The luxury Parco dei Templari hotel at Altamura (Apulia), confiscated from the Mafia in 2002, is now to be relaunched with the help of master chef Gianfranco Vissani. The hotel, which stands on the site of an ancient Templar hospice for pilgrims travelling to the Holy Land, will specialize in wedding receptions and special events.

Vissani, one of Italy's most famous chefs, has his own sphere of operations in Todi (Umbria), but will act as a consultant for the Parco dei Templari, as regards culinary organization and  promoting local cuisine and gastronomic products.  Over a hundred bookings have already been received between now and 2012.

For information: www.parcodeitemplari.it