Sweeping terraces overlooking the sea, deluxe rooms with fabulous Jacuzzi baths, a swimming pool surrounded by sweet-scented citrus trees: just part of the romantic charm of Capri’s Hotel La Minerva.

Certosa di Maggiano, a stunning period residence and luxurious 5 star hotel nestled in the countryside just outside the medieval walls of Siena, is home to the award-winning “Il Canto” restaurant and the gastronomic wizardry of Chef Paolo Lopriore.

Situated in the historic center of Caldonazzo, Centottanta gradi (“one hundred and eighty degrees” in Italian) is a cooking school with a difference, introducing students to the ancient recipes of Trentino and the humble ingredients typical of Valsugana’s peasant cuisine.

The history, the art, the beaches, and the countryside of the Marche are all part of a vacation spent at Castello di Monterado, a stunning period residence which dominates the landscape between the Italian Apennines and the Adriatic sea.

A fusion of the principals of classical Chinese medicine and the results of the latest western scientific research have inspired the wellness treatments available at the Lefay Resort & Spa: a luxurious eco-sustainable hotel immersed in the beautiful scenery of Lake Garda.

Spectacular sea views, excellent Mediterranean cuisine, and just 18 wonderfully romantic rooms make Conca dei Marini’s Hotel Conca Azzurra one of the most desirable coastal retreats on the whole of the Amalfi Coast.

Terraced gardens with splendid swimming pool and solarium, an old olive grove, and fields in which the famous saffron of San Gimignano is grown, surround Fortezza de’ Cortesi: an ancient villa transformed into a charming country hotel.

Offering a charming combination of traditional architecture and contemporary comfort, Sant’Angelo 42 is an intimate B&B in the heart of the historic center of Orvieto, just steps away from the city’s magnificent Gothic cathedral.

Buca di Bacco, just steps away from the sea, is one of the Amalfi Coast’s oldest hotels, filled with the memories of the Positano of yesteryear and the aromas of excellent home cooking, prepared with passion and eaten with gusto.

Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi: a stunning period residence in the heart of the Marche, historic gardens created by the German landscape designer and botanist Ludwig Winter, and bio-energetic paths identified by the eco designer, Marco Nieri.