Rome, Florence, Tuscany and Venice. Known for its soaring frescos, delectable gelato, rolling vineyards and la dolche vita, there’s noting quite as thrilling and decadent as a luxury vacation to Italy. We invite you to join us on an indulgent 12-Day guided tour showcasing this sensational country at its finest and made even more exceptional by your Travel Concierge.

We spoke with Elena, a Luxury Gold Travel Concierge since the brands inception in 2011 and an Italy expert. She tells us more about going above and beyond to make your Ultimate Italy journey incredible.

“To me Luxury travel means superlative. Exclusive. Absolute perfection,” explains Elena. “Every time, I go above and beyond for all the guests. I take care of them, and I do it with passion and sincerity.”

For travel inspiration read our Italy destination guide

 

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Benvenuto Italy

Your Ultimate Italy small group journey starts in Rome – The Eternal City. The Vatican Museums, Roman Forum and Colosseum take center stage, combined with free time to soak up the delight of Italy’s capital in your own way. The five star Palazzo Montemartini is perfectly located in the heart of the city, for you to explore at your own pace. You’ll spend two nights here before travelling to the ill-fated city of Pompei.

Once you arrive your Travel Concierge is by your side to help you settle in. Fluent in the local language and an expert in your destination, Elena helps guests make the most of their luxury vacation to Italy with her little black book of contacts and restaurant suggestions galore.

Discover this on: Ultimate Italy

Exceptional service means personal service

More than a master of logistics, to be a Travel Concierge is to go above and beyond for all the guests. Elena explains that taking time to get to know each guest personally is the secret. “When I know somebody is really interested in something, then I can really see an opportunity that will make their magical moment for them.

“I recall a couple that were celebrating their 50th anniversary on one of my tours. They never asked me anything, but I knew it was their anniversary so, I arranged for a surprise during our Michelin-starred lunch on the Isle of Capri. The best part was that the waiters came out with all sorts of instruments when we presented them with a cake, candles and Champagne, and they just had a marvelous time, lots of fun.”

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Michelin-starred dining on the Isle of Dreams

With expectational dining a hallmark of every Luxury Gold journey, Michelin-starred dining on the Isle of Dreams, Capri, is one of the highlights of Ultimate Italy. This sun-drenched isle is the epitome of the celebrity lifestyle, and lunch at Le Monzù offers both sensational cuisine and spectacular views on your luxury vacation to Italy. With your Travel concierge ensuring each moment is seamless, you’ll arrive by open-top taxi and enjoy a private cruise showcasing Capri’s dramatic coastline, winding your way through hidden coves and visiting the famous White Grotto.

You may also enjoy reading: These Are Our 15 Favorite Michelin Star Restaurants in Italy

Photo credit: @lemonzurestaurant on Instagram

Get into the heart of rural Italy

Away from the shining cities, Italy’s rural landscapes and communities are very special. In Umbria personalize your day – be guided through the incredible frescos at the Basilica of St. Francis with a local historian view. Or, with the help of a local gourmand, learn the roots of Umbrian cuisine. Elena is on hand to help guests choose, finding out their preferences and suggesting the perfect fit.

In Perugia enjoy a special a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and meet fourth-generation weaver Marta, who shares the art of medieval Umbrian tradition of loom-weaving. And in San Gimigiano, enjoy a private wine tasting tour with the owners of Guardastelle Estate and indulge in sensational gelato with World Champion Gelato maestro, Sergio Dondoli.

Bookmark for later: This Little Gelateria in San Gimignano May Just Serve The Best Gelato in All of Italy

Special surprises

“One of the best parts of our job is the fact that we can be so creative,” says Elena. “Each time we can personalize flourishes and surprises according to the guests that we have on our trip, or to the place where we are. It can be some chocolates delivered to the room, or maybe a special cake.

“Sometimes we can offer it to them in an informal but thoughtful way and that makes it just so special. Or we can go to the other end, because Luxury Gold is a high-end product, and we can offer something really exclusive. So, we are always making memorable moments.”

