Italien Island

Highlights include the prehistoric stone towers called nuraghi that dot the island, the mountain towns like Orgosolo whose walls are covered with murals, the seaside town of Alghero, and Cagliari , the island's largest city.

Sardinia can be reached by air arriving in Cagliari or Alghero or by ferry from the mainland, Sicily, or Corsica. The island of Capri has been a popular vacation destination since Roman times and continues to draw big crowds, mainly coming for the day.

Spend a couple of nights so you can better appreciate its charm in the evening, when the tourists have left. Highlights of a visit include the famous Blue Grotto, Villa San Michele , the towns of Anacapri and Capri, and picturesque rock formations off the coast.

Capri, just off the Amalfi Coast, is reached by hydrofoil or ferry more frequent in summer from Naples, Sorrento, or Positano. The nearby island of Ischia , known for its thermal spas , is also worth a visit and sees far fewer tourists than Capri.

A visit to any of the many islands of the Venetian Lagoon offers a chance to get a real look at lagoon life, as well as to escape what can sometimes be stifling crowds in Venice.

Several islands that can be visited as day trips from Venice. Murano, the most popular, is known for its glass-making and you'll find glass in shops all over the island.

Some factories allow visitors and there's a glass museum. Burano Island is known for its handmade lace and colorful houses.

The minute trip offers spectacular views of the island and sea. Most travelers, however, come to Sardinia for its sunny and clean beaches, the most popular of which are in Costa Smeralda in the northeast region.

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy that also includes several islands and archipelagos.

Sicily is separated from the mainland by the two-mile-wide Strait of Messina and is reached by boat, plane, hydrofoil or ferry.

See also: Best Places in Sicily. We live on Ischia island in the town of Forio. And the pizza at our family restaurant Last Casereccia is the best around!

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You Might Also Like. Comments Thank u for sharing. Would love to come. My family is originally from Sicily. Stroll down the cobbled street to a quiet square for an Aperol spritz, or hop on a free shuttle bus to the beach.

This crimson castle-like building, surrounded by twisting vines, has a stripped-back interior, with soft blues and yellows adding a splash of colour to the white rooms — one of which has been decorated by local artist Luigi Nappa.

Each comes with a minibar and flat-screen TV, while suites also have a Jacuzzi. It offers the perfect mix of fine dining and casual eateries, from Michelin-star restaurants to beach bars that will deliver freshly made sandwiches directly to your sunlounger by a basket rigged by pulleys.

Picture yourself sipping wine as you listen to the waves lapping the rocks, or swirling your feet in a freshwater pool while the smell of home-made bread wafts from the kitchen.

This estate comprises a vineyard, a 19th-century lighthouse and 27 rooms; each has a private terrace with garden and ocean views. Breakfast includes fresh ricotta, hand-sliced charcuterie and Sicilian pastries, while gastronomic candlelit dinners are put together using local ingredients and vegetables grown in the hotel garden.

A sun-trap garden full of crooked lemon trees infuses the air with a citrusy fragrance, carried by the breeze into rooms decorated with warm yellows and greens, antique trunks and artistically distressed furniture.

Some include balconies with views of the sea, while the junior suite treats you to an iPad and a private terrace with an outdoor shower. Alternatively, you can take a sunset cruise and watch the natural fireworks show from the water.

The active volcano provides a dramatic backdrop for La Sciara. You can watch smoky plumes puff out of its crater from the hotel pool, hear the rumble of its small eruptions from the solarium terrace and admire the volcano in full while paddling just off shore.

Paths lined with palm trees, age-old cacti and floral bushes lead to soundproofed rooms, each with a balcony and idyllic sea views.

Breakfast is your choice of fresh fruit and pastries. You can hire a bike from reception to explore the area on two wheels. A jungle of bougainvillaea, cacti and swooping vines hide an outdoor saltwater pool, hot tub and tennis court as well as the shaded, understated rooms.

Step onto the cooling cobalt tiles of your private terrace each morning, and snap some shots of the Strombolicchio — a craggy sea stack featuring a s lighthouse.

Alternatively, go for a refreshing swim and gaze up at the smoking volcano. Italy has islands in lakes, too. Sitting between lakes Como and Garda, Monte Isola is the largest lake island in Europe and almost car-free — exceptions are made for the mayor, priest and the ambulance service.

Inside, aged wooden doors lead to the restored suites and apartments, each one unique — think floral vintage armchairs, old-world photographs and candlelit nooks stacked with books.

Discover keepsakes from around the world scattered throughout the fully equipped apartments. Ringed by olive trees, it boasts killer views of Lake Iseo.

A row of loungers and tables line the edge of the garden, so you can sip on sundowners and look out across the lake and cool off in the outdoor pool.

The soundproofed, air-conditioned rooms range from standard with honey-hued walls, smart TV and minibar to the sprawling Senior Lake Suite with arched windows and a private terrace.

In less than an hour by vaporetto , you can leave behind the crowds and chaos of Venice and spend some time on the lagoon island of Mazzorbo.

There is not a lot here, but that is part of its charm. You can have a Michelin-star meal at Venissa, then take a stroll around the colourful island of Burano, which is connected by a footbridge.

Luring you in with the promise of rare wines, Michelin-star meals and views across a sunset-dappled lagoon, Venissa offers quite the luxury package.

The blush-pink hotel sits beside a 14th-century belltower, a tavern and a fine-dining restaurant in a medieval-walled vineyard. Rooms feature exposed-beam ceilings and bird-shaped mirrors, while the suites are set with window seats, charming vintage wardrobes and romantic views across the gardens and lagoon.

Head to Cala delle Arene for a sandy beach and azure waters. For the scuba enthusiast, there is a Roman-era shipwreck to explore not far off the coast.

Tucked away in a thick pine forest, with private access to a secluded cove, Hotel Kyrie is a short stroll from the village and buzzy harbour.

White walls and towering trees keep the rooms shaded and cool, and you can peer out into the tangle of branches from your balcony to find birds tweeting in the morning.

Downstairs, the outdoor pool is surrounded by terracotta tiles and gingham-draped tables where you can indulge in a meal and aperitifs from the bar.

Hidden amid lofty palm trees and floral gardens, Hotel Eden is minutes from Cala dello Spido beach. When you emerge from the salty waters to unstick your goggles and slip off your fins, an airy room with wooden furniture, a minifridge and a Juliet balcony will be waiting for you.

The five towns that make up the Cinque Terre can get frustratingly crowded. Plan your escape and spend a day on the nearby Unesco World Heritage site, the island of Palmaria.

Housed in a former Franciscan monastery, the Grand Hotel Portovenere has a prime position overlooking the sunset-coloured houses along the harbour of Palmaria island.

Rooms are inspired by the Italian Riviera, with ocean greens and sandy hues, not to mention luxury touches such as marble bathrooms and leather chairs.