Latest news with #AmalfiCoast
New York Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Italian Destination Weddings Are Having a Moment — Again
Emanuela Giangreco, a wedding planner, tells clients her home city of Venice is 'delicate,' a description that fits uneasily into accounts of how the wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez is expected to unfold there this week. In March, Ms. Sánchez' brother, Paul Sanchez, told TMZ the wedding, with about 200 guests expected to attend, would rival the pageantry of Princess Diana's nuptials at St. Paul's Cathedral in London. (The London firm Lanza & Baucina, known for its discretion, is planning the event.) Speculation about its cost has soared to the multiple millions, according to tabloid reports. People magazine has declared the couple are planning 'the wedding of the century.' And Mr. Bezos, whose arrival has spurred protests, is expected to dock his $500 million superyacht, Koru, in the Venice lagoon. The spectacle has prompted Ms. Giangreco, a wedding planner who once planned weddings exclusively in Venice, including her own, to reflect on how her business has expanded across Italy in the last decade. When she launched Ema Giangreco Weddings in 2015, she organized about eight American weddings in Venice each year. Now, she works with U.S. couples throughout Italy, where requests for ceremonies in Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast have tripled. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meet the Club World Cup WAGs: Love Island host Maya Jama is cheering on Ruben Dias from Spain, while Erling Haaland's girlfriend is at home with their newborn baby - as Man City and Chelsea go for glory in the US
The first week of the newly-expanded Club World Cup in the US has been and gone already. In the first 32-team format of the competition, the winner will walk away with a whopping $125m (£91.89m), with $1bn (£735m) of prize money being distributed to the 32 participating clubs, according to FIFA. Two teams from England - Chelsea and Manchester City - are competing, and they are joined by some of the biggest clubs in the world including Real Madrid and recent Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain. Elsewhere, Lionel Messi 's Inter Miami are involved and kickstarted the competition last weekend, while clubs from the likes of Asia, Africa and South America are also taking part. A total of 12 stadiums from across the USA are hosting matches, and a number of superstar players have their wives and girlfriends in attendance, while others have not travelled to support their partners. So... who are the WAGs of this summer's Club World Cup stars? Maya Jama - girlfriend of Ruben Dias Maya Jama and Ruben Dias have reportedly been dating each other for the last few months. Ruben Dias, who joined Manchester City in 2020 for around £57m, was previously with Portuguese singer April Ivy. Jama shared their recent trip to the Amalfi Coast on her Instagram where the pair enjoyed the luxury of the Italian coastline. The Love Island presenter and TV personality, 30, has been spotted at City's games since starting a relationship with Dias but, despite being being in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, Jama is not in the US to support her boyfriend at the Club World Cup. Jama is currently hosting the new series of Love Island in Spain, but is cheering on her beau from afar. Isabel Haugseng Johansen – girlfriend of Erling Haaland Another partner who is not be present at the tournament is Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen. The Norwegian has been winning on-and-off the pitch as him and Haugseng Johansen welcomed their first baby in December 2024. She is at home with the baby, rooting for the striker from across the pond as Manchester City aim to finish an underwhelming campaign with a trophy. Connie Grace – girlfriend of Cole Palmer Former Manchester City player Cole Palmer is competing in a darker shade of blue at the Club World Cup with Chelsea as his girlfriend Connie Grace supports him from the stands. Manchester through and through, Grace runs a nail salon in the city as well as being an influencer. The private couple first met through mutual friends when they were 17, as Connie revealed on the Amazon Prime documentary 'England's Lions: A New Generation'. She said: 'Cole now is still the same Cole that I met when I was 17. Obviously, he's changed, he's grown up, and his life now is completely different, but he's still the same boy, he's still laid-back Cole. Cole will adapt to whatever situation he's in.' Aine May Kennedy – girlfriend of Conor Gallagher Compatriot and former Chelsea team-mate Conor Gallagher is featuring at the tournament for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. He is being supported by Irish model girlfriend Aine May Kennedy, and they both saw and met Ed Sheeran at his concert at Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano recently. The duo have been together since they were teenagers with Kennedy making the move with Gallagher to the Spanish capital at the start of the 2024-25 season. Ashlyn Castro – girlfriend of Jude Bellingham Another Englishman living in Madrid, Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is shacked up with American influencer and model Ashlyn Castro. Castro has previously dated US basketball colossus Terance Mann and has also been linked to A-listers such as Michael B. Jordan. The 27-year-old has