A global hub for fashion and finance, Milan is a pulsing metropolis that’s packed with designer boutiques and Michelin-star restaurants. Stand beneath the spectacular Gothic Duomo cathedral and witness Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural of “The Last Supper” within the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent. Get some retail therapy within the exclusive arcades of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele and see AC Milan in action at the famous Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.

Referred to affectionately as “Cinderella”, Lake Orta and its larger neighbour, Lake Maggiore, embody the natural beauty and romance of the Italian Lakes. Serene medieval villages and upmarket beach resorts line the shores while scenic walking trails radiate through the surrounding olive groves and wooded hills. Spend your days visiting Baroque palaces and magnificent gardens, then indulge in the superb gastronomy of the Piedmont region.

Backed by wooded hills and the snow-capped Rhaetian Alps, Lake Como is a sparkling body of water that’s dotted with charming villages and luxurious villas in Italy’s Lombardy region. Marvel at the Romanesque fortifications in Como’s medieval centre and ride the funicular that leads to the mountain town of Brunate, then be inspired by the majesty of Villa Olmo’s Neoclassical architecture and elegant gardens.

Sprawling on the edge of the Po Valley, Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, with crystal clear waters that make it a water sports hub. At the southern end lies the town of Sirmione and its 12th-century Castello Scaligera while a string of beaches fringe the surrounding waters. Get a dose of history at the Roman ruins of Grotte di Catullo or discover the storied life of poet d’Annunzio at his former estate.

Set across more than 100 islands in the Adriatic Sea, Venice is famed for its art, romance and lazy days punting along the canals by gondola. Climb to the top of the Campanile bell tower to look out across its red-roofed lagoon and admire the lavish Renaissance and Gothic palaces that line the Grand Canal, then get lost in Venice’s little-visited sestieri to discover its fresh produce markets and local cafes.