MY MALL - The Mall Firenze
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MY
// F L O R E N C E - ISSUE N. 1
MALL
MAGAZINE
Travelling is an art.
It must be done in comfort,
with passion, with love
TIZIANO TERZANI
ETERNAL CHARM FLORENCE AND THE CHIANTI THE DRAW OF THE SEA SANREMO
PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO THEN AS NOW
FESTIVAL OF ITALIAN POP MUSIC GOURMET STOP TASTE TRAILS
ITINERARY
The Medici Chapels are the mausoleum
A UNESCO World Heritage Site,
of the Medici family, and they contain
Florence - or Florentia, as it was
masterworks of sculpture
originally named - lies in a natural
by Michelangelo. Stepping inside
amphitheatre, hemmed in by hills on
the resting place of the Medici is like
three sides and bisected by the River
diving right into the past.
Arno. It was the cradle
of the Renaissance and is universally
recognised as one of the most beautiful
cities in the world.
2
Toscana
The best way to admire the cathedral’s
dome, the work of Filippo Brunelleschi,
is to climb its 463 steps, a route which
takes you face-to-face with the beautiful
frescoes on the inside it, painted
by Giorgio Vasari. But the true rush
comes when you are outside, 92 metres
up. Admiring Florence from high,
with Giotto’s bell tower standing
in front of you. Shivers!
3
ITINERARY
Little rain, gentle breezes, a mild
climate with an average of 2,900
hours of sun every year: the cities on
the French and Ligurian rivieras are
Offshore of the French Europe’s warmest in winter,
and Ligurian Rivieras, at a latitude of 42° North.
you can spot whales That’s why the wealthy, the gentry
and dolphins in their natural and the celebrities
habitat. In fact, the city faces of the nineteenth century came from
directly onto the Pelagos all over Europe to spend winter here.
Sanctuary in the Ligurian Sea.
4
Toscana
Can you picture the typical postcard
landscapes of citadel hilltowns,
colourful houses with flowers
in the windows, and the blue sea
in the background? These are
the towns of the Ligurian Riviera
and the nearby French Riviera.
Enchanting, breathtaking places like
Ventimiglia, Mentone and Antibes.
5
SUMMARY
FEEL FLORENCE
EXTRAORDINARY AND CHIANTI
Albert Herrera Itinerary
p.12 p.14 p.16
THE FEELING
BEHIND
THE POWER
Vincenzo Dascanio
PLACES APPOITMENTS
Hotels Florence, Sanremo
and restaurants and surrounding
p.64 p.60 p.52
THE MALL
LUXURY
OUTLETS
The Mall Firenze
and The Mall Sanremo
QR CODE FOR VERSIONS IN OTHER LANGUAGES
SUMMARY
p.30 p.32
IN THE NAME BLOGGER
OF HOSPITALITY Annabelle Fleur
Domenico Colella Veronica Ferraro
p.34
p.46
SEA,
CULTURE
AND SHOPPING
Marco Sarlo
SANREMO
AND FRENCH RIVIERA
Itinerary
CHEF
Claudio Mengoni SANREMO
Paolo and Barbara Masieri FESTIVAL
2020
p.48 Amadeus
p.50
EDITORIAL
In search
of beauty o Motta
y G i o r gi
b
When I think of The Mall Luxury Outlets, propose a real journey into the beauty to
I never think just about a company that fall in love with, as we are: Florence and
builds and runs luxury malls, I rather see Sanremo are inimitable sceneries where
a close-knit group of people driven by a the incredible blend of their landscapes,
common deep passion for fashion, hence art, history, flavours, colours and nature
for beauty. This is why to "just" oper- will definitely conquer anybody's heart,
ate successful outlet villages and pursue unique places where beauty can be expe-
good performances cannot be a sufficient rienced in all its forms. We have then de-
objective for our hearts: our main desire cided to broaden our horizon and go over
is to feed everyday our passion for beauty the walls of our offices to share with you
and share it with our guests, making our all this beauty surrounding us, through
malls the perfect ambience for this love some pages telling about the experienc-
story. Thus we work hard day by day to es of friends who already fell in love with
make sure that every single element and these special locations, and are happy to
service of our luxury malls - the exclusive share their stories, feelings, sensations
fashion proposals, the Italian design ar- and some special secrets, suggesting tai-
chitecture, the exquisite food, our warm lor-made journeys and travel recommen-
welcome and special services, the amaz- dations. We have therefore come up with
ing initiatives and exhibitions... up to the a magazine, twice a year, telling about
smallest brick - could be a parithetic de- how much beautiful life is. A way of trans-
cisive ingredient of a magic alchemy that forming a shopping day at The Mall Firen-
makes our guests' experience unique and ze or The Mall Sanremo into an amazing
unforgettable. Even more, we desire to unforgettable experience of life.
The birth of Italian style. Italian fashion began in 1952 in the Sala Bianca
at Florence’s Palazzo Pitti. A photo taken at the time by the photographers
of Archivio Foto Locchi. Foto Levi/©Archivio Foto Locchi (www.fotolocchi.it)
9
COLOPHON
GIORGIO FRANCESCA LUDOVICA
MOTTA CAMBI MARINA
General Manager Marketing Manager PR & Communication
Coordinator
ANNAMARIA YULIA
MARA GORDEEVA
APAC Tourism Marketing EMEAIR, CIS & Americas
Coordinator Tourism Marketing Coordinator
MY
MALL
MAGAZINE
ISSUE N. 1
Curated by Gruppo Editoriale
Editorial staff Sabrina Bozzoni, Teresa Favi, Francesca Lombardi, Virginia Mammoli,
Mila Montagni, Antonia Ruggiero
Photographers Lorenzo Cotrozzi, Dario Garofalo, New Press Photo
Art editor Martina Alessi, Melania Branca
Translations The Florentine
Advertising and marketing director Alex Vittorio Lana
Alex Vittorio Lana & Matteo Parigi Bini
via Piero della Francesca, 2 - 59100 Prato - Italy
www.gruppoeditoriale.comAlberta Ferretti Ermanno Scervino Philipp Plein
Alexander Mcqueen Ermenegildo Zegna Pomellato
Aquazzura Etro Roberto Cavalli
Balenciaga Fay
Saint Laurent
Billionaire Fendi
Bottega Veneta Gcds Salvatore Ferragamo
Burberry Giorgio Armani Sergio Rossi
Chloé Givenchy Sutor Mantellassi
Chopard Gucci Tag Heuer
Coach Hogan
Tod's
Corneliani Jimmy Choo
Dolce&Gabbana Loro Piana Tom Ford
Emilio Pucci Moschino Valentino
Emporio Armani Pasquale Bruni Versace
Alexander Mcqueen Msgm
Balenciaga Poltrona Frau
Bottega Veneta Saint Laurent
Dolce & Gabbana Santoni
Ermenegildo Zegna Versace
Etro
Gcds
Giorgio Armani
Gucci
Jimmy Choo
Karl Lagerfeld
Kids Around
Loro Piana
Luxury MultibrandTRAVEL INFLUENCER
Feel
extraordinary
ALBERT HERRERA, "OUR MOST SOPHISTICATED TRAVELERS ARE LOOKING
FOR HIDDEN GEMS"
Albert Herrera is SVP, Global Product Firenze and The Mall Sanremo to its
Partnerships at Virtuoso, the exclu- network?
sive network of high-end travel companies No trip to Italy would be complete without
who work together to create customized the beauty and luxury of Italian shopping.
vacations for luxury travellers. The Mall Luxury Outlets provides an ex-
What are the most interesting trends perience that is perfect for our network of
in the luxury travel industry? travellers - unique, high quality and exclu-
Luxury travellers desire to savour as many sive. It’s like having access to a personal
new destinations and exciting experiences shopper and the best brands are made ac-
as possible in more authentic ways. They cessible to you.
travel to learn and return home trans- What is Tuscany’s most precious
formed. treasure?
