Travel Agent - January 21, 2008 - (Page 20) DESTINATIONS ABOVE: Milan’s Bulgari Hotel provides comfort and pampering after a day out in the fashion capital TOP: Villa d’Este on Lake Como has stunning rooms and a beautiful spa LEFT: Junior suite in the Fini hotel, Modena CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 011-39-031-348-835 for individuals, 011-39031-348-891 for groups. Eremo della Giubiliana, Sicily Why? We love Baroque Sicily, where the combination of intricate architecture and pale local stone glows in the southern sunlight. Eremo della Giubiliana, a restored 15th-century country house (www.eremodellagiubiliana.it), offers five-star service, including its own landing strip, private beach and custom-designed hospitality for traveling dogs. Located on a plateau, it has a view of the Mediterranean in the distance. We really enjoy seeing Sicily and the nearby small islands from the Eremo’s private plane. Contact: info@eremodellagiubiliana. it, telephone 011-39-093-266-9119, fax 011-39-093-266-9129. love going back. The Fini family opened their unparalleled Premiata Salumeria San Francesco food shop in 1912; almost a century later came the five-star Hotel Real Fini San Francesco (www.hotelrealfini.it), located in the same colonnaded palazzo. Between the two is the elegant Ristorante Fini, which dishes out freshly made tortellini and specialties of the EmiliaRomagna region, plus more than 500 wines. Contact: booking@hrf.it, telephone 011-39059-205-7511, fax 011-39-059-205-7590. rant has a tasty South Tyrol menu. Contact: info@hotelelephant.com, telephone 011-39-0472-832750, fax 011-39-0472-836579. Hotel Della Signoria, Florence Why? We found the little three-star Hotel Della Signoria (www.hoteldellasignoria.com) by accident 10 years ago, and we keep returning because the combination of location, comfort and price is unbeatable. It’s close to the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi and the Leather Market, not to mention Ferragamo’s flagship store—a great hotel for shopping and museum trips. There is a little terrace for breakfast, and the 27 rooms all have big baths. Once we stayed for three weeks alone and felt safe, sound and right at home. Contact: info@hoteldellasignoria.com, telephone 011-39-055-214-530, fax 011-39055-216-101. I Hotel Elephant, Bressanone Why? There is something delightful about Christmastime in Bressanone, in the Austrianinfluenced part of Italy, near the Brenner Pass. After shopping at the bustling Christmas market or partaking in winter sports, we come back to the Old World atmosphere of the four-star Elephant (www.hotelelephant.com) and settle in front of a roaring fire. In summer, we go hiking in the mountains or visit the vineyards for a taste of the wines of the Alto Adige. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the restau- Real Fini San Francesco, Modena Why? You can’t be a foodie and not adore Modena. We had a first taste of the city at a dinner hosted by native son Luciano Pavarotti and 20 | TravelAgent January 21, 2008 CONNECTING YOU Want an insider’s take on Rome? Visit www. travelagentcentral.com/rome http://www.hotelrealfini.it http://www.hoteldellasignoria.com http://www.eremodellagiubiliana.it http://www.hotelelephant.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/rome http://www.travelagentcentral.com/rome
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