The Rome Cavalieri Hilton, one of iTravel iShop’s favourite hotels, has just launched a Very Important Pet program for pampered pooches. Fido and Rex are whisked by dog taxi to "La Domus Aventina,” a six-acre doggy day spa located 15 minutes from the hotel, and get rid of their dog stress through green clay treatments and aloe vera massages. After a brisk run, guest pups are reunited with their owners, and lavished with a personalized cashmere sweaters and doggy bathrobes designed by Odilia Prisco. For dinner, dogs are treated to a four-course in-room menu, all served up in a red ceramic Gucci-designed dog bowl set atop a vermeil tray. The menu, beginning with soup, offers a full range of first and second course options and ends with a chocolate dessert, all doggy-safe.

We always get a kick out of spa treatments which have gone native, whether that's using ground papaya in Mexico or coconut milk in the Caribbean. But here's an original one- The Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, a former 19th-century flour mill-turned-hotel with a fab spa (pictured) has just launched a spa treatment starring (you guessed it) flour. The Molino Flour Body Scrub uses flour as an exfoliatior. The treatment involves an application of grano saraceno (loosely translated as Indian Corn), a flour selected for its unique balance of softness and coarseness, and honey, which is applied and scrubbed all over the body. We think this is a great idea- and hey, its even wheat and gluten free for all you health nuts.

If you can't make it to a Police reunion concert this summer, another way to get a piece of Sting is to book a stay at his family's Tuscan retreat, Il Palagio. This 16^th century villa is located in Chianti, and also operates as an organic farm with both livestock and agricultural produce. (The estate produces honey and extra virgin olive oil). Il Palagio (or Estate di Sumner) has just announced it will start hosting week-long yoga retreats through out the year, and teachers include Ashtanga yoga devotee Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty, who founded the Original Yoga Works in Santa Monica, California. For more information, email yoga@palagioretreats.com.

Milan is chock full of gorgeous hotels, but if you'd rather save your euros for a serious shopping expedition, consider the new boutique hotel Vietnammonamour. This chic and cheap (around 110 euros) bed and breakfast is centrally located in Milan, and is housed in an early 20^th century building. The hotel features furniture imported from Vietnam, and the in-house restaurant serves contemporary Southeast Asian cuisine. Vietnammonamour, 7 Via A. Pestalozz, Milan, Phone +39-02/7063-4614.

You have to love Dolce & Gabbana for their exuberant style (I also love their ad campaigns). The duo's newest project is Gold in Milan. Why call it- and decorate- in gold? The designing pair say it's the colour of sun, energy and luxury. Gold features a bar, café and bistro downstairs while the formal restaurant is upstairs. The food is international Italian but there's also a lighter fare menu for the “fanatics” as they call them. Diners can also purchase food for take-away- in chic gold bags of course. Dolce & Gabbana Gold, Via Carlo Poerio 2/A, Milan, Phone +39 02 75 777 71.

Florence is one the world's epic destinations. Birthplace of the Renaissance and home to enough artistic treasures to make even the Louvre blush crimson, it's a must-see on any Italian itinerary. That said, it can also be so overrun with visitors that it takes a trained artistic eye just to spot the sights through the crowds. A quiet place to lay your head here is a necessary balm to the frenzy. Hotel Lungarno is one of those remedies and, for lovers of art in fashion form, a well-connected one at that.

Hot off the press, USWeekly reports that the media phenomenon known as TomKat has landed at Rome with entourage and baby Suri in tow, and immediately checked into the five star Hotel Hassler, right near the Spanish Steps. The hotel, where rooms start at 410 euros, also has three presidential suites and a penthouse. We doubt TomKat will be staying at the Hassler for long. The couple is planning to tie the knot on  November 18, and the venue is rumoured to be Castle Odescalchi just outside Rome.

When planning a visit to a city, there are two ways to approach it. Some people like to stay in the thick of things, and have dozens of restaurants, bars and shops at their doorstep. Other people prefer a more relaxed approach, and would sacrifice proximity for creature comforts like larger rooms and a pool. If you fall into that second category and are planning a visit to Rome, then book a stay at the Rome Cavalieri Hilton.