Italy - Best Of The Rest
Alberobello
Alberobello is one of those places that looks as though someone has designed it for a children's storybook. Its claim to fame is the trulli, the distinctive whitewashed stone houses with conical roofs that are found throughout this part of Puglia.
The main concentration is around the Rione Monti district, where narrow, winding streets climb the hillside between hundreds of these rather unusual buildings. It is undeniably touristy, but the trulli are genuinely fascinating and make Alberobello unlike anywhere else in Italy.
Don't expect a huge list of attractions — the town itself is the attraction.
Bologna
Bologna is a city that often gets overlooked in favour of Italy's more famous destinations, which is a shame because it has plenty going for it. The historic centre is full of attractive medieval buildings, arcades and lively squares, with the Two Towers providing its most recognisable landmark.
Bologna is also famous for its food — this is, after all, the home of Bolognese cuisine, although the Italians would point out that ragù alla bolognese is traditionally served with tagliatelle rather than spaghetti.
Add Italy's oldest university and a generally lively atmosphere and Bologna makes a very worthwhile stop.
Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino is somewhere you visit for a very different reason. The hill is dominated by the magnificent Abbey of Monte Cassino, but for British visitors in particular, the area is remembered for one of the most brutal battles of the Second World War.
The original monastery was destroyed during the fighting in 1944 and subsequently rebuilt.
Below the mountain is the Cassino War Cemetery, beautifully maintained and containing the graves of thousands of Commonwealth servicemen.
It is a moving place and a reminder that Italy's history isn't all Roman ruins, Renaissance art and pretty coastal towns.
Pisa
Pisa has one attraction that has become so famous that it almost completely overshadows the city — the Leaning Tower. And yes, it really does lean! The tower stands in the remarkable Piazza dei Miracoli alongside the cathedral and baptistery, making this one of Italy's most impressive architectural ensembles.
Pisa itself is worth a little more time than the standard coach excursion gives it, with an attractive historic centre and the River Arno running through the city.
But let's be honest, most visitors will spend at least half their time taking increasingly ridiculous photographs of themselves apparently holding the tower up.
San Marino
Technically, San Marino isn't Italy at all, although you could be forgiven for thinking it is. Completely surrounded by Italy, this tiny independent republic claims to be the world's oldest surviving sovereign state.
Perched dramatically on Mount Titano, it has a wonderfully medieval appearance, with narrow streets, steep lanes and three towers overlooking the surrounding countryside.
The views are excellent, although cloud can occasionally make the whole exercise rather pointless. It is easy to visit as a day trip from nearby parts of Italy and provides the novelty of being able to say you've visited another country without having to go very far.
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