A Grand Tour, of Grand Stays

A small footprint of a book, at first I thought it wasn’t going to be enough of one, but it kind of magically pulls you in once you do, to much delight. A catalogue of fine Italian hotels across the regions of Italy, each comes with a little story, a history, an intention, and a uniqueness to it. Each entry even comes with a “book to pack” — you kind of want to pick one out right away in anticipation.

There are reclaimed monasteries and convents, baroque palazzi, modernist cliffside inns in all white, Tyrolean chalets, a reception in Rome, each with a different vibe and style. Naturally, a lot of the places are luxuriant and spilling over with grandeur, more for the haute crowd and beyond reach of mere mortals, but there are also little inns and boutiques that still feel like a secret you can sneak into. You’ll have a pang of envy with some, and a longing of comfort for others.

This is a book with many uses beyond casual dreaming and window shopping. It can perfectly sit in a little corner of your home for a visitor to step into for a few moments while you make the coffee, or allow you to pick it up every now and then for a small interlude. It’s a unique style book, if you need inspiration for a room, gardens and nooks, or dinner tables. The compositions of décor are quite remarkable. It can become a frivolous wishlist, a collection of the places you want to travel to, but you could use it as a travel agent too — use it to plan a visit to Italy in a different way, if you have a little extra time. Start with a hotel, and go from there.

So, find a cozy corner on a cozy day, open up to golden hour shining in the lounge, and imagine an Aperol spritz in your hand.