Giorgio Armani has opened his flagship Armani hotel in Milan, a joint venture with the Dubai developer Emaar Properties.

Located in the 1937 building that also houses Armani’s Manzoni 31 flagship, the hotel covers 162,000 square feet over floors two to eight.

The “palazzo” hotel, which is in the centre of the Italian city, boasts 95 rooms with a focus on “luxury, calm and beauty”.

San Spirito Island, situated in a lagoon that is a ten-minute boat ride to Venice’s San Marco Square, is now for sale with an asking price of €28 million.

The private island has 3,500 square meters of existing historical structures and the potential of an additional 4,500 square meters of new construction.

“The island could become the location of a prestigious hotel or could see the realisation of luxury residential units.”

International hotel chain Starwood has announced the reopening of a landmark Florence hotel, complete with a suite from top designer label Bottega Veneta.

The St Regis Florence, originally the Grand Hotel Florence, has been treated to a ten-month restoration which has seen significant interior changes to the 18th century palace, ranked among the city’s most significant buildings.

The hotel boasts 81 rooms and 19 suites, decorated by local artisans and including antique furniture such as hand-carved gold leaf frames and crystal chandeliers.

Genoa is one of the largest boat shows of the year, with thousands of boats and a full program of ‘fringe’ events to ensure it caters for every nautical fan in town.

Some 450 debuts from the world’s biggest shipyards are expected for this 51st edition, spread over three pavilions and two marinas.

The largest flagship of this year’s show will be the CBI 50 ‘Alfos’, a 50 meter yacht, although there will be a dedicated mega-yacht area which is expected to boast some 30 boats with sizes up to 50 meters.

Italian fashion label Gucci inaugurated a museum in Florence Monday, showcasing the luggage and high-end clothing that have fueled the company’s success.

Located in the Palazzo della Mercanzia, the museum is only a few steps away from the 13th century Palazzo Vecchio and Michelangelo’s David.

The museum features an exhibit showing how their logo has evolved since Guccio Gucci, a former porter at the London’s Savoy hotel, founded the company in 1921.

Petra Ecclestone, 22, married businessman James Stunt, 28, on Saturday in a lavish Italian ceremony that racked up a staggering $5million bill.

Petra, who just bought Candy Spelling’s $85 million Los Angeles mansion, said “I do” in the same Italian castle where Tom Cruise married Katie Holmes.

The daughter of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone dropped some mad cash on her nuptials, including wine that cost $6500 a bottle!