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Beijing Bangkok Dakar Siem Reap Mahe Singapore Yangon Zurich Cademario Davos Nice Roma
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Four Seasosn Hotel, Casablanca
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Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast
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EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, International Editor-in-Chief
xclusivity includes among its various meanings “the enjoyment of an exclusive right”. We have exercised a right, not exclusively but certainly reserved for the few: We entered North Korea. We visited and photographed the so-called “Hermit Kingdom”, one of the last countries where entrance is extremely laborious and subject to numerous restrictions. With patience and discretion, as befits guests, we trod the soil of Pyongyang with great emotion and curiosity. In the following pages we publish a report of the trip. In transit to Korea we visited once again Beijing, a classic destination yet always new. And on the way back to the Mediterranean we stayed at the Santa Rosa Monastery, “exclusively” perched on a rocky spur overlooking the sea and today a renewed pearl of the Amalfi Coast. A summer of unique discoveries because they are rare, difficult to access, poorly understood and often luxurious. However, it is where the discovery that fascinates much more than gilding and Rolls-Royces. Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!
CONTENTS
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TOP 10 trains
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LE NEGRESCO Nice, France
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LA POSTA VECCHIA Ladispoli, Italia
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ALLEGROITALIA ALAGNA PALACE Valsesia, Italia
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ANANTARA SIAM BANGKOK Bangkok, Thailand
50
SHANGRI-LA CHAO PRAYA BANGKOK Bangkok, Thailand
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SHINTA MANI CLUB Siem Reap
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CONSTANCE EPHELIA Seychelles
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RADISSON BLU DAKAR Dakar, Senegal
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FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, CASABLANCA Casablanca, Morocco
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HOTEL SACHER Wien, Austria
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SO SOFITEL & SOFITEL SENTOSA Singapore
Amalfi Coast
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MONASTERO SANTA ROSA Conca dei Marini
travels4 travelers
Myanmar
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YANGON the Golden Land
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ANAWRATHA The Myanmar flagship of Heritage Lines
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Switzerland
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ATLANTIS by GIARDINO Zurich
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KURHAUS CADEMARIO Cademario
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HOTEL SEEHOF Davos
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North Korea
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THE “HERMIT KINGDOM” a place of discovery
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THE RIGHT CHOICE Canon Power Shot G3X
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KORYO TOURS the journey
travels4 travelers
RM
lifeStyle
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GRAND HOTEL CONTINENTAL Siena
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AIR FRANCE the new Business Class
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TRENITALIA the Executive couch
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ULTRASONE Signature PRO e Ultrasone IQ
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SENNHEISER PCX550 wireless
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TAX & ADVISE on the path of internationalisation
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DUCO Travel Summit 2018
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FLIPPING BOOK interactive online documents
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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Top 100 P l aces t o St ay i n
F l or en ce Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
M O S T
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W O R L D ’ S
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and nearb y PalidanoPress
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XII, n. 78 2017
International Editor-in-Chief Ovidio Guaita Senior Editor Lawrence Taylor Contributors Elsa Bozzaotra, Maria Coscarelli, Paola Di Girolamo, Marco Galli, Paolo Gerbaldo, Alessandra Jovinelli, Daniela Komisarjevsky Libero, Pamela McCourt Francescone, Hasrudin Tazep, Luca Frassi, Riccardo Casano Translations Lawrence Taylor and Agnese Frullatori Photos Ovidio Guaita, Lawrence Taylor, Paolo Gerbaldo, Luca Frassi, Beatrice Giuliani, Stefano Petroni, Andrea Fiocchi, published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.nican.me Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscription Europe 300 € Rest of the World 350 € Publisher PalidanoPress Kemp House, 152 - 160 City Road London EC1V 2NX (UK) Palidano Press is a Trade Mark of Palidano LLC
2701 Centerville Rd. New Castle County Wilmington, Delaware 19808 (USA)
© 2017 Palidano LLC
Cover: Hotel Seehof, Davos. Right: Constance Ephelia, Seychelles.
our correspondents All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.
LAWRENCE TAYLOR On the Amalfi Coast Lawrence visits an old convent transformed into a boutique hotel.
LUCA FRASSI Luca takes us on a fascinating trip in North Korea to discover the Hermit Kingdom.
ELSA BOZZAOTRA On the train to enjoy slow travel on the best trains in the world.
PAMELA MCOURT FRANCESCONE Between Singapore e Yangon, Pamela proposes exclusive holidays in Southeast Asia.
PAOLO GERBALDO Paolo is the author of the Switzerland Special in which we propose historic and contemporary hotels.
RICCARDO CASANO Riccardo visited a historic property along the Roman coast, once villa Patrizia.
TERESA CARRUBBA On the island of MahĂŠ, Teresa experienced a classic of Seyshellois hospitality.
Zurich
Cademario
Switzerland
Switzerland
Valsesia Italy
Nice France
Casablanca Morocco Ladispoli Italy
Dakar Senegal
Amalfi Coast Italy
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our destinations Davos Switzerland Wien Austria
Pyongyang North Korea
Yangon Myanmar
Bangkok Thailand
Siem Reap Cambodia
MahĂŠ Seychelles Singapore Singapore
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InterContinental Carlton, Cannes
TOP 10 | LUXURY TRAINS
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Elsa Bozzaotra
Top
10 exclusive trains slow luxury
1. Rovos Rails (Cape Town-Dar es Salaam) 2. Venice Simplon Orient-Express (Paris-Venice) 3. Eastern & Oriental Express (Singapore-Bangkok) 4. Al Andalus (Andalusia, Spain) 5. Blue Train (Pretoria-Cape Town) 6. Royal Scotsman (Scotland, UK) 7. Royal Canadian Pacific (Calgary-Calgary) 8. El Transcantabrico (Santiago de Compostela-Leรณn) 9. Shangri-la Express (Beijing-Hong Kong) 10.Palace on Wheels (Delhi-Agra)
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TOP 10 | LUXURY TRAINS
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en ir remissib l e coach es. Ten legen dar y “s low lu x u r y � jo u r neys aro und t he wor ld. Across deser ts, j u n g l e s a n d s avannahs. To rediscover th e slow j our n ey of th e p a s t. A t ra i n t r i p is sl ow ; it is g o u r met, p er m ittin g on e to conver se wi t h t h e ot h er p asseng ers w hil e enjoyin g th e pan orama as it gl i d e s by - and fo r o nce no t o n a T V screen . Wh en you th in k of i t, a t ra i n t r ip is no t o nl y fo r t he no s talgic, but for all slow t rave l e r s. H e re t h e n are t he b est in t he wo r l d. Tak in g as an example t h e myt h i c a l Or ient Exp ress - cel eb rated by Agath a Ch r istie in h e r n ove l s - in t he l ast decades var io u s oth er train s h ave been re s tore d.
