Adventures to inspire every traveller
Spring in Europe has a magical quality to it, with its sun-dappled vineyards and secret stretches of beach. Whether you’re looking to hone your culinary skills with your loved ones or you’re craving an outdoor adventure, here are three of our dream family holiday destinations to spend an unforgettable Spring in Europe.
Perfect for… Gourmands
Puglia, Italy
With its ancient sites, charming hilltop towns, Baroque architecture and pristine beaches, Puglia in southern Italy makes for a splendid Spring holiday break. This is also where much of Italy’s wine and olive oil are produced, among other gastronomical delights such as orecchiette pasta, which is often accompanied with cime di rapa sauce. Masseria Torre Maizza’s restaurant Carosello is set in the former stables of an Italian farmhouse, or masseria, and has high whitewashed ceilings, a terrace and garden views which make it an idyllic spot to indulge in seasonal local delicacies, but you can also opt to sit amid our centuries-old olive grove for a candlelit picnic prepared by our chefs. For those wanting to learn new skills, we have classes for novice cooks and seasoned gourmands so that you can learn the stories behind each dish and how to prepare a range of regional specialities with ingredients freshly picked from our grounds.
Perfect for… A romantic escape
Florence, Italy
The cradle of the Renaissance and home to some of the world’s most impressive art and architecture, Florence is also one of Europe’s most romantic Spring destinations. For those looking to create an unforgettable proposal, Hotel Savoy organises private boat rides on a traditional barchetto gondola along the Arno river. The barchetto slows down under the medieval stone Ponte Vecchio bridge to create a fairytale setting for your proposal, before continuing to the workshop of Italy’s ‘Queen of embroidery,’ Loretta Capone, where you’ll find exquisite and embroidered linens and handmade lingerie. Round off your evening by indulging in a private Tuscan dinner accompanied by live entertainment in the Presidential Suite at Hotel Savoy, from which you can gaze across to Florence Cathedral’s dome and belltower.
Perfect for… Sensational art
London, United Kingdom
London has long been known as the capital of the art world and it is home to an array of top class galleries. Mayfair, where Brown’s Hotel is based, is one of the city’s main hubs of modern and contemporary art. On Albemarle Street, on our hotel’s doorstep, you’ll find leading fine art galleries such as Connaught Brown, which specialises in paintings and drawings by French Impressionists, post-Impressionists and modern masters. Nearby, historic Cork Street is dotted with some of the world’s most renowned galleries such as Messums London, a specialist in contemporary British art and sculpture. This May, discover the stories of our creative capital with the last in our series of enlightening Art Walks led by Maeve Doyle, renowned art critic and Artistic Director of Maddox Gallery. Following the walk, enjoy a seasonal two-course lunch at Charlie’s restaurant as part of this unique experience.
Round off Spring in style with an unforgettable stay at a Rocco Forte hotel in Europe.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
Preparations were in full swing at the North Pole - ribbons tied, sleigh bells polished, and lists checked twice - yet Father Christmas kindly agreed to pause his busy schedule for an interview. We met him at SCOTCH at The Balmoral, just as the famous clocktower struck 12:03 - it stands watch over Waverley Station, running three minutes fast, so no one ever misses a train. Settled into a deep armchair with a favourite dram in hand, he shared his most treasured places to pause, indulge and unwind across Europe every festive season.
As the world turns ever faster, the more we crave moments that feel timeless. In an age of novelty, amid the noise of constant ‘connection’ and the short-lived churn of the new, many are choosing something rare: nostalgia. Comfort is found in the familiar, meaning in memory, and beauty in places that feel lived-in. Nostalgia has emerged as the new expression of luxury, not as a retreat into the past, but rather a graceful refusal to let its traditions and heritage fade away.
