When you first meet Princess Anita Von Hohenberg, you will be bowled over by her warmth and charm. With your exclusive Founder’s Collection invitation, you get to step inside the majestic yet welcoming Artstetten Castle, home to Princess Anita and her family. Once inside, get ready for an unforgettable royal rendezvous filled with personal insight into key moments of history.

One of the exclusive encounters as part of Luxury Gold’s Founder’s Collection, this is a meeting like no other. For the Princess’ great grandfather was Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, who was assassinated in Sarajevo in 1914, leading to the outbreak of World War I.

These exclusive travel experiences were personally curated by our founder Mr. Stanley Tollman, calling upon his extensive connections and inspired by his life in travel.

Discover this on: Harmony of Central Europe

 A warm welcome

She may be royalty, but Princess Anita will welcome you into her home, the beautiful Schloss Artstetten, as if you were family. With a love of talking to Luxury Gold guests about the past, the Princess also looks to the future with her ever growing family.

Refreshingly down to earth, Princess Anita comes from a long line of Habsburgs, one of Europe’s oldest sovereign families, dating back to the 15th century. She lives with her family in Schloss Artstetten the whole year round and running the estate is a real family affair.

There is a warm sense of home at Artstetten Castle, and Princess Anita Von Hohenberg likes to stress to guests that it is not only a castle but a family home. They have everything from official meetings to family feasts here and the Princess has a great love of gardening.

 For inspiration: Austria destination guide

 A regal setting

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An enchanting sight, Artstetten Castle is situated high above the Danube in a charming park and is flanked by seven characteristic towers. The former summer residence of the Imperial family, the castle today is open to the public and serves as the final resting place of the Heir to the Throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este, whose assassination in 1914 set off a chain of events that led to World War I.

The first record of the name Artstetten was in the mid-13th century. Soon afterwards the medieval fortress became a castle that had a rapid succession of different owners, until Emperor Franz I. acquired it in 1823. Archduke Carl Ludwig (a brother of the Emperor Franz Joseph) extensively redesigned the house inside and outside from 1861 onward. Since 1913 Schloss Artstetten has presented itself as we know it today.

 The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este

@schloss_artstetten. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his nephew Carl, 1913/Archiv Schloss Artstetten.

Once inside the castle, take your time to view the family portraits, past and present, that surround the regal Red Salon Room. It is in this magnificent, yet intimate setting, that the Princess first receives her guests. Such personal décor will urge you to ask more about Princess Anita’s intriguing, yet at times painful family history.

The historic event is one that not only changed world history but devastated the Hohenberg family. Princess Anita’s grandfather Maximilian and his brother Ernst were later deported to the concentration camp at Dachau after the annexation of 1938 and Artstetten was confiscated from the family until 1949.

Beyond political and historical considerations, Princess Anita Von Hohenberg also wants to help reveal another side of her ancestors. Today she is keen to talk about the more romantic side of her family history and the ‘scandalous’ love between her great grandfather and her great grandmother, Sophia Duchess of Hohenberg. Her eyes glistening, she will tell you how there was quite a fuss at the time.

There was drama with the fact Franz Ferdinand was from an imperial family and Sophie from a family of Counts. With the law at the time meaning royals could only marry other royals, Franz Ferdinand had to make an oath that his descendants would not be of royal blood. That’s why the family is now called Hohenberg and why the chief of the family is a Duke.

Related content: 7 ways Luxury Gold makes your travel experience completely stress free

The Luxury Gold Chairman’s Collection

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Available on selected departures of our luxury guided tours, choose a Founder’s Collection departure of Harmony of Central Europe and have the privilege of meeting Princess Anita Von Hohenberg for yourself. One of the amazing people you can meet as part of our Chairman’s Collection, these exclusive encounters include Italian nobility, an English Duchess and a distinguished Peruvian politician.

Often one of the most rewarding aspects of travel is the people we meet. These cherished interactions forge an unforgettable connection with a destination and create lasting memories. And these exclusive meetings really set Luxury Gold apart.

Read more: Royalty & Noblemen: The fascinating people you’ll meet in Europe with Luxury Gold

 To see who you could be meeting on your travels, take a look at our exclusive Founder’s Collection and our Harmony of Central Europe luxury guided tour.

One of the best ways to embrace la dolce vita is indulging in Tuscan food. From truffles and hearty soups to gelato and Tuscan wine, there’s an abundance of Tuscan delicacies to savor on our Ultimate Italy tour. Get acquainted with the essential guide to Italy for foodies and dive into our seven favorite Tuscan culinary experiences. 

