Chantelle’s Blog: A taste of Italy with Kirker Holidays

I’ve just returned from a whirlwind educational trip to Rome and Venice with Kirker Holidays – and what a fabulous few days it was. Packed with history, culture, food (of course), and some incredible hotel visits, it was the perfect reminder of why these two cities are classics for good reason.

We flew out of Heathrow Terminal 5 early doors and landed into Rome’s Fiumicino airport ready to hit the ground running. Our base for the night was the beautiful Baglioni Hotel Regina, a stylish art deco property in a prime location on the Via Vittorio Veneto, just across from the American Embassy.

I was lucky enough to have a balcony with views over most of Rome – not a bad way to start!

With time to spare before check-in, we strolled over to Villa Spalletti Trivelli, a 14-bedroom private villa hotel with shaded gardens, rooftop plunge pools, honesty bars (including one where you can mix your own cocktails), and a wonderfully relaxed, elegant atmosphere.

We even met the owner – son of Count Piero – who still lives next door with his family. The dining room doesn’t have a menu; everything is cooked to order – a lovely, personal touch.

Next, we enjoyed an informative walking tour of Rome’s historic centre – including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon and Piazza Navona.

Then we returned to the Baglioni for an evening reception with the Kirker team, hotel management and the Baglioni rep.

Champagne in the hotel’s three-bedroom penthouse was followed by dinner at the excellent Brunello restaurant. And because we clearly didn’t want the night to end, we made a post-dinner dash to the Colosseum and Spanish Steps at nearly 11pm – a brilliant (and slightly bonkers) end to the day!

The next morning, we left our bags at reception and headed to Vatican City. It was busy - definitely one to pre-book and have ID ready - but our guide took us smoothly through the museums and into the Sistine Chapel. No photos allowed, but it’s something I’ll never forget.

From there, we picked up the train to Venice, stopping briefly in Florence and Bologna. First-class seats, drinks included, and a smooth journey all the way.

But the real wow-factor? Our arrival – by private water taxi straight to the hotel. It doesn’t get more Venice than that.

Our base here was the Baglioni Hotel Luna, just steps from St Mark’s Square. It’s the oldest hotel in Venice, dating back to the 12th century, and my room was part of the original chapel – a beautiful, atmospheric space.

After a quick tour, we dined at Canova Bistrot, the hotel’s onsite restaurant – exceptional food and service, and a new bistro opening soon.

Saturday began with a tour of the Doge’s Palace – skip-the-line tickets included through Kirker. The Bridge of Sighs, golden halls and prison walk-through brought Venice’s history to life. We followed this with a wonderful lunch and hotel tour at Londra Palace, including a rooftop suite with sweeping lagoon views.

That evening was a real treat – dinner at Osteria Alle Testiere, a tiny and authentic Venetian gem (I brought home a bottle of their homemade olive oil!).

This was followed by La Traviata at Musica a Palazzo – a travelling opera staged in the ornate salons of a 15th-century palace. Moving from room to room with each act, it was an unforgettable way to experience the performance.

Before heading home, we couldn’t resist a gondola ride. The sun was shining, the canals were calm, and it was the perfect way to end the trip.

Four days, two iconic cities, and a fabulous group of people – all thanks to Kirker Holidays. I’m already dreaming of going back and would love to help plan something equally special for you too.