Cala di Volpe - Assouline Coffee Table Book

The myth of Costa Smeralda’s world-renowned luxury hotel, Cala di Volpe, lies in its indelible and indescribable character, carefully molded by a select few who embodied the ethos of this magical destination. These strongly held values were made manifest in their respect for nature, appreciation of local tradition and recognition of craftsmanship. It is impossible to visit Sardinia and not be inspired by its incredible natural beauty. And it was no different for architect Jacques Couëlle, the “sculptor of houses” whose approach to designing Cala di Volpe involved only local materials and whose guiding principle was to achieve harmony with the surrounding environment. Seamlessly integrated into the landscape, the hotel now stands in all its organic, free-form glory, with terra-cotta accents and a pastel-colored exterior―an effortlessly glamorous escape.

A Londoner by birth, writer Nicky Swallow grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Trained as a classical musician, she arrived in Italy in the early 1980s to play the viola in the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale in Florence. Her writing career began in the mid-1990s, and she has since written and edited Time Out guides to Florence, Venice, Rome, Turin, Naples and the Amalfi Coast. Recognized as an expert in luxury travel, food, wine and lifestyle, she has contributed to Travel & Leisure , The Guardian, The Independent , Condé Nast Traveller (UK and US), The Telegraph and numerous other publications. She lives in an olive grove just outside Florence and continues to travel across Italy for both work and pleasure.