By Ann Abel

One reason that I book a flight to Italy whenever the opportunity calls is the newish wave of fairy tale, historic places to stay. Young members of aristocratic families are embracing the value of heritage and patrimony (and beauty, of course—always beauty), something that’s weirdly easy to take for granted in a country that is saturated with history. This new generation has figured out that the best way to save their families’ palaces, castles, medieval towers, and grand estates is to turn them into thoughtful small hotels.

For the owners, it’s a shot at preservation via low-volume, high-value tourism. (Not that they like to use that word.) For visitors, it’s as dreamy as can be—not just a nice place to sleep but a step into another time and place …  Continue reading

Ann Abel is a travel writer and editor, and was a senior editor at ForbesLife. She writes for Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Well + Good NYC, and other print and online publications.”In the name of lifestyle journalism, ” she says, ” I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents.” She lives in Lisbon.