Friday 25 Lifestyle | Travel Friday, August 20, 2021

The famous bridge at the Fjord of Furore is a highlight of the Amalfi coastline. — Getty Images

Journey through the stunning Tuscan countryside on a road trip from Florence to Orvieto. —Getty Images 1

aking in two of Italy’s great medieval cities, square, Piazza del Campo. Overnight options Tthe wine treasures of Chianti, and swathes here include the Pensione Palazzo Ravizza. of classic Tuscan scenery, this two-day route Next morning, head to Montalcino to stock leads from Florence to Orvieto in the neigh- up on Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy’s boring region of Umbria. Whet your appetite revered red wines. A short drive to the east, for the road ahead by feasting on fine art and the Val d’Orcia provides quintessential Tuscan Renaissance architecture in Florence before landscapes with its billowing green hills, striking south to Chianti wine country. Stop to cypress trees and hilltop towns. Lunch in sample the region’s celebrated bistecca Pienza, then continue, via Montepulciano, to (steak) at L’Antica Macelleria Cecchini in Orvieto, a striking hilltop town famous for its Panzano. From here, follow the backroads to remarkable Gothic Duomo. Siena, a stunning medieval city centered on an awe-inspiring Duomo and a 12th-century

Make pit stops at beautiful historic towns like Noto during this road trip around Sicily’s south- 3 east.—Shutterstock

xperience Italy’s most spectacular Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea and then 2 Ecoastal scenery on this white- head up to Ravello in the hills above. knuckle drive along the Amalfi Coast. Lunch here, perhaps at the Ristorante From Salerno, the main southern Pizzeria Vittoria, and enjoy heady unt Unesco-listed baroque treasures on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which is dotted with gateway to the coast, strike west to panoramas from the town’s lush gar- Hthis two-day tour of Sicily’s rugged south- churches and charming cafes. Once you’ve Vietri sul Mare, a small town famous dens. Next, push on to Positano, a east. Start off by investigating Catania’s digested this masterpiece of urban design, for its ceramics and the start point of chic, near-vertical town where colorful, grandiose historic center and brilliant fish mar- turn inland to Modica, a bustling town wedged the coastal road proper. From here the steeply-stacked houses cascade ket. After a seafood lunch, hit the road and into a deep canyon. Stock up on the town’s driving becomes more challenging as down the precipitous hillsides. Beyond make for Syracuse where you can trawl famous chocolate before pushing on through the road narrows, the curves become Positano, the route leads inland, up through ancient ruins at the Parco the rocky hinterland to Ragusa and the hand- tighter, and the views become ever and across the hilly interior to Archeologico della Neapolis and stroll elegant some historic center known as Ragusa Ibla. more dramatic. Sorrento, a lively tourist hotspot over- baroque streets in Ortygia. Overnight at the To round the trip off on a high note, treat your- After about 20km, you’ll arrive in looked by the dark, brooding bulk of stylish Hotel Gutkowski. self to dinner at the Ristorante Duomo, one of Amalfi, the coast’s main hub. Stop Mount Vesuvius. On day two, continue to Noto, home to Sicily’s top restaurants. here to look round the landmark what is arguably Sicily’s most beautiful street,