Portofino, Liguria

The coastal town of Portofino is one of the most beautiful European ports to sail into.

It also has a wealth of excellent hotels like the Hotel Splendido and the Grand Hotel Miramare, plus great shopping, and of course, that radiant coastline.

Alberobello, Puglia

The main draw of Alberobello is its characteristic trulli: cone-shaped, white-tipped houses that look as if they’ve been perpetually dusted by snow.

Thanks to this distinctive feature, the town was deemed so unique that it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Castelluccio, Umbria

Located atop a steep hill 5,000 feet above sea level, Castellucio is the highest—and most beautiful—village in the Apennine Mountain Range. The village is backed by snow-capped mountains on one side and on the other, lush, fertile plains that blossom with red poppies, violets, and rapeseed in the spring.

Cefalu, Sicily

Located just an hour’s drive from Palermo, the medieval town of Cefalù is so postcard-pretty that many movies have been filmed here, including the much-loved Cinema Paradiso.

Pietrapertosa, Basilicata

Pietrapertosa is one of the most dramatic towns in all of Italy—it’s carved into the bare rock on the side of a mountain, and boasts an elevation of 3,500 feet. The town itself is beautiful, filled with ancient ruins and a ninth-century Saracen castle—but the highlight of any visit is a ride on Il Volo dell’Angelo.

Sorrento, Campania

Despite the lack of a beach, tourists love Sorrento, which straddles the cliffs overlooking the ocean.  The old town makes a great base for exploring surrounding areas—the Amalfi Coast to the East, Pompeii to the North, and the island of Capri offshore.

Polignano a Mare, Apulia

On a limestone cliff that slices into the ocean, the tiny town of Polignano a Mare—known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”—is one of the most romantic spots in all of Puglia.

Taormina, Sicily

There’s something especially dreamy about Taormina, a clifftop town on the island of Sicily.  The views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea hypnotize, and the ancient ruins and cafe-lined streets keep you occupied.

Praiano, Campania

Also along the Amalfi Coast, lies the town of Praiano, which is packed with beautiful beaches like Marina di Praia and Gavitella—and culture to boot.  Come here for stunning ancient churches, towers, and sacred sculptures.

Sperlonga, Lazio

Sperlonga was the former hideaway of many Roman emperors, and it’s no wonder: The tiny town’s pristine beaches, rich greenery, and proximity to Rome—just an hour by train—make it the perfect weekend escape.

Saluzzo, Piedmont

Just an hour’s drive south of Turin, you’ll find the sleepy medieval town of Saluzzo—a pretty sweep of red-tiled rooftops, bell towers, and ancient spires backed by the snow-capped Cottian Alps.

Vernazza, Liguria

Vernazza is the steepest and loveliest of the Cinque Terre villages. Its streets are lined with signature candy-colored houses and enough gelaterias to make you forget about that bathing suit you packed, while the town itself slopes down to a small, sandy beach and Cinque Terre’s only natural harbor.

Belluno, Veneto

Perched on high bluffs above the Piave River and backed by the snowcapped Dolomites, Belluno is easily one of Northern Italy’s prettiest small towns. Besides its gorgeous 360-degree views, you’ll find a charming historical town center packed with Renaissance-era buildings, palazzi, and Romanesque churches.

Monte Isola, Lombardy

Located on an island of the same name, the town of Monte Isola sits in the middle of one of Italy’s prettiest lakes, Lake Iseo. To get there, you’ll need to drive an hour and a half from Milan, then take a 20-minute ferry ride across the lake from the town of Iseo—but it’s well worth the effort.

Collodi, Tuscany

Carved into the side of a hill in Tuscany between Florence and Pisa, you’ll find Collodi: a gorgeous medieval village famous for being the home of Pinocchio (or more accurately, its creator, Carlo Collodi).