Rightly considered one of the world's most iconic travel destinations, Italy manages to be many things: a vision of golden countryside, a mass of seething cityscapes, a repository for ancient culture, a mecca for fashion, while never being anything less than resolutely Italian.

Its many faces are a big part of its appeal. From the scooter-honk of Naples to the bosomy hills of Tuscany, and from the Renaissance splendour of Florence to the football crowds of Turin, it's somewhere that draws you in repeatedly. Trying to take the country in on one trip is akin to settling down to read an entire library - far better to concentrate on one or two of its numberless highlights and immerse yourself in the mix of hospitality, style and volatility that makes Italy so intoxicating.

Oh, and did we mention the food?

FLORENCE:

Medieval and Renaissance Florence was a financial powerhouse but it was never a romantic place. Its great families built fine mansions and lavished money on churches, public buildings and the arts, but not out of a love of beauty. To display greatness was to be great. The majesty of the Romanesque Baptistery, the Gothic Duomo and Renaissance basilicas was an advertisement as much of the power and wealth of Florence’s leading families as of the city’s artistic prowess. The families have gone, but the advertisements live on!

Florentines are born into a world of extraordinary timeless beauty, so it is hardly surprising that they cultivate their appearance, and do it so effortlessly. Home to the likes of Gucci and Ferragamo, Florence means one thing: style, both past and present. Phalanxes of stylish boutiques line up alongside the galleries and palazzi.

When the shops close, it’s time to eat. Sit down to a simple Tuscan meal of tomato stew followed by prime steak in a family-run trattoria or splash out on one of the city’s classic gourmet restaurants or stylish designer eateries. Florence is known for its top-grade Chiantis, but you should make the acquaintance of other exquisite tipples too: Montalcino's Brunello, the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and the more daring Super Tuscans.

VENICE:

Venice is one of those must-see destinations of our era. A unique city of 116 islands, ancient history and endless waterways, it attracts a steady stream of tourists from all corners of the world to view its inspiring architecture and to navigate its mystical canals.

Venice is a never-ending maze of tiny cobbled courtyards and winding back streets, linked by arched bridges and dotted with osterias (bars), traditional trattorias (restaurants) and obligatory tourist gift shops. But the real attraction of Venice lies in its unique waterways and the magical atmosphere created by its operatic gondoliers at work.

Travellers seeking an alternative to Venice should head away from the main conurbation to an area known as the Lido. With sandy beaches and resort-style hotels on offer, it offers a slice of relaxation in this bustling city.

ROME:

Rome is like a moveable feast of endless courses. No matter how much you gorge yourself on its splendours, you rarely feel you've made it past the antipasti.

Few cities offer such variety and few visitors leave without a fervent desire to return. As the seat of the Italian government and home to the Vatican, Rome is a city with genuine capital credentials. From the remains of its imperial glory days to the Renaissance and Baroque riches of its historic centre, Rome is a glorious architectural patchwork, a living masterpiece.

But while there's no escaping Rome's illustrious past, modern Romans embrace the present. So do as they do and throw yourself in to the life of the city. Walk the cobbled streets between centuries-old ruins, drink too much wine and coffee, browse heritage markets and grand museums, and eat too much gelato. After all, that's what the dolce vita (sweet life) is all about.

BOLOGNA:

The lively university city of Bologna is a great medieval townscape with Renaissance palaces and 40km (25m) of ochre-coloured arcades. The city centres around twin piazzas, Maggiore and Nettuno - handsome public spaces sealed on all sides by medieval palazzi. Here, amid the pigeons, the Bolognese come to shop, to pray, to chat and, of course, to demonstrate. Bologna's russet cityscape and left-wing reputation has earned it the nickname La Rossa ('the red'), while its hearty appetite has led to the nickname La Grassa ('The Fat'), and its penchant for all things cultural has resulted in the moniker La Dotta ('The Learned') - Umberto Eco teaches at the university, as did Romano Prodi before he went into politics. The renown of tourist honeypots Florence, Rome and Venice, means that Bologna is often bypassed by the holidaying hordes, and is all the more appealing for it.

The local cuisine goes far beyond the world famous spaghetti Bolognese (something the locals never eat - they call the sauce ragu and would never mix it with spaghetti, but with tagliatelle). Other local specialities include mortadella (baloney) and tortellini, and the region offers some robust and interesting local wines.

The best times to visit are spring and autumn, when the climate is mild (summers are hot, and winters decidedly chilly). Even at the height of the season, tourist numbers seldom become too suffocating. July and August are baking, and a good time for day trippers to head to the breezy Adriatic beaches, less than an hour away.