6 days in Northwest Italy Itinerary

A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."

Sandwiched between the Ligurian Sea and the Alps and Apennines, the Italian Riviera is a narrow coastal strip with a string of places to visit, from upscale seaside resorts to fishing villages. It's enormously popular with both Italian and foreign tourists. You can easily escape the crowds by venturing farther away from the sea and sightseeing in the hillside villages of the inland area. The western section of the Riviera is touted for its roses, almonds, and citrus groves, while the eastern part features a much more rugged terrain and several nature and marine preserves. The Riviera's mild climate and its charming fishing ports have made it not only a popular holiday destination for tourists, but also an inspiration for artists like Byron and Shelley, both of whom traveled extensively here.