Italy

Italy does not ask to be rushed. It rewards those who slow down — who linger over a long lunch, wander without a map, and allow the beauty of the place to arrive on its own terms. From the ancient streets of Rome to the canals of Venice, the vineyards of Tuscany to the dramatic coastline of the Amalfi, Italy offers more than any single trip can hold.

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Rome

The Eternal City lives up to its name. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain — these are not merely sights but experiences that arrive differently depending on the hour, the season, and the company you keep. The Corinthia Rome, which opened in early 2026 in a restored palazzo on Piazza del Parlamento, brings the same standard of luxury I know from the Corinthia London to the heart of the ancient city. The Forty Seven Hotel, a boutique property near the Circus Maximus, offers rooftop views over Rome that are worth the stay on their own. In the charming Trastevere district, the Donna Camilla Savelli — a beautifully converted 17th century convent — offers an intimate and utterly Roman experience away from the busier tourist corridors. For dining, Ristorante Il Matriciano in Prati has been feeding Romans and discerning visitors since 1957 — classic Roman dishes, no pretension, and a loyal following that speaks for itself. And a personal note: some of the best food in Rome arrives without fanfare. I once sat at an outdoor café steps from the Trevi Fountain and had the finest gnocchi of my life — proof that in Rome, a simple meal in the right place can be as memorable as any landmark.

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Florence

The cradle of the Renaissance asks only that you look up. The Uffizi, the Duomo, Michelangelo's David — Florence is a city where art is not in museums so much as woven into the fabric of every street and piazza. The Hotel Bernini Palace on Piazza Santa Croce is a landmark address in the heart of the city. The Hotel Rivoli is a 14th-century Franciscan monastery transformed into a charming boutique hotel — the original cloisters now serve as a garden bar, and the vaulted ceilings and stone columns remain intact. An intimate and utterly Florentine experience. For dining, Buca Mario has been open since 1886, making it Florence's oldest restaurant — traditional Tuscan cooking in a setting that has changed little over the centuries.

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Verona

Most visitors pass through Verona on the way to Venice — a mistake worth correcting. The Roman Arena, Juliet's balcony, the medieval streets of the centro storico — Verona deserves more than a few hours. Due Torri Hotel, a historic luxury property in the heart of the city, is one of the finest addresses in northern Italy. For dining, Ristorante Il Desco has held its reputation as one of Verona's finest tables for decades — refined, seasonal, and rooted in the flavors of the Veneto.

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Bologna

Underrated, unhurried, and one of the best eating cities in the country. The Grand Hotel Majestic, part of the Due Torri Collection, is a landmark property befitting the city's quiet elegance. Bologna's nickname — La Grassa, the fat one — is well earned. Ristorante Diana, a Bologna institution since 1909, is the place for tagliatelle al ragù the way it was always meant to be eaten.

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Milan

Italy's most modern city rewards those who look beyond the fashion and finance. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, one of the world's oldest and most beautiful shopping arcades, sits steps from the Duomo and La Scala opera house. I stayed at the Milano Verticale — UNA Experience, a well-positioned contemporary hotel within easy walking distance of all three. The restaurant and breakfast were both excellent. For a classic Milan evening, Savini in the Galleria has been one of the city's most storied dining rooms since 1867 — risotto alla Milanese, ossobuco, and a setting that does not disappoint.

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Emilia-Romagna

For those who want to go deeper into Italian food culture, a day in Parma and Modena is not to be missed. Parma for Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, Modena for traditional balsamic vinegar — the real thing, aged for years in wooden barrels, bearing no resemblance to what fills supermarket shelves. This is the kind of experience that stays with you long after the meal is over.

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Tuscany

The landscapes of Tuscany arrive like a painting — rolling hills, cypress trees, vineyards, hilltop villages that seem unchanged by time. Fattoria San Martino in Montepulciano is an authentic Tuscan agriturismo set among vines and olive groves — the kind of property that makes it difficult to leave. The Bagni di Pisa, a historic thermal spa hotel near Pisa and a Leading Hotels of the World member, offers a quieter, more restorative experience and an ideal base for exploring the region. For dining, Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence has held three Michelin stars for years and remains one of the finest wine and dining experiences in all of Italy.

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The Portofino Coast

The Excelsior Palace delivers the Italian Riviera at its most glamorous — clifftop position above Rapallo, Mediterranean views, and impeccable service. The fishing villages of Portofino, Santa Margherita, and Camogli are all within easy reach and each worth an afternoon.

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The Dolomites

Few landscapes in Europe are as dramatic as the Dolomites — jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and a stillness that is difficult to describe until you have experienced it. The Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti in Ortisei combines world-class spa facilities with direct access to some of the finest walking and skiing terrain in the Alps. A complete contrast to the rest of Italy and equally unforgettable.

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Venice

There is no city like it. Arrive by water if you can, get lost in the calli, and resist the urge to rush. Venice is best experienced slowly — a morning at the Rialto market, an afternoon in a museum, an evening watching the light change over the Grand Canal. I arrived at St. Mark's Square by vaporetto at midnight. The restaurants were still open, each with its own small orchestra, and we were the only people there. The music drifted through the air like something from an old film. It is one of those moments that stays with you long after everything else fades. The Belmond Hotel Cipriani, on its own island in the Venetian lagoon and reached by private launch, is one of the great hotel experiences in Europe — a pool, gardens, and a tranquility that feels impossible this close to one of the world's most visited cities. For dining, Antiche Carampane in San Polo has been a beloved local secret for years — exceptional seafood, no tourist menus, and a reservation that requires a little planning ahead.

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Amalfi Coast

The road alone is an experience — dramatic cliffs, impossible switchbacks, the sea below in every shade of blue. Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi town each offer their own particular magic. Plan more time than you think you need. For dining, La Sponda at Le Sirenuse in Positano has long been considered one of the most romantic restaurant settings in Italy — candlelit terraces, fresh seafood, and views that arrive with every course.

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Sicily

Italy's largest island is a world unto itself — Greek temples, Arabic architecture, Norman cathedrals, and some of the finest food on the peninsula. Baglio Oneto in Marsala is a wine resort set among its own vineyards, where the pace of Sicily reveals itself exactly as it should. For dining, Ristorante Crocifisso in Noto has been drawing visitors to the baroque south of the island for years — the almond-based sweets alone are worth the journey.