Crying babies don’t stand a chance
Live out your dreams under the Umbrian sun at this pastoral estate
Noise-cancelling headphones are key when it comes to drowning out the chattering seatmates behind you and the crying baby across the aisle. But, this year, we’ve learned they’re just as required for the challenges of working from home — where you can’t leave the crying baby or boisterous roommates behind at the gate. So we’ve rounded up five noise-cancelling headphones that will make your future trips and your current reality much more peaceful.
The high-performance option
There are noise-cancelling headphones, and then there are the Apple AirPods Max. These sharplooking devices boast such high-quality sound they’ll impress even the snobbiest of audiophiles: The active noise cancelling uses four microphones in each ear cup to fully block out any background noise, leaving you alone with only your thoughts and your go-to playlist.
Apple AirPods Max, $779, apple.com
The budget option
Do you want the luxurious silence provided by noise-cancelling headphones without breaking your budget? Audio brand Soundcore’s comfortable and reliable Life Q20 over-ear headphones offer up to 40 hours of nonstop use on one charge and hybrid active noisecancelling tech that will let you enjoy some stress-free quiet — sans sticker shock.
Soundcore Life Q20, $80, ca.soundcore.com
The Multi-Tasking Option
The ultrasleek Bose 700s deliver everything you want from high-end headphones: immersive sound, a fast-charging battery, easy-to-use touch control and a jaw-dropping 11 noise-cancelling settings. But the real selling point? The smart microphone system that ensures crystal-clear phone calls no matter where you are, meaning the device can take you from WFH Zoom calls to (one day) wandering bustling city streets.
Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700, $480, bestbuy.ca
The discreet option
If you don’t want to devote precious luggage space to a pair of hefty headphones, the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro earbuds are for you. The stylish in-ear buds are so lightweight and compact (the portable charging case fits in the palm of your hand) that you’ll barely notice you’re wearing them. Plus, they’re water-resistant, so you won’t ever have to worry about getting caught in the rain.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, $265, samsung.com
The under-the-radar option
New York-based Status Audio is often overlooked in conversations about headphones — but they shouldn’t be. The brand’s minimalist Flagship noise-cancelling headphones are designed with an oblong shape meant to match the natural curve of your ear, while promising to block out moderate ambient noise.
And, although they’re wireless, they also come with a spare cable for those upsetting moments when you realize your battery is about to die.
Status Audio Flagship ANC, $254, staus.co
Amid the rolling hills of Umbria, just on the border of Tuscany, sits a 1,000-year-old castle that has been painstakingly brought back from ruins over the past three decades. The Reschio estate, a sprawling pastoral swath that covers 1,500 hectares, is owned by AustroHungarian nobles who have been obsessed with returning the serene retreat to its former grandeur. Luckily, Count Benedikt Bolza, who now runs the property, also happens to be a London-trained architect, and has taken the lead in modernizing the estate into a luxe new 36-room getaway, Hotel Castello di Reschio, which is set to open its doors this spring.
Each room (starting at $1,050) is designed thoughtfully, adorned with antiques, local textiles and artwork, and furnishings designed by Bolza himself — from chic bespoke beds to industrial-yet-elegant 1930s-inspired table lamps. Every space has a distinct vibe: One room on the ground floor, for example, still houses centuries-old milling equipment, while the tower suite located in the castle’s highest turret encompasses five floors and features an open-air hot tub and a handy dumbwaiter.
And, of course, in true Italian fashion, the food rivals the décor; fresh vegetables, olives and truffles are grown right on site.
The stunning Ristorante Alle Scuderie, an indoor-outdoor space set among majestic ferns, has taken over the property’s old stables (riding equipment still hangs from the walls as a nod to the past) and focuses on a simple, organic menu — this is where you’ll want to head for unforgettable pizza, served straight from a blistering outdoor oven. There’s also Ristorante Al Castello, where you can enjoy views of fig trees as you dig into traditional Umbrian fare, while the marble-clad Bar Centrale, one of Reschio’s three bars, has all your classic Negroni needs covered.
There is, of course, much more to explore beyond the castle. Follow the stone steps down into the estate’s historic wine cellar to make your way into the bliss-inducing spa, which includes a hammam and spacious plunge pool lit only by the sun beaming through narrow windows. There are also guided nature hikes, trufflehunting trails, full stables where you can sign up for dressage lessons and workshops geared to help you make pasta that would make Nonna proud.