Posts tagged with "Lake Como"

Rolls-Royce Coachbuild

According to Robb Report, Beyoncé and Jay-Z may be the proud owners of one of these vehicles.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is honored to present the next chapter of its Boat Tail coachbuilt commission—one of just three that have been, and ever will be, made.

The essence of Rolls-Royce Coachbuild is that each commission tells a story entirely unique and personal to its owner, reflecting their own history, tastes and sensibilities. With this in mind, Boat Tail, revealed at Concorso d’Eleganza, Villa d’Este 2022, on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, is a masterwork of restraint, sophistication, elegance and attention to detail.

Boat Tail is entirely hand-built, with the body panels fashioned from vast, single sheets of aluminum to create the distinctive outline inspired by the racing yachts of the early 20^th century. In every respect, this remarkable motor car is entirely unique.

This Boat Tail design was commissioned by a patron whose family business has grown from his father’s origins in the pearling industry. Widely traveled, internationally educated and cosmopolitan in his tastes and influences, the client is an established patron of the arts, who additionally owns a sizable collection of classic and modern cars, housed in a dedicated private museum.

The foundation of the color is a shimmering blend of oyster and soft rose, with large white and bronze mica flakes adding a unique pearlescent quality that changes subtly under different light conditions. The contrasting cognac-colored bonnet, created specifically for this Boat Tail, contains fine bronze and gold colored aluminum mica flakes complete with a layer of crystal and iced matte clear coat, adding significant warmth and depth to the car’s appearance. The technical fiber lower sills of Boat Tail incorporate a rose gold woven thread.

The rear deck, which houses Boat Tail’s unique ‘butterfly-design’ hosting suite, is swathed in Royal Walnut veneer, inlaid with rose gold-plated pinstripes with a satin-brushed finish to ensure a sensitive and sophisticated appearance. The Royal Walnut was specifically selected by the client for its beautiful properties as it matures over time, a material that will gradually transition to the tonal properties of the cognac color. From above, one observes a harmonious balance and satin effect of the iced bonnet and tactile wooden rear deck, in contrast with the high-gloss front and side perspectives.

From the front, the Pantheon Grille, milled from a single, solid billet of aluminum, is graced with a Spirit of Ecstasy fashioned in rose gold.

The interior is a beautifully curated combination of perfectly matched cognac and oyster-colored leathers and Royal Walnut veneer, with rose gold and mother-of-pearl accents throughout. The leathers, complete with a pearlescent finish, accentuate the surfaces and forms of Boat Tail’s seats and interior design. The transmission tunnel is formed from Royal Walnut veneer with rose gold pinstripes, drawing a direct visual reference to the rear deck and adding a glowing warmth to Boat Tail’s interior.

The centerpiece of the dashboard is a timepiece made from mother-of-pearl, chosen and supplied by the client from his own collection; the fascia of which is pure and minimal in its appearance so as not to detract from the precious material. The same prized substance graces the control switches and instrument dials, creating a strong visual and material connection between the car, the owner, and his family heritage.

Rolls-Royce front via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

Rolls-Royce interior via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

Rolls-Royce engine via Gerry Spahn for Rolls-Royce for use by 360 Magazine

Three New Italian Casas

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Casas Latinas is a stunning collection of sophisticated estates, hotels and villas across Italy; Spain; other Latin European countries and Latin America, including Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica and Venezuela.

New for 2022 is three exquisite authentic Italian Casas to add to the group. Dimora Dei Gelsi, a beautiful traditional Puglian home from home, ‘Locanda’ set amongst the rolling hills in a UNESCO world heritage site in Tuscany, and Casa Fantini a concept hotel on their tranquil shores of Lake Orta.

Founder and CEO of Casas Latinas Massimo Ianni said, “At Casas Latinas, our incredible portfolio of properties across the world are hand-picked for their unique credentials. All of them have sustainability at the forefront but each has its special appeal and dedication to providing the ultimate unique stay – reframing the experience we have and the way we travel.”

