Jamie Mussolini of Beachfronts Travel recently jetted off to Italy to see what’s new in Rome, Amalfi, Rapallo and Tuscany. Here’s her report, filled with tips and insider secrets to share with your clients.
With the high demand of Europe travel and especially Italy being one of the most asked-for destinations, I took the opportunity of taking a coastal trip to several parts of the country to expand my knowledge for my clients.
The culture that Italy offers— from the history to the food, to the locals and the landscapes— makes it even more special, particularly if you can relate to that from your ancestors.
To wake up with a view of the sea or of Italian architecture, combined with the warmth of the people and perhaps a traditional aperitivo before dinner is something you won’t find anywhere else. Traveling to Italy never gets old as there are so many hidden gems and new areas to explore.
I flew Delta One from New York’s JFK nonstop to Naples to take advantage of the private check-in, security, and luxurious lounge that’s exclusive to Delta One ticket holders.
I had a great dinner in the full-service restaurant and a relaxing chair massage. The Delta One cabin provided a full lie-flat seat, slippers, and a Missoni travel case with essentials for the eight-and-a-half-hour overnight flight.
Navigating Europe's Entry/Exit System
When I arrived, I had to complete Europe’s new biometric Entry/Exit System (EES), so I scanned my passport and provided fingerprints at the kiosk. Being in the Delta One cabin of the plane allowed this to be a faster process for me.
Tip: Suggest to clients with connecting flights that they leave extra time for the EES procedure or advise them to book a premium cabin to be closer to the front of the line.
Arriving in Amalfi
My first destination was Amalfi where I was chauffeured by a pre-arranged driver for a trip that took under two hours to arrive at the beautiful family-owned Hotel Miramalfi.
Note: Amalfi is not an Uber-friendly destination and taxi fares can often be unpredictable, so it is suggested to book transportation with a DMC or hotel concierge.
At Miramalfi, every room has a sparkling sea view and Dyson hair dryers. The entire hotel has such detail in every design displayed. The private beach club has a large seawater swimming pool and lounges to indulge in the views and expand the relaxed atmosphere Amalfi offers.
The Beach Club at Hotel Miramalfi Photo Credit: Jamie Mussolini
The hotel is a perfect place for families, honeymooners, couples, or solo travelers. Spending a day on the resort’s private boat is an amazing way to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea and view the incredible architecture of the Amalfi Coast, all while passing nearby towns such as Positano, Ravello, and Praiano.
We ended the afternoon by disembarking in the town of Amalfi, learning how limoncello is made, touring St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and enjoying fresh mozzarella, homemade gelato, and the ever-popular lemon ice.
For a romantic evening, dine at Donna Emma while listening to the piano. Wellness lovers can engage in a yoga class overlooking the sea and head to the fitness center to use the Hyperice Theragun and rollers.
Be sure to have a glass of fresh lemonade at the Azur Lounge paired with pizza from the hotel’s traditional pizza oven.
Off to Rapallo
My next stop was Rapallo which I reached by taking a private car for a 90-minute ride to Naples Airport before taking a direct flight to Genoa.
Once I arrived it was a quick 30-minute ride to the Grand Hotel Bristol. The hotel has a large swimming pool with loungers, a rooftop restaurant, and a spa with several hydrotherapy options.
From here, I explored the town of Rapallo and took a 30-minute ferry ride to Portofino with a guide to enjoy luxury designer shopping, homemade focaccia by Canale, cannoli, espresso, and affogato at the Dolce & Gabbana cafe, along with a cooking class to learn how to make pesto at a local restaurant before enjoying it for lunch.
Note: Leaving Portofino, you can also take a 15-minute ferry to Santa Margherita for local dining and shopping.
Tuscany calling
It was time to head to the Tuscan coast, so I took a private car for a short ten-minute drive to the Rapallo train station before boarding a train to Grosseto for a three-hour journey south.
Upon arrival, another private car drove me 45 minutes to Porto Ercole to check in at the stunning LA ROQQA hotel, which underwent a complete transformation from a former property.
Inspired by a refined “Dolce Vita” style, each floor has a different color palette for the rooms… shades of terracotta, blue, and green reflecting the natural landscapes of Monte Argentario and the Maremma region.
Dining at LA ROQQA Photo Credit: Jamie Mussolini
LA ROQQA feels like contemporary Tuscan coastal minimalism layered with a subtle 1960s and 70s Italian glamour. In the rooms you will find fresh juices and mirrored televisions that blend seamlessly into the interiors. At the rooftop restaurant, dishes highlight seasonal ingredients sourced locally and from the hotel’s garden, including zucchini and tomatoes. Don’t miss the homemade tiramisu or the signature tomato pasta made using eight different tomato varieties.
The hotel’s beach club, just a short five-minute shuttle ride away, offers waterfront dining, loungers, and a sandy beach ideal for swimming.
Wine experiences
On the second evening I took a private car to the Tenuta il Quinto winery to learn how they produce their organic wine. I was treated to a handcrafted menu by the chef along with a wine pairing for each course.
Time for Rome!
Upon checkout I took a private car about 45 minutes to Orbetello train station to reach Rome in roughly three hours.
For an intimate and luxurious feel, stay at Portrait Roma which is owned by the Ferragamo family. A private shopping experience at Ferragamo can be arranged for guests and it includes a 10 percent discount.
With only 14 rooms, the property feels incredibly exclusive. Thoughtful touches, such as ginger welcome drinks along with unique suites featuring private saunas and exercise bikes create a personalized experience.
The rooftop restaurant has magical panoramic views of the city and is exclusive to hotel guests. I enjoyed a tour of Rome on a golf cart which is one of the best ways to see all the top sights (especially on a hot, sunny day), such as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, Pantheon, Roman Forum, and the foodie neighborhood of Trastevere.
Back to New York
I flew back from Rome on Delta nonstop to JFK. When flying back, make sure to leave plenty of time because of traffic, since you do have to go to the counter to check bags, go through security (where they surprisingly allow water), and then complete passport control before entering the terminal, which has luxury shopping and Italian gourmet shops.
Supplier Contacts:
Hotel Miramalfi: Alessandro Mansi, Director of Sales & Owner: [email protected]
Grand Hotel Bristol: Silvia Ballerini, Director of Sales, [email protected]
LA ROQQA: Viviana Anselmi, Director of Sales & Marketing: [email protected]
Portrait Roma: Federica Martini, Director of Sales, [email protected]
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