Booking your next holiday is the best way to overcome the stress of these months.

That return holiday blues syndrome you may have heard about? It really does exist. Recent research by the Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome in collaboration with the In a bottle association reveals that one in three Italians is affected. Symptoms of so-called “post-holiday blues” include irritability, decreased attention, stress, anxiety, sadness and low motivation... Rapidly undoing all the benefits we got from the holidays in the first place!

So, what’s the best way to ease back into everyday life, to get back up to speed in the best possible way? Useful remedies suggested by experts include fantasizing about your next vacation and planning a weekend pleasure trip or getaway. 

To what top destinations? Here are our suggestions.

Milan

Going shopping and picking up bargains in the winter sales in Italy’s fashion capital can certainly be a tonic for your mood. But Milan is far more than just shop windows and a place to update your wardrobe. The city offers a series of unique experiences: exhibitions, concerts, restaurants and cuisine from all over the world, exclusive events and spaces for a truly instagrammable vacation.

Where to stay in Milan

Gruppo UNA offers a variety of accommodation solutions in Milan, from Maison Milano | UNA Esperienze, located in the centre of the city in an elegant historic building, to UNAHOTELS Century Milano, a few paces from Porta Nuova: perfect for business travellers and for people looking for a Milan city break. For a more practical and comfortable place to stay, we recommend UNAHOTELS Malpensa, near the airport, or the Linea Uno Hotel & Residence Milano, a short distance from the Central Station and the city centre.

Florence

Centuries of art, history and culture... Gourmet eateries, museums, monuments, shopping, events... Florence is a great place to visit any time of the year, its many attractions ready to conquer you: from the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori to Palazzo Pitti, from the Uffizi Gallery to the Boboli Gardens and the magnificent views from Piazzale Michelangelo.
Not forgetting the inimitable local cuisine. Did you know that, among other things, here in Florence you can sample Italy’s best chocolate cake? The Pasticceria Pistocchi makes one of the world’s finest deserts. Mouth-wateringly great!

Where to stay in Florence

UNAHOTELS Vittoria Firenze, where the interior was designed by famous architect Fabio Novembre, offers elegant and modern rooms and is located in a strategic part of town. Perfect for your Florentine getaway. If instead you fancy a stay in the Tuscan hills, UNAHOTELS Poggio dei Medici Toscana offers an unforgettable experience in a luxurious building set in grounds that include a golf course, along with a wellness and fitness centre and spacious rooms and suites.

Ferrara

A hidden gem in Emilia Romagna, Ferrara is a perfect central Italian destination for a weekend of relaxation and culture. On a perfect human scale, the city is ideal for touring on a bicycle (it is no coincidence it is known as the “city of bicycles”). Lose yourself in the streets of the historic centre; visit Estense Castle and Palazzo dei Diamanti, the true symbol of Renaissance Ferrara. If you’re looking for green spaces to roam, the Botanical Gardens at the University of Ferrara offers moments of escape from the city bustle.

Where to stay in Ferrara

For a short stay in Ferrara, UNAWAY Hotel Occhiobello is the right solution for you. This elegant property offers everything you need: quiet rooms, a renowned restaurant, fitness facilities and a charming garden to while away the hours.

Montepulciano

A small medieval village that leaped to world fame (it’s where they shot the second episode of the Twilight saga), Montepulciano is in Tuscany, where the Val D’Orcia and Val di Chiana meet, a few kilometres from Siena. The old town is full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches and beautiful squares, making it a perfect destination for a short getaway. Relax in one of the spas with sulfurous waters in the surroundings.

Where to stay near Montepulciano

In the Siena hills, the Relais Villa Grazianella | UNA Esperienze is the best choice for your stay. In a 1700s palazzo, hotel guests enjoy a unique and unforgettable experience, from exclusive tastings of fine local red wines to horseback or bike rides through the Tuscan landscape.

Naples

A city of beauty and contradictions, Naples needs no introduction. This city is so alive, exciting and intense that it stays in your heart. That’s why it’s worth seizing any chance to visit, every chance you get. There are so many things to see and do in Naples: from the historical centre to Piazza del Plebiscito, from a tour of underground Naples to the Mergellina district and the Phlegraean Fields. Be seduced by this city’s charm, cuisine and unique views along the coast that will leave you speechless.

Where to stay in Naples

Centrally located, UNAHOTELS Napoli is an elegant historic building in the heart of the city with upscale rooms, a gourmet restaurant and a beautiful rooftop bar with breathtaking views out over the Neapolitan city, making it an ideal choice for an unforgettable stay in Naples.