Dimora Dei Gelsi in Puglia – opening 1st April 2022

Puglia in Southern Italy is top of the list of places to visit this year with its idyllic countryside and pristine coast. Perfect for a family or a small group of friends, Dimora dei Gelsi is a stunning 4-bedroom luxury property in a newly converted group of trulli, the traditional Apulian dry stone whitewashed huts with conical roofs that are specific to the Itria Valley. The property is set amidst a large estate of olive groves between the Adriatic coast and Alberobello. A very special space–a stay here offers the chance to experience a truly authentic Puglian casa like no other. Book a traditional cooking lesson with a local nona and learn the secrets of how to make the best pasta dishes using fragrant herbs grown on the garden terraces.

Dimora de Gelsi is made entirely from local materials reflecting the ancient culture of this fascinating region. The views of the Valle d’Itria are what many consider to be the “typical” Puglia. Rolling hills, groves of centuries-old olive trees, trullo cones everywhere you look, whitewashed towns bleached further by the southern Italian sun.

A stay at the Masseria, or country house, is about slow living–a major travel trend for 2022. Life is spent outdoors–either dining on the large stone-paved terrace or relaxing in the pretty pool with its breathtaking views over the surrounding Apulian countryside. Dimora dei Gelsi accommodates up to 8 people in its 4 bedrooms—all located on the ground floor of the house. The design of the villa is super stylish. A pared-back style of white-washed walls and flagstone floors keep with the trulli traditional, with mid-century style furniture and a focus on ceramics and art from local artists. The luxury conversion, whilst rooted in the past, features up to the minute features such as underfloor heating and air-cooling systems.

There are a whole range of experiences available during your stay at Dimora dei Gelsi. Mountain bikes and treks over the local countryside can be arranged and there is a private yoga instructor as well as masseurs and cooking classes all available on request.

Locanda in Tuscany – Opening 15th April 2022

If you are looking for the ultimate authentic Tuscan experience for a special gathering, wedding, or get-together, Locanda in Tuscany ticks all the boxes. Locanda is set deep in the heart of the Italian countryside where you can enjoy absolute peace with nothing but the sound of the birds chirping to wake you. With little air pollution, Locanda is perfect for incredible night skies and star-gazing or during the day wonderful walks through the hills or cycling to explore this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site.

With nine rooms, including four suites, the first-floor suite has magnificent bathtub views, and relaxing in-room spa treatments are available for guests. Sleep-focussed hotels are a huge trend this year for well-being holidays—at Locanda, the owners take sleep seriously and guests are offered a choice of cotton or linen sheets plus the locally designed wooden beds are metal-free to eliminate electromagnetic pollution that could compromise sleep.

With breathtaking sweeping sunset 180-degree views over the Val D’Orcia close to the village of Castiglione d’Or cia, this beautiful rural hideaway also offers privacy, comfort, and an authentic Tuscan experience for an unforgettable summer celebration. Tuscany is famous for its weddings, and the Locanda team can create a bespoke menu for your special day. They work with you to create the perfect event for your guests from a pool party with DJs and a cocktail bar, to a quieter al fresco poolside dinner, for just a handful of guests, under the stars.

The restaurant Taverna Di Mozart is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner, party or event and is set inside an old stable with an outdoor terrace, where you can sit under a vibrant bougainvillea trellis. The restaurant showcases the very best of traditional Tuscan cuisine. The dishes are influenced by traditional Tuscan gastronomy with passion, quality, and taste.

Casa Fantini on Lake Orta – Opening 15th April 2022

Ideal for a large gathering of friends for a wedding celebration, family reunion or special birthday, Casa Fantini is spacious enough to cater for all your guests.

