Travel Industry, News and Analytics

A 16th Century Palace in Lucca to be Turned into a Hotel

Autograph Collection Hotels, a luxury brand that is a part of Marriott International, will soon add one more exclusive hotel to its portfolio. This time this will be a hotel in Lucca, a charming Italian city. Grand Universe Lucca is open in a 16th-century palazzo. This luxury boutique hotel will have 55 guestrooms and nine one-of-a-kind suites. As an Autograph Collection hotel, the property will embrace all signature features of the brand such as design, craft, and uniqueness.

The opening of the Grand Universe hotel in Lucca marks the debut of the Autograph Collection brand in this Italian city. This is a worthy addition to the brand’s portfolio that features many exclusive hotels in different parts of the world. Lucca is a city in the central part of Tuscany that is informally famous as the city of “one hundred and one churches”. It attracts fans of different activities due to its strategic location at the foot of the Apuan Alps and twenty minutes from the Versilia coast.

The palace hotel stands near one of the two most beautiful squares in the city. Grand Universe Lucca is perfectly suitable for tourists who like sightseeing as the hotel is located in the city center. Such notable attractions as Piazza Napoleone, Chiesa dei Santi Giovanni e Reparata, and Teatro del Giglio are located nearby.

The hotel building has a long history. It was built in the 16th century as a residence of the Paoli family. The gorgeous Renaissance period building was turned into a hotel in 1857. Over the years, the luxurious property welcomed many artists, celebrities, poets, philosophers, and other famous people. Today, the hotel is ready to serve guests again after a multi-million renovation that only underlined the historical splendor and glory of the building. By the way, the palace was built on the foundation of an ancient Roman building. Visitors can see remnants of a fountain dating back to that period in the hotel’s cellar.

The design of the new Lucca hotel is a combination of sophistication and contemporary chic. Earthy, red, Tuscan sun yellow, and pine green colors look particularly well in silk and velvet. Many guestrooms have their unique names, for example, the Puccini Suite or the Piccolo Room. These names have a connection to Lucca and its natives such as composer Giacomo Puccini who was born here. The hotel features an Italian cuisine restaurant, Legacy, and a rooftop bar.

Individual City Guides

Seriphos Island travel guide

The Greek island of Seriphos began to attract active travelers quite recently. It doesn’t differ with well-developed tourist infrastructure, but at the same time there are both comfortable hotels to stay and lots of interesting places to walk. There are several attractive beaches featuring pristine natural beauty on the island. The capital of Seriphos and the location of the most important attractions of the island is the town of the same name. The old castle on a hill surrounded by lots of … Read further

Cuisine of Hong Kong City

In Hong Kong you will find the largest choice of culinary establishments, but, without a doubt, the restaurants devoted to the national cuisine occupy the leading position. The local cuisine is characterized by unique and sometimes even unexpected combination of ingredients. This fact makes it very attractive in the eyes of gourmets. Such ingredients as soybeans and rice are widely used in local cuisine. Vegetables and seafood also occupy an honorable position in the diet of local residents. … Read further

Traditions and festivals in Agios Nikolaos

The local people are distinguished by hot-tempered and rather sentimental character that unusually contrasts with tolerance and humility. Punctuality has never been a strong point of the indigenous people. They can be late even for an important business meeting. While communicating with the locals, tourists often incorrectly interpret the meaning of some words. Thus, the word "avrio" can be translated as "tomorrow", but in reality it means a refusal. The time from 14 to 18 is considered a … Read further

Mayrhofen cultural sights

Beautiful Mayrhofen is not deprived of some historical charm. Despite the size, there are many landmarks and symbolic places in this town. Some places are truly unique and it’s not possible to see something similar in any other place in the world. The White Lounge complex is one of such places. This landmark looks like a small village with houses made of snow. White Lounge is an unusual hotel complex, so it’s possible to stay in any of these houses. It’s important to mention that this … Read further

Toulouse attractions and entertainment

Toulouse is the perfect place for an active and exciting holiday. The choice of entertainment options for guests of the city is just unlimited. The Cite de l'Espace is an amazing place for the whole family. It is something between the Science Museum and interactive entertainment center. Every day this Space Town hosts various events associated with outer space; entertainment programs for children are also carried there. In Toulouse you can find lots of beautiful parks and gardens suitable for … Read further

Antigua Island for families and kids

If you decided to go to Antigua with your children, you should definitely visit Stingray City. Hardly anywhere else in the world will you have a chance to communicate so closely with those amazing creatures. The dive into the unknown world of stingrays starts from the base. Experienced instructors will tell you and your child how to behave near these sea animals and how to feed them. The kids can first practice those skills right there on a toy. You can rent here a boat and a snorkel with a … Read further

Shopping in Amersfoort

Miniature Amersfoort can boast of more than a decent choice of places for shopping. The main part of popular shops is concentrated around St. George's Square. You can find popular clothing and lovely souvenir shops there. Numerous handicraft shops operate in the city, as it was many years ago. They sell exclusive crafts and handmade household decorations. A large commercial district has been formed around the square over time. You won't be successful in getting around all the shops for the whole … Read further

Extreme and fun in Almeria

Alpinism. If you cannot imagine your life without conquering mountain peaks, then you can try alpinism in the picturesque Sierra Cabrera Mountains during your vacation in Almeria that is famous for its beautiful beaches. The season starts in May and lasts till September. Don’t forget that in order to enjoy such an extreme entertainment, you need to have experience and corresponding skills because you will walk tenths of kilometers in an unpopulated region with stones, fast rivers, and … Read further