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.

How do you capture the essence of a place? One way to do it is through language. Learning basic words and phrases doesn’t just show respect, it also helps you to understand the people and their region a little better. It’s particularly interesting in South Tyrol, where melodic Italian meets rustic Tyrolean, resulting in as many dialects as there are valleys.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany lies the charming Follonico Hotel in Montefollonico, a small, hidden village known for its authentic atmosphere and picturesque landscape. Follonico is more than just a hotel – it’s a place that captures the soul of the region, offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in true Tuscan life.

Törggelen is one of the oldest and most authentic traditions in South Tyrol, still cherished by locals and visitors alike. This autumn custom combines convivial evenings with good food, wine, and the picturesque landscapes of South Tyrol’s vineyards. But what exactly is Törggelen, where does the term come from, and how can this special tradition be experienced in connection with modern Lifestylehotels?