Lifestyle Management www.gwenbooks.com ITALY EXCLUSIVE OPTIONS Private parties or dinners can be arranged in many exclusive homes or historic venues-private islands in the Venetian lagoon, dramatic castles An extraordinary view from Venice overlooking the Portofino coastline, a Renaissance palace overlooking the River Arno, and public spaces such as the Borchese Gallery in Rome, the Guggenheim in Venice and the Pitti Palace in Florence. Entertainment can also be organized– from sending out invitations– to the last water taxi home in Venice. My premier Italian partners are experts, allowing me to offer amazing, exclusive events anywhere in Italy! • Villas can be rented accommodating 2-30 in grand style. • Private cooking class with professional chef. This can either be an informal pizza class including children or a more informative class spent creating an exquisite Tuscan feast. CLIENT TESTIMONIAL "All in all, Italy was a fantastic • A private visit to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. A recent vacation, thanks so much for all the group celebrating a birthday managed to gain access to the chapel of planning and organizing! We couldn't Nicholas V, normally closed to the public, with exquisite frescoes by have planned it better if we had tried Fra Angelico. AND had a year to research it while you did it in pretty much less than a • A private visit to St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Enter through a side month; it was definitely a once in a door in the evening after the crowds have dispersed and watch the lifetime trip to Italy for us. We really mosaics come to life through the flickering candlelight. wouldn't have had such incredible memories if it weren't for your efforts!" • A private tour of the Ducal Palace in Venice – discover the fascinating history of the Venetian Republic, the trading, wars, and scandals that Sandy Yu & Harry Cheung, have absorbed her for the past 1000 years. Global Travelers • Lunch or dinner on the only privately owned island on Lake Garda; travel by boat to dine with the owners in a villa that was based on the Ca d’Oro in Venice. • Lunch in a Palladian villa with frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo. Wine tasting with one of the oldest families in Florence at their Chianti estate. • Dinner in a romantic 15th century Venetian palazzo overlooking the Grand Canal. Gwen Books Lifestyle Management [email protected] p/01 Lifestyle Management www.gwenbooks.com • Lunch on the grounds of one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, the inspiration for some of the most original English gardens of the 20th century. • In Siena, enjoy the spectacular medieval-style Corsa del Palio, held twice yearly on July 2 and Aug 16. An exclusive visit to the private Palazzo d’Elci, take your window seats for the exciting Palio on the top floor of the Palazzo; the new James Bond movie filmed here in the summer of 2007. From the windows of the Palazzo, before the race takes place, you can see the festivities below: the square is filled with a wonderful procession of flag throwers, and a historic parade of the contradas dressed in their finery. • Tour the Tuscan hill-towns in vintage cars with full back-up support. A TWO WEEK SUGGESTED TOUR The Palio of Siena Tuesday PALIO, SIENA Arrive Milan Malpensa The Palio of Siena takes place each Helicopter transfer from airport to Villa Feltrinelli. Grand Hotel Villa year, on 2nd July to commemorate Feltrinelli on Lake Garda. Villa Feltrinelli is very much a destination the miracles of the Madonna of hotel with guests rarely finding reason to venture from the grounds. Provenzano, and on 16th August However there is a traditional wooden motor boat ideal for exploring the to honor the Assumption of the Virgin. lake, and for opera buffs the Roman Arena in Verona is a short drive One of the most exciting and away. Unwind from the long flight in your suite in the Park Cottage unforgettable events in the Italian Cascade Fiore with a view of the park & lake from your private terrace. calendar, residents pack the main square to watch their representative Wednesday horses and riders race around the Relax at the hotel famous Piazza del Campo. The rider who wins the ‘Palio’, a heraldic Thursday banner, becomes an instant hero. Tour of Lake Garda in La Contessa If he loses or partakes in one of the You will be collected from the hotel by the Villa's own boat, "La Contessa". many bribes on offer then he risks Designed by Pamela Babey and commissioned by the Villa in a local being chased out of town by the shipyard, this 16-meter pleasure craft is Lake Garda's largest privately youths