"Italia! oh Italia! thou who hast The fatal gift of beauty,” wrote Byron. And tourists ever since have been falling in love with the place, seduced by her landscapes, her art, that wonderful food. There are thousands of perfect Italian summer holidays out there, more than ever before. Here are 20 of the best.

1 CHILL IN TUSCANY

Combine some serious quaffing with gentle walks in the hills of Chianti. Langdale Holidays (01539 735108, www.langdaleholidays.co.uk) has booked all nine rooms at La Spinosa, a charming hotel on an organic farm near the tiny village of Barberino Val d’Elsa. Among the treats it promises are guided tours of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, walks in the surrounding valley among wild flowers and butterflies, and three wine-tasting sessions, one at the hotel and two with local producers. That still leaves plenty of time to lounge beside the pool, book a relaxing massage or explore the walking trails that crisscross the estate. A week, half-board, departing on June 11, costs £1,080.

2 LIVE LIKE A NATIVE

Venice isn’t just for day trips and short breaks, it can also make a great base for a summer holiday — providing you stay away from the maelstrom that is San Marco. One option is to rent an apartment on the island of La Giudecca, where you’ll find yourself amid a network of narrow alleyways, handsome Palladian churches and excellent local restaurants. The atmosphere is laid-back and parochial, yet the city centre is only three minutes away by vaporetto. After a morning ’s sightseeing or shopping, you can take a direct vaporetto to the beaches of the Lido. Venetian Apartments (020 8878 1130, www.venice-rentals.com) has a selection of properties on La Giudecca, including the Judeca Nova Penthouse, which sleeps six, has a large terrace with views over the lagoon and is a three-minute walk from the vaporetto stop. A week’s self-catering costs £199pp, based on six sharing. Fly to Venice with British Airways (0870 850 9850, www.ba.com) or Ryanair (www.ryanair.com).

3 DRIVE A CLASSIC

See the Lakes in style behind the wheel of a classic sports car. Strap on a pair of open-backed leather gloves, fold down the roof and follow a specially designed scenic route that snakes around the back roads between Maggiore, Como, Iseo and Garda. It’s not all driving — there are boat trips on the lakes and visits to historic villas and gardens, and to the Mille Miglia museum in Brescia. Up to 12 cars follow the same route — not in convoy but at their own pace — then meet up in the evenings to enjoy gastronomic dinners. The 10-night trip begins in Orta San Giulio on September 19. If you take your own car, it costs £1,985pp, including five dinners, driving notes and B&B at palaces, farmhouses and inns. Or you can rent a classic car for the duration: a 1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider costs £900. Book with Classic Travelling (0870 350 0122, www.classictravelling.com), which can also advise on flights or ferries.

4 SPLASH OUT

Live it up with the aristos at Costa Smeralda, an exclusive resort in Sardinia created by the Aga Khan. And though Sardinia is wonderful in the spring, if you want to brush expensively tanned shoulders with the likes of Claudia Schiffer and P Diddy, you’ll need to go in the high season. Stay at the super-glam Hotel Cala di Volpe and you’ll pay from £2,245 for a week’s half-board in May, and from £4,775 in August. The tour operator Elegant Resorts (01244 897515, www.elegantresorts.co.uk) suggests clients book a half-day cruise on a private yacht to visit the Maddalena archipelago (prices on request). At night, take the credit card for a spin at the aptly named Billionaire Club, a bar and nightclub owned by Flavio Briatore, the former boyfriend of supermodel Naomi Campbell.

5 KEEP IT SIMPLE

Not everybody’s idea of luxury is gold taps and pink Cristal champagne. Many well-heeled holidaymakers head instead for the simple rustic charm of the Aeolian Islands, off the north coast of Sicily. The seven volcanic islands are all spectacular, but the one to head for is Panarea, which has no cars and is home to the stylish Raya Hotel. Created in the 1960s by two travellers, Paolo Tilche and Myriam Beltrami, the Raya’s 30 rooms are built in traditional village style and individually decorated. Many guests return year after year.

A week’s B&B costs £788 in May, £800 in August, with Think Sicily (020 7377 8518, www.thinksicily.com). Fly with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) to Palermo and take the hydrofoil to Panarea.

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