Lazy beach days

The narrow, cobbled streets of Alghero’s medieval citadel, packed with boutiques, bars and restaurants, slope towards the harbour and sweeping bay. Built in a buttery sandstone that glows a soft apricot shade in the setting sun, it’s Sardinia’s most picturesque Old Town. Spanish-style palazzos and street signs in Italian and Catalan reflect its proud heritage: 300 years of Aragon rule. Fringed by pine forests, long sandy beaches, hotels and bars curve away towards green headlands. It’s an idyllic setting.

As the capital of a rich and historic region, Ancona is, above all, a city of the sea. The city is blessed with a magnificent coastline to the south, with clean and accessible water and unspoilt white beaches. Close by are the beautiful towns of Loreto, Recanati, Jesi and Urbino as well as the rolling hills of the hinterland and the world-famous Grotte di Frasassi.

The coastal gem in Southern Italy offers a captivating mix of history, culture, and stunning Mediterranean landscapes. Explore the historic Old Town and wander through the winding streets, where laundry flaps in the breeze and locals chat over espresso in lively cafés, savour the local cuisine known for its fresh seafood, handmade pasta, and delicious street food, and soak up the Adriatic's beauty along its picturesque coastline.

The narrow and often steep granite-paved streets of Cagliari’s Castello District are a reminder of a bygone age when the town was dominated at first by Pisans, and later by the Aragonese. Built from white limestone, the walls and towers of the Old Town shimmer in the sun and are a magnificent sight, especially if you are lucky and approach the city from the sea, as the English novelist D.H. Lawrence did in 1921 when he described the Old Town as looking like a "Jerusalem without trees".

Charismatic seaside Catania is a young, dynamic soul, inhabiting a body of narrow alleys and ornate Baroque buildings set atop well-preserved remains of ancient Greek and Roman settlements. Mount Etna defines the cityscape both in terms of the striking panorama and the building material — Catania is even referred to as the "grey city" for the colour of lava rocks used to construct many of its buildings.

Located in the heart of sunny Calabria, the charming city of Lamezia Terme came into existence in 1968 through the amalgamation of three separate towns in the Province of Catanzaro. Perched between the dramatic Tyrrhenian cliffs and the gentle sand dunes of the Ionic coast, this cosy gem resides just south of the expansive Sila plateau offering a captivating glimpse into the diverse landscapes of the Mediterranean.

Olbia is the gateway to the pearly white beaches of Sardinia's northeast coast and the sparkling Costa Smeralda. This is where jet-setters, film stars and the ‘glitterati’ arrive to indulge in 'la dolce vita' Sardinian-style. With a Greek name meaning ‘happy’, Olbia used to be a little fishing village but has now grown to become Sardinia’s busiest ferry port, complete with an international airport and tons of tourist amenities. The countryside is cloaked in aromatic wild herbs, the macchia, and the surrounding sea glows in every hue of electric blue, in a little known and exclusive place waiting to be discovered.

Framed by the stunning snowy peaks of the Apennine Mountains, Pescara is the gateway to the rugged mountainous area of the Abruzzo region. The land tumbles through hilltop villages and down to the blue waters of the Adriatic Ocean. In the town of Pescara itself, the long ten-mile stretches of wide, clean and sandy beaches, superb food and wine explain why it is a favourite holiday spot among many seeking to enjoy both beach-side relaxation and mountain adventures.

Crown jewel of the Italian Riviera, Portofino lies between two gulfs creating a picturesque hamlet embedded in a Natural Reserve, a protected area that houses Mediterranean flora and fauna. Myriad of pastel colours tint the houses that overlook the Ligurian Sea, in a scenic view of nature's blessings blending perfectly with human handwork. The port bustles with yachts and little boats in a display of luxury, so no wonder that the once fishing village of Portofino has become a favourite among VIPs.

Italians themselves head to Rimini for their holidays, which must be the best endorsement there is. Located by the Adriatic Sea, it is a sophisticated and stylish city known for its lively take on life. Fabulous restaurants and trendy bars serve good food and wine, while kilometres of beaches attract families from around the country. Rimini truly is a city for everyone.

Over the years, Taormina has been a source of inspiration for artists from all over the world. Celebrated as the idyllic destination par excellence, it represents the ideal place to escape from the chaos of city life. Located 200 metres above sea level, it is settled on a coastal terrace, overlooking the vastness of the Ionian Sea. The natural beauty of the hill from which the city rises is completed by the view of the imposing Etna volcano.

Trapani is one of the most romantic places in Sicily, and arguably all of the Mediterranean littoral. Characterised by long stretches of coast and coastal plains, this city is littered with lavish monuments and palaces, historical sites, windmills, near islands and a countryside that begs to be explored. By night, the region should be enjoyed over a glass of Marsala wine and fine food at a beachside restaurant, ideally facing west so one can enjoy some of the most spectacular sunsets in Europe.