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Top 100 Resorts Worldwide
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah Four Seasons Resort at Landaa Giraavaru Four Seasons Resort Langkawi The Estates at Pangkor Laut Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay Shangri-la's Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives FrĂŠgate Island Private Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan Amanjiwo Four Seasons Resort at Kuda Huraa
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives Grand Resort Bad Ragaz Verdura Golf & Spa Resort Ananda in the Himalayas Amanusa Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai Il Salviatino Bulgari Resort, Bali Al Areen Palace & Spa Taj Lake Palace The Oberoi Rajvilas Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle Amanbagh Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge Parrot Cay Banyan Tree Phuket The Legian The Chedi Chiang Mai Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora Amandari The Chedi Muscat Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita Cheval Blanc The Fortress Galle Banyan Tree Seychelles Alila Villas Uluwatu Four Seasons Seychelles The Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh Beau-Rivage Palace Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa Palazzo Sasso The Oberoi Udaivilas The Oberoi Cecil Belmond Hotel Splendido The Empire Hotel & Country Club Amanpuri
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Le Prince Maurice Singita Sweni Lodge Cuisinart Golf Resort & Spa
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Amanwana Amansara Como Shambhala Estate, Bali Shanti Maurice One&Only Royal Mirage, The Residence Anassa Conrad Maldives Rangali Island Reid's Palace Amanpulo Grande Roche Kurland Country Hotel One&Only Ocean Club Aman-i-Khas Amankora Suvretta House Madinat Jumeirah Amanwella Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat Four Seasons Resort Nevis Singita Lebombo Lodge The Nam Hai The Residence Zanzibar Sandy Lane Blancaneaux Shangri-la's Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Amankila Banyan Tree Lijiang Blue Palace Resort & Spa One&Only The Palm Amanyara The Residence Tunis Shangri-la's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa Hotel Finca Cortesin Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc Le Touessrok Soneva Fushi The Tides Riviera Maya Wharekauhau Country Estate Muse Banyan Tree Ringha Belmond Villa San Michele Fuchun Resort Kiaroa Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora Six Senses Ninh Van Bay MesaStila Banyan Tree Sanya Palazzo Versace K empinski The Palm InterContinental Carlton Cannes
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HISTORIC HOTEL | NICE
Le Negresco
T Nice, France
he l eg endar y H o tel is un ique patr imony o f h os p i t a li t y. A w it ness to great cl ass able to combin e, with envi a b l e s t yle and w it ho ut b et raying it s splen did h istor y, th e k e y t h e m e s of t he ar t o f ho sp it al it y. Th e N e gre s co is a l eg endar y symb o l o f th e Côte d ’A z ur an d i d e nt i f i e s, wi t h it s har mo nic st ruc t u re o n th e Promen ade des An gl a i s, t h e c i t y N ice it sel f. Op ened J anu ar y 8 , 1 9 1 3 , th e Hotel de s i gn e d by Henr i Négrescu has indeed wr itten memorable hi s tor i c a l p a ges and is to day unique p at r imony of h ospitalit y. O n ce t h rou gh t he ico nic ent rance, t he visitor ’s attention i s i m m e d i ate ly direc ted to t he mo st impor tant arc h itec tural fe at u re of t h e Negresco : t he R oyal sal o n with its large glass do m e. Th e h e a r t o f t he ho tel, enhanced by a collec tion of p a s s i on ate wor ks o f ar t by J eanne Augier, inter prets, with s op h i s t i c ate d e l eg ance, t he sp ir it o f t he luxur y h otel. Exclusive spaces. Refined atmosphere. Majestic décor. Excellent ser vices. This is the style that reigns in the legendar y Negresco.
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HISTORIC HOTEL | NICE
Th e re s t a u ra nt s, t he t wo -st ar Le C hantecler entr usted to C h e f J e a n - D e n is R ieu b l and MOF (M eil l eure O uvr ier de Fran ce) i n 2007, a n d t h e b rasser ie La R o to nde, offer a refin ed men u ba s e d on at te nt io n to p ro duc t s. The p roposals ran ge from th e h i g h - l e ve l French cu isine to t he best Proven cal an d M e d i te r ra n e a n t radit io ns. A g ast ro no m ic cer tain ly in th e s op h i s t i c ate d overal l p ic t ure o f t he H o tel. Le Ne gre s co i n N ice is a w it ness to great c lass able to combin e, wi t h e nvi a b l e s t yl e and w it ho u t b et raying its splen did h istor y, th e k e y t h e m e s o f t he ar t o f ho sp it al it y. 38
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INFO HOTEL
HOTEL LE NEGRESCO Nice, France www.hotel-negresco-nice.com Rooms & Suites 117 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa no Children yes Chain none Affiliation LHW Activities excursions Score 70 Environment 84 Design 87 Service 80 Cuisine 90 Health 58 Spa 0 Rooms 91
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HISTORIC HOTEL | LADISPOLI
O
La Posta Vecchia Ladispoli, Italy
ver l o o k ing t he sea, a ston e’s th row from R o m e, L a Pos t a Vecchia was b u il t by t he noble Or sin i family in 1 6 40. I t p a s s e d to t he O descal chi famil y as a post office an d a p la ce to re ce i ve fr iends visit ing t he near by castle. I n t h e 1960s it was b o ug ht by J. Pau l G ett y, wh o made h is I t a l i a n re s i d e n ce o u t o f it, resto r ing it an d decoratin g it with m a s te r p i e ce s f ro m chu rches and no b l e vil las aroun d th e wor ld. D u r i n g t h e re s to rat io n, t he ru ins o f a R o man villa datin g bac k to t h e 2n d ce nt u r y BC came to l ig ht. To day it is an exc lusive m u s e u m wh e re yo u can admire var io us r uin s an d prec ious m os a i c s. Th e c u r re nt ow ner, deter mined to restore th e or igin al f u n c t i on of a cco mmo dat io n, has made a prestigious villa of i t, wi t h 19 room s and su ites, w here rare mar bles coexist with ta p e s t r i e s, a nt iqu e fu r nit ure, p aint ing s an d antique books. St a f f cou r te sy, p ro fessio nal ism and disc retion accompany th e gu e s t s e ver y w here. Th e com p e te nt heal t h sp a st aff w il l assist you in ch oosin g th e m os t a p p ro p r iate t reat ment s w it h th e produc ts of th e o l d O f f i c i n a Pro fu mo Far maceu t ica di S anta M ar ia N ovella i n Fl ore n ce. Th e g uest ’s wel l -b eing is a lso afforded by th e c a l i d a r i u m a n d t he indo o r p o o l, al so available at n ight.
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HISTORIC HOTEL | LADISPOLI
Q u i e t n e s s i s ever y w here. The o nl y so u nd s are th ose from th e s e a or t h e p i a n o, w hich is a p er fec t b ackgroun d for a din n er at Th e Ce s a r re s t a urant ter race, ju st in fro nt of a won der ful sun set s ce n a r i o. Th e chef, b al ancing t radit io n an d in n ovation , h elps g u e s t s to d i s cover visu al, o l fac to r y and t asteful expression s. Th e e m ot i on s given by t he fo o d are exalted by th e aromatic note s s u g g e s ted by t he so mmel ier t hat l eads us on a j our n ey th rou g h a r i c h g eo grap hy o f fine w ines. As we p a s s t h ro ug h t he g ate towards t he daily tur moil, th e wi s h of a f a s t ret ur n b eco mes st ro ng er an d stron ger.
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INFO HOTEL
LA POSTA VECCHIA Ladispoli, Italia www.pellicanohotels.com Rooms & Suites 19 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa yes Children yes Chain Pellicano Hotels Affiliation LHW Activities excursions Score 85 Environment 82 Design 95 Service 83 Cuisine 90 Health 74 Spa 79 Rooms 91
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MOUNTAIN RESORT | VALSESIA
AllegroItalia Alagna Palace
C
Valsesia, Italy
ontemporar y Alpin e arc h i te c t u re. A t radit io n o f au t hent icit y an d elegan ce at th e fo ot of M onte R o sa. Th e Al l e groI t al ia Al agna Pal ace, sit u ated at th e foot of M onte R os a a nd t he first al k al ine Co ndoh otel in th e wor ld, re c a ll s a t ra d i tio n o f au t hent icit y and e legan ce. Th e Alagn a Pa la ce i s, i n f a c t, inser ted in a mo der n contex t der ived from a b a la n ce b e t ween t he key el ement s o f al pin e arc h itec ture an d conte m p ora r y design. At t he Al agna Pal ace ston e melds with wood to wa r m l y emb race g u est s. Th e d ĂŠ cor of t he sp acio us su ites, w it h var y in g t y pologies, is th at of t h e contemp o rar y mo u nt ain st yl e. Th e Ala gn a Pal ace, however, acco mp anies guests in a un ique ex p e r i e n ce wh ich is no t o nl y t hat o f t he mountain . Th e fitn ess rou te i n t h e Pu r it y Sp a b l ends w it h al k alin e diets specific ally de s i gn e d to ob t ain t he b asic -acid equ il ib r ium of th e body. Th e th e r m a li ze d h eated p o o l co mp l etes t he welln ess offer. 44
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MOUNTAIN RESORT | VALSESIA
Th e Pr i m o rest au rant ser ves t radit io nal cuisin e in spired by c a re f u l l y- re visited M editer ranean cuisin e alon gside an i nt r i gu i n g a lk al ine menu. I n t he l at ter n ovelt y align s with l ig ht n e s s, c re ating a menu t hat makes t he most of qualit y raw m ate r i a ls. Th e Al a gn a Pal ace Al l egro I t al ia t al ently reinter prets th e Alp i n e s p i r i t of ho sp it al it y, p l acing it in a fresh framewor k th at re vol ve s aro und an innovat ive visio n of wellbein g.
