Hotel Colonna Frascati

Smart hotel is good base to enjoy famous wine and explore historic towns just outside Rome

The Hotel Colonna looks out over a quaint piazza

Frascati is famous throughout the world for its light, dry, white wine but is perhaps not so well known as a holiday destination.

But the ancient city just 20 kilometres south east of Rome in the Alban Hills is a perfect base for exploring the area known as Castelli Romani.

The Hotel Colonna is an excellent choice if you want to stay right in the centre of Frascati.

Rated three star superiore, the hotel overlooks the charming Piazza del Gesù.

The 20 guest rooms are all beautifully carpeted and furnished and have immaculate, well appointed bathrooms.

The Hotel Colonna’s smart reception area is furnished with an ornate marble fireplace, white statues and comfortable armchairs to relax in.

There is an elegant frescoed breakfast room serving a buffet breakfast that includes both sweet and savoury dishes.

The hotel has a bar and a meeting room for the use of business travellers and offers internet access and free parking.

Editor’s note: “My stay at the Hotel Colonna was absolutely delightful. I had a very comfortable room and was made to feel welcome by the friendly staff. I really enjoyed being in the heart of the city and close to all the sights.”

For more information to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel Colonna go to our hotel booking partner Hotels.com

Why stay at Hotel Colonna in Frascati

  

The Hotel Colonna is an elegant, comfortable hotel right in the historic centre of Frascati.

The city has the feel of Rome, but is on a smaller scale and life seems to be lived at a less frantic pace. There are statues, fountains and wonderful architecture, but it is easy to walk around Frascati and there is little crime.

It is said that Frascati’s delicious white wine ‘non viaggia bene’ (does not travel well), which is all the more reason to drink it there, in quaint wine bars serving it cheaply by the glass.

The villas built by wealthy Romans on the hills behind Frascati now lie in ruins, but there are elegant 16th and 17th century villas in the surrounding countryside, such as the imposing Villa Aldobrandini, which overlooks the town.
Frascati is a good base for exploring other interesting old towns of the Castelli Romani such as  Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope has his summer residence and Nemi, with its beautiful lake.

You can take the train to Rome (journey time 30 minutes) to see the sights, but you will look forward to returning in the evening to sit on a terrace sipping wine, looking down over the eternal city.

What to see near Hotel Colonna in Frascati

Just a few steps from the Hotel Colonna is the 16th century Chiesa del Gesù with statues on the façade believed to be the work of Pietro da Cortona and frescoes inside by Andrea Pozzo.

Piazza del Gesù leads into the larger Piazza San Pietro, where Frascati’s main church, Cattedrale San Pietro stands. Inside the church is the tombstone of Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or the Young Pretender. He died while in exile in Rome and was first buried in Frascati’s cathedral, where his brother, Henry Benedict Stuart, Duke of York, was Bishop. In 1807 his body was moved to St Peter’s in Rome, but his heart was left in Frascati, in a small urn, under the floor below his monument.

Within a few streets of the Hotel Colonna in Via dell’Olmo, you will find Osteria dell’Olmo, one of Frascati’s oldest osterie, where you can taste Frascati wine and typical local dishes.

Directions: The Hotel Colonna is in Piazza Gesù in the centre of Frascati, approximately 150 metres from the railway station from where there are frequent services to Ciampino and to Roma Termini railway station. The hotel is about 100 metres from the stop where the COTRAL buses depart to Rome and about three kilometres from the nearest exit on the A1 autostrada.

Restaurant recommendation:

Inside Trattoria e Pizzeria al '19'

Trattoria e Pizzeria al '19': Close to the Hotel Colonna, in Piazza Montegrappa, the Trattoria e Pizzeria al ‘19’ offers tipica cucina Frascatana (typical Frascati cooking).

The restaurant serves pizza  cooked in a wood oven and antipasti and contorni using locally sourced ingredients in season. Try their bucatini all’amatriciana and scaloppina al limone. Closed Mondays.

Local specialities: Try minestra di pasta e fagioli (soup with pasta and beans), pasta e broccoli con le cotiche (pasta and broccoli with pork rind), risotto ai carciofi (risotto with artichokes) and porchetta con il pane casareccio (roast suckling pig with home made bread).

Selection of wines made in Frascati

Local wines: White: Frascati is light, very quaffable and best drunk young. It tastes much better when it is drunk in the town where it is made than it does when sampled further afield.

Red: Look out for Cesanese del Piglio or Ferro e Seta.

Shopping: Take back food items such as oils, herbs and jars of truffle-based products, such as white truffle and black truffle pate.

