Eden Roc Hotel, Ascona

There is no shortage of colour or style in this design hotel, looking out on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Located in Gargnano, one of the most picturesque villages on the lake, and situated inside a 11 hectares natural park in the heart of the spectacular and renowned “Riviera dei Limoni”, surrounded by gentle hills and natural terraces rich in olive trees and woods overlooking the lake.

A refined and sophisticated hotel housed in four 18th century buildings, the service and atmosphere is as expected from the international luxury hotelier group, Mandarin Oriental. A Michelin-starred restaurant and extensive luxury spa are the highlights.

The famous Corso Como 10 opened this intimate hotel in 2003, offering just three modern suites.

This uber contemporary hotel has been designed with the intention of creating a centre of comfort and tranquillity.

The Palazzo Matteotti Milano is a luxury design hotel located in the heart of Milan's fashion district.

If you want to see an overview of Switzerland in miniature, then this is the place to come.

Monte Tamaro rises 1,961 metres above the lake and in this beautiful hilly area there are plenty of wonderful trails and hikes. Notably it is the starting point for the Tamaro-Lema hike. This peak is also worth visiting for the contemporary and innovative Santa Maria degli Angeli church designed by Mario Botta and painted by Enzo Cucchi. It sits on the edge of the hillside with amazing views. There is also an adventure park and mountain bike trails. Something for everyone.

Amidst the beautiful surroundings of the Piedmontese coast of Lake Maggiore, this adventure park offers fun for all with high suspension bridge courses, cycle-cross, a free-climbing wall and an acro-jump. A great day out.

Heading up the hills from Lake Garda is the beautiful Monte Baldo region of sloping forests, lush greenery and flowing rivers.

Golf Des Iles Borromées is an 18 hole course built in a natural and uncontaminated environment situated 500 metres above sea level. It has a southerly exposure, fresh in summer and sunny in winter, and from the 18th tee, you can often see the skyline of Milan and four lakes: Maggiore, Varese, Montae and Comabbio.

The elegant style and furnishings, the neoclassical pieces of art decorating the walls and the hand-painted high ceiling is a dramatic yet fitting setting for the fantastic food of the Palazzo Parigi restaurant. And when the weather is fine, the relaxed atmosphere of the private garden terrace provides an alternative atmosphere for visiting diners.

Part of the Armani Hotel Milan, this Michelin-starred restaurant takes a modern approach to classic Italian wining and dining. The stylish decor has been designed to the smallest detail by Giorgio Armani himself.

The 2-Michelin-starred Seta restaurant located in the Mandarin Oriental Milan hotel is a new kid on the block for the Milanese restaurant scene. An open-plan kitchen gives guests a peak of how the stunning dishes are prepared and a more complete experience to their choices.

Located at the luxury Excelsior Gallia Hotel, this rooftop restaurant boasts a menu created under the consultancy of three-Michelin starred chefs Enrico and Roberto Cerea and the Lebano brothers. They serve modern Italian cuisine with a focus on the Lombardy region.

This elegant and sophisticated restaurant is located in a luxury hotel right in the heart of Milan and has been awarded a Michelin star. They serve traditional Italian dishes with innovative touches using local fresh ingredients.

Il Baretto has been running for over fifty years, delighting the great and the good of the city for half a century. The sophisticated, old English club house decor is host to a refined menu taking cues from Milanese and international cuisine.

Located in the historic centre of Milan, in front of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, this is one of Milan’s hottest and trendiest bars in the city at any time of the day.

This club was created by the famous fashion stylist Roberto Cavalli and is located within the largest city garden, Parco Sempione.

Founded in 2005, this glamorous nightclub offers event 5 nights of the week characterised by elegance and fun.

This trendy bar and restaurant combines two of the most traditional yet innovative Italian brands: Dolce & Gabbana and Martini. This is a unique place where you can have lunch, aperitivo or dinner inspired by Sicilian cuisine.

This super-cool cafe/bar, whose name is taken from the Austrian General who ruled over Lombardy, is frequented by the Brera fashion and arts crowd and is a great place to unwind. It has an old-world feel, fantastic aperitivo and superb brunches. Best enjoyed in summer.

With a number of different dancefloors, and known for attracting classic 80s pop icons, this is a fashionable gay-friendly club with a selective crowd.

The fortified castle of Borromeo sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the town of Angera and is one of the best-preserved castles in the region. There are spectacular views of Lake Maggiore and across to the Alps, meaning it was an important strategic location.

With 688 hectares, Monza Park is Europe's fourth largest enclosed park. Located on the north of the city, the park includes some of Monza's most important sights such as the Royal Palace and the famous Formula 1 circuit.

Built at the request of empress Maria Theresa of Austria as a summer residence for her son Ferdinand, this royal palace was designed to imitate Lombard villas. The palace and its extensive gardens are now part of Monza Park.

'Arengario' derives from the Latin arengarius which means 'gathering place'. Situated very close to the cathedral, its presence symbolised the continuous fight for power among the religious and civil forces of Monza.

Founded in the 6th century, the cathedral of Monza, also known as basilica of Saint John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista) is Monza's most important religious building.

With origins in the late 6th century, the cathedral of Monza is one of the most important religious buildings in Italy. At this museum, you will find stunning medieval pieces and discover more about the history of this town.

This 18-hole course was built in 1928 in the historic Royal Park of Monza. The three paths of the course are set within an ancient wood, requiring the player to think carefully about each shot, with a focus on precision in the front 9 and long shots on the back 9.

Big-hitters will enjoy the generous width fairways but be aware of the lake-size water hazards.

Golf Des Iles Borromées is an 18 hole course built in a natural and uncontaminated environment situated 500 metres above sea level. It has a southerly exposure, fresh in summer and sunny in winter, and from the 18th tee, you can often see the skyline of Milan and four lakes: Maggiore, Varese, Montae and Comabbio.

This 18-hole, par 72, golf course was designed by Franco Piras and realised in 2002.

An Old England styled public golf course set prestigiously on the shores of Lake Como.

Elevated in the hills on Lake Garda's western side, Bogliaco golf course and resort is blessed with a Mediterranean setting and superb views.

High up above the lakes is the village of Arcumeggia in the mountains. It is famous because in 1956 the local tourist office decided to ask important Italian painters to fresco the walls of the town's stone cottages.

The lovely town of Angera dates back to Roman times when it was an important stopping point for boats transferring their wares to the road, and vice-versa. Sitting high above the town is the Rocca Borromeo, a fortress dating back to the 11th century.

Located just within 15 kilometres north of Milan, this big but picturesque town, the third largest in the Lombardy region, has been transformed from a mainly industrial trade centre to a popular spot for good cuisine, pretty squares and of course the F1 Gran Prix.

The city of Bergamo is perched atop a hill just within a 30-40 minute train or car ride from Milan. The fourth largest city in Lombardy, it is located at the foot of the Alps.