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

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Saison Restaurant, San Francisco

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The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

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EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, Editor-in-Chief

e are all explorers, some more than others. Curious travelers who sometimes venture beyond the indispensable conveniences for tourists. This will surely carry one across a threshold that marks the abandonment of the indifference of those who look without seeing, to venture into the complex and fascinating world of travel. The real one, the one for travelers, for those who look, see and reflect.

Hence one stops being a tourist and becomes a traveler. Not that we should be uncomfortable for bias. It is not that the more uncomfortable one is traveling the more one becomes a traveler. It’s just that traveling sometimes involves accepting living conditions that are not always five-star.

In this year which is drawing to a close, we have tried to present the best a destination has to offer. Sometimes places beyond all expectations but other times the Spartan tents of nomadic herders. But always places that are exclusive for their uniqueness, interest and... acquaintances.

Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!

CONTENTS

24 32 34 36

TOP 10 countryside

IOS UNIVERSAL STUD Los Angeles

ORBIC AIR Los Angeles

CASA DEL MAR Santa Monica

CALIFORNIA exclusive

40 46 52 54

NTINGTON

THE LANGHAM HU Pasadena

NTO

BELMOND EL ENCA Santa Barbara

SEQUOIA National Park

YOSEMITE National Park

CONTENTS

CALIFORNIA exclusive

56 60 64 72

MAMMOTH LAKES

E RESORT WESTIN MONACH Mammoth Lakes

BODIE Mammoth Lakes

SAISON San Francisco

SWITZERLAND exclusive

82 88 90

SAAS FEE Valais

SAINT MORITZ Engadina

NIRA ALPINA Saint Moritz

CONTENTS

THE ONLY THING TO EXPECT IS EXCELLENCE

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To find out more about Club Orpheus, please visit: sennheiser.co.uk/cluborpheus

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CONTENTS

LONDON exclusive

96 100 104 108

NDON CHRISTMAS IN LO r shopping & glamou

MONT MANAGED

THE SAVOY, A FAIR London

ELLEVEN London

VUELING getting there

HOTEL

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lifeStyle

LA MONTINA y in Franciacorta glamour and histor

BISOL biadene excellence in Valdob

www.palidano.com

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HOTEL COLONIALI

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. E tra le soluzioni proposte non mancano appunto le sorprese.

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

Flor en ce

2013

PP

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. Among the solutions proposed, surprises are not missing.

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.

Top 100

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Top 100

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and nearb y PalidanoPress

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X, n. 54 December 2014

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, Lawrence Taylor, Clara Vannucci, Roberto Sessoli, Mattia Mionetto, Anna Dardanelli, Carla Milone, Bonjwing Lee 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 (12 issues per year) 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 monthly publication © 2014 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: San Francisco, right: Mammouth Lakes.

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

OVIDIO GUAITA In London for the Savoy flying with Vueling.

LAWRENCE TAYLOR The California Special is signed by Lawrence.

MARIA COSCARELLI Mary presents us with the noble bubbles of Franciacorta for the coming holidays.

PAOLO GERBALDO From Saint Moritz to Valais, with Paolo in the most exclusive mountains.

ELSA BOZZAOTRA Elsa In this issue Elsa present us the Top 10 Countryside resorts.

PAOLA DI GIROLAMO With Paola for the discovery of a historic house of prosecco.

London

UK

96 San Francisco

California

72 Santa Barbara

California

46 Los Angeles

California

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Our destinations Valais

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82 Saint Moritz Switzerland

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Colombo Da Nang Dubai Ras Al Khaimah Santiago Atacama Courchevel Zermatt Aosta Venezia

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Saint Petersburg Tbilisi Andermatt Genève Lausanne Ascona Weggis Zürich Lugano Oberlech

Colombo Da Nang Dubai Ras Al Khaimah Santiago Atacama Courchevel Zermatt Aosta Venezia

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Burj Al Arab, Dubai

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

The >Chedi, Andermatt

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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

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TOP 10 | COUNTRYSIDE

Top

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s t r o s e r e d i s country ten oases in greenery