been seen numerous times cheering her man on at the Bernabeu alongside Bellingham's mum, Denise, and was also in the stands for England's drab 1-0 win over Andorra in Barcelona earlier this month. Gabriely Miranda – wife of Endrick Teenage Brazilian star Endrick shares the pitch with Bellingham, but struggled for game time in his first season at Real under Carlo Ancelotti. Now playing under Xabi Alonso, Endrick is being cheered on by his wife Gabriely Miranda. The 23-year-old model is five years Endrick's senior, but the two are very serious about their relationship and have a reported husband and wife contract where they must say 'I love you' no matter the situation, according to The Sun. Real Madrid star Endrick, 18, married Gabriely Miranda, 23, last year and is being cheered on by his wife during the competition Antonela Roccuzzo – wife of Lionel Messi Once a wonderkid and now arguably the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi's Inter Miami played in the first match of the tournament when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Ahly, and the Argentine icon's childhood sweetheart Antonela Roccuzzo was there to witness it. Mother to Thiago, 12, Mateo, 9 and Ciro, 7, the 37-year-old has been there every step of the way during Messi's career. Roccuzzo has embraced the American lifestyle after years in Europe and is giving her husband her full support as he aims to add another trophy to his collection. Sofia Balbi – wife of Luis Suarez Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez followed Messi to Miami in January 2024 after a long stint in Spain, with his wife Sofia Balbi accompanying him. The 34-year-old has known Suarez since they were teenagers, despite the pair coming from very different backgrounds due to her affluent upbringing. Suarez and Balbi have gone from strength to strength and have three children together: Delfina, Benjamin and Lautaro. Catherine Harding – wife of Jorginho Changing the red and white of Arsenal for the red and black of Flamengo, Jorginho is back playing for a team for his homeland of Brazil. Jorginho and his wife Catherin Harding got married in Italy just two weeks before the start of the World Cup as they brace themselves for a new life in South America. Singer Harding has a child with actor Jude Law from their previous relationship, but rose to prominence in the footballing world following Amazon Prime's 'Married to the Game' series, which showed how her and Jorginho's relationship has blossomed behind closed doors. Claudia Rodriguez – wife of Marc Cucurella Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella enjoyed his best season in a Chelsea shirt in the 2024-25 campaign and finished the season by winning the Conference League. Now, he has his sights set on claiming another trophy at the Club World Cup. He has the support of his wife Claudia Rodriguez, with the couple having three children together. Rodriguez's social media reflects her love for London, often jetting to various countries around the world when she has the time. The couple have also opened up on the 'Married to the Game' documentary about the challenges they've faced raising their autistic child. Cucurella and Rodriguez did not feature in the first series of the show, but were widely praised for opening up about their life and dealing with a family robbery in the second series.
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Travel + Leisure
21-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
10 Postcard-perfect Towns to Visit on the Amalfi Coast, According to Locals
The first time I visited the Amalfi Coast, around 15 years ago, I nearly laughed out loud at the sheer improbability of it. In Positano, I gazed up at the candy-colored buildings stacked on top of each other, hewed into the mountains overlooking the sea, and the majolica-tiled dome of Santa Maria Assunta gleaming in the sunlight. What kind of mad genius could have created such a landscape? It seemed too beautiful to be real. The Amalfi Coast is no stranger to myths and legends, both of the ancient variety and the more modern kind. One claims that the area's name originates from the love story between the demigod Hercules and a nymph named Amalfi. More recently, the coast had another dolce vita heyday in the 1960s, with movie stars like Sophia Loren and Elizabeth Taylor gracing its beaches and towns with their beauty. And its popularity has never really faded. I've returned countless times since that first trip, and on every visit, I find something new to love. But to get a more local perspective, I tapped two of the coast's best-connected insiders: Francesco Sersale, who runs Positano's iconic hotel Le Sirenuse, and Mariella Avino, owner and managing director of the legendary Palazzo Avino in Ravello. Here are our picks for the 10 best Amalfi Coast towns to visit and what to do in each of them. Beach scenes in Positano. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure Once a humble fishing village, Positano has become one of the most visited towns on the Amalfi Coast. Built into the mountain, it's a jumble of stairs and narrow lanes lined with shops selling linen clothes, jewelry, and much more. It's also home to a spectacular Roman villa covered in ancient frescoes hidden under the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. 'If you're staying at Le Sirenuse, my biggest tip is: don't rush. Take your time to enjoy the morning light on your terrace, a long breakfast, a dip in the pool,' Sersale says. 