Increasing numbers of campsite holidaymakers fly to Italy, but taking the decision to drive across mainland Europe is worth the effort.

After being buried under ash from Mt Vesuvius almost 2000 years ago, the Roman city of Pompeii rose again, becoming one of the world's most famous historic sites.

Justine Tyerman finds Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Italy’s Ligurian Coast, just as she had envisaged.

The Salvatore Ferragamo show concentrates on shapes. All in black, white and navy blue, with no prints or bold shades, the clothes have to speak for themselves. Massimiliano Giornetti, designer for the Florentine brand best known for its accessories, gives his winter styles a voice through sculpted silhouettes and carefully chosen fabrics. A few examples: a wide Alpaca jacket is worn with an A-line short skirt in pony leather; an oversized cashmere pullover is paired with a dainty slip with beaded hemline; and a classic overcoat becomes even more classy when worked in shiny silk. Even fur and leather are worked to highlight the artistry of the collection, starting with suede stitched in smocking, or beaver shorn to look like satin. The famous Ferragamo shoe next winter is a knee-high boot with pointed toe and relatively low stiletto heel, cut out at the instep and laced up the barelegged back. The latest Ferragamo bag is a shopper with metal inserts.

Fendi is to fur what Ferrari is to cars. Yet given current concerns about animal rights, the brand has moved from the lavish fur coats that were all the rage in the 1980s to a more discreet way of interpreting fur as fashion. Fendi creative director Silvia Venturini, daughter of one of the company's five founding sisters, opted for wisps of fur used as hair decorations, bracelets, or charms hanging from Fendi bags. Fur also appeared as inserts in a skirt or a dress, or sheered and fashioned into a cozy, but not showy, jacket. Long fur, usually goat, also seen on other runways during Milan's preview showings, was used to make up a skirt or a cape.

Head to the Italian resort of Courmayeur to enjoy the Vallée Blanche without the crowds of Chamonix.

Influence pedallers: The best cities for bicycle rides.

Here are some of the world's key doomsday destinations and other places marked by fear and fascination.

Italy's most prominent anti-Mafia campaigner has appeared in court to sue the Mobsters who ordered his death.

Julia Shallcrass explores the ancient remnants of Rome, from its dark history to the Vatican City.

Tempo and quick recycling have been identified by the All Blacks as the key methods to avoid being dragged into a dog fight against Italy.

Venetia Sherson explores Italy's wild heart, where strange rituals flourish and cheese-producing sheep can be sponsored.

Jim Eagles missed out on what he wanted to hear in Montalcino, but what he saw made the trip worthwhile.

Soak up a slower pace of living in Italy's untouched southern region.

Though the places we sleep in are often quickly forgotten, food will be at the heart of the stories that, years later, we tell about our travels.

Newlyweds Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are snapped sporting their wedding rings after their hush-hush wedding.

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel are set to tie the knot this weekend, according to reports.

Two of the four sisters at the centre of an international custody dispute were ordered off a plane in Brisbane after throwing a violent tantrum.

Brian Winer checks into the Castel Monastero in the Tuscan countryside near Sienabusy to reintegrate his mind, body and spirit.

Gnocchi should be feather-light and smothered in a rich sauce, Peta McCartney discovers during a visit to a Venetian restaurant.