One of the most prestigious assignments any photographer can receive is to shoot a Pirelli Calendar, in which the world’s most beautiful women are shot at some of the most stunning locations worldwide. The 2010 edition has been entrusted to influential American photographer Terry Richardson, and the shoot location was none other than the newly opened UXUA Casa Hotel.

UXUA found itself inhabited by 11 of the world’s top upcoming modelling talent, from such names as Daisy Lowe, Lily Cole, Miranda Kerr, Ana Beatriz Barros, Marloes Horst, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. In keeping with the stunning natural setting of UXUA and the surrounding area, the calendar’s goal was to emphasize a natural sensuality and eroticism, with very little use of makeup and effects, and no photo-retouching.

The official launch of the calendar will take place on November 19 in London.

Don’t hold your breath for a copy, as always the calendar is not for sale and is distributed in extremely limited quantities to a shortlist of celebrities and opinion leaders worldwide.

A short preview of images of the shoot can be seen on the website of the Italian edition of Vanity Fair Magazine.

A summary of the amazing history of the Pirelli Calendar can be seen courtesy of Pirelli.

Inclusion in the renowned American magazine’s fourth annual ‘It List’ means that UXUA has been chosen by a select group of travel editors as one of the world’s 45 top new hotels.

Given UXUA has only been open a few months now and is the smallest hotel to make the list, we’re delighted to receive such an accolade and we extend enormous thanks to the editors of Travel & Leisure, who describe UXUA as a gem, and praise it for its outdoorsy but elegant atmosphere in the heart of picturesque Trancoso.

Read all about it here.

A tribute to St. John and to the church of Trancoso, which borrows his name, this traditional party takes place in the Quadrado. Beside the church the local catholic community setup tents with Brazilian nuts, candies, deserts and a special drink made of ginger and Cachaça all traditional means of commemorating St. John’s Day. On both sides of the Quadrado colorful tents and paper flags cross the sky and invite natives and visitors to dance forró overnight during the whole week around June 24, with live music abundant. Unlike some national Brazilian holidays like Carnival, this is an absolutely local festival, and is one of Trancoso’s most charming.