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Archive for ‘Hotels Italy’ Category

Mar
09

Easter Egg Hiding Spots: Our best Family Hotels

by Gesa Noormann March 9, 2010, 2:11 pm

In this year especially, we are longing for Easter, the celebration of which marks in our latitudes the beginning of spring. When the first snowdrops and crocuses sprout, we yearn to go outside. Celebrating the Easter holidays with the family means hiding eggs in the garden, having an abundant brunch and enjoying the first sunrays together. Who wants to get pampered and is looking for an extraordinary environment for chasing chocolate eggs should book one of our top-five family hotels for the Easter holidays. Here, you can be fairly certain that it will be warm and you can recharge your batteries with the whole family.

Possessio Binicomprat Possessio Binicomprat

1) Castello della Castelluccia, Rome, Italy: In the old castle, you will enjoy the historic masonry and the elegantly furnished rooms, while your children are frolicking around in the garden. Looking for Easter eggs, they will explore the vast park. You are in the middle of nature, yet Rome is in only 20 minutes driving distance. Thus, you can even witness the “urbi et orbi” blessing of the German pope.

2) Hotel Possessió Binicomprat, Algaida, Majorca: For dinner, the guests are allowed to help themselves at will from the organic garden of the vineyard; and the spacious and very tasteful apartments offer enough room for families. Breakfast is simply fantastic, and you can eat it wherever you want: it is beautiful everywhere, and there are plenty of hiding places for Easter eggs.

3) Château d’Isenbourg, Alsace, France: The family-friendly castle is only a stone throw from the German border. The ca. 10-acres park offers nearly unlimited room (you can even bring your dog) and invites you to long Easter walks. Afterwards, wine and gourmet cuisine beckon.

4) Hotel Albergo Villa Marta, Tuscany, Italy: That charming country house in the Tuscany is situated near Lucca. A familial and personal atmosphere characterizes the beautiful hotel, which is surrounded by a great garden and the typical Tuscan hills. After hiding Easter eggs outside, you can go for a walk with the whole family on the historic town walls of Lucca.

5) Kloster Marienhöhe Hideaway & Spa, Hunsrueck, Germany: The recently re-opened hotel is the perfect place for people who want to unwind and take a break from the daily routine. The forest grounds offer absolute peace and quiet and much room for frolicking around and chasing Easter eggs with the children. In the vast spa, the entire family will have much fun.

Chateau Isenbourg Chateau Isenbourg


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Feb
24

Special easter offers: Paradores in Spain and Italy hotels

by Holly Maguire February 24, 2010, 11:01 am

Across Germany, the thick and now dirty snow which refuses to melt has made green grass and colourful trees all but a distant dream. This deep freeze winter has made the holiday-hungry even more desperate and without a sign of spring on its way, having an Easter escape booked up might just see March through. Whether a sexy city break, romantic rural retreat or lounging on the beach tickles your fancy, here are some ideas and great special offers for Easter and the month of April.

If you fancy a countryside getaway in any of Spain’s charming villages, Escapio has exclusive offers (up to 60% discount) on many of the traditional “Paradores” across the country, which are housed in rustic, romantic old monasteries and churches and historic buildings (make your own way there in a rental car).

Relais VignaleParador de León

Anyone craving mamma mia pizza, a good glass of Chianti and a chuckle at the passionate temperament of the south wont shy away from these tempting spring offers for our Italy hotels – all in relaxing locations within easy distance of stunning cities.

Hotel RaitoRelais Hotel Ca Maffio

Relais Hotel Ca’ Maffio in Treviso, northern Italy is offering a 5% discount when staying for more than 3 nights in the Calycanthus or Wisteria rooms Enjoy this tiny romantic hotel, close enough to Venice for a day trip. For a warm April beach break south of Naples, Hotel Raito in Vietri sul Mare is offering a 15% discount. Not too far from Perugia. Relais Vignale too offer 10% off when booking for more than 3 nights.


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Jan
21

Discover the Eternal City: Small Hotels Rome

by Sonja Franke January 21, 2010, 12:07 pm

Rome does not carry the title “Eternal City” in vain – it has always been something like the hub of the world and already for thousands of years attracts visitors from around the world. Something very special in Rome is the fact that the Italian capital hosts in its interior an independent state, the Vatican – definitely a must see. One thing is for sure: You’ll love the St. Peter’s Basilica – a magnificent monument and the church with the largest dome ever.

