When the lovely Chrissie Lincoln from Heavens Portfolio asked me if I would have time to visit some of the beautiful properties in Italy that the company represents, I had to sit back and think … for less than two seconds! 😊
Along with Chrissie and me there were three other wonderful ladies, two from SmartFlyer and Gabs from Wentworth Travel.
We all have clients who would jump at the chance to visit these incredible properties in this much loved part of the world, so it was a fabulous opportunity to see them firsthand, in order to recommend them.
There is something so romantic about Italy – its people are so stylish, without even trying – that it makes you want to live there for a while to see if it rubs off and then bring said style back to Oz.
Not quite sure that some vintage shopping in Rome and silk scarf shopping in Bellagio is quite enough, but let’s see!
We started in Tuscany and stayed in Castelfalfi, where you feel transformed into another time – it’s really quite surreal. The 1,100 hectare estate, close to San Gimignano, was an abandoned medieval Tuscan village and reborn in the late 2000s into what it is today.
The hotel also has four stand-alone private villas (one of which was home to a Kardashian guest recently).
If you are an avid truffle hunter in search of tuber magnatum pico (white truffles), the peak and most prestigious period is the autumn. White truffles are the rarest, most aromatic … and most expensive.
Our lovely dog, Oscar, did extremely well, when we were there to get five Marzuolo Bianchetto truffles, April not generally a great month for hunting.
Off to Lake Como … and no, George was not in town, but we did see his house! For me this was the highlight of the trip. Lake Como is everything one imagines … and then some more.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo is pretty famous and has been home to nobility and celebrities for more than a century. With 90 rooms and suites, it’s not small, but never once did I feel anything but special while we were there.
The service is exceptional in every sense – intuitive, attentive and delivered with genuine warmth. The rooms are utterly dreamy, grand and so impressive, the food is ridiculously yummy and there are three pools – one in the sea, one in the garden and one very warm one in the spa.
I also have to say that the one and only Silvio, the chap in charge, is the funniest man I’ve ever met. I’d go there again just to spend some time drinking grappa with him. Along with his team members he looked after us beautifully.
Silvio is also in charge of Passalacqua, sister hotel to Tremezzo, with the same owner and the same quite exceptional service. It is also right on the lake and utterly stunning.
We were very fortunate to visit Passalacqua and were taken there by riva (those stunning wooden Italian boats seen in the movies) where we were met by the owner and the GM.
Walking into Passalacqua is like walking into a museum that is your home (I really can’t find a better explanation), where everything is ‘wow’ yet utterly sumptuous.
Off to Rome! Heavens Portfolio represents the incredible Shedir Collection, comprising five hotels in Rome and one in Capri.
Between the five of us on the trip, we stayed in three of the Rome properties, as well as the property in Capri, and we enjoyed incredible meals in the other two Rome properties while also seeing the rooms there.
A quick speedy train ride took us to Milan where we were met and whisked off up the windy road to Ravello on the Amalfi Coast.
When John Steinbeck visited this charming village in 1953, he wrote: “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” I could not agree more!
I have travelled (a lot) and the vista from Palazzo Avino wins the view competition hands down and is the most incredible de-stress medication there is … along with a Lemoncello spritz made with Ravello lemons!
Positano, Positano, Positano – can you get any more divine? I have to say, I am so pleased we were there in May. I have been before in July and … well, let’s just say, if you like peace and quiet, May is better.
Villa Treville – oh my. If you are thinking of somewhere magical and intimate to get married, or maybe to elope with just a few nearest and dearest, this is the place.
It is perched on the rugged cliff sides of Positano and looks out to incredible views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
The villa was first purchased in the 1920s by Russian writer Mikhail Semenov, who turned it into an early cultural salon. Writers, musicians and artists gathered here long before the Amalfi Coast became globally famous.
This beautiful residence has 16 suites, the most heavenly garden and its own boat mooring to whisk you off whenever your heart desires.
Martino and her crew spoilt us rotten, cooked pasta with us, laughed with us and made us feel absolutely at home.
Finally (and sadly) we visited the last of the six Shedir properties, Palazzo Tiberio in Capri, for one last night.
The hotel is amazing and full of art, photography and stories. We walked around the town feeling like Capri locals and enjoyed another few laughs with Mario over a sumptuous dinner.
I’m hoping Shedir will continue to add to their impressive collection as one can absolutely trust that one of their properties will be constant in terms of style, comfort and service.
So, time to go home … and here is my recap:
Castelfalfi, where history lives
Tremezzo, where every welcome gives
Passalacqua, pure lakeside art
Shedir’s collection, Italy’s heart
Palazzo Avino, views untold
Villa Treville, romance in gold
Palazzo Tiberio, Capri’s delight
Seven stars that truly shine bright
Main image: Emma McCallum (centre, orange sweater)
https://heavensportfolio.com/australia/
