Italy.
Italy has its icons, and for good reason. Explore the peninsula further and it also has a multitude of characterful second cities, a legacy of region-states that ruled for centuries. Quintessential hilltop towns, food-obsessed communities and pretty coastal enclaves abound too, summing up the true meaning of la dolce vita. Life in these places trundles on peacefully, often without much international attention, making for more authentic experiences.