What would you say is the added value With its beautiful landscapes and archi-
of a Virtuoso trip? tecture, Tuscany truly stands apart in
Using a Virtuoso travel advisor elevates how it invites you to experience life like a
every aspect of your trip, from departure native. You can experience the Under the
to a smooth return. Our network is com- Tuscan sun dream – the beautiful villas
posed of the best travel partners and des- amid the rolling landscapes, enjoying a
tinations around the world. Virtuoso has glass of the world-renowned wine.
proven to open doors and provide VIP ac- And Sanremo’s?
cess. As they say, you can’t VIP yourself. Sadly I have not made it to Sanremo yet,
What attracts your customers to Italy? however it’s on my list for this year before
Italy is truly the most popular destination my annual pilgrimage to Nice. My first
for most of our clients and is consistently stop will be to the Royal Hotel Sanremo.
at the top of the annual Virtuoso Luxe Re- My second, of course, will be The Mall
port. Food, wine, history, art, adventure, Sanremo, where I plan to take advantage
spa, culture, wonderful hotels and beauti- of the strong dollar and do some Christ-
ful scenery. mas shopping for family and friends (and,
Why has Virtuoso added The Mall myself, of course).
13INTERVIEW
“The Mall is a
dynamic, determined
company, not afraid
to roll the dice.
The displays that we
make for them are meant
to communicate their idea
of the avant-garde”EVENT DESIGNER
The feeling
behind the power
VINCENZO DASCANIO, HOW TO MAKE EVERY EVENT UNFORGETTABLE
With a floral event designer like Vincenzo that of the companies they represent with
Dascanio, the wow factor is guaranteed. such passion.
Original and eclectic, he channels the ar- What are the most special things that
tistic direction of Armani Fiori to create a you’ve done for The Mall Luxury Outlets?
singular brand, while lending his signature The Christmas displays are the first thing
to displays which travel the world. The that we did for the group back in 2018, and
Mall Firenze and The Mall Sanremo are we were then honoured when they request-
among them. ed that we support them for the opening of
Personal touch and high-end, tailor-made The Mall Sanremo. It was a wonderful and
performances: how exactly do people successful experience.
work together in your line of business? What does ‘experience’ mean for you?
Our fields might seem very different from Every project creates an experience that
one to another, but attention to detail, orig- people can remember, even a long time af-
inality of ideas and perfect execution are val- ter, thanks to the emotions that it stirs.
ues that we all share in our brand, and there- Florence and Tuscany, Sanremo and the
fore in our style, and that’s what our clients French Riviera. How do these different
are looking for. places work together?
How did the relationship with The Mall This is one of the most interesting aspects
Luxury Outlets start? of our job: working somewhere means try-
It was written in the stars of the two com- ing to absorb the essence of that place and
panies: both of them have deep roots in the then give it back to the visitors. Tuscany
Tuscan landscape and in the principles of and Liguria are neighbours but their iden-
quality, craftsmanship, and internationality. tities are different. For the Christmas dis-
How do you interpret the identity of The play, we therefore explored different ideas:
Mall Luxury Outlets in your designs? a concept born from history and artisanal
We’re talking about a young, dynamic or- tradition for Florence, while at Sanremo
ganisation, energetic and strong-willed. we wanted to create something lighter and
With our designs we try to communicate, in more playful, connected to blue, the colour
a clear way, their idea of the avant-garde, and of the French Riviera.
15ITINERARY
Land of the
Renaissance
Florence is a relatively small to prolong your stay for a few
city, considering its wealth of days, the better to discover
artworks and museums. Ta- the surrounding hills.
king a weekend out to visit is A natural jewel set between
definitely a good travel idea, the provinces of Florence,
and the ideal one would be Siena and Arezzo.
FLORENCE. You are in the cra- the Uffizi Gallery, the oldest mu-
Two days
dle of the Renaissance, where you
will live the thrill of laying your
seum in Europe, which conserves
artworks as extraordinary as Tit-
in Florence…
hands on the history and beauty ian’s Venus of Urbino, Leonardo unique experiences,
which Florence has cultivated, on da Vinci’s Adoration of the Magi,
an international scale, for centu- and Botticelli’s Primavera and The individually-tailored
ries. Start the first day in Piazza Birth of Venus. Go a little further
del Duomo, home to the Cathe- on and you reach the Ponte Vec- journeys and secret
dral of Santa Maria del Fiore, chio, then cross the Arno river
Giotto’s bell-tower and the an- to arrive on Florence’s ‘left bank’,
locations
cient Baptistery where Dante the site of Palazzo Pitti and the On the second day, it’s worth the
Alighieri, poet of the Divine Com- Boboli Gardens. Crossing the riv- effort to visit at least one museum,
edy, was baptised in 1266. Head er again, you reach Piazza Santa linger among the artisan studios
towards Piazza della Signoria, Maria Novella, in front of which, on the Oltrarno, and pay the city a
where the Palazzo Vecchio, now you will find it's famous namesake final tribute by admiring it whole:
the town hall and once the home of Church, or instead visit the beau- take a taxi up the vantage point of
the Medici family, rises alongside tiful Basilica of Santa Croce. Piazzale Michelangelo.
16FLORENCE & CHIANTI
MUSEO PALAZZO MUSEUM ACCADEMIA
DEL DUOMO STROZZI OF COSTUME GALLERY
Revolutionary One of Florence’s Located in the Palazzo The main exhibit
innovation, most evidently Pitti, this is the only of this museum is
completely Renaissance period museum of fashion Michelangelo’s statue
redesigned a few palaces is home history in Italy. Italian of David. Its copy, an
years ago, with to important, fashion started here in exact replica
extraordinary results international- the 1950s, and you will of the original, stands
in the layout and calibre temporary find 6,000 garments in front of the Palazzo
arrangement of the exhibitions and antique and modern, Vecchio, flanked
artworks. You will a dedicated including the creations by other copies of
come across works contemporary art by Giorgio Armani famous statues in the
of Michelangelo and space. and Valentino. fourteenth-century
Donatello. Loggia dei Lanzi.
17ITINERARY VIEWING. The Duomo’s terraces are a special place indeed, where you can take a stroll at a height of 32 metres and survey the rooftops of Florence’s historic centre. From up here you can admire all the city’s monuments and, most importantly, dawdle to admire the ‘close-up’ view of the dome! TASTING. A light meal of truffle sandwiches at Procacci in via de’ Tornabuoni. Lunch at Ristorante Frescobaldi in Piazza della Signoria. Dinner at Cantinetta Antinori. For traditional cuisine repair to Buca Lapi or Buca dell’Orafo. Wherever you go, a good Florentine steak is guaranteed. WHERE TO STAY. Portrait Firenze, which looks over the riverbanks by the Ponte Vecchio, and the Savoy, a stone’s throw from the Duomo with a view over Piazza della Repubblica, are two of the best hotels in the historic centre: Florentine charm coupled with high, exclusive standards of service. 18
FLORENCE & CHIANTI
The Ponte Vecchio is the symbol of Florence.
