Hamzeh Alfarahneh, Author at A Hotel Life

Spring In Tuscany: Villa Lena Creative Retreats

Hamzeh Alfarahneh — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 17:31:50 +0000

The art residency studio at Villa Lena. Photo by Frederik Vercruysse

By AHL Team on 04.06.23

Picture this: idyllic rural Tuscany, rolling hills, olive groves, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. This is the backdrop where the agriturismo hotel and artists residency Villa Lena has announced a series of creative retreats this spring, from Renaissance flower painting to natural perfumery making with porcelain and wedding photography. The new program will offer guests the unique opportunity to experience the day-to-day life of Villa Lena, a creative and cultural destination established in 2013 in a property dating back to the 19th century.

Kicking off with the first 5-day retreat on May 5th, painter Tanvi Pathare, will guide guests through the delicate world of watercolors, teaching participants fine art techniques to depict the various floral environments surrounding them. The Villa Lena Foundation will host open days throughout the year,inviting curators, collectors, art professionals, and guests of the hotel to visit the studio, break bread, participate in talks and learn more about their collection and work with the local creative ecosystem.

Guests can take their pick of 74 rooms and villas, ranging from beautifully designed hotel rooms to private villas, including Maison Stento and its secluded Tuscan experience.Plus, those staying at Villa Lena can participate in seasonal activities like wine tasting, pasta making, and daily yoga workshops.

Osteria San Michele, the farm-to-table restaurant, brings together simple, honest Italian dishes that give Italy a good name, with the usual suspects like homemade pasta, olive oil, fresh cheese, and organic wines all the produce of the generous Tuscan hills.

Villa Lena
Rates from $ 380
Strada Comunale di Toiano, 25, 56036 Toiano PI, Italy
Visit Website

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The post Spring In Tuscany: Villa Lena Creative Retreats appeared first on A Hotel Life.

Studio.H Launch 100+ Flavours Report

Hamzeh Alfarahneh — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 16:02:45 +0000

By Hamzeh Alfarahneh on 03.24.23

Culinary-minded design agency Studio H made waves during the covid pandemic with its mini meet exhibition, a showcase of propositions that encourage social interaction while maintaining a safe social distance, using fun and appropriate tools to measure and implement a safe and interactive social experience, now it has released its annual food trend reports and is expanding its reach with the launch of a digital hub where you can purchase the 100+ Flavours report.

100+ Flavours is the first in a series of reports that will be published on the platform. Created in collaboration with food anthropologist Dr. Anna Trapido, the South African flavor archive follows from Studio H’s 100 Flavours installation at the V&A Waterfront in 2021. We were present at the launch to sample some of the 100 flavours, curated by the Studio H and Dr. Anna Trapido.

“The aim of the report is not to draw up a definitive list of all foods for all times and all peoples, but rather to stimulate debate and whet appetites for further epicurean investigation,” says Dr. Anna Trapido.

Following extensive research into the cross-cultural cuisines that make up South Africa’s immense and diverse culinary landscape, 100+ Flavours showcases the overlapping influences – ancient and modern, urban and rural – that have created regional and cultural variations, the major impact that the ravages of colonialism, apartheid, poverty, and dispossession have had on who consumes what, where and how often in South Africa.

The 100+ Flavours report can be purchased and downloaded on Studio H website, starting from $52 per copy. In-person or digital presentations and immersive ingredient deep dives for groups can be arranged on request.

The post Studio.H Launch 100+ Flavours Report appeared first on A Hotel Life.