I spent a week in Northern Italy outside of busy season. I loved the smaller crowds, half-priced hotels, and crisp weather.

Travel experienced a boom in 2023, with visitor numbers in many hotspot destinations returning to pre-pandemic levels.

The Swiss city of Lugano is an outlier, radically different in feeling from counterparts like Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne, or Basel. It has a 19th-century feel, a measured pace, and traces of the Belle Epoque. Situated on Lake Lugano with tree-lined promenades and a backdrop of domed mountains, the views might have been lifted from an Art Nouveau poster.

Global hospitality heavyweights are investing in the British capital with new hotels, and they're betting big. Raffles repurposed the landmark Old War Office—Churchill's erstwhile HQ—while the Peninsula broke new ground just opposite the Buckingham Palace garden, both brands staking claims in prime London real estate. Waldorf Astoria and Six Senses will soon follow suit with their own local debuts, while Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental plan to open second properties. But don't let the big names drown out boutique newcomers like the whimsical Broadwick Soho, a glittering reminder of the homegrown English charisma that makes London a must-visit in the first place.

You don’t need to head to obscure, hard-to-reach parts of Italy to heed some of today’s most popular travel mantras, like “escape the crowds!”and “beat the heat!” Here are five gorgeous destinations close to (and even in) the country’s most sought-after spots that can help you do a bit of both. All are right on the water—almost a requirement for summer vacations now, when warm-weather months bring new, record-setting hot spells throughout Europe.

Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is the capital of India’s southern Karnataka state and the epicenter of India’s high-tech industry. The city is also known for its green spaces and vibrant nightlife. There are numerous attractions, from historical landmarks to modern experiences, like the Lalbagh Botanical Garden, the Bengaluru Palace, and the ISKCON temple Bangalore. The city is also known as a great place to shop, home to numerous malls and markets.

Rome is a mesmerizing mélange of art, faith, and history that has spanned almost three millennia. Here you will encounter legendary monuments from Republican matriarchs, the finest frescoes in the world to some of the most iconic landmarks in history such as the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum. Located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, Rome is one of Europe’s most visited cities, with millions of tourists flocking to it each year to experience its rich culture and history. Due to its popularity, hotels in Rome can come with a hefty price tag and can book up far in advance. If you’re planning a getaway to the city, want to save money, and stay somewhere as remarkable as the historic capital, plan ahead of time.

For travelers with a love of history, there’s something truly special about staying in historic neighborhoods and preserved town centers surrounded by iconic monuments and story-filled city streets. A hotel redolent with the whispers of centuries past can be the ideal addition to an immersive journey, offering not just a place to rest, but a living testament to the captivating historic narratives of the region. From restored convents and department stores, to festival hot spots and hideaways for the elite, check out 6 incredible heritage hotels from around the world that are ideal for a March break getaway.

When celebrating some of the best hotels in Italy, DUCO selects their annual winners as part of their highly curated initiative to showcase the best of the country. Unlike most prestigious travel events that focus on the global travel industry, DUCO is dedicated to promoting Italy as a single destination. Its primary objective is to bring the world to Italy and provide an extraordinary experience of Italian hospitality. DUCO's focus is on the destination itself, providing an immersive experience of Italy and serving as an important reference point for the high-end travel community.

Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages offer completely different experiences. And I've cruised with both.

Caffe Florian claims to be the oldest café in Italy, and the second-oldest in Europe. It's also the stuff of legend. The Venetian café was where some of history's most revered writers — including Goethe, Lord Byron, and Charles Dickens — hung out. And in more recent years, modern celebrities — from Elton John to Clint Eastwood — were spotted.

In the midst of winter with its low grey skies, the scents and colours of embryonic spring are a welcome morale booster. These gardens will offer spectacular views over the coming months, as banks of delicate snowdrops, and armies of budding daffs, bluebells and tulips return.

It takes a traveler to know travel.