NORTH ITALY & BALKANS

The northern border of Italy is marked by the Alps, with mountainous region Val d´Aosta, popular for the snow-capped Mont Blanc, the highest in the Alps, and limestone Peaks of Lavaredo in South Tyrol, offering top ski-resorts. 

The three major regions of northern Italy are Piedmont, Lombardy - the most wealthy and populous in the country - and Veneto, with their respective capitals Turin, Milan, and Venice being prime destinations.

Further south is the lovely hilly region of Tuscany with Florence, famous for Renaissance art and architecture, and Pisa, home to the leaning tower, as major city attractions nestled between olive groves and vineyards. On the coast near Genoa is Portofino, the picturesque port with pastel coloured buildings lining the seaside and green hills behind them. 

The Balkans include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia. For sunny holidays, Croatia is ideal, with relics from the Roman era, the magical Plitvice Lakes National Park, and over a thousand islands and islets to explore.