Italy

This narrow boot of crinkled land, extending gracefully into the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, has seen the birth of empires, cradled the growth of civilisations and shaped the destinies of continents.

Of all the countries in the world, Italy is perhaps the most magical of all. This narrow boot of crinkled land, extending gracefully into the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea, has seen the birth of empires, cradled the growth of civilisations and shaped the destinies of continents. From the majestic mountains and misty lakes of the north, through wonderful walled villages and glorious Renaissance cities of the beautiful rolling heartlands, to the glorious city of Rome and on to the wonderful beaches and islands of the south. Italy is a truly perfect destination.

Italy is redolent with history, from the wonderful canals of Venice to the city-states that dominated Tuscany and Umbria and the Greek and Roman ruins of the south. Its central position in the history of art lives on through daily life, with frescoes and furniture testifying to a love of beauty and dedication to quality, while the sounds of great composers linger on in concert-halls and joyous songs on village streets. Since the days of the Grand Tour, Italy has been a magnet for travellers, warm and vibrant, with beautiful countryside, wonderful food, grand operas and a vivid sense of style and fashion. To help find your Italy, we have searched out the finest properties that epitomise the little comforts that make travel great.

ROME

In Rome, heart of the ancient empire, the ruins of ancient civilisation are scattered amongst the most sophisticated hotels and restaurants, bringing the past into the present day.

VENICE

Amongst the waterways of Venice restored palaces and stately mansions are your atmospheric homes to explore its myriad alleys and canals.

THE LAKES

Calmer waters flow around Italy’s lakes, where the tree-clad mountains tumble sheer into clear blue waters. Traditional summer refuge for Europe’s aristocracy, these lakeshores are home to pillared palaces of breath-taking grace and beauty, built in the heyday of classical values and cultured living.

THE ISLANDS

When it comes to islands, Italy has refined and civilised the concept to transform natural beauty to a new level of sophistication and style. Elba, Capri and Ischia, individual islands, with villas, monasteries and castles transcending the ages with a timeless sense of style with comprehensive modern spas and plentiful watersports facilities.

PUGLIA

Undiscovered and little-known, the rugged coast of Italy’s southern region Puglia shelters exclusive hideaways, ancient fishing villages, and wonderful beaches under the glorious sun of summer.

SICILY

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean basin. Sicily boasts around 1.000 Km of coastline, mostly rocky in the north and sandy in the south. The landscape is varied, prevalently mountains and hilly, but with an expanse of plains around Catania. In the eastern part of the island Mount Etna is Sicily's highest mountain, the whole of which is a protected area within a national park. Still active, it is the biggest volcano in Europe. Sicily's principal cities include the regional capital Palermo, together with the other provincial capitals Catania, Messina, Syracuse, Trapani, Enna, Caltanissetta, Agrigento, Ragusa. Other famous Sicilian towns include Cefalù, Taormina and Francavilla di Sicilia.

LIGURIA

Liguria, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea, forms an imposing arc, with the Gulf of Genoa in its centre. Portifino on the coast is part of a sequence of fashionable resorts with marina’s, pastel-coloured houses and the seductive atmosphere of the Dolce Vita. Portofino offers beautiful seascapes and some of the most celebrated views in Italy, suspended between the intense blue of the sea and the green mountains. Enjoy relaxing walks through historical coastal town centres, shopping at fashionable boutiques and craft shops, and inmerse yourself in the wonders of Ligurian art, landscape and gastronomy.

TUSCANY

The rolling landscapes of Tuscany shelter some of Italy’s most beautiful cities, finest works of art and wonderful fortified villages as well as some of the country’s most exceptional wines and culinary traditions. Its natural beauties are outstanding, with mountains of marble dropping down to a rolling countryside, topped by elegant cypress trees, quilted with vineyards and olive groves and fringed by beaches of golden sand. Overlaying this natural beauty is more than 2,000 years of history.

Lucca with its 16th Century ramparts protecting an historic centre filled with churches, shops and a vast amphitheatre, has some of Italy’s finest beaches within half an hour’s drive. Set around the Arno River, Florence epitomises Tuscany’s greatest artistic achievements. Chianti is perhaps the most beautiful rural region, nature tamed by centuries of farming, picture-perfect images of sun-drenched landscapes where every ear of corn seems to have been combed into place. The ancient walled city-state of Montalcino is especially famous for its Brunello grapes, key to the region’s fine and valuable wines and, perhaps, its slow, relaxing pace. Beautifully positioned close to all Tuscany’s richest Renaissance cities, Cortona is a charming town, with a medieval centre threading labyrinthine around more recent Renaissance palaces. Tuscany’s coastal area around Grosseto is waiting to be explored and a day trip to the Isola d'Elba where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled until his last stand at Waterloo is within easy reach.

