Italy

Wherever you go in Italy, history and great art are always close. Tuscany is widely considered to be the greatest art region, with famous cities such as Florence and Pisa home to Renaissance masterpieces seemingly tucked away in every church, just waiting to be discovered. The country’s capital, Rome, boasts Roman ruins, renaissance palaces, Etruscan tombs, and early-Christian churches – enough to quench any art-lover’s thirst – and that is without mentioning the treasures of Vatican City. A love of art is by no means the only reason to visit Italy. Each region has its own distinctive character, culture, flavoursome gastronomy and fine wines. Visit local vineyards and cellars to savour the Bardolino, Valpolicella and Soave wines of the Veneto or sample robust reds such as Brunello di Montalcino from Tuscany.