Foodie heaven in Florence and Pisa

As well as soaking up the main sights, your two days in Florence and Pisa are a gourmet delight. There’s no better way to get to the heart of Italy than through the cuisine.

You’ll have opportunity to explore Florence’s markets and gourmet stores with a local food expert, and take a foraging trip for truffles, guided by an expert truffle dog. You’ll also learn from a professional Italian chef how to roll pasta by hand. With opportunities to choose where you dine, Elena is on hand with suggestions for restaurants and dining experiences for every preference. She’ll also take care of any transport booking or guide you to your destination.

You may also like: Exploring the World’s Most Renowned Truffle Regions

The glitz of the Cinque Terra and VIP Venice

Your 12-day luxury vacation in Italy finishes up with a visit to the cliffside town of the picturesque UNESCO-listed Cinque Terra before the grand VIP finale, Venice. You’ll arrive by water taxi to your luxury hotel the Palazzo Nani Venice, and step behind the velvet ropes of Doges Palace for a private, after-hours tour. Ancient glassblowing and a serenaded gondola ride are just some of the delights in store, of course paired with delicious dining as you finish your journey in style.

You may be interested to read: 100% Meaningful, 100% Memorable: Why Every Luxury Gold Journey Matters

The secret to making guests feel extra special?

“Above and beyond the everyday care of each guest, I listen to them and try to understand their interests,” says Elena. “One of the questions that I always ask on the first day when I’m meeting my guests is ‘what is the reason for having chosen this trip?’ And this is the moment where I can get the most incredible stories, which in turn enable me to personalize their journey. Sometimes they’re coming back to their roots, sometimes it’s a special occasion. Sometimes they’ve overcoming some difficult times so it’s a moment of joy, and sometimes it’s just a treat and they just want to explore exquisite destinations in the most luxurious way.”

Discover Italy in luxury style on our Ultimate Italy small group journey

You may know it as the ancient land of the Incas, but much of the culture and heritage of Peru – arguably South America’s top bucket-list destination – is shrouded in mystery. One way to tap into the rest of Peruvian history and culture is to stay at one of the country’s most authentic lodges, hotels that wear their conservation of tradition as a badge of honor. 

Two of the most committed properties are Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo, near the Incan citadel of the same name (the epicentre of Peruvian history), and Palacio del Inka in Cusco. Guests on Luxury Gold’s in-depth Treasures of the Incas tour will get the chance to stay a leisurely two nights at each property, each stay a chance to really get under the skin of Peruvian culture. Atmospheric and filled with local detail, each property aims to conserve Peruvian history and educate their guests on how people lived, then and now. Here’s what you can expect from a stay.

The walkway at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo

Finding the Lost City

Inkaterra’s founders championed ecotourism long before it was a travel buzzword. Starting with a lodge in the Amazon rainforest, José Koechlin von Stein then opened the brand’s Machu Picchu property in the 1990s, determined to hire local people, assess and protect local wildlife and biodiversity, and create a captivating experience for guests visiting the Incan citadel.

The feeling of stepping back in time starts on arrival. Styled like a traditional Andean mountain village of 83 casitas, the hotel is tucked into 12.3 acres of pristine cloud forest. Rooms with private terraces and plunge pools have little touches such as fireplaces, cotton robes and Andean slippers crafted from recycled materials. In the authentic Unu Spa (meaning “water” in the native Quechua language), only 100% natural ingredients are used; Andean species including mint, eucalyptus and orchids are used to tap into traditional cures and therapies used throughout Peruvian history. After a day seeing the archaeological site, you can retreat to the Andean Sauna, a small, thatched mound heated by warmed river stones and infused with eucalyptus. 

Rustic interiors at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu lodge

On top of this, Inkaterra Cafe is working on reclaiming Peru’s pre-Hispanic cuisines, and the property has a programme to rescue the country’s beloved Spectacled Bears (that’s Paddington to you and me). Working with the Peruvian National Institute of Natural Resources (INRENA), Inkaterra hotel group works to rehabilitate some of these bears – South America’s only bear species – who have been negatively impacted by human communities, and release them into the wild. They can also be sighted occasionally in the countryside around the Machu Picchu lodge.

