Lamezia

From the airport

Bus: Buses 4 and 5 go to the city centre.

Bari

From the airport

Bus: Number 16 from the terminal leaves every 40-60 minutes for Piazza Moro train station. The journey takes about 35/40 minutes.

Shop

For a souvenir of your trip to Puglia, visit Enoteca Tholos. The store has a selection of local products and produce everything from wine, pasta, meat, cheese and olive oil.
Locorotondo is famous for its good wines. Visit the Cantina for free wine tasting and purchase your favourites direct from the cooperative.

For a breath of fresh air, Due Guigno Park has something for everyone, with a sports area, pathways for walking and a beautiful fishpond protected by pines, cedars, willow and cypress trees.

Want to see the city at a relaxed pace? Go on a minitrain or bicycle tour with an English speaking guide.

La Citta Vecchia was once the beating heart of Bari, steeped in history and home to the Patron Saint of Bari. Visit the old port with its colourful fishing vessels.

August celebrates folklore and food with numerous events throughout the region. Festival Folkloristico Citta dei Trullim sees artists from around the world come to dance and sing in Alberobello, famous for its 1000 or more trulli (traditional) dwellings.

Day trip

Alberobello. The fairy-tale town is known for its beautiful trulli houses, the conical-roofed buildings are unique to the area. Alberobello's 1500 distinctive buildings earned it a UNESCO World Heritage site listing.

Cagliari (Sardegna)

From the airport

Bus: ARST buses to the city centre leave every 30 minutes from 8.45am-22.45pm

Shop

In the Vico dei Mille, opposite the port, you will find the charming shop Sapori di Sardegna. The name  means 'Tastes from Sardignia' and that is exactly what you get: wine, sweets, cheeses and more.
Durke makes a selection of Sardinia's traditional sweets. Sweet-toothed visitors should make sure they try its delicious products.

Want to go sunbathing but it looks like a windy day? Head out to the small beach of Calamosca, it is beautiful and protected from strong winds.

The place to go for an evening stroll id Viale Buon Cammino, at the highest point of the city. Enjoy superb views over the gulf and delight in the refreshing breezes, a respite from the summer heat.

Snow is fairlt frequent in the Gennargentu Mountains in winter and there is a ski lift near Fonni. Head that way if you need a break from the beach.

Discover the charming Stampace quarter with its many churches and ancient Roman ruins, such as the Villa del Tigellio and the amphitheatre.

The port of Cagliari is one of the oldest in the Mediterranean. It was founded by he Phoenicians more than 2500 years ago.

Day trip

Villasimius. Take the beautiful coastal road from Cagliari to the town of Villasimius where you will be blessed with breathtaking views. Numerous beaches with glittering water invite you into the sea for a swim. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy, too.
Nebida. Explore the beautiful coastline around Nebida. At the centre of the village you will find a panoramic walk with breathtaking views of the sea, the cliffs and the old mineral mines of the area. About 70 kilomtres from Cagliari.

Brindisi

From the airport

Bus: Frequent STP buses take 40 minutes to Brindisi.

Shop

La Casa del'Artigianato offers a good selection of ornaments and figurines. When was the last time you saw such beautiful examples of papier-mache?

On Corso Umberto, you can go from shop to shop, cafe to cafe, choosing from a fantastic selection of boutiques and eateries. Get your credit card out and be prepared to spend!

Day trip

Gallipoli. About 80 kilometres south of Brindisi lies this attractive fishing port bursting with quaint seafood restaurants and a harbour overlooking the whitewashed village. A picturesque spot to spend a leisurely afternoon exploring.

Catania (Sicily)

From the airport

Bus: Bus 457 leaves Arrivals every 20 minutes from 5am to 8pm, stopping at the city centre and central train station.

Shop

Everything and anything to remind you of your trip to Sicily is available at Punto Artigianato. Purchase crafts made from wood, lava, stone, sand and glass.
At EcoShop you can buy everything you need for an environmentally friendly life, with everything made in Sicily.

Every morning in Piazza Pardo, between the port and cathedral square, the city's most important fish market is held. Noisy, smelly and quite an experience, it is a great place to buy cheap and fantastically fresh fish.

If you have been out very late and you have the midnight munchies, the place to go is Bar Magri, selling tasty snacks 24 hours a day.

Viale Ruggero di Lauria is an attractive boulevard by the Ionic Sea, just a few metres north of the central train station, with a long seaside pavement that is perfect for an afternoon stroll.

