Italien

Redan 2019 gick Venedigs borgmästare ut med att man skulle börja ta betalt av besökare. Projektet blev sedan framskjutet på grund av pandemin – tills staden återigen såg 80 000 besökare om dagen.

Sugen på en riktigt, riktigt, god öl? Nu behöver du inte undra vart i världen du ska åka.

The most evocative of Venice's southern islands are tiny specks capped with monasteries such as San Servolo, San Lazzaro degli Armeni and (especially) San Giorgio Maggiore, its gracious Palladio church forming the essential backdrop for dreamy lagoon views. The much larger crescent of Giudecca has its own Palladian masterpieces and is a fascinating mash-up of luxury hotels, workaday apartments, the remnants of industry and a still-functioning women's prison. Lido is Venice's 12km beach escape, its A-list film festival a hangover from its days as one of Europe's most glamorous resorts.

Strax norr om Sicilien gömmer sig sju vulkanöar som trots sin skönhet förblivit något av en hemlighet. Vagabonds chefredaktör gav sig ut på en öluff genom den Eoliska övärlden.

Matprofilen Therese Elgquist älskar livsstilen, maten och stämningen i Rom. Här delar hon med sig av sina bästa tips på restauranger i den eviga staden.

Palermo har rest sig och lämnat sitt dåliga rykte bakom sig. På gott och ont har staden blivit ett av världens trendigaste och häftigaste resmål.

This part of the city fuses a gutsy market precinct – a covered produce market and noisy street stalls surrounding the Basilica di San Lorenzo – with capacious Piazza San Marco, home to Florence University and a much-loved museum. Between the two is the world’s most famous sculpture, David. The result is a sensory experience jam-packed with urban grit, uplifting art and some fabulously authentic, local-loved addresses to eat, drink and shop.

With a pristine medieval centre and an international student population, Perugia is Umbria’s largest and most cosmopolitan city. Its centro storico (historic centre), seemingly little changed in more than 400 years, rises in a helter-skelter of cobbled alleys, arched stairways and piazzas framed by solemn churches and magnificent Gothic palazzi (mansions). Reminders of its lively and often bloody past are everywhere, from ancient arches and medieval basilicas to Renaissance frescoes by the likes of Perugino and Raphael.

Tröttnat på snöfattiga dalar och hederliga men lite tråkiga alphotell? Vänd blicken uppåt. I italienska Aostadalen bor man bäst på bergens snösäkra rifugios. Med dem som utgångspunkt blir skidresan en totalupplevelse för hela familjen.

One of Sardinia's most beautiful medieval cities, seafront Alghero is the main resort in the northwest. Although largely given over to tourism – its population can almost quadruple in July and August – the town retains a proud and independent spirit. Its animated historic centre is a terrific place to hang out and, with so many excellent restaurants and bars, it makes an ideal base for exploring the beaches and beauty spots of the nearby Riviera del Corallo.