Elsa Bozzaotra

rt Bali at Sayan 1. Four Seasons Reso 2. Amanjiwo ha 3. Banyan Tree Ring rt Chiang Mai 4. Four Seasons Reso Estate 5. Como Shambala 6. Amandari 7. Amanbagh alayas 8. Ananda in the Him

9. Wharekauhau n t & Coffee Plantatio ea tr Re a Sp i ar os .L 10

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ev er yt hi ng an d ar aw ay . Fa r fro m on th e gr ou nd

w ith on e’s fe et f, el es on ith w e es tic at ed . An d ev er yo ne . Al on de sig ne d or do m er th Ei . re tu na rh ap s it is no t by an d im m er se d in in In do ne sia . Pe e ar ns d so io at in st Ea st ha s co un te ha lf of th es e de be tt er, th e Fa r or , sio n nt en ie m Or di e al th ch an ce th at lu e th e sp iri tu va ho w e os Th in g. ot he rs th e en d be tt er th an m uc h in th is ra nk eh pr m co n ca es or al rit as m uc h as co rp d re la xa tio n. s of iso la tio n an ct fe ef l ia be ne fic

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S P E C I A L

C A L I F O R N I A

by Ovidio Guaita & Lawrence Taylor

CALIF

The charm of the West Coast never fades. From Los Angeles to San Francisco to discover and rediscover. Deja vu and new destinations to avoid feeling outdated and to take the best from a region which better than any other represents the new frontier of the States.

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SPECIAL | CALIFORNIA

Universal Studios

Do you believe your senses? Perhaps you had better think twice before answering. What awaits you at the Studios is beyond imagination. Of course, a visit to the set is interesting: you recognize places and glimpses of famous movies, and backstage always has its charm. The VIP Experience is definitely a plus: small groups, personalized visit, no lines, gourmet

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dining and parking all included. But try Despicable Me or Transformers, fantastic 3-D rides that will deceive your senses and make you believe you are in the middle of the action. Actually, you move a few meters but the involvement is total. www.universalstudios.com

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Orbic Air

Forget the Hollywood tour by land. You will see only a nice verdant neighborhood with elegant walkways and gates. The villas of celebrities are now hidden and only visible from above. Orbic Air, with its agile helicopters, provides a thrilling experience. The villas of the stars have no more secrets for sure, but it is the very perception of

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the city that changes. Choose whether to stop for a toast atop a skyscraper downtown or in the hills around the city. A glass of Champagne and cheesecake await you to celebrate. www.orbicair.com

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Lawrence Taylor

Santa Monica

Casa del Mar

Your personal summer holiday home.

Casa del Mar, Spanish for “house at the sea”, is just this - a home-style hotel at the seaside.

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his lovely sixties-style hotel is furnished to look and feel like your very own home. From the bookcases filled with traditional literary classics to the every-day objects found on desktops to the toy duck to keep you company while bathing to the soft velvety throw on the comfortable old armchair, this property recalls a private seaside summer home. It is airy and luminous, and a gaze out one of the many windows will delight the eyes when they behold the enormous beach of white sand on the coast of the majestic Pacific Ocean.

After an exhausting day of business or sightseeing in the surrounding area - the bustling metropolis of Los Angeles is just a thirty-minute drive away - Casa del Mar is the ideal place to recover.

It is equipped with the latest technologies and a state-of-the art Sea Wellness Spa. Here guests can enjoy everything from the ultimate in anti-aging and dehydrating skin care to full-on body de-stressers.

Then there is the question of dining. At Casa del Mar, dining is a pleasant event. The restaurant, Terrazza, serves excellent Italian and Spanish cuisine, using the freshest of local Californian ingredients. The up-close ocean view from the full-wall windows is a breath-taking extra.

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INFO HOTEL

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Lawrence Taylor

Pasadena

The Langham Huntington Opened in 1914 in its present form, the Huntington has witnessed American history in its rooms and its restaurant. A legend which today lives on under the brand Langham.