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Hotel Europa Padova

Modern hotel well placed for exploring historic Padova in northern Italy

Hotel Europa Padova

Close to the Scrovegni Chapel, convenient for the tram and in the heart of the most exclusive shopping area, the four star Hotel Europa is in an excellent location in Padova.

A smart, comfortable hotel in Largo Europa, the Europa is just a short walk from the historic centre of Padova and the bars, restaurants and shops around Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe.
The Eremitani Church and Scrovegni Chapel are only a few streets away while some of the best shops and department stores in the city are virtually on the doorstep.
The hotel serves an excellent buffet breakfast and the friendly staff on the reception desk are always on hand to advise guests about what to see and do in Padova.

A few metres from the hotel at the end of Largo Europa there are stops for the tram services to the railway station and to Basilica di Sant’Antonio and Prato delle Valle.

Basilica di Sant'Antonio

There is wi-fi throughout the hotel and there are meeting rooms and special facilities available for business travellers. All 80 guest rooms have air conditioning, work desks and complimentary internet access.

Editor’s note: “During my stay I found that the reception staff were very helpful, recommending restaurants and booking radio controlled taxis for me that all arrived within a matter of minutes”.

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel Europa, go to our hotel booking partner Expedia UK or try Hotels.com.

Why stay at Hotel Europa in Padova?

The four star Hotel Europa is a smart, efficiently run, comfortable hotel in a really good location.

It is right in the middle of the best area for shopping and within walking distance of the historic centre of Padova.

The Hotel Europa is within a tram or taxi ride of the main railway station and within walking distance or a tram ride of the famous Basilica di Sant’Antonio.

What to see near Hotel Europa in Padova

Close to the Hotel Europa is the Cappella degli Scrovegni (the Scrovegni Chapel), which houses one of the world’s greatest art treasures.

The interior of the chapel is entirely covered with frescoes painted by Giotto between 1303 and 1305, which have been acknowledged as marking the beginning of modern art in Europe.

Visits to the chapel are carefully organised to protect the condition of the frescoes. Tickets have to be booked in advance and collected one hour before the time of the visit.

For more information visit www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it

Directions: The Hotel Europa is at Largo Europa 9. From the railway station in Piazzale della Stazione you can either take the tram or walk down Corso del Popolo, turn right into Via Matteoti and left into Largo Europa. The Hotel Europa is on the right.

Restaurant recommendation: Antica Trattoria Zaramella
Next door to the hotel is one of Padova’s most historic restaurants, Antica Trattoria Zaramella, which has been recommended in the Italia Michelin Guide. 

Prato della Valle

The restaurant can trace its history back to 1856 and has evidence that in 1860 a letter was delivered for a customer who had used the Zaramella as an address.

Antica Trattoria Zaramella has been under the direction of the Verni family since 1987 and serves dishes typical of the Veneto featuring both meat and fish.

Local specialities: Cucina padovana (Padovan cooking) is similar to that of Venice with a few traditions of its own. Look out for risotto ricco alla padovana which is served with duck and chicken and risotto with radicchio, a vegetable grown locally. Popular pasta dishes include tortelli di zucca dolce (sweet pumpkin stuffed ravioli) and bigoli con ragu d’anatra (little strings of pasta with a duck sauce).

Various cuts of chicken and duck, served with a variety of different sauces and vegetable accompaniments, feature strongly among secondi piatti in most restaurants.

Local wines: White: In Padova you will see Pinot Bianco and Soave on many wine lists.

Red: Merlot, Bardolino and Valpolicella are all produced in the Veneto.

Sparkling: Try some light, refreshing Prosecco while in Padova. Not far from the city is the strada del Prosecco, the road between Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, which is lined with wineries producing Prosecco DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) the stamp of quality given to the best wines.
Editor’s note: “In my opinion Prosecco is better than Champagne.”

Shopping: There are designer fashion shops close to the Hotel Europa, a fascinating food market in Piazza della Frutta and Piazza delle Erbe and antiques and bric a brac on sale at the weekend markets held in Prato della Valle, Padova’s elegant main square.

Book a room at the Hotel Europa with Hotels.com or Expedia UK

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Hotel della Torre Argentina Rome

Sights of ancient Rome on the doorstep of elegant hotel

Hotel della Torre Argentina

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. This could mean lunching where the locals lunch, looking cool strolling around the ancient sights, or sampling the social scene at night in a fashionable piazza.
But whatever you plan to do during your stay in Rome, it is important to choose a hotel in a good location so that you don’t waste precious time during your holiday trying to get to places.

A good choice in a central location in Rome is the Hotel della Torre Argentina. This stylish three star hotel has been converted from an 18th century aristocratic palazzo in the heart of Rome’s historic centre and is within walking distance of many of the famous sights.

