Florence is all about intriguing Medici history, Michelin-starred restaurants and museums that silently hold tight to prized works of art. As you make your second or third mouth-watering gelato stop of the day, strolling the exclusive jewellery shops lining Ponte Vecchio, or sauntering into the newly opened Gucci Garden you’ll start to see how history and style are merging in this architecturally rich city. The most ancient bridge in the city now trades on the allure of diamonds and the designer stores on Via Tornabuoni intertwine with 13th-Century palaces and the medieval Palazzo Spini-Fertoni. Florence holidays unveil Renaissance masterpieces in the Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo’s graffiti on the walls nearby; vespas whizz through narrow streets in frivolous Florentine style and the steps up to the Duomo’s cupola or a stroll through the elegant 16th-Century Boboli Gardens deliver spellbinding rewards. Just before dusk it’s time to get the camera out, as amber rays land on architectural Italian treasures – Duomo – Florence Cathedral, the Church of Santa Croce and the sculptures in Piazzale Michelangelo. There’s a golden time of day in Florence – la passeggiata. It’s a stylish affair, heralding the start of each evening, with everyone spilling out into fairytale piazzas to dress up, socialise and enjoy a campari sprtizer. Join this customary pre-dinner stroll for a real sense of what the Italians love – glorious chit-chat, spontaneity and the uniting of young and old. It’s the same harmony seen throughout our hand-picked Florence holidays – a city steeped in breathtaking history but not afraid of getting ever-so cosmopolitan. For a shift in scenery your passage out of the city takes you by foot into Tuscan countryside, or, less than an hour by high-speed train, to Pisa. Whether you want a chic boutique hotel behind the Duomo or a 15th-Century building on the banks of the River Arno, give one of our Personal Travel Experts a call and we’ll craft your dream Florence holiday.
5 Hotels, 4 Experiences
Holidays to Rome are as impeccably composed as the thousands of desirable addresses you’ll stumble upon in a city that celebrates history, art, fashion and food in style. The French gifted Rome the stately open-air Spanish Steps, Emperor Vespasian commissioned the world’s most breathtaking amphitheatre in back in AD 72 and the Vatican, now a country in itself, began life in the 4th century as a basilica built over St Peter’s grave. Expect Old Masters housed in private galleries, centuries old history inside fresco-filled churches and stories of bloody gladiator battles and lavish temples dedicated to Olympian Gods. These well-preserved ruins provide a jaw-dropping backdrop to a thoroughly swish city – la dolce vita lived out in Renaissance piazzas, gilded bars and Via Condotti’s high-end fashion. Rome holidays are as photogenic as your wildest dreams and it does well to walk the ancient sites of the Pantheon and Palatine Hill but also stop and linger a while. There’s the suited and booted sipping espresso in 18th-Century cafes, vespas zipping past ornate piazzas and the glam squad navigating cobblestoned streets in heels with ease as passeggiata unfolds. Roam pretty streets with cut-to-order pizza slices, savour Instagram-worthy gelato, take aperitivo hour in Piazza Navona and dine rooftop, Michelin starred, with fairytale Colosseum views. Tell us you want to throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and we’ll agree you must, but also recommend a late night return as the stone glows gold in the moonlight. If you’re inspired by movie scenes set in Rome we’ll put you in the heart of Villa Borghese, Piazza del Popolo and the Mouth of Truth in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church. Or ask us about the Colesseum and we’ll share secrets of the Third Tier underground tunnels and also suggest walking at dusk behind Palazzo dei Senatori to see the ancient Forum ruins illuminated after dark. Whether you want high tech luxury or a 19th-Century hotel with Roman ruins in its garden, our Personal Travel Experts are only a call away to craft your very own Roman Holiday.
