Bologna, home city to the famous "spag bol" (ragù in these parts), has as of yet never really been prone to floods of tourists. As such, the city known for its food (and boy, is it good here!), student demonstrations and political activities is well worth staying put in. You'll struggle to hear any English, improving your Italian and your understanding of the country as a whole. Because Bologna doesn't just give its name to the classic Italian dish, restaurants literally climb on top of one another, offering you the very best in Italian cuisine.

The city of ancient civilisation that vanquished, conquered and reinvented the way we used to live, Rome is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most breathtaking and awe-inspiring places on earth. Rushed city dwellers whizz about on Vespa scooters, past the great remains of their ancestors' architecture across town, men and women have animated conversations over a cappuccino or glass of fine wine, students clamour together over a tasty lunch, grannies stroll about town, Gucci sunglasses on—Rome can only be described as a mish-mash of style, glamour and charisma.