Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a lady's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.

The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the Armani-wearing, scooter-driving, espresso-drinking buzz of its cities to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages. Italy is also home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country on earth, with an incredible 47 sites of global historical significance dotted around the country.

From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts.

Italy's cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colosseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual delight to all visitors.

Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old alike in almost every city, town and village.

Trastevere

Address: Rome

Galleria Regionale

Address: Via Alloro 4, Palermo Sicily

Admission: EUR6 Open daily from 9am to 1pm; and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2.30pm to 7pm as well

Telephone: +39 091 623 0011

Capitoline Hill

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome Rome

Admission: EUR14, with concessions available Museums are open Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 8pm. Closed 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.

Telephone: +39 06 671 02071

Roman Forum (Foro Romano)

Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali Rome

Admission: Free Open daily from 8.30am until dusk. Closed on New Year's Day, 1 May and Christmas Day

Telephone: +39 06 3996 7700

The Colosseum

Address: Piazza del Colosseo Rome

Admission: EUR13.50. Tourist tax: EUR1 Open daily from 9am to 6.15pm in summer, and from 9am to 4.30pm in winter

Telephone: +39 06 700 4261

Pantheon

Address: Piazza della Rotonda Rome

Admission: Free Open Monday to Saturday, from 8.30am to 7.30pm; on Sundays from 9am to 6pm. Closed New Year's Day, 1 May and Christmas Day

Telephone: +39 06 6830 0230

The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna

Address: Rome

Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)

Address: Rome

St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)

Address: Piazza San Pietro Rome

Admission: Entry to the Basilica is Free. Entry to the Dome is EUR4 (EUR5 with lift); and entry to the Necropolis is EUR10 Open daily from 7am to 7pm (April to September), and 7am to 6pm (October to March)

The Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

Address: Viale Vaticano Rome

Admission: Entry to the Museum is EUR15, with concessions available. Entrance is Free on the last Sunday of each month Museum open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 6pm

The Uffizi (Gallerie degli Uffizi)

Address: Loggiato degli Uffizi 6 Florence

Admission: EUR6.50, with concessions available. Special exhibitions cost extra Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 6.50pm. Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December

Telephone: +39 055 238 8651

The Accademia Gallery

Address: Via Ricasoli, 58-60 Florence

Admission: EUR6.50, with concessions available. Special exhibitions cost extra Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 6.50pm

Telephone: +39 055 294 883

Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)

Address: Piazza Duomo Florence

Admission: Cathedral entry is Free, but there is a fee to visit the baptistry (EUR3), the dome (EUR8), the cupola (EUR6) and museum (EUR6) Cathedral open Monday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm (Thursdays until 3.30pm; Saturdays until 4.45pm); and on Sundays from 1.30pm to 4.45pm. Museum open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7.30pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1.40pm

Telephone: +39 055 215 380

The Bargello (Museo Nazionale del Bargello)

Address: Via del Proconsolo 4 Florence

Admission: EUR4. Concessions are available. Special exhibitions cost extra Open daily from 8.15am to 5pm. Closed on the second and fourth Monday of each month; the first, third, and fifth Sunday of each month; and 1 January, 1 May and Christmas Day.

Telephone: +39 055 238 8606. Reserve tickets on +39 055 294 883

Santa Croce

Address: Florence

Admission: EUR5. Concessions are available Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5.30pm, and on Sundays from 1pm to 5.30pm. Closed on public holidays and during Calcio Fiorentino football matches

Telephone: +39 055 244 619

Ponte Vecchio

Address: Via Por Santa Maria/Via Guicciardini Florence

Palazzo Pitti and Giardino Boboli

Address: Piazza Pitti 1 Florence

Admission: From EUR4 to EUR8.50. A ticket for all museums is EUR10.50. Entry to the gardens only is EUR4 Each museum has its own opening hours, but most are closed on Mondays

Telephone: +39 055 294 883

Etruscan Sites

Address: Lazio and Umbria Tuscany

Chianti Region

Address: Tuscany

Montepulciano

Address: Via Ricci 9 (Tourist office) Tuscany

Admission: Palazzo Communale's tower is open from 9am to 2pm, Monday to Saturday.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

Address: Piazza Museo Nazionale 18-19 Naples

Admission: EUR6.50. Concessions are available Open on Mondays, and Wednesdays to Sundays from 9am to 7.30pm. Closed on Tuesdays and on New Year's Day, 1 May and Christmas Day

Telephone: +39 081 292 823

Duomo San Gennaro

Address: Via del Duomo 147 Naples

Admission: Cathedral: Free; Archaeological site: EUR3 Open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 12.30pm, and 4.30pm to 7pm; Sundays from 8am to 1.30pm and 5pm to 7.30pm. The archeological area is open on weekdays from 9am to 12pm and 4.30pm to 7pm. On festivals and the days before festivals the site is open from 9am to 12.30pm.