Situated only one hour away from Milan, Casa Fantini’s philosophy is all about lake-time. The hotel is situated on Lake Orta where everything is designed to be calm, quiet and meditative to create the perfect slow-travel experience. The noise of the gentle waves adapts to the inner rhythms and removes stress. Undisputedly one of the most magical locations for a hotel, Casa Fantini is an intimate place of harmony where architecture, landscape and light blend in perfect balance and, just for a moment, time seems to stand still.

The hotel was designed by world-famous Italian architect Piero Lissoni of Lissoni Architettura, who worked with hotel owner Daniela Fantini, CEO of Fantini Rubinetti, to interpret her vision for a hotel inspired by the slow pace of Lake Orta and to be a contemporary reflection of a home that would enhance the region’s natural heritage.

Casa Fantini has 5 Superior Rooms, 4 Prestige Rooms, and 2 Suites. Super Rooms have a spacious terrace with lakefront view overlooking the gardens, and all the rooms have luxury bathrooms complete with steam room showers and Fantini Rubinetti bathroom furniture. Furnishings have a vintage feel with bespoke Italian couches, raw wool rugs, and comfortable beds with floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to balconies with romantic views over the garden, lake and San Giulio Island. There is a beautiful library filled with books about the lake to help you unwind and relax.

This contemporary and elegant five-star hotel is the perfect location from which to explore the area by boat, foot, bicycle or car. Often overlooked for its bigger sisters Como and Maggiore, the lake itself has inspired many writers of the 18th and 19th Century including Lord Byron, Honoré de Balzac and Robert Browning.

Italy via Authentic Travel PR for use by 360 Magazine

Nine New Hotels for 2022

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Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand, announces nine new launches for 2022 that it will welcome into its global portfolio of unique hotels, resorts, and residences. From a contemporary ski resort on the slopes of Utah to a national landmark turned luxury design hotel in Oslo, each of these new urban retreats, beach resorts, and historic hideaways will offer travelers authentic, personalized experiences, inviting them to reconnect with inspiring destinations and local cultures as they dust off their passports and set off on new adventures. Highlights of the new openings within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio for 2022 include:

Pendry Park City (Utah, United States) – launching January 2022

Set in the heart of Canyons Village at Park City Mountain, the spectacular ski-in, ski-out Pendry Park City will offer a modernist take on a traditional alpine lodge. Paying homage to the surrounding mountain landscape, the resort will boast warm, natural design elements that create a contemporary, open feel, and will feature 153 guestrooms, suites, and residences, each offering floor-to-ceiling windows and curated artwork. Guests and locals alike will enjoy access to four distinct restaurants and bars, a deluxe Spa Pendry and fitness center, a heated rooftop pool with a destination bar, Pinwheel Kids Club, and more than 7,000 square-feet of indoor event space.

Passalacqua (Lake Como, Italy) – launching June 2022

Built in the 18th century by Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua, Passalacqua is set on the shores of Lake Como and has hosted historic leaders from Napoleon Bonaparte to Winston Churchill. Sister property to the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo, the stately, ultra-luxury mansion retreat will extend 24 stylish suites designed and curated by one of Italy’s most renowned hotelier families – Paolo, Antonella, and Valentina De Santis. Committed to preserving its heritage, Passalacqua will showcase original features, including hidden passageways, centuries-old beamed suites in forgotten stables, and glasshouses with ancient fruit trees. Guests can enjoy the lakeside swimming pool and open-air gym set in the olive groves, vintage boat trips from the private dock, and partake in a variety of wellness and culinary experiences in the manicured gardens such as spa treatments, yoga sessions, farm-to-fork dining, and movies under the stars.