In 1565 Cosimo de’ Medici ordered
the construction of the Vasari Corridor
and expelled the butchers
to make way for the jewellers, who still work
on the bridge today
19FLORENCE & CHIANTI
History, vineyards
and nature!
A TAILORMADE JOURNEY THROUGH THE MAGICAL LANDSCAPE IN PURSUIT
OF THE BEST, FROM EVERY PERSPECTIVE, THAT CHIANTI HAS TO OFFER:
WINERIES AND CASTLES, GASTRONOMY, PANORAMAS AND SHOPPING
CHIANTI. Leaving Florence, take SP92 to reach Panzano (SR222),
the motorway that connects Flor- where you can try the most famous
ence with Siena and get out at Vil- steak in the world, prepared by Dario
la Mangiacane, a perfect place Cecchini in his restaurant Solocic-
to spend a night or two. Drop the cia. Then turn south (SR222), visit
luggage, freshen up and begin your the castle and vineyard of Fonteru-
third day of the tour with a relax- toli, the nearby Romanesque abbey
ing journey on the trail of nature of San Leolino and finally sleep at
and breathtaking vistas, among hills Castel Monastero, a beautiful spa
lined by vineyards. You are in the resort not far from Siena. The fifth
heart of the Florentine Chianti, a day has a spectacular journey in store
territory that has produced wine for for you: nestled in the panoramas of
centuries. A few minutes in the car rolling hills, you will come across
will take you to the futuristic Canti- the Castello di Brolio, where at the
na Antinori, where it’s worth hav- end of the nineteenth century Baron
ing advanced booked a visit to the Ricasoli perfected his Chianti Clas-
vineyard and lunch at the restaurant sico wine ‘recipe’. You will also pass
Rinuccio 1180, which looks over the enchanting village of Gaiole in
the vines. We recommend dinner at Chianti, you can admire the Colti-
the Tenda Rossa or the Osteria di buono Abbey and then the Castle of
Passiganano. For your fourth day, Meleto, two historic vineyards which
drive from San Casciano and take the have spent centuries making wine.
The helix staircase of the Antinori vineyard, one of the most impressive vineyards
in the Chianti, was designed by Marco Casamonti’s Studio Archea, at the behest
of the Antinori family. You are only 20 minutes from the centre of Florence.
21ITINERARY
Villages, castles
and secret locations...
The Church of San Leolino From upper Panzano go south
is found near Panzano. A true until you get to Castellina: the
inspiration for the soul, it is a road offers an unforgettable
place that makes you believe view. And if you still have time,
in the possibility of a perfect visit the charming hilltown of
society based on the good Montefioralle.
life, where you appreciate
the simple things and learn to
live moment by moment. Go
there in the early morning, at
dawn. Have a good breakfast
with fresh bread, finocchiona
and a glass of wine.
TIPS VIEW ROADS
Radda in Chianti is definite-
ly one of the must-see places
in the area, as are the parish
churches and little villages
around Gaiole. Descending
from Gaiole towards Vertine,
turn right after a few kilome-
tres for the small hilltown of
San Sano, from where you can
gaze at the most authentically
The British,
Chiantian hills. Between one with their typical
stage of the trip and another, it
For the curious, is important to enjoy the jour- aplomb, have
ney: every road in the Chianti
enthusiastic, takes you somewhere unique. rechristened this
and bon vivants land ‘Chiantishire’
22FLORENCE & CHIANTI
If you are keen to get to know In the Chianti
some of the secrets behind
the culture and traditions of you can find the
wine, pull over at the Museo
del Vino in Greve in Chian-
best enogastronomic
ti, where some typical wine- establishments
making tools and equipment
are on display, preserved and in Tuscany
restored. Rest, wine and dine,
and when you get to Castel- The landscape of the Chian-
lo di Brolio, there is a little ti is a work of art. A nice way
museum which conserves to spend half a day there is to
various weapons belonging to wander freely, without direc-
the Ricasoli family, along with tion or destination, and get
documents and effects once in touch with this territory,
owned by Bettino Ricasoli, feeling its slow rhythm and
the ‘father’ of Chianti. its harmony.
WINE FOOD SOUL
A few minutes on foot from Every boutique winery, restau-
the piazza in Greve and you rant and trattoria offers a very
find the Enoteca Falorni, the high quality of dishes and lo-
largest enoteca in the Chian- cal produce. Two not-to-be-
ti, where more than a thou- missed addresses are Dario
sand wine labels produced in Cecchini’s Solociccia restau-
the area are sold. rant in Panzano and the Antica
Macelleria Falorni in Greve
in Chianti.
23ITINERARY
With nature, shopping
and relaxation, taste the best
of a territory soaked
in tradition and innovation
The Mall Firenze
Toscanino Restaurat&Bottega
24FLORENCE & CHIANTI
A unique
shopping experience
END YOUR WEEK IN TUSCANY WITH STYLE: DIVE INTO AN EXCLUSIVE DAY
OF SHOPPING AT THE MALL FIRENZE
Leaving the Chianti be- ing just savoured the best ning you reach the Borro
hind you and heading of Tuscany’s flavours, is Relais & Chateaux in
back up towards Regg- a pleasure like no other! San Giustino Valdarno for
ello, it won’t be long on And without having to a stay at a five star hotel,
the sixth day before you leave the Mecca of shop- surrounded by vines, olive
reach The Mall Firenze, ping, you can have lunch trees and cypresses in an
where you can lose your- at the new Toscanino Bis- oasis of hospitality with a
self among the boutiques trò or at the Toscanino thousand years of history.
of the biggest Italian and Restaurant&Bottega, Here you will spend the
international labels. Div- which make for a perfect last night of your trip,
ing into a day of style, break in a day given over to cuddling in the spa before
comfort and luxury, hav- fashion. Then in the eve- going back to reality.
25OPEN
AIR
Close to Florence the
beautiful park of Fattoria
di Maiano is an excep-
tional setting for trekking
and hiking. Together with
an expert guide you can
admire the more inter-
esting places, such as the
Parco della Regina, the
small lake Colonne, and
the Botanic Garden.
Unique
A LECTURE
WITH FOTO ON THE
LOCCHI ROAD
A projection of images
from Archivio Foto Loc-
experiences Reach The Mall Firenze
from Florence with a Fer-
chi (a Florentine histori-
cal photographic archive) in and out rari car & driver service
by Florence Town. Dis-
The Mall
will take you on a journey cover the Chianti and ex-
through the origins of perience Tuscan speciali-
Italian Fashion, whose ties with a guided tour of a
roots stretch back to Flor-
ence in the 50s, when the
first «prêt-à-porter» fash-
Firenze medieval village, and then
head up to Badia a Col-
tibuono, where you will
ion shows were held in the have the chance to experi-
Sala Bianca at Palazzo Pitti. ence the Tuscan cuisine.
