Food and Wine Tours in Italy made for you

Back in 1619, a group of Cisterian monks headed up the old salt road into the Langhe hills and built a monastery on the ruins of an existing chapel. Almost 400 years later and doors are once more open, offering guests the chance to explore this beautiful corner of Italy from the most charming of locations. The hotel’s elegant rooms and suites are full of character, each one unique in its design. Some come with ancient fireplaces and private gardens, while suites have their own balconies and Jacuzzi. Decor is elegant and refined and befitting of its origins as a monastery. The hotel is located along one of the five ancient Vie del Sale, or salt roads, that carried precious salt from the Ligurian Sea to beyond the Alps. The views are truly spectacular and even just stepping outside your room you’ll find yourself surrounded by strawberry and olive trees and the beautifully maintained flower, herb and vegetable garden. The outdoor swimming pool offers panoramic views of the Moscati vineyards and the Langa Hills, but for the ultimate in relaxation you’ll want to head to the spa. A real highlight, it has a wine hammam with a Jacuzzi filled with water and wine, and a sauna in the shape of a barrel. This part of Italy is known for its fine food and wine, and the choice of restaurants at San Maurizio is second to none. For high-end dining there is Michelin-starred Guido da Costigliole located in the ancient cellar. A more relaxed option is the Truffle Bistrot, named after one of the region’s most loved ingredients; in the summer there is the option to dine al fresco. There is also a wine and cocktail bar showcasing the region’s top drops. There’s lots of beautiful countryside to explore and horse riding, walking or cycling through hazelnut groves and medieval villages is one of the best ways to appreciate this very special pocket of Italy.

In the heart of Old Lecce, La Fiermontina is an urban resort built around a 17th century private home known for its Baroque architecture and storied past. There are 16 unique suites and guestrooms, simply and comfortably designed with subtle modern touches letting the original features take precedent. The historic property is scattered with selections from the owner’s personal art collection, including pieces by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Tobia Scarpa, with striking sculptures out in the garden along with olive trees, a swimming pool and striking terrace restaurant serving a modern take on traditional Pugliese cuisine. Explore the wonderful Old Town outside or discover the surrounding countryside on cycling and hiking trips, horse rides, sailing excursions and wine and olive oil experiences.

Sat amidst the rolling green hills, deep in the heart of Tuscany, you will find the inviting haven of Borgo Pignano, a hotel built into a perfectly renovated 18th-century country villa. From this 750-acre hilltop estate, which offers exquisite views of Tuscany’s olives groves, fields and woodlands, you can indulge in the upmost comfort found in the 14 elegantly furnished rooms and suites. While the hotel has been renovated, it hasn’t forgotten its historic roots, and some rooms still feature their original frescoes under rustic wood beams. The hotel grows a lot of its own produce and has also started growing antique and heritage crops. The broad cross-section of flowers and plants you’ll find here attract bees, helping with the vital process of pollination of vegetables and fruit trees. The infinity pool is certainly one of the hotel’s most enticing features, cradled by old stone walls and looking out towards the impressive landscape. The wellness centre can be found just a few steps from the main building and offers a range of treatments which have been created using organic ingredients grown on the estate. Over in the hotel restaurant you can dine on fine Italian cuisine made from home-grown and locally sourced ingredients. The pasta here is made from wheat flour produced from grains grown on the property, so you can be assured you are really getting a true taste of Tuscany. This hotel is perfect for those seeking both relaxation and a range of exciting activities. Yoga classes take place inside the property, while those wishing to explore the outdoors can do so on horseback, or by bike. Painting classes, cooking classes and wine tastings are all part of the fun here at Borgo Pignano, making every stay unforgettable.

Once hosting aristocratic travellers, Russian royalty and renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau, a half century hiatus as an office building ended with a glorious restoration and re-establishment of this Roman icon. The Hotel de Russie lies between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo on the Via del Babuino, within easy walking distance of Rome’s main attractions, fashion houses and Via Condotti. Though surrounded by the ceaseless buzz of the city, behind the hotel’s unassuming frontage, is a soothing tranquility – both in design and ambiance – and vast private 18th century terraced gardens, a rare oasis away from it all. 122 rooms and suites are thoroughly up to date amenity wise, complete with Bisazza mosaic and Carrara marble in the bathrooms. Some feature private terraces and many rooms have views over Rome, Piazza del Popolo or the garden. The Stravinskij Bar is renowned for its apertivos, while Le Jardin de Russie and its chef, two-Michelin-star chef Fulvio Pierangelini, serve up simple yet refined dishes Mediterranean dishes in one a most romantic of settings. Furthering the Hotel de Russie urban oasis credentials is the De Russie Spa, one of Rome’s best health clubs.

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. Carefully restored in 2013, the Gritti’s heritage and culture have blended with a renewed Venetian style. 61 luxurious guest rooms and 21 sumptuous suites, including some with canal views, are replete with rare archival fabrics, the finest Italian marbles and a stunning array of new and original chandeliers from Murano, as well as the latest technology and sumptuous beds. Gritti’s famous terrace has long been a social hub. The splendid Bar Longhi features some of the best cocktails in Venice and the Club del Doge Restaurant features regional specialties, casual chic by day and a more formal affair at dinner. The palace is also home to the Gritti Epicurean School, an informal Venetian open kitchen that hosts wine tastings, cooking workshops and celebrations. Well located by the Grand Canal on the southern edge of the San Marco district, Venice’s great opera house, cathedrals, museums and palazzos are all close by.

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.