Meet Marchese Mazzei for a private lunch and wine tasting 

Should you travel on a Founder’s Collection of our Ultimate Italy tour, you’re treated to an exclusive lunch and wine tasting with Marchese Mazzei at his centuries-old Tuscan estate, Fonterutoli Winery. Revered for its Chianti Classico, the winery’s Mazzei family has been evolving its winemaking through tradition and innovations to support a low environmental impact since 1435. Begin with a tour of the estate highlighting the history of the Chianti Classico appellation and a visit to the underground Author’s Cellar. You’ll then sit down to sip their complex wine and enjoy a light lunch while you gaze out upon the villa and homes dating back to the 1500s.  

Francesco Mazzei and Fonterutoli Winery

Visit Guardastelle winery for a wine tasting and lunch 

Delve into Tuscan wine on a private tour of the 15th century Guardastelle estate. Your personal oenophile will guide you through the ancient cellars and share their insights on their grape varieties and family-owned estate. Tenuta Guardastelle is one of the smallest wineries in San Gimignano and is the ideal place to sample Tuscan wine. Paired with a lunch of Tuscan specialties, your lunch among rolling green hills and vineyards makes for an idyllic dining experience. 

Related Content: Wines of the world 

Taste award-winning ice cream in San Gimignano   

What better way to embrace Tuscan delicacies than by tasting gelato with World Champion Gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli? Tucked within winding alleyways is the world-renowned artisan ice cream parlor, Gelateria Dondoli. Within this small shop filled with tempting tastes you’ll hear master Dondoli’s story of developing his craft since 1984. All his ice creams feature highly selected, top-quality ingredients of local regions. For example, the saffron and hazelnut have protected designations.

Dondoli also won the prestigious MAM (Master of Art and Craft) award in 2016, the Italian equivalent of the “Living National Treasure” Japanese Prize and the French “Maître d’Art” Award. Only 75 Artistic Masters were awarded this honor in Italy and Sergio is the only Gelato Master to have received this important award. Some of his notable flavors include Crema di Santa Fina® (cream with saffron and pine nuts), Champelmo® (pink grapefruit and sparkling wine), Dolceamaro® (cream with aromatic herbs) and Vernaccia Sorbet. 

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 Forage for aromatic truffles guided by an expert truffle dog 

Known as the “golden mushroom,” the truffle captures the elegance and sumptuous flavors of Tuscan food. Truffles in Tuscany grow around the roots of oak, hazelnut and pine trees across the hilly landscape. Your tour will take you on a fascinating foraging trip through these very regions guided by an expert truffle dog. After your excursion, use a truffle (or gift it along) as soon as you can. Truffles lose both their aroma and weight as time passes. White truffles pair well with simple ingredients such as fresh egg pasta or polenta. Or, dishes with butter, eggs, potatoes or cheese.  

Explore Florence on a culinary walk with a local foodie 

Visit the lively Mercato Centrale to learn about Florentine specialties with a local foodie. This market opened in 2014 in a historic cast iron and glass structure dating back to 1874. The aim was to make local artisans and their produce the heart of the food scene. Sample Florence’s culinary delights in the tucked away market shops offering a selection of gourmet highlights. Try local bread and baked goods, fresh fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes, meat and charcuterie, buffalo mozzarella, cheese, chocolate, gelato, fresh pasta, wine, lampredotto and truffles. 

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Enjoy dinner in an elegant Florentine villa 

A highlight of your Tuscan culinary journey will surely be dinner in Florence feasting on regional dishes, including the famous local specialty ‘bistecca fiorentina.’ This traditional dish is a Tuscan steak made from the region’s Chianina breed of cattle which are prized for their tenderness and flavor. This simple recipe seasons the steak with little more than olive oil, rosemary and salt. It is then grilled it to perfection to highlight the rich flavor of the meat. Savor every bite over this authentic dining experience.    

Tuscan Lunch and Cooking Class with Italian Chef 

What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of Tuscan food than with a hands-on cooking class? We’ll take you inside the former hunting lodge built in the 1200s by the Medici family. Begin by taking a stroll through the olive groves, vineyards and villas before sourcing fresh ingredients from the garden. Then partner with a professional Italian chef to learn how to roll your own fresh tagliatelle and pappardelle pasta.  

With so many decadent and authentic culinary experiences in Tuscany alone, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to fill your plate with Tuscan food and enrich your travels. 

Where will your taste buds take you? 

More than just a spectacular stay, Geneva’s Hotel d’Angleterre is also deeply committed to sustainability and the community. From sumptuous rooms and sublime views to the employment of AI technology to cut food waste, there’s more than meets the eye to this magnificent hotel.

Discover this on: Majestic Switzerland

Luxury on the lake

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Renowned for offering “the finest British hospitality in Switzerland”, the Hotel d’Angleterre sits proudly on the edge of Lake Geneva. Here you can throw open the windows and breath in the fresh mountain air. Set in the heart of Geneva, the hotel combines all the joys of a central location with the relaxing atmosphere of a lakeside retreat. The sublime views across the lake are set against an unforgettable backdrop of snow-capped mountains and the majestic Mont Blanc.