COOKING
CLASSES
Enjoy a cooking class at
Toscanino Academy,
The Mall Firenze. You
can choose between 9
Masterclasses: Mixology-
©Archivio Foto Locchi
bar, Italian pastry, Italian
cuisine, Freshhand made
pasta, Coffee masterclass,
Wine Tasting, Olive Oil
Tasting, Tuscancigars
and Chocolate.FLORENCE & CHIANTI
HOT AIR FASHION
BALLOON ADVICES
Experience the magic of At The Mall Firenze, an
flying over Tuscany’s vine- Image Consultant, fo-
yards, olive groves, impos- cused on wardrobe and
ing castles and ancient fashion, will give advice
townships. There’s noth- according to the colour of
ing more beautiful than the skin and the shape of
flying in a hot air balloon the client. Suggestions on
over the Florentine Chi- what clothing styles, co-
anti hills, experiencing the lours, designs, accessories
timeless romantic beauty and materials work best to
of Italy from a unique per- flatter an individual’s phy-
spective. sique.
The Mall Firenze offers its
guests an innovative concept
of quality shopping, transfor-
ming it into a voyage of di-
scovery, revealing the hidden
side of Florence and Tuscany
in a sophisticated ambience.
From private tours to perso-
nalised consultations on your
image, from cooking classes
to trips to places normally un-
touched by tourists: take part
in unique and extraordinary
experiences!
firenze@themall.it
EXCITING VINTAGE
RIDE CAR
On an Italian Vespa you Such a fulfilling experience
can experience, thanks to is topped off with an unfor-
Florence Town, one of gettable vintage Duetto car
the most enjoyable rides, drive, thanks to Florence
through the curving sce- Town. With the car from La
nic roads of the Chianti Dolce Vita you can visit a me-
countryside to arrive at dieval village, have lunch in a
The Mall Firenze. Once fine restaurant, and conclude
your shopping is done you the journey with the most
will go back to Florence in incredible shopping experi-
a Mercedes vehicle. 27 ence at The Mall Firenze.ITINERARY
hianti hil ls,
d e d b y C
“Surroun
e g r o v e s , vineyards
oliv id e, land
c o u n t r y s
and ce art”
e n a is s a n
of R it throug
erience
h
a d v ic e is to exp re of our unique
My phe mic.
e m a g ic al atmos , e le g a n t, panora
th tic
illas: rus ere at
Tuscan V you look for is h e best CARL
th in g f c ourse, th OTTA
Every . A n d o by FERR
las.com e days is ARI
tuscanvil d your Florentin e with the Directo
en in
way to sp llent food and w accanti.
r of the
Bureau Florenc
x c e s of leb
a e
Conven nd President o Convention
tasting e e x perience !
a d e tion Bu f the Ita
tailor-m nce awaits you reau lian
re
com. Flo
“The frescoes
in the Buonom
ini
in San Martin oratory
o,
in the heart of F
lorence,
take us back in
tim
to the age of L e
ore
A the Magnificen nzo
D O VIC NDI
O ge
t”
LU REG , i n char
Tiny, central bu
SEB histo
rian ent
rtem zzi place little know
t secluded, this
is a
ne a anag Stro n even among
l o r enti entific m Palazzo Florentines th
emselves. It is
the
F e
e sci zion in Piazza San M located
of th e Fonda artino, just behi
of th Piazza della Si nd
gnoria.
We relive the Renaissance in the tiny Buonomini
Oratory in San Martino, coated with frescoes from the
studio of Domenico Ghirlandaio. They tell real life
stories: customs and habits, food and taverns, prisons,
weddings and births, transporting us back to the time
of Lorenzo the Magnificent.
28FLORENCE & CHIANTI
elo offers
M ichelang
Pia z z a le ic view of
b e a u ti fu l panoram , and is
a rno
and the A r
Florence b li g a to ry stop fo
o
"Designed in certain ly
ts a
a
n
n
d Florentin urch
es. No fa t r
touri s the Ch
1869 by the from the
square is
iato a M l onte. Th
e
S a n M in f S a n
Florentine of rch o
f the Chu n
exterior o corated with gree
is d e
architect Giuseppe Miniato at form
marbles th r
and white signs. The interio
d e
Poggi, Piazzale geom e tr ic
rch is in R
oman e s q u e
of the chu three naves with NNELLI
Michelangelo style and
has
oor. Here
l marble fl ifix by
,
V ANESSA
GIOVA
a beauti fu c
ru
is the celebration the Chap
el of the C ehind
4 4 8 ), b ales & M
arketing a
zo (1 Cor
Micheloz crypt, decorated r o f S
of Michelangelo Direc to
a n a g er at Villa
e i. M
which is th s by Taddeo Gadd
uty
and Dep
s c o e
and his works" wit h fr e
A place
ne
wholeh ar Florence t
eartedly hat I lo
Badia a re ve a
Passign commend to m nd which I
village, ano. T
ho his mag y guests is the
combin me to an elev nificen
t litt
es en
artistic a stunning vie th-century mo le
an w na
can hav d enogastrono over the Chia stery,
e a fant m ic o p nti with
Osteria astic m portun
’s eal, ities
garden best wine; vis washed down . You
, the wo it the b with th
the Ab nd ioa e
bey of S erful, thousa ctive vegetable
all see t an Mic nd-year
he hele -old
Osteria incredible La Arcangelo, cellars of
di Passig st Supp and abo
Contac er ve
t Mr. M nano, Via di P by Ghirlanda
arcello assigna io.
Crini. no, 33.
“ Th e v i l
la
a Pa s s i g e o f B a d i a
RUGGERO VA
NNINI
g
Head consierge magnific nano affords a
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and ext nt view
Hotel Savoy
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mic oppo
rtunities
”
29INTERVIEW
“In Florence you can
try unique experiences,
like the grape harvest
or a trip to the skies
in a hot-air balloon”FLORENCE AMBASSADOR
In the name
of Hospitality
DOMENICO COLELLA, GENERAL MANAGER OF ST. REGIS AND THE WESTIN
EXCELSIOR FIRENZE
Domenico Colella, after years working requested destinations, a unique tai-
his way up in the luxury hospitality sec- lor-made experience which lets you
tor, has spent the last year helming the touch the most famous Italian fashion
iconic hotels The St. Regis and The labels, in a space built specifically for
Westin Excelsior, in Florence. Their the purpose.
historical importance and their envi- What are the other most popular re-
able position, looking over the Arno quests?
river from piazza Ognissanti, have made A lot of guests ask us to book them slots
them points of reference in the city. at the city’s main museums. But there’s
Florence is the birthplace of Italian no shortage of unusual requests, like
fashion. Is this one of the main attrac- going to the traditional grape harvest
tions for your guests? (pressed with your feet), or a view of
Our guests are connoisseurs of Flor- Florence from a hot-air balloon.
ence’s history, from a cultural point of Florence for Domenico Colella?
view but also with regard to lifestyle. A very important point in my life, for
Just think about the historic Sala Bianca reasons both professional and senti-
in Palazzo Pitti, which after the War be- mental, from the time of my infancy
came one of the most renowned fashion onwards. I carry the whole city in my
venues in the world for its sumptuous heart, its magical atmosphere and its
catwalks, which were also held in the people too.
Grand Hotel (what is now St. Regis) in a The strengths of the St. Regis and The
magnificent intertwining of Florentine Westin Excelsior?
culture and history. Pitti, being associ- Most definitely the staff. With hospital-
ated so closely with Italian fashion, is ity, it’s the people who make the differ-
an important feather in Florence’s cap ence.
when it comes to the world stage. An unmissable experience?
