Some places have a memory. The 1477 Reichhalter in Lana is one of them. First mentioned over 500 years ago, it has lived many lives: as an inn, a sawmill, a mill, and a butcher’s shop. Then, for a decade, silence. Its doors remained closed while life passed by until someone took a closer look, and brought it back to life.

Piece by piece, interior designer Pascale Lauber and co-owner Ulrike Bauschke have carefully renovated and modernized this historic palazzo. A particularly striking contrast to the ancient walls is found in the steel-framed windows and doors, reminiscent of diamonds. Unique antique pieces and custom-made furnishings from various countries and eras come together in a truly magical way. The sofas and bed headboards come from South Africa, a fire bowl from the South African bush has been transformed into a bathtub. An old olive press serves as a communal table, and an impressive chandelier, designed by Pascale Lauber herself, hangs from the bar’s ceiling.

It’s called slow food and yet the food at Villa Arnica is served very quickly. If you want, you can even choose your own ingredients in the natural garden. A glance over the garden fence is all it takes. Or you can take a few more steps into the 3,000 square metre Arnica field. The sun is shining. The first lettuces are poking their heads out of the soil. There is a delicate scent. The gardening season begins.

Certamente, Venice belongs on the bucket list and probably some of you reading these lines have already strolled through St Mark’s Square, stopped for a Bellini at Harry’s Bar or been to the pavilion show at the Biennale. But what about organising a party in the Serenissima? No? Eureka! We’ve found something. A hotel in a historic palazzo in the sestiere Cannaregio that can be booked for events.

With door number 18, the moon rises over the ochre-coloured, ivy-covered villa with its adjoining park. We are in Bolzano, in a place with 800 years of history. What is here today? A hotel for Italo lovers, terrazzo admirers, art nouveau balcony admirers, yoga practitioners, pasta and martini revellers and moon addicts. With today’s prize you will receive a 50% voucher for a two-day stay for two at the Parkhotel Mondschein.