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New York Post
8 hours ago
- General
- New York Post
Rare Lazarus Effect surfaces again as woman declared dead awakens before burial
A woman declared dead by the coroner after her husband found her unresponsive in bed was being placed in a coffin when morticians made a startling discovery — she was very much alive. The horrifying tale from the Czech Republic unfolded when an 88-year-old woman, who was thought to be dead, showed signs of life in her coffin. According to the husband of the woman thought to be deceased called the Pilsen emergency services to potentially help his wife. The husband told the emergency dispatcher that 'she didn't move, she didn't breathe,' according to the report. When paramedics arrived, they confirmed the woman's death, and the coroners were dispatched to the apartment. The coroner also confirmed the woman's death, and undertakers were called to move the body into the coffin. The husband also told Blesk that 'the workers transferred her to the coffin, and when they were right here in the apartment in the hallway by the door, they found out she was alive.' 3 An 88-year-old woman, who was thought to be dead, showed signs of life in her coffin. Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty Images An ambulance arrived shortly after, and the woman was transported to the hospital. While this may seem like something out of a horror story, this rare medical occurrence has happened before. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's known as the Lazarus Effect. 3 When paramedics arrived, they confirmed the woman's death. The coroner also confirmed the woman's death, and undertakers were called to move the body into the coffin, according to reports. – Named after the biblical story of Jesus raising Lazarus back from the dead, this usually occurs after CPR ends. Typically, this happens after a cardiac arrest occurs and CPR is administered to the patient. This medical phenomenon occurs after the patient is clinically pronounced dead. 3 Named after the biblical story of Jesus raising Lazarus back from the dead, the Lazarus effect usually occurs after CPR ends. Rení¡ta Sedmí¡koví¡ – Some time later, the patient will begin to show signs of life and must continue to show these signs for more than a few seconds. According to the National Institutes of Health, there have been 74 confirmed cases in the U.S. from 1982-2022. It is still unknown how or why the Lazarus Effect happens.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Pennsylvania Teaches Us About Bipartisanship
Screenshot - Pennsylvania Climate Change - 'My district itself is 40% Democrat, 40% Republican, and 20% independent. So I'm a good kind of little Petri dish case study of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the country at large,' Pennsylvania Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan told me in an exclusive interview on Electric Ladies Podcast. With all walks of life – urban, suburban, rural, Democrats, Republicans, independents, Pennsylvania is the ultimate swing state and could teach us about how to move forward on a bipartisan basis. They voted for Donald Trump in 2016, for Joe Biden in 2020, and then back to Donald Trump by less than 1% in 2024. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA 06). ca. 14 November 2018. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group ... More via Getty Images) Houlahan represents Pennsylvania's sixth district as a Democrat, bringing her experiences as an Air Force veteran, an educator who worked with Teach for America and taught 11th grade science in Philadelphia, and an entrepreneur. She also comes from an immigrant background, with her grandparents and parents as Holocaust survivors, and from a military family (her father and grandfather served in the Navy). She's also one of only a couple of dozen Members of Congress with a STEM background – in science, technology, engineering and math – which concerns her since nearly every issue intersects with STEM today. She earned her engineering degree at Stanford (with an ROTC scholarship) and her Master of Science degree in Technology and policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). That's why she founded and Co-chairs the Women in STEM Caucus too, which she told me is bipartisan. She's also Co-Chair of the 60-member Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus. Pennsylvanians reflect bipartisan support for clean energy and the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Act. The majority supports increasing clean energy in the state, 76% overall, including 84% of independents and 59% of Republicans, according to research by the Global Strategy Group. 'I just believe that we're fundamentally a very pragmatic people who really think hard, are well educated, in different ways, to understand the complexity of all problems that we have,' including energy, 'and we can find solutions that are pragmatic as well,' Houlahan insisted. Graphic on support for energy in Pennsylvania, Global Strategy Group research - 2025 'Our planet is under attack and we do have an energy crisis and we do need to move towards renewable and sustainable energies more rapidly than we are. And I think the people of our community, my community, recognize that.' Despite the report's finding that 'Overwhelming majorities of voters support significantly increasing the use of clean energy in Pennsylvania,' in 2024, Pennsylvanians voted for Donald Trump and a Republican Senator both of whom are against those programs, while also voting for Houlahan and other Democrats, who do support those programs. So, how do you reach bipartisanship on climate and clean energy issues? Here are issues Houlahan said she focuses on to do so: Pennsylvania is slated to receive over $16.7 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), with the majority earmarked for desperately needed repairs and upgrades to roadways, bridges, water systems, public transit, and airports, according to the US Department of Transportation. It's all at risk in the GOP-led bill. American Society of Civil Engineers, Pennsylvania infrastructure report card 2025 Sherri Goodman book - Threat Multiplier, Island Press 2024 Sherri Goodman, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, coining the phrase 'threat multiplier,' to describe climate decades ago, because it exacerbates all other security threats. She explained it in her new book, 'Threat Multiplier: climate change, military leadership and global security.'