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n reality, the hotel opened a few years earlier, in January 1907. But it was not yet finished and the roof was temporary, so on rainy days it rained inside. In July it closed and ended up in bankruptcy. That was when the property was purchased by Henry Huntington, who commissioned architect Myron Hunt to finish it and also improve it. Then came success and in 1926 an Olympicsize swimming pool was added, the first in California. The Second World War brought a setback. It was closed and a wing was used by the 35th Army Division. It was then sold to the Sheraton, later managed by the Ritz-Carlton and finally bought by Langham.

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We ll located in a n ice residential area, th e complex is sur roun ded by garden s an d is ex tremely quiet.

D ur in g our visit we tr ied Th e R oyce, a steak h ouse w it h a wood fire wh ich offer s a selec tion of really uniq ue meats. I n an elegant an d contemporar y settin g, t he men u ex ten ds ac ross var ious cuts an d degrees of co o k in g. Th e memorable Wagy u Kobe alon e is wor th th e visit. Th e rar it y of th e c ut with its un ique flavor an d tender n ess j ustify a pr ice n ot easily accessible.

An excellent selec tion of win es is offered wh ich o bviously eyes th e n ear by N apa Valley.

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INFO HOTEL

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Lawrence Taylor

Belmond El Encanto Santa Barbara

From the top of the hills behind Santa Barbara the view is remarkable - as well as the cuisine of executive chef Leo Andres Ayala, who has combined the flavors of his homeland with the flavors of California.

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ne drives through sleepy neighborhoods, elegant yes, but very simple. We could say very West-Coast style.

Luxuriant greenery and villas which are predominantly white with generous dimensions. We are ascending almost without realizing it when we see the sign for Belmond El Encanto.

Discrete entrance, present and attentive staff. It soon becomes clear that we are crossing the threshold of an iconic hotel, which, since 1920, has been the benchmark for the Californian glitterati. Almost a large villa where attentive hosts invite us for a weekend of relaxation.

The sun has set and the lights of the town below us gradually come on. While we sip our on-the-rocks Margarita, we imagine the teeming life on the waterfront. On the terrace a light breeze makes the torches flicker, while the guests gradually sit at their tables. We have come to try one of the best restaurants in the area, governed by chef Leo Andres Ayala, native of Acapulco.

Son of art and fish expert who learned to cook from his parents, Ayala has brought to the Belmont El Encanto the best

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of Californian cuisine. Fish, of course, produce from kilometer zero - or almost - if not from his own garden.

We start with Sautéed Local Farm-Raised Abalone with mushrooms, parsley and shallots, then Local Black Cod accompanied by ratatouille with artichokes and tomatoes with fresh basil. Finally, an intriguing Dark Chocolate Cake with Mexican spices, slightly spicy with a melted center and slightly tempered by the caramel ice cream that accompanies it.

The night has fallen and now guests gradually retreat to their rooms and suites. The dark blue sky merges with the sea. In one corner a couple sips a digestif. Their age is difficult to discern; they’re very American and seem at home. The maitre d ‘ whispers to us that they came to El Encanto as children with their parents and since then have never failed to return. In time-lapse we see American history of the twentieth century before our eyes.

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INFO HOTEL

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SequoiaN.P.

Mythical trees, among the largest on Earth. But not only. Besides these giants you are surrounded by luxuriant and varied greenery, beautifully preserved.

Sequoia National Park is an irremissible stop during the transfer from Los Angeles to San Francisco. A short detour and here we are on another planet, where suddenly you feel ... incredibly small.

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Wonder Valley

Just outside the park, on the road to Mammoth Lakes, you can visit Wonder Valley. Off the beaten track, splendidly isolated, this Spartan ranch offers an experience of living typically American, immersed in nature and in the silence of the famous West as recorded by Hollywood. www.nps.gov www.wondervalley.com

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Yosemite N.P.

One of the first parks to be formed in 1864, Yosemite is not only a great valley.

Its glaciers, granite peaks, waterfalls and vast wilderness areas make it a natural sanctuary, a testament to the diversity of the terrestrial environment. The paths indicated by rangers help visitors to

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discover the most interesting places by car, on foot or using transport offered by the park. www.nps.gov

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Mammoth Lakes A destination full of surprises. Mammoth Lakes with each season renews its recreational offering. Nature in this region of California is important and dominates the scene - in every sense, including the long fault caused by earthquakes. But also waterfalls, lakes, mountains and peaks. All very accessible.