BAY OF NAPLES & CAPRI

The Campania region faces the Tyrrhenian Sea and includes one of the finest coastlines in Italy. Must sees for any visitor are the cosmopolitan Amalfi coast; the marvellous islands; the Imperial Villa in Capri; the Royal Palace of Caserta with its splendid Italian gardens; Herculaneum and Pompeii and the mighty Mount Vesuvius.

Posillipo is a residential quarter of Naples, yet contains some notable historical buildings and landmarks. Among these are Roman ruins at the waters edge. It is the birthplace of Franco Alfano, the Italian composer and pianist best known for completing Turandot. Capri has been visited over the centuries by intellectuals, artists and writers, all enthralled by its magical beauty. A mix of history, nature, worldliness, culture and events daily blend together, bringing the Legend of Capri to life. It is also home to the Blue Grotto, which once inside seems to be lit from underneath. The magnificent blue colour is due to another opening to the grotto, completely submerged, and the limestone bottom which allows in sunlight to light the water from below.

The culinary delights that are to be found in this region include spaghetti alle vongole (pasta with tomatoes and clams), cozze mussels, the infamous Napolitan pizza and a whole host of mouth watering cheeses.

UMBRIA

Visitors will find this landlocked region, richly medieval in atmosphere and infused with the mysticism of the Dark Ages. It has a modest charm all its own, friendly and rewarding, unpretentiously beautiful in its rural beauty and steeped in city-state history. The mountainous countryside is dotted with castles, fortresses and watchtowers. Small and approachable towns still retain ancient churches and duomos, walled for protection against their neighbours whilst Umbrian wine comes to many as a revelation. At the heart of the region the principal city is Perugia, steep alleys linking an ancient Etruscan centre with one of Italy’s most beautiful piazzas, a panorama of dazzling palaces, galleries and a cathedral set around a stunning medieval fountain. Lake Trasimeno, the country’s fourth-largest lake is famed for the restaurants that cling to its shores, serving up carp cooked on wood fire and tegamacchio, a soup made of lake fish stewed in white wine. A watersports haven and the chance to take a ferry to the islands where lace is made.

SARDINIA

The second-largest island in the Mediterranean, Sardinia feels less like a region of Italy than a country in its own right. It is Italy’s finest beach playground, a rocky coastline ringed by promontories and bays, islets and dunes, encircled by clear shallow waters. The sea seems to reach inland, with wetlands and marshes thronged with migrant birds, whilst most of the island is mountainous, rocky, remote and home to a scatter of farmers with deer and ibex picking their way through seasonal flowers and stunted shrubs.

There is plenty of history: as the Mediterranean spawned the birth of Western civilisation Sardinia was of key strategic importance, and it was invaded in turn by many nations who have left their traces and influences, with fortified coastal towns and villages huddled in the mountains, a rainbow of languages and cultures are alive amongst the indigenous people. Sardinia’s proud and distinctive residents have a welcoming nature, delicious typical cuisine and an authentically Mediterranean way of life.

For many visitors it is the spectacular coast and the beautiful beaches that are the central attraction, washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean and backed by some outstanding local restaurants. Although Sardinia is a superb place to revel in the simple pleasures of beach life, take time to explore further and you will find a whole lot more!

FLIGHTS & FACTS

Fly to: Bari (British Airways, Alitalia - via Rome or Milan) Cagliari (British Airways); Catania (British Airways); Florence (Meridiana) Milan, Naples, Pisa, Rome, Venice and Verona (British Airways)
Time difference: GMT +1
Flying time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Villa arrival days: Saturday
Best time to travel: March – October

WEATHER

In winter, northern Italy is prone to frost and fog, whilst the south, although warmer, tends to be wetter. In the spring and autumn, the 'Sirocco', a hot wind from Africa, may bring quite high temperatures to parts of Italy, accompanied by some high humidities. In summer, the area round the Alps experiences numerous thunderstorms, and inland parts of southern Italy suffer extremely hot nights, often making sleeping difficult. Average daytime maximum temperatures reach about 30 °C (86 °F) throughout the summer with southern areas mostly dry.