Varese | Stylish Garden City

Varese, splendid, stylish city of northern Lombardy, nicknamed Garden City for the enormous presence of parks and villas scattered in its municipal terms as well as boasting a very rich historical, artistic and monumental heritage making it a very fascinating destination.

To discover the city I suggest starting your visit from the central Piazza Montegrappa, the beating heart and nerve center of Varese with where stands the Torre Campanaria, an imposing tower which boasts a height of about 80.0 meters, masterpiece in Mannerist style by the architect Giuseppe Bernasconi.

Completed in 1774, its superlative execution reflects in the architectural canons of many structures erected during the period of the noble Borromeo dynasty.

Continuation with the Collegiate Basilica of San Vittore built between the 15th and 16th centuries which splendidly combines the Mannerist, Baroque and Neoclassical styles.

 The artitic imprints are of the two illustrious architects such as Pellegrino Pellegrini and Leopoldo Pollack to whom we owe the masterful execution of this masterpiece developed in the golden age of Cardinals Carlo and Federico Borromeo above the remains of a Romanesque religious temple with three naves and an extraordinary octagonal lantern.

The central door allows the access to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the oldest building of the complex, built between the 12th and 13th centuries with a splendid gabled façade closed between two pilasters and a frame of hanging arches in the upper section that continues on the sides.

The construction was developed in two periods, the first in a five-year period between 1180 and 1185, the second between 1230 and 1330, a period in which the famous transition from Romanesque to Gothic was very frequently in Lombardy.

Visiting the interior you will immediately have the feeling of the medieval profile with the presence of classic massive walls that characterized the thirteenth-century buildings.

 In the center you can admire the historic immersion baptismal font built between the 7th and 8th centuries, obtained from an excavation in the floor surmounted by a monolithic basin with a perimeter of almost 7.0 meters, carved in two distinct periods, with the first works dating back to  the 13th century and others one century later.

 Through the Arco Mera built in 1850 by Luigi Mera to join the square where the Basilica of San Vittore stands and the Piazza del Podestà which was in the past the heart of the city with in its center you will find a monument in honor of the Garibaldian Soldier despite being a replica dated 1901 of the original sculpture made in 1861 by the artist Buzzi.

Very close in a typically 19th century urban setting you can admire Palazzo Pretorio, a stylish palace dating back to 1570.

Next to that palace you can admire Palazzo Biumi which in the past was the Broletto, the place where the city's political life took place.

Built in 1615 by a noble Varesina family, it is enlivened by a beautiful rectangular courtyard accessible from three of its sides with a refined perimeter colonnade that forms an elegant portico.

Time for your lunch, to stay in the traditional as first courses I suggest Gnocchi with butter and sage or Risotto with asparagus , among the second courses a choice between Beef Stew with Stewed Peas or Roast Turkey with Rosemary with Steamed Potatoes.

After lunch in a pleasant walk, you will reach the magnificent complex of Palazzo Estense and Estensi Gardens, a noble ducal residence, a masterpiece of the architect Giuseppe Bianchi with works carried out between 1761 and 1766.

In those five years the building took on a late Baroque profile that is highlighted in wrought iron elements and portals with shades of neoclassical in others without disfiguring the refined layout.

The palace is surrounded by an immense Italian garden that covers a vast area that aesthetically shows something very similar to the Viennese Imperial Gardens

Of the original building, various rooms remain intact, such as the Assembly Hall, now the seat of the Municipal Council, the Reading Room,an integral part of the Civic Library, the Mayor's Hall and other adjacent rooms.

In the Estensi Gardens you can admire the beautiful Villa Mirabello which was the residence of the Marquisate Litta – Modigliani with a belvedere that boasts beautiful views of the Alps and Lake Varese.

The villa is a noble residence dating back to the 18th century partially modified in British style by the architect Clericetti while the nearest 19th century space that was once occupied by the stables contains the Civic Museums, inaugurated in 1871 under another name, namely Museo Patrio.

The rooms in the museum space contain the sections of archaeology, history with special themes on the Resistance and Risorgimento, prehistory, science, nature and the rich Pinacoteca.

On one side of the Gardens is Piazza della Motta stands the beautiful Church of Sant'Antonio Abate.

The building changed its original profile with works of a renovation carried out by the architect Giuseppe Bernasconi in 1583 with a rather sober façade but with a very interesting interior containing a wooden statue depicting Sant' Antonio Abate, a terracotta sculpture by Dionigi Bussola and Francesco Silva.

The Rococo frescoes by Giovan Battista Ronchelli  are another splendid highlight in perfect harmony with the architectural lines and decorations traced by the architect Giuseppe Baroffio.

In the square in January, the Bonfire Festival is celebrated annually, a  festival of great appeal with stalls displaying gastronomic and confectionery delights and above all a large, animated participation.

