Explore beyond Italy's headline tourist spots and discover its lesser known, but equally awe inspiring, corners. Emilia-Romagna on Italy's Adriatic coast is peppered with sites of interest - take a pit stop in Maranello, home of the iconic Ferrari or taste the original Parmesan cheese and tortellini in Modena. Gastronomes should also head out to Parma, known for its eponymous ham.

The central region of Marche offers those staying in villas in Italy a real taste of the traditional country. The Apennine Mountains contrast with the region's stunning coastline, while, inland, the region is packed with ancient hilltop villages and medieval towns. When renting a Marche villa, be sure to include a trip to the Conero National Park, an oasis of woodland and dramatic white cliffs, plunging into the Adriatic Sea.

Abruzzo is the ideal destination for lovers of the great outdoors and a well kept secret. Skiing is a favourite sport of those already in the know. The region's 15 ski resorts, including Campo Felice, Roccaraso and Campo Imperatore, often have more snow than the Alps, making it the perfect choice for ski and mountain holidays in Italy.

Molise is Italy's smallest and youngest region. Hire a car and discover ancient ruins, castles and medieval hamlets nestled between olive groves. Wide valleys, snowcapped mountains and evergreen forests lend the region a dramatic landscape.

In the heart of Italy, Umbria is home to Italy's largest lake - Lake Trasimeno. Visitors to Assisi can't miss the basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and burial place of St Francis. Walk over the city of Perugia on a Roman aqueduct, find the source of the river Tiber on Monte Fumaioli or rent a Spoleto villa and relax in the city's peaceful surroundings with a plate of pasta with typical Umbrian black truffles, wild game or mushrooms.

For distinctive Italian architecture, look no further than the Puglia trulli, especially in the town of Alberobello. Monopoli caters for beach bunnies while the ancient 'white city' of Ostuni sparkles under bright blue skies. To cover off all your bases don't miss Brindisi in the very heel of Italy's 'boot'.

For those renting villas in Tuscany, Italy's best known region, there are still some lesser known treasures. Whether it's the historic old town of Arezzo, the Tuscan hilltop towns, the thermal spa settlement of Montecatini Terme or the place of Napoleon's exile, the island of Elba, you won't be stuck for things to do wherever you base yourself in Italy.