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Basilicata comprises two distinct areas of coastline, with the Ionian Sea to the south and a short stretch of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west, with much of the territory covered by forests and hills. Matera, made up of troglodyte houses, has over time become a renowned tourist site in an area generally little known to travellers.
Situated in southern Italy, Campania is home to some of the country's most famous sites, including the remains of the ancient city of Pompeii. Naples, its bustling capital, is a concentration of historical treasures and traditions that have endured down the centuries. The elegant Amalfi Coast and Capri continue to beguile visitors.
The Emilia-Romagna region boasts celebrated cities such as Parma and Bologna, popular seaside resorts such as Rimini, as well as many picturesque hilltop villages.
The Liguria region in northwestern Italy is one of Europe's most beautiful coastal areas, with seaside resorts and towns such as San Remo and Portofino, as well as many picturesque villages, including the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage villages of Cinque Terre.
In addition to its modern, fashionable and cultural capital Milan, Lombardy is also known for its impressive mountainous landscape with famous lakes such as Como, lined with elegant towns and villages.
Located on the Adriatic coast in central-eastern Italy, the Marche region is tucked into the Apennine mountains. Here beautiful sandy beaches and ancient hillside villages are waiting to be discovered.
The Piedmont region in northwestern Italy is best known for Turin, a city with many impressive palaces and religious monuments. It also offers picturesque mountain villages and beautiful natural sites, such as Lake Orta to the north.
Located in the heel of the boot, Puglia offers the scenery of beautiful small towns in shades of white and gold, with unique architecture, such as the cone-shaped trulli of Alberobello and the extravagant baroque buildings of Lecce. Puglia is also home to miles of coastline with inlets, nature reserves and white sandy beaches with crystalline waters.
The lavish city of Rome and the Vatican attract the vast majority of visitors - and rightly so - but the region also offers other wonderful surprises, such as Tivoli and Castel Gandolfo, the Papal Palace.
White sandy beaches, picturesque coves, crystal clear water and spectacular scenery: Sardinia is without doubt the ideal destination for idyllic trips to the coast. The island's coastline is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, with secluded bays and beaches equipped for the whole family.
In addition to its fantastic beaches, Sicily also offers spectacular inland mountain landscapes dotted with small picturesque villages. Sicily is also blessed with beautiful baroque towns, the presence of Mount Etna and numerous famous ancient sites.
From Lake Garda in the south to the Dolomites in the north, Trentino-Alto Adige is an ideal region for hiking, kayaking and making the most of the mountains. The region is also known for its Austrian cultural influence, which can be seen in certain culinary specialities or simply by listening to some people speak German!
With its grand cities of art and history like Florence and Siena, Pisa, its gorgeous hills carpeted with vineyards, Tuscany is undoubtedly one of Italy's star destinations!
Umbria is a region bursting with charm, with an array of charming landscapes, with pretty country villages perched on hillsides, as well as renowned historical towns such as Assisi.
The Venice-Veneto region is famous for the city of Venice, of course, and many visitors go no further - but the more adventurous may choose to go further afield to discover its lovely villages and mountain scenery.
