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-October

Go for this: Visiting the food markets in Bologna, the Parmigiano and prosciutto factories in Parma, and tasting Balsamic vinegar at its source in Modena

But try this:  Staying at Chef Massimo Bottura's country house, Casa Maria Luigia, for a culinary extravaganza. Or, rent a Ferrari and zip off to the Max Mara outlet for some great finds.

Favorite hotels:

• Grand Hotel Majestic - built in the 1730’s as the Archbishop's Seminary in the heart of all of Bologna’s porticoed center; today it holds all of the charm but with updated amenities and creature comforts.

• Hotel Brun - a new entry, centrally located boutique hotel with modern lines, appealing colors, excellent one to one service and THE most comfortable beds for a restful night.

• Antica Corte Pallavicina - a complete experience in the Parma countryside featuring a Michellin starred restaurant, a casual osteria and a world renown culatello aging cellar.

• Casa Maria Luigia - we cannot say enough about this delightful and personal Inn by Chef Massimo Bottura and his lovely wife Lara. Just the right mix of contemporary art, Gucci wall-paper and all of the pampering you would want with two dining experiences on site.

• Palazzo di Varignana - literally a comprehensive campus of all of the experiences you would want from an off the beaten path Italian experience. A full spa, a winery, several dining options including a renovated antique train dining car, a helicopter landing pad, a driving range, luxurious hotel rooms, several private villa options.

Favorite guest experience: Driving a Lamborghini on a racetrack for several laps or next to a professional driver followed by a visit to the factory to custom design one just for you to take home - the ultimate souvenir; visiting The Republic of San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world.

Favorite restaurants:

• Cavallino

• Casa Mazzucchelli

• Al Gatto Verde

• Hosteria da Ivan

• Trattoria Da Me

Foods: Lasagne, tortellini, ravioli di zucca, parmigiano, prosciutto, culatello, aceto balsamico, mortadella

Wines:

• Trebbiano

• Lambrusco di Sorbara

• Pignoletto