Telephone: +39 081 449 097

Museo e Gallerie di Capodimonte

Address: Via Milano 2, Capodimonte Park Naples

Admission: EUR7.50 Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 7.30pm

Telephone: +39 81 749 9111

Pompeii

Address: Naples

Admission: EUR11 to visit Pompeii only. Access to five neighbouring sites is EUR20 (valid for 3 days). Concessions are available Open from 8.30am to 7.30pm (April to October), and from 8.30am to 5pm (November to March)

Paestum

Address: Campania region, southern Italy Naples

Admission: Museum EUR4 (EUR6.50 including the site) Museum daily 9am to 7pm (closed first and third Monday each month)

The Grand Canal (Canalazzo)

Address: Venice

St Mark's Square

Address: Venice

Rialto

Address: Venice

Basilica dei Frari

Address: San Polo 3003 Venice

Admission: EUR2.50 Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, and Sunday from 1pm to 6pm. Closed to visitors during services.

Telephone: +39 041 272 8611

School of St Roch (Scuola di San Rocco)

Address: Campo San Rocco, San Polo 3054 Venice

Admission: EUR7 (with concessions available). Entry to the church is free The Scuola Grande is open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm, except on New Year's Day, Easter and Christmas Day. The church is also open daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm, but on Christmas, Easter and New Year's Day it is only open in the mornings from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Holy Mass is at 8am on weekdays and 11am on Sundays and religious festivals.

Telephone: +39 041 523 4864

Gallerie dell'Academia

Address: Dorsoduro 1055 Florence

Admission: EUR6.50 (concessions available) Mondays 8.15am to 2pm. Tuesday to Sunday 8.15am to 7.15pm. New Year's Day, May 1st, Christmas Day

Telephone: +39 041 5200 345

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Address: Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, 701 Dorsoduro Venice

Admission: EUR12. Concessions are available Open every day except Tuesdays, from 10am to 6pm

Telephone: +39 041 240 5411

Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral)

Address: Piazza del Duomo 18 Milan

Admission: Cathedral: Free; Roof: EUR4 by stairs, EUR6 with elevator; Crypt: EUR1.50; Baptistery: EUR1.50 Cathedral open daily from 6.50am to 7pm; Roof from 7am to 7pm; Crypt from 9am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 6pm; Baptistery open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 12pm and 3pm to 5pm; Museo del Duomo open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 3pm to 6pm

Telephone: +39 02 8646 3456 and +39 02 860 358

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II

Address: Piazza del Duomo Milan

Theatre Museum at La Scala (Museo Teatrale alla Scala)

Address: Largo Ghiringhelli 1, Piazza della Scala Milan

Admission: EUR5. Concessions are available Open daily from 9am to 12.30pm, and 1.30pm to 5.30pm. Closed on public holidays

Telephone: +39 02 8879 7473

Santa Maria delle Grazie

Address: Piazza Santa Maria delle Grazie 2, Corso Magenta Milan

Admission: Entry to the Church is Free; to see the Painting is EUR6.50, plus a EUR1.50 reservation fee Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.15am to 7.30pm. Reservations are essential, and visitors must arrive 15 minutes before their allocated time of visit

Telephone: +39 02 8942 1146

Museo Poldi-Pezzoli

Address: Via Manzoni 12 Milan

Admission: EUR8. Concessions are available. Free audioguides in English, Italian and Japanese available Open Mondays, and Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm; closed on Tuesdays and public holidays.

