Italy Is Ready To Show Off La Dolce Vita
From north to south, Italian cities are getting ready to offer new experiences for summer 2023.
BY
Looking ahead to those warmer days, brands are taking over summer destinations and restaurants are preparing their outdoor tables so guests can enjoy the view and while away those lazy afternoons.
Here, WWD Weekend looks at not-to-miss spots at some of Italy's leading summer destinations.
Forte dei Marmi
Along the Mediterranean sea coast in Tuscany, located in the Versilia area, Forte dei Marmi is one of Italy's most characteristic luxury destinations.
Villa Grey The four-star hotel Villa Grey, located at 84 Lungomare Italico, comprises a central villa, the Dimora, the Michelin-starred restaurant “Il Parco,” and a private beach with its own bistro. The establishment is owned by the Larini family, who restored the villa.
The 23 rooms are decorated with elegant furniture in a neutral color palette of white, gray and taupe. The restaurant, in the internal garden of the villa, is led by executive chef Giovanni Cerroni. Seafood and vegetables are the leitmotif of his cuisine. In addition to two tasting menus, Catharsis and Mimesis, Cerroni offers risotto al calamaretto spillo (small squids) with spring onion and parsley, or monkfish with verjus (a kind of cider) sauce and fennel. Viale Italico, 84 – 55042; 05-84-78-7496; villagrey.com
Lux Lucis Restaurant To enjoy a view of the Tuscan city, the Lux Lucis restaurant is located on the roof of the hotel Il Principe Forte dei Marmi. Under Michelinstarred chef Valentino Cassanelli, the restaurant seats 28 guests and has floorto-ceiling windows. Marble sculptures by Korean artist Park Eun Sun and tables that are part of the Maxalto collection by Antonio Citterio, with their characteristic parallel legs, stand out in the restaurant.
The food results from a collaboration between chef Cassanelli, strongly influenced by the local tradition, and maître sommelier Sokol Ndreko, as the dishes often include the aroma of wine.
With sustainability key to Cassanelli, he is eliminating disposable materials and working with suppliers who provide local ingredients, such as a special carrot called Pastinoncello di Seravezza, for example. Viale Ammiraglio Morin, 67 – 55042; 05-84-78-3636; principefortedeimarmi.com
Borsalino Via Carducci has been enriched with a glamorous opening. The famed hat brand is presenting the latest collections of hats, caps and accessories for men and women in a 430-square-foot boutique. The brand, which is owned by Haeres Equita, has been expanding its retail network in the last 12 months, leading to the opening of new stores in locations including Milan, Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, Monte Carlo and Mykonos.
“Borsalino's tradition of elegance and style has found a home in Forte dei Marmi in a perfect location in terms of prestige and visibility,” explains Mauro Baglietto, general manager of Borsalino. “This stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast has always been a point of reference for international tourism, which finds here hospitality and service of the highest level.” Via Giosuè Carducci, 14 – 55042; borsalino.com
The Longevity Suite Recently opened, the Longevity Suite is considered one of the most advanced biohacking and antiage clinics in Europe. Through integrated high-tech protocols, it helps guide guests to create the healthiest and most energetic version of themselves.
The clinic was founded 20 years ago by Dr. Massimo Gualerzi, cardiologist and scientific director, and Luigi Caterino, chief executive officer. The three pillars of the programs on which it is based are cold, detox and awareness, which lead to mental and physical well-being. Among the treatments is the Cryo suite, which among its benefits helps accelerate metabolism and rejuvenate the skin. Detox is based on a semifasting that reduces caloric intake by reducing toxins.
Other services in the field of regenerative medicine range from ozone therapy to IV therapy, after a check-up to set specific goals and targeted tests. Via Duca D'Aosta, 10/b – 55042; 05-84-19-47459; thelongevitysuite.com
Capri
The island off the coast of Naples is a symbol of Italy's Dolce Vita lifestyle, from its steep hills dotted with luxurious villas to its azure sea.
Santoni Along the most famous shopping street in Capri, Via Vittorio Emanuele, Santoni just opened its doors. The boutique is characterized by orange and light blue on the walls which, combined with gold glass, creates graphic design elements.
The footwear brand's signature orange color is predominant on the furniture, both inside and in the windows. Two installations reminiscent of a double buckle stand at the entrance.
In addition to the women's and men's spring collections, the brand is offering a capsule exclusive to the store and available beginning in June that includes sneakers in Capri's Blue Grotto (intense blue) for men and a reinterpretation of classic thong sandals and wedges with a rope sole, in soft
white and silver leather, for women. These are embellished with the island's typical San Michele little bell, meant to bring good luck. Via Vittorio Emanuele, 22 – 80076; 08-18-370841; santonishoes.com
Chanel Chanel is coming back for the season and ready to welcome visitors of the island in its seasonal boutique until Oct. 31.
The entrance to the boutique is via a terra-cotta-hued stone terrace, which is furnished with inviting outdoor sofas and armchairs and heady with the fragrant summer scents of citrus and bougainvillea.
Mineral stone central consoles and walls and podiums are clad in pastel tweed. This season, the store has been reimagined in a minimalist style, awash in luminous white with contrasting accents of graphic black. Via Vittorio Emanuele, 61 – 80076; chanel.com
Rome
In the capital there are always some news, project or new restaurant to try.
Allegrío Restaurant Rome has a new destination where food, lifestyle and home decor merge, opened by the Italian-British Sabrina Corbo, who has a passion for art, architecture and interior design. Corbo conceived a restaurant that adapts to the mood of its guests through the four rooms in which it is divided: joyful, lucky, intrepid, in love.
The lighting, an important concept for the restaurant, was entrusted to architect Massimiliano Baldieri while artist Moritz Waldemeyer created the site-specific sculpture “Where the Stars Align.”
Each room is decorated according to its name; for example, the room dedicated to love is furnished with 500 Capodimonte porcelain roses made by the historic Neapolitan workshop Barra in 1922.
Even the menu is different for each room — at the helm of the kitchen is executive chef Daniele Creti and the sous chef Marco Melatti, while the pastry chef is the Neapolitan Mario Di Costanzo, who respects the Italian pastry tradition. Via Vittorio Veneto, 114 – 00187