Trento, Italy

Just three hours from Venice by train, and less than an hour from Verona, TRENTO makes a good base for exploring the southern part of this region, not least because of its bus services into the Dolomites range. Overshadowed by Monte Bedone just 13km away, the town is beautifully situated, encircled by mountains and exuding a relaxed pace of life. The central, café-lined piazza is all fading frescoes and cobblestones, with chic fashion shops in the narrow streets off it. MART, Italy's largest modern art museum and Lake Garda lie 25km south.