The Hill
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Top 10 cities for recent college grads in 2025
The job market is tough for recent college grads, but cities like Austin, Texas and Raleigh, N.C., still offer a promising mix of affordability and opportunity, a new report shows. analyzed more than 300 cities and towns to find the most 'grad-friendly' rental markets in 2025, weighing factors like housing affordability, rental availability and job opportunities. Austin topped the list for the second year in a row thanks to its low rent-to-income ratio (18.9 percent) and high share of jobs (29.4 percent) that require a bachelor's degree but no prior experience. Raleigh and Overland Park, Kan., ranked second and third, followed by Minneapolis and St. Louis. 'These markets aren't just affordable areas with relatively more abundant rental options, they're full of energy, opportunity, and a sense of community, everything a recent grad could want,' Danielle Hale, chief economist at said in a statement. On average, graduates in the top 10 markets spend just 21.5 percent of their income on rent, well below the commonly accepted 30 percent affordability benchmark. This year's top cities also have a lower average unemployment rate (3.8 percent) compared to the 50 largest metros (4.1 percent). Cost of living and job opportunities will likely be top priorities for the Class of 2025, which is entering the rockiest job market since 2021. Here's top 10 list for 2025 along with some of the key metrics the report considered. Atmosphere during weekend one, day one of the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on Oct. 4, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by) Median Rent: $1,504 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 18.9 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.2 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 29.4 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 3.6 percent Raleigh's downtown skyline is seen from The Dillion's ninth floor lobby terrace open to the public January 02, 2019 in Raleigh, NC. The convention center's Shimmer Wall is seen at the far right. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,524 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 20.0 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 9.0 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 30.4 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 3.3 percent Kansas, Overland Park, Museum at Prairiefire. (Photo by: Bernard P. Friel/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,351 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 20.6 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 9.2 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 25.5 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 4.2 percent Minneapolis skyline showing the Mississippi river and U.S. Bank Stadium in the fall. (Photo by: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,528 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 19.7 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 5.2 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 27.3 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 3.7 percent A general view of the St Louis Gateway Arch, skyline and the Budweiser sign during the fifth inning between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins at Busch Stadium on July 18, 2023, in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image) Median Rent: $1,335 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 20.8 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.0 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 25.1 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 4.0 percent Sunset view on James River of historic southern Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,502 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 23.2 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.2 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 25.3 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 3.3 percent The skyline of Pittsburgh is framed by couple walking through a park on the Northside on Wednesday, June 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) Median Rent: $1,461 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 22.3 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.7 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 24.3 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 4.1 percent People ride electric scooters through the old town area on Tuesday November 19, 2024, in Scottsdale, Ariz.. Maricopa County continues to be one of the fastest growing areas in the country. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,530 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 22.5 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 7.9 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 23.0 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 3.7 percent The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas (Credit: University of Texas at Dallas) Median Rent: $1,472 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 22.4 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 8.9 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 24.4 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 4.0 percent View of Atlanta Skyline (Getty Images) Median Rent: $1,604 Rent-to-Income Ratio: 24.1 percent Rental Vacancy Rate: 9.3 percent College Grad Friendly Occupations: 24.7 percent Forecasted unemployment rate: 4.1 percent For more on methodology, read here.
