Visit Italian Riviera

Caribbean-clear water, Bronze Age stone towers and a fiercely independent island culture and cuisine

Greek temples, Arab-Norman cathedrals, baroque towns and Etna — Sicily is a Mediterranean civilisation of its own

Rolling cypress hills, Renaissance cities and Sangiovese wine — Tuscany is the Italy of the imagination

Italy's gastronomic heartland — Parmigiano, prosciutto, balsamic, tortellini and Ferrari, all in one region

Explore the glamorous French Riviera along the Mediterranean coast. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais in Nice (7km waterfront lined with palm trees and belle époque hotels), visit the Palais des Festivals in Cannes (home of the famous film festival), try your luck at the Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, and admire the luxury yachts in Saint-Tropez's old port.

A salty maritime republic of grand palaces and Europe’s biggest medieval old town — and the home of pesto

Walk the cliff path linking five pastel fishing villages above the Ligurian Sea

Try true Ligurian basil pesto, pounded in a mortar, over trofie or trenette pasta