Wellness, conviviality and taste at Viareggio's Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte

All the fall and winter events to mark your calendar

Established in the early 1920s as the Select Palace Hotel, time has transformed it into a Grand Hotel with international appeal and the favored home of intellectuals and artists.

Today, the Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte is one of the most exclusive and refined historic hotels not only in Versilia, but in all of Tuscany, and captivates travelers from all over the world not only for its beauty but also for the offerings of its restaurants.

The restaurants Il Piccolo Principe 2 Stars Michelin and Maitò Viareggio are, in fact, perfect locations where to taste excellent dishes while enjoying the view of the Versilia seafront or the Apuan Alps. Different in style, cuisine and philosophy, but united by intimate, cozy, refined environments, they are a must for all lovers of good food.

To extend the gastronomic offerings into fall and winter, Sunday lunches at The Little Prince have officially kicked off, a new, family-friendly formula that takes its cue from what happens in Italian families almost every weekend: lots of friends and relatives getting together to spend time together surrounded by a beautifully laid table. The little ones have an area dedicated to them and entertainers keep them entertained with workshops and games while the older ones can relax their lunch. We start with The Fried Formenton Polenta, The Codfish Mantecato; The Old-Fashioned Moscardini with French Mash and Grandma Assunta's Stuffed Mussels and then continue with Stuffed Cannelloni and Cast Iron Cooked Beef. Each Sunday a producer presents their wines that pair each dish and introduces them to the most passionate and eager for wine knowledge (The cost is 95 euros + 30 euros with paired wines, 20 euros for children ages 7 to 11 with kids menu and dedicated entertainment).

Also available until December are the wellness days, designed and created for all those who want to disconnect from the daily routine: sauna, Turkish bath, emotional showers and salidarium in the indoor spa, while on the rooftop the heated pool with a panoramic view of the romantic winter sea is ready to give you a moment to frame. Also included in the daily spa is a delicious, wholesome lunch and, at the end of the day, a cocktail created by the skilled hands of Simone Corsini (Cost is 110 euros for adults only).

While waiting for winter to arrive, preparations for Christmas and New Year's Eve have also already begun.

On December 25 against a backdrop of lights, bells, snow, reindeer, stars and presents, Chef Giuseppe Mancino brings an unforgettable menu to the table for Christmas lunch. A moment like Christmas lunch, is a test that determines how skilled a chef is at interpreting everyone's tastes and being able to capture the expectations of an even more diverse audience," says Executive Chef Mancino. With the must-try Patè ai tre fegati (with lardo di colonnata, veils of buccellato and pomegranate), followed by Raviolini ai tre arrosti and then the Maialino del casentino, the menu is a journey through the flavors of an authentic Christmas and a two-Michelin-star gourmet experience. Unmissable is the clearly home-made panettone bathed in warm, soft zabaglione (Cost is 120 euros without beverages and 60 euros for children ages 7 to 11).

On Dec. 31, the palace is filled even more with lights and colors thanks to musical and other arrangements and entertainment that bring to life a Grand Gala where Chef Mancino's gastronomic creations shine at the center along with rivers of Champagne and Cocktails, according to every taste. The New Year's Eve dinner is served at the table and includes oysters, shrimp, as well as a classic champagne risotto, tortelli and fish, while, at midnight amid dancing and chattering, in the party room, cotechino and lentils, eggs and tangerines and frivolous pastries are served. Even the little ones can have fun with games and workshops set up in dedicated spaces (Cost is 500 euros including wine pairing and champagne, 150 euros for children aged 7 to 11, includes baby menu and entertainment).