The quintessential rolling green hills of the Val d’Orcia in Tuscany (Getty Images)
1. The Val d’Orcia switchback: Monticchiello – Pienza – San Quirico d’Orcia
Why go?
Remember the cypress-lined hills and rolling fields at the end of Gladiator? If you’re looking for breathtaking Tuscan landscapes, the Val d’Orcia is where you’ll find them.
When to go
Either side of summer’s crowds and sweltering temperatures. Autumn is harvest time, so ideal for foodies.
What to see and do
Pienza brings the Renaissance to life and many prefer it to the much busier Florence. Ignore the main roads and get there via the winding dusty lanes north of Monticchiello. Wine lovers will certainly enjoy the finish line... Montalcino is home of one of Italy’s most celebrated reds, Brunello di Montalcino.
Don’t miss
The cypress groves at San Quirico d’Orcia – arguably the most photographed trees in Europe.
What to listen to
Hans Zimmer’s soaring Gladiator soundtrack, with Louis Prima’s ‘Che La Luna’ to give the evenings a lift.
How to get there
Fly direct to Florence. Pick up a hire car and you can whizz down to Pienza on the A1 or go via Siena on the scenic Raccordo autostradale 3.
Lake Como viewed from the Grand Hotel Tremezzo (Alex-Kittoe/Somewhere x Kintzing). Opening image: the town of Dorio on the shore of Lake Como (Elina Nova/Kintzing)
2. The Italian Lakes: Milan – Lake Como – Bergamo – Lake Garda
Why go?
Such is the picturesque majesty of the Italian Lakes that Roman soldiers would stop off for a bit of downtime on their way to conquering another nation. These days, you’re more likely to bump into A-listers such as George Clooney and Taylor Swift.
When to go
Again, this is a destination best enjoyed in spring or autumn. The gardens and lakeside terraces literally burst into life every May.
What to see and do
Follow the lakeside road north from Como town to the cobblestone streets of Bellagio – the ‘Pearl of Lake Como’. Enjoy a lunchtime coffee in Bergamo’s 12th-century Piazza Vecchia, followed by a scream-filled afternoon on the 100ft-high, 50mph water slides at Lake Garda’s Caneva Aquapark.
Don’t miss
The breathtaking seven-minute funicular ride to Brunate, an ancient hilltop village that sits serenely above Como town.
What to listen to
Top down on the convertible... Ryan Paris’ 1983 smash, ‘Dolce Vita’, of course!
How to get there
Fly direct to Milan. The drive to Como town is less than an hour north.
Sunrise over the Tre Cime di Lavaredo (Three Peaks of Lavaredo) in the Dolomites (Jacopo Papucci/Kintzing)
3. The Great Dolomites Road: Bolzano – Cortina d’Ampezzo
Why go?
Italy’s Pale Mountains bring together a postcard-perfect mix of snow-clad peaks, crystal-blue waters and free-flowing Alpine meadows.
When to go
Pack the skis and snowboards during the winter months – provided you’ve got a suitable vehicle! September offers relative peace and quiet, plus some of the best autumn colours you’ll see outside of New England.
What to see and do
This is one of those roads that is a tourist attraction in itself – incredible hairpin turns, mountain backdrops and lakes galore. Stop as many times as you like, but don’t miss Lake Carezza – the Lake of Rainbows – or the spectacular views from Passo Pordoi. At well over 2,000m, it’s one of the area’s highest vantage points.
Don’t miss
If the hips and knees will take it, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop – 20km northeast of Cortina – is a modest three-and-a-bit-hour hike. It’s worth it for a picture of the three peaks reflected in the spring waters of the Laghi dei Piani.
What to listen to
Something to match the awe-inspiring views... Maria Callas soaring through ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’.
How to get there
Fly direct to Innsbruck or Venice. Both are less than three hours from the mountains.
A winding road on the volcanic landscape of Mount Etna in Sicily (Clemente Vergara/Tiny Atlas x Kintzing)
4. The Mount Etna Loop: Sicily
Why go?
Sicily’s tempestuous past – Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Spanish – gives it a unique flavour. And it’s got a volcano!
When to go
Even in October, the daytime – and sea – temperatures still average out at a pleasant 25°C. In high summer, don’t be surprised by 35°C.
What to see and do
From Catania, the first stop is the remarkable Teatro Antico di Taormina – built by the Greeks, expanded by the Romans, much-loved by Pavarotti. Going anticlockwise around the mountain, stop off at Bronte for out-of-this-world pistachios (known in the town as ‘green gold’).
Don’t miss
You can drive part of the way up Etna, but why not finish off your road trip with a 4x4 adventure tour? Think mountainside forests, lava caves and wine tasting on the way down.
What to listen to
You’re in Sicily... it has to be The Godfather soundtrack. Just don’t let the locals hear you!
How to get there
Fly direct to Sicily. Taormina is less than an hour north along the coast.
The town of Vieste on the Gargano Peninsula, Puglia, in the Adriatic (Getty Images)
