This four-star hotel, just outside the lively city centre of Calabria's largest town, Cosenza, is ideally located for both easy access to the many beautiful local beaches and also the impressive Sila mountains. Hotel Athena Palace, Cosenza
The Jolly Hotel Bellini is an attractive modern hotel in Sicily, located close to Catania's lively market district. The historic heart of the city is just a five-minute walk away. There are 130 comfortable rooms here, all with en-suite bath or shower room plus satellite TV, internet connection point, direct-dial telephone and minibar. Jolly Hotel Bellini, Catania
The Katane Palace Hotel is a prestigious four star hotel in the city of Catania, and ideally placed for guests who wish to explore this verdant, eastern province of Sicily. With great food and a vast array of museums and theatres to explore, there is much more to do in Catania than simply visit Mount Etna (though that is an unmissable treat). Katane Palace Hotel, Catania
Once a Franciscan convent, the comfortable 4-star Hotel Rivoli, near the central railway station, is just a few minutes away from the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizzi Gallery. It has 69 rooms, many with a private balcony or terrace, and five fully equipped conference rooms. Hotel Rivoli, Florence
The Hotel Mediterraneo is one of the prestigious Bettoja group, and a truly luxurious establishment. This four-star hotel in Rome has 261 standard rooms, each with air conditioning, en-suite bathroom, minibar, safety deposit box and direct-line telephone. Hotel Mediterraneo, Rome
A truly unique boutique hotel in Rome, the Hotel Art by the Spanish Steps is a work of post-modern art in itself. Lying at the end of a minimalist white cobbled corridor, this hotel in Italy features hi-tech furnishings and colour coordinated corridors, and rooms clad in parquet and hand-stitched Florentine leather. Hotel Art by Spanish Steps, Rome
This wonderful four-star hotel is perfectly positioned for culture, outdoor activities and local shops and bars. One of Europe's most famous spas is directly connected to the hotel and the great outdoors of the Reno river valley and the Apennines are within easy reach. Hotel Santoli, Bologna
In the middle of the countryside but only ten minutes from the sea, this four-star Sicily hotel is based around a newly restored country house and offers ultra-modern style and elegance in a setting of olive groves and rugged, volcanic hills. Hotel Poggio Del Sole Resort, Ragusa
