Castelfalfi

At the Grand Canal’s edge, the historic Gritti Palace occupies a building that dates back to 1475 as a private home for the noble Pisani family, followed by the distinguished Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti.

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 Cristallo has been welcoming guests to Cortina d’Ampezzo for over a century. The town has many claims to fame having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956 and provided the backdrop for the films The Pink Panther, For Your Eyes Only and Cliffhanger.

Situated on the Boite River in an alpine valley, Cortina has long been a popular skiing destination but it’s also an ideal base for hikers and those wanted to enjoy spectacular mountain scenery. Rooms are elegant and sophisticated with rich fabrics, hand decorated wall panels and parquet flooring. Most come with views of the surrounding parkland or of the mountains themselves.

With four restaurants to choose from, there’s ample opportunity to sample cuisine from the local region and further afield. The circular Gazebo restaurant is surrounded by glass so you can watch the sky and the peaks change colour as the evening draws in. Make sure you spend an evening at La Stube 1872 restaurant, a celebration of traditional with its wooden walls and majolica stove and ingredients sourced from small local farms.

For real relaxation, check into the spa or while away the hours on the terrace, covered in flowers during the summer and transformed into an ice rink in the winter.