Italy's Lake District

Sapphire blue lakes, aristocratic pastel villas with beautiful gardens, exquisite small towns, and a mild Mediterranean-style climate make lakes Como, Maggiore, and Garda, an hour or so north of Milan, Italy, in Lombardy, an absolute delight. On Lake Maggiore on the Borromean Islands, the lavish 17th-century Palazzo Borromeo features six fantasy-like grotto rooms, a terraced garden called a masterpiece of Italian Baroque design, and peacocks roaming the sculpture-studded grounds. You can reach it by ferry from Stresa. Overlooking Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake, in Sirmione are the ruins of a Roman villa frequented by Catullus, Grotte di Catullo, and a 13th-century crenellated castle.

Photo Credit: Lake Orta,Italy (Image Source)

Itinerary: Perfect Day Spent in Italy

The Renaissance began here for a reason. Wander Italy's best museum, the Uffizi, and gaze at works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Donatello. Find David at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Climb to the top of the Duomo, Firenze's glorious Cathedral, and sip unparalleled views of the city from the Campanile. Indulge in the country's delectable cuisine before retreating to your hotel room.

Photo Credit: Il Duomo, Florence, Italy (Photodisc)

World's Greatest Art Hubs: Rome, Italy

If you haven't satiated your thirst for art in Florence, a weekend in Rome will cure all. At the Vatican Museums, it's a labyrinthine walk through hallways lined with art by masters Raphael, Caravaggio, and Giotto to reach the Sistine Chapel. Bernini brings myth to life at the quieter, manse-like Museo and Galleria Borghese; his sculpture of Pluto grabbing Proserpina's thigh is more supple than stonelike.

Photo Credit: St Peter's Cathedral and River Tiber, Rome, Italy (Digital Vision)

Top 4 Affordable International Trips

Taking a trip to another continent isn’t cheap, but you can save money with these ideas:

Paris
Visit between November and April for the best rates on accommodations and airfare. For free or low-cost fun, plan on doing a lot of sightseeing in the historic public areas and parks. Don’t worry about tipping, as gratuities are often added to your price automatically. But definitely splurge on the world-famous food.

Must-See World Festivals: Calcio Fiorentino in Florence, Italy

What could be better than no-holds-barred European football? No-holds-barred European football in medieval garb! Each year during the third week of June, Florence's Piazza Santa Croce hosts the Calcio Fiorentino, the revival of a 16th-century football match complete with period garters and pantaloons. The aim of the game: seize the ball and put it in the netקby whatever means available.

Photo credit: Il Duomo in Florence, Italy (Photodisc/Getty)