5 Hotels, 3 Cruises, 4 Experiences
As the jet set crowd drop anchor for the long summer season and you open your balcony doors for that wake-up view of a turquoise blue Mediterranean Sea, you’ll soon realise you’ve landed on an island of barefoot bliss. Holidays to Sardinia are about freshly caught seafood straight on the plate at decadent waters-edge restaurants, eminently stylish Robinson Crusoe adventure on deserted beaches, and inland journeys through a rugged landscape of ancient nurahgic culture. Wind down, cool off and hang out with the mega-yacht set that dock at the billionaire’s playground of the Costa Smeralda where pale sands and laid-back luxury vibes mean life on the water is just as important as what you get up to on land. Ask us about the best activities and the list is long – the stalactite caves of Neptune’s Grotto, the hunt for wild peonies and orchids through Gennargentu National Park, a trail of Bronze Age Nuraghi beehive stone dwellings and a spectacular boat ride to the archipelago of Maddalena’s turquoise lagoons. There’s the prestigious shops lining Porto Cervo, stunning Gulf of Cagliari views from the Bastion of Saint Remy and haunting Roman ruins in Tharros. But gifted the most beautiful beaches and clearest, cleanest water in all of the Med, Sardinia holidays are best taken jumping off a boat, dipping in and out of the sea and lingering over ice cold Prosecco in a bleached wood beach club as the sun sets over this exclusive enclave. Pop into your local store or give one of our Personal Travel Experts a call and we’ll start crafting your perfect Sardinia holiday.
17 Hotels, 1 Tour
One moment you’ll be in the hot hills of a mountain village among dancing lizards and the sound of sheep bells, the next a mere speck on the horizon as you scale the slopes of iconic Mount Etna. Far from volcanic scenery, perfect bronze beaches lead out to the clearest blue waters and historic trails serpentine through ancient worlds of Greek and Roman ruins. Sicily holidays are for those with a penchant for landscapes scattered with olive trees and vineyards, sun drenched beaches, medieval towns and a taste of some of the best food in the Med. This is no faraway deserted island and its sheer size can be overwhelming, but always in the most beautiful sense. There’s that thoroughly romantic drive through orange and lemon groves past velvety hills and farmsteads as the scent of rosemary and sage lingers. Then there’s the handsome beaches of Isola Bella and San Vito lo Capo, the ice cream parlours and independent shops that jam tiny Old Towns and the fanciful decorations in grand cathedrals and decadent restaurants. We’ve seen the breathtaking sandstone city of Modica, lazed on the hot stones of pretty pebble beaches, travelled by train along Mount Etna’s base and dined al fresco under a brilliant sun. We’ve become attached to the blushing gold stone centre of Syracuse, to the sidewalk cafes where icy granita and sweet brioche are served and to vineyards producing sensational Sicilian wines. We can tell you the best places to go on holidays to Sicily whether you want to run your hands along the famous ‘Bikini Girls’ mosaic at Villa Romana del Casale, see the spell-binding white cliffs of Scala dei Turchi or cool off in bracing lagoons inside the Alcantara Gorges. Whether you want an award-winning spa hotel on the south west coast or a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of historic Taormina, our Italy experts are on hand to create your Sicilian island escape.
8 Hotels, 1 Tour, 2 Cruises, 4 Experiences, 1 villa
From tangerine and ochre tinted rolling fields and castles in the sky to golden sands where wealthy Italians spend their weekends, Tuscany holidays are rural countryside masterpieces and stylish Riviera breaks. Expect decadent wine tastings, menus overseen by Gordon Ramsay, designer shops in seaside towns and ancient ruins high up in the hills. Ask us for palms, pines and beachfront vibes lapped by the Tyrrhenian Sea and we’ll put you in the pretty coastal town of Viareggio under a private beach cabana where dipping in and out of the deep blue is as strenuous as it gets. We’ll make you sure sip a glass of Champagne at one of Forte dei Marmi’s exclusive beach clubs and see an open-air Puccini opera under a star strewn Tuscan sky. Tell us you want to share medieval cobblestoned streets with Michelangelo sculptures, Duccio masterpieces and works by Donatello and we’ll send you to the heart of historic Siena pinpointing the magical ruins of Sal Galgano’s abbey and the striking Carolingian chapel inside the active monastery of Sant’ Antimo as hot spots to visit too. And if you heard it on the grapevine that this is the land of a thousand wine tours we’ll unleash your inner oenophile at legendary vineyards dripping down the hills of Chianti, tasting full bodied Super-Tuscans and indulgent farm-to-fork treats. In an enviable location within easy reach of Florence and Pisa, holidays to Tuscany add an extra dimension to your Italian adventure – fortified cities laid out on Roman grids, slivers of silvery countryside olive groves and a sugary coastline disappearing into secrets coves.Talk to an Italy expert and begin your Tuscan adventure.
