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: Winter for the sales in Milano! Spring and Summer for the Lakes.

Go for this: Private cruise in a classic wooden boat on Lake Como along with a visit to one of the patrician villas such as Villa Carlotta, Balbianello or Melzi. Or, take a private tour of La Scala Opera House and then go on a shopping spree with a private shopper who will take you to the ateliers of up and coming designers.

But try this:  Visiting Franciacorta wineries and imbibing in best-in-class Champagne-style bubbles while doing caviar bumps from Calvisius’ sustainable farms. Or, visiting the Borromean Islands of Lake Maggiore and eating fresh fish for lunch caught from the pristine lake after taking lots of selfies on Isola Bella.

Favorite hotels:

• Villa d’Este: It’s a classic, it’s close to chic Como town and a gateway to Ticino, Switzerland’s Italian-speaking canton.

• Portrait Milan: the newest hotel in the Lungarno Collection, this very private hotel is the perfect home base in a buzzing city.

• Grand Hotel Tremezzo: Right out of a James Bond film, this hotel captures the essence of Como’s glitzy and glamorous lifestyle.

• Villa Crespi: On Lake Orta, it boasts a 3 Michelin star restaurant.

Favorite guest experience: Strolling in the footsteps of the Romans along the Wayfarers’ Trail from Bellano to Varenna takes you past many small hamlets, chapels, country homes, and farm buildings with some of the best views of Lake Como and the beautiful villas and gardens which surround it.

Favorite restaurant: Ristorante Crotto dei Platani

Foods: Cotoletta alla Milanese, risotto alla Milanese, panettone, ossobuco alla Milanese, polenta, gorgonzola, taleggio

Wines:

• Franciacorta

• Verdicchio