Hotel de la Ville

Rome

Italy not only has many of the greatest 16th and 17th century gardens in Europe, it also has some which have been extensively restored and indeed created in the 20th century. We visit two of these at Ninfa and La Landriana.

5 nights price from £2645 per person

Milan

From 'risotto' and 'parmigiano' to 'tiramisù' and 'cappuccino', the Italian language has become a culinary 'lingua franca' synonymous with some of our favourite dishes. Designed for those with a curiosity about Italian which extends beyond the menu, our new holiday combines the best of Milanese cuisine with informal conversation classes.

Lake Como

After a morning walking tour of Como, we travel by hydrofoil to Bellagio, known as the ‘Pearl of the Lake’. At the Villa Melzi exotic species thrive in the warm climate – the garden is renowned in springtime for its riotous display of azaleas.

Bologna

Join Italian food expert Valentina Harris for a tour of the culinary heartland of Italy. Based in Bologna, known as “la dotta, la grassa, la rossa” for its ancient university, rich cuisine and terracotta rooftops.

5 nights price from £2847 per person

Milan

La Scala, Milan is, for most opera lovers, the world’s most revered and important opera house. The theatre opened in 1778 with a performance of an opera by Salieri and since then many of the greatest Italian operas have received their first performance on its hallowed stage.

Florence

Since the Renaissance, Florence has been one of the most important destinations for discerning travellers with an appreciation of art, but it was the Grand Tourists of the 18th century who made Florence an essential component in a cultural education.

5 nights price from £2349 per person

Rome

The 3rd century AD saw Rome at its Imperial peak, a densely populated city spreading out over its seven hills, a testament to the power and wealth of the vast Roman Empire. Many of the glorious buildings and sites survive today bu...

In 2025 we are making our third visit to the Villa Medici, home of Fernanda Giulini, for a very special private house party hosted by Fernanda herself. Her magnificent 17th century villa is home to an extraordinary collection of historic keyboard instruments, which will be brought to life in a series of concerts given by pianist Melvyn Tan.

4 nights price from £2685 per person

Syracuse, Taormina

Sicily is the crossroads of the Mediterranean and waves of successive conquerors - from the Phoenicians to the Ancient Greeks to the Normans, have left behind their cultural legacies.

Held every summer in Pesaro, where the composer was born in 1792, the Rossini Festival has always attracted the world’s greatest bel canto singers. Marilyn Horne, Montserrat Caballe, June Anderson, Rockwell Blake, Chris Merrit and Juan Diego Florez are just a few of those who have sung in Rossini’s hometown.

5 nights price from £3397 per person