The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong (Hong Kong) – launching Summer 2022

Located in Hong Kong’s Southside district, home to the iconic Victoria Harbor and the city’s renowned Ocean Park, the eco-conscious oceanfront resort is the next much-anticipated international launch from The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts. The luxury hotel – perfect for couples, friends, solo visitors, extended families, and business travelers – will offer 425 guest rooms and suites overlooking the South China Sea, including children-themed rooms and two signature suites with private pools. Additional features include four diverse restaurants, an outdoor infinity pool and kids’ lagoon pool, an indoor kids’ play zone, a luxury spa and fitness center, and versatile indoor and outdoor meeting and event spaces, including a 5,600 square-feet pillar-free grand ballroom.

sly Berlin (Berlin, Germany) – launching Summer 2022

Located in the city’s trendy Friedrichshain neighborhood, Berlin’s coolest new hotel will be housed across four modernized buildings, interconnected via inviting open courtyard spaces and a striking 2,368 square-foot greenhouse. Comprised of 150 guestrooms and suites, some boasting private balconies, sly Berlin’s interiors will showcase a fusion of nature and urban culture, featuring solid oak wood, Italian serpentine stone, stainless steel, and Brutalist concrete touches. Other highlights include a well-equipped gym and a large rooftop sauna with sweeping city skyline views. A lively restaurant and bar, complete with open kitchen and grill area, will be housed in the natural light of the greenhouse amid an abundance of greenery.

Sommerro (Oslo, Norway) – launching September 2022

A rebirth of a restored 1930s landmark in Frogner, a historic neighborhood in Oslo’s West End, Sommerro celebrates Norwegian design, fusing form and function as the city’s first hotel in an original Art Deco building. Set to be Norway’s largest-ever preservation project, the hotel occupies the former headquarters of the capital city’s electrical company, Oslo Lysverker, and through a multi-million-dollar renovation, will become a modern tribute to local cultural heritage. Original artwork by celebrated Norwegian artist Per Krohg is featured throughout the hotel, with pieces including a giant wall fresco and a ceiling mural that nods to the building’s unique history. A true community space, the 231-room property – which counts 56 residences – will also offer four restaurants, three bars, meeting and event spaces with capacity for up to 150 people, a 100-seat gilded theater, a sprawling wellness paradise, and the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, terrace, and restaurant.

ROLLS-ROYCE UNVEILS WRAITH EAGLE VIII COLLECTION

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Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its latest Collection Car, Wraith Eagle VIII, on the shores of Lake Como at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, 24-26 May. Created by the Bespoke Collective at the House of Rolls-Royce, a Collection of just 50 Wraith Eagle VIII motor cars will tell the epic tale of one of the most pivotal moments of the 20^th century.

Captain John Alcock and Lieutenant Arthur Brown braved uncharted skies to make the first non-stop transatlantic flight in June, 1919. Contemporaries of Sir Henry Royce, Alcock and Brown flew non-stop from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Clifden, Ireland in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber aircraft. The bi-plane was powered by twin 20.3 litre, 350 bhp, Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines. It is from this remarkable engine that this Collection takes its name. Rolls-Royce marks the 100 year anniversary of this feat with a highly contemporary Collection that speaks to today’s adventurers, whilst honouring those who changed the course of history.

“I do not know what we should most admire – their audacity, determination, skill, science, their aeroplane, their Rolls-Royce engines – or their good fortune”, commented Sir Winston Churchill, following the perilous journey that brought unfathomable advancement to 20^th century society.

Alcock and Brown established a legend and gained a place alongside Sir Donald Campbell in the most select club in the world; those who push beyond previous conceptions of human endeavour to achieve seemingly impossible records on land, water and now, air. Their one binding characteristic? Rolls-Royce power.

The duo suffered every conceivable challenge an aviator could face. The Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engines were the only components that proved indestructible. The engines propelled the aerial voyage at previously unimagined speeds, averaging 115 mph. Their peril cannot be underestimated. Their radio and navigation instruments failed almost immediately, leaving the pilots flying unaided at night through dense cloud and freezing fog for many hours, sometimes upside down. Eventually they emerged from the cloud and using Brown’s extraordinary skill as a navigator, flew by the stars to the coast of Ireland.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “Wraith Eagle VIII is at once an object of desire; an homage to heroes and a protagonist to today’s visionaries. This Rolls-Royce Collection demonstrates the extraordinary skill of our Bespoke Collective at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex. Bespoke remains the jewel in the crown of the marque, creating luxury items that defy the trend of mass luxury manufacturers using ‘tick-box’ options to answer customer demand.”

