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Saint Petersburg Hainan Zanzibar Zurich Cannes Catania Siem Reap Botswana
InterContinental Carlton, Cannes
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The Official State Hermitage Hotel Saint Petersburg
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&Beyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar
www.moveolux.it
F
EDITORIAL Ovidio Guaita, International Editor-in-Chief
ebr uar y : a month full of n ew discover ies. Star t i ng w i t h t he I nter Contin ental Car lton in Can n es, a favour ite am ong f i l m st ars an d glamour fan s ever y wh ere. I n S aint Peter sburg, t he G ra nd H o tel Europe, th e oldest luxur y h otel to h ave been built in t he c i t y o f Peter th e Great. An d in S iem R eap, th e recently rebran d e d ( a nd renovated) Par k H yatt, k n own as th e Hotel de la Paix in col oni a l t ime s. R e fin ed h ospitalit y, impecc able ser vice, excellent cuis i ne. Li ke in t he Ok avan go delta, wh ere we h ave visited an &B eyo nd c a m p, o r in th e peculiar hy per-h igh -tec h K ameh a Gran d Zur ich, w he re co ntemporar y design reign s supreme.
Go beyond your expectations with Resorts Magazine!
CONTENTS
30
TOP 10 eco resorts
34
KAMEHA GRAND ZURICH Zurich
38
PARK HYATT SIEM REAP Siem Reap
42
NEXT ROOM Hainan, China
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&Beyond Mnemba Island, Zanzibar, Top Eco Resort
INTERCONTINENTAL CARLTON Cannes
CONTENTS
SAINT PETERSBURG exclusive
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BELMOND GRAND HOTEL EUROPE a window on Europe
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THE OFFICIAL STATE HERMITAGE HOTEL sleeping amongst history
CONTENTS
BOTSWANA exclusive
76
&BEYOND NXABEGA OKAVANGO Tented Camp
CONTENTS
CATANIA exclusive
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MONACI DELLE TERRE NERE a return to nature
RM
lifeStyle
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NETJETS private jets that make a difference
CONTENTS
Embraer Phenom 300
www.palidano.com
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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.
PP
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
PP
T op 100 P l aces t o St ay i n
Flor en ce Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
M O S T
Top 100
W O R L D ’ S
Top 100
T H E
and nearb y PalidanoPress
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XII, n. 68 2016
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 Photos Ovidio Guaita, Lawrence Taylor, Paolo Gerbaldo, Roberto Sessoli, published hotels and resorts Video for iPad and iPhone app Roberto Sessoli Graphic Design Niccolò Angeli www.nican.me Layout Graphic Department Palidano Press IT Manager Riccardo Casano www.riccardocasano.com Public Relations Daniela Libero Subscription Europe 300 € Rest of the World 350 € Publisher PalidanoPress 3 More London Riverside - SE1 2RE London Co-Publisher Hong Kong and Macao edition Asia Travel Media Ltd. Room 1705-1708, 17/F, Pacifi c Plaza, 410 Des Voeux Road West, HK
© 2016 Palidano Press Ltd ISSN 2043-6629
Cover: InterContinental Carlton Cannes. Right: The Official State Hermitage Hotel.
our correspondents All resorts published are choosen by the editorial staff and tested by our journalists-inspectors.
LAWRENCE TAYLOR In this issue Lawrence presents the new aircraft added to the NetJet fleet.
MARIA COSCARELLI Maria offers us the special on Saint Petersburg and the best hotels in the city..
ROBERTO SESSOLI Roberto accompanied Maria to Saint Petersburg to produce the photos and video for our app.
PAOLA DI GIROLAMO Paola reveals the luxury of the savannah of Botswana, known for its exclusive lodges and camps.
ALESSANDFRA JOVINELLI In Sicily, close to Etna volcano, discovering Monaci delle Terre Nere hotel.
MARCO GALLI In our Next Room column Marco recounts a new tourist settlement under construction on the island of Hainan.
PAMELA MCCOURT FRANCESCONE Pamela travelled to Cambodia to experience the historic Hotel de al Paix, today knowm as the Park Hyatt Siem Reap.
PAOLO GERBALDO Paolo’s contribution in this issue ranges from the contemporary design of the Kameha Grand Zurich to the historic Carlton In Cannes.