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ALLEGROITALIA ALAGNA PALACE Alagna, Italia www.allegroitalia.it Rooms & Suites 50 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa Purity Spa Children yes Chain AllegroItalia & Condo Affiliation none Activities mountain activities Score 81 Environment 80 Design 81 Service 80 Cuisine 84 Health 80 Spa 80 Rooms 81
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A CITY HOTEL | BANGKOK
Anantara Siam Bangkok, Thailand
nantara Siam Bangkok, a lavish retreat in Ratchaprasong, the fulcrum of the Thai capital’s most vibrant shopping and entertainment. A serene mise-en-scène where sophisticated elegance harmonizes with refined hospitality. And where the culinary art soars to sublime levels of traditional and contemporary haute cuisine. In the heart of the Asian metropolis, close to the little Erawan Shrine – one of the most venerated in the country and in perpetuum thronged with worshippers offering calendulas and incense – and some of the city’s most luxurious shopping, the Anantara Siam Bangkok looks out on the exclusive greens of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. The ample and plush lobby has jewel colours with vibrant splashes of turquoise, and a magnificent staircase that descends from a large golden fresco. From the nine floors with 354 rooms and suites in contemporary Thai style, you feel you can reach out and touch the large pool and the palms and tropical plants in the gardens. The exclusive Garden Terrace Rooms have entrances with elegant columns, Thai statues and a lotus pond. The Presidential Suite is embellished with antiques and has a dining room for twelve, a massage suite and a Jacuzzi. Fine dining is the pride and joy of the Japanese restaurant Shintaro, the Madison Steakhouse specialized in chargrilled meat and fish, Biscotti with its delectable Italian cuisine and Spice Market which is consecrated to the luscious, and usually fiery, Thai cuisine. The signature treatment in the fragrant and voluminous spa is the 2482 the year on the old calendar when the country changed its name from Siam to Thailand. This treatment reflects Siam’s diverse cultural heritage and, with healing traditions inspired by Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and China, makes delicate use of bamboo sticks and herbal compresses, culminating with the application of gold leaf to encourage the quieting of the mind.
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INFO HOTEL
ANANTARA SIAM BANGKOK Bangkok, Thailand www.anantara.com Rooms & Suites 354 Villas 0 - Restaurants 7 Spa Anantara Spa Children yes Chain Anantara Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 88 Environment 90 Design 90 Service 87 Cuisine 92 Health 75 Spa 93 Rooms 89
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H CITY HOTEL | BANGKOK
Shangri-la Chao Praya Bangkok, Thailand
ospitality, tradition and sophistication at the Shangri-La, a historical landmark on the banks of Bangkok’s great river. The refined elegance and warm welcome bear a promise of enchanting discoveries. And they start in the large lobby where soaring windows overlook the majestic Chao Praya river, and afternoon tea is a heady selection of delectable savoury and sweet treats enshrined in a gilded bird cage. The tropical gardens shelter two swimming pools and the Salathip restaurant, a cluster of teak pavilions with glimmering traditional motifs where the palate and the eye are seduced by a medley of ambrosial local dishes. In the elegant rooms in the Krungthep Wing, all with balconies, refined traditional furnishings and precious silks abound, while the 683 rooms and suites of the Shangri-La Wing have a more breezy and contemporary air. The cuisine in The NEXT2 Café is an exciting fusion of western and eastern flavors and the award-winning Shan Palace, where you are greeted by a humongeous golden smiling Buddha, serves superlative Cantonese cuisine. Gourmets and Italophiles head for Volti, a relaxed oasis of Italian charm, to delight in spectacular regional dishes, pasta and pizzas. Step out of the Krungthep Wing and onto the BTS Skytrain, which is the fastest and most comfortable way to beat Bangkok’s chaotic traffic and, in a question of minutes, snakes into the heart of the city’s most luxurious shopping districts. For those who prefer slow transport scores of public and private boats chug up and down the river stopping on both sides, and also at Asiatique, the lively shopping plaza with shops and restaurants that attracts a cosmopolitan crowd at night.
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Pamela McCourt Francescone
INFO HOTEL
SHANGRI-LA HOTEL BANGKOK Bangkok, Thailand www.shangri-la.com Rooms & Suites 802 Villas 0 - Restaurants 9 Spa Chi Children yes Chain Shangri-la Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 87 Environment 90 Design 87 Service 86 Cuisine 90 Health 81 Spa 90 Rooms 84
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A DESIGN RESORT | SIEM REAP
Shinta Mani Club Siem Reap, Cambodia
swish boutique hotel where whimsy and provocative artfulness jostle with sleek lines and serene spaces, a short ride from the majestic Angkor Wat temple complex and minutes away from Siem Reap’s colourful markets and lively night life. Smiling staff sprint forward offering the warmest of welcomes, cool towels, and a glass of spumante under the austere facade and softly lined columns that reflect in the shimmering water-lily pond. Rounded lines that replay on walls and floors in the rooms, suites and public spaces, acquiring form and depth from the play of light in the arched corridors, and the soft glow thrown by flickering candles. Grey, white and black the colours picked by Bill Bensley, the eclectic designer behind the eccentric contemporary look, who drew inspiration from Angkor Wat’s temples and monuments. Offbeat intuitions include the framed black and white paintings of statues and details from the temples on the ceilings above the beds, and the huge illuminated floor plan of the main temple on the ceiling in the Kroya restaurant. Rooms around the courtyard, with high palms, lead out to the pool, while those on the upper floor, some with large balconies, have courtyard or street views. All rooms have luxurious king-size beds and bathroom with wetroom showers. The Spa on the top floor is the place to indulge in tempting massages and treatments like the Café Khmer or Honey and Sesame Scrubs. In the Kroya – the word for food used by the ancient Khmer kings – patrons relax at tables in the air-conditioned room or sway on the amusing divan swings at the tables on the terrace. In the morning the choice is between the light selection of patisserie, cold cuts, cereals and fruit on the buffet or the à la carte American, Japanese and Asian breakfasts. Evenings begin with a punch with the legendary Open Heart cocktail, a luscious blend of rum, passion fruit, mint and palm sugar and go on to dizzy heights with the flavours, colors and aromas of the seven-course Tasting Menu: an endorsement of the excellence of local products, and the Chef’s visionary celebration of Cambodia’s delectable cuisine.
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Pamela McCourt Francescone
INFO HOTEL
SHINTA MANI Siem Reap, Cambodia www.shintamani.com Rooms & Suites 39 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa Shinta Mani Spa Children yes Chain none Affiliation none Activities sightseeing, excursions Score 84 Environment 88 Design 89 Service 83 Cuisine 88 Health 70 Spa 87 Rooms 84
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SEA RESORT | MAHÉ
Constance Ephelia
O
Mahé, Seychelles
ver l o o k ing t he Por t L aun ay M ar in e N at i on a l Pa r k i n t he M ahé is t he Co nst ance E ph elia, on e of th e m os t exc lu s i ve reso r t s in t he S eychel l es. Th e ex u b e ra nt t ro p ical veg et at io n creeps courageously over th e e n d l e s s s t ru c t ures by day, w here t he colon n ades tak e th e p la ce of wa ll s, del imit ing, w it h cl ean g eometr ic for ms, pools o f wate r li l i e s o r cl imb ing vanil l a- o rchid s in an exch an ge of re f i n e d s ce n e r y. No t hing dist u r b s Nat ure. Am on g t h e vil l as, t he excl usive Presidential Villa stan ds out. A re a l j e we l of t he reso r t, o n to p o f a hil l, entren c h ed beh in d th e s ce nt of c i nnamo n t rees. Two p r ivate in fin it y pools give a s e n s e of cont i nuit y w it h t he b o undl ess o cean . Two b e a u t i f u l b eaches o f t he reso r t, con sidered - an d u n d e r s t a n d a b ly so - amo ng t he mo st b eautiful of th e islan d of M a h é, a n d wh i ch, t hanks to t he l ow t ides, c reate a path to walk to t h e n e a r by isl and Isl et te, an exp er ience n ot to be missed, alon g wi t h t h e wal k by t he mangroves o r th e en closure of th e gia nt tor toi s e s.