A short distance away along Via Sacco stands the Church of San Giuseppe, rebuilt in 1725 on a previous ecclesiastical building of the 500s following the project of the local architect Giovanni Antonio Speroni who was the proponent of a beautiful Baroque façade.

The interior has works of art of great value corresponding to the frescoes by Giovanni Battista del Sole and Antonio Recanati depicting the stories of Adam and Eve, a canvas by Guido Reni with a representation of St. Joseph with Child and splendid decorations on the vault of the choir by the talented artist Ceranino.

The visit can be considered over, surely Varese with its charm, elegance and style will leave excellent memories, a city that for atmosphere, historical and artistic beauties always is able to trasmit something very special with the desire to return.

 

 

Link : https://comune.varese.it/hh/index.php https://www.italia.it/en/lombardy/varese

 

Where to Stay | Recommended Hotels

Hotels di Varese - https://hoteldivarese.com/index.php/en/home-2/

Palace Grand Hotel Varese - https://www.palacevarese.com/

 

Mercure Sofia Hotel | Opening Announced in Autumn 2024 by Accor

 

Accor, well-known French multinational hospitality company  with its headquarter in Issy – les - Molineaux, has announced the opening in autumn 2024 of the Mercure Sofia Hotel, the first mid-range hotel in Bulgaria.

The hotel is located in Manastirski Livadi, a southern district of the Bulgarian capital in constant development at the foot of the fascinating Vitosha Mountain, a short distance from the Botanical Garden and the National Museum of History.

 It is an urban area that is consolidating itself as a very desirable residential neighbourhood with easy access through the Bulgaria Boulevard to all the strategic points of Sofia.

The hotel has in addition a very easy access to the International Airport and it is close to the magnificent National Park, well known for its ski slopes but also for offering opportunities for trekking, nature walks, hiking and climbing.

The Mercure Sofia Hotel will offer 111 comfortable rooms of different categories, modern, comfortable with a modern design with a touch of Bulgarian inspiration with wonderful views of the mountains and the beautiful skyline of Sofia.

Guests will have access to two restaurants serving local and international cuisine, rooms for events, meetings and conventions and a wellness - fitness centre.

According to information revealed by the hotel group in a franchise agreement with Accor, the Mercure Sofia Hotel will be managed by Festa Hotel, a hotel chain founded in 2003 and part of Festa Holding that already manages hotels in Nessebar and Pomorje on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

This operation by Accor with its Mercure brand in the Balkans is a strong opening in Eastern Europe with Sofia, a very important city, a destination boasting a very varied tourism, such as cultural, trade fairs, events, exhibitions and international conventions.

Link : https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011141/mercure-sofia.html

Novotel Tbilisi Center | Accor Group Expansion in Georgia

 

Novotel Tbilisi Center | Accor Group Expansion in Georgia

Novotel,famous mid-range brand, has announced the opening of the Novotel Tbilisi Center, which means a further expansion of the French group Accor of which Novotel is a brand in Georgia.

The Hotel is located in a strategic area of Tbilisi, specifically on Gurdjani Street in the historic district of Avlabari on the left bank of the Mitkvari river, in an area already flourishing for its artistic and commercial activities since the Middle Ages with the metro station just a stone's throw away.

Located just a few steps from the beautiful and iconic Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, this unique location offers guests to enjoy the monumental beauty of many og the highlights of the Georgian capital in the immediate vicinity such as Queen Dareyan Palace, the historic Metekhi Church, and one of the city's green lung as Rike Park.

Novotel Tbilisi Center provides 176 rooms equipped with all services, with a modern and attractive design in the lines and architecture meticulously cared by the internationally renowned designers Sundukovy Sisters using high-quality sustainable materials creating in addition very trendy spaces.

Guests can have access to a business lounge, the very welcoming Echo restaurant, located on the top floor with local and international food offerings, a lobby bar where you can enjoy delicious cocktails and snacks, a fitness center, areas for massages and yoga sessions, large rooms for events, meetings and conventions, a rooftop swimming pool and a future project for the development of a large ballroom.

The Guests staying at the Hotel Tbilisi Center will be able to join the ALL – Accor Live Limits loyalty program, with rewards, services and services that promote the on-site experience.

Novotel and Accor have certainly made an excellent strategic move in the Caucasus and specifically in Georgia, a destination that is becoming very trendy and offers a variety of tourist segments for all tastes.

 

Links : https://all.accor.com/hotel/B0I6/index.en.shtml

https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011135/novotel-tbilisi-center.html

Piacenza, Italy | Emilia’s Superb Historic Heritage

Piacenza, magnificent northern gateway to the Emilia Romagna  region located on the right bank of the Po river and at the mouth of the Trebbia in the heart of the Po Valley, a short distance from the picturesque Piacenza Hills immediately close to the Ligurian Apennines in northern Italy.