Zurich Switzerland
Cannes France
Catania Italia
Okavango Delta Botswana
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Saint Petersburg Russia Hainan Island China
Siem Reap Cambodia
Mnemba Island Zanzibar
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TOP 10 | ECO RESORTS
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Elsa Bozzaotra
Top
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eco resoribtasr
, Zanz rt so e R o c E p o T , d n la &Beyond Mnemba Is
Island, Zanzibar 1. &Beyond Mnemba dives 2. Soneva Fushi, Mal e ai 3. Blancaneaux, Beliz ert Resort & Spa, Dub es D n io ct lle Co ry 4. Al Maha, a Luxu infaru, Maldives 5. Banyan Tree Vabb a 6. Aman-i-Khas, Indi , Thailand mp Golden Triangle Ca ed nt Te s on as Se 7. Four Maldives 8. Six Senses Laamu, o Island, Indonesia oy M a, an w an m A 9. l Java, Indonesia 10.MesaStila, Centra
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TOP 10 | ECO RESORTS
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ry liv in g n Za nz ib ar, lu xu e lo ca l th lit y, w ith en ta l su st ai na bi nm ro tio ns . vi ra en ne ith ge w ed th er e fo r in ha rm on y liv ve ha ho w M os t ec oe pe op le cu ltu re , w ith th To p Ec o Re so rt . e th is d an Isl e Fa r Ea st . ne m ba Oc ea n an d in th Th e &B ey on d M an di In e th in e rt s ar at io n an d ha s co m pa tib le re so s a gr ee n in cl in ha so al a ol pp Co rie d de ep in a Bu t Fr an ci s Fo rd au x, w hi ch is bu ne ca an ld . Bl s hi in t in th e Ne w W or sh ow n as m uc h ly on e on th e lis on e th is d an st Be liz e ra in fo re Ex ce ss of ev er y ic al ly se ns iti ve . og ol r ec so al t bu ly ex ce ss . In ot he So lu xu rio us , nm en ta lly -fr ie nd iro t. vr en en t nm ro bu , vi pe en im ag in ab le ty be aw ar e of th e ve it al l, an d st ill ve lle rs an d wo rd s yo u ca n ha on g kn ow in g tra am ) d? an m de r nd (o of la yi ng on It is th e la te st tre te d a ne w w ay ea cr ve ha ho w lie rs s an d w ith as fa r-s ig ht ed ho te na tu ra l re so ur ce ls, ia er at m l ca lo m lu xu ry , m ad e fro po ss ib le . as g in cl cy re h m uc ta ke th is pa th . ha ve de cid ed to rts so re of r be m An d a gr ow in g nu
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e d i w d l r o W s t r o s e R 0 0 1 Top
51 Amanwana ldives at Reethi Rah Ma ly On e& 52 Amansara On 1 aavaru ala Estate, Bali Resort at Landaa Gir ns aso Se ur 53 Como Shambh Fo 2 i aw gk Lan t ce uri sor 54 Shanti Ma Four Seasons Re 3 ence yal Mirage, The Resid Pangkor Laut at s ate Est e 55 One&Only Ro Th 4 Palace 56 Anassa Taj Umaid Bhawan 5 Jimbaran Bay at li Ba ves Rangali Island t sor Re ns 57 Conrad Maldi Four Seaso 6 s ve ldi Ma a, Sp & i Resort 58 Reid's Palace Shangri-la's Villingil 7 e vat Pri nd Isla 59 Amanpulo FrĂŠgate 8 at Sayan li Ba e t sor Re ns aso 60 Grande Roch Four Se 9 try Hotel un Co nd rla o Ku jiw an 61 10 Am raa Hu da Ku at ean Club Resort 62 One&Only Oc 11 Four Seasons s ve ldi Ma a, s sort and Sp 63 Aman-i-Kha 12 Taj Exotica Re z ga Ra d Ba t sor Re 64 Amankora d 13 Gran Resort a Sp & lf Go ra 65 Suvretta House rdu 14 Ve eirah yas ala Him 66 Madinat Jum 15 Ananda in the lla we 67 Aman 16 Amanusa du Cap Ferrat Resort Chiang Mai ns aso 68 Grand Hotel Se ur Fo 17 Resort Nevis 69 Four Seasons 18 Il Salviatino mbo Lodge t, Bali 70 Singita Lebo 19 Bulgari Resor e & Spa 71 The Nam Hai 20 Al Areen Palac Zanzibar e lac 72 The Residence 21 Taj Lake Pa jvilas 73 Sandy Lane 22 The Oberoi Ra mp Golden Triangle Ca ted Ten ns aso 74 Blancaneaux 23 Four Se Spa rr Al Jissah Resort & gh ba 75 Shangri-la's Ba 24 Aman Lodge 76 Amankila 25 Sabi Sabi Earth Lijiang y Ca 77 Banyan Tree t rro 26 Pa sort & Spa Re e lac et Phuk 78 Blue Pa 27 Banyan Tree Palm e Th ly On 79 One& 28 