Italy

Tuscany & Florence

The area of Tuscany is a treat for those who love the great outdoors - and even better, the area is the backdrop to the gorgeous city of Florence. In Tuscany at large you'll find wonderful sunflower fields, rural picturesque scenery and rolling hills, olive groves and delicious food. The pastoral paradise of Tuscany is the ideal place to rent a villa and take a deep breath away from the stresses of modern life. Florence itself needs no introduction; as the birthplace of Michelangelo, Florence plays host to some of the finest art in the world. The architecture is equally stunning; from the Piazza della Signoria to the beautiful Cathedral Il Duomo, the city is the perfect fix for culture vultures.

Veneto & Venice

The foothills of the Veneto are dotted with lovely quaint towns and lined with beautiful rural vineyards. The area is host to beautiful Lake Garda and the town of Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet. Most notably, there is Venice; romantic, shadowy, beautiful Venice with its ancient bridges, impressive architecture and family restaurants serving delicious authentic Italian food. The towns of Veneto are great for avoiding the tourist crowds - bar Venice, of course, who is undoubtedly one of the worst offenders for this!

Lombardy & Milan

Lombardy's most famous city is of course Milan, but the region is also home to the stunning Lake Como (George Clooney has a villa here!) You can take pleasant boat trips to discover the picturesque scenery and nearby are the quaint villages of Bellagio, Varenna, and Tremezzo. The fashion capital Milan is a fantastic place to visit if you love shopping and culture; Santa Maria della Grazie church is the home of the famous painting of the Last Supper by Leonardo di Vinci, and mere streets away is the Quadrilatero d'Oro, (otherwise known as the 'Rectangle of Gold'), where you can buy wares from Missoni, Versace, Gucci and many more.

Campania & Naples

Campania is home to bustling, vibrant, sometimes dangerous Naples, which is the antidote to some of the more 'tourist' cities of Italy. It is hectic and busy, with a notoriously fast pace and a long and eventful history and culture. Naples is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, which is where you'll find the pretty resorts of Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Vietri. All are good spots for topping up your tan and relaxing in the sunshine. If you're a foodie, you should know that Campania is the birthplace of Pizza, Spaghetti, and Buffalo Mozzarella!

Lazio/Latium & Rome

Home of the fabulous capital city, Rome, Lazio has nevertheless got much more to offer. Whether you go north or south along the Latium coast, you will find picturesque sandy beaches and rocky coves, quaint resort towns like Capalbio and San Felice Circeo, Ancient Roman resorts like Sperlonga, or ancient towns like Gaeta. Rome itself needs no introduction; from famous treasures like the Trevi Fountain and the Coliseum to the hundreds of authentic gelato parlours and warm nights spent in ancient piazzas, it really is everything its reputation suggests - and more!