The hotel, in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, is beautifully decorated and furnished in keeping with its elegant architecture, but has every technological innovation needed for modern travellers.

The Hotel della Torre Argentina has 60 rooms spread over five floors, all with stylish bathrooms, satellite television, air conditioning and high speed internet access.

There is a terrace with panoramic views over the eternal city and a large breakfast room where an extensive choice of food is offered on the buffet each morning.

The friendly staff are always available in the elegant reception area to give out tourist information.

Editor’s note: “The Hotel della Torre Argentina is in a marvellous location. It is lovely on Sunday mornings to be able to walk in just a few minutes to Piazza San Pietro to hear the Pope’s midday address.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at Hotel della Torre Argentina, go to our hotel booking partner Expedia UK or try Hotels.com

Why stay at Hotel della Torre Argentina in Rome?

Location, location, location! The Hotel della Torre Argentina is handy for Piazza Navona and the Pantheon and within walking distance of San Pietro (Saint Peter’s) and Citta del Vaticano (the Vatican).

There are stops outside the hotel for the bus services that run to Rome’s Termini station.

What to see near Hotel della Torre Argentina in Rome

Close to the hotel in Largo Argentina are the remains of four Republican era temples. It is believed Julius Ceasar was murdered there in 44BC.

The Pantheon

The nearby Teatro Argentina is the main theatre in Rome and hosts international plays, dance shows and concerts. The stunning, frescoed ceiling dates from when the theatre first opened in 1732.

A short walk away, the Pantheon is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome . It was originally built as a temple to all the gods, but its subsequent conversion to a church saved it from being torn down.

Also handy for the hotel, Piazza Navona, which was built over an ancient athletics stadium, is one of the liveliest squares in Rome, with beautiful fountains and plenty of bars and restaurants.

Directions: The Hotel della Torre Argentina is in Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, which leads from Largo Torre Argentina to Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, a bridge over the Tevere (Tiber ) that takes you to Piazza San Pietro. To reach the hotel from Rome’s Termini railway station, either take a taxi or buses 64 or 40. If you are arriving by car from the autostrada, follow the signs for Roma Centro.

Restaurant recommendation: 

Ristorante Vernissage in Piazza dei Caprettari is just a short walk from the Hotel della Torre Argentina and serves many Roman specialities. You can eat inside or outside and the restaurant is open every day.

Look out for alla romana dishes (roman style) such as saltimbocca alla romana (veal with sage and ham, literally translated it means ‘jump in the mouth’,) or trippa alla romana (tripe with tomato sauce).

Local specialities: Try bucatini all’amatriciana (hollow tubes of pasta with tomatoes, ham and onion), abbacchio (spring lamb) and carciofi (artichokes). Pizza romana (Roman style pizza) is rolled out very flat and thin compared with a Neapolitan style pizza, which is thicker and softer.

Local wines: White: In Rome you will see Frascati, a delicious light wine made in the town of the same name just south of the city. Take the opportunity to sample it in Rome as it is said of Frascati, ‘non viaggia bene’ (it doesn’t travel well.) Also look out for wines from the Castelli Romani villages.

Red: Try Montepulciano from Abruzzo.

Shopping: Best buys are leather goods, designer labels and collectables such as prints and decorative objects. Browse in the area between Piazza di Spagna and Via del Corso for the top name shops, but also look round the area between Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori, just walking distance from the Hotel della Torre Argentina, where there are bargains waiting to be snapped up.

Book a room at the Hotel della Torre Argentina with Expedia UK or compare prices at Hotels.com

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Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo

Ideal location for modern hotel that was former inn

Hotel Cappello d'Oro

Once an old inn in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa (lower town), the Hotel Cappello d’Oro is now a stylish Best Western hotel with every modern comfort.
The Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in Viale Papa Giovanni XXlll, one of the principal roads of the Città Bassa. It first became a hotel at the beginning of the 20th century and, more than 100 years later, has been completely refurbished to provide 21st century guests with four-star accommodation and the latest amenities.
The reception area is modern and spacious with a marble floor, white statues and potted palms, while the helpful staff are smartly dressed in tail coats. Guest rooms are beautifully decorated and furnished and have satellite television, a minibar and tea and coffee making facilities. The immaculate bathrooms are stylish and well laid out.
An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s Ristorante del Moro, which also offers lunch and dinner menus that include traditional Bergamo dishes. All 89 bedrooms have wifi and there is also a computer provided free of charge for the use of guests near reception.
The location of the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro is ideal. It is within walking distance of the railway and coach stations and the funicular railway up to the Città Alta (upper town). It is also on the main bus route that links Bergamo Caravaggio Airport (also known as Milan Bergamo) with the railway station and the Città Alta.
Just round the corner from the hotel at Porta Nuova are some of the best shops and restaurants in the Città Bassa. Via Sentierone, with its smart bars and the renowned Teatro Donizetti, is also within a short walk of the hotel.
Editor’s note: “I enjoyed a very comfortable stay at the Cappello d’Oro, which was quiet and relaxing, even though it is close to many of the shops, bars and restaurants of the Città Bassa.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro, try our hotel booking partners Expedia UK or Hotels.com