The Legian i a Ma yar g an ian 80 Am 29 The Chedi Ch Tunis Resort Bora Bora ns aso 81 The Residence Se ur Fo a 30 Sayang Resort & Sp sa Ra 's -la gri an Sh 82 31 Amandari rtesin scat 83 Hotel Finca Co 32 The Chedi Mu ita ah An at s den-Roc tiu Resort Mauri 84 Hotel du Cap-E 33 Four Seasons 85 Le Touessrok 34 Cheval Blanc lle Ga ess rtr 86 Soneva Fushi 35 The Fo iera Maya es ell ych Se e Tre 87 The Tides Riv an 36 Bany Country Estate au uh watu 88 Whareka 37 Alila Villas Ulu es ell Seych 89 Muse 38 Four Seasons Ringha hl Hasheesh Sa i ero 90 Banyan Tree Ob e Th 39 ele ch Mi n e Sa lac Pa 91 Villa 40 Beau-Rivage sert Resort & Spa De on t cti sor lle Re Co un ry ch xu 92 Fu 41 Al Maha, a Lu roa Kia 93 42 Palazzo Sasso oon Resort and Spa aivilas 94 Bora Bora Lag 43 The Oberoi Ud h Van Bay cil 95 Six Senses Nin 44 The Oberoi Ce o 96 MesaStila 45 Hotel Splendid try Club Sanya un Co & tel Ho e pir 97 Banyan Tree 46 The Em ce rsa 98 Palazzo Ve 47 Amanpuri urice 99 K Club 48 Le Prince Ma tal Carlton Cannes e dg Lo i en Sw 100 InterContinen a git 49 Sin Resort & Spa 50 Cuisinart Golf
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CITY HOTEL | KAMEHA GRAND ZURICH
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h c i r u Z d n a r G Kameha ry warm and cosy luxu
Th e
in te ri o r
co n tr as ts
d es ig n
an d
sk il lf u ll y
ar ra n g es
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o b je ct s,
d s o f co m fo rt an rm te in g in h yt lo si n g an fu n ct io n al it y.
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Z CITY HOTEL | KAMEHA GRAND ZURICH
an d m an ag es to ur ich’s Ka m eh a Gr lu xu rio us . rm at th e sa m e tim e co sy, wa an d t ra ry bu no va tiv e an d be ve ry co nt em po y, th e de co r is in bb lo e th to in ep st st Ri gh t fro m th e fir fe re nc es . ra st s an d vi su al re nt co , ils ta de fu ll of M ar ce l Wan de rs ’ a to ne an d st yl e. nt re ffe g di ve ha s st s, wi th ou t lo sin Th e th em ed su ite je ct s an d co nt ra ob of e us od go in te rio rs m ak e fu nc tio na lit y. s of co m fo rt an d jja r, an yt hi ng in te rm ar tis t M ich ae l Na ne d by th e vi su al sig de s wa r. ite co Su Th e Sp ac e sp ac e- th em ed de in to or bi t wi th its an d le ad s gu es ts la rly at m os ph er ic. tiv ity Th e Sp a is pa rti cu , re st ra in ed cr ea st au ra nt Yu Ni jyo re an d g in cy en nn wi ist dns ar co At th e aw la nc e of th e ba d an y on rm bi e ha ia nt ly co m ne s ca n be se en in th ns iv e m en u br ill te ex e l Th . od fo e ns e an d em ot io na th e fla vo ur s of th s to of fe r an in te ce en flu in n er st Fr en ch an d Fa r Ea a ex pe rie nc e. ok in g, bu t wi th lia bl e Ita lia n co re d rs te fe or of pp nt su ra ll we L’U ni co re st au m ic tra di tio n. It is is gr ea t ga st ro no . ity al qu t uc od m od er n ta ke on th pr at te nt io n to by d an e qu ni ch Co lle ct io n by go od te of th e Au to gr ap h r be em m a l, te d Ho sp ita lit y an d Th e Ka m eh a Gr an ra ry vi sio n of ho po em nt co ry na or di Ho te ls, is an ex tra Gr an d. is fe Li : ry xu lu ur ba n
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INFO HOTEL ZURICH KAMEHA GRAND d Zurich, Switzerlan andzurich.com
www.kamehagr
7 Rooms & Suites 15 nts 2 Villas 0 - Restaura s ye Spa Children yes Chain none ph Colection Hotels Affiliation Authogra Activities sightseeing 83 Score 75 Environment 90 n Desig 80 Service 92 e isin Cu 75 Health 81 Spa 86 s Room
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HISTORIC HOTEL | PARK HYATT SEIM REAP
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p a e R m e i S t t a y Park H or Wat k g n A f o w o d a sh e ent and class in th
refinem
