Nice, often called the Queen of the Riviera, is a delightful city that is fashionable yet relaxed and fun. Sprawling over an extensive area, Nice comprises a wonderful blend of old and new. The old town is one of the delights of the Riviera. Narrow streets and winding alleys are lined with faded 17th- and 18th-century buildings, where families sell crafts and produce. The Italian façades of modern Nice and the exuberant, early 20th-century residences, which made the city one of Europe‘s fashionable winter retreats, remain intact. Although not blessed with the best beaches, its pebbled sands continue to attract scores of visitors every year. Adding to the city‘s attractions are relics of its ancient past. Greek seafarers founded Nice around 350 BC. The Romans took control 196 years later, settling farther uphill in the area that is now Cimiez. By the 10th century, Nice was ruled by the Counts of Provence and in the 14th century fell to the House of Savoy. Although the French occupied Nice for short periods during the 18th and 19th centuries, the city did not become a definitive part of France until 1860 when Napoleon III made a deal with the House of Savoy. Nice grew in popularity during the Victorian period when the English aristocracy favored it as a winter retreat because of the mild climate. Backed by scenic mountains, the city is generally divided into the Old Town and modern Nice. The look of the old town has changed little since the 1700s. Its colorful flower market should not be missed. The celebrated, palm-lined Promenade des Anglais follows the gently curved beachfront for about three miles and visitors as well as residents enjoy strolling along its path. Everything costs more along this famed strip; expensive shops, restaurants and art galleries blend with more modest establishments. The showpiece of the Promenade des Anglais is the palatial Hotel Negresco. North of the Old Town, the stately Place Massena is the main hub of Nice. The square is surrounded by neo-classical, arcaded buildings painted in shades of ochre and red. The central part of the city contains fine restaurants and hotels and is particularly known for its pedestrian zone with many boutiques of well-known designers. North of the city center is the posh suburb of Cimiez, where several museums are located.

There are few more elegant places to salute the sunset than Terrazza Mascagni, Livorno’s refined chessboard piazza. A historic port, and a beachy gateway to Tuscany, Livorno welcomes you ashore to explore this enchanted Italian region‘s sun-soaked beauty, rich flavours and world-renowned fine art. Stay in Livorno to explore ‘Piccolo Venezia‘, or ‘Little Venice’ – a quarter of the town that‘s laced with canals, little marble bridges and plenty of tempting eateries. View less With its bustling market, fortresses and iconic waterfront, there’s plenty to keep you busy here, but most will be tempted to venture inland to explore more of Tuscany’s many charms and artistic wonders. Test your nose, as you breathe in the subtleties of Tuscany’s vineyard-draped scenery, and visit wineries showcasing the best of the renowned flavours of the Bolgheri wine-growing area. Or head out to Prato, where you’ll find tightly-woven textile history. Pisa’s showpiece tower is within reach, as is Florence’s city of immense and imaginative renaissance beauty. Admire the delicate carving of Michelangelo‘s masterpiece, the David statue, and note the provocative stance as he casts a dismissive glance towards Rome. Stand before the city’s majestic black and white cathedral – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – with its colossal brick dome. The view down over Florence‘s river and grand dome from Piazzale Michelangelo, meanwhile, is one of Italy‘s finest. However you choose to spend your time in Tuscany, you’ll discover an artistic region, filled with beauty designed to appeal to every sense.

There are few more elegant places to salute the sunset than Terrazza Mascagni, Livorno’s refined chessboard piazza. A historic port, and a beachy gateway to Tuscany, Livorno welcomes you ashore to explore this enchanted Italian region‘s sun-soaked beauty, rich flavours and world-renowned fine art. Stay in Livorno to explore ‘Piccolo Venezia‘, or ‘Little Venice’ – a quarter of the town that‘s laced with canals, little marble bridges and plenty of tempting eateries. View less With its bustling market, fortresses and iconic waterfront, there’s plenty to keep you busy here, but most will be tempted to venture inland to explore more of Tuscany’s many charms and artistic wonders. Test your nose, as you breathe in the subtleties of Tuscany’s vineyard-draped scenery, and visit wineries showcasing the best of the renowned flavours of the Bolgheri wine-growing area. Or head out to Prato, where you’ll find tightly-woven textile history. Pisa’s showpiece tower is within reach, as is Florence’s city of immense and imaginative renaissance beauty. Admire the delicate carving of Michelangelo‘s masterpiece, the David statue, and note the provocative stance as he casts a dismissive glance towards Rome. Stand before the city’s majestic black and white cathedral – the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – with its colossal brick dome. The view down over Florence‘s river and grand dome from Piazzale Michelangelo, meanwhile, is one of Italy‘s finest. However you choose to spend your time in Tuscany, you’ll discover an artistic region, filled with beauty designed to appeal to every sense.

