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How to Experience Italy as if it were 1000 years ago

dean@sellingluxurytravel.com (Dean Horvath) — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:31:54 GMT

If you veer off the tourist path in Italy just a bit, you’ll be rewarded with living in ancient history. You could eat medieval dishes and sleep in a cave that housed a local family over 1000 years ago. The cave is now outfitted with modern luxuries, of course, but a cave itself is as original as it gets. In a different direction, you can experience life in a hillside fortified medieval village nestled within one of Italy’s stunning national parks.

There’s always more to love about Italy. But this time around take part in the rich history of how Italians lived and flourished in the ancient past by staying in the Sextantio hotels.

Italy like you’ve never seen it before

Both of these places are forgotten cities. Left abandoned and crumbling. When you tell your friends you’re going to Italy to visit the cities of Sassi de Matera and Santo Stefano they’re going to look at you sideways and then ask if you’re going to Rome.

Of course, we’ll always love Rome, but these two unheard of places harbor something incredibly unique. The forgotten cities hold stories that are so worth hearing, feeling, and exploring.

If the walls could talk, they’d tell us grand stories of who used to live there, the churches that stood next door serving the farming community, or even of the farm animals that lived inside during the winter – the same walls that will host you during your time in forgotten Italy.

What are the Sextantio hotels, and where are these towns I’ve never heard of?

We’ve all enjoyed the luxury of a brand new hotel with an infinity pool, bathtub the size of your entire bathroom at home and sheets that make you wonder if the city you’re in really need to be explored. Both of the Sextantio hotels are not new. In fact, both are ancient and crumbling. Which is exactly why we love them. Here’s why we think your Italy itinerary needs to include towns you’ve never heard of before.

Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita in the Sassi di Matera

Sassi di Matera is in Southern Italy, just about where the heel breaks away from the foot. Ancient cave dwellings and incredibly unique landscape is what meets you here. In 1993 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s so well preserved. The village is made up of hundreds of caves that were used as homes, churches, and palaces. The earliest records we have show that people lived in this beautiful cave village in the stone and bronze ages, so they’re thought to be some of Italy’s first inhabitants.

Staying in the Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is like going back in time, but with modern comforts, because cave life was a little rougher that we like to vacation.

Here’s what awaits you: the hotel is 18 luxury caves (sassi). Cave 13, a favorite, is the only room that spans numerous caves, separating bedroom from living room. Candles certainly make a bath romantic, but how about a fireplace next to the bathtub? We agree – this is no standard hotel. Sleeping in a sassi that was probably inhabited back in 7000 BC is an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy all the Sassi di Matera has to offer

Aside from the splendor of sleeping in your very own sassi room, Sextantio has incredible experiences to see what the Sassi di Matera area is all about. Romantic candlelit dinners at the XIII Century Rock Hewn Church with classical music and an open fire are the perfect way to spend a romantic evening. To make dinner even more special, you can take part in a cooking class to learn the art of handmade pasta. So even though when you get home, your friends will have no idea where you’ve been in Italy, you can impress them with your new pasta-making skills.

During the day, head out on a guided cycling tour of the area or take off on foot for a hiking tour of the town that takes place during the day as well as after sunset for an extra unique view of town. One of the best parts of either of these activities is the guide. Zero struggling with maps or wondering if you’ve cycled into the next town over. Vacation should be stress-free and both of these activities are the perfect recipe of adventure while feeling completely taken care of. Italian exploration doesn’t get any better than this.

The Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita is a harmony between preserving ancient history while keeping it alive and thriving. Not totally sold yet? Check out this video to see exactly why we love it here.

Sextantio Albergo Diffuso in Santo Stefano di Sessanio

The Appenine mountains in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is the second Sextantio hotel. The Albergo Diffuso brings to life the forgotten village of Abruzzo, two hours northeast of Rome. “Albergo diffuso” means scattered hotel, so of course it’s exactly that, plus now you know more Italian than you did a second ago!

Twenty-nine luxurious rooms, a tea room, a restaurant serving medieval recipes, and a wine cellar are all on property here. The hotel sticks so close to its historic roots that it’s a bit like living in a fully-functioning museum. Have you ever eaten a meal made from a medieval recipe? We hadn’t either, but it’s these small details that make this hotel so memorable. Not to worry though, because the hotel has modern luxuries instead of medieval living conditions. Under-floor heating and light switches are in each room – big upgrades from when the first people lived within these walls.

How to spend the perfect day in Santo Stefano di Sessanio

The list of activities available both in your hotel and in the surrounding areas is so tempting that you’re not going to get to any of the Netflix shows you planned to watch on vacation. That’s what the plane ride home is for. Instead, you’re going hunting for black truffles with a local expert truffle hunter and his dogs. Yep, hiking, foraging for delicious mushrooms, and hanging out with cute dogs makes for a great day. If you’re feeling like a day on the water would do you some good, canoeing in a crystal clear lake in the mountains will leave feeling serene. If you prefer horseback riding as your mode of transportation, the Sextantio has you covered.