Via Etnea is the longest street in the city centre. Lined with shops, bars and cafes, it is ideal for a leisurely stroll. At the weekend it becomes a traffic-free zone.

Day trip

Calatabiano. Quaint, romantic town 50 kilometres from Catania. Notable features include the ninth-century castle and beautiful beaches. It is an easy train ride away.
Randazzo. On the slopes of Mount Etna, Randazzo is an historic town famous for its churches and beautiful palace, and it is also only 15 kilomtres from Etna's crater. Take the Circumetnea train from Catania.

Naples

From the airport

Bus: the Alibus airport shuttle stops at the train station and Piazza Municipio. Alternatively, catch bus 3S to the train station

shop
The devil may wear Prada but every American president from Kennedy onwards has donned a tie from Marinella. This little shop's guestbook reads like a who's who of influential men and leaders.

Since 1865, the Tramontano family have designed and crafted high-quality leather goods by hand from natural materials to sell at their shop. Famous patrons include Pavarotti, Woody Allen and Tom Cruise.

Naple's largest square, Piazza Plebiscito, is closed to cars and traffic, making it a popular meeting spot linking to many attractions (Royal Palace, Teatro San Carlo) as well as being surrounded by charming restaurants, bars and cafes.

If you are looking for some fresh gelato, keep an eye out for signs saying produzione propria or artigianale. This means your icy treat made the old-fashioned way.

Day or night, Mergellina makes a great seaside stroll. Stop along the way for an espresso, tarallo (savoury pastry) or a refreshing granita.

Day trip

Pompeii. Italy's most famous archaeological site, Pompeii provides a glimpse into daily life in 79 AD and is easily reached by a 30-minute trip on the Circumvesuviana train. Wear your walking shoes because there is a lot to explore.
Paestum. The easiest way to reach these amazing Greco-roman temple ruins is to book a tour. Otherwise, hop on a train to Salerno then another from Salerno to Paestum. This lesser-known site makes a pleasant uncrowded picnic spot.

Milan

From the airport

Milan

Bus: ATM's 73 bus connects with the underground at San Babila. The Starfly goes to Centrale station, every half hour from 6.10am-11.30pm.

Malpensa

Train: the Malpensa Express departs for Cadorna station every half hour from 5.53am-1.30am

Bus: the Malpensa Shuttle departs for Centrale station every 20 minutes from 6am-10.45pm

If you only have time to visit one shop in Milan, make it the Armani megastore. This huge space on several floors is devoted to signature clothes and home furnishings, and contains the Japanese/Californian-inspired Nobu. There is also a sumptuous bookshop specialising in fashion and design and a home entertainment centre selling the latest from Sony.

Milan is the home of luxury brands like Prada, D&G and La Perla but the city also offers discount stores and vintage boutiques. Montenapoleone district is lined with designer shops. La Rinascente department store has a roof-top terrace to admire the view of the Duomo (the third largest cathedral in the world). Brera district is full of unique boutiques.

Milan is a well-known centre for models, not only the fashion kind but also the plastic ones that overgrown kids like to assemble themselves. Whose shelves do not ned a scale model Ferrari or a Spanish galleon? All this and more at Zeppelin Modellismo.

Milan is very quiet in August but it is a great time to relax and pamper yourself at one of its many fitness and beauty centres. Icos is one of the best equipped, with thermal baths and a wide range of massage and skin treatments.

The little-town Museo Bagatti Valsecchi has a large collection of furniture, art objects and paintings dating from the 16/18th century. The museum is well worth a visit, a testament to the taste of the two aristocratic brothers who strarted the collection.

Today, the Brera area is best known for shopping and eating, but historically this was a bohemian quarter of Milan full of artits. It is home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, one of Italy-s most important art galleries with a large collecion of northern Italian paintings. The most elegant boutiques are in Via Solferino, Via Moscova and Corso Garibaldi, a good place to shop for a present or a last-minute gift.

February is fashion month in Milan, with the fabric and accessories show Moda In, before Fashion Week at the end of the month. The shows mean there are plenty of bargains to be  had in designer boutiques as they clear their windows to make way for the new collections. Moda In is at the Fiera Milanocity.

The historic centre of Milan has a lot to offer, including the Duomo, the third largest church in the world, a giant structure in white marble that took five centuries to build. If it is a clear day, go up to the roof via the lift or stairs for an unforgettable view over the rooftops. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele next door is a shoppers' paradise, 19th-century style. And just to the west of the Duomo is the Piazza dei Mercanti, which has some of the oldest buildings in the city dating from the early 13th century. 