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Teresa Carrubba
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SEA RESORT | MAHÉ
B u t, p e r h a p s, t he mo st interest ing sen sor y exper ien ce o f t h e R e s or t is l inked to wel l -b eing, na mely th e “U S pa by Co n s t a n ce”, co nsidered t he l arg est and most famous in th e S e yc h e ll e s a n d, p er hap s, in t he I ndian O cean . S ur roun ded by trop i c a l gre e n e r y, it is a real co mp l ex o f str uc tures wh ic h , in ad d i t i on to t re at ment ro o ms, incl udes a saun a, Tur k ish bath , s p a p ool, J a c uzzi, K neip p p at h, R efl ec tive Pool an d Yoga Pavi li on - n ot to ment io n t he 5 Sp a Vil l as. 56
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INFO HOTEL
CONSTANCE EPHELIA Mahé, Seychelles www.constancehotels.com Rooms & Suites 266 Villas 46 - Restaurants 5 Spa U Spa Constance Children yes Chain Constance Hotels Affiliation none Activities beach and sea activities Score Environment Design Service Cuisine Health Spa Rooms
84 100 84 82 75 58 100 91
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A CITY HOTEL | DAKAR
Radisson Blu Dakar, Senegal
n u r b an oasis full of discreet l u x u r y. Wi t h i t s sinuo u s shap es sit u ated on th e Fan n Cor n ich e i n D a k a r, R a d i s so n Bl u H o tel, Dak ar S ea Plaz a is th e favored s ce n a r i o for t h e inter nat io nal co mp anies present in th e capital o f S e n e ga l. Lyi n g a lon g t he At l ant ic O cean, t he hotel is, in fac t, an u r b a n oa s i s l o cated o n t he quiet p eninsula of Cape Verde, wh i c h ex p l oi t s mo der n design, func t io na lit y an d light in th e com m on a re a s added to t he el eg ance o f spac ious rooms. From t h e re ce p t io n o n t he t hird fl o o r, t h e visitor s can reach bo t h t h e rooms and t he rez- de - chaussÊe flooded with light, wh i c h i s wh e re o ne finds t he l o b by l o u nge. Aroun d th is n er ve ce nte r of t h e R adisso n revo l ve access p o ints to th e con feren ce are a s, t h e g a rden p o o l and t he rest aurant L’Aven ue, a ter race ju t t i n g ou t ove r t he o cean. Th e Ave n u e is t he r ig ht address fo r a gastron omic al din n er i n a c la s s y s e t t ing cap ab l e o f sat isfying th ose in searc h of th e r i ght b a la nce b et ween l o cal fl avo rs a n d th ose of cuisin e wi t h a Fre n c h fl air. A mix t hat l eads to a ser ies of fresh an d i nte n s e d i s h e s. Fish, instead, do minates in th e open space of th e re s t a u ra nt G al uchat. For t h os e wh o want to exp l o re t he p at hs of Asian c uisin e, th e Li t t le B u d d h a rest aurant, w it h it s p l ays o f pen umbra, proposes a m e n u com p o sed o f t he majo r cl assics of th e Far E ast an d provi d e s a n i ntense exp er ience.
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Paolo Gerbaldo
INFO HOTEL
RADISSON BLU HOTEL DAKAR Dakar, Senegal www.radissonblu.com Rooms & Suites 241 Villas 0 - Restaurants 3 Spa Buddhattitude Spa Children yes Chain Radisson Blu Affiliation none Activities excursions Score 80 Environment 83 Design 81 Service 75 Cuisine 80 Health 81 Spa 78 Rooms 79
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CITY HOTEL | CASABLANCA
Four Seasons Hotel
G
Casablanca, Morocco
u est s feel immediately in h ar mony with all t h at s u r rounds t hem. A sense o f so f tn ess an d elegan ce accom p a n i e s the step s o f t ho se w ho walk aroun d th e Four S e a s on s H ote l in Casab l anca. Th e we lcom e is hig hl y p erso nal ized. Ch ec k-in tak es place dire c t ly i n t h e ro o m. Fro m t he l o b by, l o cated on th e fif th floor, th e a rc h i te c t u ral fo r ms u nfo l d dow nward s until reac h in g th e exot i c g a rd e n and t he At l ant ic O cean. Th e lobby loun ge, wh os e at m os p here recal l s t he M o ro ccan r iads, is itself th e ve r y s ym b ol of t he ar t de vivre o f vib rant Casablan ca. I n t h e exq uisite inter io rs, b r ig ht ness is pun c tuated by el e m e nt s of t h e dĂŠco r, carefu l to recal l sy mbols an d color s i n h e re nt to t h e real it y o f M o ro cco. Th e s e n s at i o n o f cal m and t ranquil it y ex ten ded into th e room s a n d s u ites. Neut ral to nes. No b l e mater ials. M oder n conve n i e n ce s. The l ig ht o f t he O cean g ently fills th e places of re s t i n t h i s re f ined u r b an reso r t. M orocc a n at mo sp here and infl uences accompany guests into th e la rg e S p a , an area dedicated to rel axation an d wellbein g.
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Paolo Gerbaldo
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CITY HOTEL | CASABLANCA
Foll owi n g t h e t hread o f co ntemp o rar y design in spired by o ce a n wave s, o ne sl ow l y discovers t he Bl e u restaurant. I n side an op e n e l l i p t ical -shap ed k itchen ent ru sted to th e E xecutive C h e f G u i ll a u m e Bl anchard, a var ied menu comes to life with its c re at i vi t y. I t i s a menu w here t he freshness of th e fish is de r i g u e u r, a s e vi denced by t he amazing se a bream sash imi: an ex a m p le of s k i ll in master ing techniques an d or iental flavor s. Th e Fou r S e aso ns is an ex t rao rdinar y blen d of elegan ce, de s i gn , com for t and efficienc y o f ser vice. 62
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INFO HOTEL
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, CASABLANCA Casablanca, Morocco www.fourseasons.com Rooms & Suites 215 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa yes Children yes Chain Four Seasons Hotels Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 85 Environment 85 Design 88 Service 88 Cuisine 83 Health 75 Spa 82 Rooms 92
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HISTORIC HOTEL | WIEN
C
Hotel Sacher Wien
apable of maintaining its history and adapting it to the times, Hotel Sacher in Vienna beautifully interprets the great tradition of hospitality while using the current language of excellence. A sophisticated atmosphere pervades the refined spaces of Hotel, active since 1876. After only a few steps into the lobby, one comes to understand the unique class of the Sacher. The location of the Hotel, next to the Opera, is an ideal launch pad for discovering Vienna. The high level of service, starting with the concierge, satisfies every demands of the most discerning guests. Vintage charm intensely pervades the restaurant Rote Bar, where there is no shortage of romantic allusions. The menu boasts the right balance between the Viennese specialties, quality of products and a pinch of culinary adjustment. The menu that executive chef Dominik Stolzer proposes in the gourmet Restaurant Anna Sacher is a bit more attentive to innovation. An irremissible meeting place is the legendary Blaue Bar. The rooms and suites, all recently renovated by Pierre-Yves Rochon, are not stingy with the modern conveniences. However, they recall, starting from furniture, the charm of a Hotel which surrounds guests with cultural and sensory stimuli. For lovers of the art of hospitality, Hotel Sacher in Vienna offers the grace and elegance of a grand hotel, always living up to its fame. 64
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Paolo Gerbaldo
INFO HOTEL
HOTEL SACHER Wien, Austria www.sacher.com Rooms & Suites 149 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa yes Children yes Chain none Affiliation LHW Activities sightseeing Score 82 Environment 68 Design 88 Service 88 Cuisine 88 Health 71 Spa 75 Rooms 93
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F CITY HOTEL | SINGAPORE
So Sofitel Singapore
rench chic and Singaporean polish snuggled under the skyscrapers of the Central Business District, in a heritage building next to the traditional hawker stalls in the Lau Pa Sat Market and close to the waterfront. The elegant 1920s façade gives no hint of the elaborate French sophistication and playful inspirations that lie in wait inside. From the welcome drink served in laboratory ampoules to the armchairs sprouting stag antlers, and from the showy portraits of Napoleon in the rooms and suites to the gold-tiled pool on the roof. Playful and witty provocations that are the brainchild of the property’s two designers: Isabelle Miaja and Karl Lagerfeld. The 125 rooms and nine suites – in the traditional Heritage Wing they come with very high ceilings and some have balconies - have light boxes with renaissance domes on the ceiling, modeled walls in tones of white and grey and hi-tech galore. Like the iPhones, and the iPads that double as butlers regulating the lights, curtains, air con and television and summoning room service with a swipe. The marble bathrooms feature glass walls and toiletries from the Grasse luxury house Urban Forest, and in the So Lofty Suites the bathtubs are for two. The epicurean Xperience restaurant has the atmosphere of a French brasserie and an open kitchen. The accent here is on traditional French and Asian cuisine with a twist, and the servings come in a range of sizes, from tapas to XL. The house specialties are the 36-Hour Lamb Neck Sous-vide and the Laksa Spaghetti, an artful interpretation of the famous local spicy soup. Looking for a quiet corner? The Rooftop Bar with the infinity pool has sunbeds and armchairs in which to relax, enjoy a snack lunch, keep that business rendezvous or while the night away under the stars. 66
