Given Italy’s rich intellectual history, the northern cities of Florence, Bologna, Genoa, Milan, Turin, Verona and Venice play a crucial role in explaining the country’s history.

Whether it be Da Vinci’s painting of The Last Supper held in Milan, the operatic talent of Andrea Bocelli or the cinematic genius of Roberto Rossellini, Italy’s long standing affection for composers of culture and high culture help create its reputation as one of the most fashionable places in the world.

To experience as much as you can, driving around Italy is the best option, either in your own car or opting for car hire from a company like Holiday Autos. Make sure you check with your car insurance provider that you are covered for driving abroad, if not then try a provider like Co-operative Insurance. It would be a shame to only see Rome and Naples, whilst the northern cities of Turin, Milan, Genoa, Verona and Venice have so much to offer for a driving holiday.

At the foot of the Italian Alps, many of these cities are also ideal winter destinations for those wishing to ski or snowboard. Winter sports in Italy have been popular for decades now with Cortina and Livigno never failing to attract the tourists.

The winding roads, demanding hairpins and steep climbs make it an ideal place to enjoy driving again. The hilly area of Monferrato, the rolling terrain of the Langhe, the misty Po river, Lakes Maggiore and Orta, mountains and plains, rivers, cities, farming and industry all live together in harmony in this region. And if lakes are your thing, the stunning Lake Como is a must-see.

Northern Italy is also peppered with National Parks, which makes driving and camping the ideal combination for the area. A road trip east from Turin to Venice, via the foothills of the Alps will see you pass through more areas of scenic beauty and urban intrigue than you will able to squeeze into two weeks.

And finally, before arriving in the floating city of Venice, is the World Heritage city of Verona, which has become the spiritual home of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet story, demands a stop. Countless examples of Roman settlement, such as the city’s Amphitheatre (30 A.D.) make Verona a true jewel in Italy’s crown.