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 Sicily’s abundant archaeological parks such as Segesta, Selinunte, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Taormina and Siracusa, many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Indulging in Sicilian cuisine, which has incorporated dishes and ingredients from past conquerors from the Greeks to the Arabs to the Spanish.

But try this:  Visiting one of the outer islands! There are seven Aeolian islands to explore including Lipari, Stromboli, Panarea and Salina. Pantelleria and Lampedusa are closer to Africa than Sicily. The Egadi Islands, off the Western Coast, are authentic and rugged. Or, pair Sicily with Sardinia, if you have at least 2-3 weeks to spare. All the islands are off-the-beaten path, have a diversity of experiences centered on nature, history and gastronomy, with lots of space for the intrepid traveler.

Favorite hotels:

• Therasia Resort on the Island of Vulcano has magical views of the other 6 Aeolian Islands.

• Il San Corrado di Noto gets it so right on so many levels. It exudes Sicilian hospitality and tradition.

• Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea on Taormina Beach (with its own private beach) is a stone’s throw from the cable car that brings you into the center of town.

• Rocco Forte Villa Igiea in Palermo captures the Belle Epoque era in a tranquil setting.

• La Planeta Foresteria is a wine relais owned by the Planeta Family of winemakers who capture the essence of Sicily at every turn.

• Q92 and 7Rooms Villadorata in Noto are two innovative concepts transforming private palaces to upscale inns.

Favorite guest experience: Trekking on Mt. Etna through gorges, extinct craters and ancient lava flows, with a visit to one of the many family-owned wineries for a sumptuous lunch paired with award-winning wines.

Favorite restaurants:

• Locanda don Serafino in Ragusa

• I Rizzari in Brucoli

• I Pupi in Bagheria

Foods: Cannoli, rice balls, pasta alla Norma, pasta con sarde e finocchi, cassata, sfincione, granita, panelle, caponata, busiate, sarde a beccafico, pane cunzatu, couscous alla Trapanese

Wines:

• Nerello Mascalese

• Nerello Cappuccio

• Nero d’Avola

• Cerasuolo di Vittoria (the only DOCG wine of Sicily)

• Inzolia

• Catarrato

• Carricante

• Grecanico

• Perricone

• Marsala