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: March through November

Go for this: Visiting Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South,” and Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its iconic trulli. Or, stopping in Reggio Calabria to admire the striking bronze statues of Riace on your way to the unexpectedly beautiful Tropea to indulge in its famous onions, hot peppers and ‘nduja.

But try this:  Touring an olive oil mill in the Salento region with centuries-old olive trees, some dating back to Roman times! Or, exploring Matera’s UNESCO World Heritage city (“sassi”), an unusual city built into the cliffs.

Favorite hotels:

• Rocco Forte Torre Maizza near Savelletri is our pick as a home base for the Northern part of Puglia.

• La Fiermontina is an oasis of tranquility in the lovely city of Lecce.

• Palazzo Margherita in Bernalda is an intimate lodge owned by Francis Ford Coppola.

• Praia Art Resort in Praialonga is the best hotel in Calabria.

Favorite guest experience: Fishing for your lunch on a trabocco, a structure built on stilts that is part fishery, part restaurant. Exploring the small towns of Puglia like Ostuni, Cisternino, Monopoli, and Polignano.

Favorite restaurants:

• Qafiz in Santa Caterina d’Aspromonte

• Gambero Rosso in Marina di Gioiosa Ionica

• Osteria del Tempo Perso in Ostuni

Foods: Taralli, orecchiette with broccoli di rape, Tropea onions, ‘nduja, mostacciolo

Wines:

• Primitivo di Manduria

• Negroamaro

• Aglianico di Vulture

• Ciro

• Gaglioppo

• Montepulciano d’Abruzzo