24 Hours at the Principe di Savoia

This pure Italian Grand Hotel is discretely located on Piazza Repubblica and is one of Milan's biggest hotels. I was a bit scared when I heard that they have nearly 300 rooms but this feeling was gone when I arrived and a very kind bellman welcomed me towards the front desk! Check-in was very efficient and fast, and afterwards I was accompanied to my amazing Ambassador Junior Suite. Of course, I was immediately impressed of the whole interior style of the Principe di Savoia!

Upon entering my Suite I felt that this room is completely different than all other room and suite categories, because all walls were wooden and gave this room the charme of rather staying in a luxe castle then at a huge world class city hotel. Did I already mention that I was arraving at 1.20 pm and I did nit have to wait to get to my room? This was a real exception during my trip (where I also stayed at the Hermitage Monaco and the Majestic Barriere in Cannes and they did not have the room ready when I was arriving)!

Back to Milan, I immediately fell in love with my Junior Suite and continued discovering the gorgeous bedroom as well as the famous mosaic tiled bath heaven! I can imagine that the bath was way bigger then the bedroom but I am not sure!

They also have a shuttle which runs to the center, but unfortunately I did not catch the last limousine departing on 18:30 because I went to the rooftop pool and fell asleep! Some recent guests already mentioned on tripadvisor to extend the shuttle hours, I would also agree, because Milan and its Duomo gets even more impressive at night!

The Health Club on the rooftop is quite luxurious with a proper sized indoor pool at the perfect temperature and a hot jacuzzi ensuite! Normally I am not the work-out-type but this fitness center was so impressive that even I couldn't resist - who would not spot the amazing sunset over a orange sky in Milan?

When I came back from the Spa, which is quite amazing by the way, I found myself in the living room with the most impressive welcome amentites I've ever received! Thanks a lot to the whole team of the Principe di Savoia! Another remarkable thing at this hotel is that they offer Acqua di Parma toiletries in their guest bathrooms and shaving asseccoires by AdP at the Spa, too!

To be honest, the hotel was so stunning, that I just wanted to leave this place all day!
After a very heavenly night in one of the best beds, I was hungry again and had no better idea then to have breakfast at Alcanto Restaurant! The service was very friendly and efficient, the restaurant elegant and luxurious, and the breakfast not enormous but of highest quality!

Try to get a bed and breakfast rate as the breakfast is quite heavy at 45.00 Euros per person! Also the Wi-Fi is not included and charged for 24 Euros per night!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hotel Principe di Savoia Milano for the generous invitation and I would like to express that all above written is my personal opinion and experience!

Fèlsina Winery - Castelnuovo Berardenga

The last point of our trip was the “Fèlsina” winery. In 1966 Dominic poggiali Fèlsina bought the estate. After driving through the wonderful alley we reached the court of the Fèlsina winery. We got a very interesting private tour from Irene. She showed us around the old cellars and told us their new project: vino Spumante. After the tour we had a wine tasting in the beautiful garden in the middle of olive trees and under a pergola. We tried a spumante Brut, one glas of Rancia (100% Sangiovese), one Chianti Classico and one very good vin Santo (Trebbiano and Malvasis).

We would like to thank the Felisna winery for taking time to show us around the winery and for the wine tasting.

Summer is coming

How was your last summer? Mine was wonderful and unforgettable.

As you can see in my previous blog entries from the last summer, I have made a Road-Trip through the Southest of Italy: Naples, Amalfi, Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata, Apulia and back via the Marches - simply breath-taking. This was a trip of a lifetime for me!

The upcoming summer I will go to Southern France, more precisely to the Provence and to Côte d'Azur of course. A to-do-list is already planned but we will see afterwards if my schedule keeps what it promises.

Today I wanted to let you know that I updated the list of the Hotels & Resorts where I stayed and you can now see more hotel reviews on this blog by clicking here. I have added some interesting and luxurious hotels and places, which might be of interest to you.

In addition I have also published a new website of my company with lots of luxury hotels and destinations. I would be delighted to receive your enquiry soon!

blog.travelexecutive.de

Best regards and a wonderful week!

Insider's Getaway - Prague Summary

My last seven weeks in one of Europe's most beautiful city were great! As you should always quit when it isbest, I will leave Prague this Friday to go back to Austria.

During my time in Prague I tested some of Prague's best restaurants and places and I also showed them to you on my last two Restaurant-Checks. Today, I will present you my absolute favourite places in Prague - a small Summary so to say!

