A premier night out, Silvio-style

First it was a celebrity hideaway in the Caribbean. Yesterday, it was time for the Prime Minister and his wife to enjoy the latest stage of their summer holidays.

First it was a celebrity hideaway in the Caribbean. Yesterday, it was time for the Prime Minister and his wife to enjoy the latest stage of their summer holidays.

Tony and Cherie Blair arrived at the Sardinian mansion of the PM's Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi, for a two-day sojourn. Mr Berlusconi, 65, is believed to have spared no expense for his guests.

The Italian premier first took the couple on a boat trip before stopping off in Porto Cervo. Last night the guests enjoyed a seafood feast and a fireworks display. They were also treated to a recital from the Cuban opera singer Adelina in a 300-seater, Roman-style amphitheatre, built specially for the occasion.

It was surrounded by a lawn planted with 100-year-old olive trees in a bid to reconstruct the Blair's early courtship in Tuscany.