But Rome is not only known for its many churches, there are also the many relics of antiquity. The Colosseum, for example, once the site of gladiator fights, today it’s known for concerts and various events. The Forum Romanum or the old aqueducts are just two more examples of living antiquity.

A day in Rome, full of breathtaking impressions, can be also exhausting, and then you are looking forward to a charming hotel, in which you can retreat later. Small Hotels Rome are ideally suited for that. Only this little hotels are able to capture the atmosphere and the unique flair of Rome.

A hint for a beautiful hotel is the Bellesuite Rome:  With only 10 rooms this cozy small Rome hotel attracts its guests with a romantic breakfast terrace and its own tour guides. Moreover, one can recommend the hotel Suitesistina – also a gorgeous and small hotel (4 rooms), which is as well close to many historical sights – here you’ll be within walking distance of the the Spanish Steps.

How convenient – Like Paris Rome is called also a city of love. As a couple, one should stroll over the Spanish Steps. This brings good fortune, they say …

Bellesuite Rome Suitesistina


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Jan
07

Honeymoon Hotels & Valentine’s Day: Say “I do!”

by Justyna Piepiorka January 7, 2010, 1:54 pm

New game – new luck! For those of you who have particularly romantic New Year’s resolutions we’ve got the most beautiful places to fulfill your plans. Whether you want to get down on one knee to pop the question or have already set a date to marry your loved one, with us you’ll find the perfect hotels to propose on Valentine’s Day, breathtaking spots for a wedding and wonderful honeymoon hotels.

  1. Clos Medicis Hotel, Paris, France: During the winter months, there is always the charming lobby with its cozy fireplace where you can sit back and relax. Especially romantic is the small blooming garden perfect for a breakfast in the morning sun on warmer days. The icing on the cake for your proposal plans is the Valentine’s Day Package with a bottle of champagne and a “Love Box” surprise the hotel offersbetween the 13th and 15th February.
  2. Boutique Hotel Heidelberg Suites, Heidelberg, Germany: Whether a honeymoon or a romantic short trip – for those of you who are in love until the 31st May the hotel offers a very romantic package for two including: 2 nights in the spacious penthouse suite with private Jacuzzi, cozy champagne breakfast in the room, a 4-course dinner and a romantic trip with your personal tour guide – bundled up in warm blankets.               Clos Medicis Hotel Heidelberg Suites Boutique Hotel
  3. Royal Hotel Sanremo, Sanremo, Italy: Among the amenities of the luxury hotel, you will find a sensually designed spa with a steam bath, pool and exclusive treatments. Win hearts with the “Non stop Valentine’s day” package including: 2-night-stay with upgrade to sea view junior suite, buffet breakfast with biological corner, a dinner, one couple massage and free use of the exclusive Royal Wellness with hammam.
  4. Villa Mangiacane, Florence, Italy: A romantic hotel in Tuscany, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, vineyards and olive groves – and 5 star luxury to complete the experience. The hotel is located only 12 kilometers from Florence, centered in a large estate. The wonderful premises are the perfect place for a wedding, and the staff will gladly assist you in making this very special day perfect. Of course, you can also spend your honeymoon here.                                                                                   Royal Hotel Sanremo Villa Mangiacane
  5. Schlosshotel Kronberg, Kronberg, Germany: This historic hotel that was once a residence of Empress Victoria still retains many of her ideas and reflects her tastes. If you love a fine historic ambience, you will be hard pressed to find a better place to be. Enjoy your honeymoon or simply Valentine’s Day with the “Honeymooning in Hotel Schlossberg” package which will melt your heart away… (bookable until the 28th February).                                                                                                                                                                         Schlosshotel Kronberg Schlosshotel Kronberg

Did we inspire you? Here you’ll find more romantic hotels


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Jan
05

Staying at an art hotel, sleeping in unique hotel rooms

by Justyna Piepiorka January 5, 2010, 1:41 pm

White snow outside the window and temperatures around the freezing point make us dream of a warm, cosy bed… isn’t this the perfect time to relax and read a good book? And why not combine pleasure with even more pleasure? Each of the following ten hotels is a work of art in itself, so charming and unique that you will not want to leave your hotel room…

