Short Breaks

An exciting selection of cities which are only a short flights from UK and are served by many of the low cost airlines.

Whether your interests lie in culture, sightseeing or shopping, these are among the best places in the world

Turin

Turin and its province will surprise you with its vibrant passion and harmonious beauty.

Pristine mountain landscapes and noble royal residences, futuristic architecture and breathtaking nature, traditional flavors and international events invite you to discover the many souls of the city and territory.

Special Pass allows you to move freely among the wonders of Turin and Piedmont, while tourist buses and thematic tours are ready to satisfy your curiosity from architecture to the art of chocolate.



Venice

Formerly at the hub of a trading empire that extended across much of the Eastern Mediterranean, Venice's rich history and heritage is evident in its splendid churches, palaces, piazza and, of course, its famous canals.

With its magical atmosphere, it's easy to see how everyone succumb to the city's charms.



Verona

For over two millennia, the city walls have been preserving a unique combination of art, history and culture.

Recently awarded the status of a "World Heritage Site", Verona has delighted painters, poets, travellers and celebrities for centuries.

A walk through its narrow streets allows you to get in touch with its varied and fascinating past: traces of its splendid Roman origins, its prevailing medieval structure dating back to the time of knights and castles, its magnificent Renaissance palaces as well as the impressive fortifications which protect it.

A suggestive blend of art and history which continuously fascinates the onlooker.



Brescia

Brescia is a city best enjoyed on foot along the streets of the old town, losing yourself among the monuments and architecture which tell the city’s history through various architectural styles.

Shops, bars, restaurants, businesses and workshops, art galleries and museums all located in very charming locations, within ancient buildings, next to historical churches or under picturesque porticoes.



Merano the Health Resort 

The city's calendar of events offers you a wide range of programs, full of highlights: from the International Flower show MeranFlora in the spring to the traditional Grape Festival in October, from the enthralling horse races to the Music Festival of Merano that offers classical music at the highest international level.

Those with an interest in the visual arts will find a visit to the Merano art gallery "kunst Meran" a must, while the Art Nouveau and Belle Epoque buildings and monuments should not be missed.

Leisure facilities: where the Merano Thermal baths, a modern palace of well-being, is connected to a century old hiking path where, more than a century ago, the Empress Sisi came in search of relaxation.

In Merano the old and new are neighbours, the traditional coexists with the modern, and rural charm meets urban chic.

Events not to be missed!

This area of Italy is beautiful, rich, and steeped in historic traditions.

The events that take place in each location are an experience of a life time, and bring together the passionate culture, long-standing history, and magnificent regalia that Italy is known for.

We have higlighted some of the most important events that take place near our hotels each year.
 

Merano Wine Festival & Gourmet  -  Castel Fragsburg
 
All events that Gourmet’s International of Meran organise each year are under the patronage of Merano WineFestival & Gourmet.

The goal of the 10 day fringe events of Meran WineFestival & Gourmet is to awaken the five senses of the visitors with exquisite wines, gastronomic specialities, exciting show cooking as well as romantic and charming hotels and cosy gourmet locations.
 

The Centomiglia Regatta  - Villa Sostaga

Every September since 1951, the most noteworthy freshwater regatta in the world takes place on Lake Garda: the Centomiglia.

This competition, which begins in the small harbour at Bogliaco, involves about 350 sailboats of varying size, whose colourful sails dot the blue waters of the lake.

Enthusiasts and experts in the sport gather along the shore and at strategic points with the best views.

Many people follow the regatta from their own boats or on ships chartered by the Navigarda company. Some professional teams participate in the regatta to test themselves against the lake’s tricky waves and the northerly winds and to train for the prestigious Louis Vuitton and America’s Cup competitions.

100 Week is an event that takes place at the same time as the Centomiglia and, in addition to other sailing challenges, includes concerts and festivals in the piazzas of Gargnano and Bogliaco, where you can meet the skippers and their crews.
 

The Millemiglia Car Race - Villa Sostaga

They call it the “most beautiful race in the world,” for the charming route it takes, but above all because of the stars of the show.

They are classic cars built between 1927 and 1957, true works of art on four wheels that parade by to be admired as the sound of the motors and the acrid smell of exhaust leave spectators speechless.

From 1927 to 1957 the Mille Miglia was the world automobile championship race.

Now it is an endurance test that retraces the same course: from Brescia to Rome and back, passing through the cities of Ferrara, Ravenna, Bologna, Urbino and Florence.

In the month of May Brescia festively welcomes 300 crews from around the world.

Thousands of onlookers and enthusiasts assemble at the race checkin point in Piazza Vittoria to take pictures of the automobiles and the celebrities from the entertainment and sports world competing in the thrilling contest.
 

Arena di Verona Opera Season 2010  - Hotel Villa del Quar
     
One of the greatest and most prestigious archaeological tresure, Arena di Verona is a world-famous open-air Roman amphitheatre, seating over 30,000 spectators.

A magnificent venue for a number of famous opera performances each summer creates a truly unforgettable opera experience.
 
The Arena is as much a star as the performers, there really is no other place quite like it to experience the opera.

See our  Luxury Verona Opera Package >>
 

Venice Carnival  - Palazzo Barbarigo

The Venice Carnival take place every year between the 13th and the 26th of February, a cocktail of tradition, entertainment, history and transgression in a unique city, a festival that attracts thousands of people from around the world each year.

The Carnival has very old origins, the official start of the Venice Carnival dates back to 1296, when the Senate of the Republic made the Carnival official with an edict declaring the day before Lent a public holiday.

After an interruption lasting almost two centuries, the tradition of Carnival was rediscovered by the Municipality in 1980 and since then it has taken place every year with success.
 

