European Hot Spots

ITALY

Venice

As Giampolo Ottazi, general manager of Hotel Cipriani, says, “You don’t come to Venice and just stay at the Cipriani, you come here to stay at the Cipriani, which happens to be in Venice.” A destination in and of itself, the newly renovated Hotel Cipriani (and adjacent Palazzo Vendramin) has undergone massive room and suite enhancements and has seen the addition of a gorgeous new spa, the Casanova Wellness Center. Add beautifully landscaped grounds; the heated, Olympic-size, seawater swimming pool; world-famous Cip’s Club; and the private boat that runs 24/7 to St. Mark’s Square; and you can see why Hotel Cipriani is the hotel of choice for stars like George Clooney and Angelina Jolie when they descend on Venice in September for the annual film festival. www.hotelcipriani.com

Sardinia

If soaking up the Sardinian sun is more your style, then Hotel Cala di Volpe in Costa Smeralda is the resort of choice. Fashioned after an authentic Italian fishing village, the 114-room property fronts the Mediterranean Sea and charms with its archways, porticoes and turrets—not to mention tons of original artwork and Sardinian furnishings. Guests have access to a private beach, the 18-hole Pevero Golf Club, one of Europe’s largest swimming pools, a tennis club, water sports, and a Mario Pantone-managed beauty center. The three-bedroom, 2,600-square-foot Presidential Suite is a stunner, with its own private pool, solarium, private terrace, and drop-dead views. www.caladivolpe.com

Amalfi Coast

To get a taste of the authentic Amalfi Coast experience, skip the crowds and head to Ravello, known for its stunning gardens, music festivals, and five-star hotels, including Hotel Caruso and Palazzo Sasso. Just an hour from Naples airport and a scenic boat ride away from Capri or Ischia, Ravello sits 1,000 feet above the sea and commands the ultimate vistas of the Amalfi Coast. A favorite refuge of Greta Garbo and painters William Turner and Miro, Ravello also attracted the likes of D.H. Lawrence, Tennessee Williams, and Gore Vidal, who spent part of their lives here. A sister hotel to Cipriani, the 48-room Hotel Caruso is a former 11th-century palace recently restored to its original grandeur by Orient-Express. Each room and suite is uniquely furnished with 18th- and 19th-century pieces, and most have sea views, terraces, and in some cases, private gardens. Open-air dining at the Belvedere restaurant, a sea-view heated infinity pool, and a spa set among gardens are added selling points of this gorgeous hotel. Located just next door to Hotel Caruso, Palazzo Sasso is another wonderful choice. Boasting Michelin two-star dining, a two-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, and a private beach club (just 15 minutes from the hotel), the 43-room hotel—built as a private villa in the 12th century and converted to a hotel in 1928—was closed in 1978, then fully restored and reopened in 1997. Today, all rooms and suites feature handmade Vietri tiles and antique pieces from the 18th and 19th centuries mixed with modern amenities like Internet access and iPod docking stations. www.hotelcaruso.com
www.palazzosasso.com

Of course, another way to enjoy the Amalfi Coast is from the privacy of your own home. Villa Pompea is one of the prettiest villas available for rent, located in Praiano—a charming village between Amalfi and Positano. A two-story villa entirely rebuilt into a modern, luxurious residence, Villa Pompea features a mix of modern furnishings from Dolce & Gabbana and Philippe Starck as well as gorgeous antiques. Each of the villa’s four suites differ in style and color; one has its own private panoramic terrace. Hand-painted vaulted ceilings, a hydro-massage tub, large flat-screen TVs, rooftop terrace with coastal views, and a modern fully equipped kitchen set this villa apart.
www.beautiful-places.com

Lake Como

For the ultimate Italian holiday immersed in complete luxury and privacy, consider Villa Benessere. One of the largest private villas for rent on Lake Como, the property was completely renovated in 2009 and features stunning views from its lakefront location, seven bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a swimming pool, gym, flat-screen TVs, expansive terraces, and state-of-the-art security features.
www.beautiful-places.com