From Sicily To Lake Como: Assouline Reveals The Stories Of Italy

From the mysticism of Sicily to the romance of Lake Como, Assouline’s Travel Series collection of coffee table books takes readers around the world, capturing the essence of some of the world’s most chic, inspiring and captivating destinations.

This summer, Italy is in the sights of the luxury publisher, with three destinations highlighted in its latest titles. First up, Lake Como Idyll (May 2023, assouline.com), written by journalist Massimo Nava, brings to life the much-loved, yet unassuming holiday destination of Lake Como in northern Italy. Bordered by the Alps, Lake Como takes the shape of an inverted ‘Y’, its two arms — Como to the west, Lecco to the east — meeting in the town of Bellagio.

Part of its mystique – which is particularly felt in the early mornings when an eerie mist is suspended over the lake’s surface – lies in the epic properties that watch over the water. As the sun rises, the magnificent gardens of Villa d’Este, Passalacqua and Villa del Balbianello come to life, the fragrant greenery of cypress and oak trees tickling the senses, as if you’ve stepped into the pages of Italy’s most famous novel, Alessandro Manzoni’s The Betrothed (1827), which is set in Lake Como.

In his introduction, Nava writes: “Poets, musicians, writers and painters have sung the praises of Lake Como, but the countless adjectives – splendid, romantic evocative, moving – do not suffice in describing the spell cast by the harmonious fusion of the work of nature and of the human hand. The world does not lack for breathtaking landscapes, but it is rare to see such beauty as that of the hamlets, villas, belfries and wharfs set so perfectly in this expansive scenery of mountains, inlets and bays.”

As well as writing about the necklace of picturesque towns found along its shores, Nava delves into the history of the lake. One chapter of its history is post-war, when it the lake experienced a renaissance period, when many of the derelict villas were converted into exclusive hotels or residences for A-listers. Gianni Versace’s Villa Fontanelle in Moltrasio, for instance, was where he welcomed famous friends and clients in the 1980s, including Michael Douglas, Elton John and Madonna. And it was here that Jennifer Lopez honeymooned with her first husband. The Villa Fontanelle parties were legendary rendezvous for the international jet set. Until the villa was sold, Versace’s ashes were kept in a natural chapel with his iconic Medusa logo set into the mosaic.

Nava writes about the stunning interiors and design of many of the villas found along the shores of the lake, as well as delving into the ‘grand’ tradition of many of the lake’s historic hotels. From the Riva boats, and the workmanship of the shipwrights behind them, to the allure of towns such as Bellagio, which has beckoned artists and writers for hundreds of years, the book is a celebration of a unique part of Italy.

He writes: “You will discover monumental villas, luxurious hotels, elegant guesthouses with flowered balconies, extraordinary landscapes full of light and emotion. And here, among ancient and new architecture, you will grasp the deep sense of ‘Made in Italy’, the combination of elegance and creativity. You will enter the sweet fairy tale that is lived every day in the small timeless villages. You will live the ‘Lake Como dream’…”

Meanwhile, in Sicily Honor (June 2023, assouline.com), writer Gianni Riotta tells the story of the southern Italian island of Sicily. From its snow-capped mountains to its pristine beaches and quaint towns, many have fallen in love with Sicily’s dynamic landscapes.

Sicily, often identified as the island at the tip of Italy’s boot, evokes rich feelings of passion, intrigue and pride, says Riotta. “Whether these responses are stirred by the words of Dante, Quasimodo and Goethe or by the films of Coppola, Antonioni and Rossellini, Sicily’s influence is palpable.” The book reveals how the island is a melting pot of cultures due to its location at the heart of the Mediterranean. The island’s history of foreign occupations and rule is made manifest in its architectural influences, be they Middle Eastern, European or African. But nowhere are the effects of multi-culturalism and mythic tales more apparent than in the cuisine.

From the simple biscotti to the grand timbale, every dish in Sicily is never simply about food; a Sicilian legend is sure to be a part of it. Through the pages of Sicily Honor, readers escape the everyday and experience the romance of this unique island.

Finally, Cala di Volpe (June 2023, assouline.com), written by Nicky Swallow, shines a spotlight on the world-renowned luxury hotel found on Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda.

Designed by architect Jacques Couëlle, Cala di Volpe was built using only local materials to be in harmony with the surrounding natural beauty. Seamlessly integrated into the landscape, the hotel now stands in all its organic, free-form glory, with terra-cotta accents and a pastel-colored exterior – and is renowned by those seeking an effortlessly glamorous escape.

Revealing how the luxury hotel has become famous for a must-stay on every jet setter’s list, the book also recounts how it is also woven into the Sardinian landscape, and especially captures the essence of Costa Smerelda.