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Pamela McCourt Francescone
INFO HOTEL
SO SOFITEL SINGAPORE Singapore www.sofitel.com Rooms & Suites 134 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa no Children yes Chain Accor Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 71 Environment 61 Design 92 Service 88 Cuisine 92 Health 70 Spa 0 Rooms 92
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ISLAND RESORT | SINGAPORE
Sofitel Sentosa
S
Sentosa Island, Singapore
o fitel Sing ap o re S entosa R esor t & S pa
O p u le n ce, re l axat io n and haute cuisin e in th e rain forest o f S e ntos a , t h e isl and o f p eace and t ran quilit y on th e S outh Ch i n a S e a , wi t h g o l den b eaches and b e autiful back drops in c l os e p rox i m i t y to t he met ro p o l is. Th e ton e of this reso r t, o n 27 acres o f tropical garden s, is s e t by t h e gl a mo ro u s l o b by w it h l arg e mar ble flower s on th e g l owi n g f l oor, diap hano u s cu r t ains b il l owin g in th e tropical b re e ze, a te nt acul ar g l ass chandel ier and a recessed h ot pin k l e at h e r ce i li n g. Pl ayfu l and l avish emb e llish ments, an d th at i n i m i t a b le Fre n ch el eg ance w hich is t he S ofitel h allmar k . From Ta n j on g b each o n t he S o ut h C hin a S ea to th e large m i d n i ght- b lu e sw imming p o o l, and fro m th e lak es an d pon ds to t h e fou nt a i n s t hat at nig ht sp o u t red wh ite an d blue, th e col ou r s of t h e French fl ag, water is a l eitmotif at th is resor t wh e re wi ld p eaco cks st rut aro und t he garden s, pausin g to u n f u r l t h e i r m a gnificent feat hers fo r camera-h appy guests. Th e 221 rooms and suites, and t he four Villas du Jardin wi t h p r i vate p o o l s, are st yl ish w it h Ar t D eco fur n ish in gs. Th e
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Pamela McCourt Francescone
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ISLAND RESORT | SINGAPORE
c a r p e t s h ave f l o ral mo t ifs, t he w hite and gold leath er min ibar - s h a p e d l i k e a French hat b ox - co nceal s well-stoc ked drawer s an d a n I ll y cof feemaker, and t he b r ig ht l y coloured mosaics in th e b at h room showers add sp ar k l e and g lamour. Kwe e Ze e n a nd il Lido at t he C l iff are th e t wo sign ature re s t a u ra nt s : the first a t reasu re -t rove of Asian an d i nte r n at i on a l del ig ht s w it h l ive co o k ing station s, th e accent o n Fre n c h c h e eses and p at isser ie, and a Sun day br un c h - with f re e - f l owi n g c h amp agne - t hat is o ut o f th is wor ld. ilL ido at th e Cl i f f, wi t h a def t l y craf ted menu o f refin ed an d in spired f avou r i te s, b r ing s I t al ian g o ur met dinin g to n ew levels of accom p li s h m e nt. Th e S p a i s t he wo r l d ’s l arg est S o Sp a an d h as 1 4 massage room s a n d s i x o u tdo o r p avil io ns in t he ex ten sive groun ds. Le a f y p at hways l ead to water fal l s and t hree swimmin g pools, o n e for m u d b at hs and ano t her fo r l adies on ly. On th e men u i n t h e G a rd e n R est au rant a heavenl y l in e -up of salads, light s n a c k s a n d f re sh t ro p ical fruit juices. Nex t door for families th e re i s t h e K id ’s C l ub, and t he champ ion sh ip S entosa G olf Cl u b i s r i ght a cro ss t he ro ad.
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INFO HOTEL
SOFITEL SINGAPORE SENTOSA Singapore www.sofitel.com Rooms & Suites 211 Villas 4 - Restaurants 4 Spa So Spa Children yes Chain Accor Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 86 Environment 92 Design 89 Service 85 Cuisine 88 Health 75 Spa 91 Rooms 83
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DESTINATION | COSTIERA AMALFITANA
AMALFI
Just south of Sorrento unwinds that stretch of very special coastline, famous since ancient times for its landscape of treasures protected by UNESCO.
COAST
DESTINATION | COSTIERA AMALFITANA
C it r u s gr ov es, b a y s, cliffs overl ooki ng t he sea and vi l l ages p e r c h e d on th e slop es. Gr eatl y l oved by It al i an and f orei gn v isit o r s a like for its r en own ed hol i d ay desti nati ons, tod ay i t i s al so re liv in g it s timeless ch a r m, thanks to caref ul rest orat i on such as t h a t o f M on a ster o San ta R osa, l ovi ngl y cared f or by t he Ameri can en t r e p r e n e u se Bian ca Sh ar ma (on t he ri ght- hand page). O u r c o r r e sp on den t Lawr en ce Tayl or w ent t o have a l ook.
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DESTINATION | COSTIERA AMALFITANA
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Lawrence Taylor
Monastero Santa Rosa a splendidly-collected atmosphere
The scent of lemon and rosemar y envelops guests on arrival, while, beyond the threshold, Gregorian chants welcome them into a new dimension: that of a cloistered convent and today charming boutique hotel for a cultured few.
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T DESTINATION | COSTIERA AMALFITANA
he peace that envelops the former seventeenthcentury convent of cloistered Dominican nuns invites guests to relaxation and reflection. The few rooms are all different and have views of the bay, a spectacle that has enraptured travelers for centuries, extolling the beauty of that stretch of coast. Precious and ethereal Italian linens enhance the brightness of the environments perfumed with the essences and amenities of the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella in Florence, founded - not by chance - by the Dominicans in 1612. It took Bianca Sharma, passionate American entrepreneuse, ten years to transform this complex into a boutique hotel at the disposal of a few cultured travelers who would like to relive the atmosphere of ages past. The long corridors, the chapel, the refectory, the terraced garden situated on the bare rock all invite guests to linger and savor rhythms of yesteryear.
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DESTINATION | COSTIERA AMALFITANA
With the essences grown in the garden, the nuns prepared medicines and liqueurs, whereas in the kitchen they created the renowned “sfogliatelle di Santa Rosa”, culinary pride of the area. This attention to cuisine is also reflected today in the menu of Chef Christoph Bob who, in spite of his Saxon origins, enhances the products of the large garden of the Monastery offering fresh contemporary Mediterranean compositions which are well structured. Flavors are crisp, ingredients superb and everything is strictly seasonal. A contemporary Mediterranean cuisine enhanced by polite genuflections to tradition but also by fanciful flights that inspectors of the emblazoned “d’Oltralpe” guides would evaluate with deference. One does not expect opulence and ostentation at Monastero Santa Rosa, rather a spiritual dimension and that splendidly-collected atmosphere which, thanks to a discreet and attentive staff, make a sojourn unique.
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INFO HOTEL
MONASTERO SANTA ROSA Conca dei Marini (Amalfi Coast), Italia www.monasterosantarosa.com Rooms & Suites 20 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa yes Children no Chain none Affiliation none Activities excursions Score 81 Environment 85 Design 86 Service 80 Cuisine 81 Health 75 Spa 80 Rooms 83
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DESTINATION | YANGON
YANGON
Pamela McCourt Francescone
Myanmar, the Golden Land, where the allure of the East blends with a deep spirituality that permeates every moment of life. A land of contrasts from Hkakabo Razi, the tallest mountain in Southeast Asia, to the crystal-clear waters of the Mergui Archipelago on the Thai border, and crossed by the Irrawaddy,
which flows for
2,700 kilometres into the Andaman
DESTINATION | YANGON
Y a n go n , th e lar g est city an d the capi t al up to 2005, w as f ounde d i n t h e 1 1 t h cen tu r y a r ou n d the Shw ed agon Pagoda, t he m assi ve g o ld e n st upa , sy mbol of th e count ry and a pl ace of venerat i on f or Th e r a v a d a Bu ddh ists. A cosm opol i t an metropol i s w i t h t he el egant c o lo n ia l a rch itectu r e left by t he B ri ti sh i n count erpoi nt t o the bu st lin g d own town Ch in ese and Indi an di stri cts w here t he peel i ng fa c a d e s of old bu ildin g s b ear the si gns of cent uri es of negl ect . I n t h e p r ov in cia l town s th e pat i na of the past endures i n the c o lo n ia l b uildin g s an d r a ilways that rub shoul d ers w i t h pagod as an d st u p a s : g old an d wh ite sacred monum ent s t hat peep out of t h e ju n gle or ar e p er ch ed h igh above l i t t l e t ow ns, proud and si l en t s e n t in e ls of v en er ation an d devoti on. A n d t h e gr eat r iv er flows on, vi tal f or trad i ng and transport , and fo r t h e p e op le wh o still su b sis t on agri cul t ure and f i shi ng. Our c o r r e sp o n den t P a mela M cCourt Francescone t ook the Irraw ad dy “I m p r e ssiv e Gor g es� cr u ise on the l uxury Anaw ratha.
