Luxury Travel Advisor - January 2008 - (Page 17) ADVISOR INSIGHT: Barbara Katz, a travel specialist at American Express Travel in Boston, says, “Venice is one of my favorite cities and is a ‘must see’ when visiting Italy for the first time. Even if you have been to Italy before, there are so many towns surrounding Venice proper that you can easily fill your days. Verona, famous from Romeo & Juliet, is just an hour away by train. “ “Venice is very romantic, especially stopping for a glass of wine or a cappuccino. At Café Florian, the oldest in Venice, an orchestra plays while you sip! “The public water shuttle (Vaporetto) is the best way to get around. You can go to the islands of Murano or Burano in less than an hour. Couples will thoroughly enjoy the stroll through the cute villages. “In the summer, I usually recommend staying at Venice Lido (the beach area). The crowds are sparse and there is always a shuttle to Venice Island. I like to suggest this for honeymooners because it’s the best of both worlds—the city and the sea. For a romantic meal, the Terrace at the Danieli Hotel offers fine dining and spectacular views. Fiaschetta Toscano is a more casual restaurant. Ask to sit downstairs or in the courtyard if the weather is nice. If you get to the island of Burano, don’t miss the Black Cat Restaurant. “I love to stay at either the Hotel Bauer or the Luna Baglioni, two great five-star hotels. “Venice is so fascinating that just walking around on your own might not be enough. Consider a private walking tour with a guide who can give you a glimpse into the city’s rich history. The Doges Palace, St. Mark’s Square and the Guggenheim Museum are three places not to miss.” 17 Venice’s Giudecca island is a haven for travelers who love having front row seats for a Canaletto view of Saint Mark’s Square, slightly removed from the tourist hubbub. In the 18th century, Giudecca was the hideaway of Venice’s nobility (and a few exiled ones, such as Michelangelo), who sought fresh air and open space only a few minutes by gondola from the center of the city. In those days, they drank in the country air, along with the vin salso, salty wine made from grapes grown near the sea. Today, Giudecca is home to artists’ studios, quirky shops and restaurants and three five-star hotels. The Cipriani Hotel & Palazzi (www.hotelcipriani. com), which spreads across Giudecca’s eastern point, has reigned supreme since the late 1950s, when it was built by the owner of Harry’s Bar. We love the secluded little palaces tucked away in the Cipriani’s lush Casanova gardens, where the famous lover had his romantic trysts. Note: Beloved longtime Managing Director Natale Rusconi, who has hosted celebrity guests such as Jack Nicholson, Johnny Depp and Al Pacino, retired on December 31. The hotel’s Palazzo Vendramin, a restored 15th-century palace, has three double rooms with whirlpool baths, six suites and two Junior Suites, all with butler service. Suite 76 faces St. Mark’s Basin with a postcard view of Venice—the two-windowed bedroom adds to the romance. The hand-painted walls are Fortuny patterned (the company’s fabric factory is just down the way) and the marble bath has a tub and separate water closet. There is a kitchen for personal use or butler service. Junior Suite 61 is a bit smaller, but so inviting, with basin and garden views. The Palazzetto, with décor by Gerard Gallet of Paris, has five suites, all with a to-die-for view of the spire of St. Mark’s Square across the water. We especially loved Suite 88, done in creamy yellows and stencils, with exposed beams in the ceiling. It has a separate tub and shower, cushy furniture and a small kitchen with butler service. Of course, there is boat service to St. Mark’s Square 24/7 and deluxe motorboat service for private sightseeing and shopping. The hotel, like many in Venice, is closed November through March, though it is still possible to make reservations during that time (39015-207-744). For special assistance, ask for Manuela Rampado (rampadom@hotelcipriani.com or manuela.rampado@hotelcipriani. it; 39-041-520-7744), general assistant manager and sales director, or Sales Executive Linda Bertoni (sales@hotelcipriani.it). Further west along the waterfront is the Bauer Palladio Hotel & Spa (www.bauerhotels.com), opened after six years of restoration by Francesca Bortolotto Possati’s Bauer hotel group. The Palladio’s public areas are spare and elegant, reflecting the style of its designer, world-renowned architect Andrea Palladio. Its 37 rooms and 13 suites are retreats from the clamor of the city but are as close to the action as the next hotel boat. For the serious escape artist, try Junior Suite 128, which overlooks the garden. Suite 116 consists of two floors of dusty rose and taupe, with a big marble bath, separate living room and THE BAUER PALLADIO HOTEL & SPA lies right at the edge of one of Venice’s canals (left). The recently opened, 50-room hotel occupies what once was a convent, left abandoned for more than 100 years. January 2008 | LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR http://www.hotelcipriani.com http://www.hotelcipriani.com http://www.bauerhotels.com
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