Borgo Pignano

The Masseria Torre Coccaro is an elegant and historic fortified country house between the town of Fasano and the Adriatic Sea and surrounded by ancient olive groves. There are 36 unique rooms and suites, all elegantly furnished with period antiques and modern charm. One suite sits in the tower – built as a defence from Saracen invasions – with beautiful sea views and cosy fireplace, and another is set into the bedrock, with large dining area, private garden and Jacuzzi. There’s a wonderful spa, including a romantic indoor pool and a Turkish bath. Outside there is another swimming pool, a golf course, bar and four restaurants specialising in creative Puglian cuisine with fresh ingredients plucked from the organic farm and sea. One of the dining venues is a short distance away by the private sands of the Coccaro Beach Club, one of the best such clubs in the Mediterranean. There’s an almost endless array of activities and excursions on offer, from culinary classes, private yacht cruises, cycling tours, horse rides, diving, wine and olive tasting and trips to local fishing villages. There’s also a menu of family friendly tours, making the Masseria Torre Coccaro great for families.

Set high in the rocky hills on the east coast of the island, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo has been delighting guests since 1863. Sweeping views across the sea and out to Mount Etna make this hotel a real jewel in Sicily’s crown. Each of the hotel’s 71 rooms and suites is decorated in Sicilian style, with white linens, Italian marble and rich wood. Your days get off to the perfect start as the sunlight streams in though your window, beckoning you outside. Start by stepping back in time and exploring the Greek theatre, a wonderfully preserved amphitheatre located next to the hotel. If it’s rest and relaxation you’re after, then the heated swimming pool surrounded by terraced gardens is a good place to start. Admiring the view is best done with a cocktail in hand and a crisp glass of the aptly named Etna Martini is the perfect refreshment as you drink in your surroundings. With the ocean’s bounty on its doorstep the hotel’s restaurant serves fresh seafood and Sicilian specialties to be enjoyed in the elegant dining room or on the terrace on a balmy summer’s evening. Italy is famed for its love of food and togetherness in the evenings the pool bar is transformed into a traditional trattoria complete with local dishes and live music. As darkness falls, you’ll be charmed by the twinkling lights of Cape Taormina and the Bay of Giardini Naxos. You won’t be short of things to do with an array of excursions and activities on offer. Jump in a Fiat 500 and channel your inner movie star with a Godfather tour of Savoca; walk through the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of the region’s wine; or take to the skies with a helicopter tour offering views of Mount Etna, the Aeolian Islands and the Agrigento Valley with its ancient Greek temples. Guests will also enjoy use of the private beach at sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea.

Lake Como is all about style and elegance, and the iconic Grand Hotel Tremezzo with its impressive art nouveau façade, fits the brief perfectly. Sat on the western shores of the lake, the hotel looks out across the water to the pretty town of Bellagio and the dramatic Grigne mountains. Not to be outshone by its famous neighbour, Villa Carlotta, the hotel sits within beautifully landscaped gardens filled with rare and ancient magnolias, palm trees and flowers that explode in clouds of red, purple, pink and blue. Rooms come with large windows that look out over lake or gardens, and the views from the rooftop suites are hard to beat. It’s not just the scenery that’ll catch your eye, however, and there’s plenty to admire inside as well. The lounge is filled with brightly coloured furniture and features ornate silk hangings on the wall, while the billiards room is home to an original table from the 1800s. Guests can dine on seasonal Mediterranean cuisine in the restaurant where in the warmer months, food is served on the terrace. The trattoria and wine bar is perfect for more casual dining, offering the relaxed atmosphere of an ancient wine cellar with a touch of modern elegance. Relaxing here is easy; the hotel has a secluded outdoor pool in the gardens and its own man-made beach, located just in front of the water-on-water floating pool on the lake. The indoor infinity pool and spa look out over the water and offer luxurious Santa Maria Novella products and treatments. The hotel also has its own water limos for when you want to explore and discover the lake.

The Due Torri Hotel enjoys a fantastic position within the historic centre of Verona, providing classic comfort and convenience on the doorstep of many of the city’s most famous landmarks and attractions. Overlooking the Church of Santa Anastasia, the hotel is set within a former 14th-century palace and retains much of the authentic characteristics of this historic building. Each of the hotel’s 89 rooms are spacious, themed by traditional décor and furnishings that perfectly represent the timeless elegance of Italian style. The Due Torri’s suites are particularly in keeping with the heritage of the building, containing period furniture and precious tapestries, as well as hand-varnished parquet and marble bathrooms. Guests have the choice of two rewarding dining experiences, beginning with the Due Torri Lounge & Restaurant, regarded for its innovative regional and international cuisine which is best washed down with a selection from the extensive wine list. On the hotel’s rooftop, the Panoramic Terrace & Grill Restaurant boasts breathtaking views of the city, accompanied by traditional Italian dinner and cocktails.