Italy

out to Pisa and its famous leaning tower; spend some time in the countryside visiting the gorgeous medieval towns of Sienna, Luca and San Gimignano; while away an afternoon in a wine bar, sampling some of Italy s finest wines before stopping for mouthwatering gelato.

Get back to nature and spend some time in Italy s Lakes District where you can hike, bar-hop, enjoy watersports or just relax. The Lakes District has been a popular destination since Roman times, with each of the lakes varying in style and character. Scenically backed by picturesque mountain ranges that seem to flow down into the lakes, the shores lined with delightful villages, opulent villas, quaint marketplaces and charming churches. Best-known is Lake Como the deepest of all the lakes but popular for its scenic position and romantic town of Bellagio. The longest lake is Lake Maggiore and is enjoyed by tourists for the three islands it s blessed with each with their own unique distinctions.

Nearby, Verona is famed as the romantic setting for Shakespeare s drama Romeo and Juliet. The balcony at Casa di Giulietta is where most lovers head to rub the statue of Juliet and leave their heart-encircled names on the grafittied walls. For fans of opera, it s worth timing your visit to coincide with the annual Opera Festival held from June to September.

The cosmopolitan city of Milan is home to Da Vinci s famous painting, The Last Supper and is known as Italy s main producer of cutting-edge fashion where you can purchase the latest styles as they step off the catwalks. The magnificent Duomo, or Milan Cathedral, is an ornate and imposing structure that took nearly six centuries to build, completed in 1809 at Napoleon s command. Climb to the roof walkway for spectacular views of the Alps. The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana features palatial rooms brimming with exquisite works form the 14th to 19th centuries including pieces by Botticelli, Da Vinci and Raphael.

Marvel at the beauty of the Italian Riviera or walk the picture-perfect paths of the Cinque Terre, admiring the charming rainbow-coloured houses of the villages you pass through amid stretches of olive groves and vineyards.Once a hidden treasure, the Cinque Terre is more popular than ever as outdoor enthusiasts relish it the numerous opportunities it provides for hiking, kayaking, cliff-jumping and horseback riding.

Live it up on the island of Capri playground of the rich and famous for thousands of years with founder of the Roman Empire, Augustus, falling in love with the gem-like island in 29 BC. Visit the fascinating relics in Pompeii where a lethal cloud of volcanic ash from Mt Vesuvius buried the city in 79 AD. Pompeii s buildings, art and inhabitants became frozen in a moment as they were cast in ash, stuck in time until their discovery in 1748. Explore the intriguing island of Sicily or relax by the glittering turquoise waters of the Amalfi Coast - sampling tantalising seafood and traditional Neapolitan fare in Naples.