The MSC Opera is one of MSC’s 8 Italian-style cruise ships.  Weighing 59,000 tons, and a maximum capacity of 2, 055 passengers, since this ships launch in June 2004 it has gained much popularity.

 The MSC Opera offers four types of rooms:  inside, outside, outside with balcony and suites, and the entire ship has a total of 850 state rooms.  The Opera offers many activities and public areas to their passengers, such as their two swimming pools and Jacuzzis, poolside games, dance classes, a health club, the Sottovento Pub, and Entertainment at their Cotton club, Monte Carlo Casino, and La Cabala Piano Bar and nightlife at the Byblos Discotheque.  And many are attracted to the 713-seat Teatro Dell’Opera which features the “fantasy” variety show that offers a mix of acrobatics, dance and music.

 The dining on the MSC Opera is even more attractive at their two main restaurants: the La Caravalla and L’Appodoro.  At these restaurants they offer seating for 2,4,6 and 8 and many choices for appetizers, entrees, and desserts along with vegetarian choices and delicious regional Italian dishes.

 In Venaria, the Savoy residents surrounding Turin, many used to praise the Venaria Reale.  The Venaria Reale is an estate that once consisted of a palace, stables, gardens and a hunting reserve.  But after the arrival of Napoleon’s troops in 1798, the estate has been declining to the point that the city actually considered removing the estate to make room for public housing at one time.  But now that the region has gone through an 8-year, $300 million restoration, which started in 1999, the Venaria Reale is popular once again, and now featuring even more such as their gardens, art collections and modern entertainment.

 They had two goals in this project of restoration, also referred to as “repopulation the palace;” to make good use of 50 empty rooms and to not only fill these rooms with random historical items, but to give the visitors a sense of history; and to turn the estate into an artistic center with areas for exhibits, concerts and performances.  For the renovation they brought in British movie director, Peter Greenaway who is known for his lush cinematic treatment of architecture and costume.

 The renovation included the restoration of the original décor, 1.5 million-square-feet of stucco and plaster work, the addition of 11,000-square-feet of frescoes, 10,000 new plants, a shallow pool, a rose pergola fitted with benches, a clock tower, nearly 65 feet high in the entrance, and the restoration of the original hunting lodge, the “Palace of Diana.”

Never had the Venaria Reale been open to tourists for regular viewing until October of this year.  And it is growing very popular with locals and travelers alike.  Until March 30 visitors can view the exhibition, “The Reggia of Venaria and The Savoys:  Art, magnificence and the history of a European Court,” a show of over 400 works.  The Admission is 12 Euros.

When visiting beautiful Rome, you can find a great location, view, experience and great dining when staying at Hotel Hassler Villa Medici. This 95-room property is located at the top of the Spanish Steps and next to the 16th-centruy Trinita dei Monti church. The Hassler is found in the center of Rome and is within easy walking distance from the Villa Borghese Park, the Piazza di Spagna and the shopping center on the Via Veneto and Via Condotti. The Hassler has also been host to much royalty, famous film stars, and other celebrities alike.

At Imago, the Hassler’s restaurant, you can dine at one of their 16 candlelit tables while you gaze through the eight large picture windows at the views of Rome below. The chef of Imago, Francesco Apreda, offers tasting or a la carte menu, and specializes in cooking Italian food with an Asian twist. The restaurant is open seven days a week with lunch (12:30-2:30 p.m.), dinner (7:30-10:30 p.m.) and Sunday brunch (12:30-3 p.m.). The Hassler also owns the II Palazzetto, a restaurant and wine bar located on the other side of the church. The II Pallazzetto offers the Martini Terrace, which directly overlooks the Spanish Steps.

The Hassler has 82 rooms and 13 luxury suites which are filled with antiques, artwork, chandeliers and more. The rooms are divided into Classic, Deluxe and Grand Deluxe while suites are divided into Classic Suites, Presidential Suites and the Penthouse Suite. The Classic rooms offer king-size beds, desks with broadband internet connections, marble bathrooms, a dining table and a garden view. The Deluxe rooms feature a king or two twin beds, marble bathrooms, and desks with internet connection. The Grand Deluxe rooms offer separate sitting areas, walk-in closets, internet connection, marble bathrooms and a private balcony or gazebo with views to the city or garden below.

The hotel also offers two main public rooms, the Salone Medici and the Sala Capra. The Salone Medici features direct access to the outdoor garden, draped curtains, a piano and antique furnishings. The Salone Capre is decorated with two frescoes painted by Capezzana and is used as a reading room or for private meetings up to 50 people. The Hassler also presents their customers with a small gym on the third floor with a sun terrace, message room, sauna, steam bath and solarium.

So, when visiting Rome, visit right. Treat yourself to the Hotel Hassler Villa Medici, which will allow you to enjoy in a great view, an excellent dining experience, and a perfect location, all at the same time.

One of the most developed cities in Italy, Bologna is not only the region’s capital, but one of the choice places to stay when in Italy. Bologna’s skyline is filled with soaring towers and red rooftops. But beneath the soaring architecture lies a city of history, art, prime shopping and authentic food.