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DESTINATION | YANGON
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Pamela McCourt Francescone
Anawratha the elegant Myanmar flagship of Heritage Lines
A cruise of d i s cover y i n a f a s c i n at i n g an d we l co m i n g countr y, p reca r i o us ly b a la n ce d b e t we e n p re se nt and past, a co unt r y o f end l e ss co nt rad i c t i o n s an d infinite fa cet s.
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T DESTINATION | YANGON
he white rails and brass fittings of the elegant colonial-style riverboat gleamed in the sun at its berth just outside the city of Mandalay, ready to raise anchor for a 12-day cruise on the Irrawaddy river. An itinerary that would bring the Anawratha – which arrived this year from the Vietnamese shipyard where it was built, to navigate the Irrawaddy and Chindwin rivers and was called after the king who founded the Myanmar nation – through picturesque rural landscapes stopping at colonial towns, historic monuments like the massive unfinished MIngun stupa, and remote villages that can be reached only by river. The spacious Deluxe cabins have a king-size or twin bed, a comfortable day bed and a large veranda with rattan armchairs. The Junior and Executive Suites are even more spacious, and the two Royal Suites, at the bow, have a living room with precious artefacts and a large terrace with a Jacuzzi. All the staterooms and suites have precious woodwork and ethnic fabrics and there is great attention to detail. Like the old rotary dial phones and the brass telescopes with their promise of adventure, while the elegant bathrooms with marble fittings and modern showers ensure the height of modern comfort. In the Hintha Hall the menu included international specialties like osso buco, short ribs and smoked salmon which alternated with heady curries, soups like Mohinga, which is the Burmese national dish and Laphet Thoke, a delicious salad of pickled tea leaves, peanuts, green beans, sesame seeds and dried shrimps which the guests requested over and over again. The swimming pool with a Jacuzzi is on the Sun Deck which has comfortable sun loungers under elegant canopies. These were particularly popular with guests for afternoon teas and sundowners, and on the night of the full moon tables were set up on this deck for a magnificent barbeque dinner. There is Wifi in both the Kipling’s Bar and the Mandalay Lounge which have the atmosphere of a colonial club and were popular areas for guests to relax, as they offer more shade than the Sun Deck Each day brought a new discovery. From the village of Kyaung Myaung, where they produce massive terracotta water pots to Katha, the small colonial station where the writer George Orwell lived for five years during his time as an Imperial Police officer, and where he wrote his novel “Burmese Days.” In the lively market in Bhamo, which was a starting point on the Silk Road and was discovered by Marco Polo in the 13th century, trading was in the hands of Kachin, Lisu e Shan ethnic minorities who wore colourful traditional costumes. A visit to a teak forest to see working elephants, and a slow and rattling train journey on an old British railway through the jungle of Kachin state were two of the fascinating excursions. In the evenings the charming staff - the Anawratha has the highest staff-guest ratio on Myanmar’s rivers - organized delightful shows with local dancing and songs and the two guides illustrated interesting facets of Burmese life: from religion to traditions, and from the country’s gastronomy to its arts. The last stop before Bagan was the U Bein Bridge, the world’s longest and oldest teakwood bridge. Then guests had two days to discover Bagan by horse and cart or bicycle, or at dawn from a hot-air balloon sailing over the 2,200 temples in the valley.
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INFO CRUISE
ANAWRATHA Yangon, Myanmar www.heritage-line.com
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DESTINATION | SWITZERLAND
SWITZERLAND
Paolo Gerbaldo
Trains, buses and boats are the best way to travel in Switzerland. Switzerland boasts, in fact, the densest network of public transport in the world, with schedules seamlessly interconnected.
DESTINATION | SWITZERLAND
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W i t h i t s 2 6 , 0 0 0 k ilo m e te rs, you c an v isit c it ies, v illages, mou n t a in s an d lak e s w ithout int errupt ion. The S wiss T r a v e l Sy s t e m o f f e r s f o r e ign v isit ors a c hanc e t o e x pl o r e t h e e n tir e c o u nt ry using eit her t rains, buses, boa t s a n d m o u n t ain r ailways. The sc enic rout es whic h l e a d t o th e E n g ad in o r t o ot her famous plac es in S w i t ze r l an d c an t h e r e f o re be t our rout es, using t he di f f e r e n t ty p e s o f tic k e ts offered by t he S wiss Travel S yst e m. www.SwissTravelSystem.com www.switzerland.com T +800 100 200 29
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DESTINATION | SWITZERLAND
T
Atlantis by Giardino
Zurich
he hotel Atlantis by Giardino Zurich boasts a range of high quality services. The current dĂŠcor remodels well the spaces of the historic hotel of the 70s, favoring vibrant colors and sophisticated materials to create an ambience of casual elegance that is not without a touch of classicism. In this chic universe, guests find themselves at ease. The picturesque location of the Atlantis allows you to vacation a few minutes from the center of Zurich, enjoying, however, at the same time, an Urban Retreat nestled at the foot of the Uetliberg: the mountain in Zurich from which you can admire the city, the lake and the Alps. The rooms and suites show off intimate classic elegance and boast a superb view. Another strong point of the Atlantis by Giardino is the restaurants. Hide & Seek offers, in a casual setting, a creative fusion between Western flavors with those of the Near East and Asia. A more sophisticated atmosphere characterises, instead, the two-star restaurant in which the menu of Chef Stefan Heilemann is characterised by an impressive cooking tradition focused on the full value of basic products. Without further ado, guests of the Atlantis then take advantage of the Dipiu Spa, articulated around the pool: an ensemble in which you will experience sensations of well-being almost outside time. Star of the Zurich of the 70s, Atlantis by Giardino is now a myth reborn, thanks to a careful upgrade to a modern design and, at the same time, is perfectly discreet. 98
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INFO HOTEL
ATLANTIS BY GIARDINO Zurich, Switzerland www.atlantisbygiardino.ch Rooms & Suites 95 Villas 0 - Restaurants 2 Spa yes Children yes Chain Giardino Group Affiliation none Activities sightseeing Score 84 Environment 85 Design 86 Service 80 Cuisine 93 Health 77 Spa 82 Rooms 85
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DESTINATION | SWITZERLAND
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Kurhaus Cademario
Cademario
n the hills above Lugano, the Kurhaus Cademario reveals a lesser-known face of Ticino furnishing, at the same time, a refreshing break in nature. The historic complex of the Kurhaus, opened in 1914, enjoys a splendid view of Lake Lugano and a pleasant micro-climate. The Kurhaus, built by German doctor Adolf Keller, to put into practice his vision of natural medicine, set into motion the tourist vocation of the then rural village of Cademario. True to its more than a century-old history, the Kurhaus today best translates the principles of global wellness, placing them in a setting of great charm. To the meticulous care of interior spaces, one can adds a harmonious restoration entrusted to Chef Franco Passoni. The menu creatively showcases the flavors of Italian cuisine yet is attentive to the essence of tradition. The rooms and suites, decorated with a meticulous style capable of blending the classic with the modern, are decorated with stunning views of the lake and the Malcantone Mountains. La spa is a world apart. A trip into wellbeing. Energy rediscovered. Out-pourings of magical moments. Modernity and tradition. In this corner of peace dedicated to relaxation, everything aligns to best enrapture the senses. The Kurhaus Cademario is a global invitation to immerse oneself in a relaxing atmosphere, enjoying a casual but elegant ambience - the unique experience of an intimate retreat just a few minutes away from the center of Lugano.
