Jill Eber of The Jills Zeder Group, consistently ranked the No. 1 real estate team in the U.S., has listed an elegant contemporary designer residence at Palazzo Del Sol on Fisher Island for $36.25 million. Eber represents the seller of the five-bedroom property, located at 7061 Fisher Island Drive. Since 2020, Eber has sold $926,060,137 on Fisher Island. The waterfront residence encompasses 7,630 square feet of interior living space, with six full bathrooms and one-half bathroom. A 2,471-square-foot wraparound terrace and two additional private terraces extend the living areas outdoors. The home features a unique floor plan, as the seller combined two separate apartments into a single residence. The terraces incorporate multiple lounge and seating areas, alfresco dining and expansive entertaining spaces. The residence offers 270-degree panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, Government Cut, the Miami Beach and Downtown Miami skylines, the Fisher Island golf course and sunsets throughout the year. A private elevator opens directly into the foyer, where immediate water views introduce the residence. Floor-to-ceiling glass frames the waterfront setting throughout the principal living areas, including the Great Room, multiple conversation lounges and formal dining area. These spaces connect directly to the terraces to accommodate large-scale entertaining and smaller gatherings. Contemporary finishes include wide-plank tan oak flooring, custom feature walls, designer lighting, statement chandeliers and Lualdi Italian doors. Architectural detailing and a neutral material palette continue throughout the residence. The kitchen features Gaggenau appliances, integrated Sub-Zero refrigeration, two dishwashers, two ice makers and two sinks. A stone center island provides seating, while a fully equipped butler's pantry offers additional preparation and storage space. An adjacent family and media room provides a separate setting for casual gatherings and entertainment. The principal suite includes a private terrace overlooking Government Cut and Biscayne Bay, a sitting area and custom walk-in closets. Its spa-inspired bathroom features an elegant marble vanity with dual sinks, an oval soaking tub with Dornbracht fixtures, an oversized walk-in rain shower clad in dramatic book-matched Carrara marble, two private water closets and custom storage. A second walk-in closet includes custom built-ins, integrated lighting and additional storage. Four additional ensuite bedroom suites occupy separate bedroom wings, providing accommodations for family members and guests. Some suites include private terraces with views of the Fisher Island golf course, Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, the Atlantic Ocean and the Downtown Miami skyline. Additionally, the residence boasts a workout room/space that includes a full bathroom and a walk-in closet room as well as service elevator access. Palazzo Del Sol, one of Fisher Island’s most prestigious luxury waterfront developments, provides residents with a staffed aperitivo bar, fitness center, spa and wellness services, private screening room, children's playroom and resort-style pool with private cabanas. Additional offerings include landscaped grounds and complimentary bicycles for resident use. “In addition to Fisher Island’s world-class amenities, Palazzo Del Sol itself offers an array of exclusive onsite amenities, including a 6-star concierge service, a butler-serviced aperitivo bar and lounge, valet, theater room, massage rooms, salon, gym, cardio room and business center,” said Eber. “Residents enjoy fine living surrounded by exclusivity, luxury lifestyle and a private location.” Ownership also includes access to the Fisher Island Club, which features private beaches, championship golf, tennis, pickleball and two deep-water marinas. The club also offers fine dining, a beach club, spa, racquet club and concierge services. The updated Beach Club is scheduled to open later in first quarter of 2027. Fisher Island is located south of Miami Beach and just three miles from Downtown Miami. Considered an oasis of tropical landscaping and rich Mediterranean architecture, Fisher Island has a housing community of roughly 800 families who all reside along the private shoreline and around the golf course. By ML Staff. Photo: Jill Zeder Group

As professionals place greater value on design, convenience and control, a new generation of office condominiums is blurring the line between a business address and a lifestyle investment. Atlantic Village Professional Center (Credit: Fabian Giannattasio) In South Florida, luxury has long influenced where people choose to live, dine and spend their leisure time. Increasingly, it is also shaping where they choose to work. The region’s most discerning business owners are looking beyond the basic considerations of square footage and commute time. A workplace now plays a role in recruiting talent, welcoming clients and expressing the identity of a company. For entrepreneurs and established firms alike, the office has become another reflection of how they live and what they value. That shift is helping renew interest in office condominium ownership. Rather than leasing space in a traditional commercial building, businesses