1. Sicily & Outer Islands

2. Campania & Amalfi Coast

3. Tuscany & Umbria

4. Puglia & The South

5. Veneto & The Dolomites

6. Piedmont & Liguria

7. Rome & Lazio

8. Emilia Romagna

9. Lombardia & The Lakes

Best time to visit: April through October

Go for this: Driving along the coastline through Amalfi, Positano, Praiano, and Ravello with plenty of hairpin turns and jaw-dropping vistas at every turn. History buffs will love visiting Herculaneum, Pompeii and Paestum–from Greek temples to well preserved Roman bath houses!

But try this:  Exploring gritty and glorious Naples and experiencing the rich history, street food and art scene after visiting the mysterious underground tunnels dating back to the Romans. Or, visiting the summer palace of the kings of Naples in Caserta and combining it with a private tour of Capodimonte’s stunning art collection with breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius.

Favorite hotels:

• Excelsior Vittoria in the center of Sorrento is still family-run after many generations.

• Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello gets the prize for most tranquil and out-of-the-way hotel in the area. You can imagine Greta Garbo lounging undisturbed by the pool.

• Mezzatorre on the island of Ischia has its own private waterfront and is surrounded by lush gardens.

• At Il San Pietro in Positano, who doesn’t want to take an elevator hewn into the rock down to the hotel’s private swimming pier?

Favorite guest experience: Embarking on a private yacht for the day and circumnavigating the island of Capri, stopping for lunch at one of the chic beach clubs like La Fontelina, and dropping anchor to swim in the azure sea in hard-to-get to coves. The island of Ischia, which is less well known, is as beautiful as Capri with less glitz and glamor and is world renowned for its mud baths and spas.

Favorite restaurant: Cooking with Chef Ernesto in his 2-Michelin star Don Alfonso (or just enjoying a meal there and picking a wine from their unparalleled cellar).

Foods: Pizza Margherita, mozzarella, sfogliatelle, limoncello, pasta alla Genovese, pasta patate e provola, casatiello, polpo alla Luciana, la parmigiana di melanzane, sartù di riso

Wines:

• Tenuta San Francesco’s hundreds year-old vines produce Tintore

• Aglianico

• Falanghina