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Do not miss the climb in the scenic gondola to Mammoth Mountain at 3,368 masl. The view on clear days extends for dozens of miles over the valleys of the region.

Moreover, the region is populated by volcanic craters, most of which are closed but here and there we find hot springs, geysers and fumaroles.

Of the various lakes that populate the area, Mono Lake is noteworthy. It is certainly the most original. It is now a salt lake as it has no tributaries. Here a series of small geysers have formed stalagmites that rise up to nine meters.

In less than an hour one can reach Yosemite National Park. With its Glacier Mountain with its valley of waterfalls and cliffs so beloved by free climbers.

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Lots of natural settings but that’s not all. History too. For example, take the ghost town of Bodie, a legacy of the gold rush that spread here in the second half of the nineteenth century and then vanished in a few decades.

In winter snowfalls here are abundant and the many trails attract numerous skiers. The

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destination is far less ostentatious than Aspen and other glamorous destinations.

This is why Hollywood stars often choose it when they do not wish to be seen. The town of Mammoth Lakes is collected and quiet, and the best hotel is the Westin, which we present here.

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Lawrence Taylor

Westin Monache Resort Mammoth Lakes

The Westin is the best hotel for those who choose the attractions of Mammoth Lakes. Whether summer or winter, the services offered make it a must.

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odern, very central, good design. In the common areas and suites local stone and wood dominate. The result is a palette of colors ranging from beige to light brown. They confer a feeling of warmth to its spaces.

The ski slopes are nearby, as is the station of the Gondola, used to reach the nearby peaks. Hence, despite its central location - due to the small size of the center - guests are, nevertheless, in a perfect position to devote themselves to nature.

The hotel’s restaurant, Whitebark, is fully lined in wood and this gives a very mountainous atmosphere. Executive chef Jeremy Graham, with a very American menu ranging from land and sea does not, nonetheless, neglect Scottish salmon or Spanish gazpacho.

A pleasant experience in which we were also protagonists of the life enjoyed at the edge of the spacious pool.

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INFO HOTEL

WESTIN MONACHE RESORT Mammoth Lakes www.westinmammoth.com Rooms & Suites 95 Villas 0 - Restaurants 1 Spa yes Children yes Chain Westin Affiliation none Activities sightseeing, skiing Score 71 Environment 77 Design 78 Service 60 Cuisine 65 Health 78 Spa 63 Rooms 78

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Bodie It isn’t far but seems lost in the middle of nowhere.

The paved road becomes a dirt road at some point and little by little the atmosphere envelops the visitor. It does not take much to imagine the arrival of a stagecoach and then, after a curve, the town appears in all of its decadence. Bodie, in fact, has been a ghost town pretty much since 1936, when a

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“G oodbye God I am going to Bodie” fire brought its end. An end, however, announced. By new mines, new technologies, new locations with less harsh climates than that of Bodie.

Like many towns, its name comes from its founder,

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William S. Bodey, who in 1859 found gold in these hills.

Twenty years later, Bodie had 10,000 inhabitants. A diverse population with a large Chinese community and a chronic shortage of preachers who didn’t have much of an audience since the concentration of adventurers, prostitutes and gamblers was not insignificant. Many earned a lot but very few became

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rich. Mining jobs were well paid but the temptations were many and, most of all, life here - where everything had to be imported - was expensive.

Abandoned in 1936, it has remained to witness to an era, a fleeting apparition, an apotheosis followed by a rapid and inexorable decline. Today it remains just as

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the inhabitants left it. The paintings, furniture, stoves, and even the books in the school are all in place.

Transporting household goods was expensive and required the possession of horses and carts, along with the payment of duties. Hence many simply left with just a suitcase.

We entered on tiptoe. With decency we crossed

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the threshold and peered at the belongings. We imagined hopes and disappointments, splendor and decadence. We experienced a myth and brought away with us a memory. We lived the story of strangers. We felt ... the gold rush.