can purchase a workplace that provides greater control over their surroundings and the opportunity to build equity over time. In a market known for elevated rents and limited availability of high-quality space, the appeal is both practical and personal. National figures suggest this interest extends beyond South Florida. Owner-user office purchases reached $8.9 billion last year, accounting for 15.6% of office transaction volume and the largest share recorded in at least a decade, according to Avison Young. The data points to an office market that is becoming more nuanced. Flexible and remote work remain important, but companies that require a physical presence are thinking more intentionally about what that presence should provide. When the Workplace Becomes Part of the Lifestyle For many executives, the ideal office is no longer isolated from the rest of the day. The ability to move easily between meetings, a workout, lunch and personal appointments has become a meaningful luxury, particularly in South Florida, where traffic can make even a short errand disruptive. Atlantic Village in Hallandale Beach illustrates how a mixed-use setting can bring those parts of the day closer together. Its tenant mix includes 15 restaurants and cafés, ranging from Crema Gourmet and Mitch’s Downtown to La Estancia Argentina, Murano by Ferraro and The Wagyu House. The property also has 23 fitness, wellness, beauty and medical concepts, including 54D, Club Pilates, Zen Zone, Ciocca Dermatology and Glow Medspa. Atlantic Village in Hallandale Beach (Credit: Fabian Giannattasio) For those working onsite, that variety can make the day feel more fluid. A client lunch, fitness class or personal appointment can be handled within the same destination, while the breadth of dining options gives businesses greater flexibility for everything from a quick coffee to a more formal meeting. The appeal is less about any single amenity than the convenience created by having a substantial mix of services close at hand. These conveniences also influence the impression a company makes. An office address can communicate polish before a meeting even begins, particularly when the building and its surroundings offer the design, hospitality and ease clients associate with a premium experience. The Appeal of Having a Place of One's Own Ownership adds another dimension to the modern workplace. By purchasing an office condominium, a company can establish a permanent address, shape the space around its needs and build equity over time. It also gives businesses greater control over their surroundings and the freedom to make decisions with a longer-term vision in mind. Atlantic Village Professional Center At Atlantic Village Professional Center, businesses can purchase Class A office space within a mixed-use destination in one of South Florida’s growing commercial corridors. Positioned along Federal Highway in Hallandale Beach, the property offers a central location between Miami and Fort Lauderdale, with convenient access to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Aventura Mall, Gulfstream Park, the beach and Brightline service. FIBA Americas illustrates the appeal of that model. The organization relocated its Americas headquarters from Coconut Grove to Atlantic Village Professional Center, purchasing a 6,353-square-foot office condominium after previously leasing a 4,205-square-foot space. The move provided FIBA Americas with a larger headquarters, greater control over its workplace and a permanent foothold in a central South Florida location. For established companies committed to South Florida, office ownership can transform the workplace from a recurring operating expense into a long-term business asset. Within a setting that also offers dining, fitness, wellness and everyday conveniences, it creates an opportunity to pair permanence with the lifestyle experience increasingly expected of a premium professional address. A More Personal Vision of the Office The renewed interest in office condominiums does not suggest a return to yesterday’s workplace. It reflects a more selective approach to physical space. Professionals may spend fewer hours in an office than they once did, but the quality of those hours carries greater weight. If employees and executives are going to gather in person, the setting needs to support collaboration, convenience and a sense of occasion. Generic space is increasingly difficult to justify. A thoughtfully selected address, by contrast, can become an asset to the business in more ways than one. South Florida is particularly well suited to this evolution. Its residential and hospitality markets have trained consumers to expect strong design, attentive service and amenities close at hand. Those expectations are now moving into the professional realm. At Atlantic Village, the office condominium model brings those ideas together: a permanent business address, a central South Florida location and a setting that complements the way executives want to spend their time. The modern corner office is no longer defined only by a view or a prestigious suite number. Its value lies in the complete experience surrounding it and, for a growing number of South Florida business owners, the ability to call it their own. By ML Staff.