  1. ART HOTEL Atelier sul Mare, Tusa, Sicily: The hotel offers memorable experiences since its main feature is the presence of many important contemporary artworks of well known artists inside and outside the hotel. In fact 20 out of 40 rooms were realized by important internationally recognized artists like e.g. Danielle Mitterand, Agnese Purgatorio or Antonio Presti.
  2. Arte Luise Kunsthotel, Berlin, Germany: This city hotel calls itself a “gallery in which to stay overnight” and thus briefly sums up its unique concept. The idea: Every room in the Arte Luise Kunsthotel in Berlin has been designed by a well known artist according to his/her ideas. No room is like an other in any way—some make you laugh, some make you think, and others are just plain pretty.                                                 Atelier Sul Mare Arte Luise Kunsthotel
  3. ART Fabrik Hotel, Wuppertal, Germany: This historic hotel makes room for art and vacation in North Rhine Westphalia. The idea: A variety of artists are given a studio for free at the ART Fabrik Hotel. In return they let the guests of the hotel observe them as they work. All of the public rooms in the family hotel have been designed by artists. More than 50 artists have had a hand in the decor of the art and design restaurants, the Persian hammams, the gallery and the studios with the artists café.
  4. art’otel berlin city center west by park plaza, Berlin, Germany: The art’otel berlin city centre west by Park Plaza combines travel, art, photography and design to create a unique ambience. Dedicated to Andy Warhol, the hotel features a Warhol exhibition comprising of 221 items and photographs by Christopher Makos. Visit the art’otel’s Factory restaurant, where your can enjoy delicious modern cuisine amid a welcoming atmosphere.                                                            Art Fabrik Hotel art`otel berlin city center west
  5. Hotel Fox, Copenhagen, Denmark: This completely crazy design hotel in the center of Copenhagen features 61 uniquely furnished rooms. International artists from areas such as graphic design, street art, and illustrations have designed the Hotel Fox, making it the unchallenged leader of lifestyle hotels in Copenhagen. The interior design ranges from crazily funny to clear and straightforward to full of details in the themed rooms to totally eccentric design ideas.
  6. B&B Antica Dimora Residenza D’Arte, Torrita di Siena, Tuscany, Italy: Those who are looking for something a bit more exciting than a conventional countryside vacation in Italy will love this hotel. Looked upon from outside, the country house hotel is a splendid romantic manor house, while inside it’s the touches of modern art that dominate the ambiance. The ancient rooms are equipped with many original objects of art by the well-known Italian modern artist Anna Izzo, who also happens to be the mother of the hotel’s owner. She has created a mayor part of the furniture and interior design throughout the place.                                             Hotel Fox Antica Dimora Residenza d
  7. art’ otel budapest, by Park Plaza, Budapest, Hungary: This hotel in Budapest was decorated with the help of American creator of modern art Donald Sultan. His design ideas and art pieces give the lifestyle hotel a unique character. The second highlight of the art’ otel Budapest is the fantastic view out over the Danube to the banks on the Pest side of the city with the parliament building, and the famous Chain Bridge.
  8. art’otel dresden, by Park Plaza, Dresden, Germany: As all the design hotels in the art’otel group, this city hotel in Dresden is also centered on modern art. That goes for many aspects of this hotel: For one, the art’otel dresden has been designed by modern artists and designers from the lobby to the roof. Also, this hotel offers the possibility to hold events of all kinds in the attached art gallery.                    art`otel budapest art`otel dresden
  9. Villa Warhol, Marrakech, Morocco: Considering its name, the interior of the Villa Warhol comes as no surprise. This villa is a romantic hotel in the Palmeraie quarter of Marrakech that combines Moroccan lifestyle with pop art. What a great idea, what a way of carrying it out, what a magical result: bright colors are central to Oriental interior design. This small city hotel has fused two worlds with much in common. The rooms with their brilliant colors and a mix of classic and modern art, such as Andy Warhol reprints on the walls, offer an incredibly pretty atmosphere.
  10. Classical BabyGrand Hotel, Athens, Greece: 10 international artists from the areas of urban art and graffiti art have created a unique design hotel with New York charm in the midst of Athens. It has 79 rooms and suites, each of which is absolutely exceptional and highly individual in its style. The 55 Graffiti rooms are each a walk-in piece of art in itself. Depending on the room, you can spend the night in Smurf Village, in the midst of a roaring waterfall, or join Spiderman in climbing up the walls of this original city hotel. This is truly the perfect luxury hotel in Athens for anyone wanting their world in a bit more color.                                                                                                        Villa Warhol Classical BabyGrand Hotel

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Nov
25

Short Sardinia travel guide

by Sonja Franke November 25, 2009, 11:44 am

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and even though it officially belongs to Italy, the people there have retained their very own culture. This already starts with the fact that this island with approximately 1.65 million inhabitants constitutes an autonomous region within Italy – and the language in Sardinia is not to be confused with Italian.

