. The art of past travel lives again without having to give up comfort and excellent service on board.

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Paolo Gerbaldo

The train awaits on the platform of the Rovos Rail Station in Pretoria. The liveried staff is ready to welcome guests headed to Victoria Falls through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The cabins are intimate suites, wellequipped and comfortable. On board life is organized by joining the social aspect to the contemplation of the surrounding scenery. The terrace of the observatory car reveals to travelers, in fact, the many faces of Africa that run along the route.

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The days spent aboard the Rovos Rail immerge guests completely in the golden age of rail travel, recapturing the period and atmosphere. The dress code, with dark evening dress, clearly emphasizes the chic atmosphere that reigns on board. The timing of the trip, however, is generous and, in many cases, dedicated to informality.

During the course of the days, in fact, many events occur: tea time; socialization; relaxation; reading; the discovery of nature while hiking through manicured parks.

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The luxurious train moves slowly ahead, allowing passengers to observe the landscape, and its rhythm is interrupted only by a few villages and small stations for stop-offs. For those who prefer a quicker pace, however, Rovos Rail also offers an Air Safari aboard a classic DC3, entirely dedicated to a superb adventure route.

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Victoria Falls W h e n , a f ter th r ee in ten se days of i nt ense s e n sa t io n s, th e lu x u r y tr ain tr avel s the l ast fe w k ilo m eter s th at sepa r a te i t f rom t he s m a ll c o lo n ia l sta tion at Victori a Fal l s, t he fin a l d e st ination of th e tr ip , the f eel i ng of h a v in g l iv ed a u n iqu e ex p eri ence i s alr e a d y a cer tain ty .

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Paolo Gerbaldo

Victoria Falls Hotel A fascinating journey through the history of travel. The hotel, in the Edwardian style, is a model of colonial architecture where a nice gentle way of life reigns.

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he Victoria Falls Hotel is located not far from access to the magnificent waterfalls in the territory of Zimbabwe. It is both a model of colonial architecture and a hotel, perfectly situated in the countryside, where a wonderful lifestyle reigns, the best answer to the responsibility arising out of more than a century of history.

The building is in Edwardian style, which dates back - in its original nucleus - to1904 but has been subjected to a thorough modernization during the last decades. Its discreet charm is revealed in its extensive common areas. They are, in fact, a true invitation to discover history going along and living the hallways, porches, courtyard and loungesright to the large space of Stanley’s terrace. The rooms and suites in understated colonial style best perpetuate this journey through the history of the journey.

Placed at the key junction of the railway line that was supposed to unite, according to the vision of Cecil Rhodes, the Cape to Cairo, the Hotel, combined with the charming little colonial station of Victoria Falls, then offers, in a frame of Edwardian elegance, the view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, the imposing iron structure on the Zambesi opened in 1905.

The attention to preserving the original charm, supported by a long tradition of service, makes the Victoria Falls Hotel an address that can seduce even the most discerning traveler.

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