Is The Mall Firenze a much sought-af- An aperitivo at the Se.Sto on Arno bar,
ter experience among your guests? on the terrace of The Westin Excelsior.
Without doubt it is one of the most You have a 360° view of the city.
31BLOGGER
Annabelle Fleur
@VIVALUXURY
Your favourite places for lifestyle
and food in Florence?
Stay at the ultra-hip JK Place and have
lunch or dinner at their restaurant!
Take a walk on the Ponte Vecchio
bridge, you’ll find a lot of great shops
and art dealers there! If you can, take
a half day to visit the Santa Maria No-
vella Church and the magical Bardini
Gardens.
And in Sanremo?
Stay at the Royal Hotel Sanremo: you’ll
love the views, the rooms, the food, and
the proximity to the beach. Visit the
magical Madonna Della Costa Sanctu-
"Don’t forget to venture out ary, which offers the best views of old
Sanremo. Grab a coffee at Caffè Ducale
of your sartorial comfort – I suggest a table outside, so you can
really take in the atmosphere of the city.
zone a bit!" Wander around! Sanremo’s old town is
a magical labyrinth of winding streets,
Annabelle Fleur of Viva Luxury is a beautiful historic buildings, shops, and
blogger based in L.A. Her wardrobe is restaurants. Grab lunch near the Port
a treasure trove of endless glitz and and enjoy the catch of the day, and the
glamour but it’s her impeccable styling magnificent views!
ability that keeps her followers so de-
lightfully intrigued.
What will be the must-have of
spring/summer 2020 fashion?
Anything crochet and a statement bag.
Some tips for a good shopping expe-
rience at The Mall Firenze and The
Mall Sanremo?
Make a day out of it! Have fun! And
don’t forget to venture out of your sar-
torial comfort zone a bit!
32BLOGGER
Veronica Ferraro
@VERONICAFERRARO
Veronica Ferraro is a million follower
baby. Born in Milan, she has made her
mark upon the fashion world as one
of the most followed bloggers on the
international stage, with her blog The
Fashion Fruit, which she started in
2010.
What will be the fashion musts in
spring/summer 2020?
Super-colourful, fake leather clothes
(eg. Bottega Veneta SS20).
What about the winter? Though,
the indispensable garment to have
in the wardrobe. And accessory?
A nice, oversized teddy bear coat and
waterproof boots.
One piece of style advice that has
“Have a to-buy list
nothing to do with season and
trends...
and give yourself a whole
Only wear clothes and accessories you day at The Mall”
feel comfortable in. Don’t pay any at-
tention to the judgement of others; Mall Firenze and The Mall Sanremo...
deciding what to wear is a way of ex- Arrive with an idea of what you want to
pressing something of yourself. buy already in mind (I suggest a to-buy
Three advice for shoppers at The list); take a map of the outlet with you
so that you can find your way around
the various boutiques. Give yourself a
whole day to spend in n The Mall San-
remo and The Mall Firenze.
What’s the Instagram profile in
Tuscany that people really need to
follow?
#disoverytuscany, #tuscanypeople.
Same question, for Sanremo and
French Riviera?
#tatianabiggi, #yallersliguria.
33ITINERARY
The Riviera
of flowers
A week in Sanremo and ural setting. Stroll around
the French Riviera, at any the gardens and walk along
time of the year, is a magi- the seafront to discover an
cal moment for the coast’s unparalleled world of aromas
charming lifestyle and nat- and flavours.
SANREMO. Once upon a time, historic centre, where we gaze at
it was famous for its citrus, es- the co-cathedral of San Siro and
pecially orange trees, and olive wander around the Ariston The-
groves, which emanated their aro- atre, before extending the route
mas for more than three leagues out to the beautiful villas, once
beyond the town’s boundaries. the seaside residences of the rich
This considerable heritage can and noble, princes and pashas.
still be discerned on visiting The climb up to the Sanctuary A weekend
Sanremo today. The streets lead of the Madonna della Costa re-
to secret architectural gems, veals breathtaking views if you’re in Sanremo: city
which stand semi-concealed resilient (and fit) enough to make
among the buildings that re- it to the top. Day two is all about of flowers and
call local history. Now, we have
two days to savour Sanremo. To
shopping, perhaps after having
spent the morning at the refined
Italian living.
make the most of the weekend,
we start with a stroll along the
Pinacoteca Rambaldi picture
gallery. The Mall Sanremo is the
Close to Monaco
seafront before heading into the ideal place for your shopping fix. and France
34SANREMO & FRENCH RIVIERA
CASINÒ ARISTON LA PIGNA
PROMENADE
THEATRE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Fortune lives here, The most famous Strolling along the The area was
on the city’s green cinema-cum-theatre promenade is a must founded to defend
cloth tables. For in Italy is home to the on arrival. The sea the locals against
good luck, casino Sanremo Music Festival breeze makes for mild pirate raids. Today,
goers touch the foot every February, which temperatures, the the neighbourhood
of the La Cica statue, showcases music from palm trees given to the is a web of narrow
by the entrance, all over the country. town by tsarina Maria streets, arches, steps
whose name is still Mina, Modugno, Alexandrovna create and fountains that
associated with the Ray Charles, Andrea an unforgettable setting lead up to Porta
Royal Family of Bocelli, Elton John and and the beaches unfurl Santo Stefano. The
Monaco and Farouk David Bowie have all in all their glory. concentric circles
of Egypt. performed here. resemble a pine cone.
35ITINERARY VIEWING. The beautiful picture depicts the Regina Elena Gardens (the Queen of Montenegro loved this corner of Liguria), high up on a terrace surrounded by palm trees and flowerbeds. Above the houses in La Pigna, the garden is situated beneath the steps up to the Sanctuary of Madonna della Costa. The view ranges as far as Monte Bignone. THE MALL SANREMO. Only 5 minutes from Sanremo, this is the go-to luxury shopping experience where you can find the most exclusive names in Italian and international fashion. From clothing to footwear, accessories and fragrances, a day at this outlet of dreams is a uniquely special shopping experience. WHERE TO STAY. For an unforgettable stay, opt for the 5-star luxury Royal Hotel Sanremo, with the sea-water pool designed by Gio Ponti. If you’re looking for a retro vibe, sojourn among the antique furniture at the Grand Hotel & Des Anglais. A savant of the airy elegance that still distinguishes the establishment, tsarina Maria Alexandrovna inaugurated the Hotel de Paris. 36
SANREMO & FRENCH RIVIERA
Just outside Sanremo,
the town of Bussana Vecchia:
after the 1887 earthquake
it became an outdoor studio
for artists and artisans
37SANREMO & FRENCH RIVIERA
Into the blue
of Italy and France
SECRET PLACES THAT VIPS ADORE. FROM THE HOTEL DE PARIS IN
MONTE CARLOTO PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS IN NICE. TRENDY VENUES,
THE SEA AND SUPER-HOTELS
FRENCH RIVIERA. Two days in San- recover after leaving Monte Carlo’s jet-
remo are the perfect springboard into set is to jump in a red racing car and head
the French Riviera with its mild cli- for the delights of the Grand-Hotel du
mate and myriad towns overlooking the Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel. The
Mediterranean. Our day begins with a gardens are heavenly and history lovers
visit to Ventimiglia and a late lunch in will enjoy exploring the Villa Rose, once
Mentone, where there’s no shortage of home to Béatrice Ephrussi De Roth-
restaurants with sea views and Michelin schild, a marvel nestled in nine gardens,
stars; in the late afternoon, we arrive in one of which vaunts musical greenery.