The best vacations leave you with a story to tell. The most memorable ones invite you to step inside one. As reading continues to shape the way people travel, literary inspired getaways are becoming one of the most rewarding ways to experience a destination. Whether it is browsing a beautifully curated hotel library, attending an intimate author event, or walking in the footsteps of legendary writers, these experiences offer a deeper connection to the places we visit. Whether you are planning a late summer escape around Book Lover's Day on August 9, celebrating International Literacy Day on September 8, or simply searching for a vacation that blends culture with relaxation, these Florida hotels prove that every great getaway begins with a great story. A stay at The Betsy - South Beach is a celebration of literature in every sense. Recognized as one of the country's premier literary hotels, the property is home to more than 10,000 books thoughtfully placed throughout guest rooms, public spaces and its extensive library. The hotel recently welcomed its first Community Librarian, Dr. Annette Fromm, who continues to expand and curate the impressive collection. Beyond its shelves, The Betsy has become a cultural gathering place through its celebrated Writer's Room, which has hosted more than 1,200 writers and artists. Year round poetry readings, literary salons, art exhibitions and the recently launched monthly Books & Books author series ensure that the written word remains at the heart of the guest experience. Designed as a collection of intimate spaces that inspire curiosity and relaxation, The Goodtime Hotel offers a quieter kind of luxury through its inviting library. Tucked away from the energy of South Beach, this welcoming retreat encourages guests to settle in with a favorite novel or discover a new one. Warm wood finishes, soft pastel tones and subtle references to Miami Beach's Art Deco heritage create an atmosphere that feels equal parts stylish and serene, making it the perfect setting for an unhurried afternoon with a book in hand. For admirers of Ernest Hemingway, few literary pilgrimages are as rewarding as Key West. Located just moments from the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, The Marker Key West Harbor Resort invites guests to immerse themselves in the legendary author's world through its exclusive Ernest Hemingway Package. The experience includes a guided visit to Hemingway's historic residence, a bottle of Papa's Pilar Rum paired with a distillery tour inspired by the author's beloved boat, Pilar, along with the choice of a sunset sail or fishing charter that reflects his lifelong connection to the sea. Back at the resort, guests can continue the journey with an in room collection of Hemingway's most celebrated works, creating an experience that blends adventure with timeless storytelling. On Florida's Gulf Coast, The Perry Hotel Naples offers a thoughtful retreat where literature, history and art intersect. At the center of the experience is The Library, an inviting space inspired by the elegance of traditional reading rooms and designed for quiet reflection. Historic photographs of President Harry Truman evoke a sense of nostalgia, while artwork by Irish artist John Neary incorporates Ogham, one of Ireland's earliest written languages, to spell the Gaelic words clú, meaning honor, and ádh, meaning luck. Together, the pieces reflect one of the hotel's guiding philosophy: "The harder I work, the luckier I get." The result is a space where language and storytelling create an atmosphere that invites guests to slow down, unplug and lose themselves in a good book. By ML Staff. Photos: Each hotel listed.

From rooftop pool parties and waterfront retreats to culinary festivals and live music, these Florida destinations offer a stylish send-off to summer. Labor Day weekend offers one final opportunity to lean into the spirit of summer. And with domestic airfare, hotel rates and rental car costs trending lower than last year, according to AAA booking data, travelers have even more reason to plan a spontaneous long weekend in the Sunshine State. Whether the ideal itinerary involves the energy of Miami, the relaxed rhythm of Key West or the sugar-white shores of the Emerald Coast, these six Florida escapes offer a memorable way to close out the season. Greater Miami: Culture, Cuisine and Game-Day Energy Labor Day weekend brings concerts, culinary experiences, sports and cultural events to neighborhoods throughout Greater Miami. Photo courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, MiamiandMiamiBeach.com. Greater Miami is celebrating the final stretch of summer with a packed weekend of entertainment spanning comedy, sports, food and culture. To start, comedian Michael Blackson brings five performances to Miami Improv in Doral from September 4-6. Then, on September 6, the Orange Blossom Classic returns to Hard Rock Stadium, where Florida A&M will face defending champion South Carolina State. Beyond the action on the field, the annual HBCU football tradition will feature marching bands, a fan festival and a lively game-day atmosphere. Food lovers can head to the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami for Taste of AfriKin, also taking place September 6. The event will showcase unlimited tastings from chefs representing more than 15 countries, along with a spirited Jollof Cook-Off and live Afrobeat, reggae and soca performances. Miami Spice also continues throughout the weekend, offering specially priced menus at participating restaurants across the destination. Visitors planning to explore multiple neighborhoods can take advantage of Freebee, the city’s complimentary microtransit service. Miami Beach: Rooftop Movies, Live Jazz and Poolside Style Miami Beach sends off summer with open-air movies, live