A city of great historical and commercial importance with a unique gastronomic panorama, linked to noble and ancient traditions, boasting a simply superlative artistic-monumental heritage.

Piacenza is also known historically for being the first Roman colony in Northern Italy when it was founded in 218 BC.

In the Middle Ages, the Emilian city was the protagonist of golden years and a flourishing development within the Duchy of Parma with which it shared the title of capital during the splendour and dawn of the influential Farnese dynasty.

I suggest starting the visit from the central, fascinating and monumental Piazza Cavalli, the nerve center and beating heart of the provincial capital of Emilia.

This beautiful, large, urban space takes its name from the two bronze sculptures depicting two horses ridden by the legendary, noble leader Alessandro Farnese and his son Ranuccio.

These two figures belonged to that noble dynasty that made the fortune of this city, which was elected in 1545 with Parma as the capital of an influential Duchy.

On this very large square you can admire the majestic Gothic Palace erected in 1281 at the behest of the Ghibelline governor Alberto Scoto, a pompous and imposing building that boasts a very refined portico and a splendid crenellated upper section in terracotta.

Continuing with the nearby Church of San Francesco,  a masterpiece in Gothic-Lombard style dating back to the twelfth century with perfect lines extraordinarily following the master architectural canons of that period on whose façade stand out very outlined buttresses and a wonderful rose window.

Continuation with the iconic Palazzo Farnese dating back to the 16th century designed by the architect Jacopo Barozzi known as "Il Vignola" at the behest of Duke Ottavio Farnese.

This superlative, massive structure built on three floors as if to exalt power and in a certain way grandeur is now home to the Archaeological Museum.

In one of its rooms there is the famous and peculiar "Etruscan Liver" and the well-known Pinacoteca which houses the famous tondo by Botticelli next to a rich collection of artistic masterpieces from different periods.

 

Continue with the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Santa Giustina, considered one of the shining architectural jewels of the entire Emilia Romagna.

This sublime work of medieval art of the twelfth century respects in its development the geometries and architectural order of the pure Italic Romanesque.

The gabled façade in sandstone and pink Veronese marble is simply stunning, where every detail is harmoniously placed in an extraordinarily balanced layout.

The Latin cross interior contains great works of art such as incomparable frescoes by unforgettable masters, namely Procaccini, Carracci, Morazzone and Guercino.

Of immense historical value is the crypt in the shape of a Greek cross that boasts 108 Romanesque columns, a funerary space that preserves the relics of Santa Giustina.

Time for your lunch, I suggest staying in the traditional an appetizer with Coppa DOP, Salame Gentile, Pancetta della Val Tidone and Culatello.

Among the first courses you can choose between Tortelli stuffed with ricotta, spinach and Grana Padano or Rice Cake Bobbiese. 

Among the second courses you can choose between Stuffed Veal Pocket or Cooked Salami with Potato Puree.  

The hills of Piacenza produce excellent wines, an excellent choice of wines such as Gutturnio, Ortrugo and many others.

At the end of your delicious lunch, the visit can continue with another artistic highlight such as the Basilica of San Savino, consecrated in 1107, although it had a radical change by changing its typically Romanesque appearance to a sober, orderly Baroque after various restorations.

The visit of the interior will show an incomparable mosaic floor with representations of the signs of the zodiac and the months and then continue with the crypt of the four Saints where you can appreciate a beautiful wooden crucifix of the twelfth century placed on the high altar.

The next stop will be the beautiful Basilica of Sant' Antonino, dating back to the fourth century, dedicated to the patron saint of Piacenza, highlighted by an extraordinary gabled façade in which stands a spectacular rose window and on one side an imposing bell tower erected on an octagonal plan.

Inside there are artistic masterpieces in the attic of the central nave with a cycle of frescoes dating back to the same period.

In this religious site in 1183 the famous Peace of Constance  was signed, which sanctioned the truce between the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and the Lombard League.

During the visit you will notice the presence of various stately buildings such as Palazzo Mandelli, Palazzo Landi, Palazzo Scotti, Palazzo Costa and Palazzo Somaglia that represented the aristocratic soul of Piacenza, a tangible mark that identifies the glorious past.

The last stop of the visit is the outskirts of the city where stands the wonderful Basilica of Santa Maria in Campagna , an excellent example of architecture of the 1600s.

This religious complex with elegant shapes and fine details especially in its pediment, contains valuable frescoes by Pordenone next to others of the fine Emilian school.

The visit could be said to be over, discovering Piacenza with its sublime historical heritage is a wonderful tourist experience, a city that in its essence always leaves happy memories.

Link : https://visitpiacenza.it/en/

Where to Stay | Recommended Hotels

Best Western Park Hotel -  https://www.parkhotelpiacenza.it/

Grande Albergo Roma - https://www.grandealbergoroma.it/