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Hearst Cast le Europe elsewhere. A dream of an entrepreneur which magically becomes reality. A piece of the Old Continent transported to a deserted hill overlooking the ocean. This and much more is the castle built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It was christened La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hillside)

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but everyone called it The Ranch. Classical, Renaissance, Neo-Gothic, Islamic. A cocktail of styles to relive the magic of a trip to Europe that fascinated William as a child and accompanied him until its realization. www.hearstcastle.org

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Ovidio Guaita

San Francisco

Saison If you are wondering what you are eating , Saison is not for you. Certainly those who serve you will have told you in detail, but, nevertheless, this does not suffice. The dishes are evanescent, almost intangible.

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ertainly, lightness is a qualifying characteristic. And even after a tasting menu of over ten courses you are more tipsy than satiated.

This, naturally, is because the tasting menu, which changes depending on the freshest products the chef can retrieve from the market (and from his own garden), can be served with a wine tasting combination. The sensory experience is remarkable ... but also the alcohol level after dinner since the wines are changed for each course.

Hence the menu is constantly changing, depending on the season and the market. The best of the best is chosen and those products are used to design the dining experience. The cellar then gives support for the combination of the labels best suited to the new creations.

The atmosphere is informal with an open-style kitchen. The restaurant is housed in a former production building with rustic tones that contrast nicely with the wood of the tables and a few other refined touches. If you think this will help to make the price more affordable, you are wrong.

If you are wondering how much it costs, you will probably find it fully booked; however, be aware that you will not dine for under $ 700. And if your next question is whether it is worth it, keep in mind that research costs and here you are dining in the future.

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INFO

SAISON RESTAURANT San Francisco www.saisonsf.com

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1

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Ovidio Guaita

On the road with Alamo The streets of California are inviting. Along the coast or in the interior, sightseeing opportunities are endless and no public transport can replace a private car.

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We have traveled the length and breadth of the state with a car from Alamo. After check-in, in the parking lot, we were able to choose the car we wanted (in the chosen category). Much better, especially for those not familiar with the American models. The cars are almost new, well-equipped and agents can be found everywhere.

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In the categories Full Size and Premium there are stylish cars suitable for any occasion, whether leisure or business.

www.alamo.com

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by Paolo Gerbaldo

SWITZE

A return of the Swiss Alps: from the Valais to Engadine. It starts with the discovery of a new tailored destination nestled between fascinating peaks: Saas Fee. We then move on to modern design deployed in a sophisticated St. Moritz somewhat out of the spotlight. Different situations. Interesting hotels and attentive service as a common trait.

A reference always capable of satisfying even the most demanding traveler-skiers.

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SPECIALE | SAAS FEE & SAINT MORITZ

Saas Fee Lost deep in the Saas valley in the Swiss canton of Valais, Saas Fee is a dream that has taken its present forms of tourism thanks to a somewhat special pioneer: pastor Johann-Joseph Imseng.

A native of Saas Fee, the place where he was born in 1806, the young Johann-Joseph, a priest since 1829, soon began to keep company with

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the aristocratic travelers busy discovering the mountains of Valais. Having become pastor of Saas Fee in 1836, Imseng was characterized by entrepreneurship and activism united to his love for the mountains and the desire to advance his homeland. The pastor, in August of 1847, led a group from Zurich in an exciting climb up Allalin. It was only the first in a series of ascents to the

summits of the Valais which soon became events capable of making the priest-guide known even abroad. Before Imseng’s death in 1869, he still had the time to assist directly in opening several hotels to improve the conditions for the reception of those who went to the Valley.

Not just help for his parishioners but a transformation of the culture and economy of the place was undertaken by Johann-Joseph Imseng. Thanks to his determination, and his optimism, the Saas valley began to show its full tourism potential.

In the village of Saas Fee, at 1800 meters above sea level, attractions and scenic areas establish today, as at the time of the pastor Imseng, a permanent

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dialogue between the beauty of the Valais, the culture of the mountain and the elaboration required for a modern tourist destination, all in an ensemble on a human scale.

The winter for citizens in the Free Republic of holidays Saas Fee combines, in fact, the largely sunny blue sky with white snow covering100

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kilometers of slopes.

