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.

Boasting one of Europe’s largest historic centres, Genoa is a dynamic port city clustered with ornate churches and terracotta-roofed houses. The historic Porto Antico has be transformed into a lively entertainment area, with alfresco restaurants and eclectic bars overlooking Genoa’s waterfront promenade. Wander along the UNESCO-listed Via Garibaldi that’s lined with 16th-century residences and poke your head into Casa di Cristoforo Columbus on Piazza Dante where the great explorer was born.

Strung along the enchanting Riviera Ligure di Levante, the Cinque Terre comprises five coastal villages surrounded by terraced vineyards and gardens filled with lemon trees and Mediterranean herbs. Follow the walking trails that lead between Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso or jump aboard the train that hugs the coastal cliffs. Experience the laid-back lifestyle while feasting on Ligurian fare at the waterfront restaurants and dive into the Mediterranean at one of the pebbly beaches.

Florence, capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto.

One of the world’s most influential cities, Rome lies at the heart of the former Roman Empire, with iconic landmarks like the mighty Colosseum and Palatine Hill dominating its sprawling cityscape. Wander through the atmospheric temples, basilicas and monuments of the Roman Forum and step inside the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to admire Michelangelo’s ceiling, then soak up the “Eternal City’s” dolce vita while people watching in the charismatic piazzas and cafes of Travestere.

Built on a volcanic tuff surrounded by defensive walls, Orvieto is a charming city steeped in strong Etruscan roots. The black and white striped Duomo di Orvieto dominates the city, with its blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture housing magnificent frescoes by Luca Signorelli. Climb into the 16th-century well shaft of the Pozzo di San Patrizio, then explore the fascinating caves, World War II bomb shelters and wine cellars on the Orvieto Underground tour.

Home to the oldest university in the western world, Bologna is the vibrant capital of Emilia-Romagna and centred around a beautifully preserved historic core. At its heart lies Piazza Maggiore that’s lined with ornate colonnades and the mighty Basilica of San Petronio. Soak up the views across Bologna’s terracotta roofs from the famous Torre degli Asinelli, then grab a drink at one of the alternative bars of Il Pratello.

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.

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.