Unforgettable destinations for summer ’17

Firenze, Italy

I was relaxing on the panoramic roof terrace of the Hotel Continentale one afternoon, sipping my Spritz Aperol and staring down at the Arno, reflecting on the fact that Ferragamo’s Firenze-based Lungarno Collection has all the luxury options in town covered. Under the brand’s imprimatur you can find lodging, dining, libation, culture, events and pampering, enough to occupy any open spaces left between gallery-going and retail therapy. The previous day I’d started with flawless lunch at the Caffè dell’Oro, an exceptional Italian bistro with a Ponte Vecchio view and minimalist interior, linen napkins, a fireplace with seating area, black marble floor and a discreet noise level. An irresistible scallops’ preparation was accompanied by cooked seasonal greens served in a traditional iron pot. Steps away lay the Gallery Hotel Art, one of several lodging choices, which presented an eco-aware installation called WOW. Championing clean energy, the work on exhibit referenced wind power, and had inspired the hotel’s engaging barman Michel to create an eponymous cocktail of the same name: a blend of Choya liquor, Shiso plum juice, Campari, sake and gunpowder tea soda, served up in a glass cup with a big green leaf accent. Wow, indeed, I’ll have another, thank you. Then it was off to the Museo Salvatore Ferragamo for a walk through displays of historic shoes, celebrity lasts and clothing inspired by art. Time didn’t permit looking at the rest of the group’s offerings this trip, but there’s so much left we must report on them eventually. For the moment, check out www.lungarnocollection.com and let’s plan to share notes later.

Vicenza, Italy

The big gustatory news in town is that double-starred Michelin chef Lorenzo Cogo (right) has brought his celebrity brand to the city of Palladio, reopened a historic caffè on the Piazza Signori and revitalized the space with a thriving bistro. These days the terrace is packed with happy guests who can’t decide which to do first: wolf down specialties from the snack menu or engage in serious people-watching. No stranger to ambition, Lorenzo’s created an exciting assortment of grill dishes which combine a little bit of tapas, a smidgen of cechetti, with world cuisine stirred in, offered at big-city prices. If you hunger for something different, he’s created a pâtisserie bar with scandalous new twists on old faves, and added an obscene ‘gelarteria’ counter in the retail shop. Upstairs you’ll find his formal restaurant, where dinners start at a stratospheric €155 per person, wine extra. Who would have guessed that piccolo Vicenza has suddenly become a first-class global foodie destination? •

El Coq, Caffè Garibaldi
Piazza dei Signori 1
36100 Vicenza
39 04 44-33-06-81