Europe Castles & palaces, Central, Landscape + Winter pictures

• World

One of the world’s smallest countries lies within eastern Italy’s countryside. Visit the longstanding city-state for natural beauty, culture and food specialties.

Watch opera in an enormous amphitheater, sample local dishes at the market square and see why Shakespeare set his most famous love story in this medieval city.

Admire the greatest works of Michelangelo and da Vinci, see the center of Catholicism and pose with the Leaning Tower of Pisa on this Mediterranean peninsula.

Gaze at a shoreline dotted with pretty bays and coves, spot Balearic Islands and watch marvelous sunsets at this hilltop viewpoint. 

For some of the best views over Verona, head up the hill to the castle that stands on the site where the city was founded.

Admire the craftsmanship of the Tuscan artists and architects that created this richly ornamented bell tower. Climb its staircase for glorious views of Florence. 

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Enjoy picturesque clifftop views in the town where Dracula took form and Captain Cook learned his trade.

Watch opera in an enormous amphitheater, sample local dishes at the market square and see why Shakespeare set his most famous love story in this medieval city.

Delve into the heart and soul of old Granada by visiting this picturesque little plaza with fascinating surroundings and history.

The capital of Scotland combines ancient architecture and fascinating history with a vibrant cultural scene and world-famous festivals.

Discover themed gardens, artist pavilions, viewpoints and wildlife stations set around a natural amphitheater in the grounds of a medieval castle. 

The rooftop terrace has stunning vistas of central Madrid, while the interior is a hub of the arts, from music and poetry events to lectures and science exhibits.

Make your way along elegant promenades to find medieval churches, thermal spas and stunning gardens in the shadow of the Italian Alps. 

Less than an hour from vibrant Naples, this historic coastal community lives life at a sleepier pace.

For some of the best views over Verona, head up the hill to the castle that stands on the site where the city was founded.

The rooftop terrace has stunning vistas of central Madrid, while the interior is a hub of the arts, from music and poetry events to lectures and science exhibits.

Visit the upscale ski resorts, trek across the snow-capped mountains and learn about the mixtures of cultures in this eclectic region.