6 Hotels, 1 Tour, 10 villas
Sipping macchiatos for breakfast, stopping for cicchetti come lunch and drinking cocktails created by George Clooney at the Hollywood A-list’s favourite waterfront hotel; it’s easy to fit into the Venetian way of life – relaxed, car-free and somewhat otherworldy. Come summer, Venice heaves with tourists around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge, but slink off to tiny fairytale alleyways and you’ll discover hidden treasures like one of the last few shops in the city where oars are still handcrafted for gondoliers and the almost secret church of San Vidal where world-class chamber concerts are held near-on nightly. Venice holidays are as much about huge marble palaces as they are about getting lost in a maze of storybook canals and pretty bridges, stopping for great food, music and gelato along the way. After all, the city is nicknamed La Serenissma (serene) for a reason. We’ve seen the Titian masterpieces inside Galleria del Accademia, admired the opulent Gothic architecture of Doge’s Palace, watched opera beneath the jaw-dropping ceiling of La Firenze and taken midnight walks along San Marco pier when the city silences all but the sound of gondolas bobbing up and down. If you want to escape the stuccoes, frescoes and high ceilings, we can recommend the modern art at Peggy Guggenheim Collection, an iconic Bellini in Harry’s Bar or a Vaporetto ride to Burano Island where you’ll find those Instagram-worthy candy coloured houses and mouthwatering swordfish pasta. Chat to one of Personal Travel Experts to find out more and craft your ideal Venice holiday.
6 Hotels, 1 Tour, 2 Cruises
Whether you’re scribbling a love letter on the stone walls beneath Juliet’s balcony or shopping at Chanel along glitzy Via Mazzini, you’ll feel the star-crossed lovers’ vibe throughout holidays to Verona. One night you could be watching Aida in a breathtaking 2000-year-old Roman open-air amphitheatre, the next joining the sleek and stylish on their evening passeggiata underneath the ancient gate of Porta Borsari. Then there’s the refreshing taste of raspberry and lemon gelato as you stroll though Piazza di Signori lapped by glorious Renaissance palazzi, and a glass lift ride up to the marble-clad roof of 12th-Century Torre dei Lamberti for panoramic city views. We’ve been to Verona and love this wistful little part of the world. From the melody of church bells tolling every hour at the Gardello Tower to a glass of sparkling Chiaretto on a pretty terrace, there’s plenty of ‘lost-in-time’ vibes inside the historic centre. We love the blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, the fresco-filled churches and the bewitching Italianate Giusti Gardens. Our hand-picked Verona holidays put you at the heart of the romance; a stay at Il Sogno di Giulietta gives you exclusive evening access to Juliet’s famous balcony and courtyard as the crowds are ushered away, and Grand Hotel Des Arts puts you so close to the railway station you can hop on the train for a whimsical day trip to Venice or Milan. Away from impressive defensive fortresses and intricate architecture hidden inside the city gates is a world of hilltop villages and Veronese vineyards – a Valpolicella masterpiece of wine and whim that gives Tuscany a run for its money. Give us a call or pop into your local store and we’ll tailor make your perfect Verona holiday.
3 Hotels
There’s your first view of those unique hobbit-sized cone-roofed Trulli houses that look like they’ve come straight out of a fairytale book. Then there’s the sizzling arid landscape enveloped by ancient olive trees and yellow camomile fields, and mile upon mile of staggering coastline lapped by Adriatic and Ionian Seas. This is the road less travelled - a ‘diamond in the rough’ of fishing, farming and siestas amongst endless vineyards, rolling waves and rural towns where you’ll taste some of the best pastas and oils in Italy and those famed super-charged Apulian wines. Ask us what makes holidays to Puglia and Basilicata special and we’ll tell you about the whitewashed village of Ostuni and its majestic 15th central cathedral, the early morning golden glow of ancient Sassi limestone cave dwellings and the secret salt-pan spots inside Saline Margherita di Savoia’s nature reserve where, each year, a huge colony of flamingos migrate. We’ll make sure you don’t miss the ornate Baroque architecture and medieval frescoes in Lecce, the glittering crown of stalactites inside Castellana Grotte and the hot springs and beach bars of Torre Canne. An adventure through bewitching mountain, forest and beaches in the ‘heel’ and ‘instep’ of Italy’s boot and perfectly suited to a self-drive itinerary, Puglia and Basilicata holidays are delightfully peaceful and relatively tourist-free. Come here to see a maze of medieval footprints left by the Byzantines, Greeks and Normans, to hike Basilicata’s Ionian coast and for the luxury of having this virtually untouched region almost to yourself. Whether you want a Baroque city stay or to be a walk away from the famous Trulli, give one of our Italy experts a call and we’ll create your perfect Puglia and Basilicata holiday.
