Just over an hour's drive east from Rome, the little-known region of Abruzzo is a world apart from the big city, with wild, empty valleys and unspoiled mountain landscapes. Rome–Sulmona approx 240km/150 miles, one day Back in Bellagio, pick up your wheels and strike southeast, following the scenic lakeside road down to Lecco and on to historic Bergamo, where you can rest up in style at the Hotel Piazza Vecchia.īe sure to make a stop off at Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a remote, semi-abandoned village high in the Abruzzo hills © Don White / Getty Images Sample the best of Abruzzo from Rome to Sulmona Suitably refreshed, leave your car and jump on a ferry to Tremezzo, home of the 17th-century Villa Carlotta and its spectacular gardens. Stop at this charming lakeside village to explore the grounds of neoclassical Villa Melzi d'Eril and have lunch at Terrazza Barchetta. Once you've explored the charming historic center and the nearby Villa Olmo, take the swooping road up to Bellagio. The obvious starting point is the town of Como itself. This leisurely one-day drive, which takes in elegant art nouveau villas and lush waterfront gardens along the lake's southern shoreline, is best undertaken in April and May when the area is awash with spring color. Surrounded by Alpine peaks and wooded hills, Lake Como (Lago di Como) is the most picturesque of Italy's northern lakes. You'll want to make regular stops to admire the lakeshore while driving along Lake Como © Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld / Getty Images Get the Italian Lakes vibe on Como's southern shoreĬomo–Bergamo approx 112km/70 miles 2 days Consider adding an extra overnight stop to explore the region in more depth. Lunch in Pienza, then continue through Montepulciano to Orvieto, a striking hilltop town famous for its remarkable Gothic Duomo. A short drive to the east, the Val d'Orcia provides quintessential Tuscan landscapes with its billowing green hills, cypress trees and hilltop towns. Next morning, head to Montalcino to stock up on Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's most revered red wines. Recommended overnight options here include the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza. From here, follow the backroads to Siena, a stunning medieval city centered on an awe-inspiring Duomo and a 12th-century square, the famous Piazza del Campo. Stop for a tasting at the Enoteca Falorni in Greve and to sample the region's celebrated bistecca (steak) at L'Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Panzano.

Whet your appetite for the road ahead by feasting on fine art and Renaissance architecture in Florence before striking south to Chianti wine country. Taking in two of Italy's great medieval cities, the wine treasures of Chianti, and swathes of classic Tuscan scenery, this two-day route leads from Florence to Orvieto in the neighboring region of Umbria. Take a tour of Tuscany from Florence to Orvietoįlorence–Orvieto approx 210km/130 miles, 2–3 days

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