Why stay at the Best Western Premier Hotel Cappello d’Oro in Bergamo?

The Hotel Cappello d’Oro is in a good position, right in the centre of Bergamo’s Città Bassa but it is also handy for both the bus and the funicular railway up to Bergamo’s historic Città Alta.
It is within walking distance of the main sights in the Città Bassa and all the shops, bars and restaurants.
The hotel is close to the stops for the bus service that runs between the airport and the Città Alta. It is also handy for the railway station and the regular train services to Milan, Brescia, Lecco and Cremona. From the nearby bus station there are coaches to resorts on Lago d’Iseo and the countryside north of Bergamo.

What to see in Bergamo

Bergamo is a fascinating historic city with two distinct centres.
The Città Alta is a beautiful walled city with buildings that date back to medieval times but there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to make it comfortable for visitors today.
At the heart of the Città Alta is Piazza Vecchia, which was remodelled during the Renaissance and has been hailed by architects and writers as the most beautiful square in Italy.
It is surrounded by old palaces and has a 12th century bell tower that still strikes 100 times at 10pm each night to mark the ancient curfew.
With bars on two corners and prestigious restaurants along two sides, Piazza Vecchia is the perfect place to stop for something to eat and drink.
You can walk through the archways under Palazzo della Ragione to Piazza Duomo where you will see the Duomo, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Colleoni Chapel and the Battistero - all of them architectural gems.
Streets of shops and restaurants lead off Piazza Vecchia to other squares with fountains, beautiful buildings, old churches and museums.
The elegant Città Bassa grew up on the plain below and still has buildings that date back to the 15th century.
More imposing and elaborate architecture was added in the 19th and early 20th centuries and it is now a vibrant city with a wealth of shops, bars and restaurants. There are also palaces, churches, art galleries and museums to visit as well as a theatre and other venues providing concerts and entertainment.

Directions: From the airport, either take a taxi - local prices are very reasonable - or the No 1 bus that passes the railway station before turning along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII in the direction of the Città Alta. The hotel is at number 12 on the left hand side.

Restaurant recommendation:

Taverna Valtellinese in Via Gerolamo Tiraboschi is a short walk from the Hotel Cappello d’Oro.
Once inside the Taverna Valtellinese you feel as though you are in an alpine chalet. Although it is a large restaurant, the wooden walls and floor and the check tablecloths make the atmosphere warm and intimate. The Taverna Valtellinese has been serving dishes made with authentic cheeses, butter, meat and wine from the Valtellina, a valley north of Bergamo, since opening in 1967. For antipasti there is a choice of bresaola, prosciutto and salame from the Valtellina.
Among the primi on offer is the classic pizzoccheri di Teglio, a variation on fettucine, served with Swiss chards, boiled potatoes and Bitto and Casera cheese. There are also panzerotti, gnochetti and tortelloni dishes cooked alla valtellinese and rice dishes.
For secondi there is a good choice of meat dishes including the local staple, stufatino ai funghi e polenta (meat with mushrooms and polenta), or culaccio di manzo al Sassella (beef braised in red wine from Sassella), spiedini alla griglia (a selection of meat grilled on a spit) or rognoncino in terrina con funghi (kidneys cooked with mushrooms). There are also some vegetarian and fish options.
Editor’s note: “On my visit to Taverna Valtellinese I found there was a good atmosphere and the restaurant was full of local people. I was particularly impressed with the antler-shaped chandelier on the ceiling and the white wine recommended by the waiter, which was a delicious Chiavennasca from the Valtellina.”

