Milan Cathedral, the Duomo di Milano, is one of the largest churches in the world. Building began in 1386 and was not completed until 1965. Its Gothic facade and roof bristle with about 135 spires and thousands of statues. Visitors can walk on the roof terraces among the spires, below the golden Madonnina statue on the highest spire.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a grand shopping arcade in Milan, built between 1865 and 1877. Its two glass-vaulted arcades meet under a large glass dome, with mosaic floors and painted decorations. It holds luxury shops, cafes and restaurants. Tradition says spinning on your heel on the mosaic bull in the floor brings good luck.

La Scala, the Teatro alla Scala, is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, opened in Milan in 1778. Many great operas by Verdi, Puccini and others had their first performances here. Its red and gold horseshoe auditorium has six tiers of boxes. The season opens each year on 7 December, the feast of Milan's patron saint.

Sforza Castle in Milan was built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. Its red brick walls and towers surround large courtyards. Leonardo da Vinci worked here for the Sforza court. The castle holds several museums, including Michelangelo's last sculpture, the Rondanini Pietà. Sempione Park stretches behind it.

Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church and convent in Milan, built in the 15th century. Its refectory holds Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, painted on the wall between 1495 and 1498. The painting has survived wars and decay, including a bomb in 1943 that destroyed part of the building. Visits must be booked in advance. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bellagio is a village on Lake Como, at the tip of the peninsula where the lake divides into its three branches. Its stepped lanes lead down to the waterfront past shops and cafes. The gardens of Villa Melzi and Villa Serbelloni lie nearby. Ferries link it with other lake villages such as Varenna and Tremezzo.

Varenna is a small village on the eastern shore of Lake Como. Its colourful houses cluster along the water, linked by a lakeside path called the Lovers' Walk. The gardens of Villa Monastero and Villa Cipressi run down to the lake. Above the village stands the Castello di Vezio, with views of the lake.

The Mole Antonelliana is the symbol of Turin. It was begun in 1863 as a synagogue, designed by Alessandro Antonelli, and completed as a city monument. Its spire rises about 167 metres, once making it the tallest brick building in the world. It now houses the National Museum of Cinema, and a glass lift climbs to a viewing terrace.

Breuil-Cervinia is a ski resort in the Aosta Valley at the foot of the Matterhorn, known in Italian as the Monte Cervino. The mountain's sharp pyramid peak rises to 4,478 metres on the border with Switzerland. Cable cars link Cervinia to Zermatt across the glaciers. In summer, skiing continues on the glacier above.

Portofino is a small fishing village on the Italian Riviera, east of Genoa. Its pastel-coloured houses curve around a tiny harbour full of yachts. It has long been a resort for the wealthy and famous. Paths lead to Castello Brown and the lighthouse at Punta Portofino, with views over the sea. It is part of a regional park.

The Cinque Terre are five villages on the rugged coast of Liguria: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Colourful houses cling to the cliffs above small harbours, and vineyards on terraces climb the hills. Walking paths and a railway link the villages. The area is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.