the Principality of Monaco. Two nights Next day, in the early afternoon, we move
are a must in Monte Carlo: choose from to Nice and its Promenade des Anglais,
the iconic Hotel de Paris (with the three lined with blue chairs, while rest awaits
Michelin-star restaurant helmed by Alain at the Negresco with a signature dinner
Ducasse) and the luxurious Hotel Her- at Michelin-starred Chantecler. The
mitage, with the winter garden lobby. quietude of the hotel with its glass dome
Here, days are spent between the Casino is captivating, yet one last feat of beauty
and the Yacht Club, which was estab- awaits in Cannes: La Croisette and its
lished by Rainier III, Prince of Monaco, history of international stars set a private
without forgetting the latest “invention” stage in front of the Palais des Festivals,
by architect Renzo Piano, who is over- while the night entices guests with the
seeing work on a man-made island, ex- infinite charms of the Intercontinental
pected to finish in 2025. The only way to Carlton Cannes.
Exclusive beaches and pristine coves are interspersed with picturesque
villages that emerge from the Mediterranean maquis, poised on the rock.
The sublime coastal road paves the way for a rare motoring experience.
39ITINERARY
Essential locales
and VIP happenings
Designed by Norman Foster
and inspired by a steamship,
This is the exciting city route Monaco Yacht Club is the
where the Formula 1 Monaco perfect place to sip a drink as
Grand Prix races every year the sun sets.
in May, testing the drivers’
abilities, wits and willingness
to take risks along the three-
mile course. A member of the
Grimaldi family always pres-
ents the prize to the winning
driver. Schumacher won the
Grand Prix three times for
Ferrari.
CIRCUIT SEA YACHT
Oceanographic Museum
was founded by Prince Albert
I in 1889, after years of navi-
gating the Mediterranean and
the ocean around the Azores.
The 6,500 square metre mu-
seum showcases more than
6,000 marine species and
encourages visitors to learn
about the barrier reef ecosys-
tem. For over a century, it has
defended and protected the
Monte Carlo oceans, as well as housing in-
and the Principality, strumentation and findings to
study the seas and their flora
an Italian-inspired and fauna.
legend
40SANREMO & FRENCH RIVIERA
A little world standing on a
peninsular: this is Antibes, On the French
with its old city centre, Picas-
so Museum, and its winding
Riviera,
streets with a surprise around
every corner. The Antibes
no day is ever
postcode is filled with pic- the same.
ture-postcard images, looking
over villas to dream of. Every And that’s
summer in July, Saint Juan
Les Pins lights up for an in- not a sailor’s
ternational jazz festival, and
parties go on night and day. promise
BEACH FOOD MYSTERY
Antibes’ beaches are known Olives reign supreme, in
for the fineness of their sand their infinite healthy forms.
and by the more-or-less wide- Herbs of Provence, flavour
spread presence of gravel, and scent dishes: marjoram,
which makes the seawater seem thyme, savory, oregano,
absolutely transparent. rosemary and, when ap-
propriate, lavender. 'Aioli'
sauce is popular among
foodies.
There’s a centuries-old mys-
tery on the French Riviera,
hidden in the Lérins Islan-
ds. The pine and eucalyptus
trees surround the fortress
of Santa Margherita, where a
man who wore an iron mask
was imprisoned.
41ITALIAN
SUPERCAR
Leave your hotel in an Ital-
ian supercar, thanks to
Florence Town, for a memo-
rable tour through the Italian
countryside and along the
French Riviera. Taste a typ-
ical lunch with a delicious
glass of local wine and con-
clude your journey with an
incredible shopping experi-
ence at The Mall Firenze.
CITY
TOUR Unique COOKING
CLASS
An historical, architectural
and botanical tour by Ro- experiences Meet a local chef and dis-
cover the authentic recipe
around
berta Giovannina, which of pesto sauce, thanks to
will delve into the past lives Roberta Giovannina. After
of the wealthy 19th- and choosing the right ingredi-
20th-century families: the
Ormond Gardens, the
Floriseum, the not-to-be-
The Mall ents, the chef will teach you
how to prepare a deliciously
aromatic pesto sauce made
missed Museum of Flow-
ers, Villa Zirio, the resi-
dence of the last German
Sanremo exclusively with local basil
and prepared in the tradi-
tional way, using a marble
Emperor, and Villa Nobel. mortar and a wooden pestle.
DOLCE-
ACQUA
A tour by Roberta Giovan-
nina through an absolute
must in the Riviera dei Fio-
ri, one of the loveliest parts
of inland Liguria. This is the
home of Rossese di Dolce-
acqua, one of Italy’s finest
wines and the country’s
best-kept secrets. Domi-
nated by the age-old castle,
Claude Monet immortalized
the ancient village on canvas.Firenze
Sanremo
& Chianti
POLTRONA GOLF
FRAU CLUB
Italy excels internationally Tradition states that this
in many fields, including golf club began on De-
art, music, architecture, cember 1, 1931, when two
cuisine, fashion and even British gentlemen, Gannon
design. The Poltrona and Blanford, and instruc-
Frau talk, in the store/ tors Prette and Pasquali
showroom at The Mall San- “played” their first round.
remo, will arouse curiosity Today, this 18-hole, par
by telling the history of this 69, 5203-meter course,
memorable brand and Ital- nestled between olive trees
ian design. and the sea, is a dream
come true for any golf fan.
The Mall Sanremo provi-
des a different shopping
experience as visitors
are offered an incredible
number of exciting ex-
tras that turn shopping
into an escape from daily
life. From private tours
of Sanremo and nearby
towns to cooking clas-
ses learning how to make
world-famous pesto, as
well as golf and boat trips
to see dolphins and wha-
les off the coast.
sanremo@themall.it
CETACEAN HELICOPTER
SANCTUARY RIDE
A four-hour excursion During this helicopter tour
around the Pelagos Sanc- with Monacair, you’ll dis-
tuary covers the stretch of cover the best of Monaco and
sea between Liguria, Elba its surroundings. From the
and Corsica, and protects Monaco heliport, your pilot
more than 2000 cetaceans will head east, over the Cap
belonging to eight different Martin headland and the
species. Observing these waterfront charms of Men-
magnificent mammal spe- tone before discovering the
cies in their natural habitat villages of Castellar, St. Ag-
is an extraordinary sight. nes, Gorbio, Roquebrune
43 and La Turbiebefore.ITINERARY
t:
a real trea
F r e n c h Riviera is o u n g
For me, th
e yy
ith cream
n c h y fr e sh bread w la d ié re in Nice
cru p ti o us pissa ss
chèvre, sc
ru m with glaa
r o r a d o zen oysters aren’t that
Harbou . As there
Croisette ine restaurants in
of rosé on uis
ch haute c pay my respects to
many Fren y to ry
I always tr e legenda
Moscow, u ra n ts , such as th y L e
st a d c o z
beloved re gresco an
C h a n te cler in Ne dille in Mougins.