Cadenced as the rhyming of a poem dedicated to the magic of winter white, Saas Fee boasts among its records, the Dom (4,545 m), the highest peak in Switzerland and the ice grotto (Eispavillon), the world’s largest (5,500 square meters) without forgetting the Mittelallalin, where you can have lunch in the world’s highest revolving restaurant (3,500 m), and enjoy sustainable quality tourism.

Not to be overlooked is the Metro Alpin, which opened December 19, 1984, and is still the highest underground funicular railway in the world.

To the charm of the past - as evidenced by surviving the alpine architecture - one weds the attention for the present and the future. Saas Fee has been closed to automobiles since 1951.

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Ferienart

In this delightful alpine environment, the hospitality legacy left by the Imseng does not fail to provide high-level hospitality. Hotel Ferienart offers today to those who follows in the footsteps of the pioneers of tourism in the Alps a universe of authenticity with a chic touch.

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A judicious marriage of alpine style and attentive service, the hotel highlights its difference, and a part of its interest, with the great Paradia Spa. The spa is on two floors, offering moments of complete relaxation, which, thanks to sophisticated treatments, are transformed into sheer joy.

The hotel is designed in a cheerful way. The quality of the rooms and the restaurant make their contribution to making the Ferienart an address to recommend to those who become citizens of the free republic of holidays Saas Fee. On the winter evenings the warmth of wood and the environments can’t but entice you to enjoy the hospitality of the Ferienart.

Swiss Pass City, mountains, lakes and valleys in Switzerland can be explored with comfortable trains, romantic mountain railways, post buses and boats. The Swiss Travel System, a combination of different transport companies and range of tickets in a single solution, offers travelers from around the world the opportunity to enjoy the entire Swiss public transport network with a single ticket.

Among the Swiss Travel System tickets proposed, the Swiss Pass allows you to travel for 4, 8, 15, 22 days or 1 month and take advantage of a 50 percent discount on most mountain railways and ski lifts, as well as free admission to over 470 museums. Included in the price are also the famous scenic routes such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express and GoldenPass Line, as well as public transport in 75 Swiss cities.

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St. Moritz

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Paolo Gerbaldo

Saint Moritz

Nira Alpina

The Nira Al pi n a S url e j -St . M or i t z is a n inno vati ve po i n t of v i e w of Enga di n e an d i ts ma j e st i c p e a k s.

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rom the outside to the inside the Nira Alpina is an ode to both natural materials - wood, stone, granite - and architecture, masterful at playing with the topography of the place.

At the foot of Mount Corvatsch, whose cable car is connected to a private passage and which has with a superb view of the village of Surlej and Lake Silvaplana, the Hotel, sophisticated in design, is located a few kilometers from St. Moritz and boasts a ski-in / ski out access to the slopes.

A contemporary and understated intimacy guarantees the right privacy of guests welcomed in rooms naturally luminous, with large terraces, balconies or bay windows, featuring contemporary furnishings and clean lines. The injection of modernity does not forget, however, to bond perfectly with the great tradition of Swiss hospitality.

But everything at the Nira Alpina is fluid, rich in surprises, starting from the holistic oasis of the Nira Spa and continuing with the varied Culinary offering broadly inspired by the region. The alpine flavors in Swiss style are the key points of the restaurant Stalla Veglia. International cuisine and breathtaking views, instead, represent the business card of the restaurant Stars, which extends to the Stars Bar, the perfect place for aperitifs and after-dinner cocktails.

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Destination for every season, London is always very popular in December.

The life, the shops and its glamour remain a great attraction. We went to revisit the legendary Savoy with convenient Vueling flights.

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Trees and lights decorate the British capital. Its streets are transformed into living rooms packed with Londoners and visitors.

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Ovidio Guaita

a Fairmont Managed Hotel

The Savoy

When age makes a difference. The Savoy is a grande dame protagonist of the history of international hotellerie. Today it evokes, pampering guests in a cozy and elegant Victorian atmosphere.

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he large glass and wrought iron dome floods the Thames Foyer with light. The piano in the gazebo at the center reflects the rays of the sun which make the gilded stuccos of the Corinthian capitals shine. White dominates, alternating with pastel colors which, nonetheless, do not distract the guest with useless digressions. Form is essence.

