Markets fell overnight on both sides of the Atlantic as Italy's borrowing costs soared, intensifying concern that efforts to contain the European Union's debt crisis aren't working.

Liz Light walks country lanes and forest paths in northern Italy.

Mauricio and Charlotte brave crowds of 'Romeo and Juliet' aficionados in Italy, go tramping in Slovenia and find some fellow All Blacks fans in Croatia.

Kiwi journalists Maurcio Olmedo-Perez and Charlotte Whale are taking the scenic route home from London.

The magic and luxury of Venice is best appreciated when you arrive by boat, writes Raymond Whitaker.

When the sumptuous Great Gardens of Italy series recently screened here, you couldn't help but notice quite a few shots of its host, British garden guru Monty Don, staring pensively out at the scenery, chiselled chin on hand.

Heather Whelan goes off the beaten track to a place where the past is part of the present.

Designers exhibiting at Milan's fashion week are countering the economic doom and gloom with a series of colourful shows.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana made the surprise announcement yesterday that they would be closing their D&G line.

Gucci has been accused of throwing London Fashion Week into disarray by requesting models fly to Milan early for fittings.

Milan Fashion Week opened yesterday with a show of strength and sparkle from an international mega-brand steeped in history.

Tuition fees at New Zealand universities are among the highest in the world, according to a new report. New Zealand had the seventh-most expensive tuition fees for universities, with entrants paying more than $3600 a year.