L e Ca n
at Le Mas f venue,
Candille in terms o ALEX
orl d s a p a rt “risk” and A
They are w views, but I love to
approach
an d e to the charm
ing
BERD NDER
inner exp
e ri e n c
e “Surprise YSHE
trust my d elot by ordering th down
ass Directo V
Virginie B wolfing r
Club in and owner of M
L e C h a ntecler or Chef’s Moscow agnum
menu” a t
t X a v ie r Burelle’s T ravel
rses a
eight cou .
a t L e Candille
Table
“ Urban art h
as
some iconic ne gifted us
wb
in recent year uildings
s, t
prestigious arch hanks to
itects”
Urban art has
given us icon
in recent year ic new buildin
s, designed by gs
architects. O prestigious
ne jewel is To
example, who ur Odéon, fo
se 58 floors st r
and five minut
NI P AOLO from the Place
du Casino an es
GIOVAN
Monaco; ther d the centre of
e will soon be
Portier, a floa another in Le
ting island de
RISSO Piano, which
will constitute
signed by Ren
zo
ciation of Restoration w a new district
f A .I .I.M (Asso Principa- orks have been .
Preside n t o
rs in the Monaco for th enveloping
trepreneu Capital e last year, an
Italian En o), CEO of Risso endorsers have d some notabl
n a c ager lent their sign e
lity of Mo , Commercial Man projects, as C atures to vari
n ts hef Paolo Sari ous
Investme onaco the first 100% has done with
& Risso M organic restau E lsa,
Cambiaso Michelin star
.
rant to earn a
44SANREMO & FRENCH RIVIERA
“The mix of When it comes to the French
Riviera, travellers from the Middle
luxury lifestyle, East favour destinations like
Cannes and Monte Carlo. To
yachting and enjoy Monte Carlo to its fullest, in
the heart of the city I recommend
gastronomy is the newly renovated Hotel de
surprising in Paris, or a stay at l'Hermitage
or Hotel Metropole, which also
Cannes and has a delicious Japanese cuisine of
Yoshi. As for Cannes, live music
Monte Carlo. evenings accompany the best food
at Hotel Majestic’s restaurant La
Not far from ER
Petite Maison.
HATEM CHATT
here, you’ll find From the French Riviera you
can reach Sanremo – ah, Italy a
the créme de la Middle East & Afric
is just a step away! Stay at Senior Director – ld
tels of the Wor
the Royal Hotel Sanremo to at The Leading Ho
créme of Italian take the splendid views of the
Mediterranean – and throw
brands at The yourself into an extraordinary
Mall Sanremo" shopping experience at The Mall
Sanremo, the greatest mall in the
world.
Nice is
su
French ch an amazing
art de v place to
with po ivr e
sitive en e. It’s a lively c xperience the
market ergy. St ity, brim
sa roll ming
old tow nd exploring th ing around th
n are so e c o lo e local
the gast me of m rful stre
ro y fa ets o
simply nomic and geo vorite activitie f the
extraor g r a phical s. Plus,
mounta din
ins. To ary, nestled be diversity is
over the enjoy in tween s
M cre ea a
cocktai editerranean dible panoram nd
l on the Sea, en ic views
located te joy
on the 3 rrace of the re lunch or a
rd sta
egency floor of the lu urant Le 3e,
Hyatt R
x
lais de resury hotel
Nice Pa
N“ ice is a la Méd
with pos lively city, brim
iterran
MICHE ée.
L WITT
iti m
or a coc ve energy. Try ing
WER
General
kt l
of the re ail on the terra unch
Manager
Nice Pala at Hotel
is de la M Hyatt Re
editerran
ée
gency
staurant ce
Le 3 e ”
45INTERVIEW
"When in Sanremo,
you can’t miss a trip
to the Pelagos Sanctuary,
where there is the highest
concentration of whales
in the Mediterranean"SANREMO AMBASSADOR
Sea, culture
and shopping
MARCO SARLO, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE ROYAL HOTEL SANREMO
Genoa-born Marco Sarlo has enjoyed an presentation of The Mall Sanremo attracts
array of prestigious jobs and awards in his the world of tour operators and the con-
career. Now he works as General Manager sumers that we meet. We are convinced
of the Royal Hotel in Sanremo. that our advertising, allied with The Mall
Is The Mall Sanremo a popular request Sanremo, can reach the largest audience
among your guests? in a matter of months.
The cultural, artistic and sporty vibrancy Three must-have experiences in Sanremo?
of a city as small as Sanremo is incredible. Pigna Mon Amour, which is concerned
Every week events and exhibitions take with preserving and promoting the his-
place and draw thousands of enthusiasts. toric centre of La Pigna, and the Pre-
Not least of them is shopping, always a mio Tenco, the great singer-songwriter
great pull to the city centre. The opening event. And without a doubt, trips to the
of The Mall Sanremo has confirmed it as Pelagos Sanctuary, where there is the
a destination in the luxury sector, and it highest concentration of whales in the
helps promote the city on the internation- Mediterranean. The evolution of ce-
al stage. taceans and dolphins are often visible
Why the partnership between the Royal right in front of the coast. I’ve travelled
Hotel Sanremo and The Mall Sanremo? thousands of miles to see far less in Baja
The Royal, a five-star establishment that’s California.
part of The Leading Hotels of the World, An experience at the Royal?
operates in the same fields and markets At our restaurant Corallina (with a stag-
as The Mall Luxury Outlets. We imme- gering sea view, on the edge of a swim-
diately saw the importance of the oppor- ming pool built by Gio Ponti in 1948,
tunity and wanted to join forces. We of- ed.) we offer evening entertainment,
fer our guests a privileged channel, with even for children, with our dedicated
VIP service, to The Mall Sanremo, which staff, magicians and master chefs. We
welcomes them and directs them with im- give little children kitchen uniforms and
peccable standards. When we do promo- we get them making pizza. It’s a great
tional activities, in Italy and abroad, the success and a joy for us.
47INTERVIEW
"Sanremo will be
completely immersed in the
Festival, this is something
new: never, in 69 years,
has the Festival spilled out
of the Ariston Theatre.
The temple will still be
there, but this time there
will be another temple
outside. Fantastic things
are going to come to the
entire city of Sanremo"SANREMO FESTIVAL
It’ll be
a surprise
AMADEUS, PRESENTER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AT THE 70TH SANREMO FESTIVAL
Mina, Modugno, Celentano, Mia Martini: both taking part in this big family party…
these are only some of the most innovative Exactly. But honestly, I have no idea what
artists to have been involved in the Festival they’re planning: they haven’t told me. But
of Italian pop music. with two artists like that, anything will work.
This year, the baton has passed to Ama- I trust them.
deus, who has the job of making a success As artistic director, have you followed a
of the important 70th edition, which is on theme in selecting the songs?
from 4 to 8 February 2020 at the Sanre- I start from emotion and gut-feeling, and
mo’s Ariston Theatre, and will be broadcast from there I start thinking about a possible
on the Rai Uno airwaves. With its music, setlist.
flowers, and fancy clothes the Festival is the The welcome that the city of Sanremo can
great family party that brings all Italians to- offer?
gether, where we talk about who we are and There will be an outdoor stage with a red
who we want to be. carpet connecting it to the Ariston Theatre.
