Travelore News: Venice To Charge All Visitors To Access Historic Center

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The mayor of Venice says Italy’s new budget law will allow the lagoon city to charge all visitors for accessing the historic center, not just those spending the night.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro announced on Twitter late Sunday that the tax will be extended to include anyone arriving in the city to “allow us to manage the city better and to keep it clean,” and “allow Venetians to live with more decorum.” The city council will determine the tax amount and collection mode.

Some 25 million people visit Venice each year, with about one-fifth spending at least one night in the historic center. Overnight visitors are currently charged a small tax per night.

Brugnaro said the substantial cost of cleaning and maintaining security has so far been paid “only by Venetians.”

Venice Is Banning Kayaks, Canoes, And Other Boats From The Grand Canal

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ANDREA ROMANO 

AUGUST 03, 2018

Locals and tourists in Venice will have to look for some other means of getting around the city now that a new regulation will ban certain types of boats from the Grand Canal.

As of August 1, authorities are now prohibiting recreational boats such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and others from being used in the canal, The Local reported. People who live or own businesses in the historic district, however, are exempt from the complete ban and will still be able to use their boats during restricted times.

And don’t worry if you had your heart set on a gondola ride – traditional Venetian watercraft are still allowed.

Following the death of a German tourist in 2013, regulations on the Grand Canal have slowly become stricter, beginning with fewer ferries on the waterway, The Local reported in 2013.

The new measure is simply a further piling on of measures in the name of public safety. Up until August 1, recreational boats were only allowed on the canal at peak times during the day.

The ban affects not only the Grand Canal, but also Cannaregio Canal and other waterways. Less busy, smaller canals will only enforce the ban during certain times of the day, namely peak hours.

If you’re planning a trip to Venice any time soon, consider saving a few euro for the public transport.

Source: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/venice-bans-kayaks-canoes

Club Med Opens First Hotel In Sicily, Italy.

BY NAHRAIN JOHN

 @karryontravel2018

Warm, welcoming Mediterranean doors swung wide open this week to the region’s first luxury 5-Trident resort aka a Club Med Resort on Italy’s largest island, Sicily.

Club Med expanded its ‘Exclusive Collection’ with the opening of Club Med Cefalu, a coastal property situated within a natural reserve of rugged cliffs.

Legit. The property is so isolated in its cliff-side location that you can barely see it in the image below.

Can you see it? No?

How about now…

Thanks to that peaceful, uninterrupted positioning, the resort comes with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains as well as the crystal-clear Tyrrhenian Sea.

As part of the all-inclusive escape, Club Med Cefalu’s guests can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as electric surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, scuba diving and a dip in Sicily’s first natural swimming pool in the resort’s Zen Zone. There’s also shore-side sports including volleyball and tennis AND the world-class Parisian Carita spa.

Traditional Sicilian cuisine along with international wines and live music can be tasted in each of the property’s three restaurants overlooking Cefalu Bay.

Club Med Pacific’s Marketing Manager, Marine Blanchetier, described the property as the “ultimate opportunity to unwind, reconnect and embrace the Sicilian art de vivre”.

Click here for more information.

Colosseum From Above: Upper Floors Open To Visitors After More Than 40 Years

After more than 40 years, the 4th and 5th floors of the Colosseum have re-opened to the public.

One of the most popular ancient buildings in the world, visited by more than 6.4 million people in 2016 alone, has inaugurated two new levels that promise a view like no other.

Curio Collection By Hilton Opens First Hotel In The Eternal City, Aleph Rome Hotel.

Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company’s (ARTIC’s) Newly Renovated Aleph Rome Hotel Reopens as Part of Hilton’s Collection of Distinctive, One-of-a-Kind Properties

 

ROME  – Following an extensive restoration,  Aleph Rome Hotel – an elegant property in the heart of Rome – has reopened as part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of upper upscale, independent hotels and resorts.

Acquired by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company “ARTIC” in early 2015, Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, is now an 88-room hotel based just a short stroll from the legendary Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese and many other key attractions. The 1930s-built property is the first in Rome and the second in Italy for the rapidly growing Curio Collection by Hilton of locally authentic hotels.

Sheikh Mohammad Bin Faisal Al Thani, Vice Chairman of ARTIC, owner of Aleph Rome Hotel, commented: “We are excited to announce that Aleph Rome Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, is now open. We are very proud of this property which has undergone substantial renovation and restoration work to transform it into one of Rome’s most distinctive and iconic hotels. This project reflects ARTIC’s strategy to add value to its portfolio properties, enhancing their growth and development and increasing the returns on our investments. We are confident that Aleph Rome Hotel will be another long term successful investment and another step in strengthening our position as a growing international hotel investment group.”

