Queen of Clubs – DUCO Galleria

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INSIDER TIPS

Hidden Treasure
Alpe di Mezzedo

Jennifer Virgilio of luxury DMC Queen of Clubs is delighted to share an exclusive lookout point in the Alpe di Mezzedo, high above Lake Como. 

What is the local hidden treasure? 
Lake Como is one of the most visited places in the world and attracts thousands of tourists every year. Como, Bellagio, Cernobbio, Comacina Island, and all the luxury villas and hotels dotting the shores are the well-known icons of this enchanting area. In addition to all these places, there are some little treasures that only locals know about, like this bench located 870 meters above sea level in the Alpe di Mezzedo: the perfect place for a rest after a two-hour hike. 

How did you discover this treasure?
I discovered this sweet spot by chance: the Sentiero del Viandante is one of the best hiking trails on the less-touristic Lecco branch of the lake and offers a lot of little paradise places like this one. It’s a real gem that is difficult for tourists to find on their own, which makes it even more exclusive.  

How can visitors best experience this gem? 
It’s easiest to find this spot with a local hiking guide, who can show you many unique places along the trail. To make the experience even more special, pack a decadent picnic snack of typical Lombardy cured meats and fresh cheeses to enjoy with a breathtaking view over Bellagio and both the branches of the Lake!

For more information about Queen of Clubs, click here.

outdoor insider
Le Langhe

Jennifer Virgilio from luxury DMC Queen of Clubs takes us on a metaphorical ride throughout the Langhe area, Piedmont’s wine country, for a taste of something exceptional. 

What makes this region so special? 
Le Langhe is a hilly area located in the south of Piedmont, in the province of Cuneo and Asti. It’s famous for its amazing landscapes and an excellent variety of wines, cheeses, and truffles. The Langhe have been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage as a superb living testimony to wine cultivation and winemaking traditions: the endless vineyards rolling across the territory are an outstanding example of man’s interaction with nature.

What role does nature play in the region?
Nature plays a fundamental role in the economy of this region: winemaking is the main business in the Langhe area and it attracts thousands of tourists all year long. 

When is the best time to visit? 
The best period to visit and enjoy the region is during the harvest, called vendemmia, between the second half of September and the first half of November. 

Do you have any particular or special related memories? 
I visited the Langhe for the first time in my life quite recently, spending a few days with a friend of mine in a local farmhouse. We really enjoyed the amazing views that can be admired while driving through the gentle hills and visiting cozy villages and lush vineyards to pick up some insider secrets about wine in this area.

For more information about Queen of Clubs, click here.

FROM OUR KITCHEN
TRUFFLES

Jennifer Virgilio from Queen of Clubs piques our appetite with a traditional Tuscan delicacy: the truffle. Whether white or black, from the Casentino forests or the hills of San Miniato, these delectable underground diamonds are impossible to resist.

Which Tuscan gastronomic treasure stands out for you?
Italy is famous all around the world for its varied and widely appreciated cuisine, and each region offers up its own local dishes and specialties, boasting centuries of traditions. His Majesty the Truffle is one of the most traditional items in Tuscany. These little foodie gems can almost be compared to real treasure considering their high price tag! Truffles are costly because they’re hard to find and almost impossible to store for any length of time.

Where can visitors sample this precious ingredient?
If you find yourself in Siena, you can’t miss the chance to have a truffle-based meal at Taverna San Giuseppe. This restaurant, highly recommended by the Michelin Guide, offers you a truly multi-sensory eating and drinking experience. Try their homemade tagliolini with fresh truffle or their ricotta gnocchi with pecorino and fresh truffle. If you can’t decide, please don’t be shy… just try them both, like a true Tuscan!

Pair your food experience with a good bottle of Chianti Classico or Brunello di Montalcino, two of the most famous and appreciated Italian red wines from the region. It will be a meal you’ll never forget!

For more information about Queen of Clubs, click here.

FROM OUR KITCHEN
MOECHE

Jennifer Virgilio from luxury DMC Queen of Clubs takes us on a journey through the Venetian lagoons to sample moeche, a typical soft-shell crab that is one of the most delicious, sought–after products of local gastronomy.

Gastronomic Storytelling 
There are few fishermen, or moecanti, left to practice the seasonal fishing of the moeche crabs, which is concentrated in the period from March to May and from October to November. It is during this time, in fact, that the crabs molt and abandon their shell, becoming soft, hence the term moeche, which means “softness” in the local dialect. The crabs remain in their soft state for only 24 hours, which makes them an absolute delicacy and rare conquest. Aboard the typical bragozzo boat, now a symbol of sustainability in the balance of the fragile lagoon ecosystem, the secrets of moeche crabbing have been passed down from generation to generation. 

Best Enjoyed
Visitors can climb aboard a bragozzo in the company of a local fisherman to cruise across the surface of the lagoon, stopping along the sandbanks to catch moeche and other typical species and then taste them cooked directly on board. Spend the day in the company of natural beauty and landscape accompanied by food and wine delicacies, strictly at a slow pace.

For more information about Queen of Clubs, click here.