Of course when in Italy, you must visit the local vineyard, do some wine tasting with local cheese pairing. Take a few bottles back to the hotel with you for a great night in, or take some back home for a fun happy hour with your favorite wine from Italy and reminisce. Back at the Albergo Diffuso, take part in one of their cooking classes. Be it bread, pastries, or preparing dinner with the chef. All of those classes are sure to be a fun cooking lesson, slight language lesson and an unforgettable experience that you can take home.

Check out this video to see what we mean when we say this is a must-visit destination on your Italian adventure.

The Best Private Dining Experiences in Thailand

dean@sellingluxurytravel.com (Dean Horvath) — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:20:05 GMT

Dining in Thailand comes in many forms. Some nights you’ll find yourself in Bangkok’s bustling Chinatown slurping down the best noodle soup you’ve ever had. You’ll be sitting on a plastic chair that is surely designed for a five-year-old. The table height is just as low. It’s also a little sweaty since this al-fresco dining situation is on the sidewalk with Bangkok life whizzing by not more than two meters away. But none of this matters because this is the best bowl of noodle soup you’ve ever tasted. On the flip slide, during your time in Thailand you can dine in the most luxurious and private locations you’ve ever seen.

Candlelit dinners are lovely, but how about a private candlelit dinner next to a waterfall in the jungle? And I don’t mean just a candle on your table. I’m talking about hundreds of candles surrounding you, illuminating the waterfall, the jungle, with a few larger torches bringing light to your table. The Sarojin Khao Lak Resort offers some of the coolest private dining experiences you’ll ever encounter. The food selection throughout Thailand is worth the trip, but these memorable dining options will leave your taste buds and your heart in Thailand.

Dining options at The Sarojin

Once you’ve been led into the jungle and sat atop fluffy white pillows, take a second to marvel at the jungle surrounding you. The sound of the waterfall and the birds singing are the soundtrack for your dinner. Soon you’ll be enjoying lobster from the Andaman Sea, Thai prawn soup, and of course, mango sticky rice for dessert, a must-try while in Thailand.

Get shipwrecked

If you’re feeling more tropical than jungle, The Sarojin will happily accommodate. Go ahead and hop on the yacht that will take you to your own private island for dinner, themed “Shipwrecked in Style.” Just you, your chosen dining companions, and an entirely private island with an uninterrupted 360° view of the Andaman Sea. Unlike if you were actually shipwrecked, there’s no struggle for food here.

A classic beach barbecue

Of course, you’re at The Sarojin in part to enjoy the beach. What’s a trip to Thailand without some beach time? After the perfect day lounging and taking a dip to cool off in the heat of the day, head right back to the beloved beach for a special private barbecue.

Toes in the sand, watch the sunset as your sip a cocktail. The tree above you is glowing with lanterns and strings of adorable Thai flowers hanging off the branches. Tall candles illuminate the area all around your table, set In the soft sugar sand. Your chef and his cooking station are a few meters away, waiting your order. The only issue you face is what to order: Thai marinated chicken or grilled pork loin. Whatever you choose, you’re destined for a wonderful private beach barbecue on one of the most beautiful and serene beaches in Thailand. Yep, you’re definitely extended your stay. Or at least booked your return visit as soon as you leave.

Pool dining

Maybe you’ve dined pool side before, or maybe you’ve even broken the rules and had a bite to eat while in the pool. But not many of us have dined in the middle of the pool in an intimate elevated pavilion. If you’ve had a busy day exploring Thailand and can’t be bothered to move more than a few steps from your room for dinner, this private pool dining is waiting for you.

The aquamarine colors emanating from the pool serenely light your dinner. The pool sits in a garden-setting and you’ll be seated under a wonderful canopy. This is the perfect location to unwind from a busy day. Choose the spring rolls for an appetizer and chicken green curry for dinner and head into the evening perfectly relaxed.

The Sarojin experience

In all rooms, The Sarojin offers daily breakfast served to you on your veranda. As if this wasn’t cool enough, they’ll serve you breakfast at whatever time you’d like it. So if you happen to sleep in until 10am and decide a beach jog sounds nice, you’re not going to miss your breakfast window.

In addition to these out of this world dining experiences, everything at The Sarojin is spectacular. Our favorite rooms here are the pool residences. The interior of the room is wonderful with a king bed, two showers, and a soaking tub. But the true highlight is the exterior. Outside you have your own private pool, a veranda perfect for lounging, a garden space with lounge chairs, and a sun terrace. If you fancy a midnight swim, no one will stop you!

