Italy boasts some of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world, many of which combine traditional culture with vibrant modern party scenes. Here’s how to experience them at their best.

Rome
A fusion of ancient and contemporary society, Italy’s capital is undoubtedly one of the world’s most fascinating cities. From the breathtaking amphitheatre to the wonders of St Peter’s Church, it is full of things to see, smell, taste and do. Don’t visit without visiting Vatican City and exploring its fascinating museums, or taking a tour of the countless archaeological sites strewn around Rome.

Venice
Venice has countless nicknames: La Serenissima (the Most Serene), Bride of the Sea, Queen of the Adriatic and the City of Canals, to name just a few. It’s a city of a hundred faces; from the romantic to sinister and from the pious to the debauched. Year-round, tourists will always find something to keep them busy. In summer, the Venetian population swells exponentially as tourists flock from all over the world to experience the city’s attraction at the height of the season. Winter is the party season, with the dankness of the canals balanced by the colour and craziness of carnival. But the best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the tourist number have depleted but the sun still shines brightly on the Piazza San Marco.

Florence
Florence is hailed by many as the world’s most beautiful city: a culture junkie’s ultimate fix. It is home to famous artistic pieces like Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s David, as well as being a visual delight in its own right. UNESCO declared Florence a World Heritage Site in 1982, and is now visited by millions of international tourists every year. The crowning architectural highlight is the Santa Maria del Fiore, a stunning domed cathedral located in the centre of the city.  

Milan
Like Florence, Milan plays host to dozens of world-famous artistic works, including de Vinci’s Last Supper and Michelangelo’s last sculpture. In terms of architecture and visual impressiveness, however, it is generally held to be less appealing than some of Italy’s other major cities. Milan is best known for its fashion scene, its fantastic shopping and its wild nightlife – great for sophisticated city breaks with a dash of culture on the side. 

Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan are all easily accessed from the UK by air, while travel booking companies like On The Beach offer a selection of late holidays and package deals to Italy. Perfect for enjoying a cultural break on the cheap.