That’s the theory, but in practice of course Italian is spoken, as well as English because after all, Sardinia is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. A trip to the approximately 180 kilometers away from the Italian mainland located isle is actually worthwhile during the entire year, but spring as well as early autumn is considered the best time for visits. In spring, the days after Easter should be chosen, for then you’ll experience the island in its heyday in the true sense of the word. In addition, the beaches are not as crowded as in midsummer and you still can find rather quiet and pleasant spots.

But in autumn you will. Pleasant temperatures still allow you to swim in the Mediterranean Sea while the huge waves of Italian tourists have already returned home.

The individual regions should also be mentioned. The “Classic” in Sardinia is certainly the “Costa Smeralda”. It is an approximately 55 kilometer stretch of beach in the north of the island, where a total of 80 idyllic bays are inviting you to linger. Many of the bays are only accessible by boat, and especially the La Maddalena Archipelago is worth a visit. Incidentally, the coast obtained its name “Costa Smeralda” because of the emerald water.

Another recommended area is Sassari with its capital Alghero. The region lies on the west coast. Because of its proximity to the Balearic Islands and the coast of Spain, Alghero was already named “Little Barcelona”. The special feature of the region is the interaction between culture and recreation, in addition to plenty of beaches the historic city invites you to explore and stroll.

Experience this beautiful island and be guaranteed a relaxing stay in one of Escapio’s Sardinia hotels.

Jaspe Hotel Manor and LivingHotel Nuraghe Arvu Resort


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Sep
14

Hotels Piedmont: Truffles, Barolo and other specialities

by Sonja Franke September 14, 2009, 10:59 am

Everyone knows that the Italian cuisine has a long tradition which understands to combine the simplicity and naturalness of the ingredients with the knowledge of preparation and processing. The great diversity, fine fragrances, the authentic texture and lively colours make the Italian vegetables and fruits so popular and also well known beyond its borders. Thanks to the cultural and geographical diversity the “piatti tipici“ varies from region to region.

To start the culinary journey we choose Piedmont, the home of Alba truffles and Barolo wine, and last but not least origin of the Slow Food movement. The “king of Mushrooms” is named after the small town of Alba, in southern Piedmont. In fall, from October to December, special trained dogs search for the treasures at night about half meter deep in the earth. The “Tuber magnatum Pico” how the mushroom is called from experts, is a secret ingredient of many Piedmontese dishes and refines them in a distinctive way. A true delicacy, but simple to prepare is fresh tagliatelle with finely sliced truffles and a glass of delicious Barolo. The intense, slightly garlic-like smell refines typical regional specialities such as fondue, raw meat Albeser style and risotto variations. Do you feel like having truffles now? Under Escapio Piedmont hotels you can expect a number of select hotels in the region. A useful tip for romantic lovers: only 20 minutes away from Alba, the romantic castle hotel Albergo dell’ Agenzia, Pollenzo is situated in a romantic 3-hectare park.
Albergo dell Agenzia, PollenzoAlba truffels


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Aug
11

Top 5 reasons to go to Sardinia

by Sonja Franke August 11, 2009, 11:08 am

Italy will no longer just be just Italy to anyone who has visited Sardinia!

The first reason to vacation on this lovely island is the romantic accommodations available to you in the Tartheshotel that includes a professional spa to allow you to recharge your battery in a beautiful setting. What more can you ask for?
The second reason to visit Sardinia is the island feel of your vacation. Did you know that Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea? Here you’re not only dreaming of azure waters and white sand – it’s living it.
The third reason to choose this beautiful island follows suit to reason number two because of all of the beaches that are available to you for exploring, tanning, and relaxing. Truly stunning! Discover for example the beaches of the Costa Rei…

The fourth reason to vacation at this fantastic place is because of all of the outdoor activities available to you. Are you adventurous? Do you love hiking, fishing, sailing, and swimming? Then Sardinia is the place to be on your vacation!
The fifth and surely not the final reason to visit Sardinia is to see the natural wildlife available to you. On your stay, you will be able to see flamingos, seals, and even wild horses. This is so much better than being in a zoo, and it will give you a natural and memorable sightseeing experience that you will not forget!

Beautiful beaches on SardiniaTartheshotel


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