I was lucky enough to visit these three most interesting cities in Italy during March 2009, although I was not so lucky with the weather! However, the rain in Siena could not detract me from the charm of this small historic town and an afternoon’s walking tour gave a good insight into the history of the people and its renowned annual horse festival, The Palio.

The hotels throughout my visit were all part of the Royal Demeure group. All 5 star properties and a style that reflects the local culture and Italian design – old and new. My first night’s stay at The Grand Hotel Intercontinental was not only comfortable but also had so much history I could not forget that I was in the heart of Siena.

En-route to Florence I enjoyed the fabulous scenery of Tuscany and lunch at a small local restaurant in Poggio. It was the start of many long leisurely lunches stretching four courses, typical of Italy. Next stop was a visit to the Castello Del Nero which enticed me with their spa facilities and views over the countryside.

Larger than Siena but still small enough to visit on foot, Florence offers so many history and art museums it was hard to decide what to do first.

The Uffizi gallery was a great place to start and the guided tour helped me make the most of the amazing collection of art there. Exploring Florence in the afternoon led me to Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo and some quality leather shops! My retreat for the night was at the Helvetia & Bristol, which was an excellent base for my stay.

A dip into the Tuscan countryside once again led us to the Villa Mangicane for a wonderful lunch and views of their surrounding olive trees and vines, all of which provide the villa with their own olive oil and superior wines. If I ever need a cookery lesson, I know to return here and make use of their kitchen especially available for private lessons for guests.

Last but not least, my final part of the trilogy was Rome. A city which is in itself is an outdoor museum of Roman history. Seeing the Colosseum left me awestruck and fascinated by the life that once existed in the city. A visit to the Vatican, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps was all I had time for and really whet my appetite and wanting to return for longer in the future.

I could not think of anywhere to stay in a more central location in Rome other than the Hotel D’Inghilterra. One minute from the Spanish steps on a quiet street, this is the peaceful haven I needed after the hustle and bustle of city life in Rome.

On our way to the airport we still had time to squeeze in a further viewing and lunch at the Villa Grazioli. This hotel is situated in the hills of Frascati and overlooks the city of Rome. It has restored all the precious frescoes and you can view these during your stay. It is such a relaxing spot whilst being so close to Rome. Lunch was superb, especially with local Frascati wines which the waiter chose to compliment the dishes.

This trip was a wonderful combination of city life and rural sleepiness. The food and wines were a pleasure to experience and it is just a shame I could not spend longer there!

Jo Britton