A summer escape for Rome’s historic elite, the stacked waterfront of Porto Santo Stefano is a secluded taste of idyllic southern Tuscany. Physically closer to Rome than Florence, the city is strung to Italy’s western coast by two sandy harnesses, and sits on the unqiue peninsula of Monte Argentario – which was once an island. Flamboyant pink flamingos and herons stroll through the encased lagoon, while Porto Santo Stefano’s waterfront hums with clinking cafes and strolling visitors. View less The luxury yachts in the harbour show that Porto Santo Stefano has lost none of its luxury appeals, and with beaches, wild hikes and waterfront beauty, it continues to lure visitors to this secluded escape. Known for its fishing and cuisine – which is based around heavy use of the Tyrrhenian Sea’s juicy bounty. Stroll to Piazza dei Rioni for a dripping lemon gelato, or wander the streets noticing the lingering World War II damage – the city was heavily bombed during the conflict. Fortunately, the historic, star-shaped, Spanish fort was spared, and it still watches out resolutely over the waters. Built during the Napoleonic Wars, it fortified the exposed town against pirate raids, and offers beautiful views over the old town‘s terracotta roofs. Rugged coastline falls to secluded beaches, with a wilder, unkempt charm. Sail the coves – seeing cascading olive groves – or island-hop to Giglio and Giannuti, which lie 12 miles from shore, and can be seen from the monastery topped Argentario mountain. On the other side of the promontory, you’ll find Porto Ercole – where the lifeless body of the Old Master, Caravaggio, was discovered.

All roads lead to Rome, and with good reason – this city is one of the world’s most thrilling, offering unmatched history along every street. An evocative, inspiring and utterly artistic capital of unrivalled cultural impact, Rome is a city of back-to-back landmarks, which will take you on an exhilarating journey through the ages. This may be one of the world’s oldest cities, but it’s well and truly lived in. The ruins are punctuated with murmuring cafes, and the outdoor seating of restaurants sprawls out across piazzas, enticing you to sample tangles of creamy pasta and crispy pizzas. Rome’s incredible Roman Forum is littered with the ruins of its ancient administrations, which have stood firm for 2,000 years, since the times when the area was the centre of the Western world. Few sites are more simultaneously beautiful and haunting than that of the storied Colosseum, which looms deep into Rome’s rich blue sky. Take a tour to learn details of the grisly goings-on within. The best way to experience Rome is to wander its streets, gelato in hand. There is a lot to see here – whether it’s the domed spectacle of the Pantheon, or the elaborate flowing waters and artistry of the Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is an astonishing, colossal display of Catholic grandeur, while the Spanish Steps – crowned by the Trinità dei Monti church – offer a beautiful spot to gather and soak up the lively atmosphere of this humming city. With so much on the to-do list, you’ll relish the breaks you take, enjoying simple pleasures like a strong espresso, or fresh pasta with tomato sauce and ripped basil.

Perched high on the imposing Sciberras Peninsula, Valletta immediately presents its massive, protective walls and vertical bastions to visitors arriving by sea. Rising to 47 metres in places, the fortifications protect lavish palaces, grand domes and illustrious gardens. Built by the Knights of St John on the narrow peninsular, Valletta is a compact, richly historical treasure trove of Baroque wonders. Ascend to reach the restful, flower-filled Upper Barrakka Gardens, where cannons fire and boom in salute at noon each day, sending echoing cracks of noise out across the waves below. View less Recognised as 2018’s European Capital of Culture, Valletta is a fascinating and dense haven of history and intrigue. A busy, bustling capital, the breathtaking St John’s Cathedral – commissioned in 1572 – is almost concealed among its narrow streets. The relatively modest exterior is counterpointed by a staggeringly opulent, gold-leaf bathed interior, containing a Caravaggio masterpiece – the shadowy vision of the Beheading of St John. Cinematic and magnificent, Valletta has served as a filming location for Game of Thrones – but real epic history abounds on this rocky isle too. From the prehistoric and megalithic sites of the Hypogeum of Paola and Tarxien, to the fascinating War Museum at Fort St Elmo. Mdina also waits nearby, and the former medieval capital is a striking contrast to the island’s main city. Cars are barred from its streets, and it offers endlessly atmospheric old-time wanders. With a strategic positioning in the Mediterranean, Malta is a jewel that many have wrestled for over the centuries. Independence from Britain was finally achieved in 1964, but the close allegiance remains evident, with English recognised as an official language, cars driving on the left, and red post boxes and telephone gleaming in Malta’s sunshine.