The hotel was established in 1889, right next to the Savoy Theatre. After trying the best hotels in the New World, the owner Richard D’Oyly Carte, renowned producer of operettas, wanted the best technology of the time here. The hotel, in fact, was the first in London to be equipped with electric lighting and also to have elevators, the so-called “lifting rooms”.

From the glass dome I finally move my gaze to the Eggs Benedict that the waiter in a tuxedo has just served me. And before it gets cold, with a slight pressure of the fork, I pierce the Hollandaise sauce. In a moment the yolk floods the smoked Scottish salmon. The freshness matches the flawless composition. The atmosphere is intact, the service up to par, a sign that history is sometimes also experience. The sun is already high now, the room crowded. I conclude with a cappuccino optimally embroidered and at the right temperature; the thin layer of cocoa makes it irresistible.

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Ovidio Guaita

EXCELLENCE IN DENTISTRY

elleven

A sm ile that makes t h e d i f f e r e n c e .

A worl d o f atten ti o n t h a t w i l l b r i n g you smi l i ng wi th rene w e d p l e a sur e .

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he neighborhood is quiet, the entrance discrete, the atmosphere calm. The receptionists welcome me with polite professionalism. The form to fill out asks for age, address ... but also music preferences, favorite drinks (tea, coffee or other). No, we are not at the reception of a boutique hotel, we walked into Elleven, one of the best dental practices in the UK. Here guests are at the center of a world of attention that, in addition to putting them at ease, will help them to smile with renewed pleasure.

From the simple appointment with the hygienist to the most complex reconstructions. At Elleven you can find the best of this sector under one roof and quickly.

The “examination” begins with an interview to discover the medical and aesthetic needs of patients. And the culmination is when the specialists come to understand their expectations and lead them to make the most appropriate choices. The combination of expertise and professionalism, combined with the latest technology allows Elleven to make suggestions like their “One Day Smile Makeover”. A solution of great interest even for those who do not live in the area.

One more reason to visit London.

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con VUELING

a Londra e non solo

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Christmas with Vueling

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Vueling is a Spanish Premium Low Cost Carrier which began flying in July 2004 with two Airbus A320s and four routes. Next summer season 2015, the airline will operate a fleet of 104 modern Airbus aircraft throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Vueling is the market leader at El Prat Airport in Barcelona with almost 40% of the market share and has transported over 90 million passengers to date.

Vueling connects London-Gatwick with direct flights to Barcelona, Bilbao Rome and Florence, and Heathrow with La Coruña in Galicia. The airline offers customers the choice to reach more than 130 destinations via Barcelona’s or Rome-Fiumicino’s hubs with one unique check-in at departure and luggage pick-up at the final destination. Next summer passengers can enjoy new top destinations via Rome such as the Greek Islands (Karpathos, Kafalonia, Lemnos, Mytilene) or Pula in Croatia or reach the Balearic islands (Minorca, Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza) or the south of Spain (Malaga, Almeria, Jerez de la Frontera).

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Vueling and British Airways Code Share British Airways customers will be able to book Vueling flights through all BA sales channels, including ba.com, and collect Avios on these bookings. The codeshare routes are largely centred on Vueling’s operation in Italy with 37 international and 11 domestic routes. These include the destinations, new to BA customers, of Catania, Palermo, Bari, Genoa, Turin, Lamezia, Alicante, Amsterdam, Athens, Munich or Dubrovnik.

Business travellers now represent 44% of all Vueling passengers. Therefore, and in order to increase this percentage still further, Vueling constantly strives to offer services which are highly valued by business customers such as VIP lounges, fast track, Vueling app (purchase and boarding), business fare called Excellence with priority boarding, first row with XL seat, on board meal and full flexibility.

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Maria Coscarelli

On 30 September in London La Montina received the Luxury Packaging Awards for the shopping bag of RosĂŠ Semi Sec reproduced here. 95% of the rosĂŠ from the Franciacorta is produced by La Montina and this spring its bottle underwent a total makeover, from the capsule up to the label.

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T h e M o n t i n a Fa r m s o r i g i n a t e i n a p l a c e r i c h i n f a s c i n a t i o n a n d h i s t o r y, w i t h e n c h a n t e d landscapes and territories dedicated to the growing of grapes.