The Intercept
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Intercept
Andor Has a Message for the Left: Act Now
Support Us © THE INTERCEPT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Star Wars series shows a rebel movement struggling to be born, but has a clear lesson for fighting rising fascism. Photo illustration: Fei Liu / Photos: Michael Siluk/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images; Walt Disney Studios Star Wars has always been political, no matter what the MAGA types who cosplay as Imperial agents and scream about Disney shoving diversity into 'their Star Wars' say. The original trilogy showed a band of anti-imperialist fighters going up against a vicious pan-galactic state — based, according to its creator George Lucas, on the Vietnam War, with the Viet Cong 'rebels' going up against the United States 'Empire.' The prequels showed the transformation of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire of the original trilogy. In 2018, during Donald Trump's first administration, James Cameron interviewed Lucas about Star Wars' anti-authoritarian messaging, highlighting a line spoken by Senator Padmé Amidala as Emperor Palpatine declares that the Republic is now an Empire: 'So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause.' 'We're in the middle of it right now,' Lucas replies. Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney in 2012 and hasn't been involved in production since then, but Andor, the new series set in the universe, doubles down on its anti-authoritarian roots, focusing on the creation of the revolutionary Rebel Alliance. In the process, it gives us a glimpse into the messiness and conflict that often accompanies building a movement on the left, as activists fight over which political philosophies and strategies work best. And season two couldn't have come at a more opportune time as Trump and his second administration carry out Project 2025 and Democrats do… well, not much. Caution: spoilers ahead. 'All doubts aside, there is one glaring certainty. If we do not stand together, we will be crushed.' Like the U.S. Congress – and especially the Democrats – members of the Imperial Senate in the show have little actual power under Emperor Palpatine's unitary executive. Senators Mon Mothma and Bail Organa use parliamentary procedure and political dealmaking to fight against the Emperor's fascistic rule, but it becomes apparent that this strategy is futile. In Andor season two, Mothma tries to rally support against an extension of the Public Order Resentencing Directive (P.O.R.D.), an emergency directive from Emperor Palpatine that imposes harsher sentences on people for supposed crimes against the Empire. Senator Dasi Oran of Ghorman won't support the bill because he 'can't risk chafing the Emperor,' who is already singling out his planet for unknown reasons (the audience later learns that Ghorman contains a mineral critical to completing the Death Star). Other senators assert that security concerns are more important than civil liberties, or that the crime numbers can be manipulated and they 'believe what [they] feel.' 'All doubts aside, there is one glaring certainty. If we do not stand together, we will be crushed,' Mothma tells Oran, but his decision has been made. After season one, Gilroy said in an interview that he sees Mothma as 'sort of a Nancy Pelosi character… a powerful presence in the Senate but she's facing defeat after defeat after defeat as the Empire is taking over.' But in the background, Mothma is secretly using her family's money to fund a burgeoning insurgency, including Luthen Rael, a spymaster leading a covert Rebel network whose heist of 80 million credits from an Imperial garrison inspired the creation of the repressive P.O.R.D. law in the first place. Unfortunately, Pelosi's family fortune and ice cream freezer probably aren't being put to similar use right now. At first, Mothma is committed to keeping the Rebellion from breaking into open violence against the powers that be, despite pressure from more radical actors in her orbit. Saw Gerrera, who heads another rebel cell known as the Partisans, is willing to fight the Empire 'by any means necessary,' including through violence, as he says in the Star Wars book 'Reign of Empire: Mask of Fear.' Gerrera and his Partisans have appeared throughout the Star Wars timeline, and are the most far-left revolutionary characters in the Age of Rebellion. Gerrera is frequently used as a foil for Senators Mothma and Bail Organa (father of Leia), who prefer to work peacefully from inside the system to fight the Empire. While the senators came to rebel from a place of immense wealth and privilege, fighting more on philosophical