The cradle of history and culture, home of leaders and emperors, place of churches and fountains, Rome has become the luxury capital. After taking the scepter from Milan, ritzy Rome gains ground while the primacy of Paris -- the city of fashion -- starts vacillating.

From the typical alleys to large commercial arteries, the sparkle of the luxurious shop windows draws eyes and wallets of clients and tourists like a juicy apple of sin. For lovers of famous signatures and of established designers’ showrooms, the streets of Rome offer a plethora of choice.

Leaving behind Bernini’s Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat), one can reach the most sumptuous and glamorous street of the capital: via Condotti. The most important clothing, leather and jewelry tags possess a boutique on this street. Where once flowed the virgin water from the Pincio to the lowest Campo Marzio, now run the names of the great fashion houses: Valentino, Missoni, Prada and Jimmy Choo -- just some of the international luxury names.
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Whoever has had the chance to visit Cortina d’Ampezzo (Belluno, Veneto) and its surroundings -- either in winter for the incomparable skiing or in summer for the mountain climbing and hiking -- cannot be indifferent to the spectacular show of the landscape.

Rising from the depths of the primordial ocean 250 million years ago, the Dolomites were shaped by the relentless effects of water, wind and ice, sculpting this natural masterpiece. Named for the geologist who first studied them, Déodat de Dolomieu, and protected by numerous parks, the Dolomites rise to an altitude of almost 11,000 feet. Some of the best known peaks are Marmolada, Tofana di Rozes, Three Peaks of Lavaredo, the Rosengarten and the Latemar, Mount Pelmo and the Pale di San Martino. read more>>