4 Hotels, 1 Tour, 5 villas
Surrounded by snowy peaks in South Tyrol, the pretty town of Merano has a long history of wellness. Its pure mountain air and thermal springs have attracted visitors in search of a therapeutic break since the mid-19th Century. A mild year-round climate with 300 days of sunshine a year and breathtaking Alpine scenery make it an ideal destination for relaxation, exploration, and hiking or cycling holidays. This idyllic town is set close to the Austrian border and offers a charming blend of Austrian architecture and Italian style. Rolling hills are carpeted with vineyards and apple orchards; beautiful Mediterranean gardens lie beneath snow-capped mountains; and the town's historic centre is home to designer shops and traditional boutiques.
1 Hotel
Set at the top of Italy’s ‘boot’, this striking north-east region borders France and offers one of Italy’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. Liguria has long been a playground for the rich and famous and its rolling hills give way to picturesque fishing villages and the chic Italian Riviera which adds a touch of glamour to the coast. Make the most of Liguria’s balmy climate and explore gorgeous countryside, rustic villages and rugged coastline.
2 Hotels
The moment you dip into your floating swimming pool on the edge of Lake Como you realise that sometimes the best summer holidays aren’t about the beach. Imagine a fairytale world of lemon trees and bougainvillea, where castles and Italianate gardens sit on their own islands and chalky-coloured houses almost fall into vibrant blue glacial waters. Holidays to the Italian Lakes feel like a deliciously clandestine north Italian affair, yet scattered across Lombardy they are surprisingly close to Milan, Verona and the Swiss Alps. It’s all about fresh-from-the-lake fish straight onto your plate in elegant restaurants against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, crisp white wine enjoyed on a yacht as you sail down the wind, and those very European narrow pebbled shorelines where sunbathers relax, intermittently paddling in the deep blue. Expect hot sulphur springs and Roman Ruins in seductive Sirmione, Belle Époque spas and decadent hotels dripping in glamour in Lake Como and sleepy fishing villages juxtaposed with wild beauty in Lake Maggiore. The famous breeze of Lake Garda is a delight for windsurfers, but the surrounding mountains and water keep the heat in, ensuring sun-kissed strolling along cobblestoned streets. There’s that ‘dolce vita’ macchiato for breakfast, seafood brunches under olive trees in a glorious garden and starry evenings in Michelin-starred Moorish Palace restaurants. Studded with the private homes of European aristocracy and Hollywood celebrities and punctuated with luxurious resorts, spiring cedars and age-old churches and palaces, this is how the Italians do idyllic lakeside living. Get in touch with one of our experts to find out more.
20 Hotels, 1 Tour, 1 cruise, 3 Experiences
Forming a volcanic archipelago off Sicily’s northern coast that bridges the gap between Vesuvius and Etna are the Aeolian Islands; formed a million years ago following a succession of volcanic explosions, there are eight islands in the chain. Witness the incredible and untouched natural landscapes, explore centuries-old fortresses, trek to volcanic craters and swim in some of the clearest seas in the Mediterranean.
2 Hotels
A fashion-lover's paradise, stylish Milan is modern and vibrant, yet still manages to keep its past alive with a well-maintained historic complex and some impressive, newer architecture. Milan is the perfect combination of sophisticated living and captivating exploring. La Scala, the 18th-Century temple of opera, has hosted the world's most prestigious performers, whilst a wealth of treasure-filled museums and the famous Duomo are surrounded by its lively piazza, cafés, restaurants and smart boutiques.
3 Hotels
Florence
Rome holidays
Sardinia
Sicily
Tuscany
Venice
Verona
Puglia & Basilicata
Merano
Liguria
Italian Lakes
Aeolian Islands
Milan
