Aperture

🏠 Raro Villas and Raro Realty, part of the Nicolaus group, are experiencing significant growth in market recognition, managed properties, and business turnover. The Raro brand includes Raro resorts and high-end tailor-made offerings, expanding into the Raro Rooms Collection for luxury room and service offerings in charming dwellings. Raro Villas' portfolio exceeds 3,000 villas, with strong American market demand (30%) and bookings from 57 countries. In 2024, Raro Villas saw a business turnover increase of 12% over 2023 and 69% over 2022. Bookings for September and October 2024 grew by 55% and 28%, respectively. Raro Realty's total property values and commission from sales increased by 95% in 2024 over 2023, with the opening of a new office in Savelletri and plans for iconic Italian locations. The success of both divisions is attributed to strategic positioning, innovative approaches, and international market visibility through prestigious events.

🏘️ Minor Hotels' European expansion continues with the NH Collection brand landing in Ibiza, set to open in April 2025. The NH Collection Ibiza, a five-star hotel, will be located in the former Sir Joan hotel, which underwent extensive renovation in 2017 and is due for further upgrades to meet NH Collection standards. The hotel aims to be a premium tourism landmark on the island, offering exclusivity and a unique experience for guests. Overlooking Ibiza's port and old town, it will serve both national and international visitors. The opening marks a strategic milestone for NH Collection, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, nearing 100 hotels globally. NH Collection Ibiza's debut follows the launch of NH Collection Alagna Mirtillo Rosso in Italy, scheduled for March 2025.

🏡 Gruppo Ginobbi's management company enters the villa market, partnering with Torre Sponda, a collection of five private residences in Positano, Amalfi Coast. President Giacomo Crisci aims to offer an authentic experience embodying customer care, respect for local history, and a commitment to sustainability. The villas range from one to five sea-view rooms, reflecting designer Fausta Gaetani's distinctive style. Torre Sponda, acquired by Alfred Pattinson in 1905 and now owned by Raimonda and Fausta Gaetani, blends historical charm with natural beauty. The villas, adorned with local ceramics, artisan textiles, and fine furnishings, feature Mediterranean gardens, panoramic terraces, and private pools. Highlight villa “La Torre,” a meticulously restored UNESCO World Heritage site, offers an exclusive look at Positano. Bookings for Torre Sponda villas start February 2025, with options for reserving the entire property.

🍰 MARITZ, the first "maritozzeria" dedicated to the maritozzo by Iginio Massari Alta Pasticceria, opens at corso di Porta Ticinese 40 in Milan. Maestro Iginio Massari introduced a revised maritozzo with a custard heart in 2018, gaining popularity in their patisseries. MARITZ offers various flavors (custard, chocolate, hazelnut, zabaione, pistachio) and limited editions during holidays like Valentine's Day and Halloween. Debora and Nicola Massari aim to make maritozzo universally appealing and promote its culture, with Milan being the chosen launch city for its diverse culture and lifestyle.

🏖️ The JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort opened in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, featuring 80 private pool villas, including 47 overwater pool villas, and 7 restaurants and bars. It's 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport. Designed by architect Cuneyt Bukulmez, the resort emphasizes sustainability through a collaboration with INVENA and MIT's Self-Assembly Lab, introducing a 30-meter underwater coastal structure to mitigate wave action and support marine ecosystems.

🍪 KoRo, an innovative high-quality food product brand, collaborates with Carlotta Perego, aka Cucina Botanica, to launch a co-branded 100% plant-based cream. The product, a result of a four-year partnership, contains cashews, toasted nuts, powdered banana, and cinnamon—all organic. The revitalized banana bread cream recipe aims for a delicious, versatile spread perfect for various culinary applications. KoRo, established in 2014 in Germany, has over 300 employees, catering to over two million customers online and in more than 13,000 stores across Europe. The organic banana bread cream is available in a 500g format for 15.00 euros on KoRo's online shop and selected retailers.

💋 Turin-based pastry chef Fabrizio Racca celebrates Valentine's Day with "Ep.2 - Closer Together", a dessert for his "Together" campaign, promoting love as a universal concept. The limited-edition dessert features a crumble base, dark chocolate ganache, soft cocoa biscuit, raspberry gelée, and mousse, adorned with elegant hearts, designed to create a multisensory experience. Available until February 14 at three locations in Turin, priced at €19 for two with a special bookmark, €8 for a single serving, and €40 for a six-serving cake. Reservations can be made on the official website, https://www.fabrizioracca.it/. Fabrizio Racca, known for innovating single-serving desserts, established his first shop in 2014 at Via San Marino 95, followed by two more locations, with the latest opening in May 2024.

🍕 In Toscana, Ristorante Pizzeria Carnaby Street in Venturina Terme (Livorno) introduces the ancient Neapolitan "Ruota di Carro" pizza, over 40 cm in diameter, by Calabrian-origin brothers Gianluca and Natale Esposito. Their menu features 11 gourmet and 14 classic pizza varieties, with over 80 wine labels available. The restaurant boasts 140 seats, expanding to 200 in good weather, and offers popular gluten-free options. The Esposito brothers blend Neapolitan pizza with Toscana and Calabria influences, offering a unique gastronomic experience.

🏗️ Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) will manage the residences of Torre Velasca in Milan under their METT brand, as announced by the global investment, development, and management company Hines. METT Suites & Residences will feature 72 suites and residences across 7 floors, totaling approximately 10,000 square meters, restored in accordance with the original plans by studio BBPR. Set to open in the second half of 2025, the Milanese METT will also include two restaurants, SUSHISAMBA and MIA. The 17th floor will host the METT Suites & Residences reception and a membership club, while a wellness area of over 1,000 square meters with a Spa and gym will be located in the basement. The regeneration project is led by Asti Architetti, with collaboration from ARS Aedificandi, studio CEAS, and ESA Engineering, maintaining dialogue with the Soprintendenza Archeologica, Belle Arti e Paesaggio of Milan.

🍝 Joshua Priore and Francesca Piro opened 'Mina' in Milan on January 31, 2025, offering a gourmet version of the traditional Neapolitan frittatina di pasta with six unique variants. In addition to classic flavors, options include lactose-free and gluten-free versions, montanare, and Waffballs with or without Nutella. Mina, located at Piazzale Baiamonti 3, also caters to pets with special dishes, and plans to expand throughout Italy.