'For lunch, head to Da Adolfo, a Positano institution where bare feet and cold white wine with peaches are part of the ritual. Order the mozzarella grilled on lemon leaves. In the evening, head back to La Sponda for dinner by candlelight—and make sure to catch at least one sunset from Franco's Bar with an ice-cold paloma.' Scenes from around Amalfi. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure Once the seat of a powerful maritime republic, Amalfi is still a hub for ferries and other boats arriving from Naples and elsewhere. There's a lovely seafront promenade overlooking the beach, and the main street, Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi, is lined with cafes and shops selling handmade ceramics, summer clothes, and Amalfi paper. One of my favorite things to do here is stop for an espresso and perhaps a pastry at the historic Pasticceria Andrea Pansa, right in the shadow of the Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea. The cathedral, its peaceful cloister, and its ornate crypt are also worth a visit. If you want to stay in Amalfi, you're spoiled for choice. My favorite hotels here are the Hotel Santa Caterina, a legendary member of the Leading Hotels of the World with a Michelin-starred restaurant and a saltwater pool at the beach club; Borgo Santandrea, which was featured on our 2022 It List; and Anantara Convento di Amalfi, featured on the 2024 It List. Scenic images of Ravello. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure High up in the mountains, affording fabulous views of the coast, this town is known for its two historic villas, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, which are both worth visiting. (The latter is a hotel, but you can buy a ticket to visit the gardens and the famed Infinity Terrace.) For a more under-the-radar gem, Avino recommends the Museo del Corallo. 'Founded by Giorgio Filocamo and now in the hands of his passionate daughter Tiffany, the Museo del Corallo is a wunderkammer of treasures. Historic coral pieces handmade and engraved by Giorgio are blended with beautiful, unique cameos and jewelry pieces,' she explains. Architecture in Praiano. The next town over from Positano, Praiano is smaller and more under-the-radar. 'Praiano is quietly beautiful. Go for an aperitivo at Bar del Sole, where locals gather at sunset, or hike down to Il Pirata for a swim and a drink by the rocks. If you're up for something more active, the Path of the Gods starts nearby,' suggests Sersale. Scenic images in Furore. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure Designated one of the Borghi Più Belli d'Italia (the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy), Furore is best known for its picturesque fjord, where the sea has cleaved its way into the towering cliffs, creating a small beach. Check into the new Furore Grand Hotel and be sure to book a table at their Michelin-starred restaurant Bluh Furore for an elegant dinner. The town is also home to the renowned Cantine Marisa Cuomo winery and the family's restaurant, Bacco Furore. Apostolic Church of San Giovanni Battista in Conca dei Marini. Tiny Conca dei Marini is home to an emerald grotto and is the birthplace of the sfogliatella Santa Rosa, the shell-shaped pastry filled with orange-scented ricotta that can be found all over the coast. 'Tucked away in a pretty cove on the beach in Conca dei Marini, La Tonnarella is one of my favorite restaurants on the Amalfi Coast,' Sersale says, calling it 'A rustic, warm, and inviting atmosphere that provides a family-friendly environment and mouth-watering dining experience.' Scenes from the town of Atrani. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure The smallest town in Italy by surface area, minuscule Atrani is just a 10-minute stroll from Amalfi—and the walk there will give you fantastic views of both towns. If it looks familiar, that might be because it was the setting for the Netflix series Ripley . With its many narrow alleys and stairs, it also served as inspiration for Dutch artist M.C. Escher. A tribute to him can be seen in a covered passageway in town. Cityscape of Vietri Sul Mare. Laura Itzkowitz/Travel + Leisure 'This is where the coast's ceramic tradition lives on,' Sersale explains. 'Our Emporio Sirenuse 'By the Pool' plate collection was created in collaboration with Scotto, a wonderful artisanal ceramicist based here. 'It's worth visiting for the studios alone—many of which have been run by the same families for generations.' A walking trail in Scala. Cheryl Ramalho/Adobe Stock 'In Scala, I love going to Da Lorenzo, my favorite restaurant outside of the ones at Palazzo Avino! Luca and Gerardo treasure their parents' heritage with joy and dedication. Luca takes care of the service and makes you feel at home from the first step; Gerardo is the soul of the kitchen,' Avino says. 'My favorite dish there (not always available since it depends on the catch of the day) is the tubetti ai totani (squid pasa).' Landscape view of Nerano. Located within the Punta Campanella Natural Marine Reserve, Nerano has hiking trails that will lead you to the pristine Ieranto Bay, which is protected by the Fondo Ambiente Italiano (Italy's National Trust). Sersale calls this town 'A quieter gem, tucked around the corner from the Amalfi Coast,' adding, 'Lo Scoglio is the spot for lunch—simple, exceptional, right on the water. The spaghetti with zucchini is legendary.'
