48 Hours in Ravello

Dreamily serene, with breathtaking views across the Amalfi Coast, tiny Ravello has long inspired major artists, writers and musicians. Fleur Kinson heads to this sublime little heaven… Like most visitors, my 48 hours in Ravello begin in Amalfi. I had been hurtled to this famous coast’s eponymous town along the hair-raising Amalfi Drive, gasping each […]

Springtime on Elba

Tuscany’s largest island is a paradise of white beaches and clear waters, with some fabulous walking routes thrown in. It can be packed-out in summer, so Fleur Kinson nips over nice and early… In travel as in life, journeys should be as interesting as destinations. And my long, convoluted voyage to Elba – a plane, […]

48 Hours In Milan

Marina Spironetti has made her home in Italy’s second city and reveals her insider secrets to help you make the most of a weekend visit When I made the well-thought out decision of moving back to Milan after 12 years living between London and Paris, a dear friend gave me a guidebook as a present. […]

The Gardens of Venice & Veneto

Patricia Cleveland-Peck revels in the peace and tranquillity to be found walking among the many gardens around Venice. Join her for a tour of the undiscovered secrets of La Serenissima… Everyone loves Venice and everyone from Ruskin to Donna Leon has written about it – so is there anything left to say?  Well yes. One […]

Harvesting Holidays

The olive harvest is something everyone should see at least once. If you have never experienced it yourself now is the time to earn your share of this year’s crop… Spirit of Italy Holidays Guests will visit an olive pressing facility and bring home a bottle of oil. Harvest Italia 2014, presented by Spirit of […]

World Dance Movement, Italy, July 6-27

World Dance Movement returns to Italy this weekend, for three weeks of classes, galas, competition and performance in the beautiful Puglian town of Castellana Grotte. The study-vacation event introduces dancers and educators to an international faculty of great talent. World Dance Movement is a leader in the international dance scene – a respected source for […]

Beautiful Italian Lakes

Escape for a swim in the the most beautiful Italian Lakes. The spectacular lakes of Northern Italy are some of the most beautiful in the world. This extract is taken from a fantastic book – Wild Swimming, which shares locations and directions for discovering these beautiful hidden locales while taking a drip in the water. […]

Best things to do in Pisa

What are the essential things to do on a visit to the historical city of Pisa? Here are some of our favourite destination suggestions Tower of Pisa Everybody has heard of the leaning tower, but did you know that this freestanding bell tower wasn’t intentionally designed to tilt? During its construction between the 12th and […]

Palazzo Medici-Riccardi

In 1659, the Medici family, now well and truly the Grand Dukes of Tuscany, sold their 1400s Renaissance home in Florence, where they had lived when they were bankers and the unofficial rulers of the Florentine Republic, to the Riccardi family. Understandably, the new owners immediately renovated. Possibly their most spectacular addition to the palazzo […]

3 ore di Ascona

This June, guests of Hotel Eden Roc can become part of the sailing team for one of the biggest regattas on Lake Maggiore, the 3 ore di Ascona.  The hotel will provide an induction course in the form of a two-hour sailing lesson on the Friday in preparation for guests to join the Eden Roc […]