Your childhood memories of the Festival? The whole city will be involved, along with
They’re connected to the family, to the par- all its people, in the displays and events, and
ents and grandparents. We would all stay at an artist will perform every evening.
home to watch it on TV; we would avoid any The city will be completely immersed in
commitments by saying, “Oh, this evening it, and this is something new: never, in 69
it’s the festival!” It’s the same today. For 69 years, has the Festival spilled out of the Aris-
years everyone has come together to watch it; ton. The temple will still be there, but this
everyone talks about it, everyone talks about time there will be another temple outside.
the songs, the quirks, the gossip. That’s what Fantastic things are going to come to the
I mean when I say the festival is for everyone. entire city of Sanremo.
As presenter, how would you define your On the subject of beauty, will Monica Bel-
festival? lucci be there?
I’ll bring my own friendly, ironic and Ah, who knows… hopefully! We’ll see, but
self-ironic presenting method. that’s part of the surprise and unpredictabil-
Fiorello and Jovanotti will be like brothers, ity that we hope to bring you.
49CHEF
Ode to authentic cuisine
CLAUDIO MENGONI, EXECUTIVE CHEF AT BORGO SAN JACOPO RESTAURANT IN FLORENCE
son? Where do they come from?), and
then I work from instinct and creativity.
Let’s talk about wine and wine
pairings.
The cellar at Borgo San Jacopo contains
more than 900 labels.
Signature dishes?
Raw and cooked vegetables with toma-
to sorbet and fig molasses. Spit-roasted
suckling pig with scorzonera, shallots in
port and Dijon mustard; calamarata pas-
ta with rockfish, broccoli and tarragon.
A walk through Florence with Clau-
dio Mengoni?
I really like the Oltr arno district, where
you find Borgo San Jacopo. It’s sophis-
"I really like the Oltrarno ticated but laid-back, with artisan bou-
tiques everywhere, and antiquarians in
district, it’s sophisticated via Maggio a stone’s throw from Palazzo
Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
but laid-back" Advice for fashion lovers?
Claudio Mengoni, born in 1984, has Visit the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
been the chef at the helm of the Miche- in Florence, during Pitti Uomo, which
lin-star Borgo San Jacopo restaurant in takes place in January and June. It’s
Florence since 2019. This year it was bursting with events.
awarded a Michelin Star.
Your philosophy in three concepts.
My cooking is Italian and Mediterra-
nean. Pure, precise dishes. Full, decisive
flavours.
Favourite ingredient?
Dough.
The crucial moments in the making of
a dish?
There are two. I start with by closely
studying the ingredients (are they in sea-
50CHEF
Like us two
PAOLO E BARBARA MASIERI AT PAOLO&BARBARA RESTAURANT IN SANREMO
Paolo and Barbara Masieri manage
the restaurant that bears their names.
A family tradition, it earned a Miche-
lin star in 1990.
Your philosophy summed up in
three concepts?
Natural products, both in the wines
and in the ingredients that go into the
dishes. Welcoming the customers as
you would a friend in your home. In-
formal elegance.
What does it mean for you, telling
the story of a land in cuisine?
Creating dishes with flavours that re-
mind you of your childhood in west
Liguria.
Your ingredients? "Don't miss Sciolè
Local fish, but vegetables above all.
They come from our vegetable gar- where you can find the best
dens. One is by the sea at Ospedaletti,
and this gives us the greens of the day,
local specialties"
the eggs and artichokes. The other, Raw, Mediterranean-style fish. Pasta
which provides us with olive oil, wine stuffed with prawns from Sanremo,
and Pigna beans, is in the hills. in a broth of vegetables, saffron and
The signature dishes of your restaurant? edible flowers. Preboggion ravioli
with wild herbs, walnut pesto and
prescinsêua cheese.
Sanremo in three secret places, the
places that balm your soul?
The beach in winter, the Russian
church, the Ormond gardens.
An address in Sanremo to give to a gour-
met friend of yours coming to visit?
Sciolè, an old grocers where you can
find the best of the region’s ingre-
dients.
51APPOINTMENTS
When, where,
what and why...
FROM ART TO ENOGASTRONOMY, JOUSTS AND MEDIEVAL TOURNAMENTS: WE PRESENT
YOU WITH THE FINEST EVENTS IN FLORENCE AND TUSCANY. HAVE YOUR DIARY TO HAND,
NOTE DOWN THE DATES, AND HAVE FUN. THE BEST OF TUSCANY AWAITS YOU!
AREZZO FLORENCE FLORENCE
Antiques Market Sustainable Thinking Pietro Aretino and the Art
1st weekend of every month art and fashion exhibition of the Reinassance exhibition
Until 8 March 2020 Until 3 April 2020
One of the biggest and most im- Museo Salvatore Ferragamo in- Masterpieces of the Renaissance,
portant antiques and flea markets vites people reflect on sustainability from Sebastiano del Piombo to
in Italy. It takes place along the themes through visions of art and Titian, are exhibit at the Uffizi
streets of the historic centre. fashion. Gallery.
FLORENCE FLORENCE FLORENCE
Worn by the Gods Procession of the Magi Pitti Uomo
art exhibition 6 January international fashion fair
Until 19 April 2020 16 - 18 June 2020
Museum of Costume and Fashion In Piazza Duomo, a re-enactment of The most important international
dedicates an exhibition to the his- the procession of the Magi, originally menswear and men accessories
tory of footwear from Classical put on by Cosimo the Elder de' Medi- trade show. A full week of great
times to the modern era. ci. A spectacular event in costume. social events.
52FLORENCE & TUSCANY
AREZZO FLORENCE VIAREGGIO
Arezzo Classic Motors Chicago Symphony Orchestra Carnival and floats parade
trade show directed by Riccardo Muti 1 - 25 February 2020
11 - 12 January 2020 20 January 2020
At the Arezzo Fiere e Congressi An unmissable concert at the One of the most famous carnivals in
palace, this trade show is an inter- Maggio Musicale Fiorentino The- the world. For almost a month (1,
esting display of classic vehicles, atre: Wagner, Hindemith and 9, 15, 20, 23, 25) the spectacular
historic cars and vintage scooters. Prokof’ev are in program. floats process along the waterfront.
FLORENCE FLORENCE FLORENCE
Tomás Saraceno art exhibition Taste food fair Explosion of the Cart
22 February - 19 July 2020 7 - 9 March 2020 12 April 2020
Palazzo Strozzi dedicates a mono- The fair devoted to taste and food It wouldn’t be Easter in Florence
graph to the great Argentinian art- takes place at Leopolda station without the exploding carriage in
ist (born 1973) who presents his and around Florence’s most ex- Piazza del Duomo. A spectacular,
biggest Italian project. clusive bars. history-soaked event.
FLORENCE CELLE SUL RIGO FLORENCE
Festival of the Pici's Festival Red Hot Chili Peppers's concert
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino 29 - 31 May 2020 13 June 2020
23 April - 22 July 2020
The oldest opera festival in Italy, A special festival in the heart of At the Visarno Arena in the Cas-
and one of the oldest in Europe, Val d’Orcia, dedicated to the cine Park, the sole Italian concert
has some ten new opera produc- "Pici" (a fat, handmade spaghetti, for the band who entered the
tions in the calendar this year. typical of this region). Rock Hall of Fame in 2012.
53You can also read