y R ea p re vi si te d b em Si in l te o h A h is to ri c w it h B en sl ey w h o p la ys ill B t ec it ch ar ic ec le ct ts re ss iv it y, co n tr as p ex d an s ce n ef fe rv es ce ac es to ev at e an ci en t sp el to s re u xt te an d ls o f ex ce lle n ce . d is ti n g u is h ed le ve
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R HISTORIC HOTEL | PARK HYATT SEIM REAP
by day and with all esplendently white Park Hyatt d One nights in the glow of twilight the an sand d comfort in the the promise of a Thou a refuge of design an is ix, Pa la de tel Ho the gkor Wat temple Siem Reap, formerly from the majestic An s ile m few a t jus y, cit vibrant heart of the ite x. ple com ricate black and wh ght highlight the int yli sk ing d an Liv e e m th do in a key In the entrance s forms that change underfoot. Rigorou ests are greeted gu ere wh le sty marble geometries colonial-Khmer in e ng lou by intriguing ic ted -ch ro en hes complim Room, the ret uc co k pin s os y-fl nd ish ca and checked in on lav . co Dé t Ar pieces of tree, traditional magnificent banyan a th wi nd po a s for those who want The courtyard ha m the small hours – fro , ere wh rve s ing sw le The Dining Room se tables and fun doub the smiling staff in – t d Wa an t or ea gk m An ed at the steam to catch the dawn ties. Must-tries are ial ec sp n dia bo m Ca r. international and , galangal and ginge spices, coconut milk any fish amok dishes with ly appointed and m s are über-comfortab om the ro d w an vie ite rk Su Pa ol d Po The Park an Two-bedroom e th ile wh , ols po plunge t tropical gardens. of the suites have embraced by verdan are ite Su l tia en sid Pre ady areas, and spacious trees, columns and sh lm pa n ee tw be ers nd d the gym. After A free-form pool mea ad for the lap pool an he to nt wa ll wi nt be e at better way to chill anyone with a sportiv gkor’s antiquities, wh An in ic ing ht lig de y ow of traditional mus sundown, and a da rd for the evening sh tya to ur r co ba e nt th de in ca ing de d out than by relax black, sumptuous an iring to the red and and dance. Or by ret ’s beguiling cocktails. delight in the barman
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INFO HOTEL REAP PARK HYATT SIEM odia Siem Reap, Camb rk.hyatt.com
www.siemreap.pa
Rooms & Suites 91 nts 3 Villas 0 - Restaura a Sp e Th Spa Children yes Chain Hyatt Affiliation none Activities rsions sightseeing, excu 91 Score 83 Environment 88 n Desig 89 Service 85 e isin Cu 72 Health 86 Spa 87 s Room
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NEXT ROOM | HAINAN OCEAN FLOWER RESORT
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Marco Galli
t r o s e R r e w o l F n a e c O n a n i Ha erence a drip makes the diff
re, but no A resort of the futu
t something out of
al and tive but func tion va no In . on ti fic e scienc with t above all “built Bu . le b na ai st su decidedly . ergy, time and cost en l, ia er at m ss le less�:
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B NEXT ROOM | HAINAN OCEAN FLOWER RESORT
s, uild more with les of cts oje pr . The ionary Architecture) VA (Laboratory for Vis LA rch on how to of ea to res ot m ing e go th s on that’ are marked by 07 le 20 in ed nd fou or pact, m e compatib the design studio by promoting low-im es ly, ac sp ing n ris ba rp ur Su d s. an nt organise interior ction between reside promotes social intera eady being made. architecture which cts and some are alr oje pr ian op ut t no ns which have these are ntly tourist destinatio ine em e th of e on n is t. The island was The island of Haina Chinese governmen e th by ed ot om pr 90s the big names been selected and rmen, but from the 19 he fis d an ers m far by originally inhabited arrived. hotel business have al on d ati ern int e th in wer Resort, designe e Hainan Ocean Flo th ich no wh at o th