Art and wine packages make the most of springtime in Italy

One of the best times of the year to visit Tuscany is definitely during spring, with warm temperatures and long hours of daylight in which to enjoy the legendary green Tuscan countryside. Known as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and also famous for its wines, including Chianti, Royal Demeure hotels  in Siena and Florence are offering events and packages that showcase the best Tuscany has to offer this spring.

Once the cultural centre of Europe thanks to its reputation as the home of the Renaissance, Florence offers art and culture lovers the chance to discover works of art and masterpieces while walking through the cobbled streets, including Michelangelo's ‘David’.

The historic Helvetia & Bristol Hotel in Florence have put together a bespoke, ‘Springtime of the Renaissance’ package for fans of this era that combines art and relaxation. Stay at the hotel anytime until 18 August and you will receive two tickets to the exhibition, ‘The Springtime of the Renaissance. Sculpture and the Arts in Florence 1400-1460’. Taking place at Palazzo Strozzi, just in front of the hotel, the exhibition aims to illustrate, in theme-based sections, the origin of what is still known today as the ‘miracle’ of the Renaissance in Florence, doing so mainly through masterpieces of sculpture, the branch of figurative art in which that new season first saw the light of day.

Included in the package: daily buffet breakfast; complimentary room upgrade (dependent on availability); Cantucci and Vinsanto in the room (Tuscan almond cookies and dessert wine); two tickets to ‘The Springtime of the Renaissance. Sculpture and the Arts in Florence 1400-1460’;

official catalogue of the exhibition. Prices start from €628 per couple, based on a two night stay in a classic double room. City tax of €5 per person per night payable only in cash upon check out.

As well-known for its wine as it is for its art, Tuscany is perhaps the most famous of all Italian wine regions and home to some of the world’s most prestigious tipples. As well as reds, the area also produces award-winning whites and dessert wines, all of which can be experienced and enjoyed at Royal Demeure’s Siena based property, the Grand Hotel Continental. And with Cantine Aperte, the most important wine celebration in Italy, taking place the last weekend in May, what better time to travel and discover the secrets of the region’s wines.

In the very heart of Siena, you can enrol in the hotel’s ‘Wine School’ and experience a two hour wine class with a sommelier and learn all about the locally produced wine. Oenophiles can also enjoy a three-course dinner, accompanied by wine especially selected by the restaurant’s sommelier.

Included in the package: daily buffet breakfast; one three-course dinner in Sapordivino for two people, including wine; two hour wine tasting experience; daily newspaper. Prices start from €768 per couple, based on a two night stay in a classic double room. City tax of €5 per person per night payable only in cash upon check out.

Venture further north from Tuscany, and you can also discover and taste the wonderful wines of the Veneto region and DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta - Protected Designation of Origin) products in the spectacular setting of the magnificent Hotel Villa Michelangelo in Vicenza. Arcugnano is home to the Berici Hills which boasts excellent Merlot, Red Tai and Black Pinot as well as DOP cheeses - Grana Padano and Asiago - extra virgin Euganei-Berici DOP olive oil, cured ham DOP and the world famous Soppressa Vicentina DOP.

Included in the package: daily buffet breakfast; a four-course gourmet tasting dinner in the hotel restaurant, ‘La Loggia’, with wine pairings; wine and fruit in room upon arrival. Prices start from €354 per couple, based on a one night stay in a classic double room.

For more information or to book, visit www.royaldemeure.com.

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For further information or images please contact Gillian Monahan or Liam Colman at royaldemeure@brightergroup.com or telephone 020 7326 9880.

Notes to editors

The Royal Demeure luxury hotel chain has carefully built up a collection of historic palazzi in some of Italy’s most important cities. Frescoed halls host modern art, marble bathrooms boast bathtubs and cosy restaurants offer traditional Italian cuisine revisited to reflect modern trends and served by friendly, impeccably trained staff.