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:

• Liguria: April through October

• Piedmont: April through December, especially for Fall truffle season

Go for this: Resting and relaxing in Portofino or Santa Margherita Ligure (with lots of pesto each night). Wine tasting in Barolo and Barbaresco and visiting the charming hilltop towns of Le Langhe, such as Monforte d’Alba, Cherasco, and La Morra.

But try this:  Exploring the remarkable city of Genova with its fascinating Medieval alleys and historic city center, and then continue to San Remo and Ventimiglia and cross into Provence—just for the fun of it. Hunting with adorable dogs to nab a highly prized white truffle in the forest and then going to the truffle auction in Alba in the Fall.

Favorite hotels:

• Belmond Splendido Hotel in Portofino - embraces old-world charm with dramatic views of the coastline.

• Relais San Maurizio - has all the right elements to become your home base in Le Lange.

• Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita Ligure - is fun, hip and definitely a spot for people-watching.

• Royal Hotel San Remo - has a classic Italian Riviera vibe and a world-class beach club.

Favorite guest experience: A private cruise along the Cinque Terre coastline from Portovenere to Moneglia (with a stop for lunch). Wine tasting in the state-of-the-art tasting room in Barbaresco’s 12th-century tower.

Favorite restaurant: Duomo in Alba

Foods: Pesto, minestrone, focaccia, tajarin con burro, fonduta, white truffles, bonnet

Wines:

• Barolo

• Barbaresco

• Gavi

• Dolcetto

• Vermentino