Toscana & Chianti FALL 2018

THE WAY WE WERE
The seaside in
autumn
ph. Archivio Studio Mercatali
The first bathing establishments
in Italy were born
in Viareggio in the summer
1828. This was the onset of holidays
at the seaside and along came the
spreading of hospitality facilities.
One hundred years later, in 1921 the
present Principe di Piemonte was
built by the noble Florentine count
Giuseppe de Micheli. At first, it opened
with the name of Select Palace
Hotel and immediately became a place
bearing an international aura and
the favourite dwelling of aristocrats,
intellectuals and artists. In 1938 it
became precisely Grand Hotel Prin-
cipe di Piemonte. Its elegance has
always seduced the imagination of
various directors becoming the set
of prestigious films. In the meantime,
last August, the bathing establishment
Principino opened once
more, right in front of it aiming at
the splendours of the unforgettable
Select. The month of September and
sometimes also October are ideal for
the traditional stroll, a less crowded
beach but most of all the cuisine of
the Piccolo Principe, a 2- Michelin
star restaurant by the swimming
pool on the roof of the hotel, run by
the talented Giuseppe Mancino.
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