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Alpe di Siusi Europe’s highest alpine pastures, framed by the magnificent Dolomites (Trip 12)DENNIS K JOHNSON/GETTY IMAGES ©

FROM THE SNOWY SLOPES OF THE MILKY WAY TO VILLAS FRAMED BY GAZEBOS and mould-breaking art and architecture, northern Italy is as action packed as it is artful. Its mountains, lakes and coastal villages have been luring artists, celebrities and moneyed Mitteleuropeans since the days of the Grand Tour, and it’s easy to see what drew them here: world-class art, an embarrassment of culinary riches, cult wines and a slew of sophisticated cities.

While Venice’s city of palaces dazzles and Milan’s Golden Quad rapidly helps to relieve you of your hard-earned cash, you’re never far from a rural hinterland that still moves with the rhythm of the seasons and that seems largely untouched by modern tourism.

Northern Italy

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1 Grand Tour 12–14 Days The classic cultural tour – part

pilgrimage, part rite of passage. (p 39 )

2 2 Savoy Palace Circuit 3–4 Days The impressive property portfolio of

the frivolous Dukes of Savoy. (p 55 )

3 3 Gourmet Piedmont 6 Days Bold Barolos, white truffl es and Asti

spumante put fi zz in this food tour. (p 63 )

4 4 Meandering the Maritime Alps 7 Days

Ski the Milky Way and hike old salt routes in the Gran Paradiso park. (p 71 )

5 5 Italian Riviera 4 Days Seaside bastions, palm-fringed

promenades, Belle Époque villas. (p 79 )

6 6 Cinematic Cinque Terre 5–7 Days

Tour maritime vineyards and secret coves to the Gulf of Poets. (p 87 )

7 7 Northern Cities 7–10 Days Visit grand-slam cultural sites amid

the rice paddies of the Po valley. (p 97 )

8 The Graceful Italian Lakes 5–7 Days

The destination of choice for Goethe, Hemingway and George Clooney. (p 109 )

9 9 A Weekend at Lake Garda 4 Days

The ultimate lakeside tour through vineyards, orchards and olive groves. (p 121 )

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a a Roof of Italy 6 Days Dare to drive Europe’s highest Alpine

pass for the spa on the other side. (p 129 )

b b Valle d’Aosta 5 Days Hike the Gran Paradiso and ascend

Monte Bianco, Europe’s highest peak. (p 137 )

c Grande Strada delle Dolomiti 7–10 Days Admire the rocky amphitheatre of the

rose-coloured Dolomites. (p 145 )

d A Venetian Sojourn 4–5 Days Glide along the Brenta Canal to splendid

frescoed villas. (p 157 )

e e Trieste to Tarvisio 7 Days From Italo-Austrian Trieste zigzag

through vineyards to Alpine Tarvisio. (p 169 )

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DON'T MISS

Scrovegni Chapel See the Renaissance blossoming through the tears in Giotto’s moving frescoes for the Scrovegni Chapel on Trips 17d17d

Portofi no Peninsula Steel a march on Cinque Terre hikers and walk the quiet pathways on the Portofi no peninsula, ending with a Spritz at Caff è Excelsior on Trip 66

Truffl es Strike gastronomic gold in Alba, and dine on prized white truffl es on Trip 33

Terme Merano Dip in and out of hot and cold pools amid stunning mountain scenery, just as Austrian royals, and Kafka, have done before you on Trip aa

Walking the Alta Vie Walk on the roof of the Dolomites through Alpine meadows strewn with wildfl owers on Trip cc

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