int en n tio giv , That is the situa aside its 7-star rating launched. Leaving sure is that there for id sa be n ca by LAVA, has been at s, wh ation body yet exist plex, which is international certific urist resort. The com to ty ali qu pto a create ial island made is a definite desire to ing built on an artific be ly nt rre cu is , 20 20 a bridge. It will be expected to open in is linked to land by ich wh r ve clo af r-le autumn’, ‘spring field’ in the shape of a fou wonderland’, ‘amber er int ‘w : ress as are al on businesses and a cong subdivided by seas centre, apartments, g pin op sh a ve ha ll etc. The hotel wi otes centre alongside it. VA design studio prom alls a teardrop. The LA rec ing ild bu e th of The shape at onment. Areas fluid architecture th unding acquatic envir rro su e th th wi ity inu ship, creating creates a formal cont water have a relation low be are at th rs he ot and light and air to the that are above water stands out, providing ium atr ge lar a re, nt continuity. In the ce s. om ro us rio va ’s tel ho
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INFO STUDIO LAVA re ionary Architectu Laboratory for Vis er, iss all W s bia To , Chris Bosse Alexander Rieck www.l-a-v-a.net
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CANNES
S
The name Cannes immediately evokes the legend of the French Riviera and its mythical universe of the cinema. Cannes is, in fact, a reality characterised by numerous aspects: from the old city, the Suquet, to the port to the Boulevard de la Croisette, where we find the grand hotels such as the Carlton and marvelous beaches.
DESTINATION | CANNES
Fur t he r mo r e , L a C r o is e tt e is t he ld eal rend ez -v ous for g ue st s i n C an n e s : a f as c i nat ing set t ing whic h d oes not be t r a y t h e e x p e c t at io n s of t hose in searc h of sun and hi g h so c i et y .
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DESTINATION | CANNES
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Paolo Gerbaldo
InterContinental Carlton on the French Riviera
This elegant hotel has been updated with careful renovations. Walking through the Carlton’s celebrated public areas reveals a concentration of luxury, elegance and discretion.
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DESTINATION | CANNES
T
he InterContinental Carlton in Cannes is certainly one of the most precious parts of the fabric of the French Riviera, bursting with images, dreams and emotions. The Riviera is legendary, and entering the Carlton puts you at the centre of this timeless myth. The Carlton dream began just as the Belle Epoque was ending. It was 1913 when the architect Charles Dalmas made Henry Ruhl’s wishes come true. The majestic facade leads to a luminous interior. The décor is always elegant. Public spaces, hall, staircases, Grand Salon are all dazzling. This elegant hotel has recently been updated and renovated, but its inimitable charm has been preserved intact. The Cannes Carlton’s charm does not depend exclusively on the magic of the Belle Époque. In 1946, as the splendour of its time as an aristocratic retreat began to fade, a new chapter in its history was opened by the world of cinema. Film stars and the Carlton became inseperable, like overlapping images. Names of actors and directors. The names of unforgettable films, joined with dreams that only the French Riviera can produce. It is no accident that the prestigious suites are named after the stars who have stayed there, right up to the best one of all: the Grace Kelly Suite. The Carlton Restaurant offers traditional, authentic cuisine inspired by the flavours of the seasons. A stroll through the Carlton’s celebrated public areas reveals a concentration of luxury, elegance and discretion.