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Billionaire Melbourne heiress Bella Geminder marries husband Jose Falk for the second time in a stunning Italian ceremony for Australian society elite
After saying 'I do' in a glittering Melbourne ceremony in January, billionaire Aussie heiress Bella Geminder has tied the knot with Jose Falk a second time. The granddaughter of the late Visy chairman Richard Pratt and the daughter of billionaire packaging magnates Raphael and Fiona Geminder, walked down the aisle with Jose again in a stunning Italian ceremony. The couple were joined by Melbourne society elite at the Villa Cimbrone, an historic five-star hotel on the Amalfi Coast. Bella looked absolutely radiant in a gorgeous ivory gown with a plunging neckline, and an intricate lace bodice. She wore a long, flowing veil that cascaded down her back and finished in a princess-like train at her feet. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Bella wore her hair down for the occasion, with her brunette locks falling freely over her exposed shoulders. Jose, meanwhile, looked every inch the dapper groom in a smart navy blue suit. He added a pop of colour to his outfit with a purple waistcoat and a gold patterned tie, bringing the ensemble together with a light coloured shirt and a pair of black leather shoes. The couple looked over the moon as they walked down that aisle that was flanked with their well-heeled family and friends. In the wake of the romantic occasion, social media was awash with memories of the nuptials, with many of the couple's high profile loved ones taking to Instagram to share images of the day. Sarah Lucas and her restaurateur husband Chris were in attendance, and the Melbourne socialite cut a very glamorous figure for the occasion. She wore a stunning chocolate-coloured halter neck sleeveless gown that showed off her trim and taut arms. She also wore a long, flowing veil that cascaded down her back, finishing in a train at her feet She accessorised with a long black leather clutch, some silver bling on her wrist and a pair of eye-catching large silver earrings. Foodie husband Chris, meanwhile looked cut a dapper figure in a white sports coat that he wore over a navy blue shirt that was unbuttoned to the chest. Sarah shared one image that showed her 'arriving in style' with fellow Melbourne socialite Holly Lucas. Holly put on quite the leggy display in a lacy black gown that featured a thigh-high split. The eye-catching garment also flaunted a hint of Holly's décolletage, as she augmented the look with a black lace choker. She also wore a pair of strappy burgundy block heels and accessorised with some subtle gold bling on her wrists. Stylist Nadia Phillips also put on quite the ostentatious display in a revealing Dalmation print chiffon dress from Leam Almes. The dress, which featured a revealing side split, also showed off Nadia's cleavage, thanks to a very plunging neckline and no bra. Stylist Chris Kontos turned out for the romantic occasion in a classic black dinner jacket, matching pants, and a crisp white collared shirt. Model Izi Mundic also looked stunning at the pre-wedding soiree in a sleeveless, lilac maxi dress with a low, ruffled neckline. It looked to be quite the luxe affair, with photos showing the guests celebrating the nuptials at long, intricately decorated tables on the venue's well manicured lawn. The couple's second wedding is a three-day celebration, with festivities kicking off on Thursday with a 'La Dolce vita'-themed welcome dinner held at a surprise location. The couple's second wedding is a three-day celebration, with festivities kicking off on Thursday with a 'La Dolce Vita'-themed welcome dinner held at a surprise location. Following their Friday nuptials, the couple are also hosting a casual poolside 'recovery party' at the stunning Villa Cimbrone. It comes after Bella and Jose tied the knot in front of 500 guests at her family's estate in the upmarket suburb of Kew in January. In footage shared to social media, the couple beamed as they enjoyed their first kiss as husband and wife, moments after tying the knot (the first time). Some of the A-List guests to attend include Bella's aunt Heloise Pratt and her Aussie rock legend partner Jon Stevens, as well as close friends and family. In October 2022, her older sister Georgia, 31, and investment director Matthew Danos also married in an opulent society wedding. The event took place in the ritzy suburb of Kew, and was a traditional Jewish ceremony followed by a black tie reception inside a marquee at Raheen, the Pratt family mansion. Bella's mother Fiona owns cardboard giant Visy and is worth a reported $3.4billion, while her father Raphael - who is also on Forbes Rich List - has a 40 percent share in plastics manufacturer, Pact. Her grandfather Richard Pratt, an immigrant born in Poland whose family fled to Australia months before the German invasion. He was a leading figure in Melbourne society until his death on April 29, 2009.
