Luxury Tours to
Spain and Italy made for you

In the beautiful village of Deia, a longstanding muse for poets, artists and musicians, and cradled by the Tramuntana Mountains, La Residencia is one of Spain’s finest hotels. Wonderfully secluded among olive and citrus groves, close to the sea, it is the ultimate Mallorcan hideaway. 67 rooms and suites span two lovingly restored manor house from the 16th and 17th centuries, each with understated antiques, rich fabrics and paintings by local artists. All the rooms offer views out to the mountains and surroundings gardens. For the utmost privacy, there is villa with four bedrooms and its own swimming pool. Guests are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with the acclaimed El Olivo serving carefully created local dishes in a most elegant of settings. There’s also the relaxed Cafe Miro bistro and bar, great for tapas and cocktails in the evening, and a restaurant by one of La Residencia’s fabulous swimming pools. There is an abundance of opportunities to explore this wonderful corner of the island, with boat cruises touring the coast, Vespas for hire, cultural tours into the village and beyond, art classes and hikes. Guests can also relax at the beach or unwind back at the resort in the award-winning spa, perhaps with yoga and tai chi lessons.

Steeped in history, the Hotel Alfonso XIII was constructed by order of the King as luxury lodging for the international VIPs attending the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition. This grand structure quickly became an emblem of the city centre and has been continuously used as a hotel until the present day, although Franco’s regime necessitated a name change to the Andalusian Palace while under his rule. To this day, you’ll find that it is the city centre’s only true, luxury property. Typically Andalusian in style, the hotel expresses the region’s mixed Moorish and Castilian founding influences with authentic and detailed features. Each of its 151 bedrooms including its 19 suites are unique in design, falling into three style categories: Andalusian, Moorish, and Castilian. Alongside its exalted, majestic architecture, Hotel Alfonso XIII is also notable for its large pool, which sits amidst lush gardens. This makes it a rare urban sanctuary and one of the only locations where being in Seville during the heat of high summer will be thoroughly enjoyable. By the pool you’ll find an al fresco restaurant that turns itself into a twinkling vision after dark and serves Spanish and international delicacies. You can also eat in the sumptuously-tiled gallery surrounding an arched interior courtyard where you can take your breakfast and coffee. If you fancy something truly epicurean, the atmospheric Ena tapas bar is manned by Michelin-starred chef Carles Abellán of Barcelona. Afterwards, discuss the highlights of your meal to the accompaniment of live piano music at Bar Americano. In terms of location, you’ll find that you really couldn’t be better placed to discover Seville. Hotel Alfonso XIII sits right on the edge of the old – pedestrianised – quarter, meaning that you can benefit from arriving to the hotel by car and walking five minutes to outstanding historic sites such as the Cathedral de Seville, the Alcazar, Puente de S. Telmo, and Plaza de Espana.

Located on the banks of the mighty River Duero amongst the vineyards and wineries that characterise the region, sits Abadia Retuerta. Great respect was paid during the restoration of this ancient 12th century monastery, the result of which is an architecturally beautiful yet thoroughly modern luxury hotel. You’re located in the heart of the Abadia Retuerta wine estate, so it’s no surprise that the sight of rows upon rows of vines greets you wherever you look. There are 27 beautifully furnished rooms and three suites, some of which come with a private terrace and original Miró paintings. Northern Spain is immensely proud of their rich culinary heritage, and the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant is a celebration of all that is great about this part of the country. Locally sourced ingredients, including herbs and vegetables grown in their own kitchen garden, are used to created innovative and contemporary dishes. There is also the chance to enjoy traditional Spanish tapas and dine al fresco in the warmer months. No trip to this region would be complete without tasting the exceptional wine, and the 700-hectare estate is the perfect place to start. The climate here is perfect for growing Tempranillo grapes so expect rich, full-bodied reds. Located in the Castilla y León province, east of Valladolid, there are plenty of castles, churches and pretty medieval towns to discover. The hotel can also help you organise helicopter flights, cycling and hiking tours, falconry and cookery classes.

Along the banks of the River Arno on a pedestrianised piazza, is the St. Regis Florence, a historic palace designed by Brunelleschi. The hotel’s 80 rooms and 19 suites are decorated in elegant Medici, Fiorentino or Renaissance style. Some feature adorned coffered ceilings, wall frescoes and 15th-century artwork. Florence is a city of true beauty and you’ll enjoy views of the city, courtyard or the River Arno from your opulent room. Indulging in the local food is the highlight of any trip to Italy and the hotel’s Restaurant, Winter Garden by Caino, has been awarded a Michelin star for its innovative cuisine. The excellent food is matched by its surroundings and the high glass ceilings and dramatic chandelier give the room plenty of old-world charm. The Regis Bar is located in the arches of the restaurant and the perfect place to relax with an espresso or cocktail. If grapes are more your thing, the cellar houses more than 300 prestigious labels from Italy and further afield. For when you want to relax and unwind, head to the hotel spa or fitness centre or get out and discover the beautiful city of Florence which is right on your doorstep.

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.