music, pool parties and hotel offers. Photo courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, MiamiandMiamiBeach.com. In Miami Beach, the holiday weekend comes with a mix of open-air entertainment, live jazz and resort relaxation. On Labor Day, Rooftop Cinema Club South Beach on Lincoln Road will host outdoor screenings of Dirty Dancing and the Miami-set classic Scarface, pairing big-screen nostalgia with sweeping city views. At The Betsy, guests can settle into The Piano Bar for live jazz performances throughout the weekend. The lineup includes pianist and vocalist DeSean Kirkland, pianist Brian Murphy, The Ellis Duo, Latin jazz pianist Edgar Pantoja, pianist Donald Chan and additional performers. Travelers looking for a Mid-Beach retreat will find several seasonal offers. Hotel Continental’s Park & Stay package includes complimentary daily parking, while Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club’s Beach Escape waives resort fees and provides two beach chairs each day. For a more spirited celebration, The Goodtime Hotel will host pool parties from Friday through Sunday at its signature art deco-inspired pool and restaurant. Guests can also receive a $50 Resort Credit Per Night per room with a minimum two-night stay. Key West: Island Rhythms and Sunset Celebrations Key West offers an easygoing Labor Day escape filled with music, waterfront dining and iconic island sunsets. Photo courtesy of The Marker Key West Harbor Resort. Few destinations capture the feeling of an endless summer quite like Key West. Over Labor Day weekend, the island’s waterfront restaurants, live music venues and sunset rituals create an effortlessly relaxed holiday itinerary. The Marker Key West Harbor Resort offers a convenient home base for Just a Few Friends, a five-day celebration taking place September 3-7 in honor of Jimmy Buffett and the island lifestyle he helped make famous. The resort will also host a complimentary Labor Day pool party featuring live music and an afternoon of festivities. Beyond the celebrations, visitors can browse the shops, galleries and restaurants surrounding the Historic Seaport and Duval Street, join the nightly sunset gathering at Mallory Square or set sail for an evening cruise on the water. Naples: A Waterfront Retreat on the Cocohatchee River The Perry Hotel Naples pairs waterfront relaxation with dining, recreation and easy access to some of Naples’ most popular attractions. Photo courtesy of The Perry Hotel Naples. For travelers seeking a quieter end-of-summer retreat, The Perry Hotel Naples offers a contemporary waterfront escape along the Cocohatchee River. Guests who reserve directly through the hotel can access its Best Rates Guaranteed promise, which matches qualifying lower rates found online. The Friends of The Perry package includes 20% off the best available rate, as well as early check-in and late checkout when available. Additional benefits include savings on dining, water sports and golf, plus complimentary beach shuttle service. Florida residents can also receive 20% off the best available rate, along with additional savings on select dining and excursions. During their stay, guests can relax beside two resort pools, enjoy waterfront dining at Tigress Restaurant & Rooftop Bar or venture out to nearby Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, Mercato and Fifth Avenue South. At the end of the day, panoramic river views provide a serene backdrop for a final summer toast. St. Petersburg: Live Music and a Final Summer Splash SkyBeach Resort marks Labor Day weekend with three days of poolside entertainment, live music and waterfront dining. Photo Courtesy of Cris Molina. St. Petersburg’s combination of sunshine, waterfront views and creative energy makes it an inviting choice for one last seasonal getaway. SkyBeach Resort will celebrate Labor Day with a three-day lineup of entertainment. The weekend begins Friday with live acoustic music at SkyBar. On Saturday, the resort’s Summer’s Last Splash Pool Party will feature DJ Ari Gorfain, a poolside cookout and an evening performance by Tampa Bay favorite The Black Honkeys at the Azibi Stage. Guests can continue the festivities with waterfront dining throughout the weekend, including LUMA’s Sol Sunday Brunch accompanied by a live DJ. Sandestin: Beach Days and Rooftop Nights Sandestin combines Gulf beaches, championship golf and rooftop celebrations for a full-service holiday weekend. Photo Courtesy of Hotel Effie Sandestin. On Florida’s Emerald Coast, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers a sprawling setting for families, couples and groups looking to customize their holiday weekend. The 2,400-acre resort stretches from the Gulf to Choctawhatchee Bay and features more than seven miles of beach and bayfront, four championship golf courses, 20 swimming pools and a 226-slip marina. Guests can also explore the shops, restaurants and entertainment venues at The Village of Baytowne Wharf. From September 4-6, Ara Rooftop Pool & Lounge at Hotel Effie Sandestin will host its Summer’s Last Splash celebration featuring live DJs, handcrafted cocktails and rooftop views of Baytowne Wharf’s Sunday night fireworks display. One Last Toast to Summer Whether the weekend calls for a culture-filled city break or a waterfront escape, Florida offers no shortage of ways to make the most of summer’s final chapter. With special hotel packages, destination-wide events and experiences designed for every travel style, Labor Day weekend is the perfect excuse to pack a bag and head south—or simply rediscover a favorite corner of the Sunshine State. From Miami to the Emerald Coast, Florida offers a wide range of ways to celebrate the final holiday weekend of summer. Photo courtesy of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, MiamiandMiamiBeach.com. By ML Staff.

