Italy

From powder white ski slopes in the far northern Alps, to the rolling golden hills and valleys of Tuscany, Italy is a mesmerizing country. The culture is one of the most beautiful and romantic in the whole of Europe. Indeed you could spend happy months in Italy without seeing a single famous attraction – wander the miles of gorgeous coastline, sit in unknown ancient courtyards and soak up the sun, eat incredible food and drink locally produced wine to your heart’s content. The relaxed pace of life here is as refreshing as it is soulful, and few people leave Italy without an immediate longing to return.

That is not to say there aren’t any monumental attractions to see in this endlessly delightful country – quite the opposite, in fact. In its grand old capital, Rome, witness the incredible architectural beauty and ageless taste of the Romans in huge millennia-old structures such as the Coliseum. Wander the hallowed city-state – The Vatican, home of the Catholic faith – and witness Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring masterpiece on the roof of the Sistine chapel. Or travel northwards to Venice, a city like no other, with a rich history of trade and exploration – slowly sinking into the placid waters on which it is built. Visit Florence – the birthplace of Dante, a poet of almost unparalleled fame, the historic home of the mighty Medici family and considered the birthplace of the Renaissance. In this vibrant country of over 60 million people, you will never be at a loss for things to do – whether you like your travels busy and packed with adventure, or prefer a gentle dip into the slow lane, full of serenity and romance.