Local specialities: Try casoncelli alla bergamasca ( Bergamo’s own version of stuffed pasta), polenta taragna (polenta mixed with Taleggio cheese) and stinco al forno (pork shank braised in red wine with vegetables and herbs).
Local wines: White: Try Valcalepio Bianco, a light dry wine with a delicate fragrance, produced in the small valley between Bergamo and Lago d’Iseo. Red: Valcalepio Rosso is dry and soft with an intense scent. It is placed on sale every year after 1 November following six months’ refinement in wooden casks. It goes well with red meat, game and polenta and local cheeses, such as taleggio.
Shopping: One of the main thoroughfares in the Città Bassa in Bergamo is Via XX Settembre, which leads from Piazza Vittorio Veneto in the centre to Largo Nicolo Rezzara at the lower end of Via Sant’Alessandro.
Dubbed ‘the shopping street’ by the Bergamaschi because of the wealth of smart shops that line both sides, Via XX Settembre is actually named after an important event in Italy’s history.
It was on 20 September 1870 that Italian troops under Victor Emanuel II finally entered Rome and completed the unification of Italy. Rome had remained under French control even after the first Italian parliament had proclaimed Victor Emanuel King of Italy, despite repeated attempts by nationalists to liberate it.
But after the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian war Napoleon III withdrew his troops. Italian soldiers seized their chance and after a brief bombardment were able to enter Rome through a breach in the walls at Porta Pia. Victor Emanuel took up residence in the Quirinale Palace and Italy was declared officially united.
These days shoppers, perhaps unaware of the anniversary, enjoy visiting the top establishments that grace the elegant street such as Calvin Klein, Stefanel, Benetton, Max Mara, Luisa Spagnoli, Marina Rinaldi and Sisley.

Book a room at the Best Western Hotel Cappello d’Oro Bergamo with Expedia UK or Hotels.com

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Imperial Hotel Tramontano Sorrento

Historic hotel in peaceful setting is handy for the centre of Sorrento

Gardens at the Hotel Tramontano

An excellent hotel in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has a fascinating history.

The hotel lies in a peaceful location away from the main street, Via Vittorio Veneto, in beautiful gardens. Guests can enjoy the views of Vesuvius across the bay and superb sunsets from the Tramontano’s terrace.

The famous song Torna a Surriento (Come back to Sorrento) was composed by Neapolitan poet and artist Giambattista de Curtis on that very terrace in 1902.

The hotel has large, elegant reception rooms decorated with paintings and antique furniture. The old courtyard and garden have rare Mediterranean and sub tropical plants as well as local flowers and citrus trees.

The luxuriously furnished guest bedrooms and suites have views either of the sea, the courtyard or the gardens.

There is an outdoor swimming pool with its own bar, a 16th century chapel and an elevator to carry guests down to the beach.

The hotel restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, is under the direction of Alfonso Iaccarino, the owner of the famous Michelin-starred Don Alfonso restaurant at nearby Sant’Agata su due Golfi.

Torquato Tasso, who is considered to be the greatest Italian poet of the Renaissance, was born on 11 March, 1544 in a house that now forms part of the elegant, four-star hotel.

The poet travelled about in Italy constantly during his 51-year life but came back to Sorrento towards the end to visit his beloved sister Cornelia who had never left the resort.

With its stunning setting in pretty gardens overlooking the bay of Naples, it is not surprising that the Imperial Hotel Tramontano has provided inspiration for other famous writers who have stayed there since.

It is believed Milton and Goethe visited the historic building and, more recently, the hotel has accommodated American writers James Fennimore Cooper and Harriet Beecher Stowe.

The Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen is said to have written Ghosts during a long stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in the mid 19th century.

Only a five minute walk from Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento, the Imperial Hotel Tramontano is in an ideal position. Guests can enjoy the tranquillity of the setting but are within easy reach of Sorrento’s shops and restaurants. The hotel is also handy for the port at Marina Piccola and the railway station in Piazza de Curtis if visitors wish to travel further afield.

Editor’s note: ‘I will never forget the orange trees in the beautiful garden or relaxing with a glass of wine on the Tramontano’s terrace while watching the sun set.’

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com and Expedia UK. 

Why stay at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano in Sorrento?

The Tramontano is right in the centre of Sorrento, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Known by Italians as La Gentile (The Noble One), Sorrento is a beautiful resort with a mild climate and excellent tourist amenities, making it an ideal holiday location.

The historic centre has a wealth of elegant architecture and Greek, Roman and medieval buildings to visit as well as superb hotels, restaurants and shops.

The Imperial Hotel Tramontano is close to Piazza Sant’Antonino, named after Sorrento’s patron saint. The square has a statue of Sant’Antonino Abate and is home to Basilica Sant’Antonino, parts of which date back to the 11th century.

You can walk from the square down to Marina Piccola, from where boats and hydrofoils depart to Naples, Ischia, Capri, Positano and Amalfi.

In nearby Via San Francesco next to the Villa Communale is the Chiesa di San Francesco, famous for its pretty Chiostro (cloisters), parts of which date back to the 14th century.

