Italy

“You may have the universe if I may have Italy.” Suddenly the quote by Giuseppe Verdi makes perfect sense. Swoon-worthy cuisine, elegant architecture and effortlessly cool trend - Italy lends itself to the endless pursuit of bella vita. Feast your way around this gourmet virtuoso, sampling silken ribbons of pasta in buttery broths and pizzas gooey with molten mozzarella. And when you need a little activity to work off your last meal, diverse landscapes await from skiing in the chilly northern Alps to hiking the rugged volcanic face of Mount Etna. 

MOMENTS

Host your own private masked ball in a Venetian palazzo over Carnival | Retrace the Mille Miglia in a classic sports car | Meet Italy’s most exciting and forward-thinking chefs and winemakers | Explore the history of Rome through its perfumes | Fly over the active volcanoes of Etna and Stromboli in a helicopter | Explore Pompeii after the crowds have gone and hear its incredible story come to life | Charter a superyacht for a gourmet cruise along the Ligurian coast with a top private chef | Gain private access to the Sistine Chapel | Float over medieval villages and vineyards among the hills of Tuscany in a hot-air balloon | Explore the Italian Lakes in a Riva from your private island retreat | Relive the nineteenth-century glories of the Sicilian aristocracy in a rented palazzo | Learn the secrets of Puglian cuisine from a mamma | Have long seafood lunches at restaurants only the locals know along the Amalfi Coast | Find truffles with a local expert and his dogs in the Abruzzo, and then head into town for a truffle cooking masterclass | Go behind the scenes and witness exquisite craftsmanship in the atelier of a fashion superbrand | Spend a morning sailing Venice lagoon in a traditional bragozzo before enjoying private access to a top Murano glassblower | Hike the Dolomites with a top alpine guide | Go where nobody can find you and live like a hermit in the hills of Umbria.

WHERE TO STAY

Medieval Tuscan hill forts | Renovated Venetian palazzi | Stylish urban retreats | Private lakeshore villas | Ancient Puglian masserie | Restored alberghi diffusi in the mountains

WHEN TO GO

To avoid the crowds, which can reach plague proportions in high summer, we’d suggest seeing the cities and countryside in spring or autumn, while hitting the beach in June or September should reserve you some space. Don’t forget festivals such as the Venice Carnival in February and Siena’s Palio on 2 July and 16 August each year.