I conclude my Italian adventures, which have taken me to Lake Garda, Tuscany and Rome, with a stay on the stunning Amalfi coast.

After a 90-minute drive from Naples station along the breath-taking coastal roads, we weave our way through the mountains, battling rainstorms and reaching points almost as high as the clouds. Afraid of heights, then don’t look down!

It’s not one of the easiest destinations to reach but like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow the elegant, cliffside Hotel Santa Caterina is well worth the journey. The family-run hotel opened in 1904 and is now in its fourth generation.

Set in an art deco villa on Amalfi drive, it offers a courteous and old-fashioned charm. With the likes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian and Hillary Clinton staying as guests, Hotel Santa Caterina offers the perfect hideaway.

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I continue my Italian adventures, and after visiting Lake Garda and Tuscany, it is time to take in the wonders of Rome.

I have always loved the expression “when in Rome” and at last I could finally use it in the right context, but with so much to do and only one day to do it in, we required two things, a central base and a big map of the historical city.

The stunning vine covered façade of the Hotel Raphael offered us just that. Overlooking a small square just behind the Piazza Navona, it’s a stone’s throw away from some of Rome’s most exciting attractions.

As part of the luxury Relais & Chateaux group, the hotel built in 1963, has accents of historic architecture and is filled with art and sculptures. Renovated in 2012 it feels elegant and comfortable at the same time.

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Tuscany is known for its undulating hills, vineyards and cypress-lined olive groves, and with a rich cultural heritage, mouth-watering food, world class wines and the infamous Tuscan sun, it’s a perfect destination for history lovers and foodies alike.

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I take on a 4 part Italian adventure, starting with a trip to Lefay Resort & Spa overlooking scenic Lake Garda.

When I think of Italy, I conjure up thoughts of sparkling coastlines, fine food and ancient history. Having never visited before, it seemed like the perfect destination for the second leg of my honeymoon.

Following the theme of romance, we start our journey where my favourite pair of star-crossed lovers began theirs in Verona.

As we enter the arrivals lounge, our hotel driver is ready and waiting to whisk us away to stop number one. After approximately an hour’s drive, including a brief Italian lesson, courtesy of our driver Raphael, we get our first glance of this beautiful country.

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