The exterior of the Wraith Eagle VIII Collection Car is evocative of Alcock and Brown’s compelling night time adventure. Swathed in Gunmetal with a Selby Grey upper two-tone, the colours are separated by a brass feature line, a hint at the detailing that lies within. The black grille vanes draw immediate reference to the Rolls-Royce Eagle VIII engine cowling on the Vickers Vimy aircraft, the wheels are part polished with a translucent shadow finish.

Within, the finely executed interior mirrors the exterior hue. Selby Grey and black leather are accented by brass, redolent of the brass sextant so integral to the success of the transatlantic journey. Executed in a contemporary fashion, the material populates key areas throughout the cockpit of the Collection. Brass speaker covers depict the estimated flight distance of 1,880 miles and ‘RR’ monograms are embroidered in brass coloured thread onto headrests. A flash of brass complements the navigator door paniers, whilst the door of the driver includes a brass plaque with Churchill’s quote commending the duo’s remarkable achievements.

Inspired by the night time flight of our intrepid heroes, the fascia represents a modern-day abstract interpretation of the view the pair would have enjoyed as finally, their craft cleared the thick fog and cloud. In a fusion of contemporary and traditional practises, Smoked Eucalyptus wood is vacuum metalized in gold before being inlaid with silver and copper, to depict the rich detail seen in night time images of the Earth from above. The scene extends to the centre console providing both an emotive and immersive experience for today’s occupants – the cockpit is in perspective with the headliner. Below, the brass-stitched quilted sides of the centre tunnel provide a direct nod to the V12 engined Vickers Vimy.

The clock of a Rolls-Royce is frequently viewed as jewellery, with many patrons choosing this canvas to tell the story of their motor car in miniature. Wraith Eagle VIII is no exception. Our intrepid pioneers recounted that their instrument panel was frozen from the high altitude and the poor conditions, referring to the only illumination coming from the green glow of the control panel lighting and the burst of flame from the starboard engine. In homage to this, the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective has masterfully fabricated a clock with an iced background effect which glows a faint green in night time driving conditions. The red hour hand sits atop compass inspired lines on the clock’s fascia, whilst the landing location coordinates are engraved below.

Perhaps the most alluring feature of the Collection is the extraordinary unique starlight headliner. 1,183 starlight fibres show the celestial arrangement at the time of the flight in 1919, the flight path and constellations are embroidered in brass thread, whilst the exact moment the pair left the cloud to navigate by the stars is indicated by a red fibre optic light. Clouds are embroidered and a plaque reading, “The celestial arrangement at the halfway point 00:17am June 15^th 1919, 50” 07’ Latitude North – 31” Longitude West” shows the half-way point of the momentous journey.

Just 50 of these highly collectable motor cars will be created for discerning collectors at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex – a Centre of Global Luxury Manufacturing Excellence.

Freewheel Holidays

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Curious about castles? A UK company specializing in self-guided bicycle vacations throughout Europe offers itineraries from Italy to Denmark that reveal secrets of courtly lives on the other side of the moat.

Freewheel Holidays’ self-guided tours include, among others, inn and/or bed and breakfast accommodations, bike rental, luggage transfers, route maps and notes, services of a tour host including welcome and information talk.

France is first up on Freewheel Holidays’ castle-driven itineraries. Cyclists can tour the Paris royal countryside – think Fontainebleau — on a six-day Paris to Versailles adventure at £909 per person double. Departures are from April through October. One lunch stop is the Castle of Vaux le Vicomte of Blandy, a rare example of medieval architecture. The 17th century Castle de Courances opens onto magnificent grounds including a water park. Étampes (Royal City) dates to the 7th century. Fontainebleau with over 1,500 rooms boasts eight centuries of continuous occupation by sovereigns. In the royal city of Dourdan is the early 13th century Château de Dourdan. The Château de Rambouillet began life as a fortified manor in the 14th century. This trip concludes with a visit to the masterpiece of Louis XIV, Versailles, one of the most beautiful achievements of 18th-century French art. More details here.

Dordogne Villages and Castles is an eight-day program from £749 per person double. Departures are mid March through mid October. Here are Château de Losse and gardens near the Lascaux pre-historic caves. In this archaeologically rich region is the château village of Beynac perched upon a cliff. Château de Caudon dates to Louis XVI. Along the Dordogne River are Château de Monfort and Château de Gourdon. More details here.

A seven-day tour, Loire Valley Castles, is from £599 per person double. Departures are from late April to late September. Steeped in history, Amboise is a market town celebrated for Château de Chenonceau that has spanned the river here since the 16th century. Château du Clos Lucé was home to Leonardo for three years and where some of his remarkable inventions are on display. Along the Loire are, among others, the 17th century Château de Cheverny and Château Royal de Blois in a community dating to the 6th century. Romantic castles surrounded by fields of wheat and poppy include Fougères-sur-Biévre and the Renaissance Château de Beauregard. Chambord is one of the most famous and majestic of the Loire castles. More details here.

The United Kingdom offers this stunner, a six-day Stamford to Lincoln cycling tour that visits Belvoir Castle that has gone through four iterations dating to 12th century Norman ruins; William the Conqueror’s 11th century edifice, Lincoln Castle; and Burghley, one of England’s greatest 16th century houses. The per person double rate is £699. Departures are available mid-April to the end September. More details here.

Two castle tours in Denmark include the eight-day Funen Fairytale Island tour available at £979 per person double from now through end August. Often referred to as the garden of Denmark, it is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen and home to the 16th century Castle Egeskov, hosting a fine collection of old cars, airplanes and bicycles. More details here.

On the eight-day Copenhagen and Zealand Circuit cyclists explore the castle of Gavnø, dating to the late 12th or early 13th century. Grounds here sport over half a million bulbs, a rose garden and many rare plants and trees. An immersion in Viking lore reveals 10th century Trelleborg, one of seven known ring castles and the best rebuilt castle of the Viking period in Denmark. Cathedral of Roskilde is the place where most of Denmark’s kings and dynasties have their graves. Guests may also visit the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. Per person double rates are from £829. More details here.

In Austria a seven-day Innsbruck to Salzburg tour is from £649 per person double with departures from end April to early October. High atop a hill in Salzburg, the city of Mozart, is Hohensalzburg Castle, a fortress dating to 1077. More details here.

In Italy,Freewheel Holiday’s Milan to Lake Como is a four-day tour from £259 per person double. Departures are early April to end October. The 14th century Castle of Trezzo sull’Adda is on a site occupied once by the Celts and overlooking a landscape that fascinated Leonardo da Vinci. More details here.

To check trip availability, make reservations, or to find out more about Freewheel Holidays’ leisure cycling tours call +44 (0) 161 703 5823, email info@freewheelholidays.com or visit website.

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About Freewheel Holidays

A division of Sports Tours International, Freewheel Holidays specializes in self-guided, expertly supported European cycling holidays that strike the perfect balance between leisure pedaling and immersive sightseeing. The company offers easy cycling programs designed with special appeal to European and North American travelers. Guests cycle on their own, with enroute assistance and distinctive accommodations expertly chosen and secured by the company. A portfolio of over 40 established European holidays offers riders of all levels a freedom of choice. The company features a range of 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9-night itineraries to 12 European countries including the UK, Austria, France, Holland, Czech Republic, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, Spain, Germany, Sweden and Portugal. The majority of tours are self-guided with the exception of a few fully-guided vacation packages in Croatia, France, Italy and Prague to Vienna. The company also offers family-focused, coastal, wine lover, bike and boat, and solo traveler holidays.