Luxury 4 star in the charming administrative centre of the mountainous region of Abruzzo, L'Aquila, founded in the 13trh century. L'Aquila is a central point for all those looking to explore this stunning region of central Italy, famous for it's cuisine (hams, truffles, deer and boar among other things) and ski resorts.
4 star hotel in the picturesque coastal town of Latina just south of Rome, with state of the art fitness facilities, outdoor pool, bar and grill open till late and extensive public facilities for any kind of event. Particularly ideal for comprehensive family holidays, the great location of the Victoria Palace allows day-excursions to Rome or south to Naples, Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast, as well as the sublime Pontine Islands.
The 5 star Bellavista Palace Montecatini ensures guests to this famous spa town leave in a much healthier (if not wealthier) state than when they arrived, with a large top of the range beauty and wellness centre to complement the natural goodness in the local environment. The hotel also has two gourmet restaurants in which guests can undo all of nature's hard work.
http://www.hotelbellavistamontecatini.com
Viale Fedeli, 2 - 51016 Montecatini Terme (Pistoia) Italy
The fantastic Island of Elba is most famous for being Napoleon's place of exile back in 1814. Napoleon actually escaped nine months later, but why, is anyone's guess. The Relais delle Picchiaie offers undisturbed relaxation in a Mediterranean paradise - a natural marine reserve no less, where sailing, hiking and lazing on Europe's finest beaches are among the chief things to do.
http://www.relaispicchiaie.com
Località Le Picchiaie
Isola Elba, 57037,
Portoferraio (LI), Italy
Situated 5 minutes away from Linate Airport, the Country Hotel Borromeo is a stylish 4 star hotel offering avant-garde accommodation to visitors in Milan. The contemporary design and sophisticated décor of the complex are sure to impress guests. The hotel boasts a restaurant renowned for its delicious Mediterranean dishes and fine wines. Consult the Convention and Events Manager for conference or business functions.
http://www.countryhotelborromeo.com
Via Bruno Buozzi, 4 - 20068 Peschiera Borromeo - Milano
The captivating Hotel Delle Arti is an original hotel showcasing the best of seductive aesthetic hotel design and modern conscientious hospitality. Located in Via Bonomelli, close to the highest medieval bell tower in Europe, the Hotel Delle Arti offers a relaxing retreat in an atmosphere of creativity and inventiveness. Special features of the hotel include the meeting and conference room, Turkish bath, Jacuzzi and gymnasium.
The new Hotel Dream is a 4 star guest house situated in the small village of Appiano Gentile, 30km north of Milan. The surrounding area is renowned for its beautiful scenery and stunning countryside. Two of Italy's most famous golf courses are nearby and the training camp of Inter Milan is only a few hundred metres from the hotel. The hotel provides all the conveniences expected of a modern 4 star hotel.
http://www.dreamhotelcomo.com
Autostrada A9 MI-CO-CH Uscita or Exit Lomazzo (south) or Fino Mornasco (north) Direzione Appiano Gentile - Via Vignetta 22070
In the coastal town of Marina Riace in the toe of Italy - Calabria - the Villa Saveria offers a self catering break away from it all, in front of the blue Ionian Sea and the white beaches of southern Italy. Every bit as beautiful as more famous places such as Amalfi, Positano and Costa Smeralda, Calabria is an undiscovered (and therefore still cheap) Mediterranean gem.
http://www.villasaveria.com
Via Nazionale Jonica (strada statale 106) 172/c, Riace Marina, Calabria 89040, Italy
Italy
Hotels Direct offers you a selection of nearly 500 hotels
the length and breadth of Italy. Most of them are in Italy’s
most famous cities: Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, and
we also have a plentiful selection across the region of Sicily,
particularly in the towns of Palermo, Catania, Taormina and
the divine former Greek city of Siracusa.
Most recently, we’ve added a string of hotels along
the Amalfi Coast to our bow – this stunning area of
the Campania region of southern Italy is famous for its marvellous
landscapes and seascapes and the breathtaking panoramic views
of both from its mountainous coastline, and has been a popular
destination for Italians and Brits for many years.
Useful Links for Italy
Trenitalia The Italian national rail network is reasonably cheap and a good way to see the country, if a little unreliable at times. Tickets should usually be stamped on the platform before boarding.
Alitalia
Italy's National Airline is as good as most others, except that those little plastic cartons of microwave food that you get tend to be better! And they're served with wine too!
Google Maps
Get directions from your front door to the Colosseum, or look at satellite images of the entire world. Most addresses in the world are filed in the Google Maps database.
BBC Weather World
You never can trust the weather. You certainly can't trust the weather report, but at least you'll get a general idea. Italy has a fairly mild climate, particularly in the south.
VolaGratis
Search engine specialising in flights throughout Italy and to and from other European countries - offering various budget airline options such as Vueling and Easyjet.