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testi Maria Coscarelli foto Roberto Sessoli
SAINT
The new splendour of San Petersburg. In recent years, the Tsars’ favourite summer destination has begun to relive some of its pre-revolutionary splendour, focussing on
PETERSBURG traditions that were never forgotten. The Baroque and the Rococo bring very evocative touches to Saint Petersburg.
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The Mitteleuropa atmosphere with Parisian influences which flourished under Tsarist protection has never left Saint Petersburg. Nowadays splendour and decadence go hand in hand with contemporary design. There is more past and more future than there is present in this, the “northern capital�.
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DESTINATION | SAINT PETERSBURG
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Maria Coscarelli
Belmond Grand Hotel Europe a window on Europe
Past and present come together in a delicate piece of alchemy, in the oldest five-star hotel of a city where history pervades every corner.
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P DESTINATION | SAINT PETERSBURG
etrograd, Leningrad, Saint Petersburg … whatever name the city has taken, its uniqueness has remained unchanged. Founded by Peter the Great, who laid the first stone of his vision of the future on 27th May 1703, the city turned out how he dreamed it would. A European metropolis for the world’s largest country. And guests of such a unique city must stay in a unique hotel: the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe. 140 years of history run through the corridors of the hotel, the first fivestar ever built in the country. Every corner here has a trace of history in it. The hotel is actually like the city itself: a window on Europe. We move from one suite to another. The Dostoyevsky Suite: precise and meticulous like the celebrated author. The Pavarotti Suite: with a magnificent piano that accompanied the trills of the great Luciano. The Rossi Suite: dedicated to the much-loved Italian architect. It was him that designed the beautiful facade for the opening of the hotel in 1875. Let us continue with our tour of the suites. We are now in the avant-garde. Stepping into the Kandinsky Suite is an emotional experience, with its dazzling colours and array of details, inviting guests to dream of informal art. The hotel has five restaurants. From the Caviar Bar&Restaurant, with a choice of 12 kinds of caviar accompanied by 40 vodkas chosen by the vodka sommelier, to the Europe Restaurant – with Tchaikovsky every Friday night. But the one that is truly unmissable is the Azia Restaurant, where a mix of Asian cooking can delight even the most demanding diners, and bears witness to the historic grandeur of Great Mother Russia. Peter the Great could not have been more satisfied.
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DESTINATION | SAINT PETERSBURG
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Maria Coscarelli
The Official State Hermitage Hotel sleeping amongst history A hotel i n si de the muse um . T h e Em pire styl e l i ves o n i n si d e t h e se noble wal l s, wh ere e v e r y d e t a i l ca rries the feel o f th e H e r m i t a g e .
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S DESTINATION | SAINT PETERSBURG
aint Petersburg, the Venice of the East, is ever fascinating with the refinement of its urban setting and the magnificence of its historic buildings. Nowadays the magic of imperial Russia is relived not just in its streets and buildings, but also in the collections of the Hermitage, one of the largest and most beautiful museums in the world. So it was almost inevitable that the hotel, which is housed within the museum complex, was voted “Best Hotel Interior, Russia 20142015” at the International Property Awards. It is also the only hotel that has a privileged relationship with the celebrated museum. The hotel opened the doors to its very refined rooms and suites in 2013. As well as benefitting from the high-quality service, staying there also means having preferential access to the Hermitage. The furnishing, the furniture, the architecture - the entire hotel recalls the celebrated museum. It is a corner of Saint Petersburg which is imbued with the history, art and culture of the world’s greatest country. The Hermitage Hotel is a special place. Staying there is like sleeping in history, because one is constantly surrounded by a fabled past which is reliving its best moments. Every detail of the rooms is carefully designed: the walls are furnished in traditional cotton and silk fabrics, and the latest technology is employed. The empire style furnishing comes from various producers, including a small-scale handcraft firm based in Tuscany.
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BOTSWA
A flag that is a symbol of integration: black and white, with blue for the water. And a service industry which is constantly developing, and constantly improving. These are key factors in the county’s development. The best-known park is most definitely the Okavango, located in the delta
NA
of the river of the same name.
