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Italy is rich in history , culture , food , wine , music , sport and spas . In essence , the richness of life in Italy is brought to you by Italian Expressions with our range of authentic experience holidays and breaks . We know that many clients want to combine a stay in a truly luxurious and cosseting environment with mind and knowledge enhancing experiences , particularly ones that illuminate local culture or individual interests and pursuits .

TO THESE ENDS over the next few pages you will find our current selection of holidays that incorporate events , activities and special interests . This fascinating selection includes garden and villa tours for small groups , visiting La Mortella on Ischia and the gardens of Ninfa south of Rome , truffle hunting in Piemonte , experiencing how mozzarella is made in Puglia , wine tasting in Umbria , Greek theatre in Sicily , visits to private gardens on Lake Maggiore , opera in Verona and Torre del Lago .

Do check our website for even more ideas of authentic experience holidays in Italy . www . italianexpressions . co . uk

A brief overview of holidays in this brochure Music in Italy Festivals and events in Italy Garden tours of Italy Food and wine in Italy Cookery holidays in Italy

Other activities to be found on the website

Personalised guided tours in cities This is perfect if you are reasonably familiar with the Italian cities , but like many of us find them irresistible to visit every so often and now you need more insight and depth into places of interest .

We can arrange for a registered English-speaking local guide to accompany you on a walking tour of a city of your choice . We recommend this service highly for Florence , Rome , Venice , Naples and Palermo . The guide takes you on a tour to places you are particularly interested in , whether the focus be a particular style of architecture , a particular artist , gardens or social history . Prices from about £ 350 for three hours .

Chauffeur-driven excursions These are ideal if you don ’ t want to drive yourself ; you are collected from your hotel and your English speaking driver takes you exactly where you want to be , waits whilst you visit the place of interest and brings you back to the hotel . Prices from about £ 350 for half a day .

Sailing in Italy There are a number of hotels that have their own yachts that you can hire on a skippered basis for days or half days . Some also make arrangements through local yacht companies . Hotels that offer this service include the Pellicano in Tuscany , the Palazzo Avino in Ravello , the Hotel Caruso in Ravello and the Masseria Torre Coccaro in Puglia .

Walking in Italy Walking in all sorts of shapes and forms is of course possible wherever you are . The hotels in Tuscany and Umbria are particularly good as bases for walking as are the ones in the mountains , the Hotel Bellevue in Cogne and the Hermitage in Cervinia . From the Relais Villa Monte Solare in Umbria , the hotel will give you a two-day itinerary from the hotel back to the hotel each day and come to collect you too .

Cycling in Italy Again Puglia , Tuscany and Umbria all lend themselves well to cycling as there are plenty of tracks and lanes off the main roads where you can cycle and hire mountain bikes . A really worthwhile way to experience the local countryside .

Spas in Italy Italy has a long history of spas dating back to Roman times and the country has abundant springs and spas specialising in a variety of treatments using mud , sulphur , sea water and mineral waters . Some of the hotels we offer are built over a spring such as the Grotta di Giusti , the Bagni di Pisa , and the Terme di Saturnia . These tend to offer a truly authentic Italian spa experience , which can be more medical in flavour than an English equivalent . Others have superb spas using sea water such as the Masseria San Domenico in Puglia and the Capri Palace in Capri . Some just have an amazing range of beauty treatments in their hotel spa – many hotels offer this but some of the best are the Pellicano , L ’ Andana , the Villa Serbelloni , Le Sirenuse , and the Mezzatorre . Just ask us for details and we can tailor a spa break to suit your requirements .

Special occasions Italy is a favourite destination to celebrate a special event or anniversary . Not only are there plenty of superbly luxurious and pampering hotels to stay in , but the staff will also take extra special care of you . All our hotels have splendid suites , ideal for a special occasion , or let us book a special dinner for you either in the hotel or in a nearby restaurant and treat yourself to a business class flight and perhaps a luxury car either for the transfer or to use yourself .

Golf in Italy Just a few of the hotels we feature have golf courses on the premises , such as the Masseria San Domenico and the Masseria Torre Coccaro in Puglia . Others , for example the hotels in Tuscany , have access to a number of golf courses within driving distance .

18 www . italianexpressions . co . uk