Get out and about

Instead of pre-planning your itinerary, why not let The Sarojin decide for you? Board the Lady Sarojin for a day exploring the sea life in the area, trek with an elephant, or go white-water rafting. For a calm day, book yourself into the on-site spa. Even on vacation, we could all use a de-stressing head massage. Or maybe opt for the sports massage to help recover from yesterday’s rock climbing excursion.

The Sarojin is sure to become your new favorite resort in Thailand. Now all your have to do is convince your friends back home that Thailand isn’t actually that far away and they’re on the hook for joining you next time. And even if it does take more than one plane to get there, what awaits is truly worth the journey.

Dress-up For Adults At The Ballyfin Demesne

dean@sellingluxurytravel.com (Dean Horvath) — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 16:09:24 GMT

Welcome to the Ballyfin Demesne in County Laois, Ireland. Not much need to read a single review of this hotel before booking because it was voted the best hotel in the world 2016 by Conde Nast Traveler US. As if that’s not a good enough review to convince you, we have a few highlights to share detailing why you’ll love your time in Ireland at the Ballyfin.

Playing dress up is not just for the kids anymore

When staying in a luxurious Regency mansion it’s best to go all in to get the fullest experience. Of course this includes wearing period costumes! Despite the modern convenience of ordering everything known to mankind online, it’s still difficult to source a dress from the Edwardian era. But thankfully the Ballyfin has this covered for us. And with this experience, dress up isn’t just for kids anymore.

During the day, gather your group and head to the costume department in the Ballyfin. Yes, the hotel has an in-house costume department! Here you can browse the racks of period costumes brought here from the Lyric Opera of Chicago, one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. You’ll have over 40 costumes to choose from and if you can’t quite decide, the Ballyfin has trained dressers to help you out. After you’ve chosen the perfect outfit, it will be waiting for you in your room when it’s time to get ready for dinner.

Once you’re ready to step into your very own recreation of Downton Abbey, you’ll be having pre-dinner drinks while a photographer captures just how awesome you look in the costumes. These pictures are sure to be the perfect framed memory of Ireland. The Ballyfin’s beauty and exquisite decor serving as the backdrop for these photos, in combination with being dressed in the most couture outfits this is a night you’ll surely remember for a lifetime. Dinner will be a lavish banquet feast fit for the royalty just like those who used to attend the feasts within the Ballyfin’s original walls. Your photos will be delivered to you the following day.

What awaits you at Ballyfin Demesne

Remember as kids when you dreamed every library had a secret bookshelf that opened up to something marvelous waiting behind it? The Ballyfin is here to make that dream come true. Before you go pressing on each bookcase looking for the one that moves, take a seat in one of the quiet corners for a game of chess or cozy up in front of one of the fireplaces. Your reading choices number over 5000, so there’s no issue finding something of interest here. Indulge in some tea or whiskey or wine tasting if the mood strikes. But ok, the suspense is too much! Go ahead and find the secret bookcase door. And what’s behind this secret bookcase door? It’s the only entrance to the Turner conservatory! And this is one room you’ll be coming back to everyday. A hidden door to the conservatory really does make it a secret garden. However, the conservatory is now a place to enjoy lunch, champagne or a canape. The best place to soak up the Irish sun while admiring the beauty of the structure.

The overgrown vegetation formerly in the conservatory was removed during renovation and has now been turned into your favorite breakfast and lunch spot. But if you’re still in the mood for a garden tour, the Ballyfin will provide. A large percentage of the fresh produce used here is grown in the garden on the Ballyfin grounds. The menu highlights what’s in season, and you’re free to tour the vegetable garden that will be feeding you during your stay.

The Ballyfin underwent a nine-year renovation before it reopened in 2011. The original house was built in the 1820s where an affluent family enjoyed it for exactly 100 years, with Edwardian photos showing their prosperity enjoying tea on the terrace and skating in the garden. Today, it’s one of Ireland’s most lavish Regency mansions sitting on 614 acres with 20 guest rooms. It’s a stunning mansion with perfection in the smallest details. Although fancy, it’s still somewhere you can relax. You can wear slippers to lounge in one of the sitting rooms and no one will bat an eye. The staff will probably light a fireplace for you and offer you a beverage. It’s luxury without pretense. You’re on vacation, after all.

With 614 acres, the Ballyfin activities pose a slight problem – it may lead to sleepless nights of trying to figure out how to extend your vacation. Although on vacation you do have the tough choice of deciding which activity to enjoy – fishing on the private lake, clay pigeon shooting, croquet, archery, or falconry. Perhaps you are looking for something a little less active? Opt for the pony and carriage tour of the grounds or enjoy a picnic at the grotto. But what if it rains, you ask? Head to the indoor pool that overlooks the courtyard garden, the spa and sauna are also nearby for your relaxation, or there’s the Cellar Bar downstairs in the old servant’s hall. With these indoor options paired with the grandeur that is the Ballyfin, a rainy day is almost welcomed on vacation here to feel no pressure but to stay in and explore what’s right here on site.