Telephone: +39 02 796 334

Museum of Historic Art of the Sforzesco Castle

Address: Piazza Castello Milan

Admission: Castle: Free. Museums: EUR3, with concessions available. Free admittance daily from 4.30pm to 5pm, and on Fridays from 2pm to 5.30pm Castle: Open daily from 7am to 6pm (winter), closing at 7pm in summer. Closed on 25 December, 1 January, 1 May and Easter Monday. Museums are closed on Mondays

Telephone: +39 02 8846 3700

Leonardo da Vinci National Science & Technology Museum

Address: Via San Vittore 21 Milan

Admission: EUR10 (adults), EUR7 (concessions) Open Tuesday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm. Open on holidays and weekends from 9.30am to 6.30pm

Telephone: +39 02 485 551

The Gallery of Modern Art

Address: Villa Reale, Via Palestro 16 Milan

Admission: Free Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9.30am to 5pm

Telephone: +39 02 7600 2819

Portofino

Address: Milan

Telephone: +39 01 85 269 024 (Tourist Office)

Cinque Terre

Address: Milan

Marionette Museum

Address: Via Butera 1 (around the corner from the Palazzo Chiaramonte), Palermo Sicily

Admission: EUR5 (Adults). Concessions are available Open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and 3.30pm to 6.30pm

Telephone: +39 091 328 060

Time Elevator Rome

Address: Via dei SS, Apostoli 20 Rome

Admission: EUR14.62 Open daily from 10.30am to 7.30pm

Telephone: +39 066 9921 823

The Citadel of Museums

Address: Piazza Arsenale Sardinia

Nuraghe

Address: Sardinia

Admission: Most Nuraghe are free Most Nuraghe are closed in the afternoon and on Sundays

Trenino Verde

Address: Sardinia

Admission: The train runs daily between 30 June and 1 September

Telephone: +39 079 245 740 (schedules and routes)

Neptune's Grotto (Grotta di Nettuno)

Address: Alghero Sardinia

Admission: EUR10 (cave tour) Open daily from 9am to 7pm (April to September); 10am to 5pm (October); 9am to 2pm (November to March). Tours run hourly.

Garibaldi's House

Address: Caprera Island Sardinia

Admission: EUR4 (concessions available) Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 1.30pm, and 2pm to 6.30pm. Closed on Sundays, New Year's Day, 1 May and Christmas Day.

Monreale Cathedral

Address: Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, Monreale Sicily

Admission: EUR4.50 to get into the Cloisters; EUR2.05 for entry into the Treasury; EUR1.55 for the Terraces; no entrance charge for the Cathedral itself The cathedral: Open daily from 8am to 6pm; The cloisters: Open from 9am to 6pm (Monday to Saturday), 9am to 1.30pm (Sundays and public holidays)

Telephone: +39 91 640 4413

Capuchin Catacombs

Address: Piazza Cappuccini 1, Palermo Sicily

Admission: EUR1.50 Open daily from 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5pm (7pm in summer)

Telephone: +39 091 212 117

Palazzo Mirto

Address: Via Merlo 2, Palermo (off the Piazza Marina) Sicily

Admission: EUR3 Open from 9am to 1.30pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 6pm. Open from 9am to 1pm on Sundays and public holidays

Telephone: +39 091 616 4751

Regional Archaeological Museum

Address: Piazza Olivella 24, Palermo Sicily

Admission: EUR4.50 (adults), EUR2 (children) Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8.30am to 6.15pm, and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm

Telephone: +39 091 611 6805

Ustica

Address: Sicily

Solunto

Address: 10 miles (16km) east of Palermo Sicily

Ortygia

Address: Sicily

Paolo Orsi Regional Archaeological Museum

Address: Viale Teocrito 66, Syracuse Sicily

Admission: EUR4.50 Open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm; and on Sundays from 9am to 1pm

Telephone: +39 0931 464 022

Parco Archeologico della Neapolis

Address: Viale Paradisa, Syracuse Sicily

Admission: EUR4 Open daily from 9am to 6pm (April to October); 9am to 3pm (November to March)

Telephone: +39 0931 66206

Catania

Address: Sicily

Mount Etna

Address: Sicily

Orvieto

Address: Umbria

Capri

Address: Naples

Telephone: +39 081 837 5308.