Excursions to Machu Picchu itself are a must-do, of course; but other excursions include getting to know the local orchids (Inkaterra has a garden of some 372 species. Local festivals like August’s Pachamama are marked by shaman-led ceremonies where guests are encouraged to join in.

We also think you’ll like: Embrace The Spirituality of The Incas in Peru’s Sacred Valley

A historic courtyard at Palacio del Inka, Cusco

Palace of the Incas

The traditional feel starts with the facade of this 500-year-old building, a listed landmark which was once the home of Francisco Pizarro, Peru’s first Spanish governor. It also sits across from Cusco’s Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), built around the year 1200. Decor here is more focused on Peru’s Spanish-colonial history, from gilded columns, polished antique furniture, valuable mirrors and vases decorating rooms and halls to lavish painted tiling above beds, arches and courtyards in the architecture. Opulent oil paintings are collected from the Cusqueña Art School, prominent in Peruvian history. Request a suite in the Casona de los Cuatro Bustos area of the building to stay in what was once the 15th-century residence.

But the Spirit Spa here puts the hotel firmly in the Peruvian Andes, with indigenous treatments dating back hundreds of years. From a grape-skin bath that takes advantage of the antioxidants in the fruit to an Inca-style mud wrap, they range from rustic to deluxe (the gold-leaf-infused Temple of the Sun treatment). Parts of an ancient Incan wall also run through the hotel’s Rumi Bar – ask staff for the full history. Daily guided tours of the Palacio can enlighten you as to the historic significance of each part of the building and grounds.

The restaurant at Palacio del Inka

In terms of food, Inti Raymi restaurant is a whirlwind through Peruvian culinary history, from zingy ceviche to grilled alpaca, and Pisco sours served in terracotta tumblers with an array of local botanical seasonings. One real highlight is the hotel’s own Pisco sour masterclass, where expert mixologists will talk you through the local spirit, made from fermented grape juice, and how it interweaves with Peruvian history, as well as how to mix the perfect pour.

Even the Palacio’s location puts you right at the heart of the Sacred Valley’s history, with the colonial architecture of Plaza de Armas all around, and shops selling traditional handicrafts to take home (the hotel concierge can point you in the right direction). The city’s cathedral, its Inka Museum and Saqsaywaman archaeological site should all be on your to-do list.

We also think you’ll like: Inside the home and studio of Peru’s most famous sculptor, Victor Delfin

The best luxury resorts in the world are of course glorious places to stay, but there is so much more to them than their guest rooms – they’re gateways to destinations, and they’re entire destinations in themselves. Whether they happen to be located in the middle of national parks, private white sand beaches, wine country, ski slopes, cities or small towns, they tell a unique story about their place. Here are 10 of our favorites right now.

For billabong swims and hammock time: Silky Oaks Lodge, Queensland

Forty ‘treehouses’ sit snugly in the world’s oldest living rainforest, surrounded by fronds and vines, ferns and mosses. It’s hard not to think of Eden as you lie in your hammock following a dazzling blue Ulysses butterfly or a chattering of palm cockatoos with your eyes. Guests have the chance to learn about the Indigenous culture of the local Kuku Yalanji people who have lived in the Daintree Rainforest continuously, and have a deep connection with it.

 

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For tranquility and connecting with nature: Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel

In the mountains of north Japan, this tranquil ryokan is the only resort built on the shore of the Orase Gorge, part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, a protected area teeming with lushness: beech, katsura and Japanese horse chestnut trees, plus over 300 species of moss. Rooms overlook the stream and waterfalls; it’s an unparallelled vantage point for witnessing the changing seasons. Lots of significance is placed on the onsen experience in the hot springs from Mount Hakkoda – the concept behind the resort is “Keiru slow living”. Stay here on our Majestic Japan journey. 

