Tranquil harbour views at Grand Hotel Portovenere

Tranquil harbour views at Grand Hotel Portovenere

ByQ X

Who? Grand Hotel Portovenere What? Cinque Terre might be the best known sight of Liguria but Portovenere has its understated charm. At the heart of the town, with tranquil views of the harbour, is Grand Hotel Portovenere. It’s a literal stone throw from the pebbled paths of the old town, an easy journey by day. And at night, it’s the perfect place to look out onto the harbour lights. When? Open year round Where? Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 5, 19025 Portovenere SP, Italy How? For more information and to book, see www.portovenerehotel.it Ten photos from Grand Hotel Portovenere Fly via British Airways

Embrace castle life at Grand Hotel dei Castelli

Embrace castle life at Grand Hotel dei Castelli

ByQ X

Who? Grand Hotel dei Castelli What? We love the idea of being able to stay in a castle but we love the idea of being able to stay in one with all the mod cons even more. So when we went to Sestri Levante and stayed at Grand Hotel dei Castelli, well, we simply fell in love. The grand hotel boasts some stunning views over the Italian Riviera but offers an incredible amount of privacy too. In fact, it has its own private sea-water pool. How divine. When? Open year round Where? Via Penisola di Levante, 26 – 16039 Sestri Levante, Italy How? For more information, see www.hoteldeicastelli.it Ten photos…

Belmond La Residencia
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Bespoke photography experiences return to Belmond Hotels

ByLife in Luxury

Who? Belmond Hotels What? Belmond’s bespoke photography experiences returns to its properties in Italy and Mallorca as the hotels reopen for the 2015 season. This year the experiences include evening photo tour of Venice at Belmond Hotel Cipriani, underwater photography at Belmond Hotel Splendido, Florence from the sky at Belmond Villa San Michele, Naples by vintage Vespa at Belmond Hotel Caruso, ‘Cook and Camera’ at Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea and bird watching at Belmond La Residencia. Prices vary. When? Available now Where? Available at various Belmond Hotels. How? For more information and to book, visit www.belmond.com Fly via British Airways

Monteverdi Tuscany
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Wine Festival Tour from Monteverdi Tuscany

ByLife in Luxury

Who? Monteverdi What? Embrace Tuscany living at Monteverdi through their six day luxury Wine Festival Tour. Taking place over Benvenuto Brunello di Montalcino, where there will be over 1,000 wines to taste, the tour will include wine tasting, vineyard tours, cooking lessons and six nights accommodation. Priced at €7,000 per person or €10,000 per couple. When? 20th – 26th February 2015 Where? Castiglioncello del Trinoro, Provincia di Siena (SI), Toscana, Italy How? For more information, see www.monteverdituscany.com

BrewDog opens Florence outpost
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BrewDog opens Florence outpost

ByLife in Luxury

Who? BrewDog What? Scotland’s largest independent brewery BrewDog has recently opened the doors to their Florence outpost. This marks the first craft beer bar in Italy and is the brewery’s fourth international launch this year. The new bar has capacity for 70 people and will have 12 beers on tap, including guest beers. The venue will also feature live music at the weekends as well as regular beer tastings. When? Open now Where? Via Faenza 21r, Firenze 50123, Italy How? For more information, see www.brewdog.com Fly via British Airways

Italian essence at Enoteca Pinchiorri
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Italian essence at Enoteca Pinchiorri

ByQ X

Who? Enoteca Pinchiorri What? An Italian kitchen with a French chef at the helm, how authentic could it be? But authentic or not, the Italian inspired dishes have the contemporary flair which gained Annie Féold her three Michelin stars all those decades ago. These days the restaurant remains at the heart of Tuscan fine dining with a wine list to die for. When? Open Tuesday to Saturday Where? Via Ghibellina, 87, 50122 Firenze, Italy How? For more information, see www.enotecapinchiorri.it Fly via British Airways