What to see in Sorrento

In the historic centre of Sorrento there is a wealth of beautiful architecture illustrating the fascinating history of the town, which was inhabited by Greeks and then Romans, who called it Surrentum, a name derived from the myth of the Sirens who tried to tempt Ulysses.

There are still remnants of the Greek defensive walls to be seen at Porta Parsano Nuova and in Via Sopra Le Mura.

You will see a real gem of Greek architecture as you walk down to the fishing village of Marina Grande along Via Marina Grande. You will pass under the original fourth century BC Greek Gate, a round arched gateway built from square cut blocks of stone. When you emerge from the passageway into the sunshine you will have a stunning view of the sea and the beach of Marina Grande.

In the characteristic narrow shopping street Via San Cesareo there is an elegant 15th century loggia, Sedile Dominova, originally built as a meeting place for the nobility and sumptuously decorated with frescoes.

Sorrento is well placed for visiting the resorts of the Amalfi coast by bus or car and the roman ruins at Pompei and Ercolano or the fascinating city of Naples by train.

Visitors can also take a boat to Naples and the islands, or sail round Punta della Campanella at the tip of the Sorrentine peninsula to visit Positano or Amalfi.

Directions: Leave Piazza Tasso in the centre of Sorrento along Via Luigi de Maio and continue along Via San Francesco into Via Vittorio Veneto where you will find the Imperial Hotel Tramontano on the right.

Restaurant recommendation:  Ristorante Pizzeria Zi’ntonio in Via Luigi de Maio is a short walk from the Imperial Hotel Tramontano.

The air conditioned interior is decorated with hand painted ceramic tiles from Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi coast. On the ground floor the tiles create the setting of a pergola in a vineyard while upstairs they represent the coastline of Sorrento seen from out in the bay of Naples .

While you wait for your meal the waiters will bring you savoury snacks and freshly baked strips of pizza dough to nibble.

There is a comprehensive menu of antipasti, pasta and risotto and fish and meat dishes as well as an extensive pizza list. These are cooked to order in a traditional wood oven.

There are plenty of wines from Campania and further afield and if you choose a white wine it is always served beautifully chilled.

Zi’ntonio (which translates as Uncle Tony) is run by Mariano and Michela and members of their family. Many of the waiters have been on the staff for years, which helps to provide a homely and welcoming atmosphere.

Editor’s note: ‘My favourite dish is Risotto alla Pescatora (seafood risotto) complemented by a crisp, white Falanghina wine from Campania.’

Local specialities: Try gnocchi alla sorrentina, little dumplings made from potato, egg and flour cooked in a rich tomato sauce with mozzarella and basil, or scialatielle ai frutti di mare (fresh pasta strips with shellfish).

A typical fish dish from the area is pezzogna all’acqua pazza, white fish cooked with tomato, garlic and parsley.

Sorrento is a good place to try an authentic pizza, a dish born in nearby Naples. Try Pizza Margherita (with tomato, mozzarella and basil) created in honour of Queen Margherita, wife of Umberto I.

Local wines: White: Light dry, fragrant Falanghina goes perfectly with fish and dishes made with mozzarella, such as insalata caprese.

It is made from grapes grown on the slopes of Vesuvius, along the Sorrentine peninsula or near the Amalfi coast and you don’t very often see it outside Campania, let alone in other countries.

Look out for producers such as Feudi San Gregorio from Avellino and Ocone from Benevento , who are considered to produce high quality wines.

The name falanghina is thought to derive from the latin word phalanga,  meaning stake or pole, in reference to the early Greek method of training vines to poles. This proves the wine has very ancient origins and was probably the forerunner of other Campanian white wines, such as Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.

Falanghina is best drunk young and well chilled.

Shopping: Taste limoncello ( Sorrento’s lemon liqueur) while on holiday and then buy a bottle of it to take home with you. Inlaid wooden objects and locally produced leather goods are also good buys.

Book a room at the Imperial Hotel Tramontano with Expedia UK or try Hotels.com

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Hotel Ariosto Milan

Renovated palace in a handy location in Milan

There is so much to see in Milan that it is important to choose a hotel in a handy location to cut down on travelling time during your stay in the city.

Hotel Ariosto

The elegant Magenta district is a good base if you plan to see Il Cenacolo (The Last Supper) by Leonardo da Vinci or the impressive Castello Sforzesco (Sforza Castle). 

An excellent choice in this area would be the Hotel Ariosto in Via Ludovico Ariosto. The hotel has been converted from an art nouveau palace, an architectural style described as ‘stile liberty’  in Italian. The palace has been completely renovated to provide guests with all the modern comforts.