Basilica di San Giovanni

Address: Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano Rome

Admission: Free entry to the Basilica, but EUR2 to see the Cloister. Tourist tax: EUR1 Open daily from 7am to 6.45pm

Telephone: +39 06 6988 6433

Verona

Address: Venice

Lido di Venetia

Address: Venice

Admission: ACTV boats charge EUR6 for a one-way trip, and between EUR13 and EUR31 for 24, 36 and 72-hour return tickets

Aqualandia

Address: Via Buonarroti 15, Lido de Jesolo Venice

Admission: EUR27 (adult), EUR23 (children). Free for children under 1 metre tall! Open daily from 28 May to 11 September, 10am to 6pm

Telephone: +39 042 137 1648

Padua (Padova)

Address: Venice

Assisi

Address: Umbria

Pinacoteca di Brera

Address: Via Brera 28 Milan

Admission: Adults: EUR5, Concessions: EUR2.50 Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 7.15pm. Closed Mondays, New Years Day, 1 May and Christmas Day.

Telephone: +39 02 92 800 361

Milan Aquarium

Address: 2 Viale Gadio 20121 Milan

Admission: Free Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 1pm, and 2pm to 5.30pm. Closed on Mondays

Telephone: +39 02 8844 5392 or +39 0288 5750

Orto Botanico di Brera

Address: Brera Palace, Via Brera Milan

Admission: Free Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5pm

Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio

Address: Piazza Sant'Ambrogio, 15 Milan

Admission: Open Monday to Saturday from 7am to 12pm, and 3pm to 7pm. Open on Sundays from 7am to 1pm, and 3pm to 8pm

Telephone: +39 02 8645 0895

Bell Tower (Campanile di San Marco)

Address: San Marco, Piazza San Marco Venice

Admission: Adults: EUR8 Open in November to April from 7am to 3.45pm; and in July to September from 9am to 9pm

Telephone: +39 041 522 4064

Clock Tower (Torre dell'Orologio)

Address: San Marco, Piazza San Marco Venice

Admission: Adults: EUR12 Open daily from 9am to 3.30pm

Unusual Rome for Kids

Address: Via Paolo Emilio, 7 Rome

Telephone: +39 348 329 6384

Villa Doria Pamphili Park

Address: Via San Pancrazio Rome

Looney's

Address: R. B. Bandinelli 130, Ciampino Rome

Telephone: +39 067 932 1977

Puppet Shows

Address: Rome

Museum of Natural History

Address: Santa Croce 1730 - 30125 Venice

Admission: EUR4.50. Concessions are available. Open Wednesdays from 9am to 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm. Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 1 May, Christmas Day and 1 January.

Telephone: +39 041 275 0206

Naval Museum (Museo Storico Navale)

Address: Riva degli Schiavoni, Castello Venice

Admission: EUR1.55 Open Monday to Friday from 8.45am to 1.30pm, and on Saturdays from 8.45am to 1pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Telephone: +39 041 2441 399

Murano

Address: Isola di Murano, Venice Venice

Remembrance Park (Parco delle Rimembranze)

Address: Via Sant'Elena Venice

Admission: Free

Po Delta Natural Park

Address: Ca' Vendramin Venice

Admission: Open daily

Telephone: +39 042 681 219

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Address: Campo dei Miracoli Pisa Tuscany

Admission: EUR15, although you can buy online tickets (EUR17) in advance, to avoid the heavy ticketing queues Open in December and January from 10am to 4.30pm; in November and February from 9.30am to 5.30pm; in March from 9am to 5.30pm; in April to September from 8.30 am to 8pm; and in October from 9am to 7pm

Telephone: +39 050 560 547

Ponte Scaligero

Address: Verona

Piazza delle Erbe

Address: Verona

Verona Arena (Arena di Verona)

Address: Via Roma 7/d, 37121 Verona

Admission: Show prices vary from EUR18 to EUR198 Open for shows from Monday to Saturday. Consult the website for further information

Telephone: +39 045 800 5151

Valpolicella

Address: Verona

Spoleto

Address: Umbria

Siena

Address: Umbria

Cortona

Address: Tuscany

San Gimignano

Address: Tuscany

Pisa

Address: Tuscany

Lucca

Address: Tuscany

Genoa Aquarium

Address: Ponte Spinola Genoa

Admission: EUR23 (Adults); EUR15 (Children under 12) for basic entrance. There are many ticket packages available Opening hours vary, but are generally from 9.30am to 7.30pm

Telephone: 010 234 5678

Palazzo Tursi

Address: 9 Via Garibaldi Genoa

Telephone: 010 557 111

Museum of Sant'Agostino

Address: Piazza Sarzano Genoa

Admission: EUR4 Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 7pm; Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 7pm

Telephone: 010 251 1263

Valley of the Temples (Valle dei Templi)

Address: Sicily

Sassi de Matera

Address: Naples

Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra)