Prada has released the 80th edition of its Timecapsule initiative, presenting a new limited edition tank top that combines sportswear elements with archival references. The design features a jacquard pattern intended to reflect the summer season, creating a dynamic visual rhythm on the garment. The tank top is available in restricted quantities for a 24 hour window exclusively on prada.com as part of the Timecapsule drop. Each Timecapsule No. 80 purchase is accompanied by a non fungible token offered through Prada Crypted, the brand’s NFT area and community hub on its website and Discord server. The platform is designed to connect fashion with art, architecture, film, music and Web3 projects while offering digital collectibles linked to selected physical releases. By ML. Photo(s)/Prada

Versace has released new season ready-to-wear arrivals as part of its Fall Winter 2026 collection, adding fresh designs across its womenswear and menswear lines. The collection is available in Versace boutiques worldwide and on versace.com, offering shoppers access to ready-to-wear looks for the new season. The launch highlights clothing for women and men, alongside complementary pieces from the brand’s accessories and bag ranges, as part of the broader seasonal offering. Customers can explore the ready-to-wear pieces, as well as additional categories such as bags and accessories, through Versace’s retail network and official online store. By ML. Photo(s)/Versace

Chanel is spotlighting its Gardénia fragrance from the Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection, presenting it as an olfactory interpretation of the house’s emblematic camellia flower. Created in 1925 at the request of Gabrielle Chanel, Gardénia was developed by perfumer Ernest Beaux to evoke the white camellia, a bloom favored by Chanel that is naturally scentless. More information about Gardénia and Les Exclusifs is available on the official Chanel fragrance page. By ML. Photo(s)/CHANEL

Florida Grand Opera is entering its 85th season, highlighting the company’s origins in Miami and the early efforts of its founder, Arturo di Filippi. Di Filippi worked a series of jobs in factories and workshops before pursuing formal musical training that led him to Juilliard, Europe, Carnegie Hall, and national radio. After a serious illness and multiple lung operations, doctors advised him to relocate to a warmer climate, which brought him to Miami. Two years after his arrival, during World War II and with few trained singers available, di Filippi prepared local performers himself and staged a production of "Pagliacci," regarded as the company’s first season. That initiative laid the foundation for what is now recognized as Florida’s oldest performing arts organization. Eighty-five seasons later, Florida Grand Opera credits successive generations of artists, patrons, and audiences with sustaining its presence in Miami’s cultural landscape, as the company prepares to share more of its history in its publication SCENE at the opening of the new season. By ML. Photo(s)/Florida Grand Opera

A general contractor doing $500,000 a year pays roughly $3,750 to $4,500 for liability coverage across most of the country. In Miami, expect that to run 20 to 40 percent higher. Coastal exposure, litigation climate, and labor costs all price into the number, and every dollar of it eventually shows up somewhere in a renovation budget. Owners rarely see that line. What they see is the moment a building manager refuses to release the service elevator because a document is missing. GeneralContractorsInsurance.com, an agency placing contractor coverage in all 50 states for more than 30 years, reports that South Florida projects stall on documentation more often than on money, and almost always in the same three places. Your building's requirements are stricter than the state's In a Miami condo, the association sets the real gate. Most boards want a certificate of insurance on file before work begins, with the association named as an additional insured for the project. Many also set minimum limits, restrict work hours, and require the contractor's paperwork before reserving the loading dock or the freight elevator. Get the requirements in writing from the management office before you sign a contractor, not after. Two details decide whether the file clears on the first try: the association's exact legal name, which is rarely what residents call the building, and the project dates, since a certificate that expires in month three of a five-month renovation clears only month three. The single best habit here takes one email. Ask for the contractor certificate of insurance to come directly from the contractor's insurance agency rather than forwarded from the contractor's phone. Any working agency issues one within hours, often the same day. A forwarded PDF is trivially editable, and altered limits show up more often than owners expect. Florida requires workers compensation at one employee, not four This is the rule most homeowners get wrong, and Florida is stricter than almost anywhere. According to the Florida Division of Workers' Compensation, a construction industry employer with one or more employees, part time or full time, must carry coverage. Non-construction businesses in Florida do not hit that threshold until four employees. Construction starts at one. Two consequences matter to anyone hiring in Miami. Florida does not treat construction workers as independent contractors the way other states do, so a crew paid on 1099s is not outside the requirement. And when a subcontractor works without coverage, the state treats those workers as employees of the contractor who hired them, which means the general contractor absorbs the liability and, at the year-end premium audit, the