Wine is a way of life in Italy. Travel across the country and you see vineyards growing everywhere. In fact, Italian geography can be broken into 5 geographic winegrowing areas and 20 winegrowing regions!

The first area, Northeast Italy, is radiant with natural beauty from the magnificent Dolomites to unspoiled lakes, rivers, and woodlands. Take your skis to the Dolomites in the winter or hike the gorgeous trails there in summer. If you want to relax, lean back in a gondola and wind through Venice's romantic canals.

Northwest Italy is beautiful and varied: the alps, the plains, the beautiful shoreline of the Mediterranean are some of its wonderful features. If you visit, don't miss San Remo: a vast Riviera resort, with looming palm trees and an exciting casino. Stop off in Turin: the capital of Piedmont is a must-see, a graceful city of Baroque architecture.

Travel a little southeast to East Central Italy, where the rolling hills, slender cypress trees, and ancient roads lead to beautiful olive groves and vineyards, which make this region a special feast for the eyes. This region is quite abundant with vineyards, crafting everything from the finest traditional reds to innovative blends: Chianti, Lambrusco, Trebbiano, and Malvasia to name a few

In the West Central region, the landscape is incredibly varied. A pastoral countryside of cypress trees, vineyards, and olive groves, and a high mountain wilderness rich with snow-capped beauty all make up this wonderful part of the country. Because of its vast and varied terrain, this region also offers a wine for every preference: reds, nontraditional blends, and popular Tuscan white wines.

Finally, Southern Italy is home to majestic peaks, gentle valleys, untamed wilderness and lovely miles of coastline. You can walk the ancient, narrow streets of Naples' Spanish Quarter at twilight while sipping a Sicilian white wine. Or climb a seaside peak during daylight to enjoy the view of the breathtaking Almalfi Coast.