of that contrada. owned boat. With its wood paneled salon, "La Contessa" harkens back to a classic 1920's American riverboat. There is much to see cruising around the lake and you can stop for lunch at the beautiful lakeside restaurant at Punta San Vigilio. Gwen Books Lifestyle Management [email protected] p/02 Lifestyle Management www.gwenbooks.com Friday Private transfer from Villa Feltrinelli to Venice You will be collected by a Mercedes and driver and taken to Venice Piazzale Roma where a boat will be waiting to whisk you down the Grand Canal to the Gritti Palace Hotel, or the hotel of your choice. Private tour of Ducal Palace Your guide will collect you from the hotel for the short walk to the Ducal Boating on the canal Palace which will have been closed to the public. She will lead you on a tour describing the fascinating history of the Venetian Republic, the trading, wars and scandals that have absorbed her for the past 1000 years. Saturday Morning Walking Tour of Venice with private guide Guide will collect you from the hotel for a walking tour of the city including some of the most beautiful churches and the Academia Museum. Sunday Morning boat tour of Venice Guide will meet you and take you to see the main sights of Venice. The boatman Paolo will accompany you throughout with his beautiful wooden riva boat. The tour will include a journey up the Grand Canal with your guide pointing out the most important palaces and their fascinating history. Monday Overhead view of the Basilica San Marco Lunch cruise on Eolo “Eolo” is the last bragozzo boat in existence – ever since the foundation of the Republic of Venice, these delightful boats were used for fishing in both the lagoon and the sea. This is a highly entertaining way to explore the lesser-known islands of the lagoon and enjoy an outstanding lunch or dinner. Captain Mauro will collect you and sail out into the lagoon before finding somewhere suitable to moor. In the summer months, you can enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lagoon before sitting down on the deck to enjoy a fabulous feast. Mauro is an outstanding chef and along with his team he will create an unforgettable meal, based on seasonal Venetian dishes and the freshest fish from the market that morning. Children especially love cruising on the Eolo, they can dive off side & swim safely. Private visit to St. Mark’s Basilica Guide will collect you from your hotel and walk with you to St. Mark’s Square. This is a unique and rare chance to visit one of the worlds most Gwen Books Lifestyle Management [email protected] p/03 Lifestyle Management www.gwenbooks.com stunning and visited buildings, alone, after it has closed and been lit up for your benefit. You will be allowed to access areas not normally open to the public. It is a magical experience and fabulously romantic, as you enter the Basilica in the dark and watch the spectacular golden mosaics being slowly lit and brought to life before your eyes. For an exceptional experience, I can also arrange for you to be serenaded by the organist of St. Marks. Thousands of people pass through the doors every day, and to have the entire basilica alone is unforgettable. After the visit Rome I suggest you walk the short distance to Harry’s Bar for dinner. Tuesday Private visit to Seguso Glass Factory, Murano Guide and Paolo will collect you from the hotel and you will travel in Paolo’s boat to the famous island of Murano for a private visit to the workshops of Archimede Seguso, which are not normally open to the public. The Seguso family tradition of glass making can be traced to the 16th century and Archimede's great-grandfather was one of the foremost figures in the industry's rebirth in the second half of the 19th century. Seguso makes glass for Cartier, Versace, Tiffany, and Valentino among others, however, all production is carried out by hand from these workshops which are renowned for being one of the few which still use original techniques. Seguso's work is among the finest examples of Venetian glass making – his pieces reaching record prices in auction rooms the world over. I then recommend that you travel onto the charming island of Torcello to have lunch at the Locanda Cipriani – Luxury awaits your arrival at Rezidenza Napoleone III the garden setting is one of the most delightful restaurants in Italy. Wednesday Fly from Venice to Rome Transfer to Residenza Napoleone III. The Residenza Napoleone III is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Rome. Situated in a XVI century palazzo on Rome's Legendary Via Condotti, the Residenza is named after Emperor Napoleon III, who lived here in 1830.