As winter weather arrives across the UK, it's no wonder you're daydreaming about your next summer holiday.
But with many of Europe's top destinations suffering from overtourism, experts recommend exploring quieter places where you can experience all the excitement without the crowds.
Luxury Italian travel expert Citaglia recommends Italy's luxurious Emilia-Romagna region as an alternative to the popular destination of Tuscany.
Stretching from the Apennines to the Po River in the north, this lush region has a lot to charm the keen tourist, from stunning architecture to delicious delicacies like fresh burrata.
The capital of the region is Bologna, the home of Bolognese. In addition to this classic dish, Emilia-Romagna is also home to balsamic vinegar, prosciutto, and Parmesan cheese.
From Bologna, you can travel by train through Italy to nearby towns such as Parma, Modena, and Ravena, and explore everything these regions have to offer.
Parma in particular is famous for its stunning Romanesque buildings, and the city is home to the magnificent Parma Cathedral. Meanwhile, Ravenna is known for its Byzantine mosaics and boasts eight impressive UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Emilia-Romagna also boasts some of the world's best wines, made from grapes grown on the gentle slopes of the Apennines. This region of the country is a vibrant patchwork of vineyards, olive groves and ancient villages spread across a lush landscape.
If you're looking for a beach, Emilia Romagna has it all.
This glittering coast has been Italy's favorite seaside destination since the 1960s and 1970s.
The island, which stretches along the Adriatic Sea, is popular among beach lovers, with sun-seeking Europeans as well as Italians flocking to its sandy beaches.
With a mix of boutique shops and restaurants and a modern beach club, it's the perfect place to spend a day soaking up the sun by the sea.
If you want to explore this wonderful region on your own, you're in luck. With Skyscanner currently offering flights from London to Bologna for just £39 one-way, you can enjoy the perfect holiday at an affordable price.
