Italy is the most beautiful country in Europe — a statement that invites argument but also makes the point: no country on the continent matches Italy for the density and variety of its cultural, historical, and natural riches. Five places only scratches the surface (you could make a list of fifty and still be leaving out essential experiences), but these five represent the best of Italy — the art, the food, the landscape, and the unique Italian talent for turning daily life into an art form.

Five Essential Italian Destinations

• 1. Rome: The Eternal City. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, the Vatican (St. Peter’s and the Sistine Chapel — the greatest concentration of artistic genius in one room on Earth), and the neighbourhoods of Trastevere and Monti for the food and the evening passeggiata. Rome overwhelms — do not try to see it all in three days. Pick four or five things and leave time for the accidental discoveries. Read our Rome guide →
• 2. Florence: The Renaissance in one city. The Uffizi, Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia, the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the view from Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset. Florence is small and walkable — two days is sufficient for the essential sights, but the food (bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, and the wine bars of the Oltrarno) rewards a third
• 3. Venice: The most beautiful city ever built by human beings. St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal (take the number 1 vaporetto — the water bus — for a fraction of the cost of a gondola), and the quiet neighbourhoods — Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, the Jewish Ghetto — where you can escape the crowds. Venice is sinking, Venice is overcrowded, and Venice is incomparable
• 4. The Amalfi Coast: The most beautiful coastline in Europe. Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, and the Path of the Gods. Drive the coastal road once for the experience, then park the car and use the ferries (the view from the water is the view you came for). Read our Amalfi Coast guide →
• 5. Tuscany: The Val d’Orcia — the landscape of cypress-lined roads, hilltop villages (Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino), and vineyards that produce Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the landscape that has defined the world’s idea of rural Italy for centuries. Rent a car and drive the SR2 from San Quirico d’Orcia to Montepulciano — it is one of the most beautiful drives in Europe

The Top 10 European Ski Resorts

Europe remains a key continent for ski enthusiasts, with a proliferation of resorts. It’s fair to say that new resorts are being opened at regular intervals, although the quality of those destinations can vary somewhat. I enjoy a variety of winter sports and have been fortunate enough to visit a number of leading resorts. Here […]