payroll too. There is a wrinkle specific to out-of-state crews. A construction employer bringing employees to work in Florida is required to obtain a Florida policy through a Florida-licensed insurance company, using Florida classification codes and rates. A home-state policy from Georgia or New York does not simply travel south with the truck. That detail becomes urgent every hurricane season, when out-of-area crews arrive for repair work and homeowners hire fast. What South Florida coverage costs, and why Contractor liability is priced against revenue. A general contractor pays about 0.75 percent of annual revenue with a floor near $1,600 a year. Roofers pay the most, roughly 1 percent of revenue with a floor around $2,800, because carriers treat roofing as the highest-risk trade they will write. Add the Miami adjustment of 20 to 40 percent and a mid-sized roofing operation is carrying real overhead before it buys a single bundle of shingles. The standard policy limit is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. That is the number Miami associations and commercial clients ask to see, and it is what Florida contractors insurance is typically written at. Contractors sometimes try to trim by dropping to $500,000. The savings come to less than $100 a year and the lower limit disqualifies them from most condo work. Not worth it. One number worth knowing on the other side of the ledger. A contractor who reports an incident within 24 hours closes the claim for significantly less than one who waits a week, and clean claims history is what keeps renewal pricing from climbing. The contractors who bid competitively in this market are usually the ones with quiet loss runs, not the ones cutting coverage. Storm season changes the hiring math Peak Atlantic storm activity runs from mid-August into October, and after any significant event South Florida fills with crews from out of state. Some are excellent. Some are gone by December. Three checks separate them, and none takes longer than a phone call. Confirm Florida licensing for the trade. Confirm the workers compensation policy is a Florida policy, not a home-state one. And confirm the general liability certificate comes from the agency, with dates covering your whole scope of work rather than the next two weeks. It is also worth asking whether the project itself carries coverage separate from the contractor's liability policy, especially on a gut renovation where the unit sits open for months. That is a different product than the one on the certificate, and the answer should come from your own agent rather than from the person doing the work. Miami renovations run on relationships, referrals, and the building's rules. The insurance paperwork is the least interesting part of that stack and the fastest to sink a schedule. Get the association's requirements first, get the certificate from the agency, and confirm the workers comp policy is written for Florida. Then go argue about the finishes. By ML Staff. Images generated with OpenAI.

There are luxury hotels, there are historic hotels, and then there are places like Palazzo Daniele, where the building itself becomes the destination. Naturally, I was quite intrigued long before arriving at this property in Gagliano del Capo, a quiet town on the Salento Peninsula in southern Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. Hidden behind an understated façade on Corso Umberto I, Palazzo Daniele reveals little from the street. A Michelin Key recognition beside the enormous wooden entrance hints at the exceptional stay waiting beyond its doors. Once inside, the atmosphere changes completely. The sounds of the town fade away, replaced by frescoed ceilings, a large central courtyard with a very tall arched entrance, oversized original ceramic jars (once used to store olive oil), original mosaic floors, beautiful climbing vines, and contemporary artworks displayed throughout the historic interiors. Location Located in Gagliano del Capo, the property offers a great base for exploring the Salento region of Puglia and its unique coastline. The town sits near Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea meet. The property is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes by car from Brindisi Airport and about 2 hours from Bari Airport. Renting a car is highly recommended, giving you the flexibility to explore Puglia’s coastal towns, historic villages, beaches, wineries, and countryside landscapes at your own pace. Photo: Massimo Virgilio/Unsplash If you are new to Puglia, the surrounding area is known for dramatic coastlines, hidden coves, olive groves, and traditional Puglian cuisine. After a day of exploring, as I did, I always looked forward to returning to the peaceful atmosphere of this historic palace. History Built in 1861, the same year Italy became a unified nation, Palazzo Daniele was commissioned by the Daniele family and designed by local architect Domenico Malinconico. The residence remained in the family for four generations before eventually passing to Francesco Petrucci, who envisioned a new chapter for the historic palace. Rather than restoring it as a traditional museum, Petrucci transformed the property into a place where historic architecture and contemporary art could interact. After years of collecting contemporary art and creating the Capo d’Arte festival, he brought his vision to life. Working with Milanese architects Roberto Palomba and Ludovica Serafini, the restoration focused on revealing the palace’s original character. Contemporary works by artists including Luigi Presicce, Nicolas Party, Roberto Cuoghi, and Carla Accardi now share space with 19th-century frescoes and neoclassical details. The result feels natural. Each room tells a story, blending its