Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008 - (Page 26)

MASSERIA SAN DOMENICO is a royal retreat in Savelletri di Fasano, near Brindisi (bedroom shown, left). CASTELLO DUCALE' s ENO Hotel (bottom) is an ideal pick for oenophiles; subterranean wine cellars beckon guests to explore. baros family for generations. Luxury travel advisors sending VIPs should contact Julie Palombaros (juliepalombaro@il-borgia.it; 39-333-943-3849) to plan a special stay. Tip: The family also owns a nearby country villa that' s perfect for overflow guests traveling with a big party. ENO Hotel (www.castelloducale.com), opened this season by the Castello Ducale wine family in their 15th-century castle, is the ideal place for a stopover on the drive between Rome or Naples and Puglia. (Tip: Many Italian-Americans are descended from families in this area; the hotel is well situated for trips to search for family roots.) Below ground are cavern-sized wine cellars to explore, as well as frescoed Paleo-Christian chapelsÐt hese are more fabulous than the rooms, which, though well done and very comfortable, fall a bit short of serious luxury. We say that the best double room to book is number 9, with a king-size bed and beautiful wooden ceiling, although we enjoyed breathtaking mountain views from room number 10. The public rooms and courtyard are beautiful, and a good on-site restaurant serves Castello Ducale wines. Ask General Manager Antonio Donato (info@castelloducale.com; 39-082-497-260), a descendant of the Aldi family, who has owned the castle for centuries, to plan a wine tasting in the cellar (let clients know there' s no elevator, only stairs). If your clients are headed for Puglia, suggest they take up residence at Masseria San Domenico (www.sandomenicohotels. com), in Savelletri di Fasano near Brindisi. Masseria is not a traditional castle, but a fortified grand palazzo gleaming white in the sun. Of the 48 rooms (12 are suites), we' d love to spend a week in Suite 405, which has two bedrooms and two full baths, a fireplace, dining room and terrace with sea views. We also liked the Masseria Suite (261), which has two bedrooms, a fireplace and a view of the Adriatic Sea and 1,500-year-old olive trees from its huge balcony. (Note: Some suites have two bathrooms, while others have only one.) An 18-hole golf course, as well as tennis courts, a private beach, a huge outdoor swimming pool and the SPA Thalassotherapy with an indoor saltwater pool provide laid-back relaxation. For special assistance, contact Front Office Manager Genny Mansi (gmansi@masseria sandomenico.com) or Sales and Marketing Manager Viola Melpignano (viola@masseri asandomenico.com). 24 LUXURY TRAVEL ADVISOR | May 2008

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Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008 Contents Publisher's Letter Editor's Letter Park City Riviera Maya Italian Castles Rotorua China Villa Retreats The Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt Rancho Bernardo Port Ghalib Dead Sea Spas Silversea The Professor The Pulse Jetset Report Sightings Source List

Luxury Travel Advisor - May 2008

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