The Christmas market takes place throughout December at the Piazza della Basilica di Sant Ambrogio. It is filled with gifts, handmade crafts, a nativity scene and Christmas trees.

Day trip

Lake Como. Barely an hour north of Milan by train or car, Lake Como was a favourite of English 19th-century Romantic poets Wordsworth, Shelley and Byron. The main resort on the lake is Bellagio, on the south shore at its most northerly point. This quaint place combines cobbled streets with smart boutiques. You can even swim in the lake at the eastern end of the town, but be careful as the water is very deep and the rocks shelve away quickly.

Alessandria. Milan sits in the middle of a plain and south of the city the flat countryside with its farms and poplar trees can be particularly attractive. Go to Alessandria, a market town set in lush wine-making country. The town dates from the 12th century, with its famous ancient fortress, the Cittadella, a well-known landmark. The cathedral, a neo-classical building, is worth visiting, as are the churches of Santa Maria del Carmine and Santa Maria di Castello.

Olbia (Sardinia)

From the airport

Bus. The Linea Urbana bus goes to Olbia every half hour and takes about 8 minutes.

Citta Mercato and Olbiamare supermarkets, in all the central tourist areas, offer goods at reasonable prices.

Hand-made rugs are a Sardinian speciality. Nip into the Centro Tappeti Sardi for some of the best selection.

Only a few kilometres from Olbia sits the Byzantine Castello di Sa Paulazza. The castle is in an area where a nuraghe (a megalithic stone tower that is unique to the island) was established.

August is a busy time throughout Olbia with long traffic jams sometimes extending up to 20 kilometres. It is wise to bear this in mind when planning any journey, particularly if you are heading to the airport.

Head to San Teodoro where the streets are closed to traffic. Pedestrians can stroll about the evening markets and stop off at bars spilling out onto the pavements for a late-night expresso or gelato.

La Corte offers tea service with panoramic view of the bay. In an area where ancient Roman remains have been found, the newly revamped resort has an interesting display of traditional costumes during the festivals that take place in February.

Carnival is the biggest festival of the year, with processions of floats, free food, beer and wine, as well as other special treats. Although there are celebrations in every town, Tempio, near Olbia, is by far the most famous.

Surfing has become really popular in Sardinia in the last decade and surf clubs have popped up all along the southern beaches of the island.

Day trip

Berchidda. An hour south of Olbia you will find the breathtaking and much photographed beaches of Berchidda with pristine sand and crystal-clear waters. 
Alghero. Why not see the Sardinian countryside while partaking in a little wine tasting? Sella & Mosca, near Alghero, has produced some of the best wines on the island since 1899. You can also find out more about winemaking in the region.

Sardinians have one of the world's longest average life expectancies at about 83 for men and 85 for women. Scientists are studying their diet and lifestyle to find out why.

Palermo (Sicily)

From the airport
Train. The Trinacria Express reaches Central station in just 45 minutes.

Dario D'Oca is an artist, decorator and ceramicist. Check out his unique expressions of traditional Sicilian craftsmanship.

Liberia Del Mare is ideal for sea enthusiasts. This bookshop at the Cala sells just about everything pertaining to marine life, books, maps, ship model kits, guides and much more.

If you plan to travel by bus while visiting, you can save money by buying a 24-hour ticket.

Corso Calatafimi is a long road leading to Monreale. It includes important archaelogical and historical sites, such as a Punic catacomb and a perfect Arab building (La Cuba).

Mondello is Palermo's favourite beach. Although it is jam-packed with sunbathers, that does not detract from its aristocratic charm, with art-nouveau villas just steps away from crystalline waters. Hop on bus 806 at the Politeama or any stop along Viale Liberta.

In February, Sagra del Mandorio in Fiore celebrates the blossoming of the almond trees in the Valley of the Temples of Agrigento. People come from all around to celebrate this folk festival, dressing in traditional garb and enjoying the regional cuisine

Day trip

Piana Degli Albanesi. This small town half an hour south of Palermo is unique: it boasts bilingual status with many locals speaking italian and Albanian, from where many their ancestors originated in the 15th centur. No visit is complete without trying the larger-than-average cannoli, a trademark of the town.
Agrigento. Founded in the 5th century BC, Agrigento's former influence is evidenced by its Doric temples which dramatically overlook the sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town has also offered its share of prominent thinkers, from scientists/mathematician Empedocles to the Nobel Laureate Pirandello.