aristocratic past with a distinctive contemporary artistic expression. Palazzo Daniele was brought to life by Italian entrepreneur Gabriele Salini and Francesco Petrucci, descendant of the aristocratic family that built the palazzo in 1861. Their shared vision celebrates art, design, and the creative spirit of Puglia. Rooms & Suites With only 15 individually designed suites, Palazzo Daniele feels more like a private residence than a traditional hotel. Each accommodation preserves the building’s original architecture while incorporating minimalist furnishings that keep the historic details as the focus. I stayed in the Royal Suite, where an original stone fireplace and a bookshelf built directly into the palace wall immediately caught my attention, making me feel that I was staying in a former noble residence. The room also featured modern lighting fixtures and a contemporary blue sofa that added contrast to the historic setting. I quite enjoyed the elevated oval flooring in both the bedroom and bathroom, a unique feature shaped by the palace’s history, as the lower level beneath these spaces was once used for olive oil production. The floor itself rises in a gentle oval shape toward the center of the bedroom, naturally creating only one suitable area for the black steel bed frame. Instead of a traditional closet, the suite featured open, clean-lined metal shelving and simple clothing hangers, keeping the space uncluttered and consistent with the room’s minimalist design. The bathroom followed the same approach, with an oversized stone shower and soaking tub, freestanding cylindrical sinks, oversized mirrors with hidden lighting, and minimal fixtures. One note: lower your head when entering the bathroom, as the doorway is low. A white curtain serves as an elegant privacy divider instead of a traditional door, adding to the suite’s minimalist design. Dining Dining at Palazzo Daniele reflects the same philosophy found throughout the property: simple, authentic, and connected to the land. The kitchen celebrates seasonal Salento cuisine using simple, fresh ingredients sourced from local farmers, including herbs and citrus grown in the property’s own garden. One of my favorite details was that guests are welcome to step into the kitchen. I spent time chatting with the cooks as they prepared lunch and learning about the regional ingredients and recipes. Seasonal menus, organic produce, and natural wines made with indigenous yeasts complete an experience centered around the authentic flavors of Puglia. Amenities & Wellness For those looking to recharge, the Wellness Journey offers a personalized three-hour experience combining yoga, Pilates, functional mobility, or meditation with time in the sauna or steam room, followed by a relaxing massage. I personaly did not expereinced it but it is recomened. On the property, there is a shop where the hotel collaborates with CICILEU, featuring handcrafted products created by local artisans, including woven linens, hand-painted ceramics, terracotta candles, traditional rooster jugs, and accessories inspired by the region’s olive oil traditions. It is a nice way to take a piece of Puglia home. Experiences Cooking classes are one of the best ways to experience Puglia’s traditions, where you can learn to make handmade pasta and fresh primo sale cheese using techniques passed down through generations. After cooking, you can enjoy the meal you created yourself. The hotel can also arrange private visits to local wineries, countryside bike rides, guided treks, horseback riding along the coast, rock climbing, and kitesurfing or windsurfing lessons. Good to Know Palazzo Daniele does not offer on-site parking. During my visit in June, I found complimentary street parking directly in front of the property without difficulty. Availability may vary depending on the season and time of day. Guests looking to maintain their fitness routine can walk to A.S.D. Spartan Gym, a popular neighborhood fitness center frequented by locals. Worth mentioning, the hotel’s sustainability approach focuses on preserving the existing palace structure, supporting local farmers and producers, and collaborating with Apulian artisans. Palazzo Daniele Address: Corso Umberto I, 60, 73034 Gagliano del Capo LE, Italy Reservations: Booking.com Website: Palazzo Daniele Telephone: +39 338 870 5555 Instagram By Markin Abras /Photos/Palazzo Daniele

Accidents involving 18-wheelers are often far more dangerous and significantly more serious than typical car crashes. These collisions frequently result in severe injuries, extensive property damage, and complex legal claims. If you have been involved in a truck accident in Houston, attempting to navigate the process alone is rarely in your best interest. Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve. This website could help you find one: https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/trucking-accidents/how-do-i-find-the-best-truck-accident-lawyer/ While most people understand the importance of hiring legal representation after a serious truck accident, knowing how to find the right attorney is another matter. If you have never had to hire a truck accident lawyer before, it is perfectly normal to be unsure where to begin. The following tips can help you identify and choose the right truck accident attorney in Houston to represent your case. Ask Around Start by speaking with people you know about your situation. While not every piece of advice will be applicable, friends, family members, or colleagues may be able to recommend a truck accident lawyer they have worked with or someone they know has had a positive experience. Personal referrals can often be a valuable starting point when searching for legal representation. Search Online In addition to