The four star Hotel Ariosto is about 200 metres from the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie where Leonardo painted The Last Supper, his largest and most famous work. It is also approximately ten minutes walk from the Castello Sforzesco.

The Ariosto is also handy for the Cadorna railway station, close to a metro stop and a tram stop and near the Corso Vercelli shopping area.

The rooms either look out over an inner courtyard or at the decorative facades of the palaces opposite in Via Ludovico Ariosto. All 49 rooms have air conditioning, satellite television and wi fi connections and are decorated with natural wood floors and furniture.

Guests have the choice of either a room service breakfast or the excellent buffet breakfast served in the restaurant.

Editor’s note: “The helpful staff at the Hotel Ariosto booked tickets for me to take my family to see Leonardo’s The Last Supper before we arrived, which saved us time.”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel Ariosto, go to our hotel booking partners Hotels.com or Expedia UK

Why stay at the Hotel Ariosto?

The Hotel Ariosto in Milan’s Magenta district is a good choice for either the holidaymaker or the business traveller.

The hotel is within walking distance of two of Milan’s major tourist attractions, while convenient for the metro, the tram and the Cadorna railway station, enabling visitors to travel further afield easily.

The hotel is also handy for business people visiting Fiera Milano, an enormous venue that holds exhibitions and conventions attracting more than five million visitors a year.

What to see near the Hotel Ariosto

Teatro alla Scala

The Renaissance church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, now a UNESCO world heritage site, is in Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie, just a short walk from Hotel Ariosto. Don’t miss the chance to visit Il Cenacolo (The Last Supper), the world famous fresco by Leonardo Da Vinci. The great artist painted his masterpiece directly on to the wall in the refectory used by monks. Visits are carefully organised in order to protect the work of art and must be booked in advance. For more information visit www.grazieop.it

Milan’s 15th century Castello Sforzesco is full of fascinating exhibits and art treasures and overlooks a beautiful park, Parco Sempione, which is within walking distance of the hotel.

A short ride on the metro will take you to Milan’s main square with the Duomo and the ornate Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. You can walk through the Galleria to reach Teatro alla Scala and access the famous fashion shopping streets around Via Montenapoleone from there.

Directions: From the Cadorna railway station it is a short taxi ride to the hotel or you can take the metro red line MM1 to Conciliazione, just one stop away. Hotel Ariosto at Via Ludovico Ariosto, 22 is about 200 metres away on foot.

The Malpensa Express train connects the airport at Malpensa directly with the Cadorna station. From Linate airport take ATM bus No. 73 to Piazza San Babila to link up with the metro.

Restaurant recommendation:  Ristorante Nabucco in Via Fiori Chiari is close to Parco Sempione (nearest metro stop Lanza.) A long established Milan restaurant, the Nabucco is a popular after theatre venue as the kitchen stays open late. It is the perfect place to try typical Milanese and Lombardian dishes.

Local specialities: Sample an authentic Risotto alla Milanese, which is made yellow by the addition of saffron when the rice is almost done. Follow with either Costoletta alla Milanese, a tender veal loin cutlet covered with breadcrumbs that has been lightly fried in butter, or Ossobuco alla Milanese, a cut of veal that includes the bone and its marrow, which is braised slowly and then served with risotto.

Local wines: Look out on wine lists for the excellent white, red or spumante (sparkling) Franciacorta wines made in the area of Lombardia that is bordered by Lago d’Iseo, the city of Brescia and the beginning of the Po valley.

Shopping: Milan is famous for its fashion shops in the area between Via Manzoni, Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Sant'Andrea. For interior design and antiques shops look in the Brera and Navigli quarters.

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Hotel San Cassiano Venice

Enjoy a taste of Venetian glamour at former artist's palace

Hotel San Cassiano

Find out what it is like to live in a palace on the Grand Canal by staying at the Hotel San Cassiano in Venice.

This 14th century palazzo has been the residence of some of the most important Venetian families over the centuries and was home in the 19th century to the painter Giacomo Favretto.

The elegant three star Hotel San Cassiano is still known as Ca’ Favretto (Favretto’s House). Its distinctive, oxblood red painted façade is well photographed by visitors on board vaporetti (water buses) sailing along the Grand Canal between Santa Lucia railway station and the Rialto.

The palace was transformed into a hotel in 1951 and furnished in opulent Venetian style while retaining many of its features and original character.

An extensive buffet breakfast is served in the first floor salone overlooking the Grand Canal where Favretto used to paint. The room has a terrace where you can sit and watch the gondole glide past, seeing the views that inspired Favretto and his famous predecessor, Canaletto.