grounds, Gerrera has had to fight for the freedom of his people since he was young. In a meeting among the three to discuss strategy in 'Mask of Fear,' Gerrera tells his counterparts, 'Democracy is a principle and people don't fight for principles, no matter what they say. They fight for land, for resources, for their lives… A democratic genocide isn't any more agreeable to its victims.' But a brutal massacre on Ghorman eventually pushes Mothma to armed resistance. On Ghorman, an underground movement known as the Ghorman Front has been percolating since the gruesome killing of hundreds of peaceful protesters in the planet's capital over a decade earlier. Over the course of the season, the show reveals that the Ghorman Front has been secretly sanctioned by agents within the Imperial Security Bureau, which allowed the rebels to steal Imperial weapons and put up a fight in order to manufacture consent across the galaxy for military crackdowns and the extraction of Ghorman's mineral resources. When the Empire moves mining equipment onto the planet, the people of Ghorman gather in the capital to protest. A local leader, Carro Rylanz, sees the Empire's provocation as the ruse it is, and urges his daughter Enza and the rest of the Ghorman Front to continue peaceful resistance. They ignore him and prep weapons for the demonstration anyway, with Enza Rylanz telling him, 'You can't keep screaming the same ideas expecting change!' But the empire takes matters out of the Front's hands. While the people chant, 'We are the Ghor! The galaxy is watching!' and sing their national anthem, Imperial soldiers barricade them inside the plaza. An Imperial sniper perched on the roof sets off the violence with a false flag, purposefully killing an Imperial grunt and provoking an imperial attack, which forces the Ghorman Front to defend their people with arms. They are massacred. As news of the massacre makes its way to the Imperial Senate, Ghorman Senator Oran is arrested without charges. Mothma realizes the time to fight peacefully from the inside has passed; the Rebellion must escalate its tactics with military action. In a speech on the Imperial Senate floor about the death of objective reality that wouldn't be out of place on the U.S. Senate floor today, Mothma condemns the Ghorman Massacre as an 'unprovoked genocide.' 'When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams the loudest,' Mothma says. 'And the monster screaming the loudest? The monster we've helped create? The monster who will come for us all soon enough is Emperor Palpatine!' After her speech, Mothma flees to Yavin 4 where she will become the leader of the Rebel Alliance. Senator Organa stays behind to stall until the Rebellion is ready to go up against the Empire's military might. The parallels of the world of Andor to the United States' political reality in 2025 under Trump's second administration are clear. Rightwing think tanks and news have spewed propaganda for decades to make us question objective truth, leaving us vulnerable to the monster screaming the loudest. People speaking up against Israel's genocide in Gaza are being imprisoned without evidence or due process. Even politicians who dare go against Trump are targets for arrest now. What is it going to take for Democrats to do more than break floor speech records over things that don't matter and fight for the people they represent? Our democracy is giving way to authoritarianism, and we can't just wait for a Jedi to save us. We have to fight now. Or as Karis Nemik, one of the rebellion's freedom fighters, put it in a manifesto in the show's first season: 'The day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire's authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.' Join The Conversation
Forbes
23-05-2025
- Forbes
Nine Hotels For Your Italian Summer Holiday
Italy, Amalfi Coast, Amalfi, beach. (Photo by: Dukas/Christian Heeb/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Italy has long attracted travelers, from the starlets drawn to it in the 1950s to modern-day influencers sharing Positano selfies with their followers. Indeed, Italy feels like multiple countries within its 800-mile length. That's because prior to its 1861 unification, the Italian peninsula was fragmented into several kingdoms, duchies, and city-states, each with its landscape, culture, food, and grapes. As a result, only a cynic would grow weary of visiting repeatedly. For everyone else, most start planning their next holiday before the current one ends. One day you're tucking into prawns by the sea; the next, you're researching boat trips around Capri. And while there's no one way to do Italy right, staying at the right hotel makes a good trip unforgettable. From