If you're in need of a regenerative program after the holidays, and I know I am, this article is for you! Chase away the winter blues with a stay at a new resort nestled between the vineyards of the UNESCO world heritage landscape of Barolo, a scrumptious small castle in the Alto Adige for cosy dinners beside the fireplace and walks along the prettiest alpine trails or secluded B&B with avantgarde SPA in the thermal town of Fiuggi near enough to Rome and the Amalfi Coast for daytrips. Three inviting new destinations in Italy to replenish your soul with warmth, love and relaxation.
Villa Luisa
Palazzo Fiuggi is expanding with Villa Luisa, a fancy private home nestled in the heart of the park, just a short distance from Rome. This Liberty-style villa is spread out over four levels and surrounded by a private park that's about 1,800 square meters. They created some exceptional new offers for high-end health tourists and connected it with the Palazzo Fiuggi complex, which already has a large health and medical spa. Lorenzo Giannuzzi is the person behind this new renovation, he also runs the Forte Village, which is a pretty big deal on the Italian tourism scene. An investment of nearly 30 million dollars brought back the shine to Fiuggi, already a big tourist spot and wellness destination, over a century ago.
The 1913 frescoes and trompe d'oeil in the salon are impressive, especially the Four Continents. Fancy Liberty windows grace the salons, grandiose Murano chandeliers (54 of them) hung from the high ceiling, you may spot some Carrara marble as well. Even the king of Italy and his royal family stayed here back in 1914. Apparently they signed some important documents here, including one that sent Italy into World War I! The resort entered into an exclusive agreement with The Ranch at Malibu, a wellness company based in California. Programs developed in California will now be available at Fiuggi, even the Ranch at Malibu's head chef is getting in on the act and created a special menu. They're also bringing Ayurveda, an ancient Indian practice that focuses on nutrition, breathing and herbs. Vikas Gupta, an expert from Bangalore, is running the show who's goal is to create an international center based on traditional Indian medicine, with a focus on preventing illness and keeping people's body and mind balanced.
Villa Luisa - Palazzo Fiuggi Via dei Villini, 34, 03014 Fiuggi FR (Lazio) Italy - Tel. +39 0775 7661 - Website: https://www.palazzofiuggi.com/health-related-holidays/villa-luisa
Il Relais Le Marne
If you love wine like I do, then this could be your next destination among the vineyards of Asti and not far from Barolo, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Located in Costigliole d'Asti, the Relais Le Marne is also know as Agriturismo Mura Mura boasts two restored farmhouses, the Dimora dei Poeti and the Dimora degli Artisti, each with 12 rooms that pay homage to the poetry of renowned Piedmontese authors and the works of contemporary artists.
The interiors are adorned with furniture and fixtures crafted by some of the most respected names in Italian design and carpentry. The restaurant Radici, serves up a unique and elegant take on traditional Piedmontese cuisine, all under the direction of chef Marco Massaia. At the base of the Dimora dei Poeti, guests will find an indoor pool, perfect for swimming year-round, and adjacent to it, a spa and a professional gym measuring 120 sqm , with three different areas, equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and boasting incredible views of the surrounding vineyards. Le Marne is a place of great beauty and elegance, perfect for small weddings, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature and experience something truly special.
Il Relais Le Marnea - Str. Pasquana, 5, 14055 Pasquana AT - Tel. +39 0141 185 2115 - Website: https://lemarnerelais.it/it/
Ansitz Steinbock
Castel Steinbock, located in Villandro, Alto Adige is just a half hour away from Bolzano, nestled between woods and vineyards, a 17th century manor. It was once a courthouse like many other castles at the time, then a noble residence, and later an inn. Now it's a refined and exclusive hotel, with 12 suites (some with private saunas) and two restaurants. You'll feel right at home here because the atmosphere is intimate, the hospitality is genuine and you'll be greeted with the smile of Elisabeth Rabensteiner, the young and welcoming hotel manager. The decor is contemporary, essential design, that blends perfectly with the local tradition of wood, antique furniture, historic walls and century-old parquet floors.
Meditation is one of the strong points of Castel Steinbock: in its indoor spaces like the Honesty-Bar and the Cigar Lounge, in the surrounding nature, in the "slow" activities that you can do outdoors such as walks and snowshoeing. Another strong point is the cuisine, there are two dining rooms that offer traditional and revisited local cuisine by chef Tomek Kinder, awarded with 2 toques by Gault-Millau guide. The dishes are based on seasonal local products with a Mediterranean twist; one of the two dining rooms also offers vegetarian cuisine.
Ansitz Steinbock - Vicolo Franz von Defregger, 14, 39040 Villandro BZ Italy - Tel. +39 0472 843111 - Website: https://www.ansitzsteinbock.com/en
