{"id":82776,"date":"2021-11-22T16:18:20","date_gmt":"2021-11-22T16:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelbaseonline.com\/?p=82776"},"modified":"2021-11-22T16:18:20","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T16:18:20","slug":"three-italian-belmond-properties-staying-open-for-winter-for-first-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelbaseonline.com\/destinations\/europe\/three-italian-belmond-properties-staying-open-for-winter-for-first-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Italian Belmond properties staying open for winter for first time"},"content":{"rendered":"
Three Belmond\u00a0properties in Italy will remain open through the winter for the first time this year.<\/p>\n
The Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina is marking the season with a series of Sweet December Weekends that comprise Saturday brunches on the Literary Terrace and Sicilian pastry-cooking classes on Sundays.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Visitors over the holidays can also tour the town of Taormina on the hotel’s decorated Ape Calessino, a classic Italian vehicle — think a cross between a Vespa and a minicar and you get the idea — for a look at the hilltop town of Castelmola and the handmade nativity scenes along winding medieval roads, as well as stops at local food stalls.<\/p>\n
At the Splendido Mare in Portofino, holiday festivities include learning to make Christmas wreaths using organic materials from Portofino’s Natural Park, a Christmas Eve dinner, a Christmas day lunch and a New Year’s feast.<\/p>\n
At the Villa San Michele in Florence, guests can take part in “The Art of Making” tour, which includes a ride through the Tuscan hills into the city of Florence in a vintage Fiat 1100 Musone.<\/p>\n
The tour includes learning about local artisans of jewelry, shoes, crystalware and perfume, as well as a private visit to the Louis Vuitton boutique.<\/p>\n