cliffside monasteries to Milanese fashion hideouts to Venetian palaces that feel like a movie set, these properties bring a little magic to your trip. Here are nine places in Italy to check in, which you'll never want to check out. One of the swanky guest rooms in the hotel. Why Book: Historic architecture meets fashion-world polish Where: Corso Venezia, at the edge of Milan's Quadrilatero della Moda Hidden behind heavy gates on one of Milan's most elegant streets, Portrait Milano occupies a 16th-century former seminary—one of the oldest of its kind in Europe, and until a few years ago, practically abandoned and closed to the public. Now, it's home to a Ferragamo family masterpiece that blends reverence for the past with modern design savvy. The central cloistered courtyard is the hotel's signature—a grand, open-air space lined with boutiques and colonnades that's rare in this part of town. Rooms are warm and tailored, with wood, leather, and linen finishes that reflect Milanese craftsmanship at its best. For food, there are two standout options: 10_11, an all-day spot ideal for aperitivo under the arches, and Beefbar, which brings a retro-modern steakhouse energy to the mix. Think Art Deco meets Italian gloss, paired with a deep, smartly curated wine list. There's also a Longevity Suite spa, and just beyond the hotel's private gates are Milan's top shopping streets, buzzing cafes, and low-key power lunches. This is a stay that feels both hidden and central, polished and relaxed. Best For: Fashion insiders, design obsessives, and travelers who want to stay where the city actually moves. The rooftop bar features fabulous views of Florence. Why Book: Old-world beauty, modern comfort, and the kind of rooftop bar you'll remember long after checkout Where: In Florence's Centro Storico, a few quiet turns off the main tourist track Some hotels play the Renaissance card too hard. Palazzo Gaddi doesn't have to. Built in the 16th century for one of Florence's noble families, it still feels grand—frescoed ceilings, wide stone staircases, and salons lined with centuries-old art—but it's not trying to impress you with its history, just fold you into it. The rooms are elegant, but the townhouse-style duplex suites stand out due to their airy, high ceilings, views across the rooftops, and ample space for relaxing. Downstairs, the Milton Bar achieves something rare—it feels classic without being dated. The bar features mahogany wood, a working fireplace, and cocktails named after famous Florentine gardens. It feels like the kind of place where a well-dressed traveler would have stopped 100 years ago, and yet it feels relevant today. Aria, located on the roof, offers an unparalleled experience. Come for the golden-hour views of the Duomo, and stay for the hors d'oeuvres and aperitivo, a session that can easily turn into dinner. When you are ready for something more formal, Terrae Restaurant offers a refined menu led by Chef Iside De Cesare of Michelin-starred La Paroli. The cuisine combines a unique blend of technique and restraint, highlighting the power of local ingredients. Events—think destination weddings—are set in a series of frescoed salons and a historic ballroom lined with artworks from one of the Gaddi family's most famous patrons, Niccolò di Sinibaldo. But even if you're not here for a private event, the whole hotel feels like an occasion worth dressing up for. Best For: Travelers with taste, returning visitors, and anyone looking to experience Florence without getting swept up in the crowd The soaring ceilings of the stone lobby get a touch of glamour from green drapes. Why Book: A modern sanctuary with cinematic scale in the heart of the city Where: Just off Piazza Barberini, within walking distance of Villa Medici and the Colosseum Rome, a city rich in history and beauty, is equally beset by traffic and crowds. The Rome EDITION alleviates the visual and audible noise by providing space, clarity, and scale. Inside a stately 1940s building designed by Cesare Pascoletti and Marcello Piacentini, the hotel features a lush courtyard that feels like a secret garden. Step inside, and everything shifts again: you will find a soaring lobby draped in floor-to-ceiling green velvet, original marble staircases, statues, and vintage lighting that remain from the building's former life as a bank. The color palette is muted yet textured, featuring wood, stone, and the interplay of shadow and light. It's dramatic without being cold. Ian Schrager's signature style, clean and contemporary, underpins the rooms with an ever-so-naughty playfulness. After a day of elbowing through crowds at the Forum or the Vatican, entering your room or suite feels like a chance to exhale in