Address: Naples

Frasassi Caves (Grotte di Frasassi)

Address: Umbria

Castel del Monte

Address: Rome

Gondola Rides

Address: Venice

Admission: EUR80 for a 40-minute ride (negotiable)

Cooking Lessons

Cruise

Naples Cruise

La Terrazza dell'Eden

Address: Hotel Eden, Via Ludovisi 49 (Via Veneto) Rome

Food Type: Italian

La Rosetta

Address: Via della Rosetta 8 (Piazza Navona) Rome

Food Type: Seafood

La Pergola

Address: Hilton Hotel, Via Cadlolo 101, San Pietro Rome

Food Type: Mediterranean

Alberto Ciarla

Address: Piazza San Cosimato 40, Trastevere Rome

Food Type: Seafood

Agata e Romeo

Address: Via Carlo Alberto 45 (Termini) Rome

Food Type: Italian

Ai Tre Scalini

Address: ViaPanisperna Rome

Food Type: Italian

Arancia Blu

Address: Via Prenestina Rome

Food Type: Vegetarian

Il Leoncino

Address: Via del Leoncino 28 (Piazza di Spagna) Rome

Food Type: Italian

Ristorante Quadri

Address: Piazza San Marco 120 Venice

Food Type: International

Vino Vino

Address: Campo Teatro 2007, St Marks Square. On Ponte delle Veste Venice

Food Type: Italian

Ristorante Il Desco

Address: Via Dietro San Sebastiano 7 Verona

Food Type: Local

Lineadombra

Address: Ponte dell'Umilta, Dorsoduro, 19 Venice

Food Type: Mediterranean

Trattoria Altanella

Address: Calle delle Erbe, 268, Giudecca Venice

Food Type: Local

Antico Martini

Address: Campo San Fantin (on the same square as La Fenice opera house) Venice

Food Type: Venetian

Trattoria alla Rivetta

Address: Castello 4625, Salizzada San Provolo Venice

Food Type: Seafood

Ca' d'Oro (Alla Vedova)

Address: Calle del Pistor, Cannaregio Venice

Food Type: Italian

Grand Canal

Address: Hotel Monaco, Calle Vallaresso, 1325 Venice

Food Type: Local

Ristorante Ai Quattro Rusteghi

Address: Campo del Ghetto Novo, Canareggio 2888 Venice

Food Type: Venetian

Da Claudio

Address: Via Cusani Milan

Food Type: Seafood

Ponte Rosso

Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 23 Milan

Food Type: Italian

Il Verdi

Address: Piazza Mirabello 5 Milan

Food Type: Italian

Premiata Pizzeria

Address: Via E. De Amicis Milan

Food Type: Pizzeria

Da Giacomo

Address: Via Pascale Sottocorno, 6 Milan

Food Type: Italian

Trattoria Milanese

Address: Via le Gorizia Milan

Food Type: Local

Cracco Peck

Address: Via Victor Hugo 4 Milan

Food Type: International

Armani/Nobu

Address: Armani World, Via Manzoni 31 (restaurant entrance at Via Pisoni 1) Milan

Food Type: Asian

Anema e Cozze

Address: Via Palermo, 15 Milan

Food Type: Italian

Al Pont de Ferr

Address: Ripa di Porta Ticinese 55 Milan

Food Type: Italian

Cantinone-già Schiavi

Address: 992 Fondamenta San Trovaso, near the Accademia Bridge Venice

Food Type: Italian

La Cantina

Address: Campo San Felice (Strada Nuova), Cannaregio Venice

Food Type: Italian

Il Refolo

Address: 1459 Santa Croce, Campo San Giacomo dall'Orio Venice

Food Type: Pizzeria

Ristorante Re Teodorico

Address: Piazzale Castel San Pietro Verona

Food Type: Local

Adriano

Address: via Moschini, 26 Verona

Food Type: Seafood

Al' Duomo

Address: Via Duomo 7 Verona

Food Type: Local

Enoteca Pinchiorri

Address: Via Ghibellina 87 Florence

Food Type: Italian

Trattoria il Contadino

Address: 69/71 Via Palazzulol Florence

Food Type: Italian

Ristorante Celestino

Address: Piazza S. Felicita Florence

Food Type: Local

Da Tito i Peccati di Gola Pizzeria

Address: Via Baracca Florence

Food Type: Pizzeria