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KURHAUS CADEMANIO Cademario, Switzerland www.kurhauscademario.com Rooms & Suites 82 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa yes Children yes Chain Ticino Hotels Group Affiliation none Activities wellness, excursions Score 85 Environment 87 Design 85 Service 85 Cuisine 83 Health 86 Spa 85 Rooms 86
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Hotel Seehof
H Davos
otel Seehof Davos is an elegant mountain retreat. In its original core, dating back to 1869, the Seehof provides a significant example of great Swiss mountain hospitality.A fine example of this is some historical rooms where wood is the dominant component. A privileged witness to the transformations of Davos from the “Magic Mountain” by Thomas Mann to modern tourist destination, the Seehof plays both the card of the historical and the contemporary with panache. A common identity runs through the different spaces that characterize the architecture of the building. The rooms are comfortable and furnished with a modern flair. At the Gourmet Stübli restaurant, in a warmly alpine environment with very attentive service, the menu is prepared by starred Chef Martin Bieri. A synthesis of the techniques learned in his three training courses, (Swiss, French, Asian), the menu offers decisive flavors, matching them to the style of haute cuisine. The Asian-inspired dishes perfectly underline the complex work performed by the chef on the raw material to enhance its quality. More classical, but still dressed up with a refined exotic touch, is the cuisine proposed in the Restaurant Chesa. Hotel Seehof offers quality understated hospitality and is hence suitable for young people, couples and families.
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INFO HOTEL
HOTEL SEEHOF Davos, Switzerland www.seehofdavos.ch Rooms & Suites 100 Villas 0 - Restaurants 3 Spa BellaVita Children yes Chain none Affiliation none Activities mountain activities Score 78 Environment 68 Design 80 Service 76 Cuisine 93 Health 74 Spa 74 Rooms 81
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NORTH Foto di Luca Frassi, Andrea Fiocchi, Stefano Petroni, Beatrice Giuliani
Luca Frassi
Journey to one of the most isolated countries in the world. The “hermit kingdom� is a surprise. A place of discovery - fascinating and mysterious. A sojourn to live in its entirety.
KOREA
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NORTH KOREA
T h e a ir c r ew of A ir Kor y o wel com es us on the dat ed Tupol ev w it h sin c e r e an d en ch a n tin g smi l es. The f l i ght i s short - one hour an d t we n t y min u tes - b u t lon g enough to have a qui ck previ ew of t h e c o u n tr y . T h a t cou n tr y w i th a d oubl e l ock and w hi ch w e ar e so c u r i ou s to see. T h e on - board TV show s i mages of musi cal pe r f o r m a n ces with th e u b iqui tous port rai ts of The Presi dent: Ki m Il S u n g a n d t h e Gen er a l Lea der Ki m Jong- Il . W e coul d not have had a b e t t e r welcome. Lu ca F r assi t el l us m ore.
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Customs operations proceed efficiently with the border police, from whom you expect everything except smiles and welcomes. Nonetheless, I was accorded a very cordial “welcome�. From the windows of the bus that carries us to the hotel we begin to see the landscape, the people, the pastel skyscrapers and the colorful houses. It seems strange to be here. The first monument we get to know is the Arch of Triumph, built in 1982 to commemorate the Korean resistance to Japan from 1925 to 1945. It is higher than the one in Paris. It will be a busy five days, not a normal journey but a lifetime experience. Mr. Kim, our guide, advises us to photograph everything. However, military equipment, construction sites and people at work are prohibited. Leaders should be photographed full-body, and where protocol is required, a bow is compulsory.
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NORTH KOREA
E v e r y t h in g will b e ea sier th an expected and much l ess pressi ng t h a n p r e v iou sly th ou g h t. N or th Koreans are sensi ti ve peopl e, t i m i d bu t w e lc o min g , smilin g an d r ead y to be approached . Road s are n o t b u sy . I n fa ct, th ey ar e often deserted, especi al l y outsi de Py o n g y a n g. H owev er , it is the aw areness of bei ng i n Nort h Korea t h a t is in t r ig u in g - th e sa me aw areness that w e had at t he DMZ, the de m ilit a r iz ed z on e. T h is is all Hi st ory i n t he m aki ng, w i th paradoxes an d c u r io sity : p er h ap s it is th e m ost m i l i t ari zed area on t he pl anet bu t t h e so ldier s per mit selfies, and cel l phones sud denl y com e bac k t o lif e . A n SM S ap p ea r s with the m essage: “W el come to South K or e a ” , wh ich , of cou r se, is there bef ore us. A strange sensati on, a u n iq u e place. I n th e op en c ountrysi d e, t he t w o f l ags – on one s id e t h e S ou th Kor ea n on e, on the other t hat of Nort h Korea and a b a r b e d w ir e fen ce in between. St i l l barri ers to separate peopl e. Pe o p le wh o wou ld like to r euni te here but w ho, on t he cont rary, ar e k e p t a pa r t by h istor y .
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And then the mausoleum, the towers, the museums, the cemetery of the fallen. The visit continues in places cloaked in secular sacredness. In the end, North Korea offers so much that visitors can even do without the TV.
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For the story in North Korea a camera capable of providing clear images with high definition and advanced controls was needed. But at the same time it had to be discreet so as not to intimidate the people and not annoy the local authorities who are always very suspicious of professional photographers. The PowerShot G3X, with its small size and powerful, well-stabilized zoom, proved to be the right choice. The understated appearance of the camera allowed us to have more freedom in shooting. Thanks to the touch and tilt viewer, we could shoot without bringing the machine to our face, thus capturing the naturalness of the subjects. The 25x optical zoom starts from a wide angle equivalent and goes up to a 24 mm to arrive at a 600 mm super-telephoto lens, a long range with some compromises but also with an excellent stabilizer on 5 axes. It is a superb resource to document inaccessible areas or to grasp details. Its macro function must not be overlooked either. This is what we used to photograph the local cuisine. The 20-megapixel 1 “sensor gave excellent definition thus making images publishable - even full page. In conclusion, the Canon PowerShot G3X represents an excellent alternative to a reflex, especially on the road and in all those situations where immediacy makes the difference. 114
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INFO
27 Bei Sanlitun Nan — East Courtyard Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100027 People’s Republic of China T. +86 10 6416 7544 info@koryogroup.com www.koryogroup.com RESORTS MAGAZINE
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Grand Hotel Continental
Siena
p restigious referen ce p oi nt n ot on l y du r ing t he days o f t he Palio. Th e inter ior at m os p h e re of t he H o tel is careful l y cre ated by th e var ious s t yli s t i c a n d a rchitec t u ral el ement s t hat blen d h ar mon iously wi t h on e a n ot h er. Wi t h i t s or i ginal ar isto crat ic charac te r, th e Gran d Hotel Cont i n e nt a l S i ena - St ar ho tel s Co l l ezio ne, located in th e h ear t o f S i e n a , j u s t a few step s fro m Piazza del Campo an d th e D u om o, tod ay wel co mes g uest as a p restigious lan dmar k n ot o n ly d u r i n g t h e days o f t he Pal io. Th e i n s i d e at mo sp here is careful l y created by th e different s t yli s t i c e l e m ent s t hat mel d. Wal k ing t hrough th e spaces of th e H ote l, you real ize t hat ever yt hing is sh aped, in fac t, by
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hi g h - l e ve l s ce no grap hic architec t ure, ren dered sublime with p e r s p e c t i ve s t hat yo u can admire at t he S alon e delle Feste. Th e t a s te f ul l y- deco rated ro o ms and conte m p ora r y co mfo r t w it h cl assical st yl e.
suites
combin e
I n a contex t o f great so p hist icat io n, ch ef Luca CiaffarafĂ draws u p t h e creat ive menu o f t he S apor Divin o restaurant, el a b orat i n g - b u t w it ho ut b et raying - t he inten se flavor s of Tu s c a n c u i s i n e. Lo cated at t he b ase o f th e an cient medieval towe r i s t h e wine cel l ar. I m m e r s e d i n t he qu iet o f t he p ast, g u ests discover a sublime re f u ge i n t h e war m wal l s o f t he Grand Hotel Contin ental in Si e n a : a n ob le and so p hist icated ho me de dic ated to th e ar t of hos p i t a li t y. 124
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INFO
GRAND HOTEL CONTINENTAL SIENA Siena, Italia www.grandhotelcontinentalsiena.com Rooms & Suites 51 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa no Children yes Chain Starhotels Affiliation LHW Activities sightseeing Score 63 Environment 60 Design 82 Service 81 Cuisine 84 Health 50 Spa 0 Rooms 82
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5* on board
M
the new Air France Business Class
aterials make the difference. Even in flight. Air France has chosen the best for the new Business seats. For example, soft leather coverings and real feathers for duvets and pillows. The 3Fs that certify the quality of the product are FULL FLAT (the armchair becomes a 180 ° horizontal bed); FULL ACCESS, each armchair has direct access from the corridor for maximum freedom of movement; FULL PRIVACY, tilt (the armchair is not aligned to the corridor) and wrap-around curves isolate guests from the rest of the cabin. Numbers help to understand the generosity of the space: 1.96 cm long with a 68-cm-wide bed, excluding armrests. These oases of intimacy and comfort are integrated with important technological features such as 14 “screens, international sockets and USB ports for recharging laptops, tablets and smartphones, noise reduction headphones. Various containers offer lodging for shoes, handbags and other personal belongings that then remain always at hand. The new amenity trousses - vaguely vintage – recall those distributed on the mythical Concorde and have already become collectables, with Clarins products inside. The cuisine always meets the high standard of the French tradition and, of course, the cellar well represents the country’s enological fame.
