Italy is a country that offers a break for every type of traveller, from a week-long skiing trip at its popular pistes to a fly-and-flop 10-day holiday along the sandy shores of the Almalfi Coast.
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bucket list.
” – the Mediterranean country is a tapestry of ancient ruins, rolling hills and timeless art from boot to heel.
compete to polish the edges of their authentic offerings into holidaymaker-friendly hotspots.
to coastal Cagliari, here are the best cities to visit for the ultimate Italian experience.
Milan, Lombardy
has remained a frontrunner in finance and high-end fashion. You’ll notice there’s no shortage of brand names in the dome-topped Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. However, the northern city is not without old-world charm, from the operas and ballets of Teatro alla Scala to the grand paintings in the Pinacoteca di Brera museum. Not forgetting the ornate Duomo di Milano cathedral with sweeping city views. Even better, all these sights are easily reached via the Campari-coloured tram network.
Where to stay
True to Milan’s industrial roots, nhow Milan is housed in a former electrics factory with a fashionable twist. The hotel brings splashes of orange and purple to its modern, minimalist rooms. It also boasts a a quirky rooftop pool terrace, Turkish bath and Italian bistro in the same style.
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Catania, Sicily
. If that isn’t enough, Sicilian street food staples include arancini and ricotta-filled cannoli. These tempting treats can be enjoyed by travellers taking the cable car up Etna, exploring ruined amphitheatres and admiring the facade of the Cattedrale di Sant’ Agata. Don’t miss the festivities in February when the Festival of Saint Agatha commemorates the Sicilian patron saint with a parade of relics, music and a feast.
Where to stay
On Via Crociferi, one of Catania’s oldest Baroque streets, Crociferi B&B is a Sicilian hideaway with frescoed ceilings, sea-view terraces and antique accents. On the breakfast menu, homemade cakes, juice, jam and cold cuts fuel days spent exploring the old town.
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Florence, Tuscany
has also made a name for itself on the shopping scene with luxury leather stores and designer brands dotting the streets. Galleries including the Pitti Palace and the Basilica di Santa Croce showcase timeless art masterpieces and, the third largest church in the world, The Duomo, is an unmissable Gothic landmark with a famous Florentine flair.
Where to stay
At 19th century residenza, Antica Dimora Johlea, six high-ceiling bedrooms exude warmth. Rooms are designed in traditional Tuscan style with coloured silk drapes and the roof terrace has enviable views of landmarks on the Florentine skyline.
Read more: Beyond the Trevi Fountain: The ancient Roman’s guide to the secret gems hidden among the tourist sites
Bari, Puglia
pasta street and the artsy Piazza Del Ferrarese square – all scattered between elaborate Italianate buildings. For dinner, it’s got to be focaccia and fresh fish rounded off with a palette cleansing gelato from local loved Gentile.
Where to stay
Atipico B&B offers the Barese experience up steep steps in an old town cul-de-sac. In the B&B, three cosy, rustic rooms, each with a TV, fridge and balcony, epitomise space-saving for a compactly comfortable short break in Bari.
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Cagliari, Sardinia
’s capital, sparkles on a curved Mediterranean coastline with 25 centuries of heritage to discover – plenty to fill a short break. The harbourside city, home to the steep lanes of Castello, the Giardini Pubblici formerly royal gardens and flamingo-populated Poetto Beach, is cloaked in legends, and a lack of light pollution makes it the ideal place to spot constellations – ideally with a Sardinian sausage sandwich in hand.
Where to stay
for sweet pastries just steps from the Via Roma main street.
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Rome, Lazio
on Aventine Hill are encouraged during days spent, undoubtedly, on sightseeing overload.
Where to stay
In lively Trastevere, Hotel Santa Maria – once a 16th century convent – hosts characterful terracotta rooms set around a charming courtyard of citrus trees, just a short walk from the centre of Imperial Rome.
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Naples, Campania
Spanish Quarter, ideal for sipping an Aperol spritz on long Napoli weekends.
Where to stay
For personable tranquillity on the hillside of Vomero, family-run B&B Weekend a Napoli is a home from home. The Art-Nouveau villa comes complete with a patio garden and authentic Italian breakfast spreads, all just 200 metres from a metro station.
Turin, Piedmont
Guido Gobino Bottega.
Where to stay
For a hotel right in the centre of the city, opt for a stay at the four-star Turin Palace Hotel, which offers a spectacular view of the streets below and the Alps from its terrace. The hotel’s spa has saunas, sensory showers and Turkish baths to relax in after a day in the city, while the dining room presents à la carte and tasting menu options.
Read more: The best hotels in Sicily for luxury retreats, beach stays and hiking holidays
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