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

@schloss_artstetten

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

@schloss_artsetten

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.

When it comes to exquisite hotels, you’ll be talking about the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Peru for a lifetime. Much more than culture and fabulous Inca ruins, Peru is a land of legends, wildlife and ancient vows. And at this Machu Picchu Hotel, you’re invited into a storybook world. Set high in the Cloud Forest, in its own intimate Andean village, with terraced hills and waterfalls, be prepared for the most incredible stay.

Discover this on: Treasures of the Incas

The mystical Cloud Forest

@inkaterrahotels

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is set in 12 acres of natural Cloud Forest beauty.  With their own unique ecosystems, Cloud Forests are both beautiful and bountiful. These tropical forests prominently feature a layer of dense fog at the canopy level. The result is a heavy mist around the treetops at all times, hence the name Cloud Forest.

@inkaterrahotels

Ethereal and mystical, the heavy fog both filters the sunlight and provides the underlying foliage with a source of moisture. This in turn creates an environment attractive to mosses and ferns and tends to be humid and boggy. In Peru especially, a staggering number of species thrive in cloud forests. This includes thousands of orchids, hummingbirds and a wealth of flora and fauna that has yet to be discovered.

@inkaterrahotels

The grounds of the Inkaterra Hotel Machu Picchu are home to 214 bird species, including the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock. The forest is also home to the world’s largest native orchid collection, with 372 registered species.

Related content: How your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations

An exceptional hotel

Perfectly located for those heading to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an exquisite retreat. Step into another world in this rainforest, bursting with terraced hills, waterfalls and stone pathways. The complex features 83 whitewashed “adobe casitas” tucked away in the cloud forest, for an unreal setting you’ve likely never experienced before.

Related content: Why New Orleans’ Ritz Carlton is a cut above the rest

Feel the outside inside

@inkaterrahotels

Beautiful rooms and suites offer the perfect sanctuary for simple relaxation and here at the hotel, personalized comfort is assured. Decorated with local crafts and eucalyptus beams and a colonial style wardrobe, you will feel at one with your surroundings. Enjoy robes, Andean slippers crafted from recycled materials, plus environmentally friendly toiletries. If treating yourself to a suite you can also enjoy an outdoor shower, plunge pool, day bed and luxurious marble bathrooms.

Related content: In 2022, why do we crave the golden era of travel more than ever before

The incredible Unu Spa

@inkaterrahotel

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel’s sumptuous spa combines classic nurturing with a mystical Andean approach. Treatments use 100% natural products derived from local botanical extracts, such as mint, eucalyptus and of course the famous orchids. Providing a spiritual, sensual and soothing experience, Unu Spa means water in Quechua. Treat yourselves to a deep tissue exfoliation with sacred coca leaves or rejuvenate with facial hydration, hot stones and foot therapy. Guests can also relax and steam away any cares in the Andean sauna.

Related content: 6 of the best spas you can visit with Luxury Gold

Exceptional dining

@inkaterrahotels

Situated between the Machu Picchu train tracks, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant Café Inkaterra serves delicious fare under a traditional Amazonian palm-thatched roof, surrounded by regional crafts. The restaurant and adjacent terraces were built as a large glass house with an exceptional view of the Vilcanota River and the surrounding green mountains. A creative menu blends Andean cuisine with a contemporary approach, creating innovative fusion-style fare. The perfect place to unwind, far from the crowds, and share the secrets of Peruvian cuisine with a contemporary twist.

The delights of Peruvian cuisine

A magnificent melody of flavors, Peruvian food is often referred to as Criolla or Creole food because of the blend of Spanish, Asian, Incan and other European cuisine influences which are integrated into the recipes. Ingredients are based heavily on potatoes, beans, rice, beef, eggs, lamb, fish, corn, chicken and especially the Aji, or chili. Perhaps most famous (and exquisite) is Peru’s national dish Ceviche. When in Peru we also recommend trying the Lomo Saltado (stir fried beef) and Papas a la Huancaina (potatoes in spicy cheese sauce).

Related content: Mind the culture gap: The chefs who make worlds collide through food

The perfect base from which to explore Machu Picchu

One of the most sought-after destinations on earth and one of the most mystical, Machu Picchu stands proudly at 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a lush tropical mountain forest. The Lost City of the Incas was rediscovered by American historian Hiram Bingham in 1911 after being forgotten for centuries. Now a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, much of its history and purpose remains a mystery even to historians.

Within this sprawling ancient citadel are famous sites including the Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Three Windows. Here you’ll also find the Temple of the Condor, the Sun Gate and the Intihuatana rock, believed to be an ancient sun clock. Easily accessed by train, your first-class seats and panoramic windows make for sublime views en route to Machu Picchu village. Arrive before the day trippers and join your expert guide for an exclusive and fascinating journey back in time.

Discover this on: Treasures of the Incas

 Read more: 7 experiences to stir your soul in Latin America

 To enjoy the delights of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for yourself, take a look at our Treasures of the Incas 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. 

@gelateriadondoli_official

 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. 

@mercatocentralefirenze

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?