Make This Summer an Italian Summer

The Amalfi coast is the embodiment of Italian summers. This stretch of the Mediterranean is made of dizzying views, charming towns and sun umbrellas. The jewel of the region, Positano and its cliffs lined with pastel houses is postcard-famous. Of these houses, Villa Franca may be the most elegant. This former private residence is now a glamorous hotel offering bright and airy rooms, and dinner and pool terraces overlooking the blue sea.

Amalfi may see less celebrities than Positano, but this historic town is just as beautiful. It’s packed with culture, pebble beaches and a slower pace perfect for enjoying a limoncello. NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi is a monastery turned five-star hotel and one of the most distinct buildings on the coast. It offers modern luxury to a backdrop of ancient architecture, original cloisters and panoramic views.

Rome doesn’t need an introduction. The Eternal City offers thousands of years of history, including UNESCO sites, masterpiece art and the Vatican. Hotel de Russie is ideally located between the Spanish steps and the Piazza del Popolo. Jean Cocteau called it “paradise on earth” and we can see why. This urban oasis is tucked in a Mediterranean garden, and offers rooms overlooking the historic city and a kitchen serving gourmet Italian.

A UNESCO city made up of many islands, Venice and its famous canals are must-see at least once in your life. A stone’s throw from bustling St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace is the Splendid Venice, a cozy hideaway decorated in timeless Venetian style. Arrive by boat to the water entrance, then spend days watching gondolas drift by from your room, the roof terrace or the romantic courtyard restaurant.

To recover from Venice’s many indulgences, hop to Jesolo Beach less than an hour’s drive away. Here, the Almar Jesolo Resort & Spa is a wellness retreat designed for total relaxation. Stretched along a private golden beach, it’s home to oceanfront rooms with terraces and a luxurious spa to help you unwind—seafront whirlpool, Himalayan salt sauna, Turkish bath and all.

Lake Garda enjoys near perfect temperatures year-round making it an ideal destination for a relaxing escape. Lido Palace was a retreat for royalty and now, it’s been restored to offer you the same royal treatment. Their rooms and suites offer modern luxury, two gourmet restaurants indulge your palate and on-site spa pampers with the latest Swiss treatments. Meanwhile, the lake and alpine landscape offer jaw-dropping scenery.

Lake Como is the most famous town of Italy’s lake region. Not just a stomping ground for A-listers, it’s also a favorite amongst locals making it a well-established resort town. Villa d’Este once welcomed princesses, marquises, sultans and tsars. Today, it’s a five-star hotel and splendid example of 16th-century architecture. There are rooms furnished in the Renaissance style, Baroque gardens and an oft-photographed floating pool.

Milan has lots to offer, from exciting nightlife to fine dining. But it’s most renowned as a fashion capital—no wonder Armani Hotel Milano calls it home. This hotel showcasing the Armani aesthetic extends the same hospitality as you would receive in Giorgio Armani’s own home. Notable features include modern rooms with state-of-the-art technology, an urban spa and a restaurant featuring floor-to-ceiling views of the city skyline.

The Renaissance City that gave us Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Botticelli, Florence is the heart of Italian art and culture. Just the same, Hotel Savoy is a masterpiece in itself, boasting Olga Polizzi-designed rooms, a bistro featuring décor by Emilio Pucci and an authentic Tuscan restaurant by celebrated chef Fulvio Pierangelini. On Piazza della Repubblica in the historic center, it also enjoys a prime location just minutes to the Duomo.

No Italy road trip is complete without a stop in the Tuscan countryside. Castelfalfi was once a medieval village and has since been revived into an authentic Italian retreat. Il Castelfalfi is one luxury hotel located here. Surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and 800 years of historic charm, this heavenly resort invites guests to truffle hunt, winetaste and learn to make handmade cuisine.

Oenophiles must visit the Chianti Classico region, which gave us the beloved wine of the same name. Hotel Relais Borgo San Felice enjoys a hilltop location, offering a privileged view of rolling vineyards and olive groves. The many historic buildings here make you feel as if you’re a resident of this ancient village. Go on a hot air balloon ride, tour Siena and, to end on a sumptuous note, dine at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant.