Italy

Italy is one of the most romantic places to visit, with an abundance of attractions, be it a 16th Century villa hotel on the shores of one of the Northern lakes, the ancient cities of Rome and Venice or the luxurious cocoon of your quarters on the Orient-Express.

Its landscape includes the rumbling volcano of Mount Etna, the mist-hazed hills and lush valleys of Tuscany and the stunning coastline of Amalfi, whilst the chic islands of Capri, Sicily and Sardinia have the reputation as a playground for the rich and famous thanks to their sophistication and style.

Flying time: Rome - 2 hours 30 minutes. Venice - 2 hours 15 minutes.

Genoa - 2 hours. Pisa - 2 hours 15 minutes. Naples - 2 hours 50 minutes.

Olbia - 2 hours 20 minutes.

Time difference: GMT +1 hr.

Getting there: Direct services operate to all the major Italian cities with British Airways, BMI & Alitalia.

Currency: Euro

Visas: British passport holders do not require a visa. All other nationals please check visa requirements with the embassy.

Best time to visit: Northern Italy (Milan, Bologna, Verona and Venice) is a stunning destination in spring, its winters are mild though occasionally foggy, and its hot, dry and humid summers are tempered by sea breezes.

Southern Italy has warm, dry weather with far fewer crowds in September. It has a typical Mediterranean climate, which is usually sunnier than Northern Italy. July and August can be overly hot and humid, but relief can be found in the mountains, coastal areas and forests.