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AIR FRANCE www.airfrance.co.uk
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Italy by train the Executive coach on the Frecciarossa
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TRENITALIA www.trenitalia.com
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Signature PRO
H
High fidelity according to Ultrasone
andmade. And this is already surprising in the era of robots. Why certainly, because Ultrasone maintains an advanced craftsmanship dimension that allows them to offer high quality products such as these headphones, paying attention to the smallest detail. It’s hard to say whether they are for studio professionals or for audiophiles. Surely for those who refuse to compromise in terms of sound quality and comfort. Let’s start with ergonomics and materials: we are here in the name of solidity and quality. Minimal design but crafted for a portability that does not tire over time. The leather is that of Ethiopian sheep and is elaborated by hand. Duration, softness and acoustic isolation are its pluses. The sound quality is indubitably professional mainly due to S-Logic® Plus, the evolution of the Natural Surround System. Voices and instruments come to us with a clear sound in spite of a considerable reduction of sound pressure, avoiding ear fatigue. Furthermore, the addition of the innovative ULE technology that uses special metals, protects from electromagnetic radiation. The pack contains a hard case, a 3m cable with a gilded 6.3mm pin and another 1.5m cable with 3.5mm angled gilded plug.
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Ultrasone IQ
F
For on-the-move audiophiles
ew in-ear headphones are able to reproduce a concert sound as these do. We have tested them on the plane and train with results that surprised us. Their Isolation ability is excellent. The bass is striking for its intensity and capacity to give volume to the sound. Moreover, thanks to the filter which separates the frequencies, mediums and highs are crisp and clear. The design is attractive, the size is generous and excellent ergonomics ensure perfect portability. The IQ are supplied with two cables: a robust multi-media one, with microphone and remote control for use with smartphones and computers, and another one to wear behind the neck when working. The coating prevents the typical tangle often associated with these accessories. The silicone sponges come in 5 different sizes. What can we say, these Ultrasone proposals are among the best on the market. Beautiful, comfortable to wear and above all able to satisfy the on-the-move audiophiles. It is not by chance that they are supplied with adapters for airplanes.
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U L T R A SON E Wielenbach, Germany www.ultrasone.audio
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Sennheiser PCX 550
the new wireless for great travellers
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he world can be a noisy place. With the PXC 550 Wireless you can just shut the door on it. Featuring Sennheiser’s NoiseGard™ Hybrid adaptive noise cancelling it creates your own aural space in even the most chaotic of environments: The louder the noise around you, the stronger it is cancelled, giving you the most comfortable listening experience. While the PXC 550 Wireless’s extraordinary battery life of up to 30 hours* of continuous use means you can span the globe on a single charge without leaving your private audio lounge. Both travelling and music feel best when you can move freely. The PXC 550 Wireless lets you do just that. Instead of a cable it features some of the finest and best-sounding solutions in high-tech transmission connecting the headset featuring and Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled pairing the PXC 550 Wireless with the respective mobile device is every bit as fun as listening to it. Still, the PXC 550 Wireless can also be used with a cable that is included.
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The PXC 550 Wireless offers unrivaled speech clarity for personal and business calls. Identifying and filtering out all ambient noise it makes sure you will be perfectly understood at the other end of the line, no matter how busy your environment. To operate your communication center, touch sensitive trackpads are located on the earcups. Thus, controlling your sounds feels natural and intuitive. One of the most lightweight headsets in the industry the PXC 550 Wireless is designed for the longest of listening sessions and packaged for ultra portability. To guarantee the best fit possible, we have measured hundreds of ears and designed the headset accordingly with the overall size, the special shape of the earpads, and the headband’s architecture. The fold-flat collapsible frame enables it to discreetly fold away into the stylish, compact travel case. Superior comfort and class-leading design: the best of both worlds.
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SEN N H EI SER Wedemark, Germany www.sennheiser.com
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Tax & Advise
on the path of internationalisation
he evolution of the global market has in recent years triggered a process of natural selection of businesses, causing companies to emerge which have shown they have the fundamental requirements for embarking on the path of internationalisation. Opening up to foreign shores is a huge opportunity but involves significant changes. Preparation, method and organisation are required to face them effectively. This is the key to growth.
Tax & Advise was founded in 2010 with the objective of managing internationalisation on behalf of businesses and today has a loyal customer base and an ever-increasing client portfolio. Thanks to its analytical expertise and knowledge of both economic and fiscal law, Tax & Advise is the ideal partner for businesses setting out on a path of internationalisation that require professional support in the target country, from experts of that nationality who have a profound knowledge of the relevant market. Professionalism and expertise, coupled with accessibility and speed. Tax & Advise clients are allocated a consultant to guide them through the entire internationalisation process, who can respond quickly and effectively to any requirement. After all, the personal approach is an essential value for a business wishing to address an overseas market. Tax & Advise provides tailormade consultancy, created on an ad hoc basis for each individual client, to enable the business to embark upon a genuine process of growth in that foreign market. 138
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Ovidio Guaita
INFO
TAX & ADVISE London, UK www.taxandadvise.it
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DUCO
Travel Summit Viva Italia!
ou may have the universe if I may have Italy.” The quote, by Giuseppe Verdi, is her inspiration. Brazilian, with Italian roots, Carolina Perez has been a leading lady in the travel industry for over 20 years. She created prestigious expo Travelweek Sao Paulo, acquired by ILTM Reed Exhibitions. Last year she decided to pursue an old dream: to venture Italy, land of her ancestors. Thus, began DUCO Travel Summit, a very elegant annual event in Florence, born to promote Italy on a permanent basis. DUCO from the Latin word means “to lead”. “For the first time Italy is on the calendar of the world’s finest travel events”, celebrates Carolina. With the inaugural summit in March 19th to 23rd 2018, DUCO has the honor to show the best of Italy to the English speaking market. During four intense days of business in some of the most beautiful locations throughout Florence, DUCO will host the encounter between top Italian travel suppliers (hotel properties and experiences from north to south) and a selection of high-end travel advisors invited from the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. A unique opportunity to live the excellence of Italian hospitality. The Gala Dinner Opening Ceremony will be held at Salone dei Cinquecento, the most important chamber in Florence’s Town Hall. Individual appointments and lunches are in scheduled in the most elegant hotels, including Four Seasons Florence, The St. Regis and Villa San Michelle. “Italy enchants me deeply. It is pure beauty, encompassed by such expressive History & Art. I feel privileged and honored to recognize my roots with such a beautiful and important mission.”
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DUCO TRAVEL SUMMIT Florence, Italy March 19th to 23rd 2018 http://ducotravelsummit.com
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INTERACTIVE ONLINE DOCUMENTS WITH FLIPPINGBOOK Need to share your marketing documents online? FlippingBook is here to help.
FlippingBook allows you to create engaging online documents, such as brochures, magazines, catalogs, and newsletters, from your PDFs. We are all about making your business processes faster, easier, and more efficient. Whether you work in the field, travel around the world, or take part in exhibitions, with FlippingBook you are always fully equipped: you can make online documents that are easy to view on any device, share by email, or embed into a website. They look professional, open smoothly, and you can access them online or offline anytime and anywhere. Make your marketing activities effective with FlippingBook online documents.
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India, Beijing, Puglia, St. Moritz and other exclusive destinations tested for you