Villa Balbiano

"From its prominent position on Lake Como, Villa Balbiano radiates a majestic charm emblematic of the most splendid chapter in the history of great villas in the idyllic Italian region. Each successive owner brought new splendor to the villa through additions, new frescoes and statues, and increasingly extensive and sumptuous gardens. The villa's history reached an acme at the end of the eighteenth century, when the enlightened Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, as master of the house, transformed Villa Balbiano into a crucible of philosophy and art, framed within the villa's archetypical Roman lines. Today, esteemed interior architect Jacques Garcia has undertaken painstaking restoration work that combines a stunning array of precious materials and a worldclass collection of paintings and antique furnishings set against the backdrop of the original design that had been obscured over the centuries. The glorious new restoration inaugurates a new season in the life of the villa in one of the world's most glamorous locations."--

Jacques Garcia's meticulous restoration of Villa Balbiano, a magnificient Italian architectural masterpiece with a centuries-long history. Esteemed interior architect Jacques Garcia has undertaken painstaking restoration work at Villa Balbiano that combines a stunning array of precious materials and a world-class collection of paintings and antique furnishings set against the backdrop of the original design that had been obscured over the centuries. From its prominent position on Lake Como, Villa Balbiano radiates a majestic charm emblematic of the most splendid chapter in the history of great villas in the idyllic Italian region. Each successive owner added to the splendor of the villa through additions, new frescoes and statues, and increasingly extensive and sumptuous gardens, which were distinguished by the Society of Garden Designers for best historic garden restoration in 2018. The villa's history reached an acme at the end of the eighteenth century, when the enlightened Cardinal Angelo Maria Durini, as master of the house, transformed Villa Balbiano into a crucible of philosophy and art, framed within the villa's archetypal Roman lines. Garcia's glorious new restoration inaugurates a new season in the life of the villa in one of the world's most glamorous locations.

A comprehensive tour of the magnificent Château de Chantilly, its superlative art collection, important stables, and beautiful gardens. The Domaine de Chantilly is an exceptional treasure of French culture and heritage, rebuilt after the Revolution by Henri d'Orléans, duc d'Aumale--son of King Louis-Philippe--as a home and museum for his unrivaled collection of furniture, decorative arts, books, and paintings. These constitute the Condé Museum's extensive galleries--second only to the Louvre in France--with masterpieces including paintings by Raphael, Clouet, Poussin, and Ingres; the illuminated manuscript Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry; furniture; porcelains; drawings; and early photographs. Chantilly's elegant private apartments, kept precisely as they were during the duc d'Aumale's lifetime, are beautifully preserved examples of the uniquely French Louis Philippe style; its recently restored garden was designed by celebrated landscape architect André Le Nôtre; and the still-active Great Stables are the largest and most opulent in Europe. This slipcased volume offers rare access to one of France's most complete and beautiful stately homes and its world-class art collection that is carefully conserved today by the Institut de France.

On the outskirts of the spectacular baroque town of Noto, Sicily, Jacques Garcia has transformed an ancient monastery into an abode of earthly bliss. Celebrated interior designer Jacques Garcia invites readers inside his private residence in Sicily for the first time. The former monastery, rebuilt in Noto’s characteristic golden limestone, boasts spectacular salons that have been restored with a profusion of noble materials and techniques: colored marbles, flamboyant stuccowork, majolica tiles, damask silks, and velvets. Time stops in the elegant music room, decorated with embroidered silks and rococo-style mirrors that reflect the decor to infinity; the gilded dining room is hung with silk damask wall coverings and an eighteenth-century Murano chandelier and furnished with Chantilly porcelain and antique Italian rococo chairs. The grand marble salon features baroque paintings and a stunning collection of sculpture and Sicilian furniture. The exquisite villa—surrounded by shaded terraces planted with towering cacti and succulents—attests to Garcia’s love of ancient civilizations and his masterful blending of Arabian, Norman, Renaissance, and baroque influences that converge in Sicily’s colorful history. The domain, dotted with ancient sculptures and reflecting pools, is graced with splendid panoramic views revealing the sea near Syracuse, a distant folly, a restored villa nestled in an ancient olive grove, and the decaying grandeur of a classical temple reconstructed with ancient fragments.

A new atmospheric Italian mystery novel set in Lake Como, introducing the clever and captivating Inspector Stefania Valenti During the construction of a new road to the Swiss border in the mountains above Lake Como, the remains of a young man are unearthed on the powerful Cappelletti family’s property. On the case is Stefania Valenti, forty-five, divorced with a young daughter, and a brilliant, determined police inspector. Her investigation takes her back to World War II and deep into the history of the region, a place that during the war attracted smugglers, deserters, secret agents, and fleeing Jews. Steeped in the beautiful atmosphere of Northern Italy, Valenti’s investigation brings to light a family’s secret, a tragic romance, and reveals a fascinating piece of Italian history.

Insight Guides Italian Lakes Travel made easy. Ask local experts. Comprehensive travel guide packed with inspirational photography and fascinating cultural insights. From deciding when to go, to choosing what to see when you arrive, this guide to the Italian Lakes is all you need to plan your perfect trip, with insider information on must-see, top attractions like the magnificent shores of Lake Maggiore, the rooftops of fair Verona and olive groves of Lake Garda, and cultural gems like magical little Lake Orta, metropolitan Milan and a tour of the winelands of Valpolicella. Features of this travel guide to the Italian Lakes: - Inspirational colour photography: discover the best destinations, sights and excursions, and be inspired by stunning imagery - Historical and cultural insights: immerse yourself in Italy's rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions - Practical full-colour maps: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy - Editor's Choice: uncover the best of the Italian Lakes with our pick of the region's top destinations - Key tips and essential information: packed full of important travel information, from transport and tipping to etiquette and hours of operation - Covers: Verona; Lake Garda; Brescia; Lake Iseo; Franciacorta and Val Camonica; Bergamo; Lake Como; Lugano; Varese; Lake Maggiore; Lake Orta; Milan Looking for a specific guide to Italy? Check out Insight Guides Italian Lakes for a detailed and entertaining look at all the city has to offer. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps, as well as phrase books, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.