For inspiration: Switzerland destination guide

Travel like a VIP and explore Geneva in style with a complimentary boat shuttle that leaves from just outside the hotel. It will transport you across the lake, past the impressive Jet d’Eau, the 140m fountain that is iconic to the Geneva skyline. Step out into streets lined with Cartier, Patek Phillipe and Dior and enjoy some of the finest shopping in Europe.

Related content: Dine, Sleep, Do: How to spend a chic 24 hours in St. Moritz

Decadent rooms

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Sumptuous rooms and suites at the Hotel d’Angleterre reflect the 5-star grandeur and European elegance for which Geneva is renowned. With silk curtains and rich, fabric-lined walls giving a cosy yet sumptuous feel no two rooms are alike. Some suites have private balconies overlooking the lake, while others feature fine art lithographs by Miró, Calder and Picasso. All are designed with guests’ comfort at front of mind, with elegant marble and onyx bathrooms providing the perfect place to pamper and relax.

Afternoon Tea and fine dining

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There’s no finer place in Geneva to enjoy the decent ritual of afternoon tea than the Hotel d’Angleterre. Here you can savor an array of tempting treats including delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet homemade pastries. Perfectly accompanied of course by an extensive tea menu or a glass of Champagne to enhance the occasion. At the Hotel’s Windows restaurant the food and scenery come with service to match. Executive Chef Alexandre Cardiga offers a wide spectrum of sought-after specialities, international favourites and homely dishes.

A commitment to sustainability

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The Hotel d’Angleterre is a Red Carnation Hotel, a family-run collection of 19 exceptional properties around the world. Unique and special, The Red Carnation Hotels share a strong commitment to sustainability. As part of the TTC Family of brands they work together with the Treadright Foundation to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®.

Related content: 4 incredible MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences you can enjoy with Luxury Gold

Cutting food waste

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The hotel places a great emphasis on eliminating food waste. Global food losses and food waste amounts to $1 trillion per year. In partnership with Winnow Solutions, a waste management company, the hotel is employing “intelligent” waste management techniques.

The Hotel d’Angleterre used ground-breaking AI technology to run a more productive, profitable and sustainable kitchen. Identifying what ingredients go to waste at the end of each day, they plan meals and order produce much more efficiently.

Not only does the technology help to save the business money on unused food products, it also helps to reduce their carbon impact by eliminating unnecessary food waste. There is also a great focus on the elimination of single use plastics, another great contributor to waste.

Related content: Alternative dining and CO2 absorbing aprons: welcome to Fotografiska

Local partnerships

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The hotel partners exclusively with food suppliers and businesses that share our eco-friendly values and commitment to reaching carbon neutrality. Our strong focus on local ingredients from local producers results in lower food miles.

Related content: 5 Michelin-star chefs celebrating local culture through food

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

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For all guests to the hotel, a special lake-to-plate MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is offered (at additional cost). You can join a seasoned local Swiss fisherman on Lake Geneva for a three-hour fishing tour, to learn the local fishing practices and catch some fish. Then take your bounty back to Executive Chef Alexandre Cardiga, who will prepare a sublime dish for you to enjoy in the hotel’s Windows Restaurant overlooking the lake and the Jet d’Eau.

Related content: Luxury travelers are willing to pay more for sustainable experiences

A commitment to the community

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Community also sits at the heart of the Hotel d’Angleterre’s manifesto. In collaboration with the UNHCR Refugee Food Festival, the hotel invites talented refugee chefs to promote their food culture and showcase their cuisine in their kitchen, with the profits donated to charity.

The annual event is a fantastic showcase for refugee chefs in the area to show their talents and share in food and friendship in the city. This year the Hotel d’Angleterre Geneva showcased an Iranian menu prepared by chef Mostafa Mohjib Nurbakhsh.

The hotel also supports important charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation. This global organization grants the most heartfelt wishes of children aged between 3 and 18 living with a serious medical condition to give them hope, strength and joy.

Related content: Majestic Switzerland through the lens of a Traveling Concierge

Majestic Switzerland

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To enjoy the delights of the Hotel d’Angleterre for yourself take a look at our Majestic Switzerland luxury guided tour. Over 10-Days, enjoy the most amazing alpine scenery, exceptional dining and exquisite hotels.  Explore Zurich, St Moritz and Lucerne. Enjoy VIP experiences and take an unforgettable journey through the Alps aboard the Glacier Express.

 Related content: 5 benefits of visiting iconic tourist hotspots out of hours

Created in partnership with Tourism Switzerland.