solitude. Additionally, there is a rooftop pool (yes, you can actually swim in it), a courtyard garden bar, an iteration of the brand's signature cocktail bar Punch Room, and the excellent restaurant Anima, which is a culinary standout in a tourist-heavy neighborhood. Helmed by chef Antonio Gentile, the food is seasonal, creative, and absolutely worth seeking—even if you're not staying the night. Best For: Travelers who want Rome's energy but also a place to retreat and eat well while doing it View of the hotel from an upper level pool. Why Book: Understated luxury that mirrors the Sardinian landscape Where: Overlooking Piccolo and Grande Pevero bays, just outside Porto Cervo CPH | Pevero Hotel blends into its surroundings in all the right ways. Warm, natural tones color the buildings, echoing the granite hills of the coastline. The low-key lobby creates a welcoming atmosphere at check-in, reflecting the laid-back yet upscale attitude of both the property and its staff. Recently refreshed rooms strike a clean, modern tone while maintaining a connection to the island through local materials and organic textures as well as a soft pink color palette evocative of the pink granite beaches. Balconies open to expansive views of Sardinia's trademark turquoise waters. The hotel sits on a gentle slope. Instead of succumbing to space constraints, the architects designed a dramatic series of pools that are set into the hillside and cascade like the terraces of a waterfall. If you ever tire of the pools—which is unlikely—you can take a five-minute walk to the bathtub-like waters of Grande Pevero Beach. In summer, the beach is packed with tourists, but if you get there early, you'll have it to yourself. Lunch at Le Piscine is a highlight: it's a place to relax with expertly cooked pasta along with grilled seafood and vegetables. The bottarga and clam linguine is the dish to order, with its briny, unctuous, and yet balanced flavors in the form of a swirl of pasta topped with thin slices of the local delicacy from Cabras. For dinner, Zafferano offers a refined experience with views of the ocean. Enjoy a cocktail, and then explore the extensive selection of Sardinian wines to pair with a salt-baked whole sea bream for two. Don't miss the excellent spa, where you can select a facial or deep tissue massage; the therapists, blessed with strong, steady hands, will alleviate the kinks from overnight flights. Best For: Couples, design-conscious travelers, and anyone looking for a relaxed Sardinian base close to the sea A cliffside location provides fabulous views and a fairytale setting. Why Book: Historic soul, panoramic drama, and just the right amount of indulgence Where: Tucked into the cliffs above Amalfi town Anantara Convento di Amalfi, originally a 13th-century Capuchin monastery, honors its history without succumbing to it. The setting is dramatic: arched corridors, vaulted ceilings, and preserved stonework contribute to a dramatic ambiance, while modern comforts provide a comfortable, upscale experience. From nearly every corner, the views turn cinematic, especially from the sea-facing guest rooms that frame both the coast and the shifting shades of blue in the water. On the roof, an infinity pool stretches toward Capri, while a spa welcomes guests who have had a long day of travel. Mornings start with espresso on the terrace; evenings are made for cocktails on the lawn before a bowl of fresh pasta at Dei Cappuccini, the hotel's signature Italian restaurant run by Chef Claudio Lanuto. Service is thoughtful, never overbearing, and gracious given the otherwise glamorous location. Of course, it helps that the setting does most of the work. Best For: Romantic escapes, slow mornings, and travelers who want the Amalfi Coast without the frenzy One of the guest rooms at ROMEO Hotel Napoli. Why Book: A bold blend of cutting-edge design, good food, and holistic wellness Where: Naples waterfront, near the ferry terminal Naples thrives on contrasts, and ROMEO Hotel perfectly embodies that spirit. Designed by Japanese architecture firm Kenzo Tange & Associates, this sleek, modern, maximalist hotel stands out with its sharp lines and contemporary art, all set against the historic backdrop of the city. Its prime location offers quick access to both the bustling city center and ferry departures to Capri and Ischia. Despite the lure of pizza across the city, don't miss dining at the property. Culinary experiences here are exceptional. Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Napoli, for example, offers Michelin-starred dining with panoramic views of the city. For a more relaxed affair, La Terrazza on the 10th floor offers a rooftop bar and restaurant experience adjacent to the infinity pool, with views of the Gulf of Naples. Wellness is a cornerstone of Romeo's experience. LA SPA Sisley Paris offers various treatments, such as aromatherapy, body wraps, and facials, all set in a tranquil environment that features a gym, Kneipp path, hot tubs, saunas, and sensory showers. Best For: Travelers seeking a luxurious stay that combines modern design, gourmet dining, and comprehensive wellness facilities The Riva Lounge sits on the Grand Canal in Venice. Why Book: Iconic Venetian opulence right on the Grand Canal Where: San Marco district, Venice The Gritti Palace has long been associated with the opulence of Venice. Now, the hotel has added a new chapter to its storied history. The Luxury Collection, of which Gritti Palace is a member, has partnered with MAD Academy, the food sustainability organization founded by world-renowned chef René Redzepi, to redefine sustainability in hospitality. As a result, the hotel's culinary team has reimagined how it sources ingredients, creates and composes dishes, and handles food waste. For example, the hotel's cooking classes at the Gritti Epicurean School offer guests the chance to select fresh, locally sourced seafood and produce at the nearby Rialto Fish Market before preparing Venetian-inspired dishes back at the hotel with executive chef Alberto Fol. The hotel's commitment to local seasonal produce extends to its gardens on Giudecca and Mazzorbetto islands, which supply fresh ingredients for its flagship restaurant, Club del Doge, as well as its other drinking and dining venues, including the fabulous waterfront Riva Lounge, the seasonal Gritti Terrace, and the elegant jewel-box Bar Longhi. Best For: Travelers seeking classic Venetian luxury with a contemporary, eco-conscious twist. A guest room interior. Why Book: An escape to Sicily that feels personal, not packaged Where: Between Noto and Siracusa, in the hills of Val di Noto Skip the crowds in Taormina and head south, where Sicily opens up into expansive sea and countryside views. Dimora delle Balze sits on 60 acres of countryside, with stone courtyards, citrus trees, and rolling hills unfurling in every direction. The building occupies a restored 19th-century masseria accented with original frescoes, arched ceilings, and thick plaster walls. Each of the 11 rooms feels handmade, not designed by a corporate committee. There's a saltwater pool, a small spa, and a restaurant serving ingredients grown right on the land. It feels like staying at the restored home of an interior designer. The hotel is close to the coast and the gorgeous golden town of Noto. Go for a drink to see sunset light up the city, then head back in the evening for dinner. Best For: Travelers who want space to slow down and a stay that actually reflects the place Drone shot of the hotel hugging the coastline. Why Book: For easy access to the Maddalena Islands, minus the crowds Where: Cala Capra Bay, just outside Palau, northern Sardinia Tucked into a quiet cove and surrounded by pines, wildflowers, and stone paths, Hotel Capo d'Orso feels hidden in the best way. It's part of the family-run Delphina group, known for putting Sardinian hospitality and wellness at the center of their properties. The hotel isn't the flashiest resort on the island—and that's the point. It blends into the landscape, wrapped in a protected park that feels a world away from the busy coastal scene. What is the true magic of this place? Thanks to company partner Poseidon, the hotel boasts a private marina and a fleet of small boats. For example, the company's experienced skipper Allesandro might take you out to see the otherworldly beauty of the Maddalena Islands, drop you in Maddalena town for a sunset aperitivo, and then return you in time for dinner. Guests can even book a day trip to Corsica, only a mere 30 minutes by boat from the property. The hotel's flagship Italian restaurant, Il Paguro, is a destination-worthy experience; the waterfront restaurant offers fresh-caught fish and local lobster, handmade Sardinian pastas, and a strong wine list with a memorable staff, including the manager Angelo, who's been working there for decades. It's the only restaurant on-site that accepts outside guests. You might find yourself sitting next to the owner of a mega-yacht parked just off the coast who arrived via tender tied up out front. During the day, the property has a plethora of nooks in which to escape, from quiet decks tucked under trees or on the water, plus a wild beach, a yoga deck, and an outdoor gym. For spa enthusiasts, book a massage and then spend the afternoon hopping between the saltwater Thalasso pools. Best For: Nature lovers, island hoppers, and anyone who wants Sardinia without the scene