Hugging a long, sweeping bay, Giardini Naxos welcomes you ashore to some of Sicily’s most scenic and historic sites. Naxos was the first Greek settlement on Sicily, and it is surrounded by remarkable remains and swirling mythology. With a long arc of sun-soaked golden sand, you can kick back by the waves – and cool off with a dip into the sea‘s refreshing embrace. Up above the seaside revelry, the spectacular Taormina hillside town perches – containing rich Roman and Greek history. View less Visit to encounter one of Sicily’s best views, as you look down over the rejuvenating blue of the sea, and the looming backdrop of Mount Etna rising in the distance. The majestic, honey-coloured Greek theatre is a highlight, standing before the distant loom of the volcano. Head towards the puffs of cloud, and wisps of smoke, that gather around the peak of Sicily’s mighty volcano, which is among the most active in Europe. Arrive through vineyards, thriving in this fertile soil, before taking the 1,737-metre incline to the summit of the legendary mountain of fire, across fields of solidified lava flows. Known to the Greeks as the home of the God of Fire, and the one-eyed Cyclops, the mountain continues to amaze and awe with its restless power. Vineyards carpet the scenery – interrupted by occasional cactai and citrus groves – and produce some of Sicily’s most refined flavors. Enjoy a glass of wine on Giardini Naxos’ seafront, and toast your time on these rich Sicilian shores.

The Island of Elba is probably best known as one of the places where Napoleon spent time in exile. Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Elba is the largest island of the Tuscan archipelago. Its considerable deposits of high-quality iron ore were already mined by the Etruscans, which enabled them to assert their dominance in Italy. Later, the mines were worked by the Romans. In fact, the name of Elba‘s capital means “iron port,” testifying to the island‘s important resource.

Bronzed and beautiful visitors enjoy the unique ambiance, chic boutiques and quaint cafés that overlook the small yacht harbor and line the narrow, cobbled streets. Others explore along the coastline, where tiny villages are tucked away in hidden coves. Don‘t miss out on practically everyone‘s favorite pastime – people-watching while sitting in one of the outdoor cafés, sipping a campari or enjoying a cappuccino. The boutiques and designer shops are only a stone‘s throw away, tempting prospective buyers with chic resort wear and Italian designer clothing (be aware that not all shops may be open on Sunday).

Nice, often called the Queen of the Riviera, is a delightful city that is fashionable yet relaxed and fun. Sprawling over an extensive area, Nice comprises a wonderful blend of old and new. The old town is one of the delights of the Riviera. Narrow streets and winding alleys are lined with faded 17th- and 18th-century buildings, where families sell crafts and produce. The Italian façades of modern Nice and the exuberant, early 20th-century residences, which made the city one of Europe‘s fashionable winter retreats, remain intact. Although not blessed with the best beaches, its pebbled sands continue to attract scores of visitors every year. Adding to the city‘s attractions are relics of its ancient past. Greek seafarers founded Nice around 350 BC. The Romans took control 196 years later, settling farther uphill in the area that is now Cimiez. By the 10th century, Nice was ruled by the Counts of Provence and in the 14th century fell to the House of Savoy. Although the French occupied Nice for short periods during the 18th and 19th centuries, the city did not become a definitive part of France until 1860 when Napoleon III made a deal with the House of Savoy. Nice grew in popularity during the Victorian period when the English aristocracy favored it as a winter retreat because of the mild climate. Backed by scenic mountains, the city is generally divided into the Old Town and modern Nice. The look of the old town has changed little since the 1700s. Its colorful flower market should not be missed. The celebrated, palm-lined Promenade des Anglais follows the gently curved beachfront for about three miles and visitors as well as residents enjoy strolling along its path. Everything costs more along this famed strip; expensive shops, restaurants and art galleries blend with more modest establishments. The showpiece of the Promenade des Anglais is the palatial Hotel Negresco. North of the Old Town, the stately Place Massena is the main hub of Nice. The square is surrounded by neo-classical, arcaded buildings painted in shades of ochre and red. The central part of the city contains fine restaurants and hotels and is particularly known for its pedestrian zone with many boutiques of well-known designers. North of the city center is the posh suburb of Cimiez, where several museums are located.