Areas of great natural beauty

Our Lakes and Mountain selection offers a combination of beautiful natural surroundings and historic architecture provinding a variety of experiences to make your holiday extra special.

To help you choose the most suitable location we have highlight some areas of outstanding natural beauty that should not be missed during your stay.

 

The Garda Bresciano Park  - Villa Sostaga

Parco Alto Garda Bresciano, with the overhanging rocks on the lake, the large terraces, the paths and panoramic roads developing in the valleys, the woods and towns of the hinterland and of the shore, is one of the most charming natural environments of North Italy.

The panorama of the Park is multicolored and charming.

Its importance derives from the particular geographic position, the geological structure, and the presence of the lake influencing the climate, the flora, and the fauna of the whole area.

The unique features of this territory have transformed it into an ideal destination for different kinds of experiences surrounded by nature.

The beauty of these places is praised by the particular synergy between the lake and the mountain enviroment, two fundamental elements of this extraordinary land.
 





Merano & surroundings South Tyrol - Castel Fragsburg

Both in summer and winter, mountains and mountain ranges in South Tyrol attract a large number of people from all over the world.

These mountains offer various possibilities regarding leisure time activities and alpine sports as well as space for relaxation.

Hikes throughout the world-famous Dolomites, the Ortles-Cevedale mountian range as well as the Gruppo di Tessa will make for an unforgettable experience.



The Dolomites - Castel Fragsburg

The Dolomites are characterised by rugged rock formations and are a mountain chain of the southern Limestone Alps which can harken back on a 200 million year long history.

This mountain range belongs to five different Italian provinces, which are South Tyrol, Trentino, Belluno, Udine and Pordenone.

At sunset the “monti pallidi” (pale mountains), how they are often called due to the rock calcification, appear in a red light, which is really amazing.

Due to the beauty and special geology, which gives an insight into several different stages of the history of earth, the Dolomite mountains have been officially added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
 

Holidays with Golf

There are golf holidays, and there are holidays with golf.

The two are quite different and you go to different places for them.

For a golf holiday you might choose Florida or the Murcia, Paphos or the Costa del Sol.

A holiday with golf is an altogether more varied experience, and there is nowhere better than Italy to sample a mixture of old and modern golf designs, along with the 'dolce vita' that Italians are famous for.

We like to highlight few Golf Clubs that we are sure will deliver a great holiday with golf experience, these are just a short drive from the reccomended accommodation in unique natural surroundings.

 

Lake Garda - Villa Sostaga

Situated on a hilltop and surrounded by almost a 100 acres of woods, you'd be hard pushed to find better views of Lake Garda.

A former hunting lodge in Art Nouveau style, this beautiful villa dates back to the 19th century.

 

Bogliaco Golf Club - 10km from Hotel Villa Sostaga

Situated close to the hills on the western side of lake Garda, Golf Bogliaco lies in a basin at an altitude of 100 metres, covered with oleander, laurel, cypresses, olive trees and other plants typical of Mediterranean vegetation.

18 Holes certificated course par 67
Driving range 9 places covered
Putting green
Pitching green with bunker
Rental equipment (manual and electric trolley - clubs)

Golf Club Il Colombaro - 18 km from the Hotel Villa Sostaga

The Golf Club Colombaro is located on a lovely hill above Lake Garda and not far from the city of Saló.

The 9-holes course is relatively short and ideal for beginners and golf players, who want to exercise on the course without feeling pressured.

The course is made up mainly of par 3 holes and is embedded in the beautiful landscape of the plateau.

9 holes par 29,
Driving range
Putting green
Pitching green,
Pitching green with bunker

 

Merano - Castel Fragsburg

This exclusive hotel was originally a hunters’ refuge for noble shooting parties and guests of local feudal lords, today is a luxury family run  hotel with incomparable views over the Merano valley surrounded by subtropical vegetation with apple orchards and vineyards.

 
Golf club Passirio - 16 km from Hotel Castel Fragsburg

The golf course Passirio - Merano is an 18-hole golf course, embedded in the Burgraviato landscape.
Water hazards, canyons, forests and also the fantastic mountains that surround the golf course guarantee finest golfing.

18 Holes, Par 71, altitude 500 m, Driving Range, Putting Green, Bunker


Golf Club Lana - 13 km from Hotel Castel Fragsburg

Designed just below the ruins of Castle Brandis from the prestigious British designer Michael Pinner it extends almost 3000 meters in length.

9 Holes Par 35
Driving range
2 putting-greens
Pitching-green
Practice bunker

 

Treviso - Hotel Villa Abbazia

This 17th century palazzo reveals its charms in a discrete manner in the historic centre of Follina, a picturesque village on the venetian pre-Alps.

Tranquil and intimate, Villa Abbazia, enjoys a particularly favourable position on the Prosecco Route between the romantic splendours of Treviso and Venice.
 

Asolo Golf Club  - 27 km from Hotel Villa Abbazia

Asolo golf club is one of the finest golf clubs in the Veneto region and offers a beautiful field with 27 holes.

The club is equipped with a wellness center with sauna, massage, gym, jacuzzi and relaxation area, an outdoor heated swimming pool with a bar and a large solarium area and 2 tennis courts.

The 27 holes comprise of 3 combinable 9 hole courses that can be enjoyed by golfers of all abilities, while possibly lacking real challenges for the more accomplished.

27 holes Par 72
Driving range
Putting-greens


Golf Club Castelfranco - 45 km from Hotel Villa Abbazia

The golf club stands against the magnificent backdrop of the Cà Amata Villa, one of the most beautiful examples of eighteenth century Venetian architecture.

Despite only having nine holes, the course features double tee-offs, thus offering a technical, challenging game, accessible to players at all levels.

9 holes Par 71
driving range
putting green
pitching green
practice bunker