Alps
The Alps are one of the great mountain range systems of Europe stretching approximately 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) across eight Alpine countries from Austria and Slovenia in the east, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, and France to the west, and Italy and Monaco to the south. The mountains were formed over tens of millions of years as the African and Eurasian tectonic plates collided.
Vietnam
Astonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with an incredible heritage that quickly becomes addictive. This is a country of myriad influences and reference points. In the south, Indian and Hindu culture had a lasting influence in the Cham temples and spicy regional cuisine, spiked with chilli and tempered with coconut.
Italy
A country of rich, spectacular food and wines, artisans producing everything from fine olive oils to flawless tooled leathers, fashion designers setting style for the rich and famous throughout the world, and a disproportionate number of the world’s most famous art treasures, this is Italy. It has rolling hills, lush, verdant valleys, snow-capped mountains, ancient hamlets and bustling cities.
It is a country of magnificence! Glorious structures from thousands of years ago sit alongside grand palaces, exquisite piazzas boast ancient-sculpted fountains, arbors of grape vines climb up the side of mountains, ships slip into romantic ports, lavish hotels and authentic villas beckon the tourist, and small family hotels that only the locals know about are the hideaways of visitors who return again and again to the splendor that is Italy. It is where people from the world go to sun, sail, climb, explore, luxuriate, and experience a culture born of antiquity wrapped in modern times. There is no doubt that Italy is one of the most beautiful places on earth! Ask the Italians, they call their home Il Belpaese, the beautiful country.