1. Cotto Crudo (the following three pictures)
First of all my new favourite restaurant is the new CottoCrudo at the Four Seasons Hotel. Of course that may sound strange, but it is not so much more expensive than other mid-range italian restaurants in Prague. I had excellent Vitello Tonnato (also better than in some Restaurants in Italy) and afterwards Saffron Risotto at its finest. I had no space for any dessert, but I got some housemade Cantuccis free of charge. The service? Four Seasons! Do I really have to say more? It could not be better. At nearly 1000 CZK for Dinner-for-one not cheap but well worth.
If you have reserved in advance or you're only lucky, get some tables with castle view!!
http://www.cottocrudo.cz/

 2. The Café Savoy (the next three pictures)
Wow, this was my place to relax in the evenings and to wake-up in the mornings. I had nearly every weekend breakfast at this place. The Savoy breakfast is not only very good by Prague standards it is also cheap - at about 150 CZK per person. The fresh orange juice is seperte at 88 CZK. If you are here, try the famous "Dort Savoy" - the Savoy Cake - you won't be disappointed. It is definitely one of the best cakes, I've ever had. The Café Savoy is also a place to have a late-night drink with friends. Just go there whenever you like and whenever you are in this area. http://cafesavoy.ambi.cz/cz/

3. Cantinetta Fiorentina (picture below)
I always went to this place when I was seeking for holidays. Whenever I was sitting inside or on the glamerous Pariska street, this nice restaurant reminded me of a real Fiorentine Cantinetta, like it can be found in rural Tuscany. This restaurant is not just look-alike-fake. No, it also offers the best bread and olive oil in an italian restaurant in Prague. If we talk about the bill, I have to be honest and I should mention that the Pariska street is simply THE most expensive part in town, so are the prices and of course the guests! http://www.cantinetta.cz/

Last but not least my favourite place to hang around and spend the lazy Sundays:

4. Boscolo Wellness & Spa Prague
When the life of being a single really sucked, I went there to sleep this lazy day away! I was clever enough not to pay these high prices for the average treatments, so I booked a special offer through my Special City Concierge Lime & Tonic, and I immediately got the treatments for at least 30-40% cheaper. The staff is very attentive and very kind. They greet you warmely and you feel welcome from the first moment. The pool is the largest I've seen in a Hotel Spa in Prague and is not cold at 28°. http://prague.boscolohotels.com/spa-and-wellness/

If you want to have more tips or hints of if you want to know anything about Prague, please do not hesitate to contact me: travel.executive@yahoo.de

Insider's Getaway - a Weekend in Florence

Its summer at its best and when else should you make holidays - if not now? 

One of my favourite places to be on this planet is the beautiful Tuscany in Italy. That's the reason why I would like to invite you to a small trip through the capital of this magnificent region.

1. Florence is one of Italy's largest cities and therefore very famous for its food and beverages. The most famous wine is the Chianti, which grows about 10 km south of Florence. The most famous dish in Florence is of course "La Bistecca Fiorentina" - the T-Bone Steak Florentine Style. Although you have to be a large group of people to eat this kind of meat, this is one of my favourite dishes. The best place to try such fabulous Bistecca is the Ristorante Da Delfina in the picturesque town of Artimino, about 20 minutes south-west of Florence.
http://www.dadelfina.it/

2. For all of you who thibk Florence is just well known for its Renaissance buildings, arts and food: One of the worlds most famous and oldest pharmacies is located on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, just between the main station and the Piazza Duomo. The Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is a museum and beauty store in one building, which should not be missed by beauty friends. http://www.smnovella.it/

3. If you are seeking for a masterpiece of Florentine perfume, then head on to Lorenzo Villoresi, Ortigia or Dr. Vranjes. If you cannot effort these high-price waters, you should just walk-in in these flagship-stores of Ortigia and Dr. Vranjes - it is really worth a visit!
http://www.ortigiasicilia.com/ 
http://en.drvranjes.it/
http://www.lorenzovilloresi.it/

4. Wanted ever to visit the world famous "Uffizi" Gallery. Oh yeah, it is really worth waiting. Although there is a fast-speed access via Online booking, you still have to wait in a queue to get your tickets. Skip the line at Uffizi Gallery

5. Stay like a Florentine Nomad at the Lungarno Collection Hotels. If you checked in at one of the four Florence properties and you do not feel 100 percent authentic, then take a shower with real Salvatorre Ferragamo "Tuscan Soul" amenities and you will immediately know where you are. Room rates start at 140.00 euros at the Gallery Art Hotel. 
http://www.lungarnocollection.com/de/

Travel Diary - Part 3: Staying like a G6

After having a hard day with shopping, we are very happy to stay in Veneto's most sexiest hotel - the G Boutique Hotel on Piazza Matteotti!

The front office lady - Stefania, greeted us by our last name and we were impressed by the service and the interior itself from the first moment we arrived!

Rooms are on the small side, excluding the Wow Suite N.6, for which we got an upgrade! The bathroom is exciting with black tiles and a free standing bath tub, as well as a large window viewing to the bedroom! All bathrooms come with sexy Malin+Goetz toiletries from NYC. 

We just had dinner at the beautiful Restaurant Chris's and Co so we do not worry about the quality of the Hästens Beds! The table was reserved by Stefania and therefore it was the best you can get at Chris's!

After dinner we will pass by a high-end Gelateria on the main square! Pictures might follow tommorrow!

I hope your evening was as great as mine! Good night!