The beauty and splendor of Italy is something you cannot deny; sunny beaches, delicious food, and an ideal blend of modernity with history make it the perfect location for your vacation. With so many places to choose from, it can be hard to pick where to go, especially when you have limited time, but unlimited resources. And so, with this little guide can help you figure out which places in Italy do you truly wish to see during your Italian luxury vacation.

MILAN

Fashion rules the roost in the chic city of Milan in the Lombardy region. But did you know this magnificence nearly did not happen? During World War II, Milan was nearly destroyed into oblivion by the severe bombings of World War II; it was slowly rebuilt to become the wondrous, rich city it once was. By the 1980s, Milanese fashion houses made sure to let the world know where they were from, thus fully transforming Milan into one of the centers of fashion and today, it is known as the “World’s Design Capital” and the “Fashion Capital of the World”.

There are plenty of things to see in Milan. And of course, what would the design capital of the world be without a few stores? Well, a few dozen is more like it, with luxury houses Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Luxottica, Miu Miu,  Prada, and Valentino, Versace, to name a few making the city their base. There are also several shopping districts in the city which you may want to check out such as Via Dante, Via Manzoni and Via Monte Napoleone. You will also most definitely want to visit Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the world’s oldest shopping mall which was first opened in 1877. Its unique architecture, which includes an iron and glass roof, remains today to be one of the most important examples 19th-century iron-and-glass architecture.  After all your shopping and touring the city, you’ll want to put your feet up and rest.  You might want to book a room at Town House Galleria, which is the first hotel to ever garner a seven star rating.

Milan is the second richest city in the European Union, next only to the City of Lights, Paris. This city may be known best for its fashion, but it’s also where Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” can be found. La Scala, one of the most revered opera houses in the world, can also be visited in Milan.

LAKE COMO

Another popular destination in the Lombardy region is Lake Como. For centuries, this glacial lake has long been a favorite playground for the rich and (most recently) famous. After all, who can resist the snow capped mountains, gorgeous landscape and shimmering waters?  In fact, it’s been called the most beautiful lake in the world due to its own microclimate and village surroundings.

And though they may be called villages, don’t be fooled since some of these villages have or are made up of villas and palaces. Some of these beautiful villas date back to the time of Pliny the Younger, a magistrate of ancient Rome who was born in Lake Como.

Celebrities like George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone and Madonna have owned or owns a home in the area.  Activities include kitesurfing and sailing. There are also spas to which one may choose to relax in.  There are no towering skyscrapers, no edgy, all glass homes in Lake Como. What you see is an idyllic place far away from prying eyes and hugged by the mountains and a tri-pronged river, making it the perfect place for a luxurious Italian getaway.

TUSCANY

When the world was changing and shifting during the 14^th century, Tuscany was in the middle of it all. It became the home of scientists, innovators and artists. Today, it is now home to scientists who wish to discover further the history of the region, innovators who wish to create new wines the world has never tasted before and artists who wish to preserve and study the paintings that surround the region. It’s also become a favorite among tourists as it is merely an hour and a half away from Rome and has its own international airport. If you are in need of a place to stay, there are many choices, from the northern luxe resort town of Forte dei Marmi to the quaint hill town of Montepulciano.

Tuscany is known for producing some of the best wines in the planet, with the dessert wine Vin Santo leading the pack. Tuscan wine is not something new; the earliest mention or proof of the liquid dates back 8^th century B.C. Today, wine is produced at a higher rate than ever before as many have invested time, money and land to see what their vineyards can create to rival the wines made in other regions such as those in Napa Valley, California.

Tuscany’s capital, Florence, is considered to be the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Although modernity has a strong grip on the city (with it being named among the top global fashion capitals), the influence of the era is still evident as most of the city was built during that time. Perhaps it is because of the artistic and architectural touches seen everywhere that made it rank in a popular magazine’s most beautiful cities in the world.

These are just three of the wonderful Italian destinations you can explore during your vacation. Hopefully, it can help you decide where to go with your family, friends, or just yourself. Enjoy and have a lovely holiday!