“We’re proud to bring Curio Collection to Rome, a city full of classic treasures,” said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton. “Aleph Rome Hotel – with its historic yet modern charm and prime location – epitomizes our commitment to allowing guests to discover and experience distinctive hand-picked properties, each with its own character and story to explore.”

Mr. Tarek M. El Sayed, Managing Director and CEO of Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company “ARTIC” also commented:

“This project reflects ARTIC’s commitment to maintaining a strong investment presence in the world’s leading hospitality markets. The renovation of the Hotel adds significant value to its existing attributes, its central location and beautiful architecture.  As part of the Curio Collection, our partnership with Hilton will now ensure it operates to the highest standards, further enhancing its value and demonstrating the continuing momentum of ARTIC’s growth as a global hotel investment company.”

Roman Charm, Contemporary Features

The property-wide renovation of Aleph Rome Hotel focused on blending its Roman charm with contemporary features, while preserving its spirit, grandeur and historical treasures, including authentic Cipollino marble. Guests will enjoy a distinctly remarkable experience, taking advantage of a wide range of uniquely re-designed guest rooms and suites, restaurants and bars, along with a rooftop pool overlooking the city of Rome. The hotel is conveniently located near the Barberini metro station, between Via Veneto and Piazza Barberini.

Hotel Highlights

Comfort with Style

·         Spacious Guest Rooms: The hotel offers 88 guest rooms, including 14 suites and a junior suite, each featuring modern Italian furniture, high ceilings and marble floors. Guests may also enjoy contemporary comforts, such as an interactive TV, Nespresso® machine and walk-in shower.

·         Rooftop Swimming: Guests can enjoy the rooftop swimming pool, overlooking the city of Rome. The hotel also offers a wellness spa, fitness center and indoor pool.

·         Exquisite Meeting Space: The hotel has a meeting room adorned with marble flooring. With a 100-guest capacity, it is well-suited for both business meetings and events. A private suite on the fifth floor can accommodate up to eight guests in a more intimate setting.  

Delectable Dining Options

·         Dinner with a View: Sky Blu Restaurant is the hotel’s rooftop dining option, serving a creative reinterpretation of Italian cuisine featuring local ingredients. It offers fantastic views of Rome from its private outdoor terrace.

·         Bountiful Buffet: Restaurant 1930 serves creative local dishes, including a sumptuous lunch buffet.

·         After Hours: The late-night cocktail bar, Onyx Bar, offers fantastic dining and drink options – such as the signature Aleph cocktail.

·         Cognac Lounge: Guests are invited to make their choice from the sizable collection of cigars and spirits in the hotel’s own Cognac Lounge. 

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development EMEA, Hilton said: “Italy remains one of the most attractive destinations in the world for tourists, yet less than 5 percent of its hotel stock operates under an international brand. Curio Collection by Hilton offers owners the chance to become part of Hilton and enjoy the benefits of our global network, while maintaining the unique identities of their individual properties.  With two Curio Collection hotels now open in Italy we look forward to sharing the benefits of this approach with the market and laying the foundations for further growth.”

To receive instant access to the benefits they care about most – including exclusive discounts, free Wi-Fi and Honors Points towards free nights – guests are encouraged to join Hilton Honors and book directly through preferred Hilton channels.

Italy On A Budget: Live La Dolce Vita At Affordable Restaurants, Hotels And Spas

Benedictine by the beach … medieval monks decided San Fruttuoso was the spot for their abbey and monastery. Photograph: Alamy

Italy is a nation that loves a bargain, so follow the locals’ example and explore great-value food options, low-cost hotels and cheap – or free – beaches and spas

Italians really know how to stretch their euros on holiday. They may have a reputation for living the dolce vita, but they really, really don’t like spending too much money – parsimonioso in Italian is taken as more of a compliment than an insult. Italians have a nose for a bargain and are great at finding things to do, and beautiful spots to visit, for free. Follow their lead.