The first historical documents regarding the farm date back to the first years of the sixteen hundreds, when the owner of the structure was Carlo Montina.

Over the years the farm has had various owners and in 1970, in a state of serious abandonment, it hosted a convent of nuns.

Fr o m 1 9 8 2 t o t o d a y, t h a n k s t o t h e p u r c h a s e b y V i t t o r i o, G i a n c a r l o a n d A l b e r t o B o z z a , t h e p l a c e has rediscovered its hundred-years wor th and

has become the headquarters of the Montina Fa r m s , c o m p a n y n o t e d f o r i t s p r o d u c t i o n o f Fr a n c i a c o r t a s p a r k l i n g w i n e s . T h e u n i q u e n e s s of the products is due to the attentive and scrupulous preparation that follows the rigid norms of the Disciplinare del Consorzio d i v i n i Fr a n c i a c o r t a . T h e v i n e s u s e d a r e o f noble quality and the grapes are har vested exclusively by hand.

Fu n d a m e n t a l f o r t h e p r e p a r a t i o n i s t h e Marmonier ver tical press, a ver y rare press which allows for a ver y soft pressing of the grapes without breaking the skins, which permits the must to maintain intact its RESORTS MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2014

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o r g a n o l e p t i c q u a l i t i e s . T h e c e l l a r s o f t h e Te n u t e La Montina are wor th a visit to discover how much passion, work, and histor y are behind their ver y fine and persistent perlage, the pleasant flavor and freshness of their wines.

D o u b t l e s s l y w o r t h y o f n o t e a r e t h e Fr a n c i a c o r t a M i l l e s i m a t o 2 0 0 8 B r u t a n d t h e Fr a n c i a c o r t a Vintage Reser va 2007 Extra Brut. The first, c o m p o s e d o f C h a r d o n n a y a n d P i n o t N e r o, fruity and full-bodied. The second, elegant, e m b r a c i n g a n d w i t h a s t r o n g p e r s o n a l i t y.

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Bisol a brand and a family

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Paola Di Girolamo

A brand and a family, which represent the tradition and excellence of Valdobbiadene and Venice. From Prosecco, with different labels, to two new wines. The Relio, fermented in 2009, and the Venissa, a red wine from 2011 produced on the Venetian Lagoon from an ancient grapevine.

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h e fir st traces of th e Bisol family in t he h ear t of th e Prosecco D.O.C area date b a c k to th e 1 6 th centur y an d are conta i ne d in a cen sus c ar r ied out for fisc al reason s by t he ar istoc ratic Ven etian family Da Pola, wh o we re th e leadin g lan down er s of th e ver y prestigi ous Car tiz ze h ill. Th e Bisol win er y is today a family-r un busin ess an d is man aged by Anton io an d El i s e o alon g with th eir son s, Gian luca an d D esid e r i o, Claudio an d Alber to.

Today Bisol is a leadin g man ufac turer of qua l i t y spar k lin g win e in Valdobbiaden e. Hen ce Pros e cco - but n ot on ly. R elio was recently presented a nd is an ex tra br ut spar k lin g win e, fer mented in t he bottle. Th e 2 0 0 9 vintage is sold with a n ew “ l ook �

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wh i c h h a s t h e b o t t l e covered w it h a fabr ic th at b ot h e n h a n ce s and p ro tec t s it fro m l ig ht.

Ve n i s s a , on t he o t her hand, is a red win e from 2 0 1 1 a n d i s p ro duced o n a smal l isl and n ex t to B u ra n o, wh ere t he ancient grap evin e wh ich p rod u ce s t h i s red w ine was cul t ivated. I t is a blen d of M e r l ot a n d Cab er net, ag ed fo r 12 m onth s in Fre n c h oa k b ar rel s. The el eg ant b o t t l e, in stead of a l a b e l, c a r r i e s a p recio u s co p p er fo il l e af wh ich m a k e s i t a n excl usive p ro du c t ver y mu ch in tun e wi t h t h e h ol iday seaso n. w w w. b i s ol. i t

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