Italy, here I come!

<p>Up among the wild, forbidding peaks of the Gran Sasso National Park, in Abruzzo, stands a medieval village of cobbled lanes, sun-flooded squares and ancient stone houses.</p>

An hour and a half northeast of Rome by train lies the intriguing Umbrian hilltop town of Spoleto

There are some fabulous hotels and agriturismi in the countryside surrounding Perugia, but the Sina Brufani, which turns 140 this year, is the five-star standout of the historic city.

Sophisticated and small, Palazzo Luce holds a blue-chip collection of contemporary art and vintage design curated by owner Anna Maria Enselmi.