Food and drink

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 Bottega di Pasticceria, Florence. Photograph: Serena Rinaldi

Head out to dinner and it quickly becomes apparent that many of the tables in nearby restaurants are occupied by other foreigners, rather than locals. This isn’t just because locals know where the cheaper trattorias are – more likely, they are simply not eating dinner at all. Aperitivo hour is the reason for that: it’s an almost religious ritual of meeting friends for a drink and free, copious snacks, after work. The early evening event not only includes classic drinks, such as Aperol spritz, or a stiff negroni, but all-you-can-eat snacks, like delicious cheese, olives, mini pizzas and regional meats. At Florence’s new Bottega di Pasticceria, for example, the first drink comes with thinly cut prosciutto and bruschetta, among other cocktail snacks, all for just €10 (subsequent drinks cost €5). Or at Rome’s Salotto 42, artisanal cocktails – from €10 – such as moscow mules (strangely, the Italian cocktail of the moment), are served with little gourmet sandwiches.

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 A snack at Salotto42, Rome

When in Italy, do as the Italians do: only have one big meal a day, but take full advantage of the all-you-can-eat breakfast (usually included in hotel prices) to fuel up. If you need lunch, it can consist of panini or small plates, saving money for dinner. Cichetti are the Venetian equivalent of tapas: for lunch, locals nibble croquettes filled with baccalà (dried salt cod) and sip glasses of soave at spots such as the wonderful Vini al Bottegon (Fondamenta Nani 992), which has an excellent and well-priced wine list, too.

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 Panini being prepared at ’Ino, Florence. Photograph: Monica Silva

In Florence, panini have made a comeback at spots like ’Ino near the Uffizi gallery and Ponte Vecchio, where the word “sandwich” doesn’t do justice to the delicious, fresh bread filled with local meats, cheese and other seasonal ingredients.

Italian picnics are usually bacchanalian affairs: prosecco, salami, mozzarella, fresh bread and biscotti, melons, figs and tomatoes, say, all easily picked up at alimentari (food shops and bakeries) in every town.

Accommodation

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 Il Baciarino, Tuscany. Photograph: Photo: Julia Spiess

For most Anglo-Saxons, the idea of haggling over a hotel room price would seem downright rude. Not so for holidaying Italians, who make a sport of it. Try asking for a discount, or some extras to be included, as a way to make those holiday euros go further.

Another Italian trick is to ask hotels or guesthouses whether they have a better-priced apartment option. Gianni Franzi (doubles from €90 B&B) in the Cinque Terre honeypot village of Vernazza, for example, has, in addition to the main hotel, room rentals in other buildings, some with beautiful terraces and idyllic sea views.

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 Agriturismo Bagnolo, Pienza, Tuscany

As appealing as a chic hotel or villa might be, Italians tend to favour more homely spots, such as an agriturismo – one of the thousands of working farms across the country with rooms or apartments at a fraction of hotel prices. This type of stay gives a real insight into the lives of the local people who farm the land. At Agriturismo Bagnolo (doubles from €80 B&B), outside Pienza in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, the spectacular views of the Unesco-protected countryside, home-produced pecorino cheese and sense of seclusion come for about a quarter of the price of a boutique bolthole.

And while the term “glamping” may not be common parlance yet, the Italians are already doing it in serious style. Among boho-chic spots is Il Baciarino (doubles from €70) by the Tuscan coast, where four stone cottages (soon to be five) sit in the hills with jaw-dropping sea views, and jacuzzis heated by wood fires.

Beaches and spa towns

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 Bagno Vignoni, a village with natural thermal springs south of Siena. Photograph: Alamy

Images abound of endless rows of beach chairs and umbrellas but renting one of these set-ups can cost upwards of €20 a day, even €100-plus in high season in very popular spots. Many Italians prefer to head to one of the rugged, free – or discounted – and often beautiful beaches. The Maremma national park, for example, is a huge swath of protected land with hiking trails, wildlife and wide beaches with pristine sea. Park entry costs from €6 an adult, €4 a child.

Free beaches such as San Fruttuoso are preferred by Italians for the great family-run restaurants that line them (serving meals such as trofie pasta with pesto, then a fish fritto misto). San Fruttuoso also has a beautiful 10th-century abbey on the seashore.

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 A beach on La Maddalena, Sardinia. Photograph: Alamy

In Sardinia, locals and Italian visitors avoid overpriced beaches near Porto Cervofor the white sands and turquoise sea of national parks like La Maddalena archipelago, a spectacular protected area of seven main islands and 55 tiny islets.

Italians also know how to take the waters of the country’s many natural thermal baths without shelling out for an overpriced spa. Head to small towns such as Bagni San Filippo, Bagno Vignoni and Rapolano Terme and, instead of paying an entrance fee at one of the crowded spa hotels, head to the free baths a short walk away. Ask for directions and enjoy the warm, restorative pools with a good, well-priced bottle of vino.

By Ondine Cohane