Senza dipendere da intermediari – spiegano dal quartier generale della compagnia – il team di Emirates ha costruito relazioni dirette con alcuni dei più preziosi chateaux e vigneti del mondo per scegliere accuratamente e accertarsi sui vini serviti a bordo. «Per noi il vino è esperienza. I nostri clienti vogliono gustare vino a bordo come se stessero in un ristorante di lusso» dice Tim Clark, presidente Emirates airline.
La compagnia ha attualmente oltre 1,2 milioni di bottiglie di vini ad invecchiare nella sua cantina in Burgundy (Francia). Alcuni di questi saranno pronti per il consumo solo tra un decennio.
«Di certo è un grande investimento ma il vino e lo champagne sono sempre stati un aspetto importante del nostro servizio a bordo, per cui preferiamo lavorare a lungo termine. È parte del nostro rigoroso processo di pianificazione, proprio perché sappiamo quanto sarà grande la nostra flotta e dove voleranno questi aerei, sappiamo anche che i vini che serviremo tra quattro anni in ogni classe di ogni singola rotta» aggiunge Clark.
I vini italiani giocano un ruolo importante: con 24 varietà servite a bordo, i vini della penisola sono secondi nella lista dei più serviti. Basti pensare che – da gennaio 2013 a ottobre 2014 _ 15,491 bottiglie sono state servite in First class mentre 125,701 bottiglie sono state servite in business class.

Tra i vini top italiani spiccano marchi d’eccellenza mondiale come Antinori, Felluga, Biondi Santi, Planeta, Nardi, Barone Ricasoli e tanti altri.

Emirates airline conta oltre 8,3 milioni di membri Skywards in tutto il mondo, vola verso 147 destinazioni in 84 paesi, opera 231 wide-body Airbus e Boeing, è leader del settore con 56 aeromobili A380 ed ha ordini per altri 286 aeromobili, per un valore di circa 138 miliardi di dollari.

Di Vincenzo Chierchia tratto da Ilsole24ore.com

Now the Newcastle-born singer, 61, has decided to give up some of his privacy by renting out six cottages on the estate at the rock star rate of €7,000 (£6,000) a week each.

Guests will also be able to use the large swimming pool, a giant chessboard in the garden and dine in Sting’s wine cellar, lined with “enormous, ancient barrels”, according to the Italian estate agency Immobiliare.

With room in the outbuildings for 50 people to sleep, a wedding party renting them out for a week could rack up a bill of €42,000.

Despite his fortune, Sting’s decision to rent out the estate buildings could have been prompted by a property tax introduced last year by the Italian government in a bid to bring in urgently needed revenue, said Immobiliare.it spokesman Andrea Polo.

“I don’t know how much money you earn selling honey, but with the new tax Sting will have been handed a huge housing tax bill last year,” said Mr Polo.

Guests heading for Il Palagio will get to see the work that Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler have put into the estate, which boasts woods, lakes, a five acre kitchen garden and bee hives.

Since buying the estate in 1999, when it was in a state of abandonment, Sting has built it up by buying acres sold off by the previous owner, Duke Simone Vincenzo Velluti Zati di San Clemente.

The singer, who has installed a 10 foot statue of Buddha at the main house’s chapel, has described grabbing a basket and joining in with the olive harvest as “therapeutic.”

The estate’s olive oil has been sold at Harrods, while Sting’s website, which gives information on his next solo concert dates, also promotes his wines, including a Sangiovese-based red called When We Dance which is described as “Fruity and berryish”.

Looking to build on his supply of home produce to retailers, Sting has opened a shop for direct sales at the estate, offering his oil, wine, honey and salami, which is made from a local breed of pig.

Mr Polo said the offer to rent out the cottages would be popular.

“It’s Tuscany, it’s beautiful and it’s a lovely property, so it is clear the place will be in demand,” he said.

“Sting is also unconventional and doesn’t live in an ivory tower so he might show up at your event.

