Villa Cora's owners splashed out on a 23 million euro renovation of 52 rooms and the hotel is FABULOUS! They have built a new huge and heated infinity pool and a brand new spa. The most beautiful tunnels you have ever seen connect everything so guests will not have to go outside in their bathrobes or risk getting wet on a rainy day.

JDB Annual Hotelier Reception | Milan, Italy

Anna Dunaeva, Director of Operations, Judith Baer, President and Founder, Silvestro De Bolfo of the Villa Imperiale on Lake Como, Chantal Mastrogiacomo of Park Hotel Villa Grazioli outside of Rome

We stayed in the "new" Barocco in Rome. What a wonderful job they did with the total renovation of the hotel over nine weeks at the beginning of 2010.

Beds are wonderful, showers have "emotional" (!) lighting, and there is even a room with it's own private terrace with outside bathtub. Nicola in the bar fixed us a light supper when we were too tired to go out for dinner. It was perfect. 

The staff at the Splendide Royal in Rome is truly five star. Ivan, the head concierge, is brilliant at taking care of guests and pulling rabbits out of hats.

Palazzo Manfredi is definitely the hot new 5-star hotel in Rome with one of the best views overlooking the Colosseum...

Sorrento is a great choice for the winter holidays. The Christmas lights are among the most beautiful we have seen, the town is full of life with excellent shopping in the many privately owned boutiques.

When I was in Texas last month, a Virtuoso travel agent asked me to put some “teaser” itineraries together that would whet his clients’ appetite. My goal was to combine hotels/regions that truly deserve exposure with more popular cities/destinations.  The Cinque Terre is on the famous Mediterranean coast of Italy, in the region called Liguria.

When I first started working with hotels in Italy, I met a few people who are now old friends.  Here I am with Floriano Dorigo (Palace Bonvecchiati, Venice) many years ago when we first met. He was my second friend in Italy. Now I have many!!