Bologna is rich with history, art and architecture. Though few visitors know, underneath the cobblestone streets they walk on lies a network of canals. As most have been paved over time, you can go to 16-18 Via Piella, where you can look out the window over a gushing stream. For an even better view, go to Caffe Opera e Tullipani where the back room overlooks a rushing waterfall. Most other outstanding sites are hard to miss, such as the 7-building 1,000 year old complex of Santo Stefano (the Piazzola di Santo Stefano). These churches and religious buildings have been around from the eighth century until now and have been rebuilt since. If your looking for the art scene of Bologna, go to Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna (referred to as Mambo), a modern art museum that opened in may and offers emerging Italian art.

The food is sure to please and impress in Bologna (where tortellini, mortadella and ragu originated). With restaurants lining the streets it’s hard to pass by without enjoying an authentic Italian meal. Not only can you dine like a guest but you can shop like a regular in the city’s food market. You can find breads, fish, meats, cheeses and sweets lining the marketplace. Just like the locals you can stock up on deli meats and chocolates, and even souvenirs on your way out.

 
As the treasure of Italy, Bologna offers rich architecture, art and feasts. The best time to visit is the summer months, mainly March through October. These summer months are warm and provide comfortable days and nights allowing you to browse the market places, gaze on the beauty in the churches, or just lounge around the Piazzas with the locals and take in the city one relaxed breath at a time.

A few tips when visiting Venice, first and foremost, take comfortable shoes. You will be walking around a lot; there are so many great sites to see and you won’t want to miss them, because you are sitting back at your hotel with blisters on your feet. While you are there stop by Doge’s Palace, take a guided tour and see works of art by; Titan, Tintoretto, and Veronese. You will also get a chance to hear about Venice’s amazing history as a democratic republic.

One of my favorite places to visit when I go to Venice is the Murano Glass Factory. It is located about half an hour from the city, and well worth the commute. You won’t believe your eyes, when you witness the works of art created by these professional glass blowers. The have a gift shop so you can take home some of these magical pieces of glass.

When you get tired of walking around, take a gondola ride down the Grand Canal. Ride the entire length of the Canal from the bus station to St. Mark’s Square. You will be mesmerized by the nearly 200 palaces built between the 12th and 18 centuries. Just beware the canals can have a bad smell, nothing that will take away from the beauty all around, but worth mentioning.

The food in Venice is some of the best you will ever eat, especially the pasta, pizza, and tiramisu. Stop by an outdoor café, have lunch, and enjoy the gorgeous city. One more thing, use ATM machines when converting your money, you will get a better exchange rate than you would at the bank, or any other place.

by Annette

I was in Sardinia for the past 10 days beginning August 1 ending August 10th. I went with my brother and parents (who are decently young:) We HAD A BLAST. Here’s the set-up: Sardinia is not a big island but does have  winding roads which make a relatively short trip according to a map seem extra long hence the 100 euro cab ride from the airport to the hotel in Porto Cervo. All the prettiest people primarily Italian, Dutch, Russia, Saudi and English with money flock here in the summer time. We stayed at the Sol Melia Poltu Quatu which is not even in the top 5 of hotels in Sardinia however it was a very comfortable seemingly luxury hotel with great people. The trick in Sardinia when talking to the Italians or anyone else not American is just repeat yourself 2 or 3 times and keep smiling. Also be prepared to spend A LOT! For the record two Vodka Tonics are 38 Euro so you can imagine our bill was roughly 8,000 Euro which was primarily just poolside drinking (Brut Rose 4 Glasses Equal 100 Euro tip: buy the bottle). There are several restaurants in Poltu Quatu on the marina. For more luxury restaurants try Porto Cervo. Porto Cervo is where the rich and famous park all their yachts and party. While we were there Bruce Willis and Roberto Cavali had just passed through. There is a lot of Saudi money meaning they bring their staffs of all westerners from pilots to crew when they fly on their own 737s. Sardinia is an amazing place if you have the money (which in my case/ my dad does). Be prepared to switch up your eating schedule though as the average dinner starts at 9:00/9:30pm and clubs do not open till later in the night 12/1/2am. The island feels very safe and if you find a good concierge or bar manager they can point you to some of the more authentic Sardinian restaurants. Exchange your money before you land. We flew United to Rome and Medieriana Air to Sardinia via Rome. In you flying from the states the best way is a direct flight from Chicago to Rome (first/business class) then to Sardinia try and bypass as many airports as possible. And typically international flights are not delayed as much as domestic. There are hardly any Americans and we do stand out. But it feels good to be an American in the playground of the rich because they all want to make their money/name in America (that was a huge generalization, but just a thought). Each cab ride is about 30 to 40 euro not including the trip to the airport. The beach is nice but you need to take shuttles which are free or really cheap 5 euro. Tipping is weird and even though you do not see the tip line on a restaurant’s bill it is still proper to tip regardless. In addition some restaurants charge a sitting fee for just eating there (a version of an included tip). All in all the international crowd was pleasant and the girls are EXTREMELY pretty. A nice glass of Proseco on the marina people watching and/or flirting can last a lifetime; make it count.