Guest rooms either overlook the Grand Canal, a side canal or the hotel’s pretty courtyard. Although furnished with tapestries, antique furniture and gilded mirrors they also have smart, modern well equipped bathrooms, satellite television, minibars and air conditioning.

Editor’s note: “I took my mother to stay at the San Cassiano for her birthday and she was able to open her cards and presents outside the breakfast room on the terrace overlooking the Grand Canal, watched by tourists going past who probably thought she was a member of the Venetian nobility!”

For more information, to check prices and to book a room at the Hotel San Cassiano, go to our hotel booking partner Hotels.com or try Expedia UK

Why stay at the Hotel San Cassiano in the Santa Croce area?

Behind the Hotel San Cassiano, which is on the upper sweep of the Grand Canal, lie the fascinating narrow streets and small squares typical of the Santa Croce quarter of Venice.  It is well off for shops, bars and restaurants, with prices tending to be lower than those charged by establishments closer to Piazza San Marco.

The hotel is a short walk from the San Stae waterbus stop and is handy if you are arriving at or departing from either the railway station at Santa Lucia or the bus station at Piazzale Roma.

It is just a short walk from the San Cassiano to the Rialto Bridge with its famous food market and souvenir stalls.

What to see near the Hotel San Cassiano

From the windows of the hotel, on the opposite bank of the Grand Canal, you will have a good view of the Ca' d’Oro, Venice’s famous ‘golden house’, a fine example of Venetian gothic architecture.

It was built in the 15th century for the Contarini family, who provided the city with eight of its doges over the centuries. The palace is now open to the public as an art gallery.

A short walk through the calle away from the Grand Canal will take you to one of Venice’s principal churches, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, where there are masterpieces by Titian, Bellini and Donatello and the tomb of Italian composer Monteverdi.

Walking in the direction of the Rialto will quickly bring you to the Campo della Pescheria and Venice’s famous fish market, which has recently been developed into a vibrant area with bars and restaurants where you can eat outside looking out over the Grand Canal .

There is now a new water bus stop for this area called Rialto Mercato.

Travel Tip: A single ticket for the vaporetto is €7 so it is worth buying a travel card for your stay in Venice for use on both water and land transport. Prices:12 hours €18, 24 hours €20, 36 hours €25, 48 hours €30 and 72 hours €35.

Directions: To reach the Hotel San Cassiano, take the water bus to San Stae and walk down Salizzada San Stae and Calle Forner before turning into Calle della Rosa where you will find the rear entrance of the hotel. Alternatively, you can take a water taxi along the Grand Canal direct to the hotel’s own landing stage.

Restaurant recommendation

Inside Vini da Pinto

Vini da Pinto is a short walk from the hotel in Campo delle Beccarie close to the Rialto Market (nearest water bus stop Rialto Mercato.) Established in 1890, the restaurant serves good value food and wine with tables inside and outside. Sample the excellent fresh fish dishes and local specialities such as baccalà mantecato, seppie in nero and spaghetti alle vongole. There is a tasting menu to enable you to try small portions of a number of dishes. The restaurant is open every day from 10.00 to 22.00.

Editor’s note: “I return to Vini da Pinto time and time again because I know that I will enjoy a good meal. My favourite is pasta with prawns and courgettes followed by crisply grilled Adriatic sole with salad and chips. The house wine is excellent and very good value.”

Local specialities: Try sarde in saor (sardines served with an Italian sweet and sour sauce), fegato alla veneziana (tender calf’s liver cooked on a bed of onions) and zuppa di cozze (mussels with white wine, garlic and parsley).

Local wines: White: Soave, which is so well known internationally, is made from grapes grown in the vineyards around the nearby hilltop town of Soave . Also look out for Tocai and Bianco di Custoza on restaurant menus.

Red: Valpolicella is a pleasant, light, fruity wine made in the area between Verona and Lake Garda .

Frizzante: Don’t miss trying Prosecco, the lovely, sparkling wine produced in the Veneto .

Named after the variety of grape it is made from, Prosecco is lighter and more delicate than Champagne because it is bottled while young rather than being fermented.

Prosecco

It is made in the areas of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano although it was probably named after the town of Prosecco near Trieste where the grape, one of Italy’s oldest, is believed to have originated.

Italy produces 150 million bottles of Prosecco a year, mostly from the area around Valdobbiadene. Fortunately for the rest of the world, Prosecco travels well and is reasonably priced when put on sale abroad. It is best drunk young.

When on holiday in Italy, Prosecco is an ideal aperitivo before lunch and dinner and a refreshing drink to order in a bar when you are having a break from sight seeing.

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