“Along with Tony Blair it was Sting who drove the myth of Chiantishire, and that is how he can charge 7,000 euros a week for a cottage, although for that price you can see he is aiming at an international clientele.”

By Tom Kington, The Telegraph

Nella classifica mondiale stilata da The Art Newspaper sul numero di visitatori, però, il primo posto va ancora al Louvre, con oltre 9,7 milioni di visitatori l’anno, seguito dal Met di New York con 6,1 milioni, mentre il British Museum di Londra è terzo con 5,5 milioni di visitatori.

L’Italia è la culla dell’arte, anche se l’affluenza è generalmente in calo: quest’anno nel complesso vi sono stati poco più di 10 milioni di visitatori contro i 10,7 del 2012. Gli Uffizi di Firenze sono il museo italiano più quotato con ben 1,7 milioni di visite l’anno, seguiti dal Palazzo Ducale di Venezia con 1,3 milioni di visitatori e dalle Gallerie dell’Accademia di Firenze con 1,2 milioni.

I musei della Città Eterna sono in calo, con Castel Sant’Angelo che si posiziona al quarto posto, mentre i Musei Vaticani scivolano al settimo posto (lo scorso anno erano al quinto). L’Italia è penalizzata dal contemporaneo, che scarseggia un po’ e, quando esiste, si colloca piuttosto lontano in classifica. Il museo Macro di Roma è solo al 24simo posto.

Fonte: Teleborsa.it

An American (Painting) in Florence

Another museum worth checking out is Palazzo Strozzi, housed in the former 15th century mansion of an influential Florentine banking family and known for its contemporary exhibits. Past shows have included American Dreamers: Reality and Imagination in Contemporary American Art and Americans in Florence, which showcased works by Whistler, Sargent, Cassatt and other American artists living in Tuscany. Before or after a visit, have an espresso in the ground-floor café next to the well-stocked gift shop.

Live like a Royal

One of the most luxurious hotels in town is the Four Seasons in the historic Gherardesca palazzo. Throughout the lobby and 117 rooms are frescoes and gilt-edge Renaissance-style paintings, reminiscent of when it was a noble’s residence. Top suites include the Royal with vaulted ceilings and an original ceramic floor, and the modern two-story Duomo Duplex that overlooks the garden and the Duomo. Another hotspot attracting a more artsy crowd is the 20-room J.K. Place, decked out with an elegant lounge with a Louis XV fireplace, library, and small rooftop terrace.

Less Window, More Shopping

It’s easy to drop some serious Euros in some of Florence’s shops, especially its designer boutiques (think Armani, Pucci, and so on) along Via Tornabuoni, but there are also smaller local spots to find one-of-a-kind items. At Dr. Vranjes, a green-and-white jewel-box boutique and laboratory in Santa Croce, mix and match to make your own fragrances and essential oils (amber and orange are popular scents). Local jewelry designer Angela Caputi creates brightly colored chunky plastic and resin necklaces and bracelets in her shop, and there are reasonably priced leather gloves galore at Martelli, just off the Ponte Vecchio.

A New Taste of the City

Two delectable Florentine restaurants were recently awarded Michelin stars. Ora d’Aria, just steps from the famous Uffizi Gallery (home to countless Renaissance masterpieces) serves refined dishes from chef Marco Stabile like crispy stockfish with fois gras powder and suckling pig sautéed with garlic sauce. At the Four Seasons’ Il Palagio, thanks to executive chef Vito Mollica, diners can expect innovative dishes like black cabbage ravioli and fried sweetbread with cauliflower cream on the modern Italian menu.

Al Fresco Afternoons

The Westin Excelsior on Piazza Ognissanti has a rooftop bar with Arno River views, and just outside of town in the charming town of Fiesole is 15th century hilltop villa Il Salviatino, where you can have a first-rate Negroni on the outdoor terrace with spectacular panoramas of Florence’s red-tiled roofs. Back in town, don’t miss the opportunity to join both tourists and locals at Gilli, a classic café on the centrally located Piazza della Repubblica. Our recommendation: snag an outdoor table, order a bottle of Prosecco and a bowl of marinated olives, and watch the world go by.