DESTINATION | BOTSWANA
The most notable thing about the Okavango is that it doesn’t flow into the sea, or into any other river, but it empties into the sand in a huge lagoon in the Kalahari desert.
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DESTINATION | BOTSWANA
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Paola Di Girolamo
&Beyond Nxabega
Okavango Tented Camp between heaven and earth Nxabega, “the place of the giraffes�, is ideally located to explore the park. The nine tents offer luxury that is almost inconceivable in as wild a setting as this.
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n architec tural j ewel wra p p e d i n t h e b l u e o f t he sk y and t he water. I t looks o nto t h e m a gn ificent Ok avang o del t a, an intr ic ate maze o f la g oon s, c hannel s and isl ands: an e merald green o a s i s i n t h e h e ar t o f t he deser t. The ideal position of th e c a m p s i te a l l ows fo r cano e -b ased exp l o ration , movin g be t we e n t h e water-l il ies and g o ing alon gise ban ks cove re d wi t h r ushes, fer ns and p apyrus p lants. U n d e r a c a n o py o f eb o ny t rees, nine tents restin g on ra i s e d wood e n p l at fo r ms are ar rang ed aroun d th e guest are a , wi t h f loors in p o l ished teak , st raw roofs an d large wi n d ows t h at f rame t he su r ro unding co untr yside. Th e gu e s t s can enjoy b reakfast in bed, romantic din n e r s for t wo and rel axing mo ment s in th e swimmin g po ol, a n d a ls o safar is o n fo o t w it h p icnics in th e open an d e ve n i n g cockt ail s ser ved o n o ne o f t he r iver ’s many i s la n d s. I t d oe s n’t h ave a sp a, b ut yo u do n’t feel th e lack of it, l o s t i n s e n s i n g a l and t hat is so fascinat in gly different.
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CATANIA
The ancient capital of the Kingdom of Sicily has come down to us, between eruptions and earthquakes, with a remarkable, UNESCO-listed Baroque city centre.
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Fr om Rom an s t o O s t r o g o ths, Byz ant ines, Arabs and N o r ma n s r ig h t u p t o th e A ragonese. A ric h hist ory t hat fo r g ood or b ad h as s h ap e d t his land in Et na’ s shad ow.
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Alessandra Jovinelli
Monaci delle Terre Nere a return to nature An eco-o rgan i c rel ai s on t h e s lopes o f o n e o f Euro p e ’ s l a r ge st volca n o es. There i s a l uxur y of s ilence , and l uxuri ant v e g e t a t i on .
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restoration project which has kept the rural feel of the past, turning a nineteenthcentury noble farmhouse, with connected land and wine press, into a boutique hotel which is perfectly spread out across a 17-hectare estate. Great attention has been paid to organic sustainability: with solar panels, collection of rainwater and reduction of energy use through condensation heating and the use of LEDs. The suites and the annexes offer privacy, nestled in the silence of the estate. They stand out with their use of natural and recycled materials. Walls are made from volcanic stone, and plastered in lime, floors and ceilings in chestnut blend perfectly with the hypermodern furnishing, which is embellished with design-driven details. In line with the underlying philosophy, large woodburning fireplaces take the place of plasma televisions. Breakfast, locally sourced and strictly organic, is served in the cool shade of the plants, bathed in the sweet smell of orange blossom. Dinner and the restaurant also follow the concepts of the slow food movement. We let ourselves be advised by Salvo as to the best local wine to drink with a delicious mushroom risotto. The inviting smell of Etna porcini mushrooms reminds us that the true luxury here is actually nature itself.
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Lawrence Taylor
NetJets private jets that make a difference
NetJets is a leading private air transport company working in business travel which manages and operates the world’s largest private fleet.
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mongst their new planes is the Phenom 300 NetJets Signature Series™ . With room for 7 passengers, it has a customised cabin including a bar, an advanced onboard entertainment system, and a toilet in the rear. It has a range of 2,718km, or just over three and a half hours flying time. The reservations team speaks 12 different languages and is available round the clock. Just one call is all that is needed to plan a flight, choose catering options and reserve transfers and accomodation. A chauffeur picks us up at home and in 10 minutes we are on board. No queuing, delays or troublesome fellow travellers. A trip tailor-made for you. That is NetJets.
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