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In terms of world capitals, the Eternal City does not disappoint. It’s a journey through thousands of years of history as you pass countless majestic landmarks. Crazy traffic and the constant buzz of Vespa scooters does not detract from the monumental grandeur of your surroundings. Glorious palazzi, incredible fountains, vast piazzas and, at just 0.2 square miles, the world’s smallest country – Vatican City.
Wander under Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes in the Sistine Chapel and possibly attend an audience with Pope Francis in St Peter’s Square if you time it right. Despite its age, there’s a buzz to the city. No more so than the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti, Rome’s exclusive shopping strip.
Take time out for a picnic and a row on the lake in the grounds of Villa Borghese and don’t miss exploring the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, the extraordinary amphitheatre. Rome’s lively Trastevere neighbourhood comes alive at night with traditional restaurants, particularly pizzerias.
■■Three nights at Hotel de la Ville, Rome from £1,085pp, B&B. Flights from Manchester. elegantresorts.co.uk
Amalfi Coast
Taking to the winding, precipitous roads along the impossibly romantic Amalfi Coast is not only a test of driving skills, but patience. Italians, who know the road, will thunder along at breakneck speeds. It’s best seen from a passenger seat. The dazzling blues, the bright green of the hillsides, the gleaming white cliffs – this road is a beauty.
The towns dotted at regular intervals are enchanting, from Sorrento with its main square and elegant Renaissance and Baroque architecture to the glorious front cover-worthy town of Positano with its brightly coloured houses in peach, terracotta and bright yellows tumbling down to the water.
Ravello, set high on the cliffs, is home to elegant villas, a stupendous cathedral and the town’s crowning glory, Villa Rufolo, a 13th century masterpiece with cloisters and Turkish baths. The Amalfi Coast is also the place to pick up ceramics.
Citalia offers three nights at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento from £1,335pp, B&B. Flights from Gatwick. citalia.com