In Chambéry's palatial fine arts museum, housed in the former corn exchange building, you’ll find many 14th- to 18th-century Italian painting by such luminaries as Caravaggio, Titian and Ghirlandaio. Also worth a look is the collection of paintings depicting the dramatic landscapes around Chambéry and the Alps painted between 1799 and 1975.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a key figure of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution and he lived  here at Le Charmettes with his lover and mentor, Madame de Warens, between 1736 and 1742. It’s rural setting and plethora of original features makes for a fascinating insight into the life of this Geneva-born philosopher, composer and writer.

Visit one of Turin's many museums and galleries to get a deeper insight into the cultural life of the city. The Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo and rural Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea are the best for contemporary art, while the Museo Nazionale del Cinema explores the history of cinema in a one of Turin's most distinctive buildings. The Museo Egizio, as Italy's oldest Egptology museum, is also well worth a visit.

The fascinating Museo Nazionale del Cinema is inside Turin's landmark Mole Antonelliana tower (the symbol of the city). After you've visited the museum, you can take the lift to the top of the cupola for panoramic views. 

Stroll through the delightful Parco del Valentino on the west bank of the River Po. Be sure to visit the palace, a stunning 17th-century French building which now houses the university's architecture faculty.

Head across the river for an evening in Trastevere to soak up the authentic Roman atmosphere. The charming streets are lined with some of the city's best restaurants and buzziest bars.

Visit antique and vintage shops along the pretty streets of Via del Governo Vecchio.

It’s impossible to visit Rome without stumbling across the city’s impressive Roman ruins. The many magnificent structures magic visitors back to the Roman era and can be found dotted across the city. Imagine the life of gladiators in the Colosseum, emperors at the Temple of Caesar and merchants at the Roman Forum.

Take a trip on the Ferrovia Circumetnea, the old narrow-gauge railway that circles the foot of Mount Etna. Settle in for breathtaking views of Europe’s most active volcano from all angles (there's usually a short stop at Randazzo for sightseeing).

Take a trip up Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, that has dominated Sicily’s landscape and history for 500,000 years. Walk up the unique, dark coloured mountain path to get closer to the bubbling crater. Look out for sparks of lava and billows of smoke as you get closer.

Browse the market stalls at Ortygia’s food market – you can taste the sun in the fresh fruit and veg, and the local herbs and spices make great (light!) presents. Have lunch in one of the laid-back restaurants nearby as the market sellers pack up for the day.

Ortygia doesn't have many beaches but at the eastern tip wooden platforms have been constructed on the rocks and there are steps down to the sea. It's a great place for a dip followed by an afternoon siesta.

The port on Ortygian Island is one of the best places from which to admire the sunset. There are plenty of laid-back bars to choose from while you watch the huge sky fill with typical Sicilian pinky hues.

Milan has a long artistic tradition and there is no shortage of places to see it. From the oldest collections of Italian Masters at Pinacoteca Ambrosiana to the more modern at Galleria d’Arte Moderna as well as cutting-edge contemporary art at Fondazione Prada, there's something for all tastes in this creative and cultural city.

Leonardo Da Vinci's The Last Supper is a must-see at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Reservations are essential to view The Last Supper, choose from a range of options and book tickets for guided tours here.

Visit the striking Castello Sforzesco (Sforza's Castle) and the surrounding Sempione Park for a peaceful afternoon wandering through vast castle rooms and relaxing by the lake.

Stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, for boutique shopping by day and buzzing bars and restaurants by night.

You'll find Europe's largest collection of modern and contemporary art at the Centre Pompidou (or Beaubourg as it's often called), housed in a striking building covered in pipes and scaffolding. Inside, you'll find temporary exhibitions alongside the permanent collection that includes masterpieces like Duchamp's Fountain, and recognisable works by Frida Kahlo, Robert Delaunay and Wassily Kandinsky.

Paris has no shortage of tempting shops, from independent clothing boutiques to sprawling department stores. Don't miss the opportunity to browse the bouquinistes, open-air booksellers on the banks of the Seine, or indulge at the Galeries Lafayette, the luxurious French department store.