personal recommendations, conduct an online search to identify truck accident attorneys in the Houston area. Most reputable law firms maintain professional websites where you can learn about their experience, areas of practice, and client services. This research can help you create a shortlist of potential candidates. Click this to learn more about what to do after an accident like this. Check Qualifications and Experience Once you have created a list of potential attorneys, take the time to review their qualifications and professional background. Verify that they are properly licensed to practice law and pay particular attention to their experience handling truck accident cases—not just personal injury claims in general. Truck accident litigation is highly specialized and often involves multiple parties, commercial insurance carriers, and federal regulations. Choosing an attorney with a proven track record in 18-wheeler accident claims can be a significant advantage. Don't Forget Texas Law Experience and Trial Experience Beyond general experience, it is important to choose an attorney who understands Texas personal injury law. Truck accident cases often involve both state laws and federal commercial trucking regulations. Your attorney should be familiar with comparative responsibility rules, state court procedures, commercial vehicle regulations, filing deadlines, and Texas insurance laws. Trial experience is equally important. While many truck accident claims are resolved through settlement, some ultimately proceed to court. Hiring an attorney with courtroom experience ensures you have strong representation should litigation become necessary. Check Reputation Reputation should also play an important role in your decision. Read client reviews, research professional memberships, consider peer recognition, and evaluate the attorney's standing within the legal community. An experienced Houston 18-wheeler accident attorney with a strong reputation for professionalism and integrity is far more likely to provide reliable representation throughout your case. Ask About the Investigation Process A successful truck accident claim begins with a thorough investigation. Ask prospective attorneys how they typically investigate these cases and what evidence they seek to preserve. Critical evidence may include police reports, photographs, witness statements, dash camera footage, driver logbooks, maintenance records, truck inspection reports, cargo documentation, electronic data from the truck, and other relevant records. An experienced attorney should move quickly to secure this evidence before it is lost or becomes unavailable. Understand the Fees Finally, make sure you fully understand the attorney's fee structure before making your decision. Ask about contingency fee percentages, litigation expenses, court costs, and any additional fees that may arise throughout the legal process. Understanding these costs in advance will help you avoid unexpected financial surprises and allow you to make a well-informed decision when selecting legal representation. By ML Staff

OIC of South Florida today announced the return of the Middle Class Summit, taking place September 9–10, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Now marking 25 years of impact for OIC of South Florida, this year's summit, themed "Imagine. Innovate. Elevate.," arrives at what the organization calls a turning point for the American middle class, bringing together more than 500 business executives, policymakers, workforce innovators, educators and national thought leaders for two days of dialogue focused on solutions. This year's agenda centers on four pressures reshaping working families across the country: artificial intelligence and the evolving workforce, affordable housing, healthcare access, and the systems that determine long-term economic advancement. Confirmed speakers include U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen, Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero, Broward County Transit CEO Coree Cuff Lonergan, and OIC of America President & CEO Louis King, alongside a Summit Co-Chair panel that draws together leaders from Ballard Partners, Florida Power & Light, South Florida Business Journal and Bilzin Sumberg. The Summit is backed by a national roster of sponsors, including JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, TD Bank, SouthState Bank, Uber and CareerSource South Florida. Newton B. Sanon, President and CEO of OIC of South Florida "The middle class isn't just under pressure — it's at a genuine turning point, and the decisions being made right now about AI, housing and healthcare will determine whether working families in South Florida move forward or fall behind," said Newton B. Sanon, President & CEO of OIC of South Florida and founder of the Middle Class Summit. "For 25 years, OIC of South Florida has built pathways to opportunity for this region. This Summit is where we put the people building those pathways; business leaders, policymakers and the workforce innovators doing the work every day; in the same room, on the same clock, working toward the same outcomes." The 2026 Middle Class Summit builds on the momentum of the bi-annual event in 2024, which drew hundreds of regional leaders for two days of panels, keynotes and networking. This year's program expands that footprint with an intensified focus on AI's impact on jobs and career pathways, alongside continued programming on workforce development, entrepreneurship and community investment. Early Bird registration is open now at middleclasssummit.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for organizations seeking to align with the Summit's mission and reach its audience of regional decision-makers. By OIC of South Florida.