Hotel Porta del Sole, Soiano del Lago, Lombardy, Italy

• Lavish lakes escape: The jaw-droppingly lovely setting of Hotel Porta del Sole is just one of its many attributes: situated a mere six kilometres from the shores of Lake Garda, the hotel looks out from its elevated hillside perch towards the shimmering expanse of the lake. All around, beautifully tended gardens provide a gloriously green backdrop, while the position is the perfect jumping off point for golfing excursions, hiking adventures, slow drives through pretty towns and villages, or gourmet trips to restaurants, wineries, and more.

• Historic charm: Characterful elements of the storied 18th-century building run through the design inside and out, from its distinctive arched façade to its frescoed rooms, exposed stone detail and charming wood floors. Of particular note is the serene outdoor swimming pool, inset with its own island shaded by a 150-year-old olive tree.

• Lofty views: The best views of the lake can be seen from the rooftop terrace, which is where you’ll dine each morning on a sumptuous breakfast. Return in the evening for high-quality ingredients whipped up into Italian classics at Belvedere Restaurant. For daily refreshments, sip on coffees and cocktails around the pool from the stylish bar.

Entry requirements

The passport, visa and health requirements at the time of booking can be viewed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for UK citizens, and on the Department of Foreign Affairs website for IE citizens. It is your responsibility to ensure that you and all members of your party are in possession of all necessary travel and health documents, and in compliance with any other immigration/entry requirements before you travel, including whether your passport must be machine readable or which visas/waivers may be required for entry, such as ESTA for USA travel and/or ETIAS for EU travel. Please also be sure to check the validity of your passport and allow up to 10 weeks for passport renewals.