For sumptuous living in the city: The Leela Palace, Chennai

One of the best luxury resorts on our Essence of India journey, this is almost five acres of sheer opulence and romance where the Bay of Bengal meets the Adyar river. There are brunches fit for royalty, sea-view sundowners, marble corridors, chandeliers and silk ruching wherever you look, even a cake shop, whose counters are filled with handcrafted macarons, chocolates and cheesecakes. Rooms and suites are haven-like, golden and glorious but it’s worth tearing yourself out of them to lounge by the enormous pool. 

 

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For icon status in the great Canadian outdoors: Fairmont Banff Springs

Known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies” this world-famous resort with its steep copper roofs, dormers and gables, is located in the majestic Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides absurd levels of beauty and various walking trails, the park itself offers opportunities for horseback riding, rock climbing, biking, glacier walking and skiing. On the resort itself, there’s a 27-hole championship golf course and an award-winning spa, not to mention wildflower cocktails in the timeless Rundle Bar. 

Stay here on our Majesty of the Rockies journey.

 

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For serenity (and celebrity) by the beach: Copacabana Palace, Rio

As far as world class locations go, Copacabana Beach is hard to beat. This imposing white Carrara marble icon has been in situ since 1923, when French architect Joseph Gire took influence from the Negresco in Nice and the Carlton in Cannes. Since then, celebrities passing through have included Walt Disney, Brigitte Bardot, Princess Diana and Madonna. Away from the high energy of the beach and the city streets, the interiors offer soothing white linens, mahogany furnishings and arguably the best balconies in the world. 

This hotel is on our Classic South America journey.

 

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For Tuscan frescoes and flowers: Four Seasons Firenze

This is an urban retreat of Florentine proportions, housed across the 15th-century Palazzo della Gherardesca and the 16th-century convent, La Villa. The creamy interiors feature frescoes, paintings and sculptures, plus elaborate floral displays and golden light seemingly sent from the heavens. The Renaissance theme continues through the Michelin star restaurant, wine cellar and into the relaxation center, with its ancient Italian spa treatments and garden-based yoga. All a 15-minute walk from the Duomo.  

For English charm and Swiss hospitality: Hotel d’Angleterre, Geneva

On the shore of the glittering Lake Geneva, the Angleterre is a grand old dame to behold, but – as one of the best luxury resorts in the world – it’s also more intimate than you might expect. No two rooms are the same – there’s masterful quilting and upholstery, with playfulness coming through in the occasional leopard print cushion, striped drape, silk-covered wall or original Miró sketch. There’s afternoon tea, of course, plus decanters of port, cognac and whisky. It’s a masterclass in refined luxury, and it’s best enjoyed as part of Majestic Switzerland. 

For easy living in The Big Easy: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

At the edge of the French quarter, the swish Maison Blanche building which occupies a whole city block is a retreat from the hubbub, but a very assuredly New Orleanian one. After a dinner of farm-to-table Louisiana cuisine (blue crab beignets, seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits), guests can listen to jazz musician Jeremy Davenport playing the lounge named after him, while sipping Davenportinis. It’s always a joyful stop on our Southern Grace journey. The spaces are ritzy and glamorous – lots of black leather and velvet.

 

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For untouchable private island solitude: Song Saa, Cambodia

This is the kind of unfathomable paradise we couldn’t not put on a list of the best luxury resorts. On Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago, 45 minutes by speedboat from Sihanoukville, Song Saa is arranged across two small islands. It’s got everything you’d expect – palm-thatched villas with four-poster beds and sea-view plunge pools and an open-air spa made up of various pavilions, and plenty you’d never dreamed of too (it’s surprisingly family-friendly!). The owners are committed to the environment – they’ve set up a marine reserve and employ conservation staff.

For stylish safaris with heart: Londolozi, South Africa

In the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park, Londolozi is all for healing the land. The Varty family behind it believe it “should inspire a desire to live in deeper connection with each other and the natural world”. Each of the exquisite camps tells a story – the Founders camp honors the past, Tree Camp is lantern-lit, and sanctuary-like, and Varty Camp is the heart and soul – it’s been hosting family-friendly campfires for over 100 years. The rooms and suites are richly layered under thatched roofs, each with expansive decks on which to do yoga, bathe or sip champagne.

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