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Forbes
Swap Amalfi For This Lesser Crowded Coastline Right Nextdoor
The city of Sorrento gives its name to the Sorrentina peninsula, along which both coastlines run. Hotel Mediterraneo Summer has come to Italy's Amalfi Coast, and with it tourist crowds that clog the narrow streets of Amalfi and Positano, crammed buses caught in traffic jams along the serpentine coastal road, and sky-high hotel and restaurant prices. While this south-facing coastline has long been a visitor hotspot, its north-facing counterpart—known as the Costiera Sorrentina—offers similar stunning natural beauty, with a quieter, more authentic atmosphere thrown into the bargain. The city of Sorrento gives its name to the Sorrentina peninsula, along which both coastlines run. The city is often considered only a 'gateway to the Amalfi Coast', as tourists taking the train from Naples alight here for buses to towns like Positano and Amalfi. But as those iconic destinations on the south-facing coastline are feeling the strain of the tourist arrivals, Sorrento is coming into its own. It is bigger than either Amalfi or Positano and a city that lives in winter much as it does in summer. It doesn't rely so heavily on tourism as the Amalfi Coast, so it's easier to explore beyond the usual lemon-themed souvenir shops and overpriced restaurants. Here's how to spend a long weekend between the artisans' boutiques, authentic trattorie and quiet luxury hotels of Sorrento. Even in peak seasons, there are only a few streets of Sorrento where you need your elbows out. The narrow streets of the historic center are a mini maze, but between the growing number of souvenir outlets, you can still find fascinating stalwart stores like the Embroidery Center with handwoven tablecloths and drapes. The surrounding streets are a pleasure to stroll, particularly the wide Corso Italia, where families gather around benches under the trees and couples peruse the boutiques' window displays. A view of Tasso Square in the old town of Sorrento, Campania, Italy getty Running next to it is the oldest street in Sorrento, dating from the 16th century. The narrow, shaded Via Santa Maria della Pietà is Neapolitan-esque in its air of ancient mystery, with big arched doorways to houses and glimpses into tiny barber shops and a cubbyhole tattoo parlor. The street leads to the Cathedral of Saints Philip and James, with a neo-Romanesque facade and ornate Baroque interior. It is decorated with celestial frescoes and houses a vast nativity scene—a traditional craft construction particularly popular in nearby Naples known as a presepe. The church of St Francis is also worth visiting for the peaceful cloister with graceful Gothic arches and creeping greenery. Next door is the Villa Comunale di Sorrento, a large, bayside park with clifftop views. From here, you can take the steep, zigzagging staircase down to the beaches and azure sea. From the rooftop terrace bar of Hotel Mediterraneo, the sun sets in peach and rose streaks between the distant island of Ischia and the dark peak of Mount Vesuvius. The five-star hotel enjoys a prime position on the coastline, a little away from the bustle of the city center and high on the cliffside. It is still a family-run establishment, which gives it the warm, relaxed atmosphere missing from some of the Amalfi Coast's prestigious chain hotels. It means the hotel appeals to repeat visitors, generally Italians in-the-know but a growing international crowd too, who have their favorite seaview rooms or poolside lounger. The five-star hotel enjoys a prime position on the coastline. Vincenzo Tambasco The hotel is also charmingly 'local', with bedside tables made from Vesuvian rock and lamps shaped like the classic fishing lights on traditional boats. On arrival, you find sparkling wine and freshly pressed orange juice in your room for a DIY mimosa. At breakfast, you can sample cheese, oil and jams from local producers, while the poolside bar serves a pizza thick with melted local provolone cheese freshened with lemon zest. Dinner in the panoramic restaurant with views of the bay and Mount Vesuvius is another Sorrentino culinary adventure. The 'Tradizione' menu—a homage to cooking aficionado Nonna Etta who founded the hotel—begins with a delightful aubergine parmigiana mousse imitating a very plausible tomato. Then comes artichokes from nearby Paestum and the iconic gnocchi alla sorrentina with a crispy, flamed parmesan topping. The palette cleanser is a popping sherbert lemon jelly served inside a lemon rind, and dessert is a rhum babà duo—one in the traditional style and one reinvented. Both the starter and dessert are served on a charcoal grey, cone-shaped dish with a red glazed interior in a poetic imitation of Mount Vesuvius on the skyline. The Vesuvius inspired plates echoing the volcano on the skyline. Hotel Mediterraneo Don't miss a meal at the summery colored Terrazza Mediterranea, the hotel's informal dining option open all day. It has a fun, genuine atmosphere, given that it's open to the public, too, and sits at the end of a square that juts out over the sea where residents and tourists alike stroll. To enjoy the sunny days, guests have access to a beach club at the base of the cliff just in front of the hotel, accessed by a lift. Here, amiable staff are on hand to bring you champagne and snacks, and offer expert advice on the best sunbathing locations and spots for a sea dip. After a day by the water, head up to the sky bar for creative cocktails and live music.