In Vogue

You don’t have to be a fashion maven to enjoy the recently opened Gucci Museum in a historic palazzo in Piazza Signoria. The exhibitions are spread among three floors and showcase all things Gucci–including early travel trunks, handbags with signature bamboo handles, flora print scarves (initially created for Grace Kelly in 1966) and couture gowns worn by Naomi Watts, Kate Beckinsale and Salma Hayek. Auto aficionados will get a kick out of a tricked out ’79 Cadillac Seville with the iconic interlocking Gs on the upholstery. There’s also an organic café, bookstore and exclusive Gucci shop on the premises.

Revisit the Masters

While there is much to celebrate about contemporary Florence–including a new modern opera house — Florence will always be celebrated for its classic attractions, like the world-class Uffizi Galleries, dating from the 16th century when the Medicis were in power. Today it boasts such masterpieces as Boticelli’s “Birth of Venus” and “Primavera,” as well as Titian’s “Duke of Urbino.” To see Michelangelo’s David, head to the Accademia Gallery and wander amid the frescoes and mosaic floors in the Duomo, the Renaissance cathedral whose dome by architect Brunelleschi dominates the skyline and still remains the city’s beloved symbol.

BY: Huffingtonpost.com, Jill Fergus

There’s nothing better than, well, being on vacation in the first place — and then looking out of your hotel room’s window to a gorgeous view. We’ve seen plenty of beautiful sights on our travels, and we’ve taken in some of the most breathtaking views we’ve ever seen in Florence, a city characterized by red rooftops, cobblestone streets, and distant rolling hills. Check out some of the most bellissimo views we’ve seen in the Italian city.

Hotel Palazzo Dal Borgo Aprile
Florence, Italy

Hotel Palazzo Dal Borgo Aprile is a family-run hotel in a Renaissance building. Rooms are decorated in traditional Florentine style with canopy beds and rich upholstery, and street-side rooms on the upper floors offer fantastic views over the rooftops of central Florence, including this view from the Superior Room.

Hotel Berchielli
Florence, Italy

It’s the hotel’s location that makes it a good value: It’s literally steps from the Ponte Vecchio and in the heart of Florence’s best concentration of museums, shopping, and restaurants, giving it stunning views.

Hotel Loggiato Dei Serviti
Florence, Italy

The hotel’s location on the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata puts it close to many tourist sights, as well as helping give it some of the best views. Different rooms come equipped with dramatic views of the Piazza, like the Superior Room.

Grand Hotel Baglioni
Florence, Italy

Housed in the former residences of the Bertolini princes, the Grand Hotel Baglioni lives up to the grand image painted by Florence’s past. Both Terrazza Brunelleschi restaurant and the rooftop garden offer stunning views of Florence.

Grand Hotel Minerva
Florence, Italy

If asked to picture a postcard version of Florence, the views from the Grand Hotel Minerva are most likely what would come to mind. The lovely rooftop pool and terrace offer up some of the most picturesque views in the city, and many rooms have balconies offering similarly excellent outlooks (most balconies have great views of the Santa Maria Novella Plaza, and those on higher floors have spectacular views of Florence’s skyline).

Hotel Kraft
Florence, Italy

This 77-room hotel sits in a quiet locale that’s a bit removed from Florence’s main attractions. A major draw is the rooftop terrace with a small, seasonal pool and bar that overlooks the Tuscan hillsides.

Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo
Florence, Italy

This intimate, family-run boutique is ideal for those seeking an authentic stay in Florence within easy reach of tourist sights. Built centuries ago as the home of a Florentine merchant family, this property was inherited through marriage by the Niccolinis in 1891. They have kept its historic charm intact, having preserved the wood-